University of Maine Cooperative Extension has named Emily Mott as the new 4-H community education assistant for Piscataquis and Penobscot counties.

On Jan. 6 students and staff at 32 elementary schools around the state will start participating in WinterKids’ third annual WinterKids Winter Games, including Brownville Elementary School and the Greenville Consolidated School. This outdoor physical activity and nutrition competition encourages young children to develop healthy habits over the course of the four-week program.

Another year is here and it’s time for genealogists to consider resolutions.  Devoting more time to genealogy is a good place to start especially if you have problems finding time for research.  One of my first columns dealt with finding time for genealogy. If you’re like me a huge list of tasks prevents you from researching as much as you’d like.  The usual suspects are family, volunteerism, offices or committee work. If you’re not finding time for your favorite hobby, then you are likely overwhelmed with no “me” time left over.  

Be part of the first joint production of Foxcroft Academy, SeDoMoCha School and the Center Theatre by auditioning for the spring 2020 production of “Oliver!” Auditions will be held at the Center Theatre from 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 12 and 6-8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 13.

Upcoming events around the region.

Jeffrey Ryan’s book, Hermit, is a fascinating and unforgettable story about Jim Whyte’s mysterious life in a very remote section of the Maine woods in Onawa. I’d never heard of Onawa, but I found it on my map, not far from Milo.

Members of the Dexter Regional High School student government raised funds to purchase gas cards to benefit breast cancer patients in the area.

When a new year arrives, many have traditions that involve resolutions and celebrations. For Maine’s moose biologist, the arrival of a new year has come to mean something else: It’s time for the state to “recruit” a new crop of moose to aid in future research efforts.

Rep. Paul Stearns, R-Guilford has announced his intention to run for the Maine House of Representatives for a fourth term. House District 119 is made up of Abbot, Beaver Cove, Bowerbank, Greenville, Guilford, Monson, Parkman, Sangerville, Sebec, Shirley and Willimantic plus the unorganized territories of Blanchard Township, Northeast Piscataquis (including Barnard and Elliottsville Townships) and Northwest Piscataquis.

The Piscataquis Writers Alliance (PWA), formerly the Monson Writers Alliance, has some exciting changes to announce. The Alliance started in Monson with the support of the Monson Arts Center and Libra Foundation in December 2018. Meeting space was graciously made available in the Monson Public Library for the summer. Since then, the PWA has changed its meeting location and time to better accommodate its members. The Piscataquis Writers Alliance currently meets weekly at the Guilford Bed and Breakfast at 24 Elm St. in Guilford from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Ice anglers looking to find a safe place to fish on the traditional opening day of the season might want to consider a trip north, as the superintendent of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway reports that there is some fairly thick ice on AWW lakes and ponds. In much of the state, ice fishing is allowed as soon as safe ice forms. In the AWW, the season still begins on Jan. 1, as used to be the custom statewide.

The Dover Low Vision Group will meet at the Thayer Parkway Community Room, 33 Thayer Parkway, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 3. The guest will be Esther Ireland.

The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) is in the process of a website upgrade, and we need your help.

A Community Connection Day, an event for anyone who wants to get out, enjoy the company of others, have a great homemade lunch and have fun with games, cards and activities throughout the year meets the second Tuesday of the month at the JD Foundation Office, 107 Main Road in Abbot. For more call 207-343-1732.

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5 in  the Mayo Regional Hospital conference room, the Wassabec Genealogy Chapter will be holding a business meeting and program. The program will be well known genealogist Nancy Battick who will be discussing how to research probate records and deeds.

Kenneth Hatchette’s first attempt at a novel loosely based on his memories (and those of his friends) of Brownville Junction can be enjoyed in his new book “The Great Chase” available on Amazon.com.

Though Peace, Love, & Waffles has been open since November, there will be a grand opening celebration from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9 with a 4 p.m. Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony. Coffee and baked goods will be offered. The event is open to the public. An RSVP is appreciated at 207-564-7533.

Great fun, food, presents and people were part of the Dexter Book Club's "Second Day of Christmas" party at the Abbott Memorial Library on Dec. 26.