Four hundred volunteers from around the country spent nearly a week in Dexter from July 22-26 working to fix 60 homes at no cost for residents who otherwise could not afford to have the needed repairs taken care of. The improvements were made through the Fort Collins, Colorado-based Group Workcamps Foundation’s Group Mission Trips organization, a non-profit, interdenominational Christian volunteer home-repair group.

Two of the nation’s top credit rating agencies have expressed growing confidence that Northern Light Health will be able to pay back $391 million in outstanding debts, a change that could help the hospital system borrow money more cheaply in the future.

Code Maine Coding Academy, based in Dover-Foxcroft, is offering a 9-month, tuition-free coding program to any high school graduate residing in Maine. The aim of this nonprofit organization is to train Maine residents to learn valuable technical skills for rewarding lifelong careers.

Summertime in Maine is typified by fairs and festivals featuring fun, food and raffles. This year at Dexter’s Hot Dog Festival on Saturday, Aug. 10, the Dexter Public Health Association will raffle a summery quilt called “Sidewalk Chalk” by its creator, Rosemarie O’Toole.

Saturday, Aug. 3 will be the eighth annual Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Supper, sponsored by Parkman Grange from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall. The supper, featuring smoked pork loin, baked beans, salads, cake and ice cream, is open to the public by donation. All monies will go to the Minnie Welts Bridge Memorial Scholarship Fund -- the 2019 scholarships will be awarded that evening.

It is with great pleasure that the Baxter State Park Authority announces the appointment of its new park chief ranger, Daniel Rinard. Rinard comes to the park from the Appalachian Mountain Club's Maine Woods Initiative, where he ably guided facilities management and operations at the Maine lodges since 2012, most recently as director.

Autumn Finkle of Brownville, a graduate of Maine Connections Academy (MCA) the state’s first online public charter school, has graduated with a prestigious Mitchell Scholarship as well as a MELMAC scholarship. Finkle will be enrolled this fall as a freshman at Husson University in Bangor, where she plans to study nursing.

Upcoming events around the region.

The selectmen set the tax commitment for the 2019-20 fiscal year during a July 22 meeting, with the mill rate rising 30 cents (1.41 percent) from last year to a rate of $21.50 per $1,000 in assessed property.

The Center Theatre's first Summer Drama Camp in Monson came to a rousing conclusion on Saturday, July 20 during Monson Summerfest with a performance of “Bedbugs,” written by Leah Genuario. The cast of colorful kids and an audience of 70 onlookers ignored the high heat and celebrated the completion of camp.

The Hibbard Skilled Nursing Center and Dexter Healthcare, in Cooperation with Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative, recently recognized the most recently graduated CNA class.

The Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) was awarded $20,083 in grant funding by the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund (MOHF) to support critical trail maintenance projects on one of the most heavily-trafficked sections of the Appalachian Trail.

The Penquis Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council collaborated with local businesses and The Piscataquis County Sheriff's Department on Saturday, July 13, to host a one-of-a-kind diaper drive featuring the movie “Spider-man: Far From Home.” When families arrived with their diaper donations, they were greeted by Spider-Man himself.

One thing I noticed years ago after moving to Piscataquis County was the large presence of “crafters” and artists. Coming from New York City I thought at the time it was quaint, a feature of rural living. But I now see it not only as a part of rural culture, but also as a significant element in maintaining longevity and health.

David Dodson and The Lowdown will play their folk, rock, blues, jazz and country music at 7 p.m. at the Wayside Theatre at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. Tickets are $12. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. No reservations are needed.

The Sangerville Public Library has announced the winners of the scavenger hunt which took place the week of June 24.

The Guilford Memorial Library will host author and Guilford native Heidi Dellaire at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 26. Dellaire is a 1989 graduate of Piscataquis Community High School. She recently released a book of lyric narrative poems and affirmations called “Roots and Tendrils” in March of 2019. The book delves into the depths of the heart.

Two videos compiled from home movies shot from 1939 into the 1950s around Brownville/Brownville Junction and Maine railroads are available on Youtube under “Michaud family home movies” and will be screened at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30 at the Brownville-Brownville Junction Historical Society’s Parish House Museum on Church Street.