Marilyn Blais is the grand prize winner in the Piscataquis Observer’s annual Find the Whoopie Pie Contest. Blais was chosen from a pool of 10 weekly winners in which entrants successfully located a whoopie pie hidden in one of that week’s advertisements. Blais won a basket of goodies including Maine Whoopie Pie Festival and Piscataquis Observer prizes.

An entirely new camping experience will be offered at state parks throughout Maine this summer, and it involves spacious canvas tents, stylish picnic areas and tiny wood stoves that will keep campers warm on chilly nights.

A pair of Piscataquis Community High School students placed in the top three of the 2019 Camden Conference high school essay contest which focused on this year’s session theme “Is This China’s Century?” PCHS Class of 2019 Valedictorian Jennifer Simon earned second-place honors in the Camden Conference Bill Taylor Essay Contest with “A Global Solution.” Placing third was rising PCHS senior Caitlyn Drinkwater with “Human Rights in China.”

The Guilford Memorial Library is pleased to be hosting local resident Dolores Curtis as she shares slides and stories from her recent travels to northern Italy. This free event is Wednesday, June 19 at 3 p.m.

New Powerline Construction Inc. owner Klay Stevens is a first-class lineman that is not only well respected in his field, but also known for his strong work ethic, knowledge and engaging personality. He has experience in all areas of utility work and comes from a family of linemen. Stevens has access to many experienced linemen, who will provide consultation and knowledge to all areas of his business.

An art show and reception will be from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 30 at the Millworks, LLC building at 16 Church Street. Featured artists are Wally Warren, Joe Kennedy and Nellie Kennedy. All three are long-time friends and neighbors living and producing art in Ripley.

Every time I drive by the depot in Greenville Junction where it perches jauntily alongside the tracks, I think of the icon that old building is, with its unique “witches hat” roof covering the ladies waiting room.

Moose are a pretty common sight in the Maine woods and along rural roadways, but seeing one coming out of a building is pretty rare. A Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer happened to be passing by when a moose exited a former pizzeria in downtown Dover-Foxcroft early Friday morning, stepping through the plate-glass window it apparently had smashed to enter the building.

Dexter Regional High School is proud to announce that the following have been selected by the faculty as "Students of the Month" for April, grade 9: Ellie McComb; grade 10: Peyton Grant; grade 11: Caitlyn Hardy; and grade 12: David Kirshkaln.

Katelyn Robinson of Garland sang the national anthem at the Statehouse in Augusta on June 12.

Results of Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft and Greenville municipal ballots and RSU 68, SAD 4 and SAD 46 referendums on Tuesday, June 11.

Do you enjoy taking photos? Do you have a story or stories you want to tell? An upcoming “Photo Story” class is a great opportunity to learn how to use your camera to tell your stories. Whether you want to create a legacy for family, make a gift book, display your art or just have fun, this workshop will open your eyes to new ways of looking at the world.

Dr. Brian Miller, ENT has announced his retirement from Mayo Surgical Associates as of July 5. Dr. Miller has served patients in Penobscot and Piscataquis County for over 10 years, working in association with Mayo Regional Hospital in Dover-Foxcroft, Millinocket Regional Hospital and Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln.

Rep. Steve Foster, R-Dexter and Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville were at Dexter Regional High School on June 11 to present a legislative sentiment to Rick Whitney, recognizing him on his retirement after 30 years of teaching history at the school.

The 2019 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival has expanded this year to include a new event at Dover True Value Hardware. The store will be hosting its first annual "Dover True Value Homeshow Expo" in the business parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.

Come celebrate thriving farms at “Root Down: A Farm Viability Party” hosted by Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) at Ripley Farm on the Merrills Mills Road from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, June 27. Guests can take a tour of the farm, enjoy snacks from Spruce Mill Farm & Kitchen, a cash bar with local beer and wine from Bissell Brothers and wine from Oyster River Winegrowers, learn about MFT’s Farm Viability work to help farms thrive and hear what the farmers at Ripley Farm are doing to grow their business.

The Dover-Foxcroft Historical Society will be opening the Observer Building Museum for 2019 on the day of the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival, Saturday June 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Upcoming events around the region.