Mayo Regional Hospital has announced four community forums to provide updates and answer questions regarding the potential merger with Northern Light Health, a statewide health care system. The forums will be held in four of the 13 towns that make up Hospital Administrative District (HAD) 4 and will provide an opportunity for citizens in the district to learn more about what a merger might mean for the hospital and local access to quality care.

The Brownville Free Public Library has been selected by the Maine Humanities Council to offer “Let’s Talk About It,” a free reading and discussion group with copies of books available through the library. This program is provided by the Maine Humanities Council’s Maine Center for the Book in cooperation with the Maine State Library.

Come to the Mardi Gras! On March 5 General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Miosac members were welcomed to a beautifully decorated Mardi Gras table with colorful masks, an antique Queen of Mardi Gras doll, doubloons and beads.

Cub Scout Pack 61 held its Pinewood Derby on Feb. 16 at the Grace Bible Church in Sangerville.

Upcoming events around the region.

With the HAD 4 board of directors voting 15-3 last month to start a merger with Northern Light Health, Mayo Regional Hospital officials are looking to hold four public information nights across the region to share details of the process and hear from residents and answer their questions. One session is tentatively scheduled for 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 in the Morton Avenue Municipal Building Gymnasium.

The Narrow Gauge Riders Snowmobile Club of Monson is sponsoring the 2019 Lake Hebron Ice Out Contest. Guess the date and time the ice officially goes out of Lake Hebron and win $100.

Announcing the first Highlands Death Cafe, an opportunity for conversation about topics related to death while enjoying cake and refreshments. It will be held at The Commons at Central Hall from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 17 and is open to anyone wishing to just be with others to talk about death-related issues.

You have so much to offer – and we need you! Would you like to help people and make a difference in your community? Pine Tree Hospice volunteers offer non-medical support to individuals and families in Piscataquis, Penobscot, and Somerset counties who are dealing with progressive, life-limiting illnesses and/or grief.

At The Commons at Central Hall, there exists a Tai Chi weekly program that aims to put health in your hands. Wayne Ripley, Tai Chi Master, wants everyone to view their body as a garden to be nurtured in every way every day rather than as a machine to be worked until it is broken.

Ridge View Community School seventh-grader Kaleb Ranquist, the son of Erin and Robert Ranquist, has been notified by the National Geographic Society that he is one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2019 National Geographic GeoBee Maine State Competition. The contest will be held at the University of Maine Farmington on Friday, March 29.

Dr. Deborah Drew, professor and director of counseling and human relations at Husson University and clinical consultant for Pine Tree Hospice will be addressing this topic at the next session of Lunch n’ Learn. Lunch ‘n Learn will take place Tuesday, March 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Dover-Foxcroft and is part of Pine Tree Hospice’s adult grief support program.

The public is cordially invited to this year's Dexter Regional High School spring musical “Annie, Jr.” from March 21-23 in the cafeteria. This shortened version of the well-loved musical includes the well known story of the plucky and positive orphan Annie and all the songs you know in only 60 minutes.

Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville introduced LD 555 “An Act To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Updating Screening Coverage” late last month to the Legislature’s Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee. With this bill, Sen. Davis hopes to remove the reference to the minimum age at which insurance companies must cover colorectal cancer screenings.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is calling all artists! The PCSWCD is holding a poster contest for its children’s garden at the Law Farm.

The Center Theatre is closed for three weeks for renovations. However, you can come see the progress, watch a great movie and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime event at the Center Theatre if you attend one of the two showings of the “Titanic Pizza Event” scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.

This expo will be taking place at Dexter Regional High School from 3 to 7 p.m. with concessions available. Come join us for an afternoon of STEAM related fun and learning. All ages welcome.

On Thursday, March 14 from 5-7 p.m. Sackett & Brake Survey, Inc. of Dover-Foxcroft will hold a Business After Hours Mixer for the business community and general public. As the Piscataquis Chamber’s first Business After Hours of 2019, this event will provide Chamber members and local residents an opportunity to rub elbows with other local business owners in a casual setting, while learning more about other businesses and providers in Piscataquis County.