The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is excited to announce a fantastic opportunity for a local high school or college-aged student. We are seeking a junior representative to serve on our Community Forestry Committee -- a subcommittee of our board. This is a great, resume-building opportunity for young adults in our area to be a part of community decisions that impact the overall health of our environment and the protection and conservation of our natural resources.

Upcoming events around the region.

Partners for Peace, a domestic violence resource center, will host a 44-hour training in Dover-Foxcroft for anyone interested in volunteering with the organization. The first session begins Thursday, March 28.

Miller’s “Healing in Wholeness” presentation via video will reveal his extensive understanding and experience in the field of trauma recovery. Sponsored by NAMI Piscataquis County and part of the Sounds True Healing Trauma Summit, this program will occur on Thursday, March 14 at 1 p.m. at The Commons at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft.

The Highlands Classical Chamber Ensemble will appear in concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 10 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church located at 824 West Main Street. Admission is by donation. For more information, please call 564-0043.

Fermentation as a method of food preservation is an increasingly popular topic, and Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) is pleased that Mary Margaret Ripley (of Dover Foxcroft’s Ripley Farm) will share her fermenting knowledge and experience at a “Kombucha” workshop 10 a.m. Saturday morning, March 9 at Dexter’s Abbott Memorial Library.

Advance care planning isn’t just for those with life-limiting illnesses – but for all of us. Pine Tree Hospice is offering a free informative seminar at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 17 Church Street, on Saturday, March 16, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The Maine Community Foundation’s new Roger N. Heald Fund has awarded $85,000 in grants to support conservation projects across Maine. The grantees include $10,000 to The Conservation Fund for an acquisition project in the 100-Mile Wilderness along the Appalachian Trail.

Dexter Regional High School recently held its annual Winter Carnival Week Feb. 11-15. The week concluded with a dance where the Winter Carnival court was crowned: grade 12 King Dillion Allen and Queen Addyson Herrick, grade 11 Prince Logan Perkins and Princess Caitlyn Hardy, grade 10 Duke Parker Ponte and Duchess Cheyenne Beem and grade 9 Lord Camron Allen and Lady Elizabeth Kinney.

The Center Theatre recently announced that registration is open for all the 2019 drama camps, including a new two-week drama camp being offered in Monson. The Theatre is also offering an April vacation camp at Central Hall in Dover-Foxcroft as well as the two classic drama camps taking place at the East Sangerville Grange.

Dexter Regional High School is proud to announce that the following students have been selected by the faculty as "Students of the Month" for January, grade 9: Aliviah Anderson; grade 10: Carly Taylor; grade 11: Logan Perkins; and grade 12: Shannon O'Roak.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) Miosac Club met at Thayer Parkway Feb. 19. President Suzanne Raymond welcomed members and asked everyone to sing “Happy Birthday” to Minnie McCormick on her exact day. Cathy Cody was introduced as a guest and possible new member.

Each month outstanding pupils in grades 5-8 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School are honored as Students of the Month. The 15 February honorees were presented with certificates in front of their peers during morning meeting in the cafeteria on Tuesday, Feb. 26.

A few significant projects in Senate District 4 include bridge replacement on Route 150 in Athens, highway construction and rehabilitation on Route 6 in Abbot and bridge improvements on Pleasant Street in Milo.

Upcoming events around the region.

One of the wonderful things about the Moosehead Lake Region is the rich history of the area, replete with some extraordinary characters. One such was the “Hermit King of Moose Island.” I have heard various stories about him over the years, but after some digging, discovered some tales were even more amazing than I had first thought.

Monson Arts announced that it will partner with the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) to support two month-long design residencies for RISD graduates this summer at its facility in Monson. This initiative will bring two to four industrial or furniture designers to the Piscataquis County community once widely known for furniture manufacturing.

The Dover-Foxcroft Firefighters Association’s eighth annual ice fishing derby returns on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3 at Sebec Lake with the weigh-in station open during the day at Greeley’s Landing