The bottom line is this: At a critical time in Maine’s deer recovery the state has ostensibly been without a seasoned, experienced deer research leader for far too long. It’s a typical bureaucratic situation: sudden departure, slow replacement.

Members of Pirate Rec accepted a donation from the Abner Wade Lodge #207 A.F. & A.M. to help with the construction of the Sangerville Veterans Memorial Park project in Sangerville.

KOKADJO — More than 50 local workers, including a dozen Maine contractors, have been employed in the construction of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s (AMC’s) new lodge and cabins on Second Roach Pond near Kokadjo.

Back when America produced real leaders, one of them — Gen.

On January 24, 1963, a fraternity house at the University of Maine was my home away from home.

The fall offers fisheries biologists a unique opportunity to assess the status of coldwater gamefish populations.

|   HELPING GET KIDS HOOKED ON FISHING — The Three Rivers Kiwanis of Milo-Brownville received a donation of $1,200 from Tony Bavelaar of C&J Variety in Milo to be used for the youth Hooked on Fishing program.

For me, grouse hunting has never been the same after losing my little setter Sally.

Photo courtesy of Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance HARMONY CAMP 2016 — The 2016 Dover-Foxcroft session of the  Spruce Run-Womancare Alliance’s Harmony Camp took place over three mornings last week at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church.

Observer photo/Jeannette Hughes Mike Beland of Milo shows two of the five pickerel he caught on Saturday at Boyd Lake as part of the 54th annual Schoodic Lake Ice Fishing Derby.

By Nick Sambides Jr.

GREENVILLE — The 12th annual Chocolate Festival in the Moosehead Lake region just happens to land on one of the biggest chocolate days of the year, Valentine’s Day.

GREENVILLE — The ninth annual Moosehead Lake Togue Derby with Ricky Craven is not over but instead has come to a dramatic pause.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The GFWC/Miosac Club is conducting its 2016 Sebec Lake Ice Out Contest.

Observer file photo/Jeannette Hughes GONE ICE FISHING — Bangor residents Mike Lawson and Kelly Shorette registered their catch in 2014 at the Knights Landing weigh station in Brownville.

AUGUSTA — The Maine Warden Service is reminding anglers, snowmobilers and others who like to recreate on Maine’s lakes and ponds in the winter that ice conditions on many waterways throughout the state right now may not be safe to hold themselves or heavy equipment and vehicles.

  SHIRLEY — All of our Shirley Bog Trail Busters trails are in good shape despite the little snow.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom OFF AND RUNNING — The end of Railroad Avenue in Brownville Jct.