Prices for wood to build and renovate houses have as much as doubled over the past six months, increasing costs for consumers but boosting Maine’s softwood sales and signaling a turnaround in that segment of the forestry market, industry experts say.

A brand new 1,700-square foot showroom for the kitchen, bath and flooring offerings at Dave’s World was formally revealed to the public during a grand opening celebration with the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce on the evening of June 14.

Following a successful pilot project during the summer of 2017, the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation (MLREDC) will launch the first full summer season of the festive Artisan Village at 35 Pritham Avenue on the Moosehead lakefront in Greenville. Four colorful cottages will house different artists from all over Maine beginning the weekend of June 23-24 and then Thursday through Monday from June 28 through Sunday, Sept. 10.

For the last year in-town Monson has been undergoing many changes through the Portland-based Libra Foundation. The organization has purchased more than 20 properties along Main Street and across town, including the former Monson Elementary School that most recently served as a community center, and many of the buildings have been torn down or are in the renovation process for the purpose of transforming the community into the Monson Arts artists’ colony as part of the foundation’s mission of making contributions to worthy causes across Maine to spur economic and creative growth.

Anthony Levensalor, center, snips the ceremonial ribbon for Gym Dad Ironworks on West Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft on June 9 during a Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that a combined total of $2.35 million in federal funding has been awarded to five recipients in Maine to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites. Among the recipients is the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council, which has a $350,000 allocation.

The Dave’s World team is excited to reveal the new showroom. The grand opening will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. as the Piscataquis Chamber will hold the event for members and the community to experience the new showroom for themselves. Guests can expect to find refreshments including hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and great door prizes. RSVPs by June 11 to 564-7533 are appreciated but not required.

The sound of employees working on the railroad will be increasing in the Derby section of town with the opening of a new multi-million dollar facility in a revitalized building for the cleaning, repair and fleet management of railroad tank cars. Katahdin Railcar Services LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Central Maine & Quebec Railway (CMQ), formally opened for business on May 31 with a ceremony and ensuing tours of the space.

Mayo’s Rural Health Center in Guilford, also known as Guilford Medical Associates (GMA), wants patients to be aware of recent changes in the provider lineup

The Moosehead Marine Museum (MMM) received a $5,000 grant from the Bangor Savings Foundation to support filming of a historical documentary film featuring steamboat wrecks in Moosehead Lake.

An area of the Eastern Piscataquis Business Park off outer Park Street that once was empty has had several buildings constructed and donated to the Three Rivers Kiwanis Club of Milo/Brownville over the last few years thanks to the generosity of Milo residents Tom and Nancy Harrigan. The Harrigans have provided a Kiwanis Headquarters, auction storage facility, Harris Pond Pavilion and the Harrigan Learning Center and Museum of Fossils, Minerals, and Indian Artifacts.

A Dexter business owner is offering a newly rehabbed restaurant space in the heart of town at a deep discount: free rent and taxes for a year. As part of a five-year lease, all the tenant must pay for during the first year is utilities.

Folks who have been driving through Monson recently have most likely noticed the dramatic changes happening in that little town on Route 15 on the way to Moosehead Lake. Thanks to the Libra Foundation, the place has been getting a dramatic face-lift and Monson plans to celebrate this with a Town Wide Open House – delightfully referred to as “Nosin’ ‘Round Monson” - from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 2.

The Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation has awarded Good Shepherd Food Bank, Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization, a $200,000 grant to fund strategies for eliminating food insecurity in Piscataquis County and central Maine, including Dexter.

Mayo Regional Hospital has selected Cerner, a global leader in health care technology, to implement a new integrated electronic health record (HER) and revenue cycle solutions across it acute and ambulatory facilities. This agreement provides the hospital with sophisticated health care technology that will support Mayo doctors, nurses and staff as they work to streamline operations and improve patient care.

The Lakeshore House in Monson is ramping up for the long-awaited summer season just a little early. They began by hosting a special intimate sushi night on Monday, April 23. It was a big success, so much so that the event will be repeated in the near future. Simply check their Facebook page for upcoming events.

The Greater Milo/Brownville Area and Points North Visitor Center was officially gifted to the Milo/Brownville Three Rivers Kiwanis on April 9. A grand opening for the Greater Milo/Brownville and Points North Visitor Center will be held at Kiwanis Headquarters on the Gerrish Road from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 18. The event is open to the public and will be followed by refreshments and a tour of the center.

Perched on a hillside, with magnificent sweeping views of Moosehead Lake, the Blair Hill Inn is heading into its 21st year of operation with the coveted new ranking of a Relais & Chateaux member.