Gary Dethlefsen has discovered that when you live in a decidedly rural county like Piscataquis, diversification can be a key to successfully making a living. He has been interested in food related work for decades and has created three companies that help sustain him during the year: Moose Bee Jam and Granola, Lakeshore Provisions, Catering and Chef Services, including Mainley Treats Wholesale Baking Company (supplying bakery items for Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville), and Big Moose Deli which provides meals to hungry skiers during the winter season at Big Squaw Mountain. Now he has a fourth – Comida del Lago, a charming street taco stand at 3 Lakeview St. in downtown Greenville.

Columnist and author Lew-Ellyn Hughes says she “grew up everywhere,” being the daughter of an often transferred service man. But Greenville was where she felt most at home.  “My parents were born and brought up in Greenville as well as my maternal grandparents – so this was really home. My father wanted to make sure we had roots; we always came back to Moosehead for summers.”

Following a decade of work to preserve and rebuild the more than 135-year-old Central Hall on East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft, the newly christened The Commons at Central Hall was formally opened to the public in mid-May. The building is the site of an event center on the upper level and a senior commons/gathering space on the first floor with an adult day service center planned for the future at the back end of the first floor.

The Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) is part of the effort with its American chestnut germplasm conservation orchard at the Law Farm on the Lee Cemetery Road. A sign informing visitors of the orchard, with over 100 seedlings, was installed during the late afternoon on Aug. 2.

The Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC), in partnership with Helping Hands with Heart (HHH), has received a $10,000 grant from a component fund of the Maine Community Foundation to investigate shared concerns about workforce development, youth aspirations, local youth and the barriers to successful employment in the towns served by five area school districts.

Each year, the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District (PCSWCD) honors an educator working in the county with the Outstanding Conservation Educator of the Year award. The awarded educator’s dedication to fostering students’ learning and understanding of natural resource ecology and related curriculum is why they were selected. This year, the PCSWCD staff and board of supervisors will present Alexandra Conover Bennett, Maine guide and professor at the College of the Atlantic.

The eighth annual Depot Celebration and Railroad Workers Reunion takes place at the Greenville Junction Depot on Saturday, Aug. 18, so mark your calendars! Everyone is invited to take a tour of the old station and learn about railroad history in this area from those who knew, those who worked for the railroad or had family involved.

The Academy of General Dentistry, a professional association of more than 40,000 general dentists who are dedicated to professional excellence through the pursuit of continuing education, is pleased to announce that Daniel L. Steinke, DDS, MAGD of Steinke & Caruso Dental Care in Dover-Foxcroft has earned the 2018 Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition for his commitment to lifelong learning, volunteering his services to communities in need, mentoring associates and new dentists and participating in organized dentistry. This is the second time Dr. Steinke has received this prestigious award.

Observer photo/Stuart HedstromTALES OF THE WATER — A mid-morning parade from outer Elm Street to the downtown athletic field helped celebrate Guilford’s annual Piscataquis River Festival on Saturday, July 28.

MONSON– Hidden in the woods on the Willimantic Road in Monson is a remarkable recording studio – Mainely Sounds.

Every guitar has a story to tell, believes David Iverson as the history of each instrument may reveal who has played it, where it has been and can also conjure up memories for the guitarist. Iverson plans to share many tales when his Story Teller Guitars store opens in early August.

Bissell Brothers, among the most popular of Portland-based craft breweries, has opened its long-awaited expansion in Milo. The new brewery, dubbed Bissell Brothers Three Rivers, opened Saturday, July 14 at 157 Elm Street, featuring food from Dover-Foxcroft-based Spruce Mill Farm & Kitchen, and eight taps featuring a rotating array of Bissell Brothers brews, including two Milo-only beers: Waveform, a wild IPA, and Square 3, a barrel-aged saison.

As part of its Community Care Program, Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union recently presented a donation to the Valley Grange of Guilford. Employees contributed based on their “dress down” Fridays with the proceeds being distributed to local community organizations.

I’m always filled with wonder when I hit the view atop Indian Hill before heading down into the village of Greenville. It catches my breath, anytime of year and especially after a long drive. Moosehead Lake stretches out to the horizon, cradled by ridges and mountains and overarched by an ever-changing sky.

On Sunday, July 22 Turning Page Farm at 842 North Guilford Road will join similar operations across the state by inviting the public to stop by for Open Farm Day. The event provides an opportunity for attendees to meet the goats, pigs and chickens of Turning Page Farm, see how the cheeses and soaps are made, beer is brewed and experiecne how owners Tim and Joy Bueschen are living their dream.

Caleb Ball's wife Lea has a popular hair salon in downtown Greenville. She’s been my “go to” for years. On my last visit I noticed intriguing bottles of products for hair, skin and lips on her counter. There was “Oats and Aloe” lotion, which smelled heavenly, and hair products like a shampoo named “Smell My Coconuts” and leave-in conditioner “Pull My Hair.” And then Lea mentioned she had used Caleb’s products on me during my visit.

The Piscataquis County Committee of the Maine Community Foundation has awarded more than $55,000 in grants to eight nonprofits located across the region.

A former Foxcroft Academy soccer star is again helping dozens of young players in kindergarten through grade 8 improve their skills on the pitch through his annual Ayala Soccer Academy. The third annual camp run by 2016 Foxcroft Academy graduate Tino Ayala was held in Dover-Foxcroft from June 25-29.