Spruce Mill Farm & Kitchen owner Natasha Colbry delivered what she believed to be the largest order in the history of her establishment when she dropped off 100 freshly-baked baguettes at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday. The long, skinny loaves of French bread were destined for Gov. Janet Mills’ Inauguration Celebration on Friday evening.

Janice Kimball-King, who owns The Moosehead Hooker, has been hooking and braiding rugs for the past 40-plus years. She found it was the kind of task easily picked up or put down, which worked well at the time her children were small.

The speaker of the Maine House of Representatives has appointed Rep. Norman Higgins, I-Dover-Foxcroft to the IDEA –- Innovation, Development, Economic and Advancement -- Committee. The IDEA Committee was recently established to increase the focus on statewide economic initiatives, innovation, and workforce development.

Debbie Young, left pictured with the Piscataquis Observer’s Keri Foster, is the winner in the Piscataquis Observer’s annual Find the Shop Local Tree Contest.

A Milo couple who over the last half decade have given back in the form of the Three Rivers Kiwanis Building, the Harrigan Learning Center & Museum, and the Milo-Brownville & Points North Visitor Center, all located in their hometown’s Eastern Piscataquis Business Park, have been honored as the 16th recipients of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award by the Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC). Tom and Nancy Harrigan were presented with the honor on Dec. 10 at The Commons at Central Hall during the PCEDC annual meeting.

After nine years in business. Spencer’s Bakery & Café of Dover-Foxcroft closed its doors at 922 West Main Street at the conclusion of the lease. Within hours, community members began inquiring at the Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce, wondering what became of their beloved breakfast spot.

The annual Hometown Holidays celebration across the region began in Guilford on Friday evening, Nov. 30. “Julie and Friends” caroled across town, including a performance in front of Davis Bros. Furniture, before moving down to the Braeburn lot.

Thanksgiving week was a week to be thankful for the Depot. Greenville Junction Depot Friends are pleased to announce the continued success of the “Cap It Off Campaign” to have the eaves and roof of the Greenville Junction Depot building restored.

TruStage, CUNA Mutual Group’s consumer insurance agency, is proud to announce Kholton Perry, 14, of Dover-Foxcroft has been named as one of 20 Community Spark Awards winners. The competition recognized exemplary young people from coast to coast who are actively taking strides to improve their communities through volunteer and community service activities. In recognition of Perry’s efforts, TruStage donated $1,000 to the JD Foundation of Abbot in support of Giving Tuesday on Nov. 27.

Moses Burnham arrived at The Forks from Littleton, New Hampshire in 1836 as one of the incorporators of the Moosehead Lake Steam Navigation Company, the group that launched the first steamboat at Moosehead Lake in the spring of 1836. He took over an existing hotel at The Forks bridge, formerly operated by Edward G. Sturgis, of the Vassalboro Sturgis family.

Mayo Regional Hospital wishes to inform patients, families, and visitors that on Dec. 4 construction will start on the main lobby entrance of the hospital. Hospital officials are completing this project to provide a more private experience for patients when registering for care, as well as more comfortable seating while waiting.

Piscataquis County sets aside one day early in December to celebrate the wonder of Christmas and the magic of the holiday season. This year, Monson, Guilford (Nov.30), Milo, and Dover-Foxcroft are participating.

The Monson Public Library, newly relocated in the Monson Arts Center at 35 Greenville Road, is up and running. The new space was formerly a cafe in the Monson Community Center, and before that the library of the Monson Elementary School. It has come full circle in its return to now housing the town's public library. The space was recently renovated by the Libra Foundation as part of its investment in developing an artist program to help spur economic growth for Monson.

PCEDC is pleased to host a panel discussion and community conversation on Tuesday, Dec. 4, regarding challenges facing our workforce, resources for workforce development and training, and opportunities to assist residents and local business owners.

Mayo Regional Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock held a “Go Live” event on Oct. 29 to launch the Tele-Emergency program. Tele-Emergency services are now offered, 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Mayo Regional Hospital Emergency Department in addition to standard emergency care services.

The Executive Committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council (PCEDC) has named Tom and Nancy Harrigan of Milo as the 16th recipients of the Warren “Pete” Myrick Award. Both Tom and Nancy Harrigan exemplify the criteria set by Pete Myrick, a Guilford resident, who was a longtime educator and founder of PCEDC. Criteria includes overall impact of the candidate’s accomplishments, the duration of the candidate’s engagement in community service activities, and the breadth of community involvement.

The numerous efforts to save the late 19th century-era Central Hall and transform the building on East Main Street into a community space -- now known as The Commons at Central Hall -- for the future have been recognized by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).

Maine State Grange Community Service Director Christine Corliss presents Lt. Jamie Kane of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office with the Maine State Grange Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award and a check for a $100 donation to the charity of his choice. He selected the Valley Grange of Guilford as the recipient to “help with their Dictionary and Bookworm Programs.”