Today, let’s take a deep breath, appreciate what we have, and reflect on how quickly everything could change. Perhaps we go out in the morning, walk into our back field for a bit of exercise, or to cut some wood, or to dig around for some gemstones that we know are waiting in that sandy pile of soil. And perhaps we never come back.

The American Legion 14th District -- Piscataquis County - will hold its first meeting of 2019-20 on Saturday, Sept. 14. It will be hosted by Conner-Trafton Post 119 at the Masonic Lodge, 34 Hudson Avenue.

Residents of the region looking to improve their lives through various academic and career programs can do so through the Piscataquis Valley Adult Education Cooperative, while also having the opportunity to take college courses through Eastern Maine Community College and the University of Maine-Augusta in the same building as the PVAEC main office at the Penquis Higher Education Center on Mayo Street.

Last week the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s advisory council approved a rule that sounds ominous, but will actually change very little for the state’s anglers. Simply stated, in the state’s north zone, the general fishing law will ban the use of live fish as bait.

U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine and Angus King, I-Maine announced that the State of Maine, Penquis and Through These Doors received a total of $1,993,850 to help stop domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and protect victims.

Help, hope, and giving to our communities -- that is what Pine Tree Hospice volunteers do. We offer non-medical support to individuals and families in Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset counties who are dealing with progressive, life-limiting illnesses and/or grief.

The Piscataquis County Commissioners authorized district attorney’s office staff to purchase a replacement vehicle for Investigator Scott Arno to use, during an Aug. 20 meeting.

The 46th annual International Seaplane Fly-In is coming up the weekend of Sept. 5-8. It promises to be a lot of fun for participants and spectators alike. It is a time when the population of Greenville swells as folks flock to the popular event. Besides watching pilots show their skills, folks can browse an excellent craft fair as well as the local shops, stop and listen to live music and enjoy delicious fare from local restaurants.

Each year, the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District recognizes and honors a cooperator (land manager) in Piscataquis County who has implemented exceptional conservation practices on their land. This year, the PCSWCD will be honoring Joel and Wendy Huff of Huff Family Farm as the 2019 Outstanding Cooperator of the Year.

One year after announcing new President & CEO Lee Umphrey, EMDC (Eastern Maine Development Corporation) continues to evolve with a brand refresh and new website at https://www.emdc.org/.

Improvements will be made to the athletic fields used by Piscataquis Community High School and Piscataquis Community Elementary School. The school board approved using up to $50,000 from the minor capital improvement fund for the track and surrounding field renovations and is working with the town of Guilford on projects to upgrade the baseball diamond on the municipal athletic field and softball field on the school campus.

The Parkman Grange awarded three Parkman college students Minnie Welts Bridge Scholarships of $500 each for the 2019-20 school year. Winners this year are Bailey Lemieux, a sophomore in pre-Law at Husson University; Kolby Kain, a senior in elementary education at Husson University; and Adam Bagley, a sophomore in forestry at the University of Maine-Fort Kent.

To alleviate cramped conditions and lack of privacy inside the main sheriff’s office in the same larger complex as the Piscataquis County Jail on Court Street in Dover-Foxcroft, in the spring of 2018 the patrol and investigation divisions moved up Route 15 to Guilford at the former primary school building. The law enforcement space previously was the home of the SAD 4 administrative office suite. With the school building for sale county officials are working with the town of Guilford on an agreement to rent and then purchase, following an affirmative vote at the annual town meeting in mid-March, the C.H. Lightbody Medical Center on Park Street.

Hardwood Products Company and Puritan Medical Products Company officials thank all individuals that volunteered to be active participants in the dunk tank during the annual Piscataquis River Festival on July 27.They also thank everyone that helped to man the table and collect money. All proceeds were donated to the Piscataquis County United Bikers of Maine Cancer Fund.

The Office of the Secretary of the Maine State Senate has released its records for the first session of the 129th Maine Legislature and Sen. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville has been recognized for having a voting record of 100 percent.

For a century the employees have been instrumental in the success of Hardwood Products and the Puritan Medical Products Company. Company officials recognized employees with a 100th-year celebration party on Friday, July 26, the eve of the annual Piscataquis River Festival, near the town athletic field on the shore of the river.

The annual Piscataquis River Festival returned to Guilford on Saturday with a morning parade celebrating the theme “Got Wood?”

The executive committee of the Piscataquis County Economic Development Council is seeking nominations for the annual Warren "Pete" Myrick Community Service Award, to be presented at the annual meeting in December. Meeting date and location will be disclosed soon.