For nearly three and a half decades individuals and families have been served free of charge by Pine Tree Hospice during the time of dying and bereavement. The organization’s volunteers exemplify caring, grace, and compassion, as stated on the cover of the 2018 annual report, among many other qualities one thinks of following the phrase “hospice is ....” All involved with and contributing to Pine Tree Hospice were honored during the annual meeting Nov. 15 at the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church.

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.

With the first significant snowfall of the season, it’s time to think of all things Christmassy in Greenville. And what better way to kick things off than to participate in the annual Deck the Halls celebration, taking place all day on Saturday, Nov. 24.

Observer photo/Stuart HedstromCOLOR RUN FOR BRAYSON — A group of 57 runners/walkers, 20 Foxcroft Academy football players and five coaches volunteering, six Foxcroft Academy cheerleader volunteers, and 12 SeDoMoCha School staff members helping — for 100 total — braved the cold on the morning of Sunday, Nov.

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).

In Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, Republican Marianne Lynch beat Democrat Joseph Belisle by a vote of 57.3 percent to 42.7 percent, according to unofficial returns. Lynch, who currently serves as deputy district attorney, was the chosen successor of longtime District Attorney R. Christopher Almy. He was first elected in 1986.

Last spring a referendum on an approximate $2.3 million funding package for a heating system upgrade, converting from steam to hot water, and energy efficiency project at the Penquis Valley School was voted down via a count of 166 to 111 across the four SAD 41 communities. The combined tally between Brownville, LaGrange, and Milo was 106 yes votes to 42 no votes, while in Atkinson the question was voted down 114 to 5 to result in the 166-111 overall tally. In the months since district officials have been discussing what to do next, and during a Nov. 7 meeting the possibility of a referendum without Atkinson was brought up.

Rita C. Clukey was presented with the Boston Post Cane for being Dexter’s oldest female resident during a town council meeting on Nov. 8. Earlier in the week Clukey turned 98 as she was born on Nov. 4, 1920 in Canada.

The brother of a Medford woman who went missing two years ago announced a $12,000 reward Thursday for information that could lead law enforcement to his sister, who was 71 when she went missing.

Results from local races and referendums.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and local police arrested a man in Dexter on Monday evening, Nov. 5 following a month-long investigation that involved purchasing drugs directly from the suspect. They seized heroin worth at least $15,000 and more than $2,600 in drug proceeds in the process.

A long-term agreement for beyond 2018-19 is still pending, but the SeDoMoCha School will have a school resource officer from the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department in the building for eight hours per week as an agreement was approved by the school board during a Nov. 6 meeting at the Monson Arts Center.

Approximately 160 miles of the 267 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Maine is located in Piscataquis County, much of it comprised of the 100-Mile Wilderness from Monson to the summit of Mount Katahdin. The Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) works to keep the route open for hikers traveling for the day, going between Georgia and Maine, and any distance inbetween, and the Piscataquis County Commissioners learned more about the organization during a Nov. 6 meeting.

Piscataquis Community High School students, athletes and those enrolled in physical education classes alike, now have the opportunity to improve their strength and health in the school’s new weight room. Located in a classroom space near the library the weight room features machines, presses, and dumbbells to provide a place for Pirates to exercise at no charge.

Lilah McCormack, a sophomore at Dexter Regional High School, is an eager member of that school’s Key Club and chairs its “Thirst Project” which aims to provide clean water via a deep well to an impoverished area of Swaziland in Africa. Aino Rudloff-Eastman, a DRHS senior and Key Club veteran, recently helped McCormack present the well-drilling project to an attentive audience at Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition’s monthly public discussion meeting at the Abbott Memorial Library.

The Greenville Laker Key Club has been a vibrant and active member of the Moosehead community for over 50 years and this past August they were recognized at the Thirst Project International Convention in Chicago for funding well water in Swaziland, Africa.