Elaine’s Bakery is well known in Piscataquis County, not simply because their finger-licking products can be found in convenience stores, cafes and markets across the state of Maine but because of the bakery’s owner Elaine Poulin. Most would say of Elaine, “to know her is to love her.”

Theresa Mudgett, career pathways manager in Dover-Foxcroft, has retired after 31 years of providing Workforce Development services. Mudgett began her career in Workforce Development in 1988 with TDC, and was hired by EMDC in 2009. Her work fostering partnerships with other service providers and working one-on-one with individuals has been a valuable asset to job seekers, employers and EMDC.

SeDoMoCha School officials were excited to welcome some special guests into grade 1 classrooms on Sept. 19. Dan and Karen Cashman, who are the co-founders of Dirigo Reads, came to deliver a brand new book to each first-grade student.

During the week of Sept. 16 students at the SeDoMoCha School enjoyed foods grown in the state for Maine Harvest Lunch Week.

Ever want to spend a day in the field with a state fish expert? One lucky winner and a friend will win just such an opportunity in the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s third “Keeper of the Maine Outdoors Experience” contest.

Fewer soccer errant balls going over and around the posts will be traveling far beyond the Piscataquis Community High School goals thanks to a pair of backstops with netting provided by a pair of area businesses.

Maine’s highest peak in Baxter State Park is named for an Abenaki word meaning greatest or main mountain. The possibility of changing the official name of Mount Katahdin to Katahdin -- which would be made by the Maine Legislature -- was proposed by Baxter State Park Director Eben Sypitkowski to the Piscataquis County Commissioners. The commissioners made no formal motion, but expressed that they would not be in favor of such an adjustment during discussions as part of a Sept. 17 meeting.

Difficulty: Easy to challenging, depending on what campsites you select. Some campsites require longer paddles than others, and some require portaging (carrying your canoe and gear over land to reach the next body of water).

SeDoMoCha School students can avoid boredom on the daily ride to and from home thanks to each bus now containing a library of books for various ages and abilities to read. The “Erma’s Books on the Bus” program, which also runs in Florida and is named for a registered READing (Reading Education Assistance Dog) and a therapy dog with Alliance Therapy Dogs, kicked off at the end of the day on Thursday, Sept. 12.

Charlie Mann of Winthrop and George Smith of Mount Vernon, who has a camp at Nesowadnehunk Lake on the edge of Baxter State Park, were each honored with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award. MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso presented the award to Smith and Elaine Mann, Charlie’s widow, at the annual Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine banquet on Sept. 7. The award, one of the department’s highest honors, celebrates a lifetime of achievement and mentoring in Maine’s outdoors.

Gabe Irwin, grandson of the famous blind hiker Bill Irwin who moved to Sebec later in his life, completed the Appalachian Trail on Sunday, Sept. 8, reaching the trail’s northern end atop Katahdin. The long journey brought to life the family story he’s heard since he was a child, and opened his eyes to the enormity of his grandfather’s accomplishment.

During a Sept. 10 school board meeting in the Piscataquis Community High School library, Superintendent Kelly MacFadyen said a strategic planning information night is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23 in the PCHS library (more information is available at www.sad4.org).

Girl Scouts of Maine announced that it will host new member sign-up events for potential members and volunteers at locations throughout the state every month, including at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Ridge View Community School.

A kickoff for Erma’s Books on the Bus at the SeDoMoCha School will be at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 as the free program will provide over 800 books for kids on their rides.

The Dexter Historical Society and the Abbott Memorial Library will hold a ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. to rededicate the memorial urn at the foot of the Dexter’s Civil War Monument.

ixteen years ago, the last time a governor-initiated group attempted to better understand a growing ATV community in the state, the machines that riders were taking into the woods were small, light and mobile. That’s not the case anymore. And that’s why an ATV task force formed by Maine Gov. Janet Mills is tackling a new slate of ATV issues related to bigger, wider and heavier machines that have simply outgrown the existing ATV trail system.

On Saturday, Sept. 21 Hippy Chick Natural Solutions will celebrate the grand opening of McAllister,’s newest endeavor “The Pineapple Boutique,” a bakery-style shop carrying items such as hemp-infused teas and cocoa, cookies, scones, muffins and breads as well as a number of frozen infused meals like perogies, stews and casseroles and apple-crisp. The boutique will also carry non-food items such as salves, soaps, bath bombs, infused elderberry syrup and more.

Michael and Wendy Denney, innkeepers at the Guilford Bed and Breakfast, will host a harvest-themed Chamber Business After-Hours from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19. Business After Hours events are gatherings designed to give member businesses the opportunity to open their doors to surrounding business owners that may not otherwise visit, for a night of casual networking and socializing.