The Maine Bicentennial Commission (Maine200) recently awarded the first round of Bicentennial Community Grants. Out of 44 applications from organizations and municipalities across the state, the commission chose a total of 30 grant recipients: 21 large grants and nine small grants at varying amounts. Among those are a Bicentennial Birthday Bash in Rockland, theatrical productions in Portland and Dover-Foxcroft, as well as conferences, educational curriculum, art exhibits, lecture series and more, spanning several Maine counties.

Gov. Janet Mills has appointed four new commissioners to Volunteer Maine, the state service commission, including Dexter resident Mathison Deering. A student at Thomas College in Waterville, Deering joins the Volunteer Maine commission to represent an individual age 16 to 25 who is a participant in a service program for youth.

The school district’s near $745,000 share of a $2.4 million funding package to upgrade the heating system at the Penquis Valley School will be $200,000 less than anticipated thanks to a grant from the East Millinocket-based Gloria C. MacKenzie Foundation, which through its mission and vision hopes to improve economic growth and enhance the quality of life for the people of Maine.

Citing what they feel is a non-proportional expense and lack of benefits, the Piscataquis County Commissioners are considering ending membership in the Maine County Commissioners Association. The commissioners discussed the possibility during a Nov. 5 meeting and plan to attend a meeting with officials from other Maine counties also pondering an exit to learn more.

Here’s your chance to own a little piece of Baxter State Park. Historic signs from the park are up for bid in an annual online auction and fundraiser organized by the nonprofit organization Friends of Baxter State Park.

Anyone who suspects someone they know may be a victim of elder abuse or would like to know more about the topic and how to help is invited to a free elder abuse awareness and response workshop from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 15 at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street.

For nearly a decade Will’s Shop ‘n Save has been a fixture in Dover-Foxcroft, as a downtown grocery store and through the numerous ways the business has given back to the community. During National Veteran Small Business Week leading up to Veterans Day, the establishment was recognized as a success story by the U.S. Small Business Administration during an afternoon presentation on Monday, Nov. 4.

Students and staff throughout the SeDoMoCha School have been busy bringing in items for community resident in need by gathering warm clothing accessories and raising funds for Thanksgiving meals.

Growing up in Dover-Foxcroft, Carlson Williams’ family often told stories about local history around the dinner table. One of his favorite tales to hear was also among the most gruesome: the story of the murder of Alvin Watson in the nearby town of Parkman in June 1881.

Piscataquis County winners of the 2019 Spirit of America Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, Nov. 15 starting at 7 p.m. at the Valley Grange Hall (172 Guilford Center Road). The event is open to the public.

Jeremy Loguercio, program and marketing director at The Commons at Central Hall, recently announced the special schedule of events for November

Fifteen pupils in grades 5-8 at Piscataquis Community Elementary School are October Students of the Month. The month’s honorees were presented with certificates in front of their peers and teachers during an assembly in the cafeteria to start the day on Oct. 31.

Written specifically for kids to read and use, “Ten Days in the North Woods: A Kids’ Hiking Guide to the Katahdin Region” blends a fictional story with accurate descriptions of real trails. The book hit shelves earlier this year, and the author, Hope Rowan of Southwest Harbor, hopes it will inspire children to get outside and explore some of Maine’s most treasured natural areas.

The students and staff of SAD 4 are inviting area veterans and the general public to attend the annual Veterans Day celebration at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8.

The board of directors of the Piscataquis Regional YMCA, staff and community members gathered at the PRYMCA Oct. 22 to celebrate another year of service in Piscataquis County during the organization's annual meeting. The meeting began with recognition of the 2019 Piscataquis Regional YMCA Volunteer of the Year, Maureen Doore.

The Penquis Valley High School Key Club is working to change this situation for a village in the Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland a landlocked country in southern Africa, through the Thirst Project. The Thirst Project is a national nonprofit organization bringing safe drinking water to communities around the world where it is not immediately available.

The Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard would like to invite the general public to attend an open house at the new location in the Piscataquis Regional Food Center building at 76 North Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.

A gun-stealing beaver. A moose looking for love. A paraplegic hunter and handyman. A writer saying goodbye to his dog. These are just a few of the characters -- some of them hilarious, some in the midst of heart-wrenching moments -- readers will meet in the pages of “Evergreens: A Collection of Maine Outdoor Stories.”