At the annual Christmas party at the Sebec Village Reading Room. Eliza Cary of Bowerbank had the opportunity to tell Santa what she wants for Christmas.

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.

Eligible residents of the Dexter area in need of home repairs will have the opportunity to get these improvements taken care of at no cost when hundreds of volunteers come to town in late July. The Colorado-based Group Workcamps Foundation’s Group Mission Trips organization will be in Dexter from July 21-27, 2019.

Since the beginning of scientific deer herd management in Maine, the data needed to make informed decisions was always slow in coming. The public and the biologists who manage deer were lucky to get November deer harvest figures by early spring.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28 administrators from Foxcroft Academy and representatives from the Libra Foundation met for the first time with local town officials in regard to the newly named Piscataquis County Ice Arena being built in Dover-Foxcroft.

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.

With the calendar year nearing an end, RSU 68 officials have started preparations for developing the 2019-20 budget. During a Dec. 4 school board meeting Superintendent Stacy Shorey said the directors have now all received a budget meeting calendar.

All veterans are welcome to come to American Legion Post 41. We have a new sign when lit says OPEN meaning we are ready to accept your visit at the post home at 18 West Main Street in Milo (299-4308) and have several members who can assist veterans, widows, next of kin in obtaining discharge records and placing them in contact with the Department of Maine service officers who will assist in seeking veterans benefits and information -- they do not need to be American Legion members.

A week after the public hearing for the pair of spending plans, the Piscataquis County Commissioners approved a $4,535,958 Piscataquis County budget for the 2019 calendar year along with an Unorganized Territory (UT) budget of $1,756,657 for the 2019-20 fiscal year during the Dec. 4 meeting.

On Thursday, Nov. 29, 18 veterinarian technician seniors from the University of Maine-Augusta’s Bangor campus learned how to handle large, exotic birds at Siesta Sanctuary in preparation for their state exam. These students will be the first graduates of an accredited, four-year Baccalaureate degree vet tech program -- one of two now in Maine.

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.

Sportsmen love their toys. Of course, they prefer to consider these toys as indispensable tools for the outdoors. Sometimes the best gift one can give to an outdoorsman is a tool or device that he might not either think to buy for himself or feel comfortable buying.

A proposed $4,535,958 Piscataquis County budget for the 2019 calendar year, along with an Unorganized Territory (UT) budget of $1,756,657 for the 2019-20 fiscal year, was presented at a public hearing on Nov. 26 as part of the process by county officials for developing the pair of spending plans.

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.