Shaw Public Library in Greenville has been through some remarkable changes in the last five years. It has doubled its available space with the addition of a house adjacent to the original structure and become an invaluable destination for anyone looking to be enriched, entertained and enhanced by new learning experiences. It’s a delightful journey through this library from the Book Barn, where books are donated and shared, to the adult books and information in the original building.

On average, self-published authors sell 250 copies of their book over a lifetime. Emily Curtis -- a 2018 graduate of Foxcroft Academy -- has sold 14,000 in just over a year. Last June, Emily released her debut poetry collection “in the absence of the sun.” What started as a class project transformed into a publishing success.

Every 15 years the Maine fish and wildlife department commits itself to a big game management plan. The idea, as with any plan, is to establish an organized approach toward achieving goals and objectives. The 15-year plan that existed before the new 15-year plan was adopted this spring was clear and straightforward with respect to management objectives for whitetail deer.

A hard-hitting thunderstorm blew through the woods and lakes north of Moosehead Lake on Aug. 29, churning the air at speeds that reached nearly 70 mph and indicating to the National Weather Service that Maine may have seen its first tornado of the year.

Dover-Foxcroft Police Sgt. Todd Lyford was honored by the town for his response during a fiery car crash in late July, during an Aug. 27 selectmen’s meeting. Sgt. Lyford was presented with a formal award for valor recognizing his actions in getting the car driver out of the vehicle, at great risk to himself.

Three Maine teachers have been announced as state finalists for the 2019 Maine Teacher of the Year. Among the three is 2018 Piscataquis County Teacher of the Year Joseph Hennessey who teaches American, World, AP Literature and Composition and Camden Conference Seminar for grades 11-12 at Piscataquis Community High School. He has been teaching for six years.

In the spring a near $11.6 million RSU 68 budget was approved across the four district towns with the respective annual meeting and referendum. After the two votes district officials noticed a clerical error in one article from the district budget meeting that needed to be corrected -- the near $11.6 million total was not affected nor were the assessments for Charleston, Dover-Foxcroft, Monson and Sebec. During a special town meeting on Aug 27 prior to a select meeting, the clerical error was fixed.

Three girls will reign as Miss Maple in three respective age groups for the next year after being crowned during the fourth annual Miss Maple Pageant on the morning of Saturday, Aug. 25 at the 131st Piscataquis Valley Fair.

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

On Saturday, Sept. 1 the Moosehead Quilters will present the “Quilts in the Woods” quilt show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Union Evangelical Church (at the blinking light) in Greenville.

Pleasant Meadows Estates is sporting a brand new flagpole at Dover-Foxcroft assisted living facility. Rep Paul Stearns, R-Guilford presented Administrator Kellie Brazier with a flag that was flown above the Maine State Capitol in honor of the residents and staff.

Banff, that fabled alpine village in the midsection of the Canadian Rockies, has been on my wife Diane’s bucket list for many years.

Trips into the state’s more remote places can come with all sorts of rewards. Just stepping off the beaten path -- hopefully out of cell phone range -- gives a person some peace and quiet that rarely exists in our busy lives. Add in a few wild animal sightings, and you’ve got the makings of a memorable day.

On Thursday morning, Aug. 2 an unexpected visitor arrived at The Covered Bridge Motel which is located at 382 Water Street across from the famous Low’s Covered Bridge which spans the Piscataquis River. Linda Moon, the owner, was informed that the visitor was a health inspector. So Linda proceeded to take the inspector wherever she wanted to go.

An Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facility Pilot Project involving four of the area’s school districts, the Tri-County Technical Center (TCTC) and the Jackman school system remains on a list of state fudning finalists. The local collaboration is again ranked third behind projects in northern and southern Aroostook County, the same position on several previous rating lists from earlier in the year.

Dispatchers with the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Office are currently using an antiquated radio system, with components dating to the 1980s. Dispatch Sgt. Gary Grant has been working for several years to upgrade the telecommunications division of the department through grants and other funding sources, but in order to complete the project more money is needed. The specifics are to be determined, but the Piscataquis County Commissioners passed a motion to proceed with an upgrade during an Aug. 21 meeting.

Joan Shapleigh and her horse Donatello rode into history when the pair took part in a dressage show at Infinity Farm on Aug. 19. Shapleigh, 81 of Dover-Foxcroft, and Donatello, 21, have a combined age of over 100 and this statistic enabled them to join the Dressage Foundation’s Century Club once Shapleigh rode the horse for a dressage test and had the performance scored by a judge.

A legislative watchdog found “no evidence” that Gov. Paul LePage’s administration diverted public timber from Maine millowners because they criticized the governor, though there was “very little documentation” to back that finding.