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.

During a Nov. 20 assembly a number of pupils at the SeDoMoCha School in Dover-Foxcroft were recognized as Students in the Spotlight. The assemblies are new to SeDoMoCha this year and are intended to celebrate a different positive attribute or characteristic each month. The monthly attribute is chosen from the Habits of the Mind, with perseverance being this month’s theme.

The SeDoMoCha Builders Club will again host and sponsor the Miracle Tree Event this year. The Miracle Tree Event will be held at The Commons at Central Hall, 152 East Main Street, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2.

There was a time during Maine’s November deer hunt when it was not uncommon for Maine Game Wardens to have three or four missing hunters in one day! In his new book, “Gary Dumond Remembers- Warden Pilots,” retired Maine Warden Pilot Gary Dumond recalls, “One day, Jack McPhee and I were the only two pilots working, and between him and me we had thirteen lost hunters.!”

Several weeks after being elected as the new district attorney for Piscataquis and Penobscot counties -- Prosecutorial District 5 -- current Deputy District Attorney Marianne Lynch, R-Bangor met with the Piscataquis County Commissioners during their Nov. 20 meeting.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. the Abbott Memorial Library hosts Andrew Bermudez, pastor of the First Free Baptist Church, who will present a program on the work camp which will be coming to Dexter in 2019.

The Monson Public Library, newly relocated in the Monson Arts Center at 35 Greenville Road, is up and running. The new space was formerly a cafe in the Monson Community Center, and before that the library of the Monson Elementary School. It has come full circle in its return to now housing the town's public library. The space was recently renovated by the Libra Foundation as part of its investment in developing an artist program to help spur economic growth for Monson.

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.