Brae Maple Farm, in Union, invites the community to join staff for Open Farm Day on Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"Explore the beauty and bounty of this working farm while learning about sustainable gardening, local food, and heritage practices," said Brae Maple, in a news release.

SEARSMONT — It has been a devastating spring and summer for funerals. Retired Fire Chief Ken Desmond, 76, of Woolwich, recently returned from the fourth funeral of Maine firefighters, all of whom he either worked with, trained, or had as a good friend.

Tucked away on a side road off a side road is one of Belfast's most understated resource and finest spots in the community, its Municipal Airport. Small planes come and go on the asphalt runways that stretch out, meeting on either side spacious stretches of mown green grass. Red hangars, appearing modest from the outside, open their big doors and reveal spotless bays home to well-tended aircraft.

ST. GEORGE —Members of the St. George Grange came up with the whimsical idea to have 17 local artists paint some of their vintage wooden chairs. In turn, those chairs will be auctioned off, with Zero to School being the recipient of this CHAIR-ITY fundraiser.

Two Rockland police officers have received awards in 2026 from statewide organizations, both of which The City of Rockland recognized this month through resolves and commendations. Soon, however, the City will have its own annual award to distribute.

One of Maine’s oldest food cooperatives, the Belfast Community Co-op, is hitting the milestone of fifty years serving the communities of the Midcoast and beyond. From summer 2026 through summer 2027, the Belfast Community Co-op will be honoring its past and celebrating its future with member-owners, staff, friends and neighbors.   

University of Maine Cooperative Extension will host its annual Sustainable Agriculture Research Tour on Wednesday, August 5, from 2- 5:45 p.m., at Rogers Forage and Crops Research Farm, part of UMaine’s Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, 914 Bennoch Road, Old Town. Sign-in opens at 1:30 p.m.

ROCKLAND — Waterfall Arts has announced the acquisition of the historic Lincoln Street Center in Rockland, "securing the future of one of Maine’s most significant cultural assets and preserving more than 40 working artists’ studios within the 42,000-square-foot former school building," said Waterfall Arts, in a news release.

Waterfall Arts provides the following statement regarding the acquisition:

Maine State Credit Union announces a record-breaking year for its annual Feed ME 5K, raising $90,306.84 to support local food banks and pantries across Maine as part of the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

Now in its 21st year, the Feed ME 5K has grown from a small community fundraiser that raised approximately $10,000 in its first year into a community-wide effort to combat food insecurity.

MaineHealth Behavioral Health is launching a new Psychiatric Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Fellowship to prepare newly graduated psychiatric nurse practitioners and physician associates for practice and to help expand Maine's behavioral health workforce. 

2026 Rising Tide Party & Auction will take place Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., at Riverside Farm & Learning Center in Searsmont.

"Bringing together community members, nonprofit leaders, business supporters, and philanthropists from across Knox and Waldo counties, the Rising Tide Party & Auction celebrates the generosity and partnerships that strengthen our region," said United Midcoast Charities, in a news release.

BELFAST — Wild Blueberry Collective and Niweskok are collaborating to present The Blueberry Blues, a Canadian documentary, at the Colonial Theatre. Proceeds will go towards the Wild Blueberry Collective’s goal of purchasing and protecting 158 acres of blueberry land in Searsport, Maine.  

The Maine Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Standards will host a free webinar on July 16, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., to share information about recent changes to Maine state law and regulations on wage and hour, workplace safety, and other labor standards. Employers, workers, human resources and payroll professionals, attorneys, labor organizations, and others with an interest in Maine labor standards are encouraged to attend, acccording to Maine DOL, in a news release.

Presenters will provide information on changes to:

PORT CLYDE — Lyman-Morse, a Midcoast Maine based boatbuilder and marina operator, has partnered with Colby College to relaunch a managed mooring field in Port Clyde Harbor. The collaboration supports Colby’s growing investment in Port Clyde and, according to a Lyman-Morse news release, expands a safe, quality anchorage for visiting boaters in one of Maine’s most storied working harbors.

PORTLAND — Starting July 15, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will begin work on Forest Avenue from the Allen Avenue intersection to the Riverside Street intersection in Portland for a highway preservation paving project.

The project work will include cold milling of the existing pavement surface, paving of an ultra-thin bonded wearing course, and pedestrian safety improvements.

Natalie Barrows is the 2026 winner of the Diane and Dana Whitten Scholarship.