Piscataquis Observer

Photo courtesy of Sam Dunning “CANOE DIG IT?” — Sam Dunning stars in and directed “Canoe Dig It?”, a mockumentary comedy about a fictional national freestyle canoe competition held on Moosehead Lake. The film is showing at the Center Theatre May 10-14.

Photo courtesy of Sam Dunning “CANOE DIG IT?” — Sam Dunning stars in and directed “Canoe Dig It?”, a mockumentary comedy about a fictional national freestyle canoe competition held on Moosehead Lake. The film is showing at the Center Theatre May 10-14.

Freestyle canoe competition mockumentary screens at Center Theatre

A viral video of a freestyle canoeist sent to him during the pandemic led Sam Dunning to write a mockumentary comedy movie script about a group of disparate competitors at a fictional national competition set on Moosehead Lake. Originally intending the script to be something to entertain himself when much of the world was in quarantine, Dunning, who grew up in Brunswick and is now based in Brooklyn, ended up writing and making his directorial feature debut with “Canoe Dig It?” The independent film is being screened around Maine and beyond and will be showing at the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft from May 10 to 14.

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$15 million-plus Dover-Foxcroft-area school budget moved to district meeting

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A proposed $15,274,931 2026-27 budget for the Dover-Foxcroft-area school district was approved by the school board during a meeting at the SeDoMoCha School Tuesday evening.

Middle schoolers working for positive action

Observer photo/Stuart HedstromPOSITIVE ACTION — SeDoMocha Middle School Positive Action Team members Audrina Rideout, left, and Brynn Gaudet speak to the RSU 68 School Board during a May 5 meeting at the school in Dover-Foxcroft.

From rural Piscataquis County to UMaine valedictorian

By Kristian Moravec, The Maine Monitor Growing up in Parkman, Ruth Griffith’s neighbors lived half a mile down the road.

2nd UK citizen found on Golden Road pleads guilty to illegally entering the US

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A man from the United Kingdom pleaded guilty Tuesday to illegally entering the United States.

Piscataquis County seeks $1 million grant to support opioid-related programs

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County has applied for a $1 million federal grant that if awarded would provide funding for a jail nurse and benefit three other regional organizations.

Peakes, Miller honored for academic/athletic excellence

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High School SCHOLAR-ATHLETES — Congratulations to Dexter Regional High School seniors Annabelle Peakes and Damiair Miller, who the Maine Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association has recognized for their academic and athletic excellence.

Sports BrowseSports

Baseball_(crop)

Strout earns weekly pitching honor

GORHAM – Freshman Hayden Strout, a resident of Charleston and 2026 Foxcroft Academy graduate, of the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies’ baseball team has been recognized by the Little East Conference with a weekly accolade following a standout performance. Strout has been named the LEC Pitcher of the Week, USM announced.

Penquis’ Decker has trio of top two throwing event finishes

BAR HARBOR — The Penquis Valley High School outdoor track & team traveled to Mount Desert Island High School for a Penobscot Valley Conference meet on May 2.

PCHS track picks up five first-place performances

HAMPDEN — The Piscataquis Community High School girls outdoor track & field team scored 96 points to finish third among four schools at a May 1 Penobscot Valley Conference meet at Hampden Academy.

Opinion BrowseOpinion

Killer flies

AARP Maine’s News You Can Use

By Joyce Bucciantini, AARP Maine community outreach volunteer Growing up, my childhood vacations were always road trips to visit my grandparents.

Building homes and lifting lives

Mason for governor

To the Editor; After more than 20 years in the United States Air Force, I learned that leadership is built on service, discipline and putting mission before self.

A Maine man guiding in Alaska survived a grizzly attack. He says it was his fault.

Great migration directory

By Nancy Battick Many genealogists know the work of the late Robert Charles Anderson.

Living BrowseLiving

Dexter Age Friendly to host senior fraud program

DEXTER — On Thursday, May 14 Dexter Age Friendly will be hosting a senior fraud program featuring two speakers: Pamela Partridge from AARP’s Fraud Watch program and Kelsee Bowman from Skowhegan Savings Bank.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive returns Saturday

Heart of Maine United Way is proud to support the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, a nationwide initiative organized by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Tilberg receives 2026 Espy Land Heritage Award

Maine Coast Heritage Trust is pleased to announce that Karin Tilberg, recently retired president and CEO of the Forest Society of Maine, has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Espy Land Heritage Award.

SeDoMoCha students showcase science fair projects

DOVER-FOXCROFT — How much polyurethane should be on a basketball court in order to ensure the surface has enough grip for players’ sneakers as they run back and forth, but not too much grip which could cause an ankle injury? SeDoMoCha Middle School eighth grader Sariah Martin wanted to look into this for her project in the annual grade 8 science fair held on the evening of April 29.

Kain receives PCHS’ Principal’s Award

GUILFORD —Piscataquis Community High School senior Noah Kain of Parkman has been selected to receive the 2026 Principal’s Award.

8 groups of Maine high schools are seeking funding to combine

By Cameron Levasseur, The County Staff Portland’s three public high schools.