The U.S. Coast Guard urges the public to remove their ice fishing shacks as soon as safely possible from the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers, as the Coast Guard will begin its annual spring breakout Wednesday, Feb. 28.

The pet pantry is open from 9-11 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. The next time it will be open is on Tuesday, March 6. Its mission is to assist people who, due to their economic circumstances, may be having trouble buying food for their cat or dog.

Healthy Kids has formed a relationship with the First Congregational Church of Wiscasset to offer a Tuesday morning playgroup in their Fellowship Hall from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be games, crafts and a free snack for all children ages five and under and their caregivers.

The Coastal Senior College of Lincoln and Knox County Events Committee is collaborating with the Damariscotta Land Use Committee to hold a panel discussion and public forum on the draft of a proposed historic district ordinance for the town of Damariscotta, and the broader issues surrounding the need for such local ordinances, taking into account tax laws, interests of building owners or tenants and the general public, and the need for historic communities to adapt to sea-level rise, traffic congestion, and other challenges to the goals of restoration and preservation.

Sheepscot Valley Health Center is pleased to host a Good Shepherd Food Bank Food Mobile distribution at the Whitefield Lions Club on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Originally scheduled in January, the event was postponed due to snowy weather.

In respect for the victims of the tragic school shooting in Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Gov. Paul R. LePage has directed the U.S. flag and the state of Maine flag be flown at half-staff immediately until sunset Monday, Feb. 19.