In 1860, the peak year of Bangor's lumber boom, roughly how many lumber ships passed through the city's docks, making it one of the busiest seaports on the East Coast?

The Bangor-Brewer community rallied together this weekend for the fourth-annual Veterans 5K for Heating Oil in Brewer.

This vital event raises money to ensure local veterans can stay warm through Maine's harsh winters.

A partnership between the Maine Veterans Project and Triumph Professional Cleaning Services of Brewer, the race channels all proceeds directly into a heating fuel assistance program for those who have served.

The need is especially urgent this year, with heating oil prices placing a heavy burden on many households across Penobscot County.

Runners and walkers of all ages participated on Saturday morning.

Their strides were a powerful display of local gratitude, a clear message from the community that our veterans are not forgotten.

From Sandy: Dry Your Boots! Brighter Skies Ahead for the Penobscot Valley

I don’t know about you, but my trusty L.L. Bean boots have already been earning their keep this week! Between rain showers and fallen leaves, it feels like fall has fully settled into the Valley.

The forecast looks like a true Maine mix — sunshine on Tuesday (Oct 28) and Wednesday (Oct 29), a few raindrops for Halloween (Oct 31), and more showers heading into the weekend. Remember to drive carefully, watch for slick leaves on the roads, and keep an eye on rising streams.

Friday night brings trick-or-treaters, so let’s all slow down for those excited little ghosts and goblins — and Monday marks the start of deer hunting season, so stay visible out there!

There’s a lot happening around the Valley this week — local events, great food, and plenty of community news inside this issue. Stay dry, stay warm, and keep those boots handy!

Weather Outlook — Penobscot Valley Region

Tuesday Oct 28 – Monday Nov 3, 2025

Tips for the Week

• 🎃 Halloween Friday: Expect rain and wet roads — umbrellas & reflective gear recommended.

• Weekend: Mild temps in the 50s with sun — perfect for festivals and family plans.

• Early Next Week: Cooler air returns — keep jackets and layers handy.

North Star Property Solutions, Inc.

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When it comes to keeping homes and businesses in top shape, North Star Property Solutions is a trusted local partner. Their team provides professional, reliable service that helps your property shine — from simple fixes to full renovations.
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Local nonprofit OHI is making an urgent appeal for community support as the holiday season nears.

For over 40 years, the Bangor-based organization has been a lifeline for adults with intellectual disabilities and mental illness.

Now, its vital Brewer Food Pantry is facing unprecedented strain due to rising food insecurity across the Penobscot Valley.

The pantry, which serves low-income residents in Brewer and Eddington, is struggling to keep its shelves stocked amid escalating demand.

The need for assistance is even more critical after a recent cyber scam resulted in a significant loss of funds for OHI.

Officials are asking for non-perishable food items, financial contributions to support their broader services, and volunteers to help with pantry operations.

This support is essential to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors are not forgotten during a time of giving.

What's Happening in the Valley?

More Events on our blog: https://blog.penobscotvalleyvoice.com/post/new-blog-postHalloween-Week-Events-Schedule

Halloween Weekend Events — October 28 to November 3

More Events on our blog: https://blog.penobscotvalleyvoice.com/post/new-blog-postHalloween-Week-Events-Schedule

🏒 High School Hockey — Penobscot Valley Region 

❤️ American Red Cross — Bangor Blood Donation Center

Location: 900 B Hammond Street, Bangor • 📞 1-800-RED-CROSS
Hours: Tue–Thu 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Sat 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

As our community moves into the busy holiday season, the American Red Cross in Bangor is calling for more blood donors to help meet rising demand across Maine hospitals.
Blood donations often drop in late fall — yet patient needs never do.

Every pint collected helps local hospitals treat accident victims, cancer patients, and those undergoing surgeries. Donating is quick, easy, and deeply meaningful — most visits take less than an hour.

💡 How to Help:

• Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS

• Bring a photo ID and stay hydrated

• Encourage a friend or coworker to give alongside you

Your donation this week could save a life before Thanksgiving.

Cause of the Month: Give Back, Warm Up, and Feed Our Neighbors

As the days grow shorter and Thanksgiving approaches, the Penobscot Valley comes alive with opportunities to give back. Whether you can offer time, a warm coat, or a pint of blood — your kindness makes our community stronger.

🥫 Feed Local Families

The shelves at area food pantries are working overtime this month.
Organizations like OHI’s Brewer Food Pantry and Good Shepherd Food Bank partners are asking for non-perishable foods, canned goods, and grocery gift cards to help fill Thanksgiving tables.
🕒 Donations accepted weekdays — call ahead for drop-off times.

🧥 Share the Warmth

Winter weather arrives early in Maine, and hundreds of families need help staying warm.
Programs like Coats for Kids and local clothing drives are collecting coats, hats, mittens, and scarves for children and adults.
Drop boxes are available at Hannaford, Shaw’s, and local schools throughout November.

🩸 Give Blood. Give Thanks.

The American Red Cross Blood Center in Bangor continues to face critical shortages heading into the holidays.
Every donation saves lives — and every donor helps keep our hospitals stocked during the busiest time of year.
📍 900 B Hammond Street, Bangor | 📞 1-800-RED-CROSS

However you give — thank you for being part of a community that shows up for one another when it matters most.

Business Pulse | What’s New Around the Valley

Salt North Taproom Opens in Downtown Bangor
A new restaurant and bar has opened on Union Street, serving Caribbean-inspired dishes, specialty cocktails, and live music several nights a week. It’s quickly becoming a downtown favorite.

Marden’s Relocates to Bangor
The well-known Maine retailer has moved its Bangor area store into a larger location on Springer Drive, offering expanded inventory and improved customer parking.

Maine Micro Artisans Moves to Washington Street
This locally loved maker market has relocated to a bright new storefront downtown, featuring handcrafted goods from more than 200 Maine artisans.

Books-A-Million Expands on Stillwater Avenue
The popular bookstore has moved into a larger space, giving readers more room to browse and expanding its community event schedule.

Glowgetters and Cool Girl Collective Relocate Downtown
Two small businesses known for beauty and wellness have moved into a shared Main Street space with better visibility and easier access for customers.

Find more business changes in our blog: https://blog.penobscotvalleyvoice.com/post/Pulse-post-10-28-25

Keep Us in the Loop

Have a business opening, closing, or milestone to share?
Email sandy@mainethrive.org or tag us on Facebook with your update — we love featuring local entrepreneurs!

Bangor Region Chamber Update

The Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce continues to highlight local innovation and growth this fall. This week, members gathered at the Business After Hours event hosted by Geaghan Brothers Brewing — an evening that brought together professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to celebrate collaboration in the Penobscot Valley.

The Chamber also announced registration is open for its Annual Awards Dinner in January 2026, recognizing outstanding leadership and community impact throughout the region.

 For updates and events, visit bangorregionchamber.org or follow the Chamber on Facebook.

Local BNI Chapter Information

BNI – Penobscot Valley Chapters

• BNI Bangor Breakfast
  Fridays, 7:00 AM
  Elks Lodge, 108 Odlin Rd, Bangor
•  
• BNI Queen City
  Thursdays, 8:30 AM
  The Sports Arena, 1640 Hammond St, Hermon
•  
• BNI Black Bear (Hybrid)
  Thursdays, 8:30 AM
  Week 1: In person — Eastern Area Agency on Aging, 240 State St, Brewer
  Weeks 2–5: Online
•  
• BNI Paul Bunyan (Virtual)
  Tuesdays, 7:00 AM
  Online via Zoom – “Paul Bunyan BNI” chapter

As fall arrives, the craving for warm, comforting meals returns.

This season, the quintessential pairing is a sweet Apple Crisp & Butternut Squash Soup, a combination that feels like coming home.

Start with a trip to a local farm stand for crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Cortland.

Tossed with cinnamon and nutmeg, the crisp bakes into a bubbly, golden delight that fills your kitchen with an autumn aroma.

For a savory balance, the hearty butternut squash soup is both nourishing and deeply flavorful.

Fresh squash simmers with protein-rich red lentils, enhanced by a gentle, warming touch of curry and ginger for a velvety texture.

Together, these dishes create a cherished meal that feels like a warm embrace on a cool day.

"Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."

Chick-fil-A Catering

Bangor Business Catering Made Easy: Order Chick-fil-A Trays for Pickup or Delivery

Planning a business meeting, party, or event in the Greater Bangor area? Let Chick-fil-A Bangor take care of the food! We offer a full catering menu with options for pickup and delivery to make your event delicious and easy.

How to Order Catering in Bangor

You have several convenient ways to place your order:

• Order Online: You can place your catering order directly through the official Chick-fil-A Bangor Catering page.
• Use the Chick-fil-A App: Order easily on the go through the Chick-fil-A App on your mobile device.
• Call the Restaurant: Speak with a team member at the Bangor location by calling (207) 262-3725.
•  

Catering Menu Highlights

Our catering menu features all your Chick-fil-A favorites, perfectly packaged for any size group.

• Trays: Popular options include Hot Chick-fil-A Nugget Trays, Mac & Cheese Trays, and Fruit Trays.
•  
• Packaged Meals: Individual Packaged Meals are perfect for business lunches, featuring options like the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich Packaged Meal or a Chick-fil-A Cool Wrap Packaged Meal.
•  
• Breakfast: Start your day right with catering items like Chick-n-Minis Trays and Chicken Biscuits.
•  
• Sides & Treats: Don’t forget the Waffle Potato Chips, Garden Salad Tray, and our delicious Chocolate Chunk Cookie Tray.
•  

View the Full Catering Menu to see all available selections.

Pickup and Delivery Options

The Chick-fil-A Bangor location offers two ways to receive your order:

• Catering Pickup: You can pick up your order directly at our restaurant located at 605 Stillwater Ave, Bangor, ME 04401.
• Catering Delivery: Delivery is available for larger events. Please note that catering deliveries at this restaurant require a $200.00 subtotal minimum order size.
•  

About Chick-fil-A Bangor

• Address: 605 Stillwater Ave, Bangor, ME 04401
• Phone: (207) 262-3725
• Service Hours: We are open Monday–Saturday from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM EDT. As always, we are closed on Sundays.

A very special resident at the Bangor Humane Society is patiently waiting for her forever home.

Her name is Mandy, a four-to-five-year-old Labrador Retriever mix who is full of affection and ready for adventure.

This sweet, 54-pound girl loves car rides and would be the perfect companion for trips to local spots like Bangor City Forest or Cascade Park.

Mandy is a smart and eager-to-please dog who is looking for an experienced owner to give her a second chance.

She would thrive best in a calm, quiet environment where she can be the only pet, soaking up all the attention and love for herself.

Adopting a deserving dog like Mandy means welcoming a new best friend and supporting a vital community resource.

Before We go...It's time to turn back the clocks this Sunday!

Cleaning Up the Week

Next week is Hunting Season and we'll have a list of Hunter's breakfasts and more of our usual Weather forecast, Business Highlights, Local sports and anything we get from our faithful readers.  If you would like us to cover something, have photos or ideas send them in to us.  Thank You for supporting our Newsletter.  Please send a copy to a friend and encourage them to sign up it's FREE!  Check the footer below where you will find a link to help them subscribe.  Until next Tuesday, have a GREAT week everyone!

3,300 ships (The city shipped over 150 million board feet of lumber annually.)