Sandy Smith
Oct 13, 2026
| Tuesday, Oct 13|Issue #55|Penobscot Valley |
Pumpkins, Costumes & a Weekend Together
If you’re making plans with the family this weekend, Bangor has a few good reasons to get everyone out of the house. Saturday brings food trucks and the Maine Witch Walk. Sunday brings a new look for a familiar community fundraiser.
UCP of Maine’s Pumpkins in the Park returns Sunday, October 18, from noon to 4 PM at the Anah Shriners, 1404 Broadway in Bangor. This year’s event is an indoor Spooky Neon Carnival, presented by Darling’s Kia.
Pumpkin Lane offers pumpkins, games, candy and photo opportunities. Spooky Alley adds blacklights, glowing games, music and fog. Families can explore community booths, try carnival games and enjoy the afternoon indoors, rain or shine.
Admission is $5 per person or $20 per family, including two carnival game tickets. Additional game tickets are available for purchase. The event supports UCP of Maine’s work in our community.
Saturday, October 17, offers two other outings. Food Truck Extravaganza 4.0 runs from 11 AM to 3 PM in The Furniture Gallery parking lot, 614 Broadway, with ten food trucks gathering in one place.
The Maine Witch Walk and Goblin Market runs from noon to 4 PM on the Bangor Waterfront. The market opens at noon, dance practice begins at 1 PM, and the walk starts at 1:45 PM, followed by the witch dance at 2:45 PM.
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Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden began with a gift of land from Katherine Curran’s estate. In what year was that land donated to Maine Audubon?
A. 1974
Keep your guess in mind—the answer is at the very end of today’s Penobscot Valley Voice. |
Good morning, neighbors.
Saturday’s food trucks and Witch Walk give us two reasons to get out in Bangor, and Sunday’s Pumpkins in the Park offers an indoor afternoon for the family. There’s plenty happening beyond Bangor, too, including bluegrass in Dover-Foxcroft and the symphony’s season opener in Orono.
We’ve also gathered local jobs, places to find help, and opportunities to lend a hand. I want this newsletter to be useful when you’re planning something fun—and when you need a little practical information.
Thank you to Nancy Marshall and Marshall Communications, our Newsletter Sponsor, for supporting Penobscot Valley Voice. Maine Based, Globally Connected.
Take a look through this week’s Voice. I hope you find something that fits your week.
— Sandy |
Weather Around the Valley
Tuesday: Cloudy with afternoon showers. High 45°F, low 42°F.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High 56°F, low 45°F.
Thursday: Mostly sunny and breezy. High 56°F, low 35°F.
Friday: Cooler with periods of rain. High 50°F, low 41°F.
Saturday: Breezy with clouds and sunshine. High 47°F, low 30°F.
Sunday: Plenty of sunshine. High 49°F, low 33°F.
Monday: Cloudy. High 56°F, low 38°F.
Sandy’s Take: Bring a warm layer for Saturday’s food trucks and Witch Walk. Sunday’s carnival is indoors, and the forecast also looks good for a walk or a stop at the farmers’ market.
Bangor-area forecast updated Monday, October 12. |
Traffic Advisories · October 13–19 Bangor: I-95 at Broadway — October 16–19
Expect southbound lane changes and ramp closures at Exit 185 while crews move traffic onto the new bridge. When the southbound Broadway off-ramp closes, use Exit 186 at Stillwater Avenue and follow the signed detour to Broadway. The southbound Broadway on-ramp may also close; its detour leads to Exit 186. Allow extra travel time for Saturday’s Food Truck Extravaganza and Sunday’s Pumpkins in the Park.
Old Town: Temporary Stillwater River Bridge
Beginning Tuesday, October 13, the temporary Llewellyn Estes Bridge will close intermittently between 9 AM and 3 PM during demolition work. Closures could continue into the week of October 19. Timing depends on construction progress, weather and site conditions.
Bangor: Hogan Road and I-95
MaineDOT lists southbound I-95 reduced to one lane beneath Hogan Road, with a northbound reduction planned in October. Occasional daytime lane closures on Hogan Road and rolling roadblocks on the interstate may cause delays. MaineDOT Hogan Road traffic information
Brewer–Holden: Route 1A Night Work
Night paving is scheduled to continue through October 23. Crews work on one lane at a time while maintaining two-way traffic. Expect delays along the project corridor near the railroad overpass by I-395 and the Route 9 Connector, extending toward and beyond Copeland Hill Road. Source: MaineDOT notices reviewed October 12. |
Banner image is AI-generated for illustration; it is not a photograph of Hirundo Wildlife Refuge or its trails.
Hirundo’s Trail of the Senses A walk in the woods doesn’t have to mean climbing over roots and rocks. At Hirundo Wildlife Refuge, the Trail of the Senses gives visitors another way to spend time outdoors. Its two accessible routes—the half-mile Pond Trail and the shorter, 0.15-mile Meadow Trail—have wide, hard-packed surfaces, guard rails and benches. Interpretive signs encourage visitors to explore nature through their senses, with places to pause along the way. Why it’s worth knowing about: These trails were designed for visitors with mobility and sensory impairments. They also offer a useful option when someone in your group needs a shorter route and places to rest. Enter through Gate 1 at 1107 West Old Town Road, Old Town, and follow the dirt access road to the Pine Tree parking area. Admission: Free |
A Local Reminder to Give Blood Bangor police officers joined community members at the Red Cross donation center on Hammond Street last Tuesday to help replenish the blood supply. WABI reported that the October 6 drive had collected 22 pints by 4 PM, with donations still underway. Local Red Cross leaders said participation had fallen since mobile blood drives were discontinued earlier this year. The partnership helped bring attention—and donors—to the Bangor center. The drive is over, but you can still make an appointment to donate at 900B Hammond Street, Bangor. The center’s posted hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 11 AM–7 PM, and Saturday, 7 AM–3 PM. |
Rock Hearts in Dover-Foxcroft
The Bluegrass Music Association of Maine brings Rock Hearts back to Center Theatre for an evening of bluegrass. It’s a good option for readers planning a Saturday night outside Bangor.
Food Truck Extravaganza 4.0
Ten food trucks will gather in one place for an afternoon of local eating. Bring your appetite and choose what sounds good when you arrive.
Bangor Symphony Orchestra: Force of Nature
Cellist Zuill Bailey joins conductor Lucas Richman and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra for the season opener. The program includes Peggy Stuart Coolidge’s New England Autumn, Michael Daugherty’s Tales of Hemingway and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. For anyone who enjoys hearing an orchestra in person—or has been meaning to try it—Sunday offers an afternoon performance in Orono. |
Free Youth Swim Program — Dover-Foxcroft
Future Barracudas introduces swimmers ages five and older to competitive swimming and the four strokes. The program is free, with registration required. Participants must pass the water competency test; this is for children who already swim. Register for Future Barracudas
Smartphone Basics — Bangor
Get help with calls, texts, email, photos and other everyday phone tasks. The workshop welcomes iPhone and Android users, with attendance in the Crofutt Room or by Zoom. Bring your device if you have one.
Mystery Making Mayhem — Bangor
Authors Matt Cost, Moe Claire, Allison Keeton and Jule Selbo will create a mystery using suggestions from the audience. Help choose the characters, setting and clues, and hear how the writers build a story.
The Audience — Orono
Helen Mirren plays Queen Elizabeth II in this National Theatre Live screening of the recorded stage production.
Ghostly Bangor Walking Tour — Bangor
Join the Bangor Historical Society for an evening of local history and ghost stories. Buy tickets by noon Thursday; the tour is limited to 25 guests. Rain alone doesn’t cancel the walk, but thunderstorms do.
Black Bears Football — Orono
Maine hosts Bryant for an afternoon home game. Game information and ticket links
Chamber Music with Zuill Bailey — Bangor
The Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s chamber series opens with guest cellist Zuill Bailey. Monday’s performance offers a smaller ensemble setting than Sunday’s full-orchestra concert in Orono. |
Bangor
Meetings are in Council Chambers, 73 Harlow Street. Monday’s committees meet consecutively, so their start times may shift. Bangor calendar and meeting information
Brewer
Arthur C. Verow Council Chambers, 80 North Main Street.
Hampden
Orono
Meetings are listed in the Council Chamber. Orono calendar and meeting information
Veazie
Dover-Foxcroft
Winterport
The hearing concerns a proposed subdivision amendment at 20 Young Drive, dividing Lot 7A into two house lots. Interested residents may attend and speak. Published public hearing notice
Lincoln
Lincoln Council schedule and participation information
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Meet a neighbor, make a connection or learn something useful this week.
BNI: Four Local ChaptersUse each chapter’s link to register as a visitor and receive meeting details.
Paul Bunyan BNI — Tuesday, October 13, 7 AM
Queen City BNI — Thursday, October 15, 8:30 AM
Black Bear BNI — Thursday, October 15, 8:30 AM
Bangor Breakfast BNI — Friday, October 16, 7 AM
Chamber & Business EventsEmployment Law Lunch & Learn — Thursday, October 15, 11:30 AM–1 PM
Business After Hours at Bristol Hospice — Thursday, October 15, 5–7 PM
Maine Science Awards — Thursday, October 15, 5:30–8 PM
“Beyond Early Detection: What Thermography Can Show You” — Thursday, October 15, 5:30–8:30 PM |
A new rehabilitation hospital is open in Bangor.
Sunridge celebrates new senior housing.
Bright Beginnings adds child care capacity.
Aroma Joe’s has a Brewer location listed.
Northeast Bank plans a Bangor branch.
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Orono — Tuesday, October 13, 2–5:30 PM, and Saturday, October 17, 8 AM–noon
Brewer — Saturday, October 17, 8:30 AM–1 PM
Dover-Foxcroft — Saturday, October 17, 9 AM–1 PM
Bangor — Sunday, October 18, 11 AM–1:30 PM |
Bangor residents facing grocery bills, job searches or overdue payments can find help at a free community resource fair Wednesday, October 14, from 9 AM to noon at Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow Street.
Food AND Medicine and other local groups will share information about food, employment, bills and benefits, giving visitors a chance to explore several resources in one stop.
For immediate food needs, the Salvation Army at 65 South Park Street lists weekday pantry hours from 9 AM to 1 PM and soup kitchen meals from 11:30 AM to 1 PM.
Call 207-941-2990 to ask about assistance before visiting.
Residents looking to help can attend Literacy Volunteers of Bangor tutor training October 19, from 6 to 8 PM at Eastern Maine Community College; the listed fee is $35.
The American Red Cross also offers blood donation appointments at 900B Hammond Street. Read More... |
A new companion could be waiting close to home. These two local shelters help animals find families and welcome community support through donations and volunteering.
Bangor Humane Society
Animal Orphanage |
Meet Penelope |
Penelope, a seven-month-old mixed breed puppy available for adoption in Bangor, Maine, is playful, curious and still learning how to navigate family life.
She needs patient help with house training, basic manners and the everyday skills that come with growing up.
A steady routine and positive reinforcement can help her make progress, while walks, puzzle toys and training games can keep her active mind and body busy.
Because Penelope arrived as a stray, her experience with dogs and cats is unknown.
She may be able to live with other pets, but introductions should be careful and supervised.
Anyone considering puppy adoption should be ready for the time, consistency and occasional mess that raising a young dog involves.
For someone who enjoys teaching as much as playing, Penelope could be a rewarding companion. Read More... |
Meet Stella! |
In Old Town, Maine, Stella is waiting for someone willing to give her time to feel safe.
The shelter dog, about 4 years old, bonds deeply once she trusts a person, revealing a playful, goofy side.
Working with trainer Christine, Stella practiced leash manners, recall, settling down and facing unfamiliar situations with more confidence.
She connected with Christine quickly and is continuing her training back at the shelter.
Stella can react strongly to men and is more comfortable with women, so a female-led household with steady routines would suit her best.
Her future adopter should expect multiple meet-and-greets and be ready to keep practicing her skills at home.
Patience will matter, but Stella has shown how close a bond she can form when someone gives her the chance.
Contact the shelter to learn how to meet her. Read More... |
Baked Apple CrispA warm finish to a fall supper, using applesauce and oats. Makes 12 servings. Apple layer
Applesauce layer
Oat topping
Directions
Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and use within four days. Recipe adapted from University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Banner image is AI-generated for illustration; it is not a photograph of the prepared recipe. |
FUSION:Bangor Marketing Subcommittee — Tuesday, October 20, 5:15–6:15 PM
Women’s Leadership Luncheon with Heather Paquette — Friday, October 23, 11:15 AM–1 PM
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This Week on Maine Thrive Voices
Episode 15: Lisa Liberatore
Lisa Liberatore joins Sandy on this week’s Maine Thrive Voices.
"If It’s in Your Head, It Dies With You"
Lisa Liberatore has started, built, and successfully sold a tea company, a burrito restaurant, and Bangor’s first coworking space. Now, as Upstart Maine’s ecosystem connector, she helps Maine entrepreneurs do what most never think about: build a business that can live without them.
Set aside some time to listen to their conversation.
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Who’s Hiring?
Staff Accountant — City of Old Town
Assistant Wastewater Operator — City of Old Town Airport Environmental & Safety Officer — Bangor International Airport |
Banner image is AI-generated for illustration; it does not depict an actual exhibit at the Cole Land Transportation Museum.A Fall Visit to the Cole Land Transportation Museum
Looking for an indoor outing with something for several generations? Bangor’s Cole Land Transportation Museum preserves the vehicles and stories that helped Maine move—from farm equipment and bicycles to fire engines and snowplows. Make it a family conversation: which vehicles do you remember seeing at work, and which are completely new to the younger visitors? 405 Perry Road, Bangor Admission: Adults $14; seniors, military and first responders $12; visitors under 19 free. The museum is wheelchair accessible. |
Castine — Maine Maritime Soccer Senior Day
Bangor — Husson Soccer
Bangor — Husson Swimming & Diving
On the Road
Volleyball: Husson at Vermont State Johnson, 1 and 3 PM; Maine Maritime at UMaine Presque Isle, 11 AM and 1 PM. Maine Maritime women’s soccer visits UMaine Farmington Sunday at 2 PM. |
Regional College Runners Head to Standish
Run for Warm Homes — Saturday, October 17, 10 AM |
One thing I like about putting this newsletter together is seeing how much is happening across our region. A game in Dover-Foxcroft, Senior Day in Castine, a market in Orono or a volunteer opportunity nearby—each gives us a reason to spend a little time with our neighbors.
You don’t have to fill the calendar to enjoy October in Maine. Pick one thing that sounds good. Invite someone along. Leave enough time to stop for lunch or take the scenic way home.
And if you’re cheering from the sidelines this week, remember the people who make those games possible: coaches, officials, volunteers and families. A little encouragement goes a long way, whether the scoreboard goes your way or not.
Thank you for spending part of your morning with the Penobscot Valley Voice. If there’s something happening in your town that deserves a place here, send it my way. Your local knowledge helps this newsletter reach beyond the places I can visit myself.
Have a good week, neighbors.
— Sandy |
Your Penobscot Valley Voice Weekend Edition arrives Friday at 6 AM, with weekend weather, Can’t Miss events and Quick Picks.
Also coming Friday: Maine Thrive Voices, Episode 16, with Jenn Goddard of Thriving Proof, right here in the Voice. |
C. 1994 The land that became Fields Pond Audubon Center in Holden was donated to Maine Audubon in 1994 through Katherine Curran’s estate. |