What 19th-century nickname did Bangor earn due to its booming lumber trade?

There’s a feeling of change in the air — the kind that only fall in Maine can bring. Maples are glowing along the river, the scent of apple crisp drifts from local kitchens, and downtown Orono feels alive again with students and music. From Bucksport to Bangor, neighbors are settling into sweater weather and finding small ways to gather, give, and enjoy the season.

Penobscot Valley 7-Day Forecast

A taste of fall ahead — sunshine midweek, rain by the weekend.

Penobscot Valley 7-Day Forecast
A taste of fall ahead — sunshine midweek, rain by the weekend.

📅 Tue, Oct 7: Turning cloudy and warm — 76° / 58°
🌤 Wed, Oct 8: Partly sunny, a few showers — 61° / 40°
☀️ Thu, Oct 9: Plenty of sunshine — 56° / 37°
🌦 Fri, Oct 10: Bright and pleasant — 61° / 45°
🌧 Sat, Oct 11: Cloudy with afternoon rain — 62° / 44°
🌧 Sun, Oct 12: Rainy and cool — 61° / 42°
🌥 Mon, Oct 13: Morning drizzle, mostly cloudy — 63° / 46°

A relentless lack of rain has plunged Eastern Maine into a deepening drought, scorching fields and putting the entire region on high alert.

The situation has become a mounting crisis, with Hancock County now experiencing extreme drought conditions.

Nearby in Penobscot County, the declaration is for moderate to severe drought, as the dry spell continues with no end in sight.

Local farmers are watching their late-summer crops wither, a devastating blow to their livelihoods and the area’s food supply.

The parched landscape has also created a tinderbox, prompting the Maine Forest Service to issue a high fire danger warning.

Some residents are already reporting that their wells have run dry, as the region faces a rainfall deficit of up to 10 inches.

With little relief in the forecast, officials are urging all residents to practice water conservation.

Pet owners in the greater Bangor area have a vital resource back in action.

The Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic has officially reopened in a much larger, upgraded facility at 820 Main Road in Holden.

This critical move from its former, cramped Brewer location directly addresses long-standing issues with capacity.

For years, the clinic was often forced to turn away animals in need due to a lack of space, causing immense stress for local families.

The new Holden facility is designed to significantly reduce wait times and expand the number of pets that can receive urgent care.

This expansion represents a major investment in our community's animal welfare, ensuring more reliable access to emergency services on nights and weekends for pet owners throughout Penobscot County. The larger space also improves workflow and comfort for both staff and families during difficult moments.

A colorful fall week is ahead for the Greater Bangor area and Penobscot Valley communities — from campus celebrations and local festivals to art exhibits and live music. Here’s your guide to what’s happening October 7 through October 13, 2025.

🍁 Major Festivals & Outdoor Fun

Hirundo Wildlife Refuge – 6th Annual Fall Fest
📍 Old Town (Gate 1)
🗓 Sat, Oct 11 | 10 AM–3 PM
🍂 Nature activities, a jack-o’-lantern trail, food, and family fun.

Bangor Farmers’ Market
📍 Abbot Square, Bangor
🗓 Sun, Oct 12 | 11 AM–1:30 PM
🛍 Fresh produce, baked goods, and crafts. SNAP accepted.

Orono Bog Boardwalk
📍 Bangor/Orono
🗓 Open daily, daylight hours
🌿 A one-mile raised walk through the bog — perfect for leaf-peeping this week.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Bangor
📍 Maine Savings Amphitheater
🗓 Sat, Oct 11 | Registration 8 AM, Walk 9:30 AM
💜 Morning walk supporting Alzheimer’s care, support, and research.

Fall Foliage 5K Trail Run – Fields Pond Audubon Center
📍 Holden
🗓 Sat, Oct 11 | 9 AM
🏃‍♂️ Scenic run through fields and woods at peak foliage. Registration supports Maine Audubon.

👉 See more local events & Community Happenings

🍎 From the Valley Kitchen: Warm Apple Crisp

Nothing says “Maine fall” quite like the smell of baked apples and cinnamon. This easy apple crisp is perfect for cool October evenings — and uses ingredients you can find at the Bangor Farmers’ Market.

Ingredients

• 5–6 medium local apples (Cortland or Honeycrisp work great)

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• ¾ cup old-fashioned oats

• ½ cup flour

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• ½ cup cold butter (cut into small cubes)

• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Peel and slice apples; spread in a greased 8×8-inch baking dish.

3. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.

4. Cut in butter until the mixture looks crumbly.

5. Sprinkle over apples and bake 35–40 minutes, until golden and bubbling.

6. Serve warm — great with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

After a grueling 15-month renovation, Black Bear Brewing & Pub has officially reopened its doors at 19 Mill Street in Orono.

The beloved local spot welcomed patrons back on October 3, ending a long wait for the community.

The completely refreshed interior features cozy new pub seating, an elevated food menu, and a dedicated space for live music performances.

Local musician Chris Ross was on hand to help celebrate the grand reopening, kicking off the pub’s renewed focus on entertainment.

Staff hope the venue will reclaim its role as a central gathering place for everyone from UMaine students to longtime residents.

More than just a business, the return of this downtown institution is a significant step in restoring a vital piece of Orono’s social fabric.

Business Connections & Networking

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
Upcoming mixers, workshops, and member events:
👉 Events Calendar: Wednesday, October 8 - The Journey of an Evolving Leader

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

A sweet and spunky girl at the Bangor Humane Society is patiently waiting for her perfect match.

Mandy is a 5-year-old Black Lab who was returned to the shelter and is searching again for a forever home.

With local shelters facing capacity challenges, her search is more urgent than ever.

Mandy is described as a high-energy and loving dog who is very protective of her people.

She needs an experienced owner and a quiet home with low visitor traffic, preferably with adults or older teens.

Her ideal family would not have other pets, allowing her to be the center of attention.

Once she feels safe and earns your trust, Mandy is an incredibly loyal and affectionate companion who enjoys car rides and cuddling.

For the right person in the Bangor area, she promises to be an unwavering friend.

The Penobscot River once powered more than 150 sawmills during Bangor’s lumber boom — earning it the nickname “Queen City of the East.” Many of the grand homes built from that prosperity still line Broadway and West Broadway today, reminders of a time when the Penobscot Valley’s timber helped build cities across America.

Smith Digital Solutions, LLC
Bangor, Maine

Proud supporter of the Penobscot Valley Voice and the entrepreneurs who make the Penobscot Valley thrive.

Smith Digital Solutions helps local businesses grow through smart website design, SEO, and digital marketing — building online visibility for Maine’s small-town stories.

👉 Learn more at smithdigitalsolutions.com

Community Thanks
We appreciate our local businesses and readers who help keep the Penobscot Valley Voice going strong. Want to sponsor a future issue? Contact us at sandy@mainethrive.org

"The Lumber Capital of the World.” During its peak in the 1830s–1860s, Bangor shipped more lumber than any other U.S. port.