Which famed Maine country singer—often associated with the Bangor music scene—rose to national fame as the ‘Baron of Country Music’?

It’s official: fall has arrived, and it’s brought with it that unmistakable Maine feeling—you know the one. Last night’s frost warning had me doing the late-evening “rescue run” for the last of the tomatoes and basil. My poor plants didn’t stand a chance against that sharp drop in temperature!

And so begins the great seasonal debate: when do we finally take out the window units and flip from cooling to cozy? I’ve been running the heat for an hour each morning, then shutting it off as the sun warms the house—only to shiver again by sunset. It’s that perfect Maine contradiction, a mix of beauty and briskness that reminds us where we live.

With the change in the air comes a gentle nudge to prepare for the long, beautiful winter ahead. Below you’ll find our Two-Week Fall Prep Checklist—a handful of tasks that make the transition smoother and your home a little warmer.

Stay warm, enjoy the colors, and we’ll see you out there among the pumpkins and cider stands.

— Sandy Smith Staff Editor

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YOUR 2-WEEK FALL PREP CHECKLIST
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**Get Your Flu Shot**  
Protect yourself and your community as you spend more time indoors. It's an easy way to stay healthy!

**Schedule Chimney / Wood Stove Inspection**  
Essential for safety! A clean chimney prevents fire hazards and ensures your wood stove is operating efficiently.

**Schedule Furnace Cleaning / Tune-Up**  
A professional cleaning improves efficiency, catches small issues before they become costly problems, and can lower your heating bills.

**Order Your Wood / Pellets**  
Don't wait for the first snow—secure your fuel source now so it's seasoned and stacked, or delivered and ready to go.

**Protect Outdoor Faucets / Hoses**  
Disconnect and drain all exterior hoses and shut off the water to outside spigots to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

**Change / Clean HVAC Filters**  
A clean air filter improves heating efficiency and air quality, making for a healthier, warmer home.

**Check Smoke & CO Detectors**  
Test your batteries and make sure all alarms are working. They’re your first line of defense against winter emergencies.

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COMMUNITY CORNER
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We love hearing from you!  
Send us your local events, small business stories, or favorite fall photos around Penobscot Valley. Your notes and tips help keep this newsletter warm, useful, and neighborly.

Share this checklist with a friend or neighbor — let’s all head into the season prepared and cozy.

Email: sandy@mainethrive.org
Subscribe: penobscotvalleyvoice.com/signup
Read the current issue: penobscotvalleyvoice.com/current
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Tue: ☁️  57° / 45°  — Considerable cloudiness  
Wed:🌥️  62° / 43°  — Mostly cloudy  
Thu: 🌧️  54° / 39°  — Cooler with periods of rain  
Fri:   🌤️  59° / 45°  — Sun & low clouds  
Sat:  ⛅  53° / 42°  — Clouds & sunshine  
Sun: 🌦️  54° / 40°  — Periods of rain  
Mon: 🌧️  55° / 39°  — AM rain, then cloudy 

As fall arrives across Maine, health officials are issuing an urgent call for residents to get their annual flu shot.

The vaccine is strongly recommended for everyone six months and older.

It is vital to act now.

Getting vaccinated doesn't just protect you; it protects the most vulnerable among us, including children and older adults.

Fall in Maine brings beauty — and busy days. Here are three simple ways to pause and recharge this week:

• 🌿 Take a walk at dusk. The fading light and cool air do wonders for stress.

• ☕ Sip something warm slowly. Whether it’s tea or cider, let it be a ritual.

• 💌 Write a quick note to someone you love — a small kindness always travels far.

**Songwriters’ Open Mic** — 2 Feet Brewing, Bangor  
🎸 Part of downtown Bangor’s Artober series. Local musicians share new work in a friendly open-mic night. 

🕕 Tue Oct 14, 6 PM • Free / Donations welcome  

**Live Irish Sessions** — Paddy Murphy’s, Bangor  
🍀 A lively weekly gathering of traditional musicians — expect fiddles, flutes, and foot-tapping reels.  

**Early Bird Breakfast: “The Arts Mean Business”** — Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce  
☕ Discussion on how creative industries power our local economy. Great networking for artists and small-biz owners.

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More happenings around Brewer, Orono, Hampden, and Old Town  
— from library book sales to rec-center craft nights and school plays.  
Find the full list here 👉https://blog.penobscotvalleyvoice.com/post/october-14-to-october-20-events
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• Marden’s → Bangor (229 Springer Dr.) will replace the former Burlington space, with the Brewer Marden’s expected to close once Bangor opens in 2026.

• Burlington has shifted to 6 Bangor Mall Blvd.

• Sunbury’s (wine • fine foods • kitchenware) opened at 86 Hammond St., Bangor.

• Books-A-Million moved into a larger store at 490 Stillwater Ave.

• Cool Girl Collective & Glowgetters Spray Tans moved up Main to 575 Main St., Bangor.

• Maine Micro Artisans is relocating downtown to 21 Washington St., Bangor.

• Renys opened on Springer Drive in the former Christmas Tree Shops space.

• Closings: Evenrood’s (by Dec 31, 2025), My Buddy’s Place (Bucksport, Sept 30), MeMe G’s (Old Town, immediate).

Business Connections & Networking

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce
Upcoming mixers, workshops, and member events:

• Early Bird Breakfast – The Arts Mean Business: October 15, 2025
• Business After Hours: October 16, 2025, at Sargent Corporation
•  

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 cool autumn air settles over the Bangor region, a simple sheet-pan dinner offers the perfect comfort.

This Maple-Dijon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables captures the essence of the season, creating a warm, rustic meal with minimal cleanup.

The recipe combines bone-in chicken thighs with classic root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes.

A flavorful marinade of pure Maine maple syrup, sharp Dijon mustard, and fresh thyme brings everything together beautifully on a single pan.

Just roast everything at 400°F until the chicken is golden brown and the vegetables are perfectly tender.

It’s a genuine taste of a Maine autumn, delivering a restaurant-quality meal that is incredibly simple to prepare for any weeknight dinner.

The Brewer community is preparing for a beloved event aimed at supporting our local heroes.

The 4th Annual Maine Veterans 5k for Heating Oil is set for Saturday, October 25th, at 10 a.m., starting at the Washington Street School.

Every registration and donation goes directly to the Maine Veterans Project, a local organization that provides essential heating oil assistance to veterans in need.

As colder temperatures approach, this support becomes more critical than ever.

This event is a lifeline for veterans in Penobscot County, ensuring they don't have to face the harsh Maine winter without heat.

Organizers welcome everyone to participate, whether you plan to run, walk with family, or cheer from the sidelines.

It’s a powerful opportunity to show gratitude and solidarity for those who have sacrificed so much for our community.

A bundle of energy named Spanky, a two-month-old mixed-breed puppy, is searching for his forever home at the Bangor Humane Society.

Weighing just six pounds, he represents both the incredible promise of a lifelong companion and a serious, rewarding commitment.

Adopting a puppy requires patience, training, and socialization to help them grow.

However, a recent parvovirus scare has put local veterinarians and shelters on high alert, leading to an important safety measure.

Any family with a resident dog must provide proof of up-to-date distemper vaccinations before scheduling a meet-and-greet.

This non-negotiable step is essential to protect Spanky, other shelter animals, and the community's pets from the vulnerable virus.

It’s a reminder of the care these young animals need.

If you're ready for the joy and responsibility, Spanky is eager to meet you.

Before we wrap up, a quick thank-you to two of the local businesses that help keep this newsletter free for our community.

Sponsor Spotlight: Madden Home Inspection

We’re proud to recognize Madden Home Inspection of Hampden as this week’s Penobscot Valley Voice sponsor.

Locally owned and deeply rooted in our community, Madden Home Inspection helps Maine homeowners buy, sell, and maintain their properties with confidence. From first-time homebuyers to seasoned owners, their team offers thorough, trustworthy inspections backed by years of hands-on experience and local knowledge.

🏠 Whether you’re purchasing your first home, preparing for sale, or planning seasonal maintenance, Madden Home Inspection brings professionalism and peace of mind to one of life’s biggest investments.

📞 Learn more or schedule your next inspection at maddenhomeinspection.com or call (207) 989-5010.

We’re grateful for their support — and for helping keep community news alive here in the Penobscot Valley!

Woof, LLC — Glenburn’s Home for Happy Dogs

Woof, LLC is Glenburn’s full-service dog daycare, boarding, and grooming facility — where every pup is treated like family. 

What Makes Them Special:

• Their entire daycare and boarding facility is fully air-conditioned, ensuring comfort even in summer’s heat. 

• They welcome dogs of all sizes, breeds, and personalities — matching playmates carefully and offering quiet spaces for seniors or shy pups. 

• Grooming, nail trims, baths — they manage the full care cycle so pet owners don’t have to juggle multiple places. 

A New Chapter Under New Ownership:
In January 2024, Peter Richmond acquired the business and property, rebranding and expanding services. He worked closely with the Maine SBDC to create a sustainable growth plan and launch the grooming arm that spring.
Under Peter’s leadership, they’ve already exceeded early goals and continue to grow their client base. https://woofllc.com

That’s all for this week’s Valley Voice — thank you for being part of our growing community of readers who care about Maine life, small business, and local stories. Stay warm, stay kind, and we’ll see you next week.

-- Sandy Smith, Editor

Dick Curless, known as the "Baron of Country Music" was from Bangor, Maine. He wrote a song called: "A Tombstone Every Mile" . “A Tombstone Every Mile” was released in 1965 and became a hit in the mid-1960s, peaking at #5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. It got especially heavy play in New England and among truck-driving country fans through the late ’60s.