The city of Old Town is best known for being the home of a major manufacturer of what recreational outdoor product for over 100 years?  

From Sandy’s Desk

Dear Valley Friends,

The first snowflakes are dancing outside my window as I write — a gentle reminder that the holidays are truly here. And with them comes the magic of giving, gathering, and second chances.

This week, we’re celebrating Grace — the sweet pup who waited 470 days at the Animal Orphanage in Old Town. Her story reminds us: every animal, every neighbor, every child deserves a place at the table.

That’s why I’m thrilled to spotlight the Anah Shriners Feztival of Trees — openning in Bangor on Thursday! Over 60 trees, each a raffle prize packed with gifts, all to support Anah Shriners. It’s more than a festival — it’s fun wrapped in tinsel.

And as Thanksgiving nears, our local pantries need us. Penquis, Salvation Army, and food cupboards from Old Town to Milo are rallying to feed families. Drop a turkey, a can, or a dollar. Or better yet — adopt a pup, visit a tree, make a food donation and share a smile!

The Penobscot Valley thrives because of you. Let’s make this season the warmest yet.

With gratitude and snow-dusted paws,
Sandy

Penobscot Valley Weather This Week

Mon 18 │ Mostly sunny 48° / 33° 10% flurries

Tue 19 │ Partly cloudy 50° / 34° Dry

Wed 20│ Partly cloudy 52° / 35° 10% PM shower 

Thu 21 │ Clouds increase 49° / 32° 20% snow shower

Fri 22   │ Mostly sunny 45° / 28° Breezy, dry

Sat 23  │ Partly cloudy 44° / 27° Cold snap

Sun 24 │ Sunny intervals 46° / 29° 10% chance

Overall: Cooler & mostly dry week. No big storms. Bundle up for lows in the upper 20s by the weekend.

Gavin's Lawncare

For homeowners in the greater Bangor area, maintaining a beautiful and safe property throughout Maine’s demanding seasons is a year-round challenge.

Local business Gavin's Lawn Care, led by owner Gavin Carr, is providing a comprehensive solution.

Serving communities from Brewer to Old Town, the company offers a full suite of landscaping services, including expert garden design, lawn maintenance, and durable hardscaping like patios and walkways.

Their philosophy is to treat every yard with meticulous care and precision.

When winter arrives, the team transitions seamlessly to provide 24/7 snow removal services, ensuring driveways and walkways remain clear and accessible.

This all-in-one approach gives Penobscot Valley residents peace of mind, knowing their property is managed by a reliable, fully insured team no matter the season.

A cherished Bangor tradition is set to kick off the holiday season as the Anah Shriners Feztival of Trees returns.

The beloved event will transform the Anah Shrine Center into a winter wonderland for two festive weekends: November 20-23 and again from November 28-30.

Guests can marvel at more than 60 uniquely decorated trees sponsored by area businesses.

Each tree is a grand prize in a raffle, and winners take home the tree with all the gifts and gift cards included.

Admission is only $2 for adults, while children under 12 get in free, making it an affordable family outing.

Refreshments will be available at the Gingerbread Cafe.

All net proceeds from this magical event support the vital community work of the Anah Shriners.

More Local Events

🌲 **Anah Shriners Feztival of Trees** Now–Dec 1 | Anah Shrine Center, Bangor 60+ raffle trees, Santa photos, Gingerbread Cafe $5/adult, kids free anahshriners.org/feztival-of-trees

🦃 **Free the Z Turkey Drive** Tue, Nov 18 | 6 AM–7 PM | Z107, 35 Market St., Bangor Drop off turkeys, sides, cash — help local pantries downtownbangor.com/events

🐾 **WABI TV5 Pet of the Week** Tue, Nov 19 | 6:30 AM | Channel 5 Animal Orphanage adoptable (watch for Grace updates!) wabi.tv

☕ **Coffee with a Cop** Wed, Nov 19 | 8–10 AM | Tim Hortons, Old Town Free coffee + chat with Old Town PD oldtownpolice.org

🎨 **Holiday Art Walk** Thu, Nov 20 | 4–7 PM | Downtown Bangor Galleries, music, cocoa — free downtownbangor.com/events

🎄 **Brewer Tree Lighting & Craft Fair** Fri, Nov 21 | 5–8 PM | Brewer Auditorium Santa, carols, 50+ vendors — free entry facebook.com/BrewerParksandRec

🎶 **Music Buffet** Fri, Nov 21 | 7 PM | Penobscot Community Hall Live tunes, potluck eats — $10 suggested penobscotmaine.org

🏃 **Lincoln Turkey Trot 5K** Sat, Nov 22 | 9 AM | Mattanawcook Academy Family run/walk — $20 pre-reg runsignup.com/lincolnturkeytrot

🛍️ **Bangor Mall Holiday Craft Fair** Sat, Nov 22 | 10 AM–6 PM | Bangor Mall 100+ local makers — free entry bangormall.com/events

📚 **First Flakes Storytime & Crafts** Sat, Nov 22 | 10:30 AM | Old Town Public Library Snow books, crafts, cocoa — free oldtownlibrary.org

As Thanksgiving 2025 nears, food insecurity remains a stark reality for many families across Penobscot County.

Local food pantries are facing growing demand, making the need for community support more urgent than ever.

Fortunately, a coalition of dedicated local organizations is working to ensure no one goes without a warm holiday meal.

Leading the effort is Penquis, which is coordinating with dozens of partners like the Salvation Army, Brewer Area Food Pantry, and the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard to distribute turkeys and trimmings.

This massive undertaking is fueled by community initiatives and involves groups from Old Town to Milo.

The collaboration is a powerful display of local solidarity in action.

Residents can make a difference by donating non-perishable food, volunteering time, or making a financial contribution to help these vital organizations support our neighbors in need.

💌 **Loved this week’s Valley Voice?** Share the warmth — forward to a friend or family member!

From Grace’s 470-day journey to the twinkling Feztival of Trees, every story celebrates *our* community.

👉 **Tap “Forward” now** and invite someone to join the Valley family. (They’ll thank you — and so will we!)

Together, we keep Penobscot Valley connected. 📰❤️

The Animal Orphanage in Old Town, Maine, is dedicated to giving stray and abandoned animals a second chance at life.

Since 2019, the local no-kill shelter has successfully rescued over 1,800 animals and found loving homes for nearly 1,500 of them.

A powerful example of their work is Grace, a dog who waited over 470 days for a family.

She arrived fearful but learned to trust again with patient training from Christine McAvoy and is now ready for a calm, patient home.

Her journey shows that no animal is broken, some just need more understanding.

To help more animals like Grace, the shelter partners with WABI TV Channel 5, featuring an adoptable pet every other Tuesday morning.

Residents who cannot adopt can still help by fostering, sponsoring a kennel, or donating to support the shelter's life-saving mission.

Opens, Closes & Relos

OPEN – Brewer Bean Coffee Roasters (drive-thru, 42 Wilson St., Brewer) OPEN – Valley Vintage Thrift (200 Main St., Old Town) OPEN – Hampden Hardware & Feed (new location, 145 Western Ave., Hampden) OPEN – Orono Nutrition Hub (smoothie bar, 4 Mill St., Orono)

OPEN YEAR-ROUND – Crosby's Drive-In (seafood staple, 30 State Route 46, Bucksport

CLOSED – Penobscot Pizza (Lincoln location only) CLOSED – Veazie Variety (after 45 years, 112 State St., Veazie)

RELO – Maine Craft Co. → Bangor Mall (Nov 20, Bangor) RELO – Bucksport Barber Shop → 12 Main St. (from River Rd., Bucksport) RELO – Dover-Foxcroft Dental → 24 North St. (from Summer St., Dover-Foxcroft)

Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce Events This week

Wed, Nov 20 Business After Hours Networking5–7 PM at Sea Dog Brewing Company (Bangor). Casual networking with light appetizers. Free for members; $10 non-members. Focus: holiday business connections.

Thu, Nov 20Leadership Luncheon: Holiday Economic Outlook11:30 AM–1 PM at Bangor Elks Lodge. Speaker on regional economic trends for Q4/Q1. $25 members; $35 non-members. Includes lunch.

BNI Chapter Meetings This Week

BNI Chapter Meetings

• BNI Bangor Breakfast
  Fridays, 7:00 AM
  Elks Lodge, 108 Odlin Rd, Bangor
•  
• BNI Queen City -Friendsgiving & featuring Tony LaPrino from North Star Property Solutions
  Thursdays, 8:30 AM to 10 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

❤️ American Red Cross — Bangor Blood Donation Center

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.

Text Section

Sandy’s Cranberry Apple Crisp

Ingredients: • 4 apples (peeled, sliced) • 1 cup cranberries • ½ cup sugar • 1 tsp cinnamon • ¾ cup oats • ½ cup flour • ½ cup brown sugar • ½ cup butter (soft)

Steps: 1. Mix apples, cranberries, sugar, cinnamon → 8x8 dish

2. Combine oats, flour, brown sugar, butter → crumble on top

3. Bake 375°F for 35 min Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. *Pup-safe version: Skip sugar for furry friends!*

Sandy’s Closing Note

As the first snow dusts the trails, I’m reminded: *community isn’t a place — it’s people choosing to show up.*  

And,this week, you did.  

You dropped canned goods.  You donated a turkey to help others.
You shared Grace’s story and may have gotten her adopted..  
You bought raffle tickets supporting an organizations that helps kids.

That’s the Valley I know.  

Next week: First flurries forecast, more events, and a new sponsor reveal.  

Until then — keep the coffee hot, the doors open, and the stories coming.  

With gratitude,  
Sandy  
sandy@mainethrive.org

💌 **Loved this week’s Valley Voice?** Share the warmth — forward to a friend or family member!

From Grace’s 470-day journey to the twinkling Feztival of Trees, every story celebrates *our* community.

👉 **Tap “Forward” now** and invite someone to join the Valley family. (They’ll thank you — and so will we!)

Together, we keep Penobscot Valley connected. 📰❤️

Old Town Canoe Co., which makes canoes and kayaks.