The Maine Savings Amphitheater opened in July 2010 and has grown into one of New England's premier outdoor concert venues. But what was it originally called when it first opened?

A) Bangor Waterfront Pavilion
B) Darling's Waterfront Pavilion
C) Penobscot River Amphitheater
D) Bass Park Concert Stage

350 RUNNERS, ONE FINISH LINE, AND WHAT THEY TOLD US AFTERWARD

I was at the finish line on Sunday morning with my cowbells. That is where I always want to be on a race day — not at the start, where everything is still possible and everyone is nervous and fresh, but at the finish, where you find out what people are actually made of.

The third annual Bangor Marathon, half, 10k & 5k running festival brought more than 350 runners to the streets of the Bangor & Kenduskeag on June 7th. They came from across Maine, from away, and from farther than that — and they ran through downtown Bangor, out along Broadway, through the hills and neighborhoods that people who live here drive past every day without thinking much about. On race morning, those streets belong to the runners. The rest of us just show up and cheer.

MESA — Maine Endurance Sports Alliance — put out a six-question survey at the finish line, and 46 runners stopped long enough to answer it. Those numbers tell a story worth sharing.

Ninety-one percent said they had fun out there. That is not a given in a marathon. Twenty-six miles is a long way, and not every mile feels like a gift.

Ninety-three percent said they were happy with their finisher medal. Those two numbers are the foundation — the race delivered what it promised.

Water stations came in at 77 percent satisfied. The food and drinks at the finish line hit 76 percent. Both solid, both with room to grow, and MESA is already paying attention to the gap.

The question that made me smile: did you try a whoopie pie? Thirty-seven percent said yes. That means 63 percent of the runners who crossed the finish line of a Maine marathon did not try a whoopie pie. Maine's official state treat. At a race that ends on the Bangor waterfront. We have work to do on that one.

The number worth sitting with is the last one. Sixty-three percent said they would come back next year. In a race's third year, building that return runner base is everything. And here is what the data shows underneath that number: the runners who were unhappy with the water stations were far less likely to say they would return than any other group. Aid stations are where the race improves if it wants that number to climb.

What I know from standing at the finish line is that the numbers do not capture the whole thing. They do not capture the woman from Hermon who set the women's course record last year, came back this June, watched her record fall, and ran faster than she ever had anyway. They do not capture the runners who qualified for Boston on this course, or the ones who finished their first marathon, or the volunteers who were out there in the early morning cheering strangers across the line.

That is what 350 runners in downtown Bangor looks like. It looks like a community that shows up.

The fourth annual Bangor Marathon will be back next June. If you have been thinking about it — now is the time to start thinking harder.

Good Tuesday morning, Penobscot Valley.

June 7th I was standing at the finish line of the Bangor Marathon with my cowbells, which is exactly where I want to be on a race morning. More than 350 runners came through Bangor on that weekend, and I want to tell you about what they said after — because the survey results are worth reading, and because one of those runners has a story that stopped me in my tracks. You'll find both in this edition.

This week is also packed with things worth getting out for: Jelly Roll at the Maine Savings Amphitheater Saturday night, the summer solstice on Friday, the midsummer garden celebration downtown, harness racing at Bass Park, and farmers markets running strong across the valley. We've got community news, business updates, and the usual roundup from Bangor out to Orono and Hampden.

A big THANK YOU to Maine Endurance Sports Alliance (MESA) for supporting the Penobscot Valley and producing the Marathon Running Festival.

A big THANK YOU you to our sponsors this week — 207 Wellness in Veazie and Woof LLC in Glenburn. We could not do this without them

Go enjoy the week but, read the newsletter first!

Tuesday, June 16 — Partly sunny, high near 76. Very low rain chance. A good start to the week — concert night at the waterfront looks dry.

Wednesday, June 17 — Mostly sunny, high near 79. Slight chance of showers. Mid-week looking warm and mostly clear.

Thursday, June 18 — Cooler, high near 65. Rain likely — keep the umbrella in the truck. A good day to stay inside and get things done.

Friday, June 19 — Partly sunny, high near 78. Chance of afternoon showers. Get to the harness racing at Bass Park by noon — post time is 12:10 PM.

Saturday, June 20 — Partly sunny, high near 78. Chance of a shower, but the evening looks decent. Jelly Roll on the waterfront at 7:00 PM.

Sunday, June 21 — Summer Solstice. Mostly sunny, high near 76. Low rain chance. The longest day of the year — make the most of it.

Monday, June 22 — Partly sunny, high near 75. Comfortable and mild to close out the week.

You know the rule up here: look out the window. If you don't like the Maine weather, wait five minutes.

Source: National Weather Service, Caribou, ME | weather.gov | Fox Weather

Flori Davis of Hermon has been running the Bangor Marathon since the very first year. In 2025, she set the women's course record. This June, she watched that record fall — and what she felt in that moment is not what you'd expect.

Flori has been running for more than twenty years. She's qualified for Boston twice and life got in the way both times. She's a mother of four and a real estate agent who built her business almost entirely on referrals. And she has figured out something most of us are still working on: how to compete with nobody but yourself.

In Episode 4 of Maine Thrive Voices, Sandy sits down with Flori to talk about the race, the record, the wall at mile seventeen, and why her best marathon yet happened the year the record left her name. It's a conversation about running, but really it's about showing up on your own terms for twenty years and what that looks like.

Listen now at: Spotify

We mentioned the whoopie pie situation in this week's lead story — 63 percent of Bangor Marathon finishers did not try one — and this feels like the right moment to remind the valley that the 17th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival is a real thing that happens in Dover-Foxcroft, and WABI was there to cover it. Maine does some things better than anywhere else on earth, and this is one of them.

17th Annual Whoopie Pie Festival — Dover-Foxcroft, Maine

Source: Video Coiurtesy of WABI-TV, Bangor

THREE THINGS WORTH YOUR TIME THIS WEEK

MUMFORD & SONS — PRIZEFIGHTER TOUR
This is opening night of the edition and one of the biggest shows of the summer — Mumford & Sons bring their Prizefighter Tour to the Maine Savings Amphitheater on Tuesday, the very night this newsletter lands in your inbox. With special guest Dylan Gossett.

WHAT: Mumford & Sons — Prizefighter Tour with special guest Dylan Gossett

WHERE: Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St, Bangor (on the waterfront)

WHEN: Tuesday, June 16, 7:00 PM — tonight

COST: Tickets still available at ticketmaster.com

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Yes — appropriate for all ages

WALK-IN: No — ticket required

WHY GO: Mumford & Sons are one of the defining live acts of the last two decades. This is their first Maine show since 2012. The Bangor waterfront on a June Tuesday night with "Little Lion Man" and "I Will Wait" ringing across the Penobscot — that is a night worth making happen.

JELLY ROLL — THE LITTLE ASS SHED TOUR

Three-time Grammy winner Jelly Roll brings his electrifying live show to the Maine Savings Amphitheater waterfront stage Saturday night with special guest Kashus Culpepper.

WHAT: Jelly Roll with Kashus Culpepper — The Little Ass Shed Tour

WHERE: Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St, Bangor (on the waterfront)

WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 7:00 PM

COST: Tickets from approx. $98 — available at livenation.com

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Appropriate for teens and up; check venue policy for young children

WALK-IN: No — ticket required

WHY GO: This is the biggest concert event on the Bangor waterfront this month. Jelly Roll's raw storytelling and Grammy-winning catalog make for one of the most genuinely compelling live shows you'll see this summer.

MIDSUMMER GARDEN CELEBRATION — NORUMBEGA PARK

The Downtown Bangor Partnership hosts its annual midsummer community gathering in one of the most beautiful spots in the city, right around the summer solstice.

WHAT: Midsummer Garden Celebration with cookies, lemonade, live music, and lawn games — free and all ages

WHERE: Norumbega Park, Downtown Bangor

WHEN: Friday, June 20, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

COST: Free

FAMILY-FRIENDLY: Yes — all ages

WALK-IN: Yes

WHY GO: The adopt-a-gardens in full bloom, community all around, free lemonade and music on a June evening. Does it get more Bangor than this?

Summer Solstice — Saturday, June 20 is the longest day of the year. The sun sets after 8:30 PM in Bangor. Take a walk after dinner, sit on a porch, get on the water. Maine earns its summer light slowly and you only get so many of these evenings. Don't let this one go by unnoticed.

HARNESS RACING AT BASS PARK — Friday, June 19, post time 12:10 PM. Hollywood Casino Raceway, 500 Main St, Bangor. Free admission. June Fridays are the live racing days this month — the normal Sunday matinees moved to Fridays for June 5, 12, 19, and 26. Show up early, pick your favorites, and enjoy a Friday afternoon the old Maine way.

HIRUNDO WILDLIFE REFUGE — Open dawn to dusk, seven days a week, free admission. 278 Hammett Road, Old Town. Seven miles of trails through 2,400 acres of woodland, wetland, and water just west of Old Town — 18 miles from Bangor. Canoe and kayak rentals available for a modest donation. Bald Eagles, river otters, Wood Ducks, Great Blue Herons. June is prime season. No dogs, no bikes — just quiet and wildlife. hirundomaine.org.

BANGOR PUBLIC LIBRARY — 145 Harlow St, Bangor. Free programs running throughout the summer for children, teens, and adults. Full calendar at bangorpubliclibrary.org.

ORONO BOG BOARDWALK — Off Tripp Drive, Orono. A half-mile elevated boardwalk through a rare raised peat bog managed by Bangor Land Trust and University of Maine. Free, open daily dawn to dusk. Pitcher plants, sundews, bog rosemary, and more — nothing else in the valley quite like it.

PENOBSCOT THEATRE COMPANY — Play Reading Series at the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St, Bangor. PTC's monthly one-night-only readings bring local actors together around a new play each month. Check penobscottheatre.org for June dates and this month's selection.

FIRE OF 1911 WALKING TOUR — Downtown Bangor. The Bangor Historical Society leads guided walking tours of downtown covering the great fire of 1911 and the city's remarkable history. A genuinely interesting way to spend an hour in a city most people think they already know. Check bangorhistoricsociety.org for tour dates and times this week.

BANGOR — City Council Regular Meeting — Monday, June 22, 7:00 PM — Council Chambers, City Hall, 73 Harlow St. Bangor City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of every month. Pre-Council Workshop often begins at 5:15 PM. Residents may attend in person or participate via Zoom with pre-registration. Full agenda posted Friday, June 20 at bangormaine.gov.

OLD TOWN —Old Town City Hall. Old Town Council meets on a biweekly Monday schedule. Agenda available at old-town.org ahead of the meeting.

Note: Brewer City Council meets the second Tuesday of each month — next regular meeting is July 14. 

Hampden Town Council meets the first and third Mondays — next meeting is July 7. No meetings for those municipalities fall within this edition's coverage week.

BNI Queen City Chapter — Weekly Meeting Bangor's Queen City BNI chapter meets every Thursday morning at The Sports Arena in Hermon. If you're a business owner looking to grow through structured referrals and real relationships, this is worth your time. Visitors are welcome. The Sports Arena, 1640 Hammond St, Hermon. Thursday, June 18, 8:30 AM. Contact a member to register as a visitor.

BNI Black Bear Chapter — Weekly Meeting The Black Bear chapter meets Thursday mornings at the Eastern Area Agency on Aging in Brewer. Week one is in-person; weeks two through five are online. Check the schedule for this week's format. Eastern Area Agency on Aging, 240 State St, Brewer. Thursday, June 18, 8:30 AM.

BNI Bangor Breakfast Chapter — Weekly Meeting The Bangor Breakfast chapter meets Friday mornings at the Elks Lodge on Odlin Road. In-person every week. Elks Lodge, 108 Odlin Rd, Bangor. Friday, June 19, 7:00 AM.

BNI Paul Bunyan Chapter — Weekly Meeting The Paul Bunyan chapter meets Tuesday mornings permanently online via Zoom. Tuesday, June 16, 7:00 AM. Contact a member for the Zoom link.

Coming Up — Chamber Business After Hours The Bangor Region Chamber's June Business After Hours is heading outside to Fields Pond Audubon Center. A great summer networking opportunity — watch for registration details at bangorregion.com. Wednesday, June 18.

The Bangor Marathon brought more than 350 runners through downtown Bangor on June 7 — and that kind of foot traffic on a Sunday morning does not go unnoticed by the businesses along the course. Restaurants, coffee shops, and retailers near Broadway and the waterfront had a busy race weekend, and the summer concert season at Maine Savings Amphitheater is set to keep that energy going through October. This is the stretch of summer that matters for downtown Bangor.

The Maine Savings Amphitheater season is already drawing capacity crowds with Jelly Roll this Saturday, June 20, on the waterfront. Waterfront Concerts estimates that each major show brings thousands of visitors to Bangor — with direct economic benefit to restaurants, hotels, and downtown businesses. If your business is anywhere near the waterfront or downtown core, this is your busiest stretch of the year.

Bangor Sandwich Company, Bangor — One of Hammond Street's most familiar lunch spots celebrated a grand opening this past Thursday, June 12 — not at a new address, but in the building right next door. Owner Jen Ramos says the move was all about the kitchen. The new space seats double the customers, has room to breathe in the back, and comes with an expanded menu of new sandwiches, salads, and wraps. If you haven't been in a while, this week is a good excuse to go.

L.L. Bean Flagship, Freeport — Maine's most iconic retail destination announced this week that its grand opening following a multi-year renovation will take place September 18–20. This is worth circling — the renovated flagship is expected to draw visitors from across New England and will be a significant moment for Maine retail this fall.

Bangor Mall — The pending ownership change is moving toward a June closing. Bangor Marketplace and Residences LLC confirmed this week they are in the final due diligence phase on purchasing the mall from Namdar Realty Group, with a sale expected to close this month. New owners have announced plans to rename the property Bangor Marketplace and Residences and transform parts of the space into condominiums and assisted living facilities while keeping current tenants in place. The Queen City's mall has had a complicated few years — this is the most concrete sign yet of what comes next.

Mad Kat's, Brewer — The North Main Street nightspot closed again in late May, the latest in what the BDN called a series of ups and downs for the popular Brewer bar. No word yet on what comes next for that space.

FARMERS MARKET SEASON — WHAT'S FRESH RIGHT NOW

Strawberries are at peak right now in the Penobscot Valley. If you have not made it to a market yet this year, this is the week — the tables are full and the season won't wait. Local meat, eggs, baked goods, greens, herbs, and early summer produce are all running strong. Here is where to find them.

Bangor Farmers Market
Sunday, 11:00 AM–1:30 PM | 140 Harlow St, across from the Bangor Public Library
Running May through Thanksgiving. This market has been meeting on that corner for over a century. Fresh produce, local meat, eggs, baked goods, goat cheese, and berries. If you only make it to one market this week, make it this one.

Brewer Farmers Market
Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM | Saturday, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM
318 Wilson St, Brewer Auditorium | Running May through October
Three days a week — the most accessible market in the valley by schedule. Full line of fresh fruits, berries, herbs, and vegetables in season.

Orono Farmers Market
Saturday, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM | Steam Plant parking lot, College Ave, Orono
Running May through November. One of the best small markets in the region — worth the drive up Route 2 on a Saturday morning.

Hampden Farmers Market
Friday, 2:00–5:30 PM | 70 Western Ave, St. Matthew's Church, Hampden
Running May through October. Fresh meats, cheeses, baked goods, produce, and flowers. A good Friday afternoon stop on the way home.

PET TIP FROM YOUR VALLEY NEIGHBORS

Summer heat affects pets faster than most people realize. Dogs don't sweat the way we do — they cool themselves by panting, and on a humid Maine summer day that system gets overwhelmed quickly. If you're out for a walk and your dog starts lagging, seeking shade, or panting heavily, that's the signal to stop. Pavement holds heat long after the air cools down — if you can't hold your hand on the asphalt for five seconds, it's too hot for your dog's paws. Early morning and after 7 PM are your best windows for walks in June and July. Water along with you, every time.

This tip brought to you by Woof LLC, 2957 Broadway, Glenburn — daycare, boarding, and grooming for Penobscot Valley pets. woofllc.com | (207) 331-9663

MOVEMENT TIP

The summer solstice on June 20 gives us the most daylight Maine will see all year. That's an extra hour of usable light at both ends of the day. If you've been meaning to build a walking habit, this week is the easiest entry point of the year — the mornings are bright early and the evenings stay light well past 8 PM. Twenty minutes is enough to start.

This tip brought to you by: 207 Wellness 1017 School St, Veazie, ME 04401 (207) 949-6589 and listen to an informative podcast from them on Spotify here

COMMUNITY NEEDS & WAYS TO HELP

BLOOD DONATION — BANGOR RED CROSS DONOR CENTER
This is worth knowing: the American Red Cross announced in February that it is ending all mobile blood drives across Penobscot County effective July 2026. That means the rotating community drives that have come to schools, fire stations, and town halls across the valley are going away. Going forward, the only Red Cross donation option in this area will be the fixed-site Bangor Donor Center at 900B Hammond Street, open Monday through Friday. If you have been meaning to donate, now is a good time to make it a regular stop. Appointments at 1-800-RED-CROSS or redcrossblood.org.

PENQUIS
Penquis serves individuals and families across Penobscot and Piscataquis counties with everything from housing assistance to fuel programs to senior services. If you or someone you know needs support — or if you want to volunteer — penquis.org is the place to start.

 
Summer can be a harder season for food pantries as school meal programs pause. If you have been meaning to drop off a donation to your local food bank, this week is a good week. Bangor Area Food Bank and local church pantries across the valley are always accepting shelf-stable goods.

THIS WEEK'S ADOPTABLE DOGS

Two dogs looking for their people this week — one from each of our shelter partners. Summer is a great time to add a dog to the family. Long evenings, open windows, a yard to run in.

Meet Roscoe, a lively 2-year-old Boxer mix searching for his forever family at the Bangor Humane Society in Maine.

At 66 pounds, Roscoe’s boundless energy and affectionate spirit make him a standout companion for active households.

He loves chasing toys, romping through playful games, and spreading joy wherever he goes.

Roscoe’s most charming quirk is his passion for music—turn on the radio and he’ll happily “sing” right along, adding his unique howl for a special family soundtrack.

The Bangor Humane Society, founded in 1869, is dedicated to matching pets with loving families through a smooth, caring adoption process.

If you’re looking for a loyal friend who brings both fun and heart, visit the Bangor Humane Society and discover if Roscoe is your perfect match.

Rex is a charismatic 4-year-old dog with a huge heart and unlimited energy, currently living at the Animal Orphanage in Old Town, Maine.

After almost a year in the shelter, he’s searching for a loving forever family.

Though shy at first, Rex blossoms into a gentle, loyal companion who adores walks, playtime, and swims.

He’s muzzle-trained, spirited, and always up for adventure, but needs to be the only pet in a home without small kids or cats.

Rex manages thyroid issues and is fed alone due to resource guarding, yet his affectionate nature shines through.

He’s even appeared in Downeast Magazine, a testament to his special journey.

The Animal Orphanage, a no-kill shelter at 71 Airport Road, has helped thousands of animals find homes and welcomes adopters eager to meet Rex.

JUNE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE WITH MAINE CREAM BISCUITS

Strawberries are hitting their peak right now in Maine. If you can get to a farmers market this week — and you know where to find them — pick up a quart of local berries and make this on Sunday. It takes maybe 30 minutes and it is exactly what a Maine June evening tastes like.

For the biscuits, you need: 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, 6 tablespoons cold butter cut into small pieces, and 3/4 cup cold heavy cream. Work the butter into the flour with your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs, stir in the cream until just combined, pat out to about 3/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface, and cut into rounds. Bake at 425 degrees for 12–14 minutes until golden.

While the biscuits bake, slice a quart of strawberries and toss with 2 tablespoons of sugar. Let them sit and do their thing — they will make their own syrup. Whip some heavy cream with a little vanilla and a teaspoon of sugar.

Split the warm biscuits, spoon on the berries and all that good syrup, add a proper spoonful of whipped cream. That is the whole recipe. Summer in the Penobscot Valley.

Serves: 6–8  |  Prep: 15 minutes  |  Bake: 12–14 minutes

HAPPENING IN THE VALLEY THIS SUMMER

Harness Racing at Bass Park — Hollywood Casino Raceway, Bass Park, 500 Main St, Bangor. Live racing on Fridays throughout the season — Friday, June 19 is race day this week. Post time 12:10 PM. Free admission. Simulcast racing available daily. hollywoodcasinobangor.com

Bangor Farmers Market — Every Sunday, 11:00 AM–1:30 PM, 140 Harlow St, Bangor. May through Thanksgiving.

Brewer Farmers Market — Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 8:30 AM–1:00 PM, 318 Wilson St, Brewer Auditorium. May through October.

Bangor Public Library — Summer programs running weekly for all ages. Full calendar at bangorpubliclibrary.org.

More Throughout the Valley!

THIS WEEK'S VALLEY SPOTLIGHT: MAINE THRIVE VOICES

Most local businesses in the Penobscot Valley never get covered. Not because their stories aren't worth telling — they absolutely are — but because nobody is sitting down long enough to ask the right questions and actually listen to the answers.

That is what Maine Thrive Voices is for. The podcast, hosted right here in Bangor by Smith Digital Solutions, is doing something genuinely useful for this region: it is creating a permanent, searchable, shareable record of the people building businesses and community across the Penobscot Valley. Episode 4 with Flori Davis of Hermon, the 2025 Bangor Marathon record holder is live now at podcast.mainethrivevoices.com. So are episodes with Brad Libby of Performance Physical Therapy, Anik Derphilibossian of Dreamer Food, and Amber Willey of 207 Wellness in Veazie.

These are your neighbors. Their stories are worth twenty minutes of your time. Head to podcast.mainethrivevoices.com and start anywhere.

HELP US GROW THE VALLEY'S VOICE

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I have been at a lot of finish lines over the years. Town meetings, ribbon cuttings, building inspections, business launches — I have seen a lot of moments where something comes together after a long time of work. But a marathon finish line that gets me every time.

It is not the fast runners that do it. They come through clean and strong and you admire them the way you admire anything that looks easy because it is actually practiced to perfection. What gets me is the middle of the pack and the back of the pack. The woman who has been out there for five hours and is walking the last quarter mile and is not going to quit. The guy who dedicated the race to someone and you can tell he is thinking about that person right now. The first-timer who crosses and cannot believe what just happened to them.

Three hundred and fifty runners came through Bangor a week ago last Sunday. Every single one of them did something most people never will. I was glad to be there with my cowbells, and I will be there again next June.

The Penobscot Valley has always been a place where people show up for each other. A marathon finish line is just one of the more obvious examples.

I'll see you again on Friday morning with our Weekend Edition. Have a GREAT Week.

— Sandy

Bangor Waterfront Pavilion. Opened July 27, 2010 as the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion, renamed Darling's Waterfront Pavilion in 2013, became Maine Savings Amphitheater in 2022. Owned by the City of Bangor, operated by Waterfront Concerts / Live Nation, capacity up to 16,500.