Sandy Smith
Sep 29, 2026
| Tues., Sept. 29|Issue #53|Penobscot Valley |
A BIG FALL WEEKEND IN THE PENOBSCOT VALLEY
October arrives this week, and Saturday may be one of the busiest fall days we’ve had yet.
Bangor Humane Society brings its 33rd Annual Paws on Parade back to the Bangor Waterfront Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM. It’s the shelter’s largest fundraiser of the year, with the community dog walk, costumes, vendors and plenty of four-legged company. This year’s fundraising goal is $120,000 to help care for nearly 2,000 animals the shelter serves each year.
Just up the hill, Downtown Bangor’s Fall Sidewalk Art Festival fills the streets from 9 AM to 4 PM with more than 75 Maine artists and makers, live music and food trucks.
And in Bradley, the Maine Forest and Logging Museum brings Maine history to life Saturday and Sunday with working sawmills, Lombard log haulers, blacksmithing, cider pressing and historical demonstrations during Living History Days.
That’s a pretty good way to welcome October. |
Bangor Humane Society traces its roots back well over a century.
In what year was the organization that eventually became Bangor Humane Society first established? A. 1857
Keep your guess in mind — the answer is waiting for you at the very end of today’s Penobscot Valley Voice. |
There’s a lot happening around the Penobscot Valley this week, and Saturday may be the kind of day where you have to choose between three good options.
Paws on Parade returns to the Bangor Waterfront. Downtown Bangor fills up with artists and makers for the Fall Sidewalk Art Festival. And up in Bradley, Living History Days brings old Maine skills and machinery back to life.
What I like about this week is the variety. You can support the animals, spend time downtown, learn a little local history, or simply enjoy a fall day somewhere close to home.
A special thank-you to Marshall Communications, our Newsletter Sponsor for Edition #53.
Let’s see what else is happening around the Valley. |
Tuesday, Sept. 29 — Cloudy with some morning rain and a possible afternoon shower. High 61° | Low 55°
Wednesday, Sept. 30 — Cloudy and warmer. High 71° | Low 53°
Thursday, Oct. 1 — Mostly cloudy and comfortable. High 73° | Low 59°
Friday, Oct. 2 — Mostly cloudy with a possible afternoon shower. High 73° | Low 47°
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Sunny. High 63° | Low 40°
Sunday, Oct. 4 — Plenty of sunshine. High 62° | Low 45°
Monday, Oct. 5 — Partly sunny. High 64° | Low 47°
Sandy’s Take: Tuesday looks damp, but the timing is improving nicely for the big weekend. Right now Saturday and Sunday both look dry, sunny and decidedly fall-like — good news for Paws on Parade, the Sidewalk Art Festival and Living History Days. |
Fall Sidewalk Art Festival — Downtown Bangor
Living History Days — Maine Forest & Logging Museum, Bradley
UMaine Family & Friends Weekend — Orono
Queen City Expo — Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
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Liberty & Legacy — Bangor Historical Society
Pound the Pavement 5K — Bangor
Caribou Bog Conservation Area Outing — Orono
A nice mix this week: history, a good cause and a quiet Sunday morning outdoors. |
Old Town Bridge Overnight Closures Continue Through Friday
The temporary Llewellyn Estes Bridge in Old Town is scheduled for overnight closures through Friday, Oct. 2, from 8 PM to 5 AM. During the closures, traffic is being detoured through Orono using College Avenue and Bennoch Road. If your evening plans take you between Old Town and the surrounding area this week, give yourself a little extra time and plan for the detour. |
Bangor Humane Society — Bangor
Sometimes the best hidden gems are sitting right in plain sight. Most people around the Penobscot Valley know the Bangor Humane Society. We see the adoption posts, hear about Paws on Parade, and know there are animals there waiting for homes.
What is easier to miss is just how much happens behind those doors every day.
For generations, the Bangor Humane Society has been part of this community, caring for dogs, cats and small animals, helping reunite lost pets with families, supporting adoptions, and providing a safe place for animals that need another chance. Paws on Parade may put the organization in the spotlight this weekend, but the work continues every day.
Want to learn more?
Spotify Suzan Prendergast, Executive Director
Bangor Humane Society 207 942-8902 |
Maine Thrive Voices — Episode 14
A new conversation is expected next week on Maine Thrive Voices, featuring Lisa Liberatore.
We’ll have more to share once the episode is live, but it’s another Maine story worth keeping an eye out for as the podcast continues introducing the people behind businesses, organizations and communities across the state. |
Bangor Humane Society — Director of Operations
Bangor Humane Society is hiring a Director of Operations to help oversee the day-to-day operation of the shelter. The position works closely with Executive Director Suzan Prendergast and includes staff leadership and scheduling, facility operations, budgeting and administration, animal-care oversight, inventory and coordination with veterinarians, animal-control officers and community partners.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, along with at least one year of supervisory or management experience. Experience in animal science, veterinary science, animal welfare or a related field is preferred. The position includes medical, dental and vision insurance, retirement contributions and paid time off.
To apply: Send a cover letter and résumé to Suzan Prendergast, Executive Director, at suzan@bangorhumane.org |
Bangor
Orono
Hampden
|
Paul Bunyan BNI
Queen City BNI
Black Bear BNI
Bangor Breakfast BNI |
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bangor Opens
Why it matters: This adds a major new health-care facility and a substantial number of jobs to the Bangor market.
30 Apartments Ready at Former Country Villa
Why it matters: Bangor continues to face strong demand for rental housing, and this project puts an existing building back into productive use without waiting years for new construction. |
October changes the market calendar a bit, but there are still plenty of places around the Valley to buy directly from local farmers and producers this week.
Tuesday, Sept. 29
Orono Farmers’ Market
Brewer Farmers’ Market
Thursday, Oct. 1
Bucksport Bay Farmers’ Market
Friday, Oct. 2
Hampden Farmers’ Market
Lincoln Farmers & Artisans Market
Saturday, Oct. 3
Orono Farmers’ Market
Brewer Farmers’ Market
Bangor European Market
Dover Cove Farmers’ Market
Sunday, Oct. 4
Bangor Farmers’ Market
Howland Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market |
Together Place Is Open Again — And the Work Continues The Together Place Peer Run Recovery Center at 2 Second Street in Bangor has reopened its recovery program after a summer funding shortfall forced the center to temporarily close its daytime drop-in services.
Together Place offers free peer recovery support, groups, resource connections and a welcoming daytime space for adults dealing with mental health or substance-use challenges. The organization is now working toward reopening its 2nd Street Diner, which provides low-cost and no-cost meals. Donations are still being accepted to support the work. Together Place
One More Way to Help The Maine Savings Foundation is accepting applications through Sunday, Oct. 4 for its 2026 Beyond Banking Grant Program. Five Maine nonprofits or community projects will each receive $5,000, with funding available for health and wellness, education, culture and arts, and social and civic services. |
Every week, our Furry Friends come to us from two local organizations helping animals across the Penobscot Valley — Bangor Humane Society in Bangor and The Animal Orphanage in Old Town.
Their teams care for dogs, cats and other animals waiting for the right home, and we’re always happy to introduce a few of them to our readers.
Take a look at this week’s featured friends — one of them just might be the perfect addition to your family. |
Meet Search Light
Just like her name, Searchlight has a bright, bold personality that lights up every room. This energetic, intelligent girl is always ready for her next adventure and loves having both her mind and body engaged. Whether it's hiking, learning new skills, or playing with her favorite people, Searchlight is happiest when she has something to do. |
Raven is a sweet 9-year-old girl looking for a special person who understands that the best relationships sometimes take a little time to build. Raven can be cautious with new people and needs time to build trust. Because of this, she will require multiple meet-and-greets before she feels comfortable going home with someone. Her future family must be patient and willing to get to know her at her own pace so her transition can be as comfortable and successful as possible. But once you’ve earned Raven’s trust, you’ve earned her heart.
She loves pets, playtime, and spending time with her favorite people. Raven also experiences separation anxiety and takes fluoxetine daily to help her feel safe and brave. This is an important medication that she must continue taking. If her future family ever considers changing or discontinuing it, that decision must be made with the guidance and supervision of a veterinarian. And don’t let her age fool you! Raven still loves getting out and enjoying life. She’s a big fan of walks and car rides and would love a home where she can tag along with her person for adventures. Raven needs a quiet, adult-only home where she can be the one and only pet. She isn’t looking for a busy household—she’s looking for her person: someone who will give her the time and reassurance she needs and, in return, gain an incredibly loyal companion. If you’re willing to put in a little extra time getting to know her, Raven is more than worth it. |
Meet Raven! 
Apple Cider Doughnut Muffins
All the flavor of a fall cider doughnut without having to heat a pot of oil.
Ingredients For the muffins:
For the topping:
Directions
Sandy’s Note: These are especially good warm with coffee, and your kitchen will smell like October before the first batch is out of the oven. |
THIS WEEK ON MAINE THRIVE VOICES
Episode 13 — Nancy Marshall This week, Maine Thrive Voices features Nancy Marshall, The PR Maven®, in a conversation about relationships, reputation, visibility and the work that has shaped her career.
Nancy talks about the importance of staying connected, following up after the introduction, and building the kind of relationships that continue to matter long after the first conversation.
Her philosophy is simple: visibility is not just about being seen. It is about being remembered, trusted and connected to the right people. Maine Based, Globally Connected.
Listen at Spotify |
Novio's Bistro— Bangor
There are plenty of places to grab dinner around Bangor. Novio’s is one of those places you choose when you want dinner to feel like an occasion.
The menu is deliberately small and changes with the seasons, with meats, seafood and produce sourced from local farms, fishermen and other Maine purveyors whenever possible. The restaurant also puts real thought into its wine, cocktail and whiskey program.
What I like most is that Novio’s feels polished without feeling stiff. It’s intimate, personal and very much its own place.
130 Hammond Street, Bangor |
NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
Marshall Communications — Strategic Public Relations & Visibility SECTION SPONSORS
The Costello Agency — John Costello
North Star Property Solutions — Property Preparation Specialist
Woof, LLC — Dog Daycare, Boarding & Grooming
MESA-Maine — Maine Endurance Sports & Running Events
Pete Gray Painting — Residential & Commercial Painting |
The answer is B. 1869.
That year, the Bangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was formed. It later became the Bangor Humane Society, beginning a tradition of animal welfare in the Bangor area that has continued for more than 150 years. |