Subscribe | Get featured

Hey Bangor, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: Inside Marden’s fast-moving model, 2026 Youth Mental Health Summit, and Women’s Wellness Market + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Bangor protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Inside Marden’s fast-moving model: Work is underway on a Marden’s in Bangor as the Brewer store is liquidating, with employees set to move across the river. A soft opening is planned for late March — read the full story.

Local tutors making a difference: As more adults in Bangor seek English help, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor needs tutors. Certification training starts March 25 at Eastern Maine Community College, offering flexible, judgment-free support — learn how you can help.

From Bowdoin to AI: Penobscot Community Health Care named Maine native Dr. Kendra Emery its chief medical officer on March 2 after a year-long national search, bringing rural Maine experience and healthcare leadership coursework — learn about her background.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Sip and paint dancing poppies with Tisha
• Shop crafts, plants, and baked goods
• Paint “Chickie” with a RISD artist

🫶 We got your back

Sandwiches with a groove: At Harvest Moon Deli, paninis and sandwiches named for music legends come with premium meats sliced daily, homemade condiments, and locally baked bread. It’s an easygoing lunch upgrade, whether you’re craving something classic or bold… always fresh and tuned to hit the right note.

Quick nature reset: Need a mini-escape between errands? Bangor City Forest offers miles of mellow trails, pine-fresh air, and four-season wandering without leaving town. Take a quick loop before dinner, or let the kids burn wiggles. It’s low-key, local, and reliably mood-lifting.

Toy joy, unlocked: When birthdays sneak up or rainy days drag, Out On A Whimsey Toys stacks puzzles, STEM kits, plushes, and Maine-made goodies, all play-tested by the crew, so you can zip in, grab the right thing, and be the instant hero.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🧠 2026 Youth Mental Health Summit @ Gracie Theatre | Tuesday (3/10) at 8:00 AM – If your teen thinks ‘mental health’ talks are boring, send them to this free summit, built by students for students, for high schoolers in Bangor. A day with keynote Ivy Watts, workshops on resilience, relationships, suicide prevention, coping skills, grief, substance use, plus lunch, obviously.

🍻 Greendrinks Night @ Maine Discovery Museum | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:00 PM – March means Greendrinks takes over Maine Discovery Museum, with exhibits, new River in Our Backyard, and yes, accountants pouring beer, wine, and NA. Bring your own vessel, or snag a $1 cup, enjoy plant-based snacks, family vibes, plus a nod to the Maine Science Festival.

🩺 Beyond the Colonoscopy @ Thriving Proof | Thursday (3/12) at 5:30 PM – Skip the one-size-fits-all colonoscopy pep talk and get the menu of colon health options at this free Bangor workshop, from at-home stool tests to virtual scans. Think straight talk on transit time, microbes, and toxins, plus steps you can start, space is limited, so register.

🎉 Friday Fun Group @ Orono Public Library | Friday (3/13) at 1:00 PM – Need an all-ages, low-stress Friday plan where kids play and you get adult conversation? Second Fridays at Orono Library, the Community Room turns into a low-key playground of Lego, games, and occasional crafts, plus a sled-ready hill if cabin fever strikes.

🌿 Women’s Wellness Market @ Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Swap the big-box slog for a sip and shop celebrating women-owned talent, with 20+ vendors, handmade jewelry, soaps and candles, and wellness pros for massage, nails, hair, tattoos. Bring friends, browse at your pace, and let the bar handle morale. Free admission, plenty of parking.

⛸ Ice Skating @ Alfond Sports Arena (Orono) | Sunday (3/15) at 9:00 AM – Gather the T1D crew and come skate at the Alfond like the Black Bears, only with more caution. It is free, family friendly, and thoroughly caffeinated, with coffee, snacks, and skates provided. RSVP on Eventbrite, then trade laps, laughs, and small-town gossip.

🎗 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration @ Brewer Auditorium | Saturday (3/21) at 5:00 PM – World Down Syndrome Day is taking over Brewer Auditorium with a DJ, dancing, games and crafts, dinner, and face painting with Mrs. Frizzle. Free to attend, just RSVP at https://forms.gle/Xgy6EnT6fXRqzpVu9, then come for good company, easy laughs, and dance moves your kids will gently roast.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Bangor report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 62°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 7%

Sunny, with a high near 62. West wind around 3 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain after 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Northeast wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

—

Tomorrow – High: 42°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 78%

A chance of rain before 11am, then rain and a chance of sleet. Cloudy, with a high near 42. East wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Rain and a chance of sleet. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Southeast wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Maine but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This fully renovated 4-bedroom Colonial pairs classic lines with modern polish. Sunlit rooms show off refinished hardwoods, designer paint, and a sparkling, updated kitchen. Formal living and dining mix with a cozy family room. All baths refreshed and systems overhauled with new roof, updated electrical and plumbing, and energy-efficient windows. Landscaped yard adds easy outdoor appeal.

Take a peek inside →