STYX TIX WINNER!

A big congrats go out to Tom Quinn of Bangor today. His impersonation of Billy Idol won him two tickets to see STYX in concert at the Bangor Auditorium.
Rock on!

STYX TIX!

Do you know who these hunk-a-licious men are? They're the band members of STYX, the American rock band who brought you "Come Sail Away," "Mr. Roboto," and "The Best of Times" in the mid 1970s-1980s. And while you thought this band went the way of parachute pants and polyester—they're back!

Styx will be performing at the Bangor Auditorium on Tuesday, November 2 at 7:30 pm. And we've got a pair of tickets to give to one lucky winner. All you have to do to win is send your best photo from the 1970s or 1980s to melanie@bangormetro.com by FRIDAY, October 29th at NOON. We'll pick our favorite to win.

Hey, we lived through this time period too -- and we promise not to judge you on your awesome photo.

Contest for the Kids!

The holiday season is fast approaching, and we have an awesome new contest to debut. We want your kids to help us promote shopping locally for all their holiday needs this year. We'll be awarding a $50 Visa gift card to three winners in three age categories. And the three winning ads will run in our December issue!

We can't wait to see what our littlest readers come up with! All the details are below. If you click on the image it will open as a larger file.

Winners of The Underpants Contest!

We got a lot of great stories in from our readers for this contest. Sharing your most embarrassing underpants fiasco with the world takes a certain sense of humor and we're so glad for the giggles.

Our winners were: Amy Blackstone and Dawn DeBois. Each received two tickets to see The Underpants at the Penobscot Theatre this weekend and we hope they enjoy the show as much as Melanie did (she won't stop talking about it...)

Amy and Dawn's winning stories after the jump....

The Underpants!

By Melanie Brooks

I went to see this show at the Penobscot Theatre last night and it was AWESOME! I had a smile plastered on my face the entire way through.

The set itself was expertly done. I was amazed at how the entire stage was completely transformed into a funky apartment. I loved how the set designers even made nosy Gertrude's upstairs apartment viewable. The colors were crazy, the costumes were perfect, and the acting was hilarious.

Underpants

Well hello there! How's your day going today? Not so good? No worries. We have a new contest that will be sure to put a smile on your face.

Bangor Metro has scored 4 free tickets to see The Underpants at the Penobscot Theater. We've got 2 for Friday, June 4th and 2 for Saturday June 5th -- both shows are at 8 pm.

What's it all about? It's comedian Steve Martin's wild satire adapted from the classic German farce about Louise and Theo Markes, a couple whose conservative existence is
shattered when Louise’s bloomers fall down in public. Though she pulls them up quickly, he thinks the incident will cost him his job as a government clerk.

So of course you want to see it. But seeing it for free is just the icing on the cake, isn't it? Here's how to win tickets:

Send your funniest or most embarrassing story about underpants to melanie@bangormetro.com. It could be about your underpants, your friends underpants, or even your kids underpants. Melanie's two favorite stories will win tickets and be published on the blog so everyone else can laugh with (or at) you.

Entries will be accepted until noon on June 1st so don't wait! Please put "underpants" in the subject line of your message.

The winner of the Junie B. Jones giveaway is....

Faith McQuatters! Her book report on The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo was an A+ and won her four free tickets to see Junie B. Jones live on stage in Camden this Saturday. Congrats! Read her winning report below...

Here he comes! The heroic knight has arrived to save the land, win the heart of the fair maiden, and bring peace to the kingdom! With him he carries courage, truth, and ... a needle?

The Tale of Despereaux is the classic story of the knight and the princess with an unexpected twist of the tail. When a kingdom's beloved queen dies of shock after a rat falls into her soup, the distraught king banishes rats, and soup, from the land. The kingdom is filled with sadness and a never-ending rainstorm takes to the gray sky. Only one brave knight can set things right: Despereaux -- the big eared, big hearted mouse who is in love with the sweet and beautiful princess.

Despereaux is not like other mice. He doesn't cower, eat paper, or fear humans. In fact, he greatly wishes to be the knight to save the land and win the heart of the king's daughter before the rats invade. But will his courage and faith be enough? Find out in The Tale of Despereaux!

Junie B. Jones Giveaway!

Junie B. Jones is the new millennium's equivalent of Ramona Quimby. Author Barbara Park features outspoken, precocious, lovable Junie B. Jones in a series of books about new friends, new glasses, the annual kickball tournament, and other various first-grade angst-ridden situations. She writes all of her adventures in her “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax Journal.”

While the Junie B. Books are GREAT, the musical is FANTASTIC! And you can see Junie B. Jones live in Camden performed by the renowned New York City equity actor theatre group, Theatreworks USA. After a brief New York City-area tour in spring 2004, Junie B. Jones premiered Off-Broadway in July 2004, and is now one of Theatreworks USA’s most popular productions, touring nationally each year. The show was nominated in 2006 for the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Musical and Choreography.

Do you know a Junie B. fan who would love to see this show...for FREE? I bet you do! The lovely people at the Camden Opera House have given us FOUR FREE TICKETS to give away for the show on Saturday, March 13th at 3 pm.

Here's how to win:

Write up a short (under 200 words please) book report on your favorite book to read when you were a child. Or, if you ARE a child, a book report on your favorite book. While you won't be graded on your spelling and grammar, please do your best as the winning report will be published on this blog.

This assignment is due MONDAY, March 8th at the end of the school day (5 pm). The winner will be announced Tuesday morning.

Email your assignment to melanie@bangormetro.com with JUNIE B. JONES in the subject line. All entries will be read and the winner chosen based on the craftsmanship of their report.

Good Luck!

Love is in the Metro Air!

A while back we ran a Valentine's Day contest with a bunch of cool prizes including a one night stay, dinner, and breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn, a dozen roses courtesy of Chapel Hill Floral, and a Specialty Sweets chocolate basket.

We'd like to congratulate Bob Woodbury of Winslow for winning these super prizes. Bob won our hearts with his story of how he won the heart of his wife. Check it out below:

In July 1959, my ship, the U.S.S. Forrest B Royal, was one of 28 warships that entered the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes for the first time since the War of 1812, participating in the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Our ship was one of four that sailed all five Great Lakes and one of two to go all the way to Duluth-Superior Harbor.

Following the showing of the motion picture John Paul Jones at a Duluth theater, a buddy and I followed two girls down the street and introduced ourselves as they paused in a shoe store window. We were in port three days, then left to continue our voyage.

I corresponded with one of the girls for a year, following which she took two weeks vacation the following July, I took two weeks leave, and she flew to my home state of Maine, where she was wined and dined and show much of the state by me, my Mom and Dad.

The following October, I drove to Duluth and we were married after being together a total of 17 days. This past October we celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary.

Maine Movie Trivia Contest: LAST DAY!

Pfew! It's been quite a week and we here at MaineBuzz headquarters are thrilled with the response to our first annual Maine Movie Trivia Contest! Thanks to all of you that have taken part this week and our sponsors who have been so nice to offer up free schwag.

Today's trivia question is sponsored by Bangor Mall Cinemas.

The rules are simple:
1. Read the trivia question.
2. Send an email with the answer to melanie@bangormetro.com by 3:00 pm. Please put TRIVIA in the subject line.
3. All correct answers will be put into a hat and a winner drawn at random.

The prize?
Four tickets to Bangor Mall Cinemas.

Here's the question:
One of the following Stephen King movies was shot in our state capitol. Which one was it?

a. Pet Semetary
b. Thinner
c. Carrie
d. Cujo

Good luck!

WINNER: JOSH WHINERY
CORRECT ANSWER: THINNER

Maine Movie Trivia Contest: Day 3

You've made it to hump day and to day 3 of our Maine Movie Trivia Contest! Give yourself a pat on the back. We've been impressed with the number of you who have sent Melanie the right answers. Today's trivia question is sponsored by The Grand in Ellsworth.

The rules are simple:
1. Read the trivia question.
2. Send an email with the answer to melanie@bangormetro.com by 3:00 pm. Please put TRIVIA in the subject line.
3. All correct answers will be put into a hat and a winner drawn at random.

The prize?
Buy one ticket get one free!

Here's the question:
In what part of “Forrest Gump” does Maine make a cameo – and where in Maine is the cameo located?

Good luck!

WINNER: JEFF ALLEN
correct answer: During the part of the movie where Forrest runs across the nation, he turns around at Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde.

Maine Movie Trivia Contest: Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of our week-long trivia contest! Today's trivia question is sponsored by Reel Pizza in Bar Harbor.

The rules are simple:
1. Read the trivia question.
2. Send an email with the answer to melanie@bangormetro.com by 3:00 pm. Please put TRIVIA in the subject line.
3. All correct answers will be put into a hat and a winner drawn at random.

The prize?
Two free tickets and $8 worth of concessions for Reel Pizza!!

Here's the question:
Which film starring Tobey Maguire was partly shot in Maine?

a. Cider House Rules
b. Seabiscuit
c. Pleasantville
d. Empire Records

Good luck!

WINNER: EMMA POPE-WELCH
correct answer: Cider House Rules

Maine Movie Trivia Contest: Day 1

Welcome to Day 1 of our week-long trivia contest! Today's trivia question is sponsored by Bangor Mall Cinemas.

The rules are simple:
1. Read the trivia question.
2. Send an email with the answer to melanie@bangormetro.com by 3:00 pm. Please put TRIVIA in the subject line.
3. All correct answers will be put into a hat and a winner drawn at random.

The prize?
Four free passes to the Bangor Mall Cinemas!

Here's the question:
"Peyton Place" starting Lana Turner is one of the earliest movies to be filmed in Maine. Though the town in the movies is set in New Hampshire, it was filmed in a Maine town. Which town was it?

a. Kennebunkport
b. Bar Harbor
c. Camden
d. Rockland

Good luck!

WINNER: MATT BISHOP
correct answer: Camden

New Contest

By Melanie Brooks

I've been hinting a lot on Twitter and Facebook about a new contest we're starting on Monday. It's called the Maine Movie Trivia Contest and it lasts all week long.


Each day I will be posting a trivia question that has to do with Maine and the movies. Readers will have until 3 pm to email me their answer. I will pick a random person from the collection of right answers -- that person will win the prize of the day. Here's what's up for grabs:

Monday: 4 free tickets to the Bangor Mall Cinemas
Tuesday: 2 free tickets and $8 in concession credits for Reel Pizza (Bar Harbor)
Wednesday: Buy one ticket get one free package at The Grand (Ellsworth)
Thursday: 2 free tickets to the Banff Film Festival sponsored by Epic Sports (Penobscot Theatre)
Friday: 4 free tickets to the Bangor Mall Cinemas

Remember -- you have until 3 pm each day to cast your vote to melanie@bangormetro.com. Only one vote per person per day. Good luck!

Holiday Gift Drive = Success!

Thank you to everyone who donated gifts to the Bangor Metro/Epic Sports Holiday Gift Drive. Dozens and dozens of area foster kids are going to get a little something extra under the tree this year thanks to the overwhelming generosity of local do-gooders.

This photo is just one of the two boxes of toys, games, and clothing that we brought to DHS today. What a great turnout!

Our holiday gift stocking is really piling up with donations from area merchants like Deja'Vu hair salon, Winterport Winery, and Specialty Sweets to name a few. We will announce the lucky winner on Friday so check back!

Holiday Gift Drive

Check out our poster -- click on it to make it BIGGER! Print one out and put it up in your office for others to see. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Help spread some cheer to needy foster kids this season

The holiday season is a time when we are reminded to thankful for all that we have—health, family, friends, a roof over our head, and food on our table. But there are many Mainers who struggle for the very things many of us take for granted. There are currently about 300 children in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties who are living in foster care.

The Office of Child and Family Services in our area is asking the public to help ensure that these kids, who are often the product of child abuse and neglect, have something under the tree this Christmas. They need donations for their holiday gift drive for children who range in age from infancy to their early 20s. Appropriate gifts include clothing, especially winter outerwear, age-appropriate toys (but not stuffed animals), art supplies, non-violent video games, sports equipment, and gift cards for area stores and restaurants.

It’s not easy being a foster child. Many children won’t have the opportunity to spend the holidays with their birth family and many foster parents struggle to provide basic necessities.

Bangor Metro and Epic Sports have teamed up see that these kids have a positive holiday season. Here’s how you can make a difference: drop off an unwrapped gift at either Bangor Metro or Epic Sports by December 13th and sign up to win a stocking stuffed with $100 worth of goodies from local merchants. It’s a win-win situation! Not only will you be boosting your own karma you’ll be helping a needy child and a generous foster family have a happy holiday season.

For more information on the gift drive contact Melanie Brooks at 941-1300 or Melanie@bangormetro.com. For information on foster parenting click here.

Drop off locations:

Bangor Metro
One Cumberland Place, suite 316
Bangor


Epic Sports
6 Central Street
Downtown Bangor

Budding photographer?

By Melanie Brooks

Did you know that Bangor Photo has a photo contest each month? Well they do! The topic for October is, believe it or not, cemeteries. Pay respects to the spookiest month of the year by heading out to a local graveyard to snap some photos. You don't have to be a professional photographer to take part -- stretch your creative muscles by trying to capture a different point of view!

Here are the rules:

One entry per person.
Photos must be 8x10 and mounted in an 11x14 mat.
No glass. No frames.

The deadline is the last day of the month and photos are voted on the first week of the following month.

Entries will be displayed in Bangor Photo for voting. Winners receive a $25 cash prize and bragging rights.


I don't go anywhere without my trusty little Canon digital camera. It's a PowerShot SD600 Digital Elph no bigger than a deck of cards. And while it's not fancy like the professional cameras we use for Bangor Metro photo shoots, it takes some pretty nice photos. Plus it's small enough for me to carry around in my purse. You never know when you're going to stumble upon something worthy of a photo.

The topic for November is paths -- so start thinking and shooting away!

Valentine's Day Contest!

It might seem a bit early to be thinking of Valentine's Day with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas on the horizon. But the crew at Bangor Metro is always thinking ahead, and we have put together a sweet deal for one lucky winner.

Tell us how you met your sweetheart and your story could be featured in the 2010 January/February issue of Bangor Metro.

The Prizes:
One night stay, dinner, and breakfast at the
Hilton Garden Inn.
A dozen roses courtesy of Chapel Hill Floral.
A Specialty Sweets chocolate basket.

Tempting isn't it!

Here's how to enter:
Send us the story of how you met your sweetheart in 200 words or less by November 26.

Snail Mail:
Bangor Metro Magazine
1 Cumberland Place, Suite 316
Bangor, ME 04401
Attn: Melanie Brooks

Email:
valentine@bangormetro.com

The Maine Moose Photo Contest

Isn't this an amazing photo? What a good looking moose! Do you have a moose photo of your own? We want to see it...


Bangor Metro is sponsoring a Maine Moose photo contest. The grand prize is $200 and a possible cover image. There will be 5-7 runner-up photos that will also be published in the Perspectives section of our magazine. Guest judge Mark Picard, a self-taught wildlife and nature photographer, will join Bangor Metro's photo editor, Leslie Bowman, and Maine Woods and Waters columnist, Brad Eden, to make final selections from all entries received by the deadline of November 30, 2009.

Each photographer can submit up to five images as low resolution jpegs or hard copy prints. Final digital photographs must be 300 dpi at 8.5" x 11" size. The only rule is that the photograph must have been taken in Maine. Residents and visitors alike are welcome to submit. There is no entry fee.

For inquiries or to submit contact lbowman@bangormetro.com. The deadline is approaching so get out your photo albums or head to the woods in search of the grand Maine moose!