Christmas by the Sea

By Melanie Brooks

This past weekend, Camden celebrated their annual Christmas by the Sea celebration. My mother, Mary, sister, Jennifer, and niece, Ayda headed down to put a little jingle in our step. Luckily the rain held off so we could walk around town without getting wet.

There were Christmas wreathes up on every lamppost and on most storefronts. I wish we had been there at night to see what kind of light display the town had. We just missed Santa Claus, so we stopped into Cappy's for some lunch before heading out to Cellardoor Winery's vineyard in Lincolnville to catch him there.

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.

Venetian Masquerade Ball

Last Friday, St Joe's Hospital held their annual fundraiser, disguised as a Venetian Masquerade Ball. The Bangor Civic Center was decked out to the nines. Delicious food was provided by Thistles Restaurant, The Fiddlehead Restaurant, and Winterport Winery. There were wonderful auction items donated by area residents and businesses, too. If you didn't get the chance to go to the ball, take a gander at what you missed! Photos by Shane Leonard.

2010 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

By Melanie Brooks

I was so excited when we got our plaque for this year's Komen Race for the Cure. As soon as I can remember to bring in my hammer and nails from home it's going right up on our wall in the lobby where it belongs.

The Bangor Race broke the attendance record for the fifth year in a row. Over 5,600 participants helped raise over $300,000.00. THANK YOU to everyone who walk/ran/jogged/danced over the finish line.

Photo by Scott Wardwell

Scott Wardwell was on hand taking photos of the event and more of them can be found at Komen Maine and even more on Scott's website.Photo by Scott Wardwell

And while it was mainly a fundraiser, it was still a race. Congrats go out to Louie Luchini, the overall winner, Elizabeth Brunton, the first female finisher, and all of the survivors who ran–you are all amazing:

Laura Carey, Terri Coolong, Joy Stevens, Kathy Fogler, Valerie Moran, Karen Boudreau, Diane Hynes, Patricia Spencer, Jane Black, Dodi Saucier, Kathryn Walker, Jane Sawyer, P.J. McCluskey, Mary Talley, Julia Mathies, Mary Jeanne Madore, Teresa Steele, Merry Shepherd, Sherry Applebee, Pam Parker, Sally Swallow, Astrid Raymond, Kathy Hopkins, Joyce White, Sheri Fuller, and Lorna Ladd.

The "Black Ghost" of Maine

By Melanie Brooks
Illustration by Brad Eden

In honor of the hunting guide who was mauled by a bear earlier this week, I'd like to tell you about a neat event the Bangor Land Trust has planned for next weekend...a Bear Walk!

Gubernatorial-palooza!

By Melanie Brooks

It's nearly mid-September already and the elections are right around the corner! How did this happen?! If you're like many other busy Mainers, you probably haven't had a lot of time to ponder who you are going to vote for this November...but that can be changed.

ELEVEN organizations are teaming up with Bangor Greendrinks to host a gubernatorial forum on Maine's quality of place at the Bangor Opera House on Tuesday, September 21st. Join Greendrinkers for a pre-forum pint at 5 pm in the lobby and stay for the debate, which will start at 6 pm.

Democratic candidate, Libby Mitchell, along with the trio of Independent candidates, Eliot Cutler, Shawn Moody, and Kevin Scott have confirmed their attendance. We're not quite sure about Paul LePage yet but regardless, it's your chance to hear how our next governor intends to protect and promote Maine's productive landscapes, vital downtowns, distinct cultural heritage, and more.

Participating hosts: GrowSmart Maine, Maine Development Foundation's Downtown Center, Maine Downtown Coalition, Maine Conservation Voters Education Fund, Maine Farmland Trust, Maine Preservation, Trust for Public Land, Maine Rural Partners, Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and Healthy Community Coalition.

Like all Bangor Greendrinks events, this is free and open to the public. We hope to see you there! For more information check out Bangor Greendrinks on Facebook and become a fan while you're at it.

Tim McGraw Lobster Bake

By Melanie Brooks

The good folks at McLaughlin's Seafood teamed up with Bangor Metro to host a killer lobster bake before the Tim McGraw concert on Friday. The day was gorgeous, the seafood delicious, and the company was wonderful.

We'd like to thank the other sponsors of this event -- we couldn't have done it without them!

McLaughlin Seafood for the delicious spread; Waterfront Concerts and Live Nation New England for the tickets; Granville Rental & Party Plus for the tent, tables, and chairs; Cellardoor Winery and Wicked Whoopies for filling our gift baskets; and the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau for helping us pull it all together on the waterfront.

More pictures of the event after the jump...

A Cruise on the Katahdin

By Melanie Brooks

Sidekick Shane surprised me with tickets for a ride on the Katahdin steamship this past weekend. It was a 3 hour tour around Moosehead Lake and a ton of fun. He got the tickets at WVII's Half Off Store so we saved a bunch of money -- which was also fun.

I brought along the camera from work to snap some photos. Here's a collection of them. For more, visit our Facebook page!

Maine Fiddle Camp

By Melanie Brooks

Yesterday Shane Leonard and I grabbed our cameras and drove to Montville to check out Maine Fiddle Camp. My friend, Anne Mostue, and her sister were attending this year and I thought a music camp for adults and families was too cool to not visit. So I did.

Bangor Greendrinks

Bangor Greendrinks is at it again...this time at the University of Maine Museum of Art in Bangor tonight from 5:30 to 8 pm. If you haven't been to one of these fun events yet -- now's the time to check it out. Not only is it going to be in a unique setting tonight, it's going to be chock full of interesting people. Bangor Land Trust will be there giving out information and Ann Marie Orr from Ann Marie's Kitchen will be providing the snacks. And the DRINKS! Of course there will be drinks.

Bangor Metro featured Greendrinks in our August issue. Check out the story below!

Bangor Greendrinks at the Sea Dog

Last night's Bangor Greendrinks was a success, thanks to the help of the Sea Dog staff. We had delicious appetizers to munch on, good music to listen to, and $2 drinks. Can't beat that! If you didn't make it this time, join us next month, August 10th, at the University of Maine Museum of Art. It's a beautiful venue that will be filled with great people. For more information, check out Bangor Greendrinks on Facebook. Read on to see photos from the event...

What is a potato blossom anyway?

By Melanie Brooks

The Potato Blossom Festival kicks off in Fort Fairfield this weekend and I bet many of you have never even seen a potato blossom. I'm here to change that. Last year I went up to the Potato Blossom Festival to check them out for myself. It was my first real trip up to "the county" for work. The weather wasn't spectacular, but the views were amazing.

In Your Face..

Illustration by Mark Ricketts
Text by Melanie Brooks

No, I'm not trying to be mean or sassy...In Your Face is a unique cartoon exhibit on display at Boyd Place in Bangor! You might think that it's weird for an independent senior living facility to host an art exhibit -- but they hold them all the time. Their most recent exhibit featured dozens of handmade quilts by area quilters that were out of this world exquisite!

But back to the cartoons....

A Sunset Sail on the Margaret Todd

By Melanie Brooks

When Sidekick Shane finished his master's thesis at UMaine this spring I bought him a present -- a sunset sail for two on the schooner Margaret Todd that sails out of Bar Harbor. I have to admit, I really wanted to take this trip. I've spent a lot of time in Bar Harbor and have longed to sail on this majestic ship -- taking Shane gave me a reason to finally do it.

Cemetery and Ghost Tours

Are you a history buff? Or maybe someone looking for fun in the Bangor area? Look no further than Downtown Bangor. The Bangor Museum and Center for History is hosting the Mount Hope Cemetery and Ghost Lamp Tours two days each month from June to October.

Maine Women's Fund leadership luncheon

By: Melanie Brooks

The women of Maine Ahead magazine were in Portland today at the Maine Women's Fund annual luncheon: Melanie Brooks, managing editor; Jennifer Violette, Julie Kaye, and Tracy O'Clair, sales team; and Melinda Hart, administrative assistant. Since Maine Ahead was a cornerstone sponsor, along with the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, we were all proud to represent our company.

There were some amazing women from across the state that received awards this year and I wanted to take a moment and introduce them to you...

Bangor Greendrinks at Hampden Natural Foods

By: Melanie Brooks

Last night, Mindy Hart and I represented Bangor Metro at the second Bangor Greendrinks event held at Hampden Natural Foods. The owners revamped an old garage and turned it into a spectacular three-walled event space decorated with hanging flowers provided by Hummingbird Hollow.

Greendrinkers were tempted with food by Ann Marie's Kitchen and locally produced Cupelo wine and Black Bear Brewery beer. It was a great turnout and I for one look forward to attending more of these fun events. If you love the environment mark your calendars for the next Greendrinks event: July 6th. Place is TBD. Check out the Bangor Greendrinks on facebook and get involved!

2010 Outdoor Market & Cool Sounds Concert Series

It's that time of year again! Thursday nights, from June 10-July 29 join your neighbors and friends in Pickering Square in downtown Bangor for an outdoor market (opens at 5 pm) and a free concert (from 7-8 pm).

The Outdoor Market, located in West Market Square and along Broad Street, features local vendors selling handmade artwork, handbags, ironwork, jewelry, stained glass, woodwork, and more. Locally produced specialty foods and produce will also be featured. The weekly concerts are free and fun for the whole family. We hope to see you there!

June 10: Bruce Nye the Elvis Guy
Bruce Nye, I mean, Elvis performs all over Maine and the Tampa, Florida area with his wife Darleene, er, Priscilla. He not only has the crooning voice of the King, he has the outfits too.

June 17: Kayla Wass Band
Don't be fooled. If you think you hear Trisha Yearwood or Carrie Underwood, you're really hearing Kayla Wass, a twenty two year old country singer. Wass and her 5 piece band will entertain you with traditional and modern country music.

June 24: Flash! In the Pans
One of the largest community steelbands in the United States, Flash! In the Pans will perform traditional songs of the Blue Hill peninsula.

July 1: Blue Northern
This five piece band will play traditional, original, and contemporary acoustic music. the band features vocals from four members, guitar, upright bass, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, and tenor guitar.

July 8: Evergreen
Evergreen, an American roots music ensemble, blends the elements of bluegrass, folk, blues, old-time, country, and swing into a seamless, energizing music that appeals to a wide range of listeners.

July 15: Teen Jamboree
Four or five local teen musicians will showcase their talents for 15 minutes each.

July 22: Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys
If you love bluegrass, Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys is the band for you. The Plowbys will perform some of the most dynamic and original bluegrass music ever heard in New England.

July 29: RetroRockerz
This group of fiftysomethings play some of the greatest music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s. They play songs of The Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Check out their website for a full list of songs so you can request your favorite.

West Market Festival 2010

By: Melinda Hart

A little rain couldn't stop Bangor's third annual West Market Festival this past weekend. People of all ages gathered downtown for a day of music, comedy, and fashion -- not to mention puddle jumping.

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....