FEATURED LOCAL BUSINESS
Looking for a hidden gem? Cristall Boutique is packed with boho-western fashion, personalized storytelling trucker hats, charm bars, handcrafted finds, and unique little treasures around every corner. Owner Cristall has created a space that feels creative, cozy, and completely one-of-a-kind. It may be a small boutique, but you could easily spend hours browsing all the fun details tucked inside. 1288 Clinton Ave, Benton. P.S. There’s a Mother’s Day Pop Up!! See the feature below for details.
Enjoy your subscriber perks!!
10% off your order with code CGMETALWORKS10 -Quality and professional metal products. Stands, bumpers, decor and more!
10% discount with code “MainersWeeklySubscriber”. This is a fun simulation range. Practice, have completions or just for fun.
10% off your order with code SPRING10. Their products smell amazing, and are made with tallow. Hello awesomeness.
NEED YARD ART? Yeah, me too. I got my whirligig! Get yours: 20% off your order with code MAINERS2026
Looking for something special for Mother’s Day? Look no further than Slates Restaurant & Bakery. Known for their incredible baked treats and gourmet meals, this Hallowell favorite is the perfect spot to celebrate Mom this weekend.
ARE YOU LIKE THE REST OF US? And need some spring cleaning? Well, here you go, and a discount to boot!
SEED & PLANT
TONS of EVENTS:
Vegetable Pest & Weed Management Workshop Tue, May 12, 5:30–7:30PM. Skowhegan (or virtual) Common vegetable insects, diseases, weeds, and how to manage them.
Gardiner Public Library Plant Sale & Silent Auction Sat, May 16, 8 –1PM Public Library. Plants are priced at $1, $3, $5, and $10; looking for natives, cuttings, seedlings, divided perennials, herbs, and vegetables. Proceeds benefit the library.
Central Maine Garden Club Annual Plant Sale Sat, May 16, 9–1PM. Oakland/Sidney United Methodist Church
Seedling Sale & Plant Swap Winslow Sat, May 23, 10AM. 80 Garland Road
Maine Audubon Native Plants Sale Preorders are open now, with pickups beginning May 6 at Gilsland Farm in Falmouth.
Local Residential Listings: Jessica Fike at Brookewood Realty
NEWS & INFORMATION
The Ticonic Bridge (Waterville ↔ Winslow) is shutting down May 26-June 29. Full closure for vehicles and pedestrians& part of a $52.8M replacement project (finishing ~2027)
I-95 + Route Improvements - ongoing lane work & traffic pattern changes in Sidney area. RT 27 infrastructure continues. Exit 109 in Augusta looking to open back up in June!
Other major construction projects here: https://www.maine.gov/dot/major-projects/impacts/augusta
LOOKING FOR FREE THINGS TO DO ON OUR RAINY SPRING DAYS?
VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. You might be surprised by all the events, classes, tickets and access they have. Some libraries have seed catalogs!
SEASONAL CLASSES/COURSES
FREE FISHING CLINICS (BEGINNER FRIENDLY)
Hosted by Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife , Saturday, May 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Range Pond State Park (Poland, ME). Saturday, June 7, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Lake St. George State Park (Liberty, ME)
MOTORCYCLE LICENSE COURSES (FILLING FAST)
Hosted by Maine Motorcycle Rider Education Program May 16–18, 2026 (Weekend Course), May 30 – June 1, 2026, June 13–15, 2026 Augusta / Central Maine training sites$99–$125, includes bike + helmet + licensing test, Required step for many new riders
HUNTER SAFETY COURSE (REQUIRED FOR NEW HUNTERS) Hosted by Maine Hunter Safety Program
Online (self-paced) + Field Day Options, May 31, 2026 | Sidney, ME, June 14, 2026 | Augusta, ME, Free, Required for hunting license (new hunters)
BOATING SAFETY CERTIFICATION Hosted by Maine Boating Safety Program, May 24, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Augusta area, June 21, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Free–$20 depending on course, Covers navigation + safety
NATURE WALKS & OUTDOOR SKILLS Hosted by Kennebec Land Trust MAINE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY FIELD TRIP, May 30th 9:30AM at the Rosmarin & Saunders Family Forest in Readfield. Participants will explore forest and wetland habitats alongside experienced entomologists, with opportunities to observe and identify a wide variety of insects. Stay as long as you’d like. No registration required.
ARCHERY / SHOOTING RANGE EVENTS (LOCAL CLUBS), Weekly Open Range Nights (May–June), Beginner Clinics: Typically Saturdays (check local clubs), Augusta / Sidney / surrounding towns
LOCAL EVENTS
SUMMER FARMER MARKETS
Augusta: Tuesday’s Mill Park 2-6PM
Belgrade: Sunday’s 8-1, 7 Lakes Alliance
Hallowell: Saturday’s: Stevens Commons 9-12PM
Waterville: Thurs: Downtown Waterville @ Head of Falls Park 2-6
Winthrop: Thurs:(June 4-Sept10) 2-6, Downtown Parking Lot
Augusta
Sat/May9th: Central Maine Artisan Market @ Augusta Armory 10-3, 50+ vendors/ food truck
Belgrade
Thurs/May 14th: Pickle’s Potions at Remedy Salon & Spa. Join us for a hands on, informative skin care experience to better help you understand and care for your skin
Gardiner
May 15th: ArtWalk 5-8PM
S.Portland
May 14-17th: Maine Mall- HUGE Mainely Kids Consignment Event 60-90% off retail
FARTHER OUT EVENTS WORTH NOTING
Augusta
Sat/May 23: Augusta Viles Arboretum Lilac Festival Nature activities, educational opportunities, entertainment, plant + makers market. $5; free for members and children
Waterville
Sat/ May 23rd, The Wallflowers Waterville Opera House
Wed/ May 27th: The Righteous Brothers - Waterville Opera House
Fri/May 29th: I Love the 90’s Tour Cross Insurance Center 7PM
MOTHER’S DAY EVENTS OR SALES
C&G METAL WORKS, WINTRHOP
REMEDY SALON AND SPA FACIAL GIFT CERTIFICATE
SECONDLIFE THRIFT STORE, FILL A BAG FOR $1! SHOPPING DAY!
HERITAGE HOMESTEAD, CANDLE GIFT, (online store and farmstand)
INFINITY SKIN CARE - PACKAGES AND DISCOUNTS
PALM TREE NUTRITION $2 DISCOUNT, DELIVERY AVAILABLE & TO GO PACKS
GODS LITTLE ACRE - GET YOUR DISCOUNT AND CUSTOMIZED GIFT BOX FROM VIVIAN, A MASTER HERBALIST
MOTHERS DAY CRAFT FAIR Winslow
CONCERTS
Bowl in the Pines, Sidney
Waterfront Concerts, Bangor
Thompson’s Point, Portland
THE ARTS
All Over Kennebec- CRE8TIVE EVENTS WITH SUPER FUN ARTIST SUE Various dates, starts at 6PM, lots of painting and other craft events
Belgrade - Sparkle Art Studio’s summer art schedule is up and running
All Over Kennebec- Coloring Nights with Actually I Drew This
LOOK UP! SKY HAPPENINGS.
Rare Blue Moon
May 31 - Second full moon in one month “Blue Moon” Happens only every 2–3 years
Planet + Moon Pairings (VERY EASY TO SEE) Saturn
May 13 Visible before sunrise, Moon passes close to Saturn
Venus
May 18, Visible just after sunset, Bright, easy to spot pairing
Jupiter
May 20, Evening sky after sunset
Dark Sky Window
Around May 9–20, Moon is less bright → darker skies
Best time for Milky Way viewing, Star gazing, Meteor spotting
WANT TO PARTNER UP OR HAVE A UPCOMING EVENT? LET’S CHAT!