LINK: https://mainersweeklyfalledition.my.canva.site/

“Sunrise Bagel brings handcrafted bagels and scratch-made breakfast and lunch favorites to downtown Gardiner, offering a warm, welcoming spot to start the day or refuel midday. Known across central Maine for its dedication to quality, Sunrise Bagel specializes in naturally leavened, sourdough bagels that are fermented for days, then hand-rolled and baked for the perfect balance of crisp exterior and chewy interior. The result is a bagel with real depth of flavor—simple, satisfying, and unmistakably homemade.

The menu celebrates both classic comfort and creative twists. Guests can choose from a variety of bagels, including traditional favorites and specialty flavors, topped with house-made cream cheeses or built into hearty breakfast sandwiches. Popular options feature fresh eggs, local flavors, savory meats, and vegetarian-friendly combinations, all served on your bagel of choice. For lunch, Sunrise Bagel offers generous sandwiches layered with fresh ingredients, along with baked goods like muffins, scones, and sweet treats that rotate regularly. Coffee and espresso drinks round out the experience, making it an easy stop for both locals and visitors exploring downtown Gardiner.

The Gardiner location reflects Sunrise Bagel’s community-focused approach—fast, friendly service paired with food that’s clearly made with care. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bagel to go, meeting a friend for breakfast, or fueling up before a day on the river or Main Street, Sunrise Bagel fits right in with Gardiner’s growing food scene.” SOURCE: https://mainstreetmaine.org/listing/sunrise-bagel-gardiner-me/

Location: 463 Water Street, Gardiner, ME 04345. Phone: (207) 248-4925
Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Saturday & Sunday, 8 AM - 1:00 PM

Are you just too busy, tired or unable to make dinners? Well, now you don’t have to be.

Owners Tony and Elly Rusconi offer scratch-made comfort foods that customers can take home and finish cooking.

Their previously featured menu includes:

Check out their website here; https://www.facebook.com/homebaked207/

🍁 Fall foliage meets the ocean! It’s the perfect time to go this weekend.

For one of Maine's most spectacular autumn views, head to Mount Megunticook in Camden Hills State Park. The hike climbs through colorful hardwood forests to Ocean Lookout, where you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Camden Harbor, Penobscot Bay, and the surrounding mountains.

Distance: Approximately 2 miles round-trip via Megunticook Trail
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging, with nearly 1,000 feet of climbing
Location: Camden Hills State Park, Camden

“The Greater Augusta Utility District is suing several paper and packaging companies, alleging PFAS released from their facilities over decades contaminated drinking water wells that serve the Augusta area.

The federal lawsuit, filed last week, does not blame the contamination on one company or one event. Instead, the district alleges PFAS from multiple upstream industrial sites entered the Kennebec River and its connected groundwater, eventually mixing into the aquifer that supplies the district’s riverside wells.” SOURCE: https://wgme.com/news/i-team/augusta-water-utility-sues-paper-companies-over-pfas-contamination-in-kennebec-river-wells

“Augusta, Maine, has a concrete example of what meeting a state PFAS limit can look like at the wellhead. After shutting its east-side Riverside wells in late 2024, the Greater Augusta Utility District designed, funded and installed a roughly $2 million filtration system — and has brought that supply back online.” SOURCE: https://hydrologyuniversity.com/blog/augusta-maine-pfas-filtration-east-side-well

Winslow officials are requesting a state review of the town's property-tax assessment process after homeowners reported unexpectedly high bills.

Although the town's tax rate decreased this year, changes in assessed property values resulted in higher bills for some residents. The Town Council voted October 13 to ask Maine Revenue Services to examine the assessment process and determine whether it was conducted fairly and accurately.

If a state review isn't sufficiently comprehensive, officials may consider an independent audit. Source: https://www.centralmaine.com/2026/10/15/winslow-to-request-review-of-tax-assessment-after-complaints-of-high-bills/

BOW HUNTING IS ALLOWED IN PARTS OF AUGUSTA, HALLOWELL AND GARDINER.

You can check out their interactive map here: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/hunting/species/deer/expanded-archery/index.html

SMUSH, a popular Augusta cookie & ice cream shop, has changed their name and upgraded their menu: https://www.facebook.com/p/Somerville-Road-Co-61562841149368/

Attend their grand opening, Fri October 16th for a free giveaway!

The leaves are falling fast. If you want to get out and enjoy, this could be your last weekend. Check out their interactive map for and current report more info: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/projects/fall_foliage/report/index.shtml

Rangley Lakes Scenic Hills Highway - 52 miles drive features the famous Height of Land overlook on Route 17, offering sweeping views of lakes and forested mountains. You can also drive up nearby Quill Hill for 360-degree panoramic views.

Old Canada Road Byway - This 78-mile route follows the Kennebec River and Wyman Lake north from Skowhegan toward Jackman. It runs through deep timber country with vibrant autumn hills and high moose activity.

Acadia National Park Loop Road - A 27-mile coastal drive combining dramatic ocean cliffs, granite mountains, and brilliant fall colors. Peak conditions here typically arrive by mid-October.

The gym floor will feature specialized sensory equipment designed to support fine and gross motor development, strength, coordination, and social interaction. Equipment includes swings, climbing structures, a zip slider, a trampoline, crash mats, a designated toddler area, imaginative play stations, and a calming room. There will also be a teen area, therapy hub, and rock shop. https://www.werockthespectrumcentralme.com

“Right now, we’re very excited because we’re about to host our first multi-course dinner experience. It’s a Sake & Small Plate Experience featuring five courses, four curated sake pairings, and one signature sake cocktail. During the dinner, we’ll talk about each dish and the sake it’s paired with. It’s a fun way for us to showcase  food, culture and storytelling in a more intimate setting. We hope this will be the first of many special dining experiences to come at Bao & Beyond”

https://www.chilichili.net/422800/bao-and-beyond-brings-big-flavor-to-augusta-with-togarashi-vegan-treats-more/

HOW ABOUT FREE TICKETS, TONS OF ACTIVITIES…AND EVEN SEEDS?

Lithgow Library - Augusta, Hubbard Library - Hallowell. Cumston Library - Monmouth, Bailey Library - Winthrop, Waterville Public Library - Waterville, Readfield Community Library - Readfield, Belgrade Public Library - Belgrade

I hope to see you at this event! This Monday:

Augusta

Oct 24-25th: The 29th Annual Snowmobile & Powersports Show @ Civic Center

Oct 31st: The Boo Ball @ Civic Center. 8PM-12AM. It’s the largest Halloween Bash in Central Maine, with Live music from the Eric Grant Band! There will be themed treats, a cash bar, and a costume contest!

Hallowell

Oct 17th - Scarecrow Festival Backyard games, food trucks and mini market

Monmouth

Oct 17th: Capitol City Improv Teaches You History with Dennis Price @ Cumstom Hall 6:30PM

Waterville

Oct 17th: Bob Marley @Waterville Creates 5PM & 8 PM

Oct 17th-18th: Rocky Horror Burlesque Show @ The Playhouse

Oct 24th: Nightmare on Main Street 4-6PM. Trunk or treat, pumpkin carving, dancing witches and an 8PM showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show

Augusta

Oct 23rd-24th: Boo Fighters Paranormal Investigation - a 4 hour ghost hunt inside the Colonial Theater with local investigators

Nov 14-15th: The Largest Indoor Flea Market @Civi Center. 8-3PM

Waterville

Nov 9th: Family Ceramics Paint Night @Elmhearst Pottery Studio 12:30 PM

Auburn

Oct 29th: Fright Festival 5 7:30 Trunk or Treats will be there too.

Brewer

Oct 24th-25th: The Odds & Ends Artisans Market @ Brewer Auditorium

Freeport

Oct 16-18th: Camp Sunshine Pumpkin Festival @ LLBean Freeport. Movie night, pumpkin carving, 5K and more.

Portland & Bangor.

Oct 16th-18th for Portland & Oct 23rd-25th Bangor

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow N Fire @ Cross Insurance Center

Portland

Oct 16-17th: Harvest on the Harbor. Maine’s Premier Coastal Food Festival. Oysters and lobsters oh my.

Portland

Nov 20th: How the Grinch Stole Christmas @ Merrill Auditorium 6PM

Rockland

Nov 28th: Parade of Lights @ Owls Head Trasnportaiton Museum 6PM

Apple season is quickly aproachingp! Grab a bag and make a fall day of it at one of these local orchards:

🍎 Lakeside Orchards, Manchester
Pick-your-own apples, farm store, fresh cider, baked goods & cider donuts.

🍏 Lemieux’s Orchard, Vassalboro
Pick-your-own apples, cider, donuts, pies, pumpkins & fall activities.

🍎 Kents Hill Orchard, Readfield
A smaller local orchard with apple picking, beautiful views & homemade treats.

🍏 Applewald Farm, Litchfield
Family-run farm with apples, fresh produce & a relaxed country-farm feel.

🍎 Chick’s Apple & Berry Farm, Monmouth
Pick-your-own apples & pumpkins with views overlooking Cochnewagan Lake.

🍏 Bond’s Orchard, Richmond
A small family orchard offering a quieter, traditional apple-picking experience.

TIP: Apple varieties and picking conditions change throughout the season, so check with the orchard before making the trip

Orionid Meteor Shower — October 21–22

The biggest sky event of the next two weeks! Debris from Halley's Comet produces fast, bright shooting stars. Under ideal conditions, the shower can produce 10–20 meteors per hour, although moonlight will reduce visibility this year.

Best viewing: After midnight until dawn, especially once the Moon sets.

Hunter's Moon — October 25–26

October's full moon peaks just after midnight on October 26 in Maine. Look for it rising around sunset on October 25 for a beautiful autumn sight.

🪐 Saturn in the evening sky

Saturn remains a good October viewing target. Look for it after dark; binoculars can help locate it, but you'll need a telescope to appreciate its rings.