Hi neighbor,

Welcome to the very first edition of the Kennebec Valley Voice.

Each week, my goal is simple: to pull together the things that matter most from Skowhegan down through Gardiner—the holiday parades and tree festivals, the small business changes, the community needs, and a few cozy touches like comfort food recipes and a pet of the week.

In this issue you’ll find highlights from Gardiner’s Festival of Trees, Waterville’s Parade of Lights, Clint’s story from Charley’s Strays in Benton, a round-up of events for the week ahead, and ways you can help with urgent needs for blood, food, and warm coats across the Valley.

Thanks for inviting me into your inbox and for caring about what’s happening in our corner of Maine.

— Sandy

The holiday season in Gardiner is set to sparkle with the return of a cherished community tradition.

The 8th annual Gardiner Festival of Trees is returning to the historic Johnson Hall Opera House from December 4th through December 7th.

This beloved event transforms the venue into a festive wonderland filled with beautifully decorated trees, and admission is completely free for all to enjoy.

The festival serves as a critical fundraiser for Johnson Hall, a nonprofit performing arts center.

Visitors can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win their favorite tree, with all proceeds directly supporting the arts right here in our community.

This year’s event is especially significant, offering the public a wonderful opportunity to see the stunning, newly completed renovations inside the opera house.

Don't miss this magical start to the season while supporting a vital local landmark.

The beloved Parade of Lights brought holiday magic back to downtown Waterville this past Saturday evening.

Excited crowds lined Waterville Main Street as the procession made its journey at 6 p.m. from College Avenue.

This year's event introduced a notable change to the familiar route.

Due to ongoing bridge construction, the parade remained exclusively on the Waterville side of the Kennebec River, a decision organizers made to ensure safety.

The entire evening built to a magical climax at Castonguay Square.

There, Santa Claus himself made his grand arrival to officially light the giant town spruce, marking the opening of Kringleville for the season.

This cherished tradition, organized by the Children’s Discovery Museum and the city, serves as the official holiday kickoff for Central Maine.

Residents were encouraged to arrive early for this unforgettable community event and they did.

In Benton, Maine, a patient dog named Clint has been waiting nearly his entire life for a family to call his own.

He is a two-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog at Charley’s Strays.

While his siblings found their forever homes long ago, Clint has been heartbreakingly overlooked.

This handsome, 40-pound companion is neutered, vaccinated, and already housetrained, making him ready to go.

He also gets along wonderfully with other dogs, so he could be the perfect addition to a home with existing pets.

Clint has been ready for this moment since he was a puppy.

This is a chance for a local family to finally give one of Central Maine's most resilient rescue dogs the loving home he deserves.

To meet Clint and change his life, please contact Charley’s Strays directly at (207) 325-8894 or by email to schedule a visit.

Here’s what’s happening around the Kennebec Valley this week! From Skowhegan down through Gardiner, our communities are in full holiday mode with strolls, tree festivals, concerts, crafts, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking to enjoy sparkling lights, support small businesses, or simply get out and celebrate the season, there’s something for everyone across the Valley.

Kennebec Valley Events (Dec 3–Dec 9)

Skowhegan → Fairfield/Winslow → Waterville → Oakland → Augusta → Hallowell → Gardiner

📍 Skowhegan

SKOW-Whoville Holiday Stroll
Dates: December 4–6
A festive multi-day holiday celebration through downtown with shop specials, family activities, crafts, and holiday decorations.

Small Business Week Specials
Date: December 5
Final day of #ShopSmall week; participating businesses offer discounts and extended hours.

📍 Fairfield

Fairfield Holiday House Lights Tour
Dates: December 3–9
Self-guided neighborhood tour of decorated homes throughout Fairfield.

📍 Winslow

Winslow Public Library: Family Craft Afternoon
Date: December 7
A family-friendly seasonal craft session at the Winslow Public Library.

📍 Waterville

Waterville Festival of Trees
Dates: December 5–7
Location: Waterville Elks Lodge
View beautifully decorated trees, enter raffles, and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
• Dec 5: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Dec 6: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
• Dec 7: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Christmas Light Tour – Waterville
Date: December 5
An evening community light-tour ride showcasing Waterville’s holiday displays.

📍 Oakland

Oakland Holiday Sing-Along
Date: December 8
Community sing-along featuring carols, hot cocoa, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

📍 Augusta

Augusta City Council Business Meeting
Date: December 3
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Regular scheduled meeting at Augusta City Hall.

Downtown Holiday Week
Date: December 5
Shops and small businesses participate in Augusta’s seasonal celebrations with specials and extended hours.

📍 Hallowell

Vaughan Woods Winter Trails (Open Daily)
Winter walking trails open all week; popular spot for early December outdoor recreation.

Live Music on Water Street
Dates: December 6–7
Local pubs and cafés host rotating musicians during the first full weekend of December.

📍 Gardiner

Gardiner Parade of Lights
Date: December 6
Time: 4:30 p.m.
Evening holiday parade through historic Water Street, ending at Waterfront Park.

Gardiner Festival of Trees
Dates: December 4–7
Held at Johnson Hall Opera House; decorated trees, raffles, and free community entry.

Coming Next Week (Dec 10–Dec 16)

Here’s a preview of what we’ll be covering in next week’s edition:

• Skowhegan – Downtown Holiday Shopping Nights & local craft events
• Fairfield – Holiday Cookie Decorating at the library
• Waterville – Kringleville Santa Hours & holiday film series
• Oakland – Community Holiday Potluck & music night
• Augusta – 12 Days of Augusta celebrations continue
• Hallowell – Water Street Art Walk: Holiday Edition
• Gardiner – Last weekend of the Festival of Trees and holiday markets

🏪 Business Openings, Closings & Relocations Across the Kennebec Valley

Below is the full, expanded list — organized clearly and written in your newsletter voice.

📍 Waterville

Renys — New Store Opened

Renys has officially opened a new store in Waterville’s Elm Plaza, moving into the former JCPenney space. The expansion brings more home goods, clothing, gifts, and Maine-made staples to the region. It’s one of the few retail expansions bucking national trends and has been well-received by residents.

Uncle Dean’s Natural Market — Planned Relocation

Uncle Dean’s is preparing to relocate from Grove Street to the former Save-A-Lot space on The Concourse. The move would significantly increase floor space and allow the store to expand its natural foods, grab-and-go meals, and local product offerings. Downtown leaders view this as a major step in revitalizing Waterville’s city center.

Pioneer Gaming — Relocating to Silver Street

Pioneer Gaming (off-track betting) is moving from its College Avenue site to the former Habitat for Humanity ReStore building on Silver Street.
This relocation frees up the previous location, which the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen plans to expand into, allowing more services to be offered — potentially including community health programming.

Downtown Growth Trend

Several vacant or underused buildings downtown are under new interest for mixed-use redevelopment. Early plans include retail on the ground floor and housing above, signaling continued momentum for Waterville’s urban revival.

📍 Augusta

Renys — New Store Planned

After the success of the Waterville expansion, Renys has announced plans to open a store in Augusta. This would create a new anchor retail destination in the region and is expected to boost local foot traffic once opened.

Downtown Business Turnover

Several small retailers and cafés are experiencing ownership changes or seasonal closures ahead of the holiday season. While not all announcements are public, Augusta’s “12 Days of Augusta” business promotions point to a number of new shops and makers participating for the first time.

📍 Gardiner

Johnson Hall Reopens After Renovations

While not a “new business,” Johnson Hall’s reopening after its long renovation is acting like a catalyst for nearby business activity. Shops and restaurants on Water Street report increased evening traffic tied to events at the venue.

Small Retail Shifts

Gardiner has experienced a handful of small boutique openings and closings through fall — including new artisan/craft vendors for the holiday season. Several pop-up shops are expected to continue through December.

📍 Hallowell

New Art Galleries & Studios

Water Street continues to see new micro-galleries and artist studios opening, as local makers capitalize on the tourist and arts foot traffic. These additions strengthen Hallowell’s already strong arts scene.

Restaurant Turnover

A few small eateries have quietly changed ownership or undergone rebranding, though many have retained the same menus and staff. This is common in Hallowell as owners shift between seasonal and year-round operations.

📍 Skowhegan

Downtown Retail Revitalization

Several businesses participating in Skowhegan’s SKOW-Whoville Holiday Stroll are brand new in 2025 — including small-craft vendors, boutiques, and home-goods shops participating in the event for the first time.

Seasonal Pop-Ups

A handful of seasonal or holiday shops have opened downtown in empty storefronts, offering handmade goods, baked items, and Maine gifts. These typically close after the second week of December.

🩸 Blood Drives & Donation Centers Near the Kennebec Valley

American Red Cross — Donation Centers Near You

• The nearest Red Cross fixed center is at Bangor Red Cross Blood Donation Center, located at 900B Hammond Street, Bangor, ME 04401. Typical hours: Tue–Thu 11:00 AM–6:00 PM, Sat 8:00 AM–2:00 PM.

• Another donation center is the Portland Red Cross Blood, Platelet and Plasma Donation Center, at 524 Forest Avenue, Portland, ME 04101 — a bit farther away but a regular fixed-site option.

A critical shortage of essential supplies has sparked an urgent call for help across the Kennebec Valley.

With winter setting in, the need for blood donations, non-perishable food, and warm coats has become severe, straining local support systems.

The American Red Cross reports dangerously low blood reserves, prompting emergency drives to ensure community health.

At the same time, food pantries from Augusta to Waterville are struggling with bare shelves as more families seek assistance due to rising living costs.

Organizations like the United Way of Kennebec Valley emphasize that every donation of canned goods and other staples is vital.

Annual campaigns, including the city-organized Augusta Winter Clothing Drive, are also underway to protect vulnerable residents from the cold.

Officials are pleading with those who can to step forward now, as these combined shortages create a perfect storm of need.

Snowy-Day Chicken & Vegetable Skillet

A warm, hearty, Maine-style comfort dish perfect for cold, snowy evenings in the Kennebec Valley. This recipe uses simple ingredients, cooks in one pan, and fills the house with that cozy, “storm-day” aroma.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3 carrots, sliced

• 2 celery stalks, sliced

• 2 cups diced potatoes or baby reds (skin on)

• 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie works great)

• 1 cup frozen peas

• 2 cups chicken broth

• 1 cup milk or light cream

• 2 tbsp flour

• 1 tsp thyme

• ½ tsp rosemary

• Salt & pepper to taste

Optional:

• Add biscuits on top for a “skillet pot pie” effect

• Swap chicken for leftover turkey

Directions

1. Sauté the veggies
   In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil. Add onion, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Cook 8–10 minutes until softened.

2. Add chicken
   Stir in cooked chicken and peas. Season with thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

3. Create the sauce
   Sprinkle flour over the mixture and stir to coat. Slowly pour in chicken broth, then milk or cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Thicken & simmer
   Reduce heat and let it thicken for 8–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Finish & serve
   Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with warm rolls, biscuits, or over mashed potatoes.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with this week’s Kennebec Valley Voice. I hope you found at least one event to circle on your calendar, one way to help a neighbor, and maybe even a new recipe to try on a snowy night.

If you know someone who loves the Kennebec Valley as much as you do, please forward this email to them or send them to kennebecvalleyvoice.com/signup to subscribe. And if you have an event, business update, or story idea, I’d love to hear from you at [email protected].

Next Wednesday’s newsletter will dig even deeper into the season:

• updated holiday event listings and Kringleville Santa hours,

• more local business news as shops gear up for the final holiday rush,

• another Valley Comfort Foods recipe, and

• a new Kennebec Valley Pet of the Week looking for a home.

• If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can sign up here:https://kennebecvalleyvoice.com/signup, and you’ll get the next edition delivered automatically.

Until then, stay warm, shop local when you can, and keep looking out for one another across the Valley.

Warmly,
Sandy
Editor, Kennebec Valley Voice

Why Augusta earned the nickname

• In the 1840s–1880s, Augusta was a booming lumber, ice, and cotton/textile center.
• The Kennebec River was jammed with log drives and ice-harvesting operations, and the city had a wild, rough-and-tumble reputation (saloons, bordellos, transient workers).
• Contemporary newspapers and travelers compared its chaotic, wealthy, and somewhat lawless energy to the exotic and prosperous Baghdad of legend — hence “Baghdad on the Kennebec.”