Sandy Smith
Oct 14, 2026
| Weds Oct 14|Issue #26|Kennebec Valley |
Traffic & Roadwork
Waterville–Winslow: Carter Memorial Bridge detour
Benton: I-95 southbound lane restriction
Waterville: Neighborhood water-main work |
Good morning, Kennebec Valley—
Sometimes the most useful local news is a simple detail: an event with free admission, a workshop that teaches something practical, or the right time and place for a community meeting.
That’s what we aim to bring you each week. This edition includes opportunities to enjoy local arts, meet makers, learn something new and find resources that might help you or someone you know. Saturday’s AYCC Craft Fair is one easy place to start. You’ll also find music in Gardiner and a Waterville library session about recognizing AI scams—an increasingly useful skill.
As you read, think about who else could use one of these details. A neighbor looking for work, a friend planning an outing or a family seeking assistance may appreciate a forwarded newsletter. Thanks for making Kennebec Valley Voice part of your week.
Sandy Smith |
A Unity Creator Builds a Different Kind of Word Game
Unity programmer and media producer Gardiner Bryant has created Uppercase, an online word puzzle that combines letter guessing with a limited number of mistakes.
In WABI’s October 9 report, Bryant explains his goal: give people a brief opportunity to focus rather than another reason to keep scrolling. The game is part of his independent publication, The Bryant Review.
Why it caught our attention: It’s a nearby example of someone turning technical skills and a creative idea into something people can enjoy.
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AI-generated illustration based on a reference photograph of the Two Cent Bridge. It is not an actual photograph or a depiction of current conditions.
Hidden Gem: Two Cent Bridge, Waterville–Winslow.
The Ticonic Footbridge—better known as the Two Cent or Two Penny Bridge—spans the Kennebec between the City of Waterviille and the Town of Winslow. Its steel lattice towers, suspension cables and little red tollhouse make it a distinctive piece of local history. Wikipedia notes it’s among the oldest surviving steel suspension bridges supported by wire cables and is considered the last surviving former toll footbridge in the U.S. The original opened in 1901; the current bridge dates to 1903. Today, it’s free to walk, with wide river views and an up-close look at this historic span. Historical background adapted from Wikipedia’s ‘Two Cent Bridge’ article. |
October 14–20
Fairfield — Wednesday, October 14
Oakland — Wednesday, October 14
Augusta — Thursday, October 15
Gardiner — Friday, October 16
Hallowell — Tuesday, October 20
Waterville — Tuesday, October 20 |
Business & Networking
Kennebec Valley Chamber: Women’s Network Luncheon
Joyful Leadership Lab — Online
Kennebec Networkers BNI — Hallowell
Elm City Referral Source BNI — Waterville |
October 14–20Fairfield Farmers’ Market
Downtown Waterville Farmers’ Market
Hallowell Farmers’ Market
Skowhegan Farmers’ Market
Augusta Farmers’ Market at Mill Park |
City Public Works position Mechanic I/Truck Driver II. paying $28.02–$37.76 per hour. Requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a Maine Class B CDL or higher, and relevant mechanical and truck-driving experience. Normal hours are Monday–Friday, 6:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., with additional winter hours. Open until filled.
Waterville — Recreation and Public Safety
Skowhegan — Executive Secretary to the Town Manager |
Augusta Food Bank — Free Food Thursday
Waterville Food Bank
Free clothing and hygiene supplies — Augusta
Community Clothes Closet — Skowhegan
Give blood
Need another resource? |
Each week, we share adoptable animals from Humane Society Waterville Area and Kennebec Valley Humane Society, helping connect pets with caring homes across the Valley.
Our shelter partners provide the photos and descriptions. If someone catches your eye, contact the shelter directly to learn about their needs, current availability and adoption process. Not ready to adopt? Fostering, volunteering and donations are other ways to help these organizations care for animals while they wait for a home. |
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Roscoe, a roughly two-year-old American blue heeler, is listed for adoption at the Humane Society Waterville Area.
The medium-sized male has a blue-and-black coat and could be worth meeting for anyone looking for a dog in the Waterville-Augusta area.
His profile leaves some important questions unanswered: his housetraining status is unknown, and it does not say whether he has been neutered.
Adoption staff can share what they have learned about Roscoe since his September 23 intake, including how he responds to people and what kind of exercise he may need.
If children, other pets or a particular routine are part of your household, ask about those too.
Meeting Roscoe is the best way to look beyond his breed and see whether he could be a good fit.
When contacting the shelter, ask for Roscoe by animal ID 61783775 and confirm his availability. Read More... |
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For anyone considering husky adoption in Augusta, Maine, Sky offers a lively mix of outdoor adventure and couch-time companionship.
This spunky, medium-energy dog loves exploring, racing around the yard and watching snow fall.
Afterward, she is happy to settle in for cuddles.
Sky is curious, clever and talkative, so she needs people who will make time for play and interaction.
She also needs a consistent feeding routine: prescription food and a daily probiotic for her sensitive stomach.
Because Sky has a strong prey drive, she would do best in a home without cats or livestock.
Prospective adopters should ask the shelter about her routine and dietary needs before deciding whether their home is the right fit. Read More... |
For a cool-weather treat in the Kennebec Valley, this apple crisp serves six and takes about 15 minutes to prepare.
Maine-grown Cortlands hold their shape, while McIntosh apples soften into the filling; other baking apples work, too.
Heat the oven to 350°F and butter an 8-inch square baking dish.
Peel, core and slice six medium apples about ¼ inch thick.
Toss with 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon cinnamon, then spread in the dish.
For the topping, mix ¾ cup rolled oats, ½ cup flour, ½ cup packed brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt.
Work in 6 tablespoons cold, cubed butter until crumbly, then scatter over the apples.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until golden and bubbling and the apples are fork-tender.
If the topping browns early, cover loosely with foil.
Rest for 10 minutes before serving, with vanilla ice cream if you like. Read More... |
October 14–20
Thomas College — Waterville Wednesday, October 14: Field hockey hosts the University of Southern Maine at 7 p.m., Bernatchez Field.
Saturday, October 17: On the road in Castine, men’s soccer faces Maine Maritime Academy at noon, followed by women’s soccer at 2:30 p.m. Watch men’s soccer — Maine Maritime Academy Athletics
Tuesday, October 20: Women’s soccer hosts the University of Maine at Fort Kent at 4 p.m. Thomas schedules and viewing options
Colby College — Waterville Saturday, October 17: A full afternoon of home competition:
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October 14–20
Waterville — Purple Panthers
Winslow — Black Raiders
Oakland — Messalonskee Eagles
Augusta — Cony Rams
Skowhegan |
For business owners in Waterville and Augusta, a health crisis or family change can turn a distant handoff into an urgent decision.
Exit planning gives owners time to prepare before that happens.
Maine entrepreneur Lisa Liberatore has sold a tea business, a Gardiner burrito restaurant and a Bangor coworking space.
She built each venture so its daily work could continue without depending on her presence.
That starts with a written playbook: how orders arrive, who pays vendors, where records are kept and what to do when problems arise.
Passwords and sensitive information need secure storage and clear access rules.
Clear financial records also help a potential buyer understand costs and cash flow.
Liberatore now helps Maine entrepreneurs identify gaps and find support through Upstart Maine.
For local businesses, planning ahead can ease uncertainty for families, employees and customers while keeping future options open. Read More... |
Sandy’s Maine Minute
Sometimes the best discoveries are close to home—a footbridge you’ve passed a hundred times, a local story you haven’t heard, or a recipe worth sharing.
This week, make room for one of those small discoveries. Visit a local shop, listen to a neighbor’s story, or invite someone over for warm apple crisp. Those simple connections help make the Kennebec Valley feel like home.
Thanks for spending part of your week with me.
—Sandy |
| ★★★★★ |
Good communication starts with understanding your audience. Marshall Communications, a Maine-based marketing and public relations agency, works with clients to identify the people they want to reach, shape key messages and create content that builds brands. Founded in 1991, the boutique agency brings more than 30 years of experience to public relations, content and digital marketing, social media, media training and more. Its approach centers on relationships and storytelling tailored to each client’s goals. If you’re looking for fresh ideas, Marshall Communications also shares practical PR and marketing tips through its blog, monthly Marshall Report newsletter and PR Maven podcast. |
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Section Sponsors
The Costello Agency — John Costello
North Star Property Solutions — Tony LaPrino
Woof, LLC — Peter Richmond
Pete Gray Painting — Pete Gray
Maine Endurance Sports Alliance — Laura McIntyre |
1864. Johnson Hall in Gardiner began hosting performances that year, when Benjamin Johnson converted his livery stable into a gathering and performance hall. The space became an opera house in 1888. |