Halloween, Valley outings and neighbors looking for homes | KVV #28
|Subscribe·Archives·Current IssueHalloween, Valley outings and neighbors looking for homes | KVV #28
Your guide to local events, markets, community resources and more around the Kennebec Valley.
Sandy Smith
Oct 28, 2026
 October 28–November 3, 2026 Halloween events, local connections, markets, college sports and two animals looking for homes—here’s your week around the Kennebec Valley. |
 Valley Trivia In what year was Old Fort Western built on the Kennebec River in Augusta? A. 1628 B. 1754 C. 1820 D. 1901 Find the answer at the end of this issue. |
 Augusta-area forecast Wednesday: Sunny, 51°/36°. Thursday: Mostly sunny, 63°/50°. Friday: Partly sunny, 64°/39°. Saturday: Sun and a few clouds, 54°/33°. Sunday: Sunny, 56°/36°. Monday: Sun and clouds, 58°/41°. Tuesday: Clouds, with afternoon rain possible, 54°/40°. Forecast updated October 27; conditions can change. Latest forecast. |
 Know Before You Go Carter Memorial Bridge, Waterville–Winslow: MaineDOT’s September notice says eastbound traffic is detoured via the Ticonic Bridge until October 31; westbound traffic remains open in one lane. Conditions may change. MaineDOT notice · Live road conditions Gardiner: Water Street closes to vehicles between Bridge and Church streets Friday, October 30, 3–5 p.m., for downtown trick-or-treating. |
 From Sandy Good morning, Kennebec Valley. Halloween is almost here, and there’s plenty going on around the Valley. You’ll find trick-or-treating in Gardiner and Augusta, ghost tours in Skowhegan, and a few other ideas for the week ahead. We also have local markets, sports and two animals at the Kennebec Valley Humane Society who are looking for homes. I hope you find something useful in this week’s issue. A note about our images: We use AI-generated images when actual photographs aren’t available. — Sandy |
 Keystone: Voices for the Little Fish A Gardiner group called Upstream inspired a short film about restoring fish passage along Cobbossee Stream. Filmmaker Jerry Monkman shares the trailer and the story behind the project. Watch the trailer. |
 Hidden Gem: Cobbossee Stream & Harrison Nature Trail In Gardiner, the Cobbossee Stream Conservation Area and Harrison Nature Trail offer an approximately 0.8-mile round-trip walk along the stream. Old brickwork and remnants of dams recall the waterway’s industrial past, while the stream and surrounding woods provide habitat for fish and birds. Signs along the trail share more about its history and wildlife. Access is from Route 126 onto Harrison Avenue, just west of the bridge over Cobbossee Stream. Limited parking is available along the east side of Harrison Avenue. Leashed dogs are welcome. Trail details and map. |
 Can’t Miss Events Downtown Gardiner Trick or Treat — Friday, October 30, 3–5 p.m., Water Street. Downtown businesses welcome costumed families; Water Street is closed to vehicles between Bridge and Church streets during the event. Details Skowhegan Ghost Tour — Friday and Saturday, October 30–31. Tours leave the Skowhegan Opera House, 225 Water Street, at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. The 45-minute family-friendly walking tour is free; donations are accepted. Details Trick or Treat on Water Street — Saturday, October 31, beginning at 4 p.m. in downtown Augusta. Merchants and community groups will offer treats, with music, performances, bounce houses and public-safety vehicles. Details Trails of Terror — October 30–November 1, 6–9 p.m. each evening, Camp Tracy, 152 Camp Tracy Meadows, Oakland. Tickets at the door: $15 for adults, $10 for children under 12, $40 for a group of four; children under 3 are free. A less-scary Halloween Village offers activities for younger visitors. Details |
 Quick Picks Jeff Tweedy Solo — Sunday, November 1, 7:30 p.m., Waterville Opera House, 1 Common Street. Tickets and details Skowhegan Outdoors Run Club — Thursday, October 29, 5–6 p.m., Coburn Park. Free and open to all levels. Details Outdoorsy Craft Night — Tuesday, November 3, 4–5 p.m., Skowhegan Free Public Library, 9 Elm Street. Materials provided. Details Future Business Leaders at Thomas College — Friday, October 30, 8 a.m.–1 p.m., 180 West River Road, Waterville. High school students can explore business through workshops and conversations with professionals and college students. Free; lunch included. Registration and details Waterville Opera House auditions — Sunday, November 1 at 1 p.m. and Monday, November 2 at 6 p.m., Studio 1902, second floor of the Paul J. Schupf Art Center, 93 Main Street. Auditions are for The Importance of Being Earnest, scheduled for January. Audition details Family activities at Waterville Public Library — Tuesday, November 3, 73 Elm Street. Make a dinosaur bobblehead between 2:30 and 4 p.m.; materials are supplied. At 3:30 p.m., Maine Public’s Literacy Tour visits with Daniel Tiger and children’s author S. Sousa. Both events are free; the library asks families to register for the literacy event. Craft · Literacy event |
 Business Pulse Waterville — Ollie’s Bargain Outlet: A ribbon cutting is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 8:30 a.m. at 18 Concourse West. The discount store is moving into space previously occupied by Northern Light Primary Care. Ribbon-cutting details Waterville — Former Staples site: ConvenientMD plans separate urgent care and primary care clinics in the former Staples building at 40 Waterville Commons Drive. The project is a redevelopment, not an announced opening; the remaining space is also planned for renovation and lease. Project report Augusta — Downtown dining: The City of Augusta reports that the Night Cap Lounge and the Kennebec Room opened on Water Street in September. They join other recent downtown additions including SMUSH Cookie Creamery, which opened in June. City business update Skowhegan — A kitchen for food businesses: The Kitchen at 185 is a planned shared commercial kitchen on Water Street. The town approved a $50,000 grant in July to support the Main Street Skowhegan project, intended to give food entrepreneurs access to commercial kitchen space. Project report. |
 Municipal Meetings Oakland — Town Council: Wednesday, October 28, 6 p.m., Fire Station. Town calendar Winthrop — Town Council: Monday, November 2, 6 p.m., Town Office, 17 Highland Avenue. The council will hold a public hearing on proposed zoning amendments. Public hearing notice Windsor — Planning Board: Monday, November 2, 6 p.m. The town lists a new 6 p.m. start time. Town calendar Windsor — Select Board: Tuesday, November 3, 6 p.m. Town calendar New Portland — Selectmen: Tuesday, November 3, 6:30 p.m., Town Office. Town calendar Smithfield — Select Board: Tuesday, November 3, 6 p.m., Municipal Building, 929 Village Road. Town calendar Election Day: Tuesday, November 3. Absentee ballots must reach the voter’s municipality by 8 p.m. Maine election information. Waterville voters: All wards vote at the Thomas College Field House, 180 West River Road, on November 3, 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Enter via Vining Drive. A free shuttle serves several city locations. Polling and shuttle details. |
 Business & Networking Kennebec Leadership Institute 40th Anniversary — Wednesday, October 28, 5–7 p.m., Kennebec Savings Bank Operations Center, 330 Civic Center Drive, Augusta. Kennebec Valley Chamber Future Leaders Summit — Thursday, October 29, 4–6 p.m., Kennebec Valley Community College, 92 Western Avenue, Fairfield. Details Pints for Polio — Thursday, October 29, 5–8 p.m., Silver Street Tavern, Waterville. BNI Kennebec Networkers — Hallowell Wednesday mornings, 8 a.m. | Thomas College Ice Vault, 203 Whitten Road. Weekly business referral meeting. Chapter details. BNI Elm City Referral Source — Waterville Thursday mornings, 8:30 a.m. | Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, 50 Elm Street. Weekly business referral meeting. Chapter details. BNI Referral Masters — Online Tuesday mornings, 10:30 a.m. | Virtual meeting serving Greater Portland and statewide participants. Meeting times are the chapters’ regular schedules; visitors can arrange a visit through BNI Maine. |
 Farmers’ Markets Fairfield — Wednesday, October 28, 2–6 p.m. Church of the Nazarene parking lot, 81 Main Street. The seasonal schedule runs through October. Waterville — Thursday, October 29, 2–6 p.m. Head of Falls, 60 Front Street. The outdoor market is listed through mid-November. Fairfield — Saturday, October 31, 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 81 Main Street. The federation lists the Saturday market through October. Hallowell — Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m.–noon. Stevens Commons, 2 Beech Street. The Saturday season is listed through October. Skowhegan — Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Maine Grains, 42 Court Street, at Court and High streets. Maine farmers’ market schedules |
 Who’s Hiring? Waterville — Public Works Laborer The City of Waterville is accepting applications for a full-time, entry-level laborer in its Public Works Department. Listed as open until filled. Position and application Waterville — Outdoor Recreation Program Coordinator The city seeks a coordinator for winter-season programming at Quarry Road Trails. Listed as open until filled. Position and application Augusta — Utilization Review Registered Nurse MaineGeneral Health lists a 40-hour RN position for an experienced nurse. Position and application Augusta — New Graduate Nurse Residency MaineGeneral lists a medical-surgical residency for fall/winter nursing graduates or nurses with less than six months’ RN experience. Position and application |
 Helping Hands Augusta — Addie’s Attic Bridging the Gap’s clothing bank and hygiene pantry are at 209 Eastern Avenue. The organization lists Tuesday and Thursday hours of 10 a.m.–1:45 p.m. It welcomes seasonally appropriate clothing; call 207-458-7088 about clothing donations. Main office: 207-620-2584. Program details Waterville — Mid-Maine Homeless Shelter The shelter at 19 Colby Street offers free clothing and essentials and accepts clothing and shoes in all sizes. Call 207-872-8082 before bringing donations to confirm current needs and space. Local resource information Fairfield — Lambs Clothes Closet Free clothing for men, women and children at 12 Newhall Street. A local school resource directory lists Tuesday 9–11 a.m. and Wednesday 4:30–6 p.m.; call 207-453-0170 to confirm current hours. Clothing resource directory Winthrop — Food pantry Winthrop Food Pantry, 10 Cross Road, is open Thursdays from noon to 2:30 p.m., except holidays. It also offers evening hours on the second and fourth Thursdays. Hours and contact Winter clothing Addie’s Attic also distributes adult winter coats and boots seasonally. Call 207-458-7088 to ask what is available or needed before visiting or donating. Community support information Blood donations Blood donors can use the American Red Cross drive finder or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to find an available appointment near home. |
 Furry Friends Meet two animals at Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta.  Kennebec Valley Humane Society 168 Leighton Road, Augusta · 207-626-3491. Call the shelter to confirm availability. |
Henry is a sweet adult mixed-breed dog waiting at Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta.
He would prefer a home without other dogs and with children age eight or older. Read More... |
Johanna is an adult black-and-white cat listed for adoption at Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta.
Contact the shelter to learn more about her and her current availability. Read More... |
 |
Sweet apples, tart cranberries and a buttery oat topping make this week’s apple-cranberry crisp a fall dessert to share.
The recipe serves six and includes the full ingredient list and baking directions. Read More... |
 College Sports Thomas College soccer — Wednesday, October 28 Both Terriers teams host Lesley University at Smith Field in Waterville. The men play at 4:30 p.m. and the women follow at 7 p.m. Men’s schedule · Women’s schedule Colby volleyball — Friday and Saturday, October 30–31 The Mules travel to Tufts on Friday at 7 p.m., then visit Bates in Lewiston Saturday at 2 p.m. Colby schedule Thomas field hockey — Saturday, October 31, 1 p.m. The Terriers host Husson in Waterville for their regular-season finale. Thomas schedule Colby football — Saturday, October 31, 7 p.m. Bates visits Colby in Waterville. Schedule and watch link Soccer postseason Thomas lists North Atlantic Conference quarterfinals for Saturday, October 31; opponents, times and locations remain to be determined. |
 High School Sports Field hockey — Gardiner at Cony Wednesday, October 28, 5:45 p.m., Augusta. Gardiner visits Cony in an MPA quarterfinal. Game listing Football — Greely at Gardiner Friday, October 30, 7 p.m., Gardiner Area High School. Greely’s athletic schedule lists the varsity matchup. Athletic schedule Football — Brunswick at Skowhegan Friday, October 30, 7 p.m., Skowhegan Area High School. The River Hawks host Brunswick. Game listing Football — Messalonskee at Fryeburg Friday, October 30, 6 p.m., Fryeburg Academy. The Eagles travel for a varsity matchup. Game listing Cross-country state championships Saturday, October 31, at Cony High School in Augusta. Qualifying runners from across Maine compete at the state meet. MPA championship information Playoff pairings and start times can change. |
 Episode 16: Living the Life I Choose — Jennifer Goddard  Jennifer Goddard of Bangor’s Thriving Proof joins Sandy on Maine Thrive Voices. Their conversation follows her move to Maine to be closer to her grandchildren, her experience becoming USOA Mrs. Maine 2025, and the story behind her business and book. The 38-minute episode is now available on Spotify and other podcast platforms. Listen to Jennifer’s episode on Amazon Music · Choose Spotify, Apple Podcasts or another platform |
 Looking Ahead Hunters’ Breakfast: New Portland lists November 14, 5–10 a.m. Town calendar Holiday craft fairs: Augusta Civic Center lists the KCCV Holiday Craft Fair November 21–22 and Christmas in New England November 28–29. Event details Readfield — Maranacook Middle School Holiday Craft Fair: Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., 2245 Millard Harrison Drive. More than 25 vendors, crafts and baked goods support future eighth-grade events. Fair details Fairfield — VFW Craft Fair and Bake Sale: Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., VFW banquet room, 246 Main Street. Bake sale and table-fee proceeds assist local veterans and their families. Fair details Waterville — Holiday Fair: Saturday, November 7, 8 a.m.–2 p.m., Pleasant Street United Methodist Church, 61 Pleasant Street. Crafts, baked goods, a silent auction and takeout meals are planned. Fair details. |
 Sandy’s Maine Minute This week’s Hidden Gem takes us to a short trail along Cobbossee Stream in Gardiner. It’s the kind of place you might pass by without knowing it’s there. If you have a favorite walk, a community event or a local story you think we should share, send me a note. I’d love to hear about it. Scout and I will see you next Wednesday. — Sandy |
 |
Nancy Marshall, The PR Maven® — Public Relations, Strategic Communications & Visibility. Maine Based, Globally Connected. |
Marshall Communications |
|
|
 The Costello Agency — John Costello Life Insurance, Mortgage Protection & Coverage Reviews Etna, Maine 207-570-0899 North Star Property Solutions — Tony LaPrino Property Preparation, Painting, Drywall Repair & Cosmetic Improvements 326 Forest Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401 207-745-5304 Woof, LLC — Peter Richmond Dog Daycare, Boarding & Grooming 2957 Broadway, Glenburn, ME 04401 207-331-9663 Pete Gray Painting — Pete Gray Residential & Commercial Painting Bradford, Maine 207-613-6493 Maine Endurance Sports Alliance — Laura McIntyre Maine Running Events & Endurance Sports Hermon, Maine 207-694-9184 |
 |
 Trivia Answer B. 1754. Old Fort Western was built on the east bank of the Kennebec in Augusta. Learn more from the Maine State Archives. |