BANGOR HAS ADOPTED Paul Bunyan as its symbol. Standing in front of the Bangor Auditorium is a 30-foot-high statue of the mythical lumberjack. We're among those who question this choice. Paul Bunyan relates to a by-gone era of seemingly unlimited resources. He is celebrated for prevailing over nature with brute force, clearing timber from Maine to Minnesota, laying waste to millions of trees. Never mentioned is the indescribably ugly scar his unabashed clear-cutting would have left upon the land.

Bangor could have adopted a more relevant symbol, Henry David Thoreau. The famed naturalist/philosopher visited Bangor in the 1860s on his way to Mt. Katahdin. Thoreau's love for the natural world and belief in frugality makes him an appropriate figure to revere.

Bangor can also lay claim to a modern-day icon of the literary world, Stephen King. Although the chamber of commerce guide is silent on the subject, Bangor's leading tourist attraction is the King residence on West Broadway. Here visitors can see King's famous wrought iron spider gate and perhaps catch a glimpse of the great man himself. King has sold more books than any other author in history, and while his critics often are less than adoring, King's popularity shows few signs of abating.

Bangor, which over a century ago was the world's busiest lumber shipping port, has many beautiful, historic structures, both commercial and residential. Bangor's whereabouts was determined by the depth of the Penobscot River. For the pioneers, his was as far into the Maine woods as you could bring a large sailing vessel. The city's location is still of commercial importance. It is on the Great Circle route, making Bangor International Airport 500 miles closer to Europe than any other U.S. terminal.

COMING UP I-95 towards Bangor, you'll come to the Coldbrook Road, on which is situted Dysart's Truck Stop, before you reach the I-395 Junction.

DOWNTOWN BANGOR

Like many American cities, Bangor has had to struggle to keep a viable downtown following the arrival of an outlying mall. So far, Bangor has been reasonably successful. Shopping downtown here can be fun. Shops, most of which are owner-operated, are highly individualistic. Many times lower prices compensate for exposure to the elements and somewhat less convenient parking.

Taking the Bangor Exit off I395 will put you on Main Street. You'll go by China Harbor,Irving, Bangor Auditorium, Fireside Inn, Geaghan's Pub and Restaurant,  Bangor Chamber of Commerce Info Center.  Cash X-press, Hollywood Slots Casino, Subway, Main Street Garage, Car Wash, Tim Horton's, McDonalds, Herman Tattoo and Body Piercing, Cigar Shoppe, Realty of Maine, Shaw's Supermarket, Bangor waterfront, Dunkin Donuts, Central Fire Station, Homeless Shelter, Police Department, People's United Bank.

HOLLYWOOD SLOTS,  a 750,000-square-foot, $132-million, riverfront facility, includes a casino with 1,000 slot machines, video poker, an inexpensive restaurant featuring a rather good buffet, and a seven-story, 152-room hotel. This is Maine's only casino. If you can resist the temptation to throw away money in the slots, it's a good enough place to eat.



A left will put you on Union Street which leads to Bangor International Airport and the Airport Mall. Look for Bandgor Historical Society, Isaac Farrar Mansion, and Cornerstone Framing & Fine Art.

The BANGOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY (situated in the Thomas A. Hill House, 159 Union St., 942-5766) provides maps for self-guided walking tours thru s eight remaining historic districts.


Across the street from the historical society is the beautiful ISAAC FARRAR MANSION (947-2008), which is open to the public (admission $1). This fine old house (circa 1845) purportedly is haunted by the ghost of a distraught governess. It retains many of its original features, such as carved mahogany paneling, curved and slo at their retail store in the Bomarc Industrial Park. Bean's is Maine's oldest independent meat packer. Founded in 1860, Bean's has been run by the same family for five generations. The company is known for its spiral-cut, honey-glazed hams, sold across the country by mail order. Each ham is slowly sugar-cured and smoked the old-fashioned way. At their retail store, they also prepare special meat packages at considerable savings. They will pack meats for shipping. Tours of the plant can be arranged. Call 1-800-649-1958;. tted bookcase doors, marble fireplaces, and stained glass windows.

At the BANGOR NAZARENE CHURCH, there is an old-fashion soda fountain where everything is free.

In a "Best of Maine" issue, Down East magazine said that BELLA LUNA gave the Queen City just what it always needed: a hip little women's boutique...as exciting as the affordable prices and great customer service.

d in Ellsworth, have opened a companion shop in downtown Bangor. Here the emphasis is on art and gifts. As Tony Sohns puts it, "If the first store is a rock shop with gifts, the new one is a gift shop with rocks." An important part of the new shop is the SOHNS GALLERY, featuring showings by Maine artists changing every three months.

BAGEL CENTRAL on Central Street is a kosher-like bakery offering terrific bagels, pastries, vegetarian specials and specialty gourmet recipes.

PEACE & JUSTICE CENTER OF EASTERN MAINE is engaged in a number of social causes--everything from the Maine state budget crisis and the desecration of the Maine woods to religious conflict in India and the future of Haiti. There is usually something special happening at the center. If you lean toward progressiveness, you might want to stop in and meet the good folks here.

Knowledgable locals overwhelmingly prefer the STATE STREET WINE CELLAR at 195 State St. They know they'll find over 50 types of cheese, 225 different beers, and 850 different wines. They know they can depend upon the staff to be friendly, informed, and totally accommodating. Finally, they look forward to the store's monthly wine tastings and wine dinners at local restaurants.

Bangor city fathers haven't chosen to name property after STEPHEN KING.  There is no Stephen King boulevard or King Memorial Park. Local entrepreneurs don't seem inclined to cash in on King's notoriety, either. There is no Overlook Hotel or Needful Things curio shop. Maybe business people shy away from associating themselves with horror. What's more likely, however, is that they are just acting like Mainers, people very much inclined to tend to their own business, not that of others. King likes living in Bangor in part because people don't treat him like he's anything special. He can grab breakfast at the local coffee shop without there being any more fuss than somebody saying "Mornin', Steve."

Evidently, King has asked the Chamber of Commerce not to direct visitors to his house. It is, after all, a private residence, and King can hardly be expected to extend a personal welcome to every curious person who comes along. Still, King hasn't asked us to keep his whereabouts a secret. We couldn't anyway. Just about everybody in town knows that King lives on West Broadway in an early lumber baron's old house. We are sure that the readers of our book are highly literate types who want nothing more than to photograph King's house and gate.
Still, King has attracted more than his share of whackos. One guy who shows up in town from time has covered his van with documentation that King murdered John Lennon. Another guy appeared in King's kitchen and told Tabitha he was taking her hostage. "The hell you are," she replied before retreating to a neighbor's house from which she called the police. Another time, a mysterious package apeared outside King's gate. The police, suspecting it was a bomb, blew it to bits. It turned out to be a copy of "It" that a fan had left in hopes of having it autographed. Stephen King is Downeast Maine's only REALLY FAMOUS PERSON. Oh, sure, we have Hannibal Hamlin, Lincoln's first vice president, who had ties with Hampden, and Dorothea Dix, who did everything she could to help the mentally ill. And, of course, some famous rich people like the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers spent time on Mount Desert Island, but they weren't really from there. King, on the other hand, is ours. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono and was living in a trailer in Hermon and working at a Bangor laundry when the vivid shower scene in Carrie caught the attention of the folks at Viking.

According to Yankee Magazine, the Best Tour of Stephen King.dom is the "Tommyknockers and More" which provides "the skinny on everyone's favorite horror maven." According to Yankee, "this motorcoach tour highlighting sites that have either played a role in his books or were featured in his movies. The lineup includes fan favorite Mount Hope Cemetery, where King himself presided over the funeral of Missy Dandridge in Pet Sematary. Tickets are $20 per person. Call 800-916-6673.
 
Bangor has other outstanding used book shops. PRO LIBRIS, with more than 20,000 current and out-of-print books in stock, is strong in issue-oriented materials. Lippincott Books has besides many ordinary used books a large stock of rare and valuable volumes. Book Marc's on Harlow St. has both new and pre-read books, and has recently added a cafe where you can borrow a book while you sip your coffee and eat your bagel.

When we got into a jam, we ot really good service from COY'S TOWING AND AUTO CARE at 1576 Hammond St. The guys here went way out of their way to help us out.


If you exit I-95 onto Broadway, the first place you'll see to your left is Tri City Pizza. Further on past China Light is the Broadway Shopping Center. Look for Tim Horton's, McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, TJ Maxx and More, Amato's, Hannaford Super Market, Home Goods, Sherwin Williams, Bangor Savings Bank, Movie Gallery, Bobo Chinese Restaurant, Hallmark, Empire, Payless Shoes, and U.S. Cellular.

On Stillwater Avenue look for The Centre. Here you'll find the House of Pizza, Elegant Nails, a Federal Credit Union, Specialty Sweets, Liberty Income Tax Service, All-State, All About Travel, Lamb's Book Store, VIP Auto Center,

Across from the Mall on Stillwater, look for Blue Seal Feed, Mallside Discount Outlet, Merrill Merchants Bank, China Wall Restaurant and Lounge, Day's Jewelry, Wight's Sporting Goods, Home Design Center, Tool Supply, and Liberty Mutual. Nearby look for McQuick's and Dunkin' Donuts.

Across Stillwater, look for a Goodwill Store, Petco, the Happy China Buffet, Pet Quarters, Sylvan Learning Center, Wallpaper Expo, Jo-Ann Stores, Circuit City, Dollar Tree, Home Depot, Chili's Grill & Bar, Carpet One, Talbot's, Central Maine Harley Davidson, a Subway, a Postal Center, Pepino's Mexican Restuarant, Dream Kitchen Studio, Kohl's, Old Navy, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Dress Barn, L.L. Bean Outlet, Office Depot, Famous Footwear, iParty, Game Stop, Papa John's Pizza, and the Texas Roadhouse.
 

North of Hogan Road, look for Target and the Natural Living Centers.


If you think that health food stores are too pricey, you'll be pleasantly surprised at many of the prices at the Natural Living Centers in Bangor and Brewer. There is, for example, a huge selection of herbs and spices at prices up to 80 percent lower than those of supermarkets. "We try to buy smart and pass the savings on to our customers," says co-owner Barbara Geiger. She says that people come from as far away as Portland to shop for health foods. Also on hand are a fine Oriental food selection, a terrific book section, and,a huge variety of imported beers and home-brew equipment. NLC stocks at least a dozen varieties of rice. Nationwide mail order 1-800-933-4229. At their Natural Way Cafe, they have good soup, sandwiches, and cookies along with a whole lot more.

The Bangor Mall on Hogan Avenue and Stillwater is Bangor's major shopping center. Shops include Abercrombie & Fitch, Advance Auto Parts, Aerie by American Eagle Outfitters, Aeropostale , American Eagle Outfitters, Arby's, Bangor Savings Bank, B. Dalton Bookseller, Bangor Sub & Deli, Bank of America, Bath & Body Works , BC Sports Collectibles, Berg Sportswear, Best Buy, Bob's Sugar House, Bugaboo Creek Steak House, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Charlotte Russe, Christmas Vacation Shop, Christopher & Banks , Cinemas 10, CJ Banks, Claire's, Comedy Connection, Computer Essentials, Dairy Queen / Orange Julius, Deb, Dick's Sporting Goods, EB Games, Finish Line, Flavor of India, Foot Locker, Gap, GapKids, GM Pollack & Sons, GNC, and Hallowell International.

ROLLAND F. PERRY CITY FOREST, accessible via Kittredge Road and Tripp Drive,  encompasses more than 680 acres of wildlife habitat and working forest . It features more than 4 miles of access roads and more than 9 miles of trails for running, hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing.

The ORONO BOG BOARDWALK, open seasonally, is popular with folks wishing to experience the beauty and fascinating plants and animals of a Maine bog.  The one-mile boardwalk loop trail begins at the forested wetland edge in the Bangor City Forest, and after 800 feet crosses the town line into the University of Maine owned part of the bog in Orono.  Along the way, it passes through changing vegetation and environments on its way to the open, peat moss carpeted center of the Orono Bog.

N.H. BRAGG & SONS, an industrial supply company, keeps a very low profile in the Bangor Industrial Park, but, to those in the know, it makes available a large, discount hardware and automotive supply outlet. Prices here are just a bit above wholesale.

A well-kept secret in Bangor is the availability of smoked hams prepared by W.A. BEAN AND SONS.


The COLE LAND TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM is notable for its great variety. On display are over 150 vehicles ranging from an antique baby carriage to a locomotive and railroad station, horse-drawn logging sleds and logging trucks, wagons and sleighs, vintage cars and trucks, snowplows and fire trucks. Adults $5, children age 19 and under free, seniors over 62 $3, AAA discount $4. (You find the place by taking Exit 45B off I-95, turning left at the first light, then left on Perry Road.)

ST. JOHNS CATHOLIC CHURCH has marvelous, recently-restored European stained-glass windows.













Bangor boasts the nation's oldest symphony orchestra and the state's only year round repertory theater group.

GREATER BANGOR

Winterport, situated 12 miles south of Bangor on Rte 1A, was important a century ago as the last anchorage on the Penobscot River that always remained ice-free. WINTERPORT HISTORIC DISTRICT, a cohesive, homogeneous grouping of late 18th, 19th and early 20th century buildings is in the National Register of Historic Places.
 

BREWER

If you head south on Main Street (Route 15) here, you'll find yourself on the Orrington Road. Look for The Muddy Rudder Restaurant, First United Methodist Church, Save A Lot Food Store, Balance, Hair & Body, Brewer Public Library, Mobil, Full Circle Printing Solutions, Cowan's Citgo, Jct. 395, Brewer Health Center, Van Raymond's, St. Teresa Catholic Church, A Body In Knead, Tozier's Market, Cap's Tavern, TD's Pizzeria, Pepino's, Ron's Cafe, School Hose Antique Mall, Brookside Grill, Premier Granite, Second Congregational Church, Wiswell Farm Green House, Maine Karote, Show's Corner Plaza: Dunkin Donuts, Pizzaland, Mutt & Jeff Grooming, Orrington House of Ice Cream, River Road Vetinary Hospital, Payne Gardens, Lighthouse Church of God, U.S. Post Office, Mobile Marine Services, Little Ways Day Care, Orrington Antiques, Kindred Spirit Vetinary Clinic, Christmas Tree Farm, Edward K. Arey Communty Center, North Bucksport United Methodist Church, Well Drilling, Carol's Neighborhood Gym, Vance's Tropical Church, Bob's Small Engine.

Large portions are what make the EAGLES NEST RESTAURANT in Eddington noteworthy. The burger we had there reminded us of a small meatloaf. The restaurant, situated on Route 9, also keeps prices modest.

Way back in Brewer, the Twin City Plaza is home to the Twin City Buffet, Optical Outlet, Dollar Tree, Winterport Boot, HHC Healthcare, Bedworks, L Factor, Cosmos Prof, Maine Savings, H&R Brock, Atlantic Home Health Inc., OHI, MMIC Family Medicine, My Gym, Snap Fitness, Maine Center for Integrated Rehab.



The all-you-can-eat TWIN SUPER BUFFET  is full of Chinese goodies priced for way under $10. You wonder how they can do it.







Down State Street is the State Street Plaza. Look for Reboot PC Repair, Hair & Co., Riverview Tattoo, Curves, and Jimi's Trading Center.

In Brewer, Wilson Street turns into Rte 1A, the road to Ellsworth. After crossing the bridge into Brewer, you'll pass the Muddy Rudder Restaurant, Shear Delight, Brewer Auditorium, the Village Green Motel, Sun Tan City, Brewer Motor Inn, Brewsters, Sun Tan City, Movie Gallery, Pat's Bikes, Yoshi, Jason's Pizza, Advance Auto Parts, and Dunkin Donuts.

On the right is the Brewer Shopping Center with its various businesses. Look for Hannaford Super Market, Family Dollar, Designs by Donna, Electrolux, Maine Smoke Shop, RAC Rent-a-Center, Edge Video, U.S. Cellular, Laundry and Cleaners, Insurance Shoppers, Rainbow Chinese Restaurant, Pine Tree Karote, Hayes Unfinished Furniture, and Bangor Savings Bank.

Nearby look for a Tim Horton's, Kostas Restaurant and bar, Rite Aide Pharmacy, Cozy Inn, Prompto, New Stable Inn, Vacationland Village Inn & Suites, Lighthouse Christian Cafe & Tuscan Tea Room, Coach House Restaurant, Downeast Sticks 'n' Stones Bead Shop, Aubuchon Hardware, Prompto Oil Change, KFC/Taco Bell, Subway, Noodles, and Dairy Queen.


VACATIONLAND VILLAGE INN & SUITES  has had a major facelift. Nor long ago, a local area couple bought the place and completely refurbished it. It has been transformed, brought up from having a decidedly shady reputation to being kid-friendly and downright wholesome. The place has been given a Maine theme—here a moose, there a bear, over there a loon. The bar is gone, replaced by the Lighthouse Christian Cafe, a coffeehouse with live Christian music.


Across the way is  Kool Rayz, VIP Auto, Morall Brakes, Dairy Queen, McDonald's, Bangor Brewer Lanes, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Marden's, Penobscot Cleaning Services, Sullivan Tire, Tire Warehouse, Sunrise Glass, Urban Garden Center, Goodwill,  Unique Boutique Resale Shop, House of Hunan, Quiznos Subs, Lee Credit Now Auto Sales, Bangor Car Care, Downeast Auto Body, Downeast Toyota, Ruby Tuesday, Super Walmart, Stoningron's, Dunkin Donuts, Weathervane Restaurant, and Show Case Homes.

The MCDONALD'S on your right features intriguing retro fifties decor, the only such place in New England.

TRADITIONS GOLF CLUB  features go carts, mini golf, driving range, snack bar and interesting 9-hole golf course.

At THE HUNTING LODGE, Todd Rogers sells guns, hunting supplies, ammunition, and reloading supplies at very competitive prices. Transfer fees here are $15. Visit his FACEBOOK Page.

How does one combine top quality with low prices? Amy Gilley, a very bright young Maine lady, seems to have found a way. In her OUTFITS CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE, she invites people to choose between donating and submitting merchandise on consignment. As a result, she has attracted some excellent choices. Included are garments for babies, childen, and women as well as many household items.

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he RED BARN CAMPGROUND on the Bar Harbor Road in Holden offers 120 sites, most with water, sewer and electric hookups, some with 50 amp service. Situated just a few minutes from I-95, the campground is handy both to Bangor/Brewer and Ellsworth/Mount Desert Island. It's basically Bar Harbor at half the price!




The RED BARN DINER, situated next to the campground, provides breakfast all day along with lunch and dinner. There are fresh pastries and bread made on the premises. There's also lobster, fresh fish, daily specials, and a children's menu. Eat inside or outside, your choice.

At the junction of Rte 46, a right will take you to Bucksport.

Continuing on Route 1-A, look for Dysarts, Armanto's, C&M Variety, a Dunkin Donuts, a Subway and Dorsey's Furniture, and Foto-Fixer, Lucerne Self-Storage, the Lucerne Veterinarian Hospital, the Down East Dive Shop, Lucerne Auto Sales, the Lucerne Inn, Lucerne-in-Maine Golf Club.


The LUCERNE INN is haunted. There is a long history of things going bump in the night, lights mysteriously turning on and off, and objects spontaneously setting sail. It seems that Sam, the caretaker of the place when it was a stagecoach stop, caught his wife extending excessive hospitality to a guest in room 8. Enraged, he murdered the offending couple before offing himself. Word has it he's still mad, and cursing the place (although he never bothers the guests).