Monday: National Fettuccine Alfredo Day 

Feb. 7 is National Fettuccine Alfredo Day. This staple Italian dish can be found on numerous American restaurant menus, and for good reason. Made with parmesan cheese, butter, garlic and fettuccine pasta, this meal warms the soul and soothes the appetites of pasta lovers. Many restaurants in and around the Bangor area feature this item on their menus. You can find fettuccine alfredo at Olive Garden, Yamas Bar and Grill and Applebee’s. At Chili’s, you can even find fettuccine alfredo with a cajun twist. Pair this dish with grilled chicken, broccoli or even seafood such as scallops, and this dish can be transformed into an even tastier meal that will leave you craving it for days. Feb. 7 is also Rose Day and National Periodic Table Day.

Tuesday: Laugh and Get Rich Day

Today is Laugh and Get Rich Day, a holiday with the sole purpose of getting you, along with your friends and family, to simply laugh and feel happiness. When you are feeling down, laughter can be one of the best remedies to boost your mood and make your day better. According to nationaltoday.com, laughing can actually benefit your health by lowering your blood pressure and stress, strengthening your immune system and overall boosting your mood. As the semester progresses and assignments begin to add up, take time today to laugh about something and remember to stay happy and insightful amidst your studies. Feb. 8 is also Extraterrestrial Culture Day, National Boy Scout Day and National Kite-Flying Day.

Wednesday: National Pizza Day

For college students, pizza is a popular choice for get-togethers and outings. According to nationaltoday.com, pizza was first invented in southwestern Italy’s Campania region, where Naples resides. Luckily, Orono and Old town have many options for satisfying your pizza cravings. With restaurants such as Riverside House of Pizza, Pat’s Pizza, Orono House of Pizza (OHOP), O.T.O Outta The Ordinary and even Domino’s, the pizza options are endless. If you catch yourself in the downtown Bangor area, Angelo’s Pizza is another delicious option. Feb. 9 is also Read In The Bathtub Day, National Toothache Day and National Bagel and Lox Day.

Thursday: National Cream Cheese Brownie Day

If there is one thing someone with a sweet tooth knows, it is that brownies are a staple dessert. What is great about this delicious treat is the ability to transform it with different flavors. Brownies can be turned into salted caramel brownies, red velvet brownies and even blondie brownies. Today, cream cheese brownies are being nationally celebrated, and for good reason. The combination of cream cheese with chocolate tastes better than it sounds. If you haven’t tried it before, today is your day to go out and indulge! Whip some up in your own kitchen on your own, with friends and family or visit a local bakery. With Valentine’s Day coming up, this could even make a great sweet treat to gift your significant other or other loved ones. Feb. 10 is also National Umbrella Day.

Friday: National Latte Day

Just like pizza, espresso is widely popular with college students. Caffeine drives many students through their days packed with lectures, readings and assignments. There are many local spots to stop by and grab an espresso in one of its most popular forms: the latte. Nest in downtown Orono is the perfect location for getting a latte. You can order it with your choice of multiple flavored syrups, as well as with different assortments of milk to fit your preferences. You can also stop by the Oakes Room Cafe in the Fogler Library on campus, as well as Aroma Joe’s. Feb. 11 is also Satisfied Staying Single Day, National Make a Friend Day and National Guitar Day.

All holidays were found on nationaltoday.com. Be sure to keep up to date with our regularly featured holidays featured both on our Instagram @themainecampus and website.

Monday: National Hot Chocolate Day

What better way to warm up after a blizzard than to make a cup of steaming, chocolatey hot cocoa! Jan. 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day. Grab your favorite mug and get started in the kitchen with your friends and family to see how creative you can be! Add in different types of marshmallows and other fun toppings or try out different flavors of hot cocoa like mint or white chocolate. It’ll warm up your soul and get you in the spirit on a cold, snowy Monday. Jan. 31 is also Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, National Backward Day and Eat Brussel Sprouts Day.

Tuesday: National Get Up Day

Feb. 1 is National Get Up Day. This holiday is all about inspiring you to get up after you fail when trying to accomplish something. Whether you struggle with a new hobby or even a school assignment, get yourself up and try again! According to nationaltoday.com, National Get Up Day was created by U.S. Figure Skating in 2016 as a motivational campaign to encourage determination and getting up proudly after we fall. Whatever it is you are struggling with today, tomorrow or in the future, keep your head high. It’s all about how you change your mindset and remind yourself that you can do it. Feb. 1 is also National Dark Chocolate Day, Chinese New Year and Spunky Old Broads Day.

Wednesday: Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day falls on Feb. 2 every year. Groundhog Day is when the notorious Punxsutawney Phil, an actual groundhog, determines whether or not we will experience six more weeks of winter. If he sees his shadow on this day, then superstitions say six more weeks of cold weather will be in store for us. If he doesn’t, then warmer weather and an earlier spring is expected. According to nationaltoday.com, Groundhog Day has been around since German settlers arrived in Pennsylvania in the 1700s, bringing this superstition with them. Feb. 2 is also National Tater Tot Day, National Ukulele Day and National Hedgehog Day.

Thursday: Feed the Birds Day

Feb. 3 is Feed the Birds Day, making it the perfect time to utilize all the beautiful outdoor spaces on campus. With a big botanical garden, along with numerous trails in the woods, the University of Maine is the perfect location to celebrate Feed the Birds Day. Gather your friends with some bird seed mix or even a handful of sunflower seeds and hit the trails, sprinkling it along the sides of the paths as you go. According to nationaltoday.com, now is the perfect time of year to assist birds in finding food when their stores are starting to run dry. Feb. 3 is also National Golden Retriever Day, National Missing Persons Day and National Carrot Cake Day.

Friday: World Cancer Day

Feb. 4 is World Cancer Day. To honor those who have or are battling this disease, show your support by raising awareness on social media to get people talking about the impacts of cancer. According to nationaltoday.com, there are multiple campaigns on social media you can take part in, such as #WeCanICan, Support Through Sport and Thunderclap. Spread awareness around the campus community or donate to the many organizations and associations that are fighting to find a cure. For more information, visit www.cancer.org. Feb. 4 is also National Thank a Mail Carrier Day, National Wear Red Day and National Homemade Soup Day.

All holidays were found on nationaltoday.com. Be sure to keep up to date with our regularly featured holidays featured both on our Instagram @themainecampus and website.

Fourth-year University of Maine student Amber Coxen is making the best out of her prolonged undergraduate career. While her expected graduation date had to be pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she still has a positive outlook and is focusing on her studies to reach her end goal.

Growing up in Dayton, Maine, just outside of Saco, Coxen attended Thornton Academy before attending UMaine. She is studying biology with a concentration in pre-med and anthropology.

“I decided to do two majors because I’ve always really liked [understanding] the humanistic side of things,” Coxen said. “It’s very rigorous but I really enjoy having both the sciences and the humanities working together to give me a broader perspective.”

Coxen will be receiving two bachelor’s degrees rather than having the two majors listed on one bachelor’s degree.

Her family and home life were an inspiration for choosing what she’d like to do in the future. Coxen hopes to join her two majors to become a doctor. She plans to apply to medical school after she graduates. 

“I chose to study bio pre-med because I’ve always had a passion for medicine and I think it’s really powerful to be able to help others,” Coxen said. “I have a family that is all medical professionals, so it seemed like a natural choice for me. I also really had a passion for understanding why people needed the help that they do, and getting a more cultural relativist perspective was why I combined anthropology.”

Coxen’s dream medical school is Tufts University, but she appreciates all the avenues that are available to her and where she’ll eventually end up. Although she is unsure of what kind of specialty she’d want to pursue as a doctor, dermatology and cardiology are some standouts. She also hopes to work at a small family practice.

“I think it’s better to have interpersonal connections and especially close connections with the people you’re treating,” Coxen said. “That way you do get the humanities side and just have a broader connection with the community you’re working for rather than just treating someone once and saying ‘see you later’.”

Before she graduates and moves on to medical school, Coxen is making the most out of the time she has left at UMaine.

“I think what really stands out to me about going to UMaine is how dedicated everyone is to ensuring that people are not only succeeding in what they’re doing, but also by guiding them into being the best adult or professional they can be,” Coxen said. “Everyone here genuinely cares.”

The University of Maine’s Lord Hall Gallery opened its new exhibition “Overture” on Friday, Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. “Overture” is the 2021 Senior Capstone Exhibition featuring the artwork of ten artists from UMaine’s Department of Art. The grand opening featured a table of snacks and refreshments for the public as well as a cash bar. 

Multiple mediums of art were on display, including oil paintings, acrylic paintings, prints, sculptures and more. The gallery displays each artists’ best works throughout their time as students in their art programs. Each artist has five to seven pieces of artwork on display.

One artist, Delaney Burns, had her woodcut print pieces on display. Burns is a fifth-year studio art and marketing student at UMaine. One notable piece by Burns is a 30 by 40-inch piece called “Bristlecone 4.” She expressed great gratitude about what it took to get her pieces to where they are now, as well as to see how her fellow artists have developed.

“All my work has been leading up to this moment, so being able to show my best work is really awesome,” Burns said. “I’ve been working alongside these people for five years, so it’s fun to see everyone’s growth as artist’s throughout this span of time.”

Burns hopes that viewers will be able to bridge their appreciation of both art and nature, especially with her piece “Bristlecone 4.”

“I hope that viewers just get a sense of awe, for my big tree piece especially, and they remember how important nature is and to really consider their connection with it,” Burns said. “The oldest bristlecone is almost 5,000 years old and I want to convey the strength and resilience of the species.

Another artist featured in “Overture” is Sabrina Sudol, a fourth-year studio art and music student at UMaine. This exhibition is one Sudol has anticipated for years.

“It is a project I have been looking forward to ever since my freshman year, and I am excited to see how it all comes together,” Sudol said. “Our senior exhibition, ‘Overture’ is a collection of senior student works, all made within the last couple of years, ranging from large paintings to wire sculpture. Exploring individual narratives within overarching ones through the use of different mediums, the show addresses our experiences within COVID-19 times and our relationships with nature, which is ultimately why the exhibition is entitled ‘Overture.’”

Not only has Sudol been waiting for this exhibition, but it has also helped prepare her for her future with a career in art.

“Throughout our capstone class we have been learning about how to be a professional artist and different career paths we can take,” Sudol said. “Building gallery-specific resumes, collecting letters of recommendation, reading two different textbooks, interviewing artists and visiting their studios as well as planning and hanging our senior exhibition. Curating our senior show has offered us a great deal of experience, and is going to help us immensely with our future in the art world.”

Caitlin Eleanor was also featured in the exhibition. Eleanor is a fourth-year studio art student at UMaine who also studies animal and veterinary sciences. Eleanor is excited for the public to see her works as it is her first official art exhibition, highlighting the beginning of her art career.

“I am excited for the senior capstone exhibition because it means that I can share the artwork I have made over the course of being at UMaine and see all of my classmates’ artwork,” Eleanor said. “I hope other students will be inspired by all the art in the exhibition. There is a variety of art and everyone has a different style, so I think there is something for everyone to enjoy in the show.”

“Overture” will be on display to the public until Jan. 28, 2022. The Lord Hall Gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the “Overture” exhibition, visit umaine.edu/art/lord-hall-gallery-page.

Winter break is all about resetting from the fall semester and having some fun! With campus so close to the rest of New England, the possible adventures to go on are endless. Make sure to add these five locations to your winter break bucket list, as they certainly will not disappoint you.

Ice Castles: Woodstock, New Hampshire

This beautiful frozen attraction has won awards for its stunning features. According to icecastles.com, the experience is created by professional ice artists hand-placing hundreds of thousands of icicles. You can find ice sculptures lit up with LED lights, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and more! Monday through Thursday general admission tickets are $20 and Friday through Saturday they are $27. This attraction will open in January 2022.

Christmas Prelude: Kennebunkport, Maine

Kick off this Christmas season by attending the Christmas Prelude! This festival takes place at a beautiful seaside town with bright lights, bows, boughs and more. According to kennebunkportmainelodging.com, traditional big events include Santa arriving by lobster boat, tree lighting, parades, outdoor Christmas markets, a trail of lights, caroling, historic house tours, sleigh rides and concerts. The fun at this festival is endless, and it adds a little twist of Maine culture to it. HGTV has even named it the #2 Christmas Town in America! This year’s 40th Annual Christmas Prelude will run from Dec. 2 to Dec. 12.

Church Street Marketplace: Burlington, Vermont

This winter, Church Street Marketplace is holding its event called The Winter Market. This event will take place every Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. starting on Nov. 26 and ending on Dec. 19. Gather in City Park to discover local artists, warm drinks and the holiday magic! Local vendors you can see include Wild Perennial, Nomadic Kitchen, Cedar Tree Pottery, New Century Woodwork, Fine Forager Arts, Deli 126 and many more. For more information on The Winter Market, visit churchstmarketplace.com.

Christmas in the City: Boston, Massachusetts

Bundle up this winter and take on Christmas in the City. In Boston, there are countless things to do during the holidays. Treat yourself to watching a performance of The Nutcracker or Holiday Pops. Go ice skating on the Frog Pond, take a trolley tour, admire the tree and musical light show at Faneuil Hall and spend the day holiday shopping on the sidewalks of Newbury Street! For more information, visit christmasinthecity.org.

Spruce Peak: Stowe, Vermont

Spruce Peak is a family fun winter resort. This resort offers skiing and snowboarding, horseback riding, ice climbing, snowshoeing and more! There is also an outdoor ice-skating rink, as well as an adventure center featuring an indoor rock-climbing wall. For more fun for the adults, head over to the WhistlePig Pavilion to dine in or enjoy treatments at the spa. This winter resort has something for everyone to enjoy. You can even bring along your canine companion. For more information on Spruce Peak Lodge, visit their website at sprucepeak.com.

The University of Maine’s chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) connects women engineering students with one another to create a support system and a sense of community. SWE also allows students to network with other colleagues and established professional women in engineering. Across the nation and around the world, SWE is present on multiple campuses.

During SWE meetings, members do activities such as resume-building workshops, preparing for career fairs and working on career development skills.

A new development within SWE is that members do not have to be women. Anyone in engineering or with a major in STEM can join to feel a sense of community with others.

Three weeks ago, members attended WE21, the world’s largest conference for women engineers put on by the head SWE organization. The conference took place from Oct. 21 to Oct. 23 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Meagan Dube, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student, found the conference to be very beneficial, especially as a fourth-year student who is graduating soon. 

“Some companies like NASA were there, and there were keynote speakers and CEOs from companies,” Dube said. “We were able to meet anyone that was there and overall it was like a 250-plus organization company career fair.”

Dube also finds a sense of empowerment and inclusion with being a part of SWE.

“It gives me a good group of friends who are in the same boat as me and I’m very thankful for that,” Dube said. “It’s also really empowering to see other people that are doing the same things as you and who are in the same mindset. Because my major has only about 10% of women, it’s nice to have that collaboration with others like me.”

Along with Dube, fourth-year civil and environmental engineering student Madeline Blair has also become very involved in SWE.

“To me, SWE is a support system,” Blair said. “I joined SWE my first year at UMaine and really enjoyed having a group of girls who understood why I love engineering. Sometimes it can be overwhelming to be a woman in engineering or just to be an engineering student in general, so it’s great to have a group of people who understand what you’re going through.”

Blair is an active member on the fundraising committee, and takes advantage of opportunities SWE provides to her and all the members.

“This is my second year serving as SWE’s fundraising committee chair,” Blair said. “I attended the conference in Indianapolis in October and had a great time. It was an amazing and empowering event.”

Not only is Blair involved in the organization, but takes advantage of the benefits SWE has to offer when it comes to being involved in the community as well.

“SWE is often invited to volunteer at the Challenger Center in Bangor, so I’ve been able to volunteer at their Halloween event for the past two years and help with their Spud Drive, packing science fair kits,” Blair said. 

As a fourth-year, SWE is helping Blair reach her goals for after graduation by allowing her to network and connect with employers.

“Since I’m currently a [fourth-year] looking for a job, SWE has helped connect me to several companies and helped me get job interviews at places I don’t think I would have without SWE,” Blair said.

Aside from attending meetings this semester, the members of SWE have also been busy with their new Press Release Committee. Dube is the chair of the Press Release Committee and hopes it will help get the word out about happenings in the organization easier and reach more people.

“Last year I was the co-outreach chair for SWE,” Dube said. “We did so many outreach events and it became a lot to keep publicizing all of them and try to get the public involved, so we came up with this press release chair committee. We now email the newsletters, or press releases, we create to get the word out there. This way we won’t forget people when trying to reach out to everyone individually.”

The press release sent out by SWE gets updated each month by the Press Release Committee about what is going on within the organization, what the public can attend or participate in and overall a summary of the club and what it’s doing.

Coming up, the members of SWE at UMaine are congratulating those receiving the certificate of merit. One woman in Grade 12 of high school receives this certificate for excelling in their science and math courses.

“It’s our way of saying congratulations for doing so well in their science and math classes and recognizing their achievements,” Dube said.

For more information on SWE and what they are up to in upcoming weeks, visit umaine.edu/swe. 

Monday: National Cappuccino Day

Colder weather is upon us, bringing back the demand for warm winter beverages. Before you make your trek to class or work this morning, get warm by stopping by your favorite coffee shop for a toasty, rich cappuccino. Or, if you’re feeling like a bold New Englander, try an iced cappuccino. Just don’t forget your gloves! A cappuccino consists of double espresso, steamed milk and foam. Support local businesses such as Nest, Aroma Joe’s or The Store Ampersand when buying your cappuccino today. You can be creative by making your own at home, too! Nov. 8 is also National Parents as Teachers Day and International Tongue Twister Day.

Tuesday: Go to an Art Museum Day

Today is Go to an Art Museum Day. This holiday is perfect for those living in the Greater Bangor Region, an area with a heavy appreciation for the arts. Head over to the University of Maine’s Zillman Art Museum on Harlow Street in Bangor. Currently, the museum features exhibitions by artists Sidney Russell, Roman Franc, Emily Eveleth, Amy Stein, Shona Macdonald and Anne Arnold. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Another great museum to visit is UMaine’s Lord Hall Gallery in Orono. Their next exhibition is called “Overture,” a senior capstone project. It will be available for viewing on Nov. 19 until Jan. 28. The Lord Hall Gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Nov. 9 is also World Freedom Day and National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day.

 Wednesday: National Vanilla Cupcake Day

Celebrate your sweet tooth today with vanilla cupcakes! According to nationaltoday.com, cupcakes dated back to as early as the late 18th century. This simple yet delicious dessert is perfect for small get-togethers, large gatherings or even just for yourself. Gather your friends and family together today and have a fun bake-off! See who is the most creative when decorating your vanilla cupcakes. If your schedule is tight today, grab some at the store and treat yourself with a yummy cupcake at the end of a hard day of work. Nov. 10 is also Forget Me Not Day, International Accounting Day, Sesame Street Day and World Science Day for Peace and Development.

Thursday: Veterans Day

Take some time out of your busy schedule to honor and appreciate why we celebrate Veterans Day each year. According to nationaltoday.com, Veterans Day is a holiday honoring the people who have served in the U.S. armed forces. This day is celebrated on Nov. 11, which is the anniversary of the end of World War I. Take time today to appreciate those who have served our country, those who still serve and those who have lost their lives serving our country. Be sure to thank your friends and family who were or are in the service. Nov. 11 is also Singles Day, Remembrance Day, National Education Day and National Origami Day.

Friday: National Happy Hour Day

Wind down from this week with your friends by heading over to your favorite restaurant during happy hour. Many restaurants offer specials and reduced prices during happy hour, but not all places have their happy hours at the same time, so be sure to call ahead first and make sure you’re there at the correct time. Applebee’s in Bangor is a great place to enjoy happy hour with friends. They hold their happy hours from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 p.m. to close every day. During these hours, they offer half-price on select appetizers and discounts on select drinks. Nov. 12 is also National French Dip Day and Chicken Soup for the Soul Day.

All holidays were found on nationaltoday.com. Be sure to keep up to date with our regularly featured holidays featured both on our Instagram @themainecampus and our website.

Monday: World Pasta Day

Today is World Pasta Day! According to nationaltoday.com, people have been enjoying eating pasta since around 5,000 B.C. Enjoy your favorite pasta dish today, whether it be alfredo, marinara or scampi. The ways to eat pasta are endless. Grab some at the dining hall for dinner, or treat yourself with friends or family at Olive Garden. If you’re not feeling Italian pasta, order pad thai or lo mein at a local Chinese restaurant. Oct. 25 is also International Artist Day, National Greasy Foods Day and National I Care About You Day.

Tuesday: National Pumpkin Day

Oct. 26 is National Pumpkin Day, and what better time to celebrate with Halloween right around the corner! As we near the end of October, the clock is ticking to make sure you get all the essential fall activities in. Gather your friends and family and head over to a pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Carve them with silly or scary faces, or any design of your choice. Bake some pumpkin pie from scratch, and light a pumpkin spice scented candle to make your home smell like the sweet scents of fall. After all, who doesn’t love pumpkins? Oct. 26 is also National Chicken Fried Steak Day, National Mincemeat Day and National Day of the Deployed.

Wednesday: National American Beer Day

Today is National American Beer Day. The city of Orono couldn’t be a more perfect location to celebrate this national holiday today! With breweries all around town, as well as many in the Bangor area, there are countless locations to test out new IPA’s with friends and family. Head on over to Marsh Island Brewing, Orono Brewing Company and Woodman’s Brew Pub all in Orono to try their craft beers. Venture out into Bangor to try Bangor Beer Co. and Sea Dog Brewing Company. You can cross the river to try Mason’s Brewing Company in Brewer! Oct. 27 is also National Mentoring Day, National Black Cat Day and Cranky Co-Workers Day.

Thursday: National Chocolate Day

Oct. 28 is National Chocolate Day! According to nationaltoday.com, the invention of chocolate can be dated back around 2,500 years ago to the Aztecs. The Aztecs believed their god of wisdom bestowed chocolate upon them. Take time today to indulge in delicious chocolate, whether it be milk, dark or white. Snack on your favorite candy bar or bake some brownies. You can even throw a chocolate party with friends! Everyone can bring their favorite chocolate dish and celebrate their sweet tooths together. Oct. 28 is also National Immigrants Day, National First Responders Day and International Animation Day.

Friday: National Cat Day

Calling all feline lovers, because today is National Cat Day! Show your furry friends some extra love and attention today. Post about them on social media, give them a new toy or some treats, enjoy their company and spread the word about how great cats are. If you don’t have a cat, visit a friend who does. This holiday can even be beneficial to your health. According to purrfectpost.com, a cat’s purr can release endorphins, lower your stress levels, help you heal from illnesses and even lower your blood pressure. It is also important to remember to support the hundreds of cats that call shelters their homes. Donate to a local shelter or even adopt a new friend. Take today to enjoy some animal therapy and appreciate all the good that cats bring into our lives. Oct. 29 is also National Internet Day, National Oatmeal Day and National Breadstick Day.

Monday: World Pasta Day

Today is World Pasta Day! According to nationaltoday.com, people have been enjoying eating pasta since around 5,000 B.C. Enjoy your favorite pasta dish today, whether it be alfredo, marinara or scampi. The ways to eat pasta are endless. Grab some at the dining hall for dinner, or treat yourself with friends or family at Olive Garden. If you’re not feeling Italian pasta, order pad thai or lo mein at a local Chinese restaurant. Oct. 25 is also International Artist Day, National Greasy Foods Day and National I Care About You Day.

Tuesday: National Pumpkin Day

Oct. 26 is National Pumpkin Day, and what better time to celebrate with Halloween right around the corner! As we near the end of October, the clock is ticking to make sure you get all the essential fall activities in. Gather your friends and family and head over to a pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Carve them with silly or scary faces, or any design of your choice. Bake some pumpkin pie from scratch, and light a pumpkin spice scented candle to make your home smell like the sweet scents of fall. After all, who doesn’t love pumpkins? Oct. 26 is also National Chicken Fried Steak Day, National Mincemeat Day and National Day of the Deployed.

Wednesday: National American Beer Day

Today is National American Beer Day. The city of Orono couldn’t be a more perfect location to celebrate this national holiday today! With breweries all around town, as well as many in the Bangor area, there are countless locations to test out new IPA’s with friends and family. Head on over to Marsh Island Brewing, Orono Brewing Company and Woodman’s Brew Pub all in Orono to try their craft beers. Venture out into Bangor to try Bangor Beer Co. and Sea Dog Brewing Company. You can cross the river to try Mason’s Brewing Company in Brewer! Oct. 27 is also National Mentoring Day, National Black Cat Day and Cranky Co-Workers Day.

Thursday: National Chocolate Day

Oct. 28 is National Chocolate Day! According to nationaltoday.com, the invention of chocolate can be dated back around 2,500 years ago to the Aztecs. The Aztecs believed their god of wisdom bestowed chocolate upon them. Take time today to indulge in delicious chocolate, whether it be milk, dark or white. Snack on your favorite candy bar or bake some brownies. You can even throw a chocolate party with friends! Everyone can bring their favorite chocolate dish and celebrate their sweet tooths together. Oct. 28 is also National Immigrants Day, National First Responders Day and International Animation Day.

Friday: National Cat Day

Calling all feline lovers, because today is National Cat Day! Show your furry friends some extra love and attention today. Post about them on social media, give them a new toy or some treats, enjoy their company and spread the word about how great cats are. If you don’t have a cat, visit a friend who does. This holiday can even be beneficial to your health. According to purrfectpost.com, a cat’s purr can release endorphins, lower your stress levels, help you heal from illnesses and even lower your blood pressure. It is also important to remember to support the hundreds of cats that call shelters their homes. Donate to a local shelter or even adopt a new friend. Take today to enjoy some animal therapy and appreciate all the good that cats bring into our lives. Oct. 29 is also National Internet Day, National Oatmeal Day and National Breadstick Day.

With fall vibes in full swing at the University of Maine, colder weather is approaching and crunchy leaves are littering the ground. As classes continue in-person, students can be seen walking around campus with their headphones in as they make their way to their classrooms or back to their dorms. There is no doubt this chilly season makes you want to listen to comforting music that feels at-home. Here at The Maine Campus, we have collected our favorite albums we’re listening to this fall, both old and new.

“O My Heart” by Mother Mother (2008)

“This album is one of Mother Mother’s most iconic albums, even going viral on TikTok last year,” Rebekah Sands said, The Maine Campus’ editor in chief. “From 2008, this album represents the band’s indie rock blend creating a dusty early 2000s style, perfect for fall. It’s got some twang, perfect for flannel season, and some punky elements, fitting for the onset of a darker season.”

“Faces” by Mac Miller (2014)

“My favorite album this fall has to be ‘Faces’ by Mac Miller because it tackles topics on depression and drug abuse that I think resonate a lot with our generation, while also just being truly beautiful music,” David Jakacky said, The Maine Campus’ head photo editor.

“Smoke + Mirrors” by Imagine Dragons (2015)

“It reminds me of the fall when I first started driving and going hiking!” Delaney Burns said, The Maine Campus’ production manager.

“Dangerous: The Double Album” by Morgan Wallen (2021)

“This album offers chill vibes, relatable lyrics and provides a feeling of summer even with the leaves changing,” Bhavana Scalia-Bruce said, The Maine Campus’ business manager. “A nice walk listening to Wallen is the best way I keep myself grounded during the semester! Wallen has been producing live sessions of the ‘Dangerous’ album sporadically throughout the fall which makes it easy to relive each song.”

“evermore (deluxe version)” by Taylor Swift (2020)

“I like her recent shift to more of a folk style of storytelling in the album,” Olivia Johnson said, The Maine Campus’ head copy editor. “It’s a genre I hadn’t listened to much before but it’s made me want to listen to other folk artists.”

“I Need to Start a Garden” by Haley Heynderickx (2018)

“I’m a huge fan of the indie-folk scene, and Heynderickx’s album exemplifies that sort of meditative energy I associate with this season,” Maddy Gernhard said, The Maine Campus’ news editor. “Fall, to me, is about long hikes through foliage and enjoying the last of warm weather before the winter hits, and there is no better soundtrack for that than ‘I Need to Start a Garden.’”

“Carrie & Lowell” by Sufjan Stevens (2015)

“He’s a beautiful songwriter and lyricist, and I find his melancholy yet spiritual music very comforting,” Emma Vannorsdall said, The Maine Campus’ opinion editor.

“The Battle at Garden’s Gate” by Greta Van Fleet (2021)

“To me, fall is about comfort and feeling cozy and warm at home while also enjoying the peaceful feeling that nature has to offer with colors and crisp air,” Meaghan Bellavance said, The Maine Campus’ culture editor. “This album embodies the comfortness fall brings and provides melodies that are meditative and healing for the soul, which we could all use after this draining pandemic.”

“2014 Forest Hills Drive” by J. Cole (2014)

“This is probably my favorite rap album of all time,” Patrick Silvia said, The Maine Campus’ sports editor. “I find myself going back at least once a year and listening to it a few times. I like the combination of storytelling and lyrical work by J. Cole. It feels deeper than most rap albums you hear these days, but it’s still modern.”

“The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani (2006)

“I’ve been listening to ‘The Sweet Escape’ by Gwen Stefani,” Logan Swift said, The Maine Campus’ marketing director. “It’s just such a good throwback album that makes me excited for the new season!”