Coffee connection

If you’d like to kick back with a steamy cup of coffee, a cappuccino or a latte, try the new Vault Caf?, in the former People’s Heritage Bank building at the corner of Hammond and Columbia streets in Bangor. Jim, Sam and Sarah Tyler, who own the Loose Moose Caf? in the Bangor Mall, recently opened the downtown caf?. You can sink into one of the oversized leather couches and chat with friends or sit at the bar and people-watch while you sip away. The Vault is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. The Vault serves pastries, breakfast sandwiches, luncheon sandwiches (including the popular grilled panini), salads and a selection of coffee drinks. For information, call 262-9966.

Good apples

Hungry for fun? Sink your teeth into the Great Maine Apple Day, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Common Ground Exhibition Hall in Unity. Among the events to savor will be a pie contest; an apple contest to judge great apples from around the state (maybe even the ones in your backyard); workshops on winemaking, pies, and a history of Maine apples; cider tastings and pressings; and various displays. If you’re interested in entering the Great Maine Two-Crusted Apple Pie Contest, arrive by 12:30 p.m. with a pie and written recipe in hand. All apples must be grown in the state and pies must have two crusts and contain only apples. Other fruit juices are acceptable. For more information, call 933-2100 or 568-4142.

Holiday helper

Carmen Montes of Montes International Catering in Bangor will give tips on holiday cooking from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at Geaghan’s Roundhouse restaurant. Montes will share her techniques for making hors d’oeuvres, pie crusts and cakes. The presentation is sponsored by Tuesday Forum, a networking organization for working women, but the public is welcome to attend. Cost is $7, which includes lunch. For information about the event or about Tuesday Forum, call Carol at 947-7541.