GEAR UP FOR A WINTER DAY HIKE P. 39
HIGH PEAKS POLAR BLAST P. 33 winter/spring 2017-2018
Connecting you to the Best Maine Adventures since 1984
Get o utsidineter this w /// Fat Bike in Rangeley & All Over Maine P. 31 /// Machias. Maine. Magic. P. 45 /// 5 Mountain Trails to Ski Before You Die P. 39 WINTER
RaceME
EDITION P. 6
Running Groups Indoor & Outdoor Winter Workouts Race Events
Display thru March 31, 2018
s u l P Seasonal Craft Brews P. 11
always open,
always fun! Maine’s home for wicked good fun, with 24/7 casino action and now a brand new hotel and pub!
OxfordCasino.com
Experience round-the-clock casino excitement on our expanded gaming floor, including nearly 1,000 slot machines and 28 table games! With a new hotel featuring over 100 rooms and a new pub-style restaurant offering the best in Maine and New England cuisine, craft beer and spirits, we’re building excitement every day!
Oxford Casino Hotel is just minutes from the Maine Turnpike on Route 26!
Persons under 21 years of age may not enter the casino unless licensed as employees. Gambling problem? In Maine, call 2-1-1 or (800) 522-4700 for help.
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RACEME Runs, Rides, Tri's Obstacle Course Races plus fitness and nutrition experts will inspire you to start or progress in these fun events! $5.95
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WELCOME to the Guide T
his 35th edition is dedicated to my dad, founding publisher of The Activities Guide of Maine, who unexpectedly passed last January.
Moosehead 39
The County 9 Susan’s Way, Windham, ME 04062 www.activitymaine.com stan@activitymaine.com (207) 671-7230
Jackman
HIgh Peaks 33
The Activities Guide of Maine, born from a passion for adventure, offers you the opportunity to discover exciting travel and recreational opportunities around Maine. Combining the experiences and resources of our advertisers, world class partners, writers and contributors we bring you a unique selection of ideas that range widely in their destinations and activities, yet tied together by a basic principle, have fun in Maine! The multitude of advertisements are the presentations of good people who live and work here. They have something of value to offer you and they sincerely want the opportunity to meet and serve you. They are our friends and we hope they will become yours as well...We’ll see you out there!
PUBLISHER Stanley J. Rintz III
Rangeley & Oquossoc 31
Bethel 25 Down East 45
Farmington/ Wilton 35
Lakes Region
Bangor 44 Augusta/ Waterville
regions & events
— Stanley J. Rintz, III
SUBSCRIBE
25 BETHEL The place to play this winter
32 RANGELEY’S WINTERPALOOZA!
CRAFT BEER • ADVENTURE • RACES & FITNESS
Curling, Fat bikes, Snow Kiting, Skating, Dog Sled Rides, Pond Hockey, just a few activities this new annual free winter festival has!
33 HIGH PEAKS REGION Plan an adventure in Stratton and the High Peaks to coincide with the February Polar Blast.
35 FARMINGTON & WILTON The prefect jumping-off point to winter adventure
39 MOOSEHEAD
SEE PAGE 63 ON THE COVER:
Biker by Chris Riley @ Riley Photographic Brew Guide cover photo by Kate Cone
2 winter/spring | 2017-2018
PHOTO BY CAREY KISH
Get the Best Deal
Come Ski Big Squaw Mountain this year and experience Moosehead’ s winter recreation and events!
44 BANGOR
FOUNDING PUBLISHERS Stanley & Barbara Rintz SENIOR EDITOR Jim Harnedy ART DIRECTOR Larissa Davis GRAPHIC ARTIST Robin Bean Kristina Roderick Elizabeth Berry MacKenney SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Kristina Roderick CONTENT MANAGER Kay Stephens PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Leonard ADVERTISING SALES Jim Harnedy Stanley J. Rintz Sr. Ellie Stengel Ann-Marie Rintz CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Johanna S. Billings Shannon Bryan Kate Cone Josh Christie Carey Kish Dave Patterson Kaley Stephens OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Kristina Roderick MEMBER Maine Tourism Association Convention & Visitors Bureau Maine Merchant’s Association Chambers of Commerce
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The University of Maine at Farmington is Thinking Outside
features 6 WINTER WORKOUTS Unique ways to stay active, indoors and out
33 36
10 WINTER RUNNING
Vintage Snow Mobile Racing
ESSENTIALS
Gear and Insights to keep you running comfortably this winter
11 WINTER BREW GUIDE Coming to a shanty near you
14 ROUTE 302 The express way to tasty Maine beers and beyond
20 ROUTE 26 & BETHEL
28
Gear Up for Winter Day Hiking
Include a trip to this winter playground in your adventures this season
26 5 MOUNTAIN TRAILS TO SKI BEFORE YOU DIE
11 28 GEARING UP FOR WINTER DAY HIKING
31 RANGELEY AND THE HIGH
PEAKS HAVE YOUR WINTER EVENTS COVERED
42 5 ESSENTIAL FOR YOUR BACKPACK WHEN BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
45 MACHIAS. MAINE. MAGIC.
14 20 6 activitymaine.com 3
WELLS
Conveniently Located "On The Way" North or South
Celebrating Over 30 Years in Business! {:.�it 26ebUO\(, tJ\E. �eoo Route 1
1-95
Portland
Open 7 Days • Route 1 North, Wells • 207-646-4441 • MaineDiner.com Maine Diner and Remember the Maine Gift Shop With six million customers and counting – appearances on “The Today Show” and raves from the Phantom Gourmet – it takes quite a bit to get the Maine Diner all abuzz. However, in the summer of 2010, The Maine Diner hit another
4 winter/spring | 2017-2018
milestone as they were featured on the Food Network program “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The Maine Diner has been serving delicious food for over 30 years. In addition to the extensive menu selections there are daily specials also made fresh to order. Enjoy chowders and stews, salads, seafood and steaks, comfort
foods, burgers and sandwiches, and much more. Try one of their homemade desserts. Breakfast is served anytime! Be sure to visit the Remember the Maine Gift Shop located next to the Maine Diner. In May of 1997, the Gift Shop opened its doors to offer their customer3s an assortment of gifts from America's
favorite Diner, The Maine Diner! Since opening day, Remember the Maine has grown to include gifts not only from the Maine Diner, but Maine memorabilia, collectibles, postcards, gourmet food and so much more— something for everyone.
PORTLAND
L
OOKING FOR SOME WINTER FUN IN
PORTLAND? Pull on your long johns and
Once you have the right gear, we have a few suggestions for you. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers should check out the trails at Mayor Baxter Woods, Capisic Pond Park, Riverton Trolley Park and Evergreen Cemetery Woods. Follow the miles and miles of trails from Oat Nuts Park to the Presumpscot River Preserve and you’ll be rewarded with a view of the Presumpscot Falls. And for groomed cross-country classic and skate trails, check out the Riverside Snow Park at Riverside Golf Course. Riverside Snow Park also has hills for snowboarding, sledding and tubing. The same is true near the Back Cove at Payson Terrain Park. And Eastern Prom Hill is a great place to sled, tube, telemark ski, cross-country ski
and snowshoe. For other opportunities, Portland Trails offers maps of the trail systems and occasional guided walks/hikes. Sharpen your blades, lace up your skates and take a spin on the ice at Deering Oaks Park, Nason’s Corner/Breakwater School Pond, Payson Park and Riverside Snow Park. At Riverside, the rink is lit for night skating.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL LEONARD
embrace the invigorating fresh air.
PHOTO BY SHARI GOOD O
BISTR PHOTO COURTESY OF KON ASIAN
When in Portland, be sure to visit KON ASIAN BISTRO HIBATCHI BAR. Kon offers a wide range of cuisine including sushi, sashimi, hibachi, chicken, shrimp, steak, calamari, salmon, fillet mignon, lobster tail, pad thai, teriyaki, tempura, scallop, tuna, rolls, sushi bar entree, orange ginger duck, general tso’s chicken, fried rice, fried udon, soup, salad, beef…and much more!
www.konhibachi.com
activitymaine.com 5
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WORKOUTS Unique ways to stay active, indoors and out
By SHANNON BRYAN
S
taying active in the summer is a breeze. Warm-weather bike rides, outdoor yoga, hiking, and paddling feel more like adventures than exercise. And waking up for that early-
morning fitness class ain’t so hard when it’s 75 degrees out and sunny.
But during the winter – when it’s not even close to 75 degrees and the sun isn’t anywhere to be found in the early morning – we need a little more incentive. Embracing the snow is a solid way to start. Renting crosscountry skis or snowshoes for an outdoor jaunt on the trails is a good way to work up a sweat and have a memorable winter adventure that’s worth posting about on Instagram. If you’re more of a “stay inside where the snow and cold can’t reach me” kind of exerciser, there are a host of fun and unique classes around Maine. Slog away on a treadmill no more – this winter, you can stay active with the help of a hula hoop, a jump rope, a paddleboard, and a pair of drumsticks.
6 winter/spring | 2017-2018
FOUR UNIQUE WAYS TO WORK OUT INDOORS PUNK ROPE 6:15 p.m. Thursdays at Body by John, 190 Riverside Street, Portland Jumping rope as an adult is way different than it was when we were kids. The equipment hasn’t changed, but our ability to jump effortlessly for hours on end HAS changed. This makes a punk rope class a challenging and sweat-inducing workout, which will have your calves aching for days. But jumping rope to loud tunes (plus all the burpees and high knees and planks in between) still retains that fun we remember years ago, which will
keep you coming back. $10 drop-in, $60 for 10-class pass. Body By John also has spin, kettlebell, step and a bunch of other classes. bodybyjohn.com
HULA HOOP FITNESS 9:35 a.m. Tuesdays. Quest Fitness 2 Livewell Drive, Kennebunk A couple of points we should get out of the way: 1. Yes, hula hooping is exercise. 2. Yes, you can hula hoop, even if you haven’t done it in decades. It might take a few weeks to get the hang of it, but you’ll have a grand time along the way during this class. There is plenty of time spent swinging your hips in the hoop, but the class also includes flexibility and strength, too, so you’ll get cardio and work those muscles. $20 day pass, $139 for 10-visit pass. Quest also has host of other great classes and an indoor saltwater pool! questfitnessmaine.com
PHOTOS BY SHANNON BRYAN
winter
/// SPECIAL RaceME SECTION ///
INDOOR PADDLEBOARD YOGA 7:40-8:35 p.m. Tuesdays at Riverton Pool, 1600 Forest Ave., Portland Paddleboards are generally spotted on lakes, rivers and the ocean in warmer months, but this winter, the SUPs are coming inside for this indoor paddleboard yoga class. Yoga instructor Ashely Flowers leads the series, which is open to people who are new to paddleboarding or yoga. The SUPs will challenge your balance and the yoga will awaken your muscles. And if you
• • • • •
fall in? No biggie. Just pretend you’re at a summer pool party. $125 Portland residents, $140 non-Portland residents for the series. www.portlandmaine.gov/390/Recreation
POUND 10:30 a.m. Thursdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays. Maine Pines Racquet & Fitness, 120 Harpswell Road, Brunswick
Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic - February 4, 2018 Peaks Island 5 Miler - July 28, 2018 Maine Marathon, Half Marathon & Relay - September 30, 2018 Farm to Farm Ultra Run and Relay - October 2018 Maine Track Club Turkey Trot - November 18, 2018
Pound is a cardio workout with drumsticks. It sounds peculiar at first, but once you start drumming those sticks on the floor and over your head to the rhythm of the loud music, you’ll feel why it’s such a fun workout. The sound of the sticks drumming in unison sounds cool, and it also feels really good to drum those sticks on everything. You’ll get your heart rate up and do lots of floor work too. $15 day pass, $100 for 10-class punch card. Memberships also available. In addition to all the tennis, Maine Pines offers a ton of
• Portland Sea Dogs Mother’s Day 5K - May 13, 2018 • Pat’s Pizza Clam Festival Classic 5 Miler - July 21, 2018
For more information or to get involved, visit
MaineTrackClub.com
2018 will continue to be a growth year for the Maine Track Club! If you are or have been a Maine Track Club member, volunteer or just inquisitive about joining a dynamic non profit organization, let us know! We would love to hear from you as we continue to grow and evolve the club around our passions for the sport of running. Come and join us and "run with a friend!” Please email us at: mainetrackclub@gmail.com
activitymaine.com 7
ME SECTION ///
/// SPECIAL Race fitness classes. www.mainepines.com
ROBERTS FARM PRESERVE
THREE PLACES TO BE ACTIVE OUTSIDE
There are 7.5 miles of trails winding through the woods at Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway, which are perfect for cross-country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. And there’s a steady stream of crosscountry skiing clinics and snowrelated events, including the annual Snowshoe Festival and Nordic biathlons. But what makes the place even more stupendous: You can borrow cross-country skiing and snowshoeing equipment out of the warming hut for free. Yep, free. wfltmaine.org/roberts-farm.html
64 Roberts Road, Norway
BETHEL NORDIC SKI CENTER Bethel Inn, 21 Broad St., Bethel You can rent cross-country skis and spend the day skiing the trails at the Bethel Nordic Ski Center (there’s even a dog-friendly loop trail). Or rent a fat bike or snowshoes, if you prefer. The 40 kilometers of trails here are groomed for classic and skate ski and include a mix of open fields with mountain views and woodsy trails with more challenging terrain. Even better, you can take advantage of the inn’s Ski, Swim and Sauna package. For $27, you’ll get access to the trails and the health club (which includes a couple of saunas), plus the outdoor heated pool. There’s also a tavern on site, so ski, swim, sauna, and drink.. Day pass for the trails costs $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for youth and kids 6 and under are free. bethelinn.com
TITCOMB MOUNTAIN 180 Ski Slope Road, Farmington Titcomb is a family-friendly place to ski – downhill or cross-country. The mountain might be small compared to its bigger cousins in Bethel and Carrabassett Valley, but with day passes from $5-$22 and a kid-friendly atmosphere, it’s a cool little community ski area. The 16 kilometers of cross-country trails are pretty sweet,
too, and Titcomb happens to be one of the few places in Maine where you can ski at night, under the trail lights. It’s generally pretty quiet out on the trails in the evening, so you can ski for hours and feel like you practically have the place to yourself. A day pass for Nordic skiing is $10. Rentals are also available. www.titcombmountain.com
SHANNON LOVES to get active in Maine – from aerial yoga to moonlight paddles — and she writes about them all (to encourage you to try them too!) on FitMaine.com.
WINTER RACE EVENTS DECEMBER 9, 2017 THE MILLINOCKET MARATHON & HALF This FREE event was started in 2015 to help a struggling Maine mill town that has been devastated by the closing of their major employer. Runner's World Magazine picked up the story shortly after our first edition and the rest is.... as they say, history! The only requirement for runners is that they support local businesses and contribute to the Katahdin region in some way. Participants are also strongly encouraged to make lodging plans now as many properties fill to capacity very quickly. There are many nearby towns and Bangor Maine is just over an hour away. For more race info, please visit: www.crowathletics. com/millinocket/ In the spirit of leaving more than our footprints in Millinocket and in the Katahdin region we have also set up fundraisers in support of two important local non-profit organizations including: OUR KATAHDIN and MILLINOCKET MEMORIAL LIBRARY Please contribute generously. Thank you VERY much!
8 winter/spring | 2017-2018
PHOTO BY ANGELA ARNO
JANUARY 21, 2018 INDOOR INSANITY 5K Merrill Gymnasium, Bates College, Lewiston. Go inside for your next timed race: no ice underfoot, no frigid gusts in your face, and no snow overhead. Who knew running in circles was so much fun? Music. Camaraderie. Prevent lung cancer too. And the best door prizes ever. www.maineindoorair.org/indoor-insanity-5k
FEBRUARY 4TH, 2018 2018 MID-WINTER CLASSIC February 4th, 2018 at 9:45 a.m. The start and finish lines are at Cape Elizabeth High School at 345 Ocean House Rd. This years race is the RRCA Eastern Region 10-Mile Championship. FMI: mainetrackclub.com
ME SECTION ///
/// SPECIAL Race
WINTER WARRIORS FLEET FEET’S FREE PROGRAM This winter you can get motivation and coaching by joining others runners for FREE winter training runs at both Fleet Feet Maine Running store locations:
Portland
Brunswick
Where: Fleet Feet Maine Running, 309 Marginal Way, Portland
We are excited to once again offer our popular Winter Warriors Program in Brunswick this year!
First Night: Tuesday, January 2rd, 2018 at 6pm When: Winter Warriors meet Tuesday and Thursday 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m.
When: Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings, 8:00 a.m.
WINTER WARRIORS: COURTES
Y OF FLEET FEET MAINE RUN
NING
FREE MID-WINTER CLASSIC 10 MILER TRAINING
How Much: FREE!
Where: Brunswick store, 89 Maine Street
Coaches: Dave Dowling, Erin Flatley, John Rogers,
How much: FREE!
If you are interested in training for the Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic, then this is the class for you! We will be offering a 10-week program to help prep you for the race on February 4th!
Coaches: Katrina White & CeCe Camacho
Brunswick
Portland
When: Tuesday Evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm from 11/28 to 1/30
When: Wednesday Evenings from 5:30pm to 7:00pm from 11/29 to 1/31
Where: At Fleet Feet Sports Maine Running on 89 Maine Street!
Where: At Fleet Feet Sports Maine Running on 309 Marginal Way
Cost: $125 *BIB INCLUDED FOR FIRST 20 REGISTRANTS
Cost: $125 *BIB INCLUDED FOR FIRST 30 REGISTRANTS!
Target Race: Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic on February 4th!
Target Race: Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic on February 4th!
Coaches: Doug Welling and Katrina White
Coach: Matt Lunt Matt is a passionate runner and a long time Coach with Fleet Feet Maine Running!
Have a question? Email a Coach! You can reach Doug at doug. welling@fleetfeetmainerunning. com or Katrina at katrina.white@ fleetfeetmainerunning.com
Please contact Matt with specific questions about this class at: mattlunt80@gmail.com
TRAINING TIPS, GEAR TRENDS, RACE LISTINGS, INSPIRATION, AND MORE
S U B S C R IB E !
activitymaine.com 9
ME SECTION ///
/// SPECIAL Race
WINTER RUNNING
essentials The investment you make in high-quality gear will pay off in the form of many safe, comfortable runs all winter long. It’s a matter of making safety a priority. In addition to tights, tops and a running jacket that protects you from the wind and the snow, make sure to stock your gear closet with these essentials.
EQUIP YOURSELF FOR WINTER! TRY BEFORE YOU BUY!
MAINE SOURCE FOR QUALITY FITNESS EQUIPMENT SINCE 1983
$200 RACEME DISCOUNT
Treadmills, Ellipticals, Bikes, Rowers & Home Gyms
on Cardio Equipment!
HATS A hat or balaclava will help ensure that your face and ears are protected from biting-cold temperatures. MITTENS AND GLOVES Extremities are the first to freeze. High-quality mittens or gloves which keep you warm and protect you from the wind will reduce your risk of frostbite. EXTRA TRACTION Products like Yaktrax, spikes, or even some heavier trail shoes can offer more traction in snowy conditions. LIGHTS A headlamp or hand-held flashlight will help ensure that approaching motorists, cyclists, and runners can see you, and that you are visible to them. Always assume that drivers have not seen you, and get out of the way. REFLECTIVE GEAR To increase your visibility, make sure to wear a reflective vest, or clothing with reflective accents. DRY CLOTHES Moisture will make you colder, so be sure to have dry clothes close at hand so you can change right away after a sweaty or snow-soaked run.
IDENTIFICATION Even if you don’t tune in on the run, it’s best to have a phone in case of an emergency, or carry identification that includes emergency contact information. GO TO ROUTE It’s hard enough to trust cars when the weather is good. When the weather is bad and snow banks are obscuring sight lines, it can be dangerous to run on some of your normal summer routes. As boring as it sounds, having just one route you know you can run safely in any weather will keep you running outside this winter. Last year, I had a 1.75 mile stretch of road that I knew was safe to run in any weather. I would go out my front door and run back and forth until I hit my goal for the day. For three months I ran that same route every day, going as far as 20 miles just back and forth. It wasn’t glamorous or exciting or all that fun, but it was one of the best winters of training I have ever had.
200 Gorham Rd. South Portland (next to Olive Garden) Monday – Saturday 10 – 5:30
www.workoutfitnessme.com 772-7110 Workout Fitness Store sells top quality home and commercial fitness equipment. They offer great service and advise to help you meet your fitness goals and turn your home into a great fitness experience! Try their equipment in store before you buy it like the new Zero Runner! They have catered to all levels of runners for 30 years and provide top quality products that offer the best cushioning and latest technologies to protect body!
10 winter/spring | 2017-2018
PHOTO COURTESY OF MAINE RUNNING PHOTOS
Maine Track Club’s Mid-Winter Classic 10-Miler.
& ICE FISHING Coming to a Shanty Near You
By DAVE PATTERSON
W
hen gathering supplies for a day of ice fishing on one of Maine’s seemingly infinite lakes and ponds, there’s only one thing more vital than tip-ups, a bucket of smelt, and thermal underwear—that is, of course, beer. Nothing keeps the cockles of the heart as warm as beer when the wind whips along an ice-capped lake in February. Light beer rules the day when it comes to a day-long ice fishing outing; though it’s good to sprinkle in a few high octane brews for some alcohol heft when the mercury nose dives. Instead of 30 packs of macrobrew swill and nips of the nauseating Fireball Whiskey, here are some Maine brewed libations to pack in the cooler for a day of chasing flags as you wait for the big one to bite. Pepperell Pils || Banded Horn Brewing Co. Maine has a dozen beautifully crafted lagers to choose from for an ice fishing excursion. For my money, Pepperell Pils from Banded Horn Brewing in Biddeford
is the pilsner of choice for a day out on the lake. Brewing a crisp, clean lager is no simple task, making the refreshing Pepperell Pils a triumph of light beer. This beer releases an inviting graham cracker and floral hop aroma when you crack a can, while the flavor is dangerously drinkable with notes of fresh bread, spicy lager yeast, and an earthy hop finish. The 4.6-percent alcohol content allows you stay satiated, while still on your game for running after tripped flags. This beer glides over the palate like Bean boots over the smooth surface of a frozen pond. Grab a sixer or two to toss in the cooler for your next trip.
activitymaine.com 11
PHOTO BY ANGELA ARNO
maine beer
PEPPERELL PILS
Banded Horn Brewing Co.
CURIEUX
Allagash Brewing Co.
BARLEY WINE
Sebago Brewing Co. Now that your cooler is packed with a lager, it’s time to punctuate your beer intake with a warm-the-gut, barrel-aged beer. Weighing in at 11.8-percent and packing oodles of complexity in flavor, the Barley Wine from Sebago Brewing is the perfect beer to celebrate that 18-inch brown trout you just pulled out of Sebago Lake. Barley Wine is aged in bourbon barrels and boasts notes of roasted toffee, caramel, vanilla, and currants, with a subtle bourbon finish. Packaged in an inventive sleeve of two 12-ounce cans stacked on top of each other, Barley Wine is easy to toss in a cooler along with your lagers. It’s refreshingly unpretentious for a complex barrel aged beer—and we all know that pretension is the nemesis of ice fishing.
12 winter/spring | 2017-2018
Speaking of bourbon barrel aged beers, there is none finer than Allagash Curieux. Allagash ages its Tripel ale in bourbon barrels, then blends the barrel-aged beer with fresh Tripel to create the beautifully balanced, brimming with complexity Curieux. Allagash claims there’s a hint of bourbon in flavor, but I’ll contend that the bourbon is quite pronounced in Curieux— which is what I love about this beer; it has an assertive bourbon backbone without being too boozy in flavor. Along with notes of buttery bourbon, there are flourishes of vanilla, oak, honey, and bright Belgian yeast notes. At 11 percent, this one will keep you warm, and like the Barley Wine above, it should be imbibed responsibly. Despite its fancy cork-top, this beer isn’t too pretentious for a day of ice fishing. Pop the cork when it’s time to celebrate that fat rainbow trout your buddy just landed or as a way to brighten a day when you’re being skunked on the lake.
GUNPOWDER RYE WHISKEY
New England Distilling If you’re heading out on a day when the temperature refuses to rise above zero degrees, you’ll need something stronger than beer to keep you warm. Luckily, Maine has more than a dozen distilleries making a wide range of spirits. And no spirit has been warming the bones of Mainers longer than whiskey. I suggest you tuck a flask filled with Gunpowder Rye Whiskey from New England Distilling in your jacket pocket to keep Jack Frost at bay. Gunpower Rye is a Maryland style whiskey, meaning it’s mashed with mostly rye instead of corn. This imparts a spicy and herbal flavor profile that offers the boozy bite of a spirit with more complexity than traditional whiskeys. Aged in American oak barrels for up to a year, Gunpowder Rye has notes of roasted vanilla, oak, and an earthy spiciness. When the west winds howl, fight back with a tipple of Gunpowder Rye Whiskey.
Maine has a dozen beautifully crafted lagers to choose from for an ice fishing excursion. For my money, Pepperell Pils from Banded Horn Brewing in Biddeford is the pilsner of choice for a day out on the lake. Brewing a crisp, clean lager is no simple task, making the refreshing Pepperell Pils a triumph of light beer. This beer releases an inviting graham cracker and floral hop aroma when you crack a can, while the flavor is dangerously drinkable with notes of fresh bread, spicy lager yeast, and an earthy hop finish. The 4.6-percent alcohol content allows you stay satiated, while still on your game for running after tripped flags. This beer glides over the palate like Bean boots over the smooth surface of a frozen pond. Grab a sixer or two to toss in the cooler for your next trip.
DAVE PATTERSON is a freelance writer with a great thirst for craft beer. His Beer Muse column runs each week in the Portland Press Herald.
— PORTLAND — BREW PUB
TAPROOM
FULL MENU & LIVE MUSIC 10+ ROCK HARBOR BEERS ON TAP RATED A TOP PUB IN ROCKLAND
RATED BEST BREWERY LIVE MUSIC & BREWERY TOURS CANNED BEER FOR SALE
416 MAIN STREET, ROCKLAND
5 PAYNE AVE, ROCKLAND
At 27 years old, Dan Pease opened ROCK HARBOR PUB at the intersection of Main and Limerock Streets in Rockland, Maine, with the idea of someday turning it into a brewpub. After two years of growing the business into one of Rockland’s favorite pubs and restaurants, Dan grabbed the opportunity when a brewery in southern Maine closed its doors. He purchased their equipment, installed it in ROCK HARBOR PUB, licensed the new Rock Harbor Brewing Co., and started brewing and serving in October 2013. In 2017, Dan took his brewing operation to the next level, purchasing a building at 5 Payne Avenue in Rockland and turning it into an off-site brewery and tasting room. Today Dan is canning and packing Rock Harbor beer for distribution throughout the state.
Try a few tasters, half or full pours of your favorite locals, sours, and more.
10% OFF at Our Retail Shop with Code “Old Port 10”
Stop by today to pick up a holiday gift card for the Beer Geek in your life! Bring home a mixed six-pack – we'll be happy to help you pick out a few brews you'll love!
320 Fore Street, Portland, ME • (207) 956-7322
CraftBeerCellar.com/Portland
The CRAFT BEER CELLAR decided that just being a retail bottle shop was not enough to capture the full Maine Beer experience, so they made sure to get taps installed alongside the retail section. Their vision is to get you tasting some of the best brews Maine has to offer, as well as some curated special stuff across the country and the world. Our clocks have been set back and Old Man Winter might be rearing his ugly head, but step into the tap room at TUMBLEDOWN BREWING and you would never know it. Located in the Western Maine town of Farmington, this small but mighty brewery will have just what you are looking for. Beers ranging from the easy-drinking Clearwater Cream Ale to the rugged Bull Horse Double Black IPA pour from their recently upgraded tap line that now offers eight varieties. Need a rugged carrying device for your favorite Tumbledown? They now have sweet Stanley insulated growlers in stock. Speaking of Growlers, Tumbledown Brewing's Growler Club is a way for people to enjoy the high quality, locally brewed beer they love, at a reduced price. When you join the Growler Club, you will enjoy a $2.00 discount* each time you bring your clean Tumbledown Brewing Growler Club Growler for a refill during Tap Room hours, from January 1st until December 31st, 2018. Plus get an exclusive Growler Club hat and access to other special “Member’s Only” benefits, such as first pick of festival tickets, and possibly tastings of special releases throughout the year.
ONLINE TASTING ROOM GUIDE
For up-to-date beer news & events, and our updated online Tasting Room Guide, visit mainebrewguide.com
activitymaine.com 13
ROUTE 302 The express way to tasty western Maine beers and beyond Intro by WILLIAM HOLMES
W
hether in search of barrel-aged and blended sours with wild fermented and mixed culture beginnings, or hops and hops and hops, chances are this pastime will eventually take us all down Route 302—to or from—the New Hampshire border.
Keen to this new traffic pattern, many businesses have taken to accommodating the wants and needs of travelers along the 302 corridor. These bottle shops, breweries, pubs and bars are filling the void through western Maine. From fueling up for the journey to filling every last inch of the
14 winter/spring | 2017-2018
PHOTO STANDARD GASTROPUB
trunk—the next time you set out on tour, we’ve got you covered. Starting on Forest Ave in Portland, sits RSVP DISCOUNT BEVERAGE, where you’re immediately struck by two things: RSVP’s overall beer selection and their CHILLED beer selection. RSVP has filled the entire side wall with beers and
B
PHOTO THE BLACK HORSE
TAVERN
added 19 beer coolers to the back wall of the retail store. Stocking the latest beers from local Maine and New England breweries, all the way to Belgian ales made by Trappist monks, (as well as hard cider, wine and sprits) RSVP always has the adult beverages you want. From Portland, enjoy a beautiful scenic drive through the towns of the Sebago Lakes Region where you come to Naples. A must stop here is the UMBRELLA FACTORY OUTLET (U.F.O.) Located in the Shop N Save shopping center on the corner of Rt. 302 and 35, the U.F.O. offers more than 2500 sq. ft. of liquor, wine and craft beer choices. From hard apple cider to seasonal brews, you’ll find them here. The store expanded in 2015 to add the Craft Beer Runway, which leads to the Lost Moose Campground tasting center, (offering wine and beer tastings). Open daily Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fri-Sat from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Next down the road in Bridgton is the BLACK
HORSE TAVERN, a Klimek family-operated regional favorite dining spot, which has drawn people from all over the Northeast for the past 30 years. The reason is quite simply that is has consistently great food. The casual equestrian atmosphere makes you feel right at home as you enjoy local ingredients, the freshest seafood and Black Angus signature steaks and burgers. As our chefs have been schooled in different regions of the world, the Black Horse Tavern is very proud to create everything in house, including soups and desserts. Famous for our Danish Baby Back Ribs, we serve more than eight tons per year. Featuring eight rotating local craft beers on tap and a chef-inspired daily Specials menu, the Black Horse Tavern looks forward to serving you soon. Also in Bridgton is the STANDARD GASTROPUB. Whether just passing through or going uptacamp for the weekend, be sure to stop in on your way. A casual beer and a bite here is quick and easy
• We Use Only Top Quality Ingredients from Black Angus Meats to the Freshest Seafood • Voted #1 Sunday Brunch by Area B&Bs • Wings are Smoked In-House with Chef’s Signature Sauces • 8 Taps of Local Craft Beer Plus Specialty Infused Cocktails
Open Mon–Thu 11AM–8:30PM • Fri-Sat 11AM–9:30PM Sunday Brunch 10AM–3PM, Dinner 3PM–8:30PM
Route 302 • Bridgton, ME (207) 647-5300
TheBlackHorseTavern.com activitymaine.com 15
PHOTO BEAR BONES BEER
LOCATED ON ROUTE 302 233 MAIN STREET - BRIDGTON
www.STANDARDGASTROPUB.com OPEN @11AM 7 - DAYS 207 - 647 - 4100
PHOTOS STANDARD GASTROPUB
TROPUB
PHOTO STANDARD GAS
and everything is always fresh and from scratch. Shift gears and stay a while to work your way through the wall of brightly lit bottles and cans and indulge in a party of flavors with a few nightly specials from the kitchen. Built into a renovated (but still operating) gas station, Standard Gastropub leaves dining concepts in the dust. Breaking the mold, this self-service fill-er-up offers customers a full-service
16 winter/spring | 2017-2018
experience at the table. Try something new and get an array of flavors for an affordable outing by ordering plenty of small dishes and sides to share and be sure to ask questions of the knowledgeable staff. Show your day ticket or seasons pass from any mountain and get $1 off draughts and select items for Après Ski! Drink. Enjoy an extensive beverage program at Standard Gastropub with
10 Jockey Cap Lane Fryeburg, Maine
(207) 256-3028
Open Fri 3–7, Sat 12–7, Sun 12–5
SacoRiverBrewing.com around 300 craft brews, including many rare, limited, and hard-to-find selections from near or far. Fifteen draught lines are always revolving with a thoughtfully curated selection of the best beer locally available, including unique brews from
18 winter/spring | 2017-2018
away, off-beat wines, Saki and more. Eat. Sample a concise daily menu full of dishes with a gourmet focus. Drawing culinary influence from street food around the globe, BBQ pits of the south, and west coast drive-thru style burger
PHOTO SACO RIVER BREWING
shops, Standard Gastro Pub strives to support local agriculture and artisans in the region. If you are looking for a brewery stop in Bridgton, BEAR BONES BEER in Bridgton. Is releasing bottles of a blend in November rested with
organic wild blueberries called Brett and Brad. This winter, patrons will be looking forward to Bear Bones Beer spruce tip dry sour, rested in a Maine Craft Distilling sprig gin barrel. In addition, the beer everyone is waiting for is the Tripel
C.R.E.A.M., an 11% bourbon mash, which gets its first run on their bourbon barrels. Stay tuned for other experiments in the works, including more sours to come. As for events happenings at the Bridgton brewery, look for live comedy every first Thursday of the month, trivia every Monday night. and live music on Saturday evenings. Last, and certainly not least on 302, before you reach the New Hampshire border, try SACO RIVER BREWING in Fryeburg, co-founded by Mason Irish and Kevin Antonucci in 2015. Kevin was an owner of the Good Beer Store at the time and Mason was an avid homebrewer, who regularly bought supplies from the store. After starting a homebrew club over lots of conversation, the two decided to have a go at a commercial brewery in Fryeburg. The taproom opened in July, 2016 in a building that formerly housed a sheet metal fabrication shop. The open concept and concrete floor was a perfect venue for both brewery and taproom. Designed to be a laid-back social environment connecting people from wherever they come from, the taproom’s rustic design contributes to an easygoing vibe. Saco River Brewing produces many styles of beer. At least half are American style ales that are hop forward, including several IPAs and Pale Ales. Other styles that are regularly on tap include a Czech Pilsner, Belgian Saison, American Brown Ale, an American Porter, and that base Porter with the addition of locally brewed
coffee. This winter, a Bourbonaged version of Old Course Porter will be released in the taproom. When the taproom is not open, SRB’s beer can be found regularly at restaurants in Fryeburg, Bridgton, Cornish, Brownfield and Bethel. The taproom is located just off Rt. 302 across the street from Jockey Cap, a 200- foot high rock formation that was created by glaciers and is now a famous Fryeburg landmark. Locals are a huge part of SRB’s success, stopping in regularly after work, and after recreation, which is why the majority of people in the Mount Washington Valley live here. Tourists visit year round, from summertime hikers, bikers, anglers, and river goers to winter skiers/snowboarders, hikers, and snowmobilers. Access via snowmobile is very easy from ITS 80, which runs through Fryeburg. Spur trails from the ITS lead into Fryeburg village and Saco River Brewing.
THE TRADE TREND By land, sea, or river, much of Maine’s history is anchored in trade. While timber may no longer float down the Androscoggin; the beer business is booming and a new trade route has emerged. The path between southern Maine and the hills of Vermont now connects thirsty customers with big name brewers. These beer nerds began piling into anything on four wheels and setting out in search of the next, newest and best; often just to hurry up and wait (in line) for a chance at picking up as many shiny four-packs as they can fit in the trunk.
FUN FACT: DESPITE TALES TO THE CONTRARY, “POUTINE” IS QUEBECQUOIS SLANG FOR “MESS.”
Poutine By KATE CONE
Penultimate Comfort Food at Foulmouthed Brewing Company FROM THE TIME CHEF DAN LINDBERG WAS A CHILD, HE HAS BEEN AN INNOVATOR IN THE KITCHEN. “I helped my grandmother cook our family’s meals,” Lindberg said, “but one afternoon, I didn’t like what she was preparing, so I snuck in a bit of dish soap. The dinner was inedible, so we sent out for pizza.” There were consequences, of course, some form of punishment being one, but another was his career choice. Having cooked in the Pacific Northwest and more locally at the high-end Hugo’s in Portland, Dan Lindberg has found a home at Foulmouthed Brewing Company in the Knightsville neighborhood of South Portland. On his menu is the popular dish, Poutine, a dish invented
in the 1950s in Quebec. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Poutine was served in snack bars and diners throughout the dairyrich section of Centre du Quebec, where cheese curds were plentiful. Although several eateries claim to have “invented” Poutine, the end result—salty French fries topped with hot, brown gravy floating with melty [ see “Poutine,” page 38 ]
activitymaine.com 19
PHOTO COURTESY OF BAXTER
OUTDOORS
ROUTE
26 20 winter/spring | 2017-2018
PHOTO COURTESY OF CARTER’S XC SKI
H
EADING NORTH ON RT 26 FROM PORTLAND TO GRAY TAKES YOU TO THE HEART OF MAINE'S WINTER PLAYGROUND. When
planning your trip, leave some extra time to visit these great destinations along the way. Carter's XC Ski in Oxford has purposely built fat bike trails & fat bike rentals provided on sight by the Green Machine Bike Shop. Other noteworthy places to ride are, Shepard's Farm Preserve in Norway & Range Pond State Park in Poland. Snowmobile trails are also a great option, just be sure to ask permission from your local snowmobile club, as not all snowmobile trails are fat bike friendly.
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The Green Machine Bike Shop opened its doors on Main Street in Norway, the Spring of 2012, with the focus on bicycle & ski repair. They have expanded their retail offerings to include bicycles & accessories from Felt, Scott, KHS, Santa Cruz & Fizik. Their ski lines include Volkl, Black Diamond & Scott Skis, Scarpa Telemark boots, DalbelloAlpine boots, Rottefella, NTN, 22 designs, BlackDiamond & Marker bindings. They have group rides for experienced road and mountain bikers, and a group that builds trails. Group road bike rides are Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m. And Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. The group mountain bike ride is Sunday at 9:00 a.m. The trail building group meets Tuesday afternoons at 5:30 p.m. Call 207-739-2324 for the most up to date information. Mt Abram Ski Resort, Maine’s Family Ski & Ride Experience, is very excited for the 2017-2018 ski season. With Bob Harkins
as its “Fearless Leader,” (our new general manager) the resort is seeing a big push to complete some overdue projects. Mt. Abram has a lot in store for 2018. New this winter are improvements to the snowmaking and grooming systems: a reconfiguration of the lodge (including an enlargement of the Loose Boots Lounge), a new competition center, and designs on a new outdoor children’s snow park. Events are a big part of life at Mt. Abram, Winter programming includes themed weekends, dinner service, a Telemark Festival in early February, and full moon hikes to the “top shack” for hot chocolate and adult beverages. Maine Class A High School Championships and the Maine Middle School Giant Slalom Championships are among the competitive events to be hosted this year at Mt. Abram. Younger skiers and riders will also learn to appreciate Mt. Abram’s long history with 1960s cartoonist Jay Ward, creator of Rocky, Bullwinkle, Boris and Natasha, as well as the Fractured Fairy Tales characters as they are a running theme at the resort.
events 2017-18 Down East Sled Dog Events & Meetings NOV 18-19 Sunset Ridge Dryland Challenge Westbrook Maine 771 Cumberland St (wheeled dryland race)
FEB 17-18 Farmington Frolic Maine State Championship RT 2 (Sandy River Farm) Farmington ME
FEB 11 Sunset Ridge Snow Fun Run 771 Cumberland ST Westbrook ME
great content We feature 100% locally sourced content. So email subscribe@activitymaine.com with your ideas!
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M
PHOTO COURTESY OF MT ABRA
• • • •
Expert In-house Jewelry Repair & Restoration Fine Jewelry • Maine Tourmaline Custom Design • Maine Amethyst Gem Cutting • Mineral Museum
145 Main Street, South Paris, ME • 800.686.7633
creaserjewelers.com
22 winter/spring | 2017-2018
Mt. Abram has 51 trails, two chair lifts, two t-bars and a “magic carpet” conveyor in the Westside beginner learning area. The mountain has two base areas servicing 1150 feet of vertical drop with everything from wide beginner slopes to doublediamond glades and cliffs, plus multiple race venues and terrain parks. Mt. Abram is the WABAC Machine of New England ski areas (and there is WiFi in the lodge), providing skiers and riders of all abilities with fun and challenging terrain in a very laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Interested in mushing? Founded in 1977 by mushers Grey and Kathy Pickett, Nooksack Racing Supply is a provider of top quality equipment for novice and experienced mushers and dog powered sports. Friendly, courteous and knowledgeable staff to help you & your four legged friends. Proudly made in Maine, USA. The Green Machine Bike Shop opened its doors on Main Street in Norway in the Spring of 2012 with the focus on bicycle & ski repair. They have recently moved just down the road to 419 Main St. and have expanded their retail offerings to include bicycles & accessories from Felt, Scott, KHS, Raleigh, Santa
Cruz & Fizik. Their ski lines include Volkl, Black Diamond &Scott Skis, Scarpa Telemark boots, Dalbello Alpine boots, Rottefella, NTN, 22 designs, BlackDiamond & Marker bindings. They have group rides for experienced road and mountain bikers, and a group that buildtrails. Call 207-7392324 for the most up to date information on Group rides and trail building. Carters Cross Country Ski Center is a family owned and operated business, and has been for over 30 years. They have 2 locations with full-service ski shops and unique trails. Their ski shops can equip you with quality touring packages, as well as Back Country and top of the line racing equipment for your enire family. Carter’s has many trails designated for Back Country skiers and snowshoers. They rent Back Country equipment and snowshoes at both locations so you can try before you buy. Stop in Smedberg's Farm roadside stand in Oxford for made in- Maine products like maple syrup, honey, fruit salsa, pottery, soaps and ornaments. In winter pick up your fresh cut Christmas trees and in the summer try their own One Cow Homemade Ice Cream that’s “udderly delicious,” Smedberg's Farm is an experience unlike any
PHOTO COURTESY OF MT ABRAM
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PHOTO COURTESY OF MT ABRAM
Maine’s family ski and ride experience
PHOTO COURTESY OF HIGH VIEW FARM
other. They have been growing and making many updates to the store this past year. Stop by and see what is new and take home homemade baked goods including pies, breads and Gayle’s delicious homemade baked beans and chicken pies. Smedberg’s all-natural, home-grown beef, pork and lamb are raised on the farm and fed from the field, with no added hormones. Also available:
bison, chicken, seafood and live lobster. At High-View Farm in Harrison, establish a tradition for your family and friends and enjoy winter in all its snowy glory. A sleigh ride stirs the senses and relaxes the soul: strong horses, crisp country air, and jingling bells—when you crawl into bed after a sleigh day, you’ll sleep deeply, wrapped in the ride’s wonders.
HARRISON Make some memories with family and friends!
Sleigh Rides at High View Farm in Harrison $70 up to four people - smaller sleigh - riders face forward $100 up to four people - larger sleigh - riders face each other Yurt stay available! $5.00 each additional person • Children under 3 are free. Add a campfire for $35 - hot cocoa and marshmallow roast! Info or Reservations: www.high-view-farm.com • (207) 595-1601
308 Howe Hill Road Greenwood, Maine (207) 875-5000 mtabram.com
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/// BETHEL, MAINE ///
M A I N E ’ S W I N T E R P L AY G R O U N D
Bethel
Maine’s Most Beautiful Mountain Village
Call for a free Visitors’ Guide and map
800-442-5826 | www.BethelMaine.com
let it snow...
LOCALLY MINED, GLOBALLY WORN. DIG IT! MUSEUM STORE & PREVIEW GALLERY Jewelry 99 Main Street
•
•
Bethel, Maine
24 winter/spring | 2016-2017
Maine Gems •
207-824-3036
•
•
Gifts MaineMineralMuseum.org
outdoor writers & photographers wanted Email subscribe@activitymaine.com with ideas or content!
events | Bethel
Be sure to check activitymaine.com for the most up-to-date information. DEC. 2: Light Up Main Street Jingle Walk – Watch Main Street businesses light up one-by-one as carolers walk up Main Street towards the town common to light the Christmas tree. Santa will accompany the parade on a firetruck! Meet at Philbrook Place by 3:45 pm to participate. Tree lighting on the common will take place at approximately 4:45 pm. DEC. 3: Santa Sunday Sunday River. Dress up as Santa, make a donation to the Sunday River Charitable Fund, you can ski for free. (Pre-registration required online Nov. 27). sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754 DEC. 9,16,23: Horsedrawn wagon rides through historic Bethel village. Free! Meet in front of the Chapman Inn on the corner of Church Street and Main St. 1-3pm. DEC. 15-18: Winterfest Weekend Sunday River. 24 Hour Race (either support The Dempsey Center or SRCF) Meet Santa and Eddy the Yeti (times & locations TBD), Barker Birthday Party, $5 night skiing (4-8 pm), fireworks at South Ridge at 8:30 pm on Saturday. sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754 JAN. 1: 33rd Carter’s Last Stand Carter’s XC Ski Center. 786 Intervale Road, Bethel. Come celebrate with a New Year ski or snowshoe followed by a potluck lunch & bonfire. cartersxcski.com, 207-824-3880 JAN. 8-12: Children's Festival Week Sunday River. An entire week of family fun with plenty of activities including scavenger hunts, live entertainment, movies, and themed Perfect Turn kid's ski and snowboard clinics. Plus, kids can ski, snowboard, rent, learn, and stay-all for free when staying with a paying adult! sundayriver.com, 800543-2754 JAN. 25-29: Veterans No Boundaries Sunday River. Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation invites disabled veterans, active-duty personnel, and wounded warriors from all over the country along with their families and caregivers for a weekend of camaraderie and self-discovery. maineadaptive.org, 800-639-7770 FEB. 4: Winter Triathlon Bethel Village Trails at The Bethel Inn Resort. Register for a snowshoe, ski and fat biking race and have fun on the village’s newest 5k trail! mahoosucpathways.org, 207-824-6276
FEB. 9-11: White Out Weekend (WOW) Sunday River. WOW is all about stellar skiing and riding, special events, including a themed party, fireworks, and après-ski socials, all hosted by Sunday River Resort in association with The OutRyders, New England's largest GLBTQ ski and snowboard club. sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754 FEB. 10: Fat Bike Race #1 Bethel Village Trails. Start time 10am. mahoosucpathways.org, 207-824-6276 Feb. 18: Fat Bike Race #2 Shepard’s Family Farm Preserve, 121 Crockett Ridge Road, Norway. Start time 10am. wfltmaine.org, 207-739-2124 MAR. 4: Fat Bike Race (Bethel Village Trails or Carter’s XC Ski - TBA). Start time 10am. mahoosucpathways.org, 207-824-6276 MAR. 12: MS Camp Sunday River. Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation will host a dedicated day of programming for individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis. maineadaptive. org, 800-639-7770 MAR. 24: 33rd Annual Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation Ski-A-Thon Sunday River. Hundreds of skiers, riders, volunteers, and participants join together raise money for Maine Adaptive’s free programs. Once again this year, the Ski-A-Thon will include The Something Bigger Rando Race, part of the New England Rando Series. Start a team, register for the race, or donate today. maineadaptive.org, 800-639-7770 APRIL 6-7: Maine Brewers Fest “Spring Session” Sunday River. This is Sunday River's way of celebrating another great season. Live music, Margarita Mix-Off, Slip 'N' Flip, and more. sundayriver.com, 800-5432754 APR. 5-8: Spring Fling Weekend Mt. Abram Ski Area. Bloody Mary Mix-off on Saturday at 11am and see where it goes from there…. mtabram.com, 207-875-5000 APRIL 14: Spring Après Concert #3, Pond Skimming, and Bloody Mary Brawl: Sunday River Resort will host its third live show, featuring live music slopeside at South Ridge along with a barbecue and family-friendly fun. Which Bloody Mary reigns best in the land? You be the judge. Restaurants from around the state will be providing samples of their Bloody Mary concoctions. sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754
/// BETHEL, MAINE ///
Welcome to
BETHEL T
HE CENTERPIECE OF WINTER SPORTS IS SUNDAY RIVER, eight mountain peaks connected by 135+ trails, across 870 acres of developed trails and glades served by 15 lifts. It’s a family-friendly place, where kids love the slope-side entertainment and snow tubing at South Ridge and teens appreciate the six terrain parks. Cross-country skiers find trails and equipment right in town at Bethel Nordic Ski Center, at the start of 30km of classic and skate tracks, through forests and across fields with views of the Mahoosuc Mountains. Five miles of snowshoe trails and a skating rink make this a onestop winter recreation center. Plenty of scenic trails are available, too, for those who prefer to explore the woods and fields on a snowmobile.
For rooms, dining and an après-ski scene in one place, consider The Sudbury Inn (thesudburyinn.com), a familyfriendly inn with a French bistro and lively Suds Pub, featuring more than 29 beers on tap. The free Mountain Explorer (mountainexplorer. org) shuttle takes skiers right to Sunday River and home again, so you can leave your car right at the inn. No winter getaway is complete without some quality après-ski time. Check out Rooster's Roadhouse, a chef-owned casual restaurant and pub, located just one mile outside the village of Bethel, five miles from Sunday River Resort, and just six miles from Mt. Abram. Their pub fare includes Rooster’s char-grilled half-pound burgers, grilled
chicken sandwiches, buffalo wings, nachos, wraps and specialty pizzas. The upstairs pub sports a full bar, nine beer on tap, an excellent wine list, four TVs, a 100" projection TV, and Free WiFi. Stop by the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, a unique and valued, year-round, visitor-centered resource in town. MMGM offers many opportunities to visitors, and the beauty of the specimens and collections cannot be put into words. See their website mainemineralmuseum.org for more on this wonderful attraction. As you can see, there’s plenty of winter fun in Bethel; stop by the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce (bethelmaine.com) at Station Place in the center of town to learn more or call (207) 824-2282.
activitymaine.com 25
Five Mountain Trails To Ski Before You Die
PHOTO: Skier on Widowmaker. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN RESORT
By JOSH CHRISTIE
F
OR SOME PEOPLE, BUCKET LISTS ARE ABOUT RESTAURANTS TO VISIT, OR BOOKS TO READ, OR CONCERTS TO GO TO. For skiers and snowboarders, they’re about checking off the best trails to be conquered. From massive resorts to small community hills, Maine has a wealth of terrain that you could spend a lifetime exploring. Here are five Maine ski trails that everyone should tackle at least once in a lifetime. They aren’t necessarily the most difficult trails in the state—there’s more to these experiences than an expression of raw skill—but they’re trails that are emblematic of the variety of skiing in Maine.
26 winter/spring | 2017-2018
Sugarloaf offers a wealth of options, from multiple miles cruising down Tote Road, to the snowfields that top its iconic logo, to the relatively wild chutes and glades of the ever-expanding Brackett Basin and Eastern Territory. However, no trail says Sugarloaf to me quite like Widowmaker. It’s a perfectly cut trail, which rides the fall line as it curves from the King Pine Bowl toward the rest of the mountain. Since being cut in the early 1960s, the trail has been one of the Loaf’s premier expert runs,
even used by the U.S. Ski Team for training at one time. At the Camden Snow Bowl, the Lookout trail provides a view you can’t get anywhere else. The Atlantic Ocean and the islands beyond Camden Harbor, spread out like a canvas. It’s a view you can get from a few places on the hill, but it’s best experienced on the appropriately named Lookout. The trail swings to skier’s right from the summit, just a short shot from the top of the triple chair installed at the resort a few years ago. The trail, a
PHOTO: Lost Valley PHOTO BY BREWSTER BURNS
PHOTO: White Heat. PHOTO COURTESY OF SUNDAY RIVER RESORT
black diamond, offers both steeps and scenery, dropping dramatically towards Hosmer Pond and the Atlantic beyond through thin stands of trees. At Sunday River, there are almost too many runs to pick from, with eight peaks and more than 10 dozen trails. The cleverly advertised White Heat stands out to me. The trail, bisecting the White Cap peak on the resort’s eastern boundary, is a beast, to be sure. With an average pitch of about 30 degrees, and one side of the trail dedicated to burly moguls, it’s an exhausting and challenging run. But, more than just the terrain, I like the pitch that’s long been given for the trail—“the longest, widest, steepest lift-serviced trail in the Northeast.” It’s a good reminder of English classes and sentence structure; while there are longer trails, wider trails and steeper trails, none beat Sunday River at the combo of long, wide, and steep on a single trail.”
I’d argue that Bull Moose at Lost Valley is emblematic of the community roots of Maine skiing. To really get the full experience, you’ve got to ski the trail on a weekday afternoon, when hundreds from school ski groups descend on the mountain. Kids swarm all over the trails and fill the lift, which runs over Bull Moose. It’s iconic in the sense that it shows the importance of Maine’s community hills in growing the sport, and gives any skier an experience akin to those of us who learned to ski this way. It’s one of the few black diamonds on the hill, and doubles at the race slope for the Auburn resort. Short and steep (you’ll only link a few turns from top to bottom), but wicked fun. If you feel like showing off at one of Maine’s ski areas, take a few runs right under the Way Back Machine at Mt Abram. The Cliff, one of the two double diamonds at the resort, is just that—a serious drop that just
happens to be right under the lift, in full view of everyone. If you’ve got an exhibitionist streak, it’s a run where you can show off your skills to the assembled crowds. Just make sure you have the talent to back it up — otherwise, it’s a long trip down Fractured Fairy Tales under everyone on the lift.
Honorable Mentions Penobscot - Squaw Mountain Saco - Black Mountain of Maine T-Line - Shawnee Peak
JOSH CHRISTIE is the author of a number of books on beer and the Maine outdoors, and co-owner of Print: A Bookstore in Portland, Maine.
AUGUSTA
activitymaine.com 27
PHOTO: Hikers on the trail in Baxter
State Park. PHOTO BY BILL BROOKE
GEARING UP
for winter day hiking
WINTER HIKING IS CHALLENGING AND HAS INHERENT RISKS, SO YOU’LL NEED TO BE WELL-PREPARED AND SELF-SUFFICIENT TO ENSURE YOUR COMFORT AND SAFETY IN THE WOODS AND MOUNTAINS. By CAREY KISH 28 winter/spring | 2017-2018
T
HE LONG, COLD AND SNOWY MAINE WINTER AHEAD MIGHT HAVE YOU WANTING TO HOLE UP INDOORS for the next few months, but what fun is that? A better plan is to get outside frequently on foot, on snowshoes or skis to enjoy some healthy exercise and beautiful scenery with friends and family. Winter hiking is challenging and has inherent risks, so you’ll need to be well prepared and self-sufficient. Here are some tips for comfort and safety in the winter woods and mountains.
HYDRATE WELL Winter air is dry and since you’re usually working pretty hard, you’re going to lose a lot of water through respiration and perspiration, and this lost fluid must be replenished. In cold situations, your body tends toward emergency mode, redirecting blood from extremities into your all-important core. Frostbitten fingers and toes, or worse—hypothermia, can be the result. The solution is to drink a lot of water and drink often, as much as three to four liters in a day. Drink before you’re thirsty. Fill your bottles with hot water before setting out, and use insulated parkas around them. Take along a Thermos of tea, cocoa or soup for a much-appreciated hot drink at lunch.
FOOD IS FUEL For strenuous winter hiking, your body needs plenty of fuel for optimum performance. Food is fuel, and one of the
joys for many winter hikers is the need to consume a lot more calories than normal. Eat before you’re hungry, and eat often. Carry a good mix of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in your pockets and pack, like jerky, cheese sticks, nuts, dried fruit, candy and granola bars.
LAYER UP Cold weather activities require dressing in layers so you can regulate your overall body temperature in response to changing environmental conditions and activity levels. The base layer is worn right up against the skin. A good long sleeve top and long john bottom made of wool, polyester or a blend of the two will wick moisture away from your sweaty body and help keep you warm and dry. The initial mid or insulation layer consists of a fleece vest, sweater or jacket, worn on the move. At rest or in camp or if it’s really cold on the trail, add a main insulation layer, a down or synthetic fill jacket or parka. Finally, an
outer shell layer of waterproof-breathable fabric keeps out the wind, snow and rain. A ski hat and balaclava plus gloves or mittens and accompanying weatherproof shells help keep your upper extremities toasty. Spare gloves and hat and a second wicking shirt to change into are worthy extras.
TRANSPORTATION Your feet are your transportation, so be sure to treat them well with a warm pair of Pac-style or other insulated boots with a good tread. Wear liner socks under heavy wool or synthetic socks. Knee-high gaiters will keep the snow out. Ice traction devices like Microspikes or Stabilicers are a must for slippery trails. If you plan to venture above treeline, you’ll want plastic mountaineering boots and crampons. Trekking poles with wide baskets aid with stability. A quality pair of snowshoes will get you through the deep snow and require little more effort than regular walking, while
activitymaine.com 29
backcountry Nordic skis require more skill but open up a whole new world of winter exploration.
PACK THE ESSENTIALS For the winter trail, the “Twelve Essentials” should always be in your pack: map and compass, ski goggles/sunglasses, extra clothing, headlamp/spare batteries, first aid kit, knife/multitool, lighter/ waterproof matches, extra food, extra water, emergency shelter (bivouac bag or heavy-duty garbage bag), cell phone, and toilet kit (toilet paper, baby wipes, hand sanitizer). Check the weather forecast before you go and leave a trip itinerary with someone responsible (or at least put a note on the driver’s seat of your vehicle). Pack along a healthy measure of common sense and good judgment and use both liberally on the trail. Have fun, but always remember that getting to the summit is optional, while returning to the car is mandatory. TAKE A HIKE! With 120 miles of trails and 57 miles of carriage roads, Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island is an awesome place for a snowy hike. The Park Loop Road is closed in winter, but numerous public roads offer good access. There’s more to the Bethel Region than downhill skiing at Sunday River and Mt. Abram. Tackle the high peaks of Old Speck or the Baldpates from Route 26 in Grafton Notch, or scamper up the open ridgeline of nearby Rumford Whitecap. The Kennebec Highlands in and around Rome are home to more than a halfdozen easy to moderate hikes, like those on French Mountain, Mt. Phillip, Round Top, Sanders Hill, The Mountain and McGaffey Mountain.
CAREY KISH of Mt. Desert Island is editor of the AMC Maine Mountain Guide, author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast, and writes a regular hiking column for the Maine Sunday Telegram.
30 winter/spring | 2017-2018
Sarah Vickers of Bangor finishes her first of two laps of the race course at the Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet. The Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet is the first race in a 3 part series; the other two events are in Farmington and Bangor. FMI: www.facebook.com/mainefatbikeswinterseries/ PHOTO BY CHRIS RILEY @ RILEY PHOTOGRAPHIC
Experience
RANGELEY Surrounded by beautiful lakes and with 10 of Maine’s highest peaks with in reach, this world class 4-season town comes alive with winter events!
T
he 55 km, mapped trail system at Rangeley Lakes Trail Center offers winter trails for nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Trails are groomed for skate and classic Nordic skiing. Dedicated single-track trails offer the backwoods experience for snowshoeing and fat biking. There are a variety loops that offer you a choice of trek length, from a quick workout to a daylong outing with a picnic!
events | Rangeley
Be sure to check activitymaine.com for the most up-to-date information. JANUARY 18-20
FEBRUARY 2-4
Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club Snodeo Weekend , Family snowmobile
NE Pond Hockey Festival
rides, a snowmobile stunt show by Rave-X, radar run, casino night and other activities. JANUARY 18TH Chili/Chowder Cook-off, 5:30pm Casino Night - RLSC, 7pm
JANUARY 19 Skis, snowshoes, and fat bikes are available for rent. The RLTC staff can offer suggestions for routes to match your ability or available time. When you return, warm up with a variety of choices for soups, hot or cold beverages, and snacks.
Check their website for daily trail condition reports and special discount days. The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center is open 9AM to 4PM every day. xcskirangeley.com Located on Haley Pond is Ecopelagicon, a nature store. Purchase books about the Maine outdoors, maps and
Welcome to Snodeo Events
JANUARY 20 Rave-X Snowmobile Stunt Show Rock Maple Racing snowmobile racing event Parade and Fireworks
JANUARY 28 Fat Tire Bike Loppet
FEBRUARY 17 Rangeley 5th Annual World Record Snowmobile Ride for Cystic Fibrosis
FEBRUARY 18 Winterpaloozah!
FEBRUARY 24 Winter FLY IN
Bald Mountain Camps MARCH 3 23rd Annual Rangeley Lakes XC Loppet
8:30am FMI: 207-864-4309 MARCH 18 Moose Dash Snowshoe Race
10:30am to 4:00pm RL Trails Center FMI: 207-864-4309
Rangeley Lakes Trails Center FMI: 207-864-4309
activitymaine.com 31
camping supplies, as well as crafts, cards and jewelry. Right outside their door is the town cleared ice rink on Haley Pond. Need skates? Free skates are available at Ecopelagicon. The Annual New England Pond Hockey Festival will take place February 2nd-4th . This weekend of outdoor games on Haley Pond celebrates a time-honored New England tradition. At the end of the day, get some rest at either the newly updated Rangeley Inn or stay lakeside at the Town and Lake Motel and Cottages. Come experience the revival of a landmark, the Rangeley Inn offers a perfect combination
of location, ambiance, and comfort. The Town and Lake Motel and Cottages are open year round and located on Rangeley Lake. Whatever type of outdoor enthusiast you are, this four season vacation destination is sure to pull you back again and again. Ready to help you call this place home is Caryn Dreyfus of Morton & Furbish Real Estate. From building lots to condos, and lakefront homes to mountain camps, they’ve got something that will tickle your fancy. Come to Rangeley and embrace this winter wonderland. Be sure to bring your camera!
RANGELEY’S 3RD ANNUAL
Winterpaloozah! Caryn Dreyfuss, Broker
Buying? Selling? Investing? Contact Me Directly
(207) 233-8275
2478 Main Street, Rangeley, ME • Cell caryndreyfuss@morton-furbish.com • realestateinrangeley.com
32 winter/spring | 2017-2018
Sunday, February 18, 2018 10:00 – 4:00 This year’s festival kicks off with a new event the “Paloozathon” and continues throughout the day with more new events and our favorite activities such as ice skating, pond hockey, kicksledding, snowshoeing, snow sculpture contest, ice golf, curling, fat tire bike demos, snow-kiting and horse & wagon rides. The festival is a great family event. Enter your dog in the keg pull, or see how far you can toss a frying pan. Pick up your wife or partner and see how far the two of you can go in the wife carry. Big and little kids will enjoy the cardboard sled race and snowshoe event. As always, a campfire with marshmallows will be on hand to warm up by and an outdoor BBQ will be available from 11:30 to 2:00. Rangeley is a winter wonderland and outdoor recreation mecca. Come share our passion for outdoor family fun. Winterpaloozah! is a fundraiser for the Rangeley Skating Club and the Chamber of Commerce. Most activities are free of charge. A $5.00 entry fee will be charged for the following events: Paloozathon, Dog Keg Pull, Frying Pan Toss, Wife Carry, Cardboard Sled Race, Snowshoe Race, Snow Sculpture Contest and Fat Tire Race. Or buy a button for $20 and enter all of fee events. Prizes generously sponsored by local businesses. See us on facebook: RangeleyWinterpaloozah! for more information!
Vintage snowmobile racing
ST. JEAN
High
PHOTO BY STEVE
PEAKS T
HE STRATTON AND HIGH PEAKS REGION offers easy trail access and gives snowmobilers a lot of choices during the February Polar Blast.
The 2018 Polar Blast runs from February 8th -10th. You'll find comprehensive information about the Polar Blast and other winter activities in the High Peaks region at the F.A.B.A. website maineshighpeaks. com and the Polar Blast Facebook page. For other winter adventures, check out the Cathedral Pines trails in Eustis that are XC and snowshoe friendly. And if you book rooms at the Spillover Motel, you will have use of the snowmobile and XC skiing trails all around their property. Right next door
is The Coplin Dinner House and together they offer over night dinner packages, a winter weekend dinner/ brunch package, and a romance package that includes an overnight guest room, dinner at The Coplin Dinner House, and a basket full of romantic goodies in your room. You can find a lot of great places to eat in the region. When you are on Main Street in Stratton, think about breakfast or lunch at the Looney Moose Cafe. Open seven days a week, this is the place for a delicious
22nd Annual
PHOTO BY STEVE ST. JEAN
PHOTO COURTESY OF TAME THE TRACK SNOWMOBILE RACES
home-cooked meal. If you are looking for comfort food, warm up with a cup of their famous chili and a grilled cheese sandwich! The Carrabassett ValleyAntigravity Complex at the base of Sugarloaf is operated by the Town of Carrabassett and Carrabassett Valley Academy. This recreation complex features Maine’s largest indoor skate park and skate bowl, Olympicsize trampolines, an indoor rock climbing wall, full court gymnasium and fitness room. Classes and private lessons are offered and reservations are required for the trampolines and climbing wall. One way to see the beautiful backcountry of Maine is by renting snowmobiles at
Flagstaff Rentals Inc. They have just the ride for you to enjoy scenic terrain and groomed trails on self-guided snowmobile rentals that are well suited for novice to experienced riders. Some day trips from their location include Quill Hill, Rangeley, Carrabassett and The Canadian Trail where you can cross the border and have lunch with your passport! Ask about multiple day packages as well. Why Rent? Because renting is much more convenient and affordable than owning. Just show up and ride. No purchase, registration, maintenance costs, storage or trailering. Just pure enjoyment and memories to last a lifetime.
Join Us For the
Polar Blast! FeBrUary 8-10, 2018 Maine’s High Peaks is located in the heart of Maine’s 4000 foot mountains. Our communities of Carrabassett Valley, Eustis, Kingfield and Stratton, along with the many Unorganized Territories we serve, provide many exciting snowmobile trails for you to enjoy.
Contact us for more info: info@maineshighpeaks.com
207.235.6008
www.maineshighpeaks.com Please support our local clubs: Arnold Trail Snowmobile Club, J.V. Wing Snowmobile Club and the Sno-Wanderers Snowmobile Club.
activitymaine.com 33
/// HIGH PEAKS REGION ///
polar blast events THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Cribbage and Pool Tournament
Polar Blast Breakfast
Stratton Plaza 7:00 PM
Community Building 7:00 AM
Great Polar Silent Auction begins.
Ice Skating
Stratton Plaza
Blanchard Park 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Ice Skating at Blanchard Park
Radar Run
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Arkies Runway 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Polar Bear Bonfire & Crazy Cardboard Sled Slide Eustis Village 6:00PM Fire Works Pumpkin Pond in Eustis
Chili, Chowder and Stew Contest
Village 8:15 PM
the Track Tour 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Behind the Fire Station (Quincy's field)
Entertainment (TBA)
Stratton Plaza 9:00 PM - 1:00A M FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Ice Skating at Blanchard Park
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Polar Bear Bonfire & Crazy Cardboard Sled Slide in Eustis Village 6:00PM Fire Works on Pumpkin Pond
Eustis Village 8:15 PM Entertainment (TBA)
Stratton Plaza 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM
34 winter/spring | 2017-2018
Stratton Plaza 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Vintage Snowmobile Racing with Tame
Polar Blast Awards
4:00 PM Stratton Plaza Super Raffle 7:00 PM at Trails End Steak House Live Music with the Band Skosh 9:00 PM at Trails End Steak House Live Music (TBA)
Stratton Plaza 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Ask about the Spillover’s new, Spillover Inn! A historic, 1890's farmhouse with guest rooms and event space! Family gatherings, retreats, baby showers, bridal showers and even weddings! Find them on Facebook
@spillovermaine
activitymaine.com 34
UMaine Farmington students after a Mainely Outdoors early December summit of nearby Tumbledown Mountain
THINKING OUTSIDE W The University of Maine at Farmington
PHOTOS COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON
hen people think of Maine colleges with a strong connection to the active outdoor lifestyle, the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) is the first school that comes to mind. Perfectly situated at the gateway to Sugarloaf, Sunday River and Saddleback, UMF is also smack in the middle of some of the best hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping and rafting in the northeast. Miles of trail running and mt. bike paths just off campus. Groomed Nordic skiing trails. Night skiing at Titcomb Mt. just on the other side of town. The swim-able, paddleable, fly-fishing-able Sandy
River running right beside its athletics fields. Flint Woods and Bonny Woods trails a short walk up the street from campus. And a quick drive takes outdoor enthusiast UMF students to the extensive Maine Huts & Trails system, the Appalachian Trail, Mt. Blue State Park and Tumbledown Mountain. But the University of Maine at Farmignton and the great outdoors isn’t all just fun and games. The University also
offers an Outdoor Recreation Business Administration program (ORBA), an innovative academic major with a fourseason focus and an emphasis on the business side of recreation. Developed with leaders in the industry, the ORBA program gives UMF students the skills and knowledge to succeed in a variety of outdoor recreation fields. Students develop a broad range of business knowledge, skills in writing and oral presentation, problem solving, decision-making, leadership and team building. ORBA also has a required internship, which provides students with valuable hands-on experience
and a network of professional contacts. UMF’s Alpine Operations Certificate program is open to UMF students in any major and is designed to provide students with core skills for working in the skiing industry while also preparing them to earn PSIA Level 1 certification. Alpine Operations uses Farmington’s Titcomb Mountain (just 7 minutes from campus) as its on-hill learning lab. Students run Titcomb’s successful UMF Snowcats children’s learn-to-ski program and also teach young adults, fellow UMF students and others how to ski and snowboard.
[ see “Think Outside,” page 38 ]
activitymaine.com 35
and
LOCAL SKIERS ENJOY Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley as well as Titcomb Mountain in West Farmington. Titcomb Mountain is big enough to offer a variety of terrain, yet small enough that families are quickly at ease. Here, you’ll find both alpine and Nordic skiing opportunities. Titcomb Mountain has added new upgraded snowmaking system and the lodge has added a new stone patio with a grill
and fire pit. The mountain has snowmaking capacity to cover 70% of its alpine terrain and lighted trails for night skiing, also a new small lighted XC Ski loop trail. Northern Lights Rental Shop, located at Titcomb Mountain, offers ski and snowboard rentals for children and adults. FMI: titcombmountain.com, or 207778-9031. Wilton, Maine, is a four season destination nestled
in the foothills of Western Maine on the shore of beautiful Wilson Lake. While most of the well-known areas in Maine get lots of press, you’ll find a gold mine of other destinations to call your own. Located in the hub of Maine’s recreational mecca–Wilton is less than one hour from Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Black Mountain and Titcomb ski areas. It’s also located on ITS 82 and 89.
A perfect accommodation for this area is The Wilson Lake Inn. They deliver unsurpassed value, warm hospitality, and personalized service you can only find at a family-operated inn. The guest rooms, studios and suites are bright, clean, spacious and quiet. Continental breakfast includes freshly ground coffee, bakery fresh coffee cakes and muffins, fresh fruit and juice to get you off to a great start to explore
Wilson Lake Inn
Come play in the foothills of Western Maine.
30 Guest rooms, Studios, and Suites Direct access ITS 82 & 89 Great restaurants close by Within 1 hr. of all major ski areas
for his AD Bring t count 10% dis
183 Lake Road Wilton, Maine 04294
207.645.3721 800.626.7463 36 winter/spring | 2017-2018
www.wilsonlakeinn.com
PHOTO BY SUSAN ATWOOD
FARMINGTON Wilton
PHOTO BY SUSAN ATWOOD
/// FARMINGTON/WILTON ///
Since 1930
PHOTO BY SCOTT LANDRY
this winter wonderland. Inn owners Tom and Susan invite you to enjoy the peace, serenity and service that will exceed your expectations. As your base camp for a funfilled getaway, they want to share the snow covered hills and valleys that surround the lake and provide you endless opportunities for skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing and ice fishing. In 1876, George Henry Bass founded G. H. Bass & Company on Wilson Lake in Wilton. Bass shoes were manufactured here until the family sold the business in 1998. Today, Calzolaio Pasta Company, an Italian Restaurant with some American alternatives, is located in the historic former shoe factory building. The restaurant
features homemade sauces and pasta, brickovenstyle pizza, fresh Maine seafood and natural meats. It’s open 7 days a week from 11am9pm for breakfast, lunch & dinner and Sunday brunch. Are you ready to purchase that mountain getaway or new snowmobile? At Franklin Savings Bank, they’ll be happy to assist you in the process. The bank has convenient locations in Farmington, Jay, Mexico, Mount Blue, Rangeley, Rumford, Skowhegan and Wilton. You’ll also find ATMs at most of these locations. To learn more about all of the businesses and events in Farmington, visit the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce on the web at: franklincountymaine.org or call 207-778-4215.
Maine Tourmaline Maine Gemstones Fine Jewelry ~ Unique Gifts
179 Broadway, Farmington, ME (207) 778-6560 mainestonejewelry.com
activitymaine.com 37
UMaine Farmington snowboarder catching air in a USASA collegiate competition at nearby Sunday River
RIGHT: UMaine Farmington alpine skiers at a USCSA competition at Farmington's Titcomb Mountain. PHOTOS COUTESY OF UMF
[“Think Outside” from page 35 ]
Both the ORBA program and Alpine Ops program not only bring students to the mountains — they bring the mountains to the students. Industry experts from Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Copper Mountain (CO), Ski Maine, Winterstick Snowboards, Mountain Force Apparel and many others come to UMF classes as frequent guest speakers.
MAINELY OUTDOORS — ACTIVE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE! To take full advantage of its perfect location, UMF also offers a backpack full of epic outdoor adventures through its Mainely Outdoors program. Mainely Outdoors offers students, staff and the local community a wide range of exciting outdoor opportunities: trips and excursions,
38 winter/spring | 2017-2018
equipment and gear sign-out/ rentals, clinics and lessons, certification and training opportunities, and much more. Mainely Outdoors introduces people to new active outdoor activities and takes advantage of the unbelievable natural resources in the Farmington area: hiking Tumbledown Mountain, overnight camping at Acadia National Park, mountain biking the Carrabassett Rail Trail, skiing at Sugarloaf, flatwater kayaking North Pond, overnight camping at Gulf Hagas, whitewater rafting the Kennebec, snowshoeing the Maine Huts & Trails System, sunset canoeing Wilson Lake and a whole lot more. At the University of Maine at Farmington, college students from across the northeast come to get their outdoors on.
[“Poutine” continued from page 19 ]
cheese curds—has become a darling of Americans too. “Poutine has turned out to be one of our most popular dishes,” Julia Dilger said, co-owner with her husband Craig, of Foulmouthed Brewing. “That, and our nachos, and grilled cheese sandwich.” Asked if she knew that Poutine was Canadian, Julia said, “I did, but I’m from New Jersey, and down there we had a version of it we called ‘Disco Fries’.” Foulmouthed Brewing celebrated its first anniversary this past June. Julia Dilger gave up her teaching career and her husband Craig traded in his work as a photographer to “follow their bliss” and open a brewpub. “We thought at first we would rent out the kitchen to someone who would provide our food, but we finally decided we needed to have some oversight and control over that aspect of the business,” Julia Dilger said. “That’s when we asked our friend Dan Lindberg if he would be interested in running it.” As for the brewery, Julia and Craig hired Craig’s homebrew partner Bill Boguski to take over as brewmaster. Craig had been homebrewing for years, while doing one-day stints at Smuttynose Brewing Co., Oxbow Brewing Co. and Marshall Wharf Brewing Co. until he became head brewer at Lively Brewing Co. At Foulmouthed, brewing tends to be a collaboration. Chef Dan “helped figure out just how much basil to put into a basil saison we brewed that was the winner of a local homebrew competition,” Julia Dilger said. “And Dan had an idea to brew a Gose made with kosho, a Japanese paste made of yuzu, salt and chili peppers.” Back in the kitchen, Dan makes the Poutine in three
Foulmouthed Brewing Company 15 Ocean Street, South Portland, Maine Takeout/Bar/Restaurant: 207-618-6977 Brewery/Business Office: 207-618-6976 www.foulmouthedbrewing.com
Hours: Monday through Sunday. Check website, as they may change seasonally
steps. First he simmers pork bones with aromatics like onion, garlic, carrot, celery and herbs for four hours. From the resulting stock, the gravy is made with a bacon-fat roux and more spices. Potato “batons,” as Dan calls them, are cut from Norwis or Russet potatoes, soaked in ice water, frozen overnight, then fried as needed. Cheese curds are from Maine’s own Pineland Farms. “We recommend pairing it with Ice Scraper, our barrelaged barley wine or Vanilla Cream Stout, our stout-aged with vanilla, which we describe this way: British Maris Otter malts provide the base of this smooth, roasty stout. Oats, flaked barley and lactose make it delightfully creamy and a touch of vanilla rounds it out. Enjoy the perfect winter comfort food “mess” created by the Quebecois. Merci!
KATE CONE is the author of What’s Brewing in New England: A Guide to Brewpubs and Craft Breweries, published by Down East Books. She cooks with beer frequently at her home in Waterville, Maine.
activitymaine.com 38
explore
MOOSEHEAD PHOTO BY ANGELA ARNO
M
AJESTIC MOOSEHEAD LAKE with its 400 miles of undeveloped shoreline, surrounding mountain peaks and expansive views provide an inspiring backdrop to escape from the everyday fast pace of life. The winter months and the abundant snowfall open up a spectacular opportunity to explore back country trails and frozen water bodies. Wildlife abounds on our trails and it is common to see moose, deer, wild turkeys and many woodland animals up close and personal.
The surrounding townships of Greenville, Rockwood, Pittston Farm, Northeast Carry and Kokadjo and their clubs work in unison to maintain a world class network of groomed snowmobile trails. Start your trip from any of these locations and loop through the wooded forests and enjoy convenient services and warm up stops along the way. If man power
fun is your thing, Nordic and Cross Country trails are offered throughout the region. Groomed and marked ski and snowshoe trails can be found at Greenville's Natural Resource Education Center (NREC), Big Squaw Mountain Ski Area, Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) near Kokadjo and The Birches Resort in Rockwood. Each location offers a different type of terrain whether it
PHOTO COURTESY OF GRAY GHOST CAMPS
be wooded, rolling streams, mountain or lake views. When it comes to downhill skiing and boarding, views from Big Squaw Mountain Ski Area are some of the finest in
the Eastern US! Located on the west shore of Moosehead Lake, this family ski area is only 5 miles from downtown Greenville and 13 miles from Rockwood. Lift ticket pricing
activitymaine.com 39
/// MOOSHEAD LAKE REGION ///
remains affordable for the young and old thanks to the fundraising efforts of the nonprofit 501c(3) Friends of Squaw Mountain. The base lodge is open to guests Friday- Sunday, 9am - 4pm, vacations and holidays. Here you will find a full service rental shop, ski/ board school and snack bar with hot and cold food items. For more information visit skibigsquaw.com
More winter fun can be found in the Village of Greenville at the southern end of Moosehead Lake. Home to the quaintest shops, replenishing pubs and recreational services like the ice skating rink, Greenville is for snow lovers! Pick up the perfect souvenir and plan your next adventure. How about trying something new? Guided dog sled adventures and moose tours to find a fresh antler shed are offered daily. Sportsmen favor the big lake and it’s many protected ponds near Moosehead for fishing action on the ice. Heated and equipped ice fishing shacks and gear are available to rent by the day. Enter one of our annual ice fishing derbies to add a friendly competition to your sport. You may win the big prize and help raise money to support the local causes of NREC and the Friends of Moosehead Lake. Moosehead Motorsports is a full service dealership dedicated to making year-round fun for our customers and having fun doing it. They do this by
40 winter/spring | 2017-2018
PHOTO COURTESY OF MOOSEHEAD LAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
selling, renting, and servicing the "toys" they play with: SkiDoo snowmobiles, Can-Am ATV, and Sea-Doo personal watercraft, with a complete line of parts, clothing, and accessories. Check out mooseheadlake. org or friendsofmoosehead.org for area maps, activities and helpful links to help plan your next Moosehead escape.
events |
Moosehead
Be sure to check activitymaine.com for the most up-to-date information. DECEMBER 31 The Birches-New Years Eve Celebration birches.com
JANUARY 21 B52 Commemorative Ride, 12pm – 4pm, Scammon Ridge Road, Greenville, ME. Every year the Moosehead Riders Snowmobile Club hosts a snowmobile ride up Elephant Mountain to the memorial site where a B-52 Bomber crashed in 1963 during a training flight. There will be a luncheon at Noon and the ride leaves the clubhouse at 1:45pm mooseheadriders.com/events
JANUARY 26-28 Eleventh Annual Moosehead Lake Togue Ice Fishing Derby with Ricky Craven. The Ice Fishing Derby is for Lake Trout (Togue) caught in Moosehead Lake only. All fish entered must be caught between 12:01 Friday, January 26th and the close of the Derby on Sunday. You MUST be in line by 4:00pm on January 26th to have your fish weighed to be included. Visit nrecmoosehead.org for more details! FEBRUARY 3 Wilderness Sled Dog Races. 100milewildernessrace.org FEBRUARY 18 Annual Chocolate Festival. mooseheadlake.org
/// MOOSHEAD LAKE REGION ///
SKI THE VIEW
Come
THE
PHOTO COURTESY OF FRIENDS OF SQUAW MOUNTAIN
GREENVILLE
FRIENDS OF SQUAW MOUNTAIN
is a nonprofit corporation with the goal of sharing the Squaw Mountain experience that has been celebrated and loved by many. Squaw is a community mountain for youth and families to ski & ride affordably, as well as learn to ski, ride & race. We embrace the history that once was, while working together to make the future of our mountain a resort for the family. We look forward to skiing the view with you.
we hire local writers
activitymaine.com/submission-guidelines
activitymaine.com 41
FIVE ESSENTIALS for your backpack when backcountry skiing By LAFE LOW
PHOTO: LAFE LOW
1 DUCT TAPE: Yep, good old duct tape. Now I don’t often take the whole darn roll (as much fun as that would be). I always have a full roll camping and banging around in the car, but when weight is an issue, I have to dial it down. Duct tape is like life insurance, property insurance and health insurance all in one. You never know when you might need it for equipment repair, to fashion a makeshift splint, to secure a bandage, or repair a tear in your jacket. Even just a small amount wrapped around a ski pole just below the handle is enough to power through. Be truly advanced and make it Gorilla tape. That stuff is virtually indestructible.
2 LEATHERMAN: This is also akin to an insurance policy. While I’ve never had to use my Leatherman (which is actually named for the company founder and developer of the original—Tim Leatherman) for a medical issue, I wouldn’t hesitate to do so. It could be
42 winter/spring | 2017-2018
indispensable in fashioning a splint or crutch out of branches, or slicing off a piece of cord for a sling. It is far more frequently called into service for equipment repair. When I am trashing through the woods or getting ready to drop into something like the Left Gully at Tuckerman Ravine, I want to make darn sure my ski boot buckles and bindings are dialed in and perfectly adjusted. The Leatherman is a constant companion with just about any telemark bindings, which I find require a bit more love that alpine binders.
3 CLIF BARS: I have friends who go on and on about the beauty of food, the pleasures of dining, how you only have a finite amount of meals in your life, so you might as well make them count. I don’t disagree. However, I am not going to bring an artisanal multi-grain crust Margherita pizza with fresh basil and buffalo mozzarella into the backcountry. When the priority is skiing (which only happens
YOU WOULDN’T FORGET YOUR SKIS, YOUR BOOTS, OR PERHAPS YOUR POLES WHEN YOU HEAD OFF TO THE MOUNTAINS. You wouldn’t get far if you did. Ski area skiing is one thing — heading out into the backcountry is another thing entirely. There are a few other essentials you should pack that can keep you safe and comfortable. Some things here may seem obvious, but then again maybe not. In any event, I never head out without these things packed safely away. You may not ever need them, but if you do, you’ll be mighty glad you packed wisely. on days that end with “Y” when there’s snow on the ground), I get by just fine with black coffee and a CLIF bar or two. If I really want to get fancy, and pump up the protein count, I’ll even pack a CLIF Builder bar.
4 SPACE BLANKET: I am not a worrier. I don’t panic easily. Yet I am often prepared, occasionally to just short of overprepared. Thankfully I have never had a serious incident while out in the woods backcountry skiing or snowshoeing, but if I did and had to wait it out and spend a night in the woods, it would be a whole lot more comfortable with one of these lightweight, reflective Mylar blankets. It can keep you off a damp surface and preserve precious body heat. It takes up minimal space and weighs next to nothing. If you’re carrying a pack into the woods, carry a space blanket
5 HEADLAMP: Like a space blanket, having a headlamp, or at the very
least, a fully charged flashlight, can help prevent a minor emergency situation from developing into a colossal nightmare. Headlamps are great for hitting the trail super early, or can help ease the path home if you stay out in the woods a wee bit too long. And again, this small relatively lightweight item can truly save your bacon. If you try to hike Katahdin in any weather or any season, and a ranger stops you and finds you are not packing some sort of headlamp or flashlight, they will turn you around. Heed their wisdom and always pack some light.
LAFE LOW is the former editor of Explore New England and Outdoor Adventure magazines. He is also the author of Best Tent Camping: New England, Best Hikes on the Appalachian Trail: New England and the forthcoming second edition of 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Boston.
the
KATAHDIN W
PHOTO BY PAUL CYR PAULCYRPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
region
HEN SNOW COMES TO THE KATHADIN REGION, some of the very best snowmobile trails in North America beckon sledders to and experience a great winter getaway. Enjoy spectacular views of the mountains adorned in white. A 100+ mile loop of extraordinary beauty awaits you. From your door at the edge of ice coated Moosehead Lake you can sled east to Mt. Katahdin and Millinocket or go west to Jackman and the Forks. You can be sure that you will enjoy a fun packed snowmobiling adventure. If you do not have a sled or don’t wish to trailer one, consider renting from a local outfitter. If you are new to sledding,
many outfitters offer guided tours. Katahdin offers a complete menu of winter outdoor activities for fun, excitement and relaxation, including some of the finest cross-country skiing trail networks in New England. Guided ski excursions are a perfect way for the novice to safely learn and enjoy these winter activities.
MILLINOCKET www.katahdininnandsuites.com • info@katahdininnandsuites.com
Snowmobilers Welcome! — “THE” Place to Stay When Visiting Northern Maine —
• Property with 77 rooms. Large heated pool, hot tub, exercise, game and play area, free internet WIFI, local calls, cable and business center. • FREE Continental Breakfast. • We are motorcycle and pet friendly • We provide a large free trailer parking area
740 Central Street, Millinocket, ME 04462 1-877-902-4555 • 207-723-4555 SNOWMOBILERS WELCOME! Exercise Room • Pets Welcome • Continental Breakfast —
Route 157 (Just Off I-95 Exit 244) • Medway, ME
(207) 746-3193 • MedwayGateway.com
Complete your Katahdin getaway with great accommodations that include such amenities as a large heated pool, hot tub, exercise and play area as well as being in walking distance to restaurants – you will find it all at the Katahdin Inn & Suites. Your Winter 2017 Get Away Awaits You — Make your reservations now — Telephone: 1-877-902-4555 or 207-723-4555 * E-mail: info@katahdininnandsuites.com
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PHOTO BY JEFF KIRLIN
BANGOR The Queen City
A
S EARLY AS THE 1500S, WHEN DAVID INGRAM sailed up the Penobscot River, explorers believed the region was extraordinary. Some thought that the area was possibly the lost City of Gold – Norumbega. Samuel de Champlain attempted to find the gold but settled for a lucrative fur trade with the Indians. Lumber was the key industry in the Queen City during the city’s early history. By the late 1800s, Bangor was the busiest seaport on the East Coast shipping lumber to Europe and other parts of the United States.
Bangor has been home to many national luminaries including President Lincoln’s, Vice President, Hannibal Hamlin, as well as such contemporaries as authors Stephen King and Pulitzer Prizewinning playwright Owen Davis. The Queen City offers visitors great accommodations and a diverse menu of fantastic dining opportunities as well as an abundance of cultural choices. The University of Maine’s Museum of Art, Maine’s Discovery Museum, The Penobscot Theatre and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra which has been providing music to Bangor audiences since 1896 are but a few of the cultural interest that one can enjoy. Outdoor winter activities including skiing/ snowboarding, Nordic skiing, hiking, ice fishing and snowmobiling abound close by.
Maine Discovery Museum is loaded with kid’s activities that helps keep learning alive and fun. Art and science experiments and 3 floors of interactive exhibits make the museum a place where no boredom is found. mainediscoverymuseum.org.
Rae Ann Rice, Home Mortgage Specialist with Regency Mortgage of Bangor has been assisting folks for nearly a decade through the process of purchasing or refinancing of their home. Her professional expertise, compassion and drive will turn your need into a reality. You can reach her by Tel. (207) 974-8996 or by E-mail:rrice@regencymtg.com.
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Tues.- Sat. 10am-5pm Sundays 12pm-5pm
Machias. Maine. Magic.
Winter activities await in a small town Downeast
ABOVE: Middle River Park in Machias is a good place for winter activity with trails available for winter hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. PHOTO COURTESY OF TIM MOFFETT, DOWNEAST
by JOHANNA S. BILLINGS
I
f you’re looking for a good place to enjoy winter activities, go off the beaten path to the real Downeast. Located along Route 1 in Washington County, Machias offers a variety of things to do. Start by ringing in the new year at the Downeast Lobstah Drop. Launched in 2015, the all-day free event offers an alternative to staying home or traveling to another area on New Year’s Eve, said event organizer Bill Burke, owner of Pat’s Pizza.
The event kicks off the morning of December 31 with a children’s hat parade. Family activities such as crafts, demonstrations and a bonfire continue throughout the day and into the evening. It all culminates with the lowering
of a five-foot fiberglass lobster from the top of Pat’s Pizza. After dark, you can get warm taking in live music, juggling and magic shows. Those who don’t mind the cold can toast s’mores around small fire pits that go with the bonfire across from Pat’s. While in Machias, find out what else draws people here. “This is an awesome place to come,” said Danielle Parker, co-
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/// DOWNEAST /// RIGHT & BELOW: The Downeast Coastal Conservancy hosts a winter Snow Day in February at Middle River Park. PHOTOS COURTESY OF TIM MOFFETT, DOWNEAST COASTAL CONSERVANCY.
RIGHT: The Woodwind Gallery is one of several shops in Machias featuring work by local artists. Tourist information is also available here. PHOTO BY JOHANNA S. BILLINGS.
owner of the newly launched Machias River Brewing Co. The brewery, located adjacent to Skywalker’s Bar and Grille, is the newest stop on the Maine Brew Trail, having just opened in February, 2017. It offers a variety of microbrews; the adjacent bar is open for dinner and live music is featured on weekends. Parker and her husband, John, say the Machias area is just as beautiful as the more well-known areas, but without the crowds. In wintertime, places like Bar Harbor are virtually deserted, whereas Machias is alive with the flavor of the real Downeast. For those coming from out of town, the Machias River Inn and Blueberry Motel offer New Year’s Eve combination packages that include both an overnight stay and meals at Helen’s and Pat’s. Machias River Inn offers views of the Machias River and the Bluebird offers a quiet location outside of town. If you have other plans for New Year’s Eve, you can still schedule a trip to Machias to enjoy other offerings. Machias is home to Middle River Park, one of a number of places that offers winter hiking. “It’s definitely a great spot to visit in the winter for sledding and snowshoeing,” said Holly
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Byers, outreach director for the Downeast Coastal Conservancy, which owns the property. “The last two years we were even able to groom a cross-country ski trail around the park. We have it plowed so it’s easily accessible to the public.” The park is also the site of a Winter Fun Day bash in February, though the date had not been set as of press time. Machias also offers some unusual shopping, especially for a town its size. For example, Machias Hardware isn’t a traditional hardware store. Among its more unusual offerings are handmade baskets by owner Michael Hoyt as well as notecards depicting vintage town scenes, handmade ornaments and locally made yarn. You can even pick up locally brewed coffee there. Hoyt will grind it for you on site. Art lovers should check out Expressions Gallery, Woodwind Gallery and Ray Foster Antiques and Fine Art. As Expressions owner Sandi Malagara pointed out, “art” does not necessarily mean something to be hung on the wall. She sells handmade jewelry, felted items, pottery, woodcarvings and many other items made by local artists.
For more information Activities THE DOWNEAST LOBSTAH DROP takes place all day until midnight December 31 thoughout the Town of Machias. For more information including a schedule, visit downeastlobstahdrop.com.
MIDDLE RIVER PARK offers a variety of winter activities including hiking, sledding and snowshoeing. For more information on what’s available during the winter on Downeast Coastal Conservancy properties, visit downeastcoastalconservancy.org/ assets/2017-Winter-Access-Guide.pdf.
PAT’S PIZZA 168 Main St. (Route 1), 207-255-8111, patsmachias.com. SKYWALKER’S/MACHIAS RIVER BREWING 86 Main St (Route 1), 207-259-6001. www.facebook.com/ Machias-River-Brewing-Company-675328812601331.
Shopping Note: Many businesses cut back their
hours in winter. Call ahead to make sure the store you want to visit is open. COLUMBIA FALLS POTTERY 4 Main St., 207-255-2716
Lodging
www.columbiafallspottery.com .
BLUEBIRD MOTEL 231 Dublin St. (Route 1). 207-255-3333 or reservations@bluebirdmotelmaine. More information is also available on its website at bluebirdmotelmaine.com. Special packages available for New Year’s Eve.
EXPRESSIONS GALLERY 11 Main St., 207-271-0606
MACHIAS RIVER INN 103 Main St. (Route 1, right next to Helen’s), 207-255-4861, www.machiasriverinn.com. Special packages available for New Year’s Eve.
Food HELEN’S RESTAURANT 111 Main St. (Route 1) 207-255-8423 www.HelensRestaurantMachias.com.
expressionsartscrafts@gmail.com www.expressionsartscrafts.com.
RAY FOSTER ANTIQUES & FINE ART, 1 Water St., 207-255-0686, rayfoster.net.
IT, LLC, AKA “THE EBAY STORE” 149 Dublin St., #2 (next to Hannaford), 207-255-0003, www.facebook.com/itllc.
MACHIAS HARDWARE 25 Main St., 207-255-6581 www.machiashardware.com.
WOODWIND GALLERY 23 Main St., 207-255-3727 www.facebook.com/ Woodwind-Custom-Framers-andGallery-162347620493840.
/// DOWNEAST /// RIGHT: Expressions Gallery offers all kinds of artwork by local artists, from pottery to woodworking, jewelry to fiber arts. FARRIGHT: Rooms at the Machias River Inn feature views of the river which guests can enjoy looking through sliding glass doors or by stepping out onto the balcony. BELOW: The giant fiberglass
lobster sits outside Pat's Pizza, its nose propped up on a box, before being hoisted to the top of Pat's Pizza for the Downeast Lobstah Drop last year. In addition to lowering the lobster shortly before midnight, the annual New Year's Eve celebration features activities all day, from a live music to a bonfire. PHOTOS BY JOHANNA S. BILLINGS.
Columbia Falls Pottery, which will be doing free demonstrations during the Lobstah Drop, offers its own handmade pottery as well as some photo notecards and gift baskets. It LLC, or “the eBay Store,” features a wide variety of electronics, jewelry and even musical instruments. The store gets its name because owner Ryan Malagara sells items on eBay. If all that activity makes you hungry, be sure to check out the famous Helen’s Restaurant. It’s probably best known for
its pie, especially blueberry pie made with locally grown fruit, but it also serves a variety of good food from burgers to filet mignon. Of course, the businesses and activities mentioned here are not all Machias has to offer. But, once you get there you will see that this little out-of-theway town is the perfect winter getaway.
JOHANNA S. BILLINGS is an award-winning freelance writer/ photographer who enjoys visiting in Machias.
ABOVE: Helen's Restaurant is well known for its pies, but it also serves a variety of good including
salads, sandwiches and dinner platters. A local favorite is Helen's fish chowder. PHOTO BY JOHANNA S. BILLINGS.
activitymaine.com 47
/// DOWNEAST ///
For reservations: 207-255-4861 Walk out deck with river views
Keurig, microwave, & refrigerator
An exceptional place to bank. machiassavings.bank Member FDIC.
103 Main Street Machias, Maine 04654 www.machiasriverinn.com
Well behaved dogs welcome
Only AAA approved lodging in Machias
Free Wi-Fi – Fridge, Microwave and in-room Coffee 32” HD Flat Screen TV’s with 200 channels of DirecTV
Activity Maine’s, Sr. Editor, Jim Harnedy’s new book
A Brookline Boyhood in the 1930s and 40s Now Avaialble at local book stores and online! Major transformational events happened during Jim Harnedy’s boyhood. His latest book takes readers on a journey to the Boston area during an era that evokes both nostalgic memories of Saturday night suppers and the challenges faced in the aftermath of the Great Depression and the beginning of World War II. Through masterful storytelling and a vast assortment of vintage photos, Jim captures the culture, traditions and mood of the country during some of our nation’s most tumultuous times. Readers of all ages will enjoy the stories Jim shares, such as the need to perform emergency surgery on a Maine Coon kitten during a 1940 vacation on an island in the northern Maine wilderness
Women have Special Health Challenges. Orthopedic
Jim with Duncan, his
Jim’s book revisits the days when families harvested West Highland White fresh vegetables from their victory garden and Terrier gathered around the radio to listen to their favorite program. He also describes the Boston sports scene and the excitement of attending his first major league baseball game. Other stories recount the family’s narrow escape during the hurricane of 1938 on a trip to Keene, NH and the day he and his mother learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He covers his rites of passage to young adulthood with stories about his first summer job, prep school life, and getting his driver’s license. A Brookline Boyhood in the 1930s and 40s invites readers to travel back to the days before TV and the internet and recall the simple joy of life and the strength and resilience of New England families in the face of great challenges.
Contact Jim Harnedy for a signed copy. Jim Harnedy, 2 Pettegrow Point Road, Machiasport, ME 04655 207-255-0170 | jharnedy@maineline.net
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(866) 375-0177 (toll free) or (207) 255-3333 231 Dublin St. (Rt. 1) Machias, Maine www.bluebirdmotelmaine.com
At Down East Community Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, we offer Surgeon comprehensive Thomasgeneral and specialized gynecological services. Board Certified physicians Crowe, MD Kara Dwight, DO and Christian Inegbenijie, MD are experienced in the latest treatments for managing high-risk pregnancies. To schedule an appointment, call 207-255-0400.
Women have special health challenges. At Down East Community Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, we offer comprehensive general and specialized gynecological services. In addition, our doctors are experienced in the latest treatments and medical technologies for managing high-risk pregnancies. Dr. Christian Inegbenijie and Dr. Kara Dwight are both board certified OB/ GYNs who have been providing services at DECH for over 10 years. Both physicians are experienced in the latest treatments and medical technologies and specialize in high risk obstetrics, which includes planned and emergency C-sections and 3-D ultrasounds. They also specialize in minimally invasive gynecological surgeries such as laparoscopic hysterectomies. To make an appointment with Dr. Dwight or Dr. Inegbenijie call Down East Community Hospital’s Women’s Center at 255-0400.
Your locally owned
Beverage & Redemption Specialists Proudly serving Maine communities for over 25 years! Roopers is your #1 destination for low price, high quality beverages in Maine. Come in today and browse our extensive selection of beer, wine, spirits & tobacco products.
roopersbeverage.com
Stop by one of our SIX conveniently located package stores & redemption centers: AUBURN
545 Minot Avenue – 783-2047 303-311 Main Street – 783-9098
LEWISTON
694 Main Street – 782-1482 794 Sabattus Street – 783-6353 1420 Lisbon Street – 333-3095
OXFORD
980 Main Street – 539-6072
umf
ThinkingOutside Get your outdoors on. Want a college where you can combine academics with the active outdoor lifestyle? Situated at the gateway to world-class skiing and snowboarding in western Maine, UMF is smack in the middle of some of the best hiking, mt. biking, camping, rafting, canoeing and kayaking in the northeast. This is the perfect place to be.
In partnership with Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Titcomb Mt. and others, UMF offers a unique Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major (ORBA) and an Alpine Operations Certificate. Both provide real-world experience and valuable contacts in the outdoor recreation & skiing industry — including internships.
Maine’s nationally recognized public liberal arts college
farmington.edu