Bangor Metro_December 2021

Festive & Fun

DECORATING...

ON A BUDGET

Merry &

BRIGHT TIPS TO HAVE A

HAPPY

HOLIDAY

TEACHING

KINDNESS BLENDING

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

$5.95

December 2021

WINTER HIKES O

• MAKE PEPPERMINT TREATS • KTK

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2021

FEATURES 34

5 STEPS TO KINDNESS

How to teach kids kindness

40

‘TIS THE SEASON

Discover how one family is blending their holiday traditions

IN EVERY ISSUE 08

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Local events & our monthly Pop Quiz

14

OBSESSIONS

What we can’t get enough of this month

30

40

BLENDING TRADITIONS

20

WELCOME WINTER WITH A HIKE

PERSONAL FINANCE

Saving for the holidays can be a year-round task

44

WOODS & WATERS

A look at Bar Harbor, past and present

46

THE VIEW FROM HERE

WE’VE GOT THE HOLIDAYS COVERED FROM FRONT TO BACK! Flip this issue for our Holiday Gift Guide and find the perfect gift for everyone on your list!

2 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

PHOTOS: TKTK

A no fuss Christmas?

ARTS & CULTURE 10

IGNITING CURIOSITY

Bangor author’s quest to show kids the past

FOOD & DRINK 16

IN SEASON NOW

Perfectly peppermint treats for the holiday season

HEALTH & FITNESS 20

HIKE ME

Welcome winter by exploring a snowdusted trail

HOME & FAMILY 26 FEELING FESTIVE ON A BUDGET Decorating for Christmas and the holidays without breaking the bank

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

Merry &

BRIGHT

WHERE WILL THE CHRISTMAS TREE GO? That’s the question I’ve been mulling lately. In our new Little City home in Bangor, it was easy to decide the function of each room. But finding space for the nuances of life — from where to store the games to which closet should be for coats — is proving harder.

Do we really need a coat closet? That’s another question I’ve been mulling over a lot.

It took me so long to find the right house in the right neighborhood in Bangor. When we moved, it came with great relief to be putting down more permanent roots and making the space our own. And yet, it feels like I am still searching in some ways.

We have the basics, but are still outfitting our space to our liking. Is that something that ever stops?

Or is it a constant evolution?

I’d love to hear from some of you about this. Are you constantly updating your home? Or did a time come when you felt really settled in it?

And was it obvious where your tree would go? It isn’t to me. Not in this house, at least.

This issue of Bangor Metro is a look at families, comfort and the way we celebrate. From ways to decorate on the cheap (page 26) to how families combine traditions (page 40) to imagining a different sort of Christmas without all the trappings (page 46), this issue has lots of nuggets of holiday cheer.

But that’s not all.

Find your holiday hike (page 20), see how Bar Harbor is really coming full circle (page 44) and so much more. Hope you love this issue! We sure do.

AND HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON,

SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

Connect With Us Online bangormetro.com facebook.com/BangorMetro talkback@bangormetro.com

4 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

www.bangormetro.com P.O. Box 1329 Bangor, Maine 04402-1329 Phone: 207.990.8000

PUBLISHER

Richard J. Warren

EDITOR

Sarah Walker Caron scaron@bangordailynews.com

SALES MANAGER

Laurie Cates

lcates@bangordailynews.com

ART DIRECTOR

Amy Allen

aallen@bangordailynews.com

SUBSCRIPTION & PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Fred Stewart

fstewart@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Julia Bayly jbayly@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Rosemary Lausier rlausier@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Sam Schipani sschipani@bangordailynews.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Duchesne, Jodi Hersey, Emily Morrison, Kaylie Reese, Aislinn Sarnacki, Katie Smith www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 5

6 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

WHAT WAS THE Bangor Metro Magazine. December 2021, Vol. 17, No. 10.

Copyright © Bangor Publishing Company.

Bangor Metro is published 10 times annually by Bangor Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

This magazine may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form without the written permission of the Publisher.

Bangor Metro is mailed at standard rates from Portland, Maine.

Opinions expressed in either the editorial or advertisements do not represent the opinions of the staff or publisher of Bangor Metro magazine. Advertisers and event sponsors or their agents are responsible for copyrights and accuracy of all material they submit.

Bangor Metro magazine to the best of its ability ensures the acuracy of information printed in the publication.

BEST THING YOU ATE IN MAINE IN 2021?

Inquiries and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Letters to the editor, story suggestions, and other reader input will be subject to Bangor Metro’s unrestricted right to edit and publish in the magazine both in print and online.

Editorial: Queries should be sent to Sarah Walker Caron at scaron@bangordailynews.com.

Advertising: For advertising questions, please call the Sales Director Todd Johnston at 207-990-8129.

Subscriptions/Address Change: The one year subscription cost is $15.95. Address changes: to ensure delivery, subscribers must notify the magazine of address changes one month in advance of the cover date. Please contact Fred Stewart at 207-990-8075.

Accounts Payable/Receivable: For information about your account please contact Todd Johnston at 207-990-8129.

COVER DESIGN: Amy Allen ORIGINAL IMAGE: ©TSTOCK/ADOBE STOCK

“

Over the summer, my kids and I took a long, winding road trip to back to school shop, visit colleges and other things. Along the way, we had a stop in Brunswick that led us to The Great Impasta on Maine Street. Everything was wonderful about the meal, but the tomato-based Scampi pasta dish I ordered still has me salivating. It was flavorful and robust, with so many shrimp sautéed in an amazing, rich tomato and garlic herb sauce and served over linguine.

YUMMMMM. The garlic knots that came with the meal were a wonderful added bonus too.”

— SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

“Surf and turf burger at Claws in Rockland. Wow wow wow.”

— KAYLIE REESE, CONTRIBUTOR

“#1: I don’t remember specifically, but I’m sure it wasn’t good for me. #2: My own shrimp & sausage gumbo.”

— BOB DUCHESNE, COLUMNIST

“Hands down, the Boss Hog Burrito from 86 This! (the classy punk-rock burrito shop in Ellsworth) has to be the best cuisine I’ve consumed this year. The pulled pork, black beans, rice, pico de gallo, cabbage slaw, chipotle creme and cheddar/ jack cheese is out-of-this-world good.”

— EMILY MORRISON, COLUMNIST

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7

WHAT’S HAPPENING

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Have a holly, jolly holiday by testing your ho-ho-ho knowhow with a Pop Quiz!

DECEMBER BEGINNING DEC. 4 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS While there won’t be the traditional parade this year, there will be a Festival of Lights.

Join the Rotary Club of Bangor, the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Bangor Partnership and Links Web Design, for a drive by celebration of light. There will be sites throughout the city to see impressive light displays. Then, cast your vote for your favorites by visiting bangorrotary.org or visitbangormaine.com.

There will be five categories to vote on, with the top vote recipient being honored with Best Overall. Maps can be found at the Bangor Rotary and the Visit Bangor Maine websites.

DEC. 11-12 ROBINSON BALLET’S THE NUTCRACKER AT THE GRACIE THEATRE Join the Robinson Ballet Company at the Gracie Theatre on the campus of Husson University on Dec. 11-12 for The Nutcracker. The classic tale is brought to life by dancers in an engaging, exciting show. Matinees will be performed at 3 p.m. each day.

Visit robinsonballet.org/nutcrackertickets to buy tickets.

DEC. 11 ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR Find locally made presents and goodies for everyone on your list at the Annual Christmas Craft Fair held at the Brewer Eagles Club at 22 Atlantic Avenue. The fair will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Celebrate the holiday season with a joyful performance by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra featuring a lineup of special guests including soprano Hannah Madeleine Goodman. From classic carols to recent holiday favorites, this will be a special night. The show is at 7 p.m. at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono.

Visitbangorsymphony.org/show/winter-pops for details, ticket information and more.

Find answers below.

Answers to this month’s Pop Quiz: Question 1: A; Q2: B; Q3: A; Q4: C; Q5: C. 8 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

PHOTO: BDN FILE

DEC. 18 HOLIDAY WINTER POPS WITH THE BANGOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

ARTS & CULTURE

Igniting

CURIOSITY BANGOR AUTHOR’S QUEST TO SHOW KIDS THE PAST

BY KAYLIE REESE

14 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

T

his fall, local writer and historian Alexandra Hinrichs celebrated the publication of her second children’s book, “The Traveling Camera: Lewis Hine and the Fight to End Child Labor.”

Hinrichs is a writer who does not shy away from tackling a challenging subject. Illustrated by Michael Garland, “The Traveling Camera” turns the lens back onto photographer and educator Lewis Hine, who used his camera to document child labor early in the 20th century. The images Hine captured while working with the National Child Labor Committee brought visual awareness to dangerous and exploitative working conditions of minors and ultimately contributed to legal reform in the United States.

Hinrichs, a librarian at Leonard Middle School in Old Town, lights up when given the chance to talk about the research and writing process — she’s someone who delights in reading foot notes, endnotes and all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a finished project. Her care and attention to honoring the work of Hine shine bright through her work.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE “THE TRAVELING CAMERA”?

As a children’s book author, I’m always interested in what kids will connect to in a story. For me, I think other kids are the first answer to that. But children are also hard to find in history and often in art. A lot of photographs or paintings of children from the early 20th century and before were that of wealthy children whose parents had their portrait done. But I kept seeing these photographs in the Getty collection of these kids, who were clearly working class kids, and I recognized them, but I couldn’t remember why. So when I started looking deeper, I saw that Lewis Hine was the photographer, and the light went off, because my graduate adviser had introduced me to his work. So then I thought, “This is the story I want to tell.” Hine is meeting all of these children who are working in these conditions that are so unusual and so different from today.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 15

ARTS & CULTURE

WHAT DO YOU HOPE READERS TAKE AWAY FROM READING THIS BOOK? I set out with the goal of igniting curiosity and that sense of connection. In terms of child labor, there was often and still is this sense of “children should be seen and not heard,” that they aren’t full people. And what I loved about Lewis Hine’s work was that he clearly did see them as real people and as full people and captured that so well in his photographs.

Ultimately, I wanted to further his mission of bringing the children’s humanity and stories to light. And he himself actually loved the form of a picture book and did write a picture book for young adults written with adolescents in mind. So writing a picture book about him felt like a natural form to continue his work.

Child labor is still happening around the world, unfortunately, and there’s a rise in particular. The United Nations set a goal declaring 2021 as the year to end child labor before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has actually worsened child labor. It was never a timely thing I was hoping for in the publication of this book, but since it is the case, I hope that maybe it will help raise some awareness as well.

YOU PREVIOUSLY WORKED FOR AMERICAN GIRL AS A HISTORICAL RESEARCHER AND EDITOR. 16 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

HOW DID THAT JOB HELP SHAPE THE WORK YOU’RE DOING TODAY? That was a very rewarding job for many reasons. One of which is that it gave me an insider’s look at publishing and working with editors and authors and illustrators and art directors. I was seeing manuscripts coming in from outline form all the way to their publication. I learned so much along the way. When I moved to Maine, that was when I really started taking my own writing seriously and decided I wanted to pursue writing children’s books and make it happen.

Working there, it also gave me a level of experience of going through stories and seeing the kinds of things I need to think about, in terms of organizing my research and the path forward — what to focus on.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH AN ILLUSTRATOR? With picture books, it’s incredibly collaborative. The illustrator brings as much to the table and to the story as the author.

With “The Traveling Camera,” there are thousands of photographs that Hine took.

There aren’t very many of him, but there are thousands of his work for the National Child Labor Committee and of the children that he met.

One of my favorite points with each project is the moment when I see

sketches for the first time and see the illustrator’s vision and how they bring it to life, what they add to the story. It’s such an exciting moment.

WHAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE WHEN WRITING? One thing I still struggle with is knowing when to put the research down and to know when enough is enough. I can’t know everything. It is so hard. With each project it’s different. With Lewis Hine and the sheer volume of photographs, I knew I couldn’t go through every single photograph. On the other hand, I sure went through a lot of them. But at some point, when the story’s getting really loud in my head, I know it’s time to stop and to write. And that doesn’t mean I’m done for good. I revisit, research and do more research as needed through almost every phase of the book. But there is a moment when the urge to tell overpowers the questions that I have.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR WRITING LEAVES WITH READERS? I’m someone who loves stories and loves words. Words always felt musical to me and playful. I just hope that there’s a kid out there who gets that excitement about stories and words with something they read of mine.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17

OBSESSIONS

OBSESSIONS WHAT WE CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THIS MONTH.

SHOP VINTAGE SNOWSUITS

PLAY STARDEW VALLEY

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? I have a problem, and that problem is shopping for vintage snowsuits on eBay. Hear me out: I spend a lot of time outdoors during the winter, and snowsuits are the only surefire way in my experience to prevent the dreaded midriff exposure to the cold, and they just don’t make snowsuits like they used to. Besides, I like to look fly even if I’m sitting on the ice with a beer and a jigging rod. Always size up for vintage finds, but also be warned: I will be watching, and I will outbid you.

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? I’m late to the party, but Stardew Valley is the coziest, most delightful little game. In the game, you are a farmer who has recently arrived in a new town. You have to plant crops, raise animals and make a living, sure — standard farmer stuff — but you also have to make the townspeople like you, appease the strange magical powers that permeate the town and fight cave-dwelling monsters. It is slowly but surely sucking away all my free time, in the best way.

— SAM SCHIPANI

— SAM SCHIPANI

SEW FRIDAY PATTERN COMPANY PATTERNS

— SAM SCHIPANI

18 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

PHOTO: TKTK

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? I have always wanted to sew and make my own clothes, but sewing patterns are befuddling and sewing classes often leave me in the dust.

Friday Pattern Company not only sells simple, modern sewing patterns that are a little more my style than some of the dated Butterick and McCall looks that dominate the fabric store, but many of their patterns come with an accompanying YouTube tutorial that I can rewind and rewatch as I please. I recently finished their square neck top “sew along” and can’t wait to get my hands on some more. Get yours at fridaypatterncompany.com.

READ Every month, many new books cross my desk. I purchase even more. These are a few that I particularly enjoyed and recommend.

“THE BEST AMERICAN ESSAYS 2021,” EDITED

BY KATHRYN SCHULZ — If you’ve read Bangor Metro for years, then you probably know I am a huge fan of The Best American Series of books. Each year, these books encapsulate different genres, honoring writers of mystery, food, travel and more. This year, I could hardly choose which one to dig into first, but the essays one won out. It’s filled with an abundance of good essays, tackling life in the most difficult of years — the first year of the pandemic. Through stories of grief, hardship, loss and unexpected change, we peer through a window into our collective experience. Highly recommended.

(NONFICTION) “GOLDEN GIRL,” BY ELIN HILDERBRAND — A mother of three and successful novelist is killed in a hitand-run accident at the start of this novel. It’s intense and sudden, just as such an incident would be in real life.

But instead of heading directly to the great beyond, Vivi is given a chance to observe her family and world for a while and intervene three times to help prevent them from making life-altering mistakes. Hilderbrand, who is known for her beach reads, delivers an intense, vivid novel in “Golden Girl,” that will have you thinking about your own secrets, hidden truths and difficult decisions. I found this book, which contains a touch of mystery (who killed her, anyway?), to be an interesting look at how we mourn and how we move on. (FICTION) — SARAH WALKER CARON

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19

FOOD & DRINK

in season now

PEPPERMINT

TREATS!

BY SARAH WALKER CARON

THERE ARE CERTAIN FLAVORS we associate with certain times of year — berries in the summer, for instance, and pumpkin spice in the autumn.

When December rolls around, one of those flavors for me is peppermint, paired with or without chocolate.

Perhaps it’s because the candy canes that hung on my childhood tree were always peppermint flavored. Perhaps it’s because the coolness of the flavor is similar to the coolness of the air. Or perhaps it’s some other arbitrary reason.

Whatever it is, you can bet that my holiday treats will include peppermint.

The thing about peppermint though is that a little goes a long, long way.

That’s why I like to use candy canes to impart the flavor, as in these recipes.

Although peppermint extract is available (and I use it sometimes), it’s very potent and too much will ruin an otherwise delicious dessert. Candy canes are easier to control.

If you like peppermint like I do, you’re going to love these recipes.

EASY PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE

1 serving

INGREDIENTS 1 cup milk 2 oz. milk chocolate, chopped 1 candy cane, unwrapped

INSTRUCTIONS Bring the milk to a simmer on the stove (it should be hot, but not boiling). Whisk in the chocolate. Continue whisking until melted. Pour into a mug and enjoy.

Add the candy cane to the mug and stir.

If desired, top with whipped cream and/or marshmallows.

20 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

PEPPERMINT SUGAR COOKIES

Yields about 2 dozen cookies

INGREDIENTS ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1¼ cups granulated sugar ½ tsp vanilla extract 3 candy canes, crushed 2 large eggs 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour ½ tsp. kosher salt ¼ tsp. baking powder

INSTRUCTIONS With the oven rack in the center of the oven, preheat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat again until incorporated.

Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the candy canes, and beat until incorporated.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, salt and baking powder. With the stand mixer running on its lowest speed, add the flour mixture by the spoonful until fully incorporated.

Using a medium cookie scoop or two tablespoons, drop rounded mounds of dough onto the prepared cookie sheet, leaving two inches between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack for further cooling.

Once cooled, these can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days — if they last that long.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 21

FOOD & DRINK

PEPPERMINT BARK POPCORN

Yields 8 servings

INGREDIENTS 8 cups freshly popped plain popcorn 4 oz. 60% cacao dark chocolate 3-4 oz. white chocolate 2 candy canes, crushed

INSTRUCTIONS Line a large baking sheet with waxed paper. Spread out the popcorn on the baking sheet into one single layer.

Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl using this method: break the chocolate into pieces and place in the bowl. Microwave for 45 seconds. Stir. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Repeat if necessary, microwaving for 30 seconds and stirring until the chocolate is smooth. DO NOT overcook.

Drizzle the chocolate all over the popcorn, taking care to get it on each piece (but don’t be fussy about it — just let it drip and drizzle).

Melt the white chocolate in a second microwave-safe bowl, following the same process as you did for the dark chocolate. Drizzle all over the popcorn, taking care to get it on all the pieces.

Sprinkle the crushed peppermint all over the popcorn.

Allow the chocolate to cool and harden. Then package the popcorn as desired. This is perfect for gifting or for a holiday treat.

SARAH WALKER CARON is the editor of Bangor Metro Magazine and the author of five cookbooks including the “Easy Frugal Cookbook,” released in July. Her book “Classic Diners of Maine” is available where books are sold. Signed copies are available at The Briar Patch in Bangor.

22 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 23

HIKE ME

Welcoming

WINTER WELCOME WINTER BY EXPLORING A TRAIL STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI

TINY SNOWFLAKES FLOAT through the air, sparkling in the sun. They fall onto the wide path, dusting the gravel with a shimmering layer of white. Through branches coated with ice, the hiker can spot the form of a nearby mountain.

The trail ahead is quiet, though faint bootprints tell the hiker that he’s not the first person to walk the route that day. And far smaller, fresher footprints tell him that a squirrel has just passed by, skittering through the newfallen snow. Forming a line across the trail, the tiny tracks disappear at the base of a tree.

Along the edge of a gurgling brook, ice has crystalized into feathery, intricate patterns. A footbridge carries the hiker across the waterway so he can continue on the trail as it circles around the mountain range.

His breath fogs in the crisp air. But snug in an insulated coat, hat and mittens, he finds the cold to be refreshing, not uncomfortable. With a thermos of hot chocolate and chemical hand warmers tucked away in his backpack, he’s well prepared to beat back any chill that might try to creep into his bones.

As days shorten throughout December, the sun’s arc sinking closer to the horizon, winter creeps in to transform the landscape. Some creatures retreat into well-stocked burrows to escape the often biting weather, while others — like the lone hiker — wander the woods, welcoming the beauty of the season.

Snow-dusted pine boughs, wild animal tracks, cliffs adorned with icicles — these are just the few of the many sights you can enjoy on Maine wintery trails. Here are a few great winter hiking destinations of varying difficulty to get you started.

30 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

ROUND THE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

IN HOPE

MODERATE Circling Ragged Mountain and Little Ragged Mountain, the Round the Mountain Trail is a multiuse pathway that’s open to foot traffic, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Weaving through a beautiful mixed forest, the trail travels along the lower slopes of the mountain range, offering views of the mountains and nearby landmarks such as Mirror Lake and Hosmer Pond.

Still under construction, the trail will measure about 8.5 miles when complete. Currently 5.5 miles of the trail are finished and open to the public. If looking to add to your adventure, the trail intersects with multi-use trails at the Camden Snow Bowl, a hiking trail that leads to the summit of Ragged Mountain and a multi-use trail that leads to the nearby Goose River Trails.

Surfaced with crushed rock, the Round the Mountain Trail crosses several brooks on scenic footbridges. In fact, when complete, it will feature an estimated 80 bridges.

Access is free. Dogs are permitted but must be leashed. Bicycles are asked to yield to trail users who are on foot.

For more information, call the Coastal Mountains Land Trust at 207-236-7091 or visit coastalmountains.org.

DIRECTIONS: The trail’s Thorndike Brook Trailhead is located at 223 Hope Street in Hope, approximately 0.7 mile from where Hope Street intersects with Route 17 in Rockport. Coming from Rockport, the large parking lot will be on your right, just after Hope Street crosses Thorndike Brook.

The Camden Snow Bowl Trailhead is located at 20 Barnestown Road in Camden, which is about 3.5 miles outside of downtown Camden, at the edge of Hosmer Pond. There you’ll find the large parking area for the Camden Snow Bowl. Park on the left side of the lot, then follow the Round the Mountain Trail signs. The first 1 mile of the trail follows the existing Kuller Trail.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 31

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

BORESTONE MOUNTAIN

IN ELLIOTSVILLE TOWNSHIP CHALLENGING Rising 1,981 feet above sea level, Borestone Mountain is a popular hiking destination in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness region. From the mountain’s two bald peaks, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views of the area.

The mountain is located in Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary, which encompasses nearly 1,600 acres and also includes three crystal clear ponds: Sunrise, Midday and Sunset. Hiking to the top of Borestone Mountain by following the 1.1-mile Base Trail and 1-mile Summit Trail is just over 4 miles, out and back.

The second part of the hike, the Summit Trail, is especially steep and includes at least 200 stone steps. There are also a few metal rungs embedded in the rock to help you scale the 32 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

steepest sections of trail. Depending on conditions, hikers may not be comfortable hiking all the way to the summit in the winter. Ice cleats are recommended.

Easier hikes are located at the sanctuary, including a 1.3-mile gravel road that’s closed to vehicles and ends at the beautiful Sunrise Pond.

Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary is open to the public year round, dawn to dusk. Trail fees are $5 for adults and $3 for students and seniors. Access is free for Audubon members. Dogs are not permitted.

For more information, visit maineaudubon.org or call 207-717-6001 (June–September) or 207-781-2330 (October–May).

DIRECTIONS: From downtown Monson, drive north on Route 15-Route 6 (Greenville Road), then turn right onto Elliotsville Road (which is about 0.5 mile from Monson General Store). Drive about 8 miles, cross a narrow bridge, then turn left onto Bodfish Road. Drive about 0.2 mile and the gravel parking lot will be on the left after the railroad tracks. Across the road is the Borestone Mountain Audubon Sanctuary entrance gate. Walk around the gate (through the doorway for hikers) and you’ll find a kiosk displaying a trail map on your left and an outhouse on your right. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 33

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

SNOW’S COVE PRESERVE

IN SEDGWICK EASY

Snow’s Cove Preserve is a 58-acre tract of land that is home to roughly 2 miles of walking trails that lead to the shore of the scenic Bagaduce River. Donated to the Blue Hill Heritage Trust in 2007 by Bill Brown and Paul Trowbridge, the small preserve is open for the public to enjoy year round.

The main trail of the preserve is called the Fern Rock Loop. It measures about 1.5-mile long and is a “lollipop trail,” which means it resembles the shape of a lollipop by starting out as one trail and splitting into a loop.

The trail is named after several fern-covered boulders that are located throughout the preserve. One especially large boulder is located near a footbridge where the trail approaches the shore of the Bagaduce River.

Forming a 0.25-mile loop off the Fern Rock Loop, the Shore Trail traces the banks of the river, where

horseshoe crabs are often spotted mating in the spring.

The Bagaduce River is a large tidal river that’s home to a variety of wildlife including bald eagles, harbor seals, osprey and migratory shorebirds.

Access is free. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on leash at all times. The trails are for day use and foot traffic only. Hunting is by permission only.

For more information, call the Blue Hill Heritage Trust at 207-374-5118 or visit bluehillheritagetrust.org.

DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of Route 15 and Route 176 in Sedgwick, drive south on Route 15 (Snow’s Cove Road) for approximately 1.3 miles to a small parking lot and a trailhead, which will be on your right.

AISLINN SARNACKI is a columnist for the Bangor Metro and a registered Maine Guide. An expert on the Maine outdoors, she’s the author of the guidebooks “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” “Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path” and “Family Friendly Hikes in Maine.” Follow her adventures at bangordailynews.com/outdoors.

You can also find her @mainenaturehikes on Instagram and @1minhikegirl on Facebook and Twitter.

34 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 35

HOME & FAMILY

Feeling Festive ON A BUDGET

HOW TO DECORATE FOR CHRISTMAS ON A BUDGET

I

BY KATIE SMITH

t’s the time of year when we want to get festive and make magical memories with the ones we love. It can bring a lot of joy to decorate your home, bake and hand out gifts.

However, all of the happiness and cheer can be expensive, not to mention overwhelming. While we all want our homes to be nice and inviting throughout the year, the holidays always seem to give us the urge to create a bit of our own, personal wonderland. That doesn’t have to mean a big expense though.

When neighbors, friends and family stop by, you can show off your version of a snowglobe and leave them feeling cheery without spending a lot of money, or breaking your back setting things up.

Here are some great ways to save money without sacrificing home style this holiday season.

DITCH THE TREE SKIRT Tree shirts are expensive and they can be hard to match your existing decor. Instead of dropping a bunch of money on a tree skirt, head to your local craft or fabric store and get a few (I suggest two or three) yards of fabric. The options are endless: you can get white muslin, burlap, something sparkly, fur, a buffalo plaid, or even mix and match a yard of a few different colors and twist them together.

You don’t need any sewing skills to make your own tree skirt either. Simply cover your tree stand with the fabric, having it meet in the back. You can also place the fabric on the ground, put your tree and tree stand in the center, then gather the fabric and tie a ribbon around it like a package. (Just don’t forget you will have to untie and retie if you have a tree that needs watering.)

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… AND THE TABLE RUNNER Instead of getting a table runner, you can fashion your own with a few yards of fabric as well. If you don’t want to sew you can simply leave the edges frayed as they give your runner a rustic look.

You can also purchase some fabric glue if you’d like a more finished look.

OPT FOR A LARGE SPRIG OF GREENS INSTEAD OF A WREATH There’s no need to buy a wreath when you can gather a bunch of greens, tie them with a nice ribbon and hang them from your doors. You can get creative and add berries, pinecones and any other Christmas ornament you’d like to give it some flair.

You can go out and collect your own, or ask a friend or neighbor who might have some property you could scour. You can also buy them in the stores during the holiday season — they are cheaper to purchase than a wreath.

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HOME & FAMILY

SPRAY PAINT ELEMENTS FROM OUTSIDE Pinecones, branches and acorns look lovely when painted with silver, gold or copper spray paint.

For added holiday flair, sprinkle them with glitter while the paint is still wet.

These also look lovely as a centerpiece displayed on your favorite platter. Or the pinecones and acorns can be individually hung and placed on your tree, the back of your dining chairs, on your mantle attached to a stocking or staggered along a stair railing.

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REALTORS

FILL BOWLS WITH ORNAMENTS Inexpensive ornaments can be found at discount stores and they make wonderful centerpieces. Fill your favorite bowl with them and place it on your table, island or mantle.

Ornaments also make great candle holder filler. Just place some at the bottom of a glass candle holder, add your candle, and you are instantly in holiday mode in under two minutes.

MAKE HOMEMADE ORNAMENTS. Bring some personalized cheer to your decorating by making your own ornaments.

This is a great family-bonding project. To get started, take advantage of all the free homemade patterns and ornaments recipes using household ingredients available online.

Simply search “homemade holiday ornaments” to find some inspiration. You may have a hard time deciding what to make.

Looking to sell your home?

Having experience on your side matters.

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Advertise in Bangor Metro’s Home section.

Call 990-8000.

GET SOME EXTRA TWINKLE LIGHTS. Twinkle lights can be used in so many ways to bring a festive glow to the home. They look great this time of year draped over a mirror, across a picture frame gallery wall, over the kitchen cabinets, on your mantle or your stair railing. You can also insert them in china cabinets to showcase your special dishes. Plus, they aren’t expensive to purchase — if you don’t have lots already.

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PERSONAL FINANCE

Join the

CLUB SAVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE A YEAR-ROUND THING

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BY SARAH WALKER CARON

ack in the times of bank passbooks and rotary phones, I was fascinated by the Christmas club at my local bank. As a child, it seemed like such an exciting club.

But I really had no idea what it meant beyond the fact that my family didn’t belong.

Joining the club, as it turns out, meant opening a special savings account and putting away money toward a specific expense a little at a time. With most accounts, that money would become available (either through being transferred to a savings account or by withdrawal) in around early October, though practices varied with different banks and credit unions.

As an adult, I still see some excitement in the idea. By putting away money a little at a time, a person would spread out the expense of the holidays. It would be less stressful and would ensure the money was ready when you needed it.

Sounds like smart money management, if you ask me.

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PERSONAL FINANCE

As an adult, I have a similar practice though I am not part of a Christmas club.

Every month, an automatic withdrawal shoots a little money from my checking account to my savings account. And I have a practice of tucking away some from each paycheck as well. That means my savings account grows each month so I am prepared for expenses like new tires, taxes, repairs and presents.

My goal is to avoid resorting to running up credit card bills.

But I also know that I’m in a good place financially if I am able to do this. It wasn’t always like this for me though. Years of living paycheck to paycheck taught me how hard saving can be when making ends meet is barely possible. That’s where thinking outside the paycheck helps.

In the past, I’ve created emergency funds 32 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS, LARGE AND SMALL, TO SAVE FOR BIGGER EXPENSES — INCLUDING THE HOLIDAYS. SPREADING IT OUT MIGHT JUST BE THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY OF ALL, SINCE IT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT HURTING THAT WEEK-TOWEEK BUDGET.

in small ways — like saving bottle return money in an envelope and tossing spare change into a jar. There are also apps that help you earn money back on things you have to buy like groceries. All of those small ways can add up to some cushion — or a personal Christmas club of your own.

There are so many ways, large and small, to save for bigger expenses — including the holidays. Spreading it out might just be the most important way of all, since it can be done without hurting that week-to-week budget.

When I started working on this story, I thought Christmas clubs were a thing of the past. But a little research shows me that

they still exist at some banks like Maine State Credit Union, Kennebunk Savings Bank and Franklin Savings Bank, among others. And they’ve even modernized — encouraging automatic transfers and monitoring balances with bank apps and websites.

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FEATURE

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Kindness 34 / BANGOR METRO December 2021

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HOW TO TEACH KIDS KINDNESS

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BY EMILY MORRISON

s a high school English teacher and mother, one of the hardest lessons I teach kids is how to be kind. Caring for others isn’t something I can evaluate on a rubric or reward with flashy incentives like ice cream, spending money or more video games.

Compassion is a tricky thing to instill. There are no “good character” tests, “random acts of kindness” assignments or quick “be nice” lectures I can give on how to treat people. At the same time, kindness is the driving force behind everything I say and do.

By talking the talk and walking the walk, my kids learn that “Love is a verb.”

So, if you’re looking for simple action steps you can take to show kiddos what kindness looks, sounds and feels like when it’s practiced, read on.

BE AN EXAMPLE. We’re all on the lookout for positive role models in our lives.

Some of mine happen to be two Catholic nuns who host luncheons for the elderly in my parish (though they’re in the same age bracket). Not only do they make one hell of a meal, they make sure every person is served before they sit down.

That’s right. The cooks eat last.

And when they have our family of five over for dinner, they do the same.

They set a beautiful table, see that everyone has a full plate and then say grace. Then they serve themselves.

By eating last they show us, without words, we come first.

Take this same philosophy and apply it to any situation that involves sharing. When children see adults take every opportunity to put someone else’s needs in front of their own, they pick up on it, and eventually, they imitate this selflessness.

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But, setting a positive example is more than showing kids that sharing means caring. If we truly want children to see what kindness looks like, then we need to lead with love even when it’s hard. We need to hold onto our temper. Remind ourselves that when the people in our lives make a mistake, including our children, we shouldn’t belittle them for it. Give grace and forgiveness instead and move on.

Modeling kindness means putting others’ needs and feelings first, whenever we can, as often as we can.

BE A LISTENER. The struggle to be everything for everyone is real, so it’s easy to host our own pity party when life gets tough. I don’t know how many times a day I’ll ask someone how they’re doing, and shortly after my polite inquiry they launch into a long diatribe about all the things they have to do, or how much they’ve got going on. Usually, I’ll give them my ear for as long as I can, offer a few words of encouragement and wait until they’re done before I keep walking.

Occasionally, after I’ve listened to a long rant, there’s no “And how are you?” or offer to listen to my long rant back. Honestly, it’s kind of a bummer, but that’s OK. Some people don’t think to ask how I’m doing.

Some do, but then tune out. And sadly, some just don’t have much to give back.

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The takeaway? If we really want to teach children how to be empathetic, then we must show them how to listen to others first, even if no one listens back. This looks like listening first while they speak. We show them how to nod and say, “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m here for you. I hope things get better.” We let them know that you don’t have to solve others’ problems to listen to them. And, we remind kids that when someone asks, “How are you doing?” they should follow their response with, “And how are you?”

To most of us, this sounds like “just being nice,” but “just being nice” takes practice. It means thanking people when they compliment you. Opening doors and holding them until the last person walks through. And it means listening even when we don’t feel like it.

Being an active, empathetic listener takes practice and patience.

Ultimately, when we’re good listeners, kids learn that exchanging pleasantries with people is less about what they say and more about what they don’t.

BE A GIVER. Lots of people claim to be givers but are actually takers in disguise. One of my best friends is a successful writer, and I occasionally ask her what it’s like to be at the top of her game. She says, “It’s nice to get fan mail and all, but do you know what I get a lot more of? Requests.” People often ask her if she can, “Take a look at this manuscript,” or “Do you know how to get published?” They start with a few words of SUPPORTING KIDS, praise, but quickly follow with several LOUDLY AND WITH FULL GUSTO, inquiries about how to get an agent or SHOWS THEM WE’RE PROUD get connected.

The point is, OF THEM. IF WE WANT CHILDREN there are a lot of takers out there TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES, THEN who seem like they’re offering WE NEED TO MAKE MORE OF praise when, in truth, they’re only THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAN giving it to get something in return.

WE DO OF THEIR FAILURES. So how do we instill in children that they should do something nice

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without expecting something back? Start small and help them put together toys other kids might want or need; gather clothes they could pass on; pack up books, shoes and jackets they’ve outgrown — help them give all of these things away. Making small sacrifices like these and repeating this practice over time helps reinforce the role of giving back whenever we can, whatever we can, however we can.

Also, turn on the news and let children hear it. Let them read the happy stories and the sad. Share posts about missing cats and dogs, so they can make posters and tack them up. By allowing children to learn about others’ misfortunes we help them realize how fortunate they are to be able to give back.

BE A CHEERLEADER. It’s healthy to have negative reactions when we don’t like something, but it’s also healthy to remember a little positivity goes a long way. Sometimes my children are embarrassed by my exuberance, especially when they hear me cheering for them on the sidelines of their sporting events. Yes, I’m that obnoxiously loud Mom. For me, the first rule of Mom-Fandom is to say nothing negative.

I mean nada.

I don’t question the refs’ calls. I don’t knock down the other players. And I don’t trash talk with other parents.

So what do I do?

Cheer like crazy whenever someone has a good kick, throw, goal, score, shot, hustle, run, whatever.

Supporting kids, loudly and with full gusto, shows them we’re proud of them. If we want children to believe in themselves, then we need to make more of their accomplishments than we do of their failures. If we want them to succeed, we need to build them up. We need to be the voice that says, “Yes! You can do it! You are smart! You are talented! You are going places!” and then cheer for them every single step of the way.

When we celebrate kids’ daily victories, when they make their bed and remember to take the trash out, when they help us with the dishes and take the dog for a walk, this is the perfect way to show them how much their kindness matters. By giving children opportunities to show growth and celebrating every single time they do we teach them the value of kindness.

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FEATURE

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BE A LOVER. The age old saying “Be a lover, not a fighter,” never held more truth than it does today. Over the past two decades of my teaching career I’ve seen so many children come into my classroom damaged by others’ cruelty and thoughtlessness. These children honestly have no idea what they’re good at, or even if they’re capable of being good at anything at all. Why? Because no one’s ever told them or shown them how capable, how amazing, how special they are.

Do you know how sad it is to see children who have not been appreciated? I do. Because I see it every day.

As their teacher, it’s my job to love children.

I tell them how amazing they are. I tell them how special they are because they need to know this truth over and over again, to know what a gift it is to have a child like them.

Children need to feel appreciated and seen, so whether it’s a comment on a paper, a “Good job at last night’s game,” an elbow bump in the hall or a compliment just because, I love on as many kids as I can as much as I can.

This love has created a culture of kindness that spreads out like a sticky spider web through my life. Why sticky? Because love is infectious. And the only way we can help our children combat all of the equally infectious apathy in this world is to love them like it’s our day job. When we do, then our love shines through their words and actions, and they become the foot soldiers on the ground. They are kindness warriors on the front lines of this fight, and the best way we can arm them is to give them all the love we have to give.

When we take a step back from the dayto-day grind and look at how we’re living, sometimes we get a better picture of our daily habits. We learn where we can improve and evolve, and we discover how far we’ve come.

As one of my children’s favorite elementary school teachers used to say, “We’re all green and growing.” Trying to be our “best selves” so kids can be their “best selves” feels hard.

Because it is hard. Being a role model and a good listener, a real deal giver instead of a taker, a cheerleader and a loving adult takes commitment. It’s real work. But it’s the best kind of work around. And, oh, let me tell you about the benefits. When you need kindness and compassion, when you need someone to ask “How are you?” and tell you what you’re good at, to cheer loudly and proudly and give you a hug, guess who will be there?

That’s right. Your cute little kindness warriors will. And they will love on you.

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‘TIS THE

Season HOW ONE FAMILY BLENDS TWO HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

BY JODI HERSEY | PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED BY MEG CARSON

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eg Carson has never considered herself religious.

Growing up Jewish, she has fond memories of Bar Mitzvahs and her family celebrating Hanukkah each year. She also distinctly remembers that when her family moved to Waterville, they were the only Jewish family on their street. Wanting desperately to fit in, she and her siblings begged and pleaded with their parents for a Christmas tree until their wish was granted. That was when the family began celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas simultaneously.

“For years and years my parents would gift us hand painted, beautiful ornaments. So for Hanukkah, here are my Jewish parents giving us Christmas ornaments because we didn’t have any ornaments for our tree,” Carson said. “It just makes you chuckle.”

Now decades later, with three sons of her own, Meg and her husband Scott, who was raised Catholic, are continuing that tradition of dual holiday celebrations in their Belfast home.

“Technically children born to a Jewish mother are Jewish. We are raising them Jewish but we don’t withhold any Catholic knowledge from them,” Carson said. “I think it’s important to know a lot about a lot of different religions because they all have the same basic principle – do unto others as you want to be done unto you.”

In the Jewish faith, Hanukkah is celebrated on the 25th day of the Kislev, which is the Hebrew calendar. Hanukkah normally falls between late November and December. The holiday is celebrated for eight nights and days, and includes the lighting of the menorah and gift giving. This year it will take place from November 28 to December 6.

The Carsons set aside the time and make careful preparations to commemorate both holidays with equal fanfare.

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FEATURE

The Carson family’s blended holiday traditions include lots of food, ranging from potato latkes to Christmas cookies to a Christmas Eve Maine lobster bake.

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“Everyone does it a little differently. For us, we have our menorah. You have your king candle which lights the first candle, then the second and corresponding candles every night, and there’s a prayer you say when you are lighting the candle. You let them burn all the way down. You don’t blow them out like a birthday candle,” Carson said. “And, in my house, we then go around and give everybody hugs and kisses. A lot of people will give or receive presents and have a meal.”

Carson said when her boys were really young they even made homemade menorahs.

“One time when my kids were in Montessori school, they made a menorah out of marshmallows. I think I still have it actually,” she said with a belly laugh before continuing.

“Menorahs come in every shape and size and every price range just based on your own personal likes. Some of them are very beautiful and valuable and some are very simple.”

Not wanting her sons, who are now 13, 15 and 18 years old, to experience their Jewish customs with just the family, Carson encouraged each of them to invite friends over for Hanukkah.

“We have them invite a friend who has never been to a Hanukkah celebration or seen a menorah or lit a candle, just so they could have that experience. Then that person they invited would get a small gift such as chocolate coins or something to mark the occasion. We will play Dreidel and show them a little of our traditions,” she said. “So we’ve tried to share it with those we can in the community because there aren’t that many Jewish families here [in Belfast].”

Eighteen-year-old Sawyer Carson has always enjoyed his one-of-a-kind upbringing. The Maine Maritime Academy freshman is looking forward to returning home this December for Christmas break.

“Celebrating both holidays is pretty cool because it gives me a view into the values and traditions of two different cultures.

Plus, celebrating both means double the parties,” he said.

Meg and Scott Carson not only expose their sons to their own family’s traditions but have made new ones together too.

“We actually have a lobster bake on Christmas Eve,” Meg Carson said. “Scott’s family that live locally will come, and my dad and mom would come when they were alive.”

Food is such a big part of the Carson’s holiday celebrations that Meg Carson said there are few, if any, leftovers remaining.

“I love potato latkes. We make them from scratch and we always eat a lot,” Meg Carson said. “It’s the one time of year we gain pounds between cookies for Santa Claus, potato latkes and donuts. It’s a lot of food.”

All that food is also Sawyer Carson’s favorite part of his family’s holiday gatherings.

“I love making Christmas cookies,” he said.

Food, loved ones and traditions are always welcome guests at the Carson home, for this family that has found the perfect recipe to bridge together two different religious traditions in order to create new holiday customs and memories along the way.

“In this day and age you have to like everybody and be open to the world. I want my kids to do that, to be open and kind,” Meg Carson said. “There are a lot of good people out there and just because they are not the same religion or share the same beliefs as you could mean you’re missing out.”

WOODS & WATERS

The More Things

BAR HARBOR STILL ATTRACTING OPULENCE, MORE THAN A CENTURY LATER

BY BOB DUCHESNE

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TIMES HAVE CHANGED. Nowadays, the ultra-wealthy travel to space. A century ago, they just traveled to Bar Harbor.

Before there was air conditioning, it was common for the affluent to escape the steamy cities and ride out the summer in the relative coolness of the mountains, lakes and ocean shores of New England. Newport, Rhode Island, was the top location for the super-rich.

Bar Harbor was number two.

Some of the opulence of that Gilded Age is still there.

Today, the Bar Harbor Inn sits grandly above the downtown pier. It’s been renovated several times, and visitors might never know that it was once a social club for the elite.

J.P. Morgan and Joseph Pulitzer enjoyed cocktails there, even though Maine’s first-in-thenation prohibition law forbade it.

Pulitzer was a newspaper tycoon, who endowed the Pulitzer Prize for journalism in 1913. Morgan was one of the nation’s foremost industrialists and Wall Street bankers. Oil baron John D. Rockefeller once tweaked Morgan for not being very rich, since he was only worth a billion in today’s dollars.

Maybe Rockefeller was right. Morgan’s neighbor, railroad tycoon Frederick Vanderbilt, was worth a half billion more. George Washington Vanderbilt, a steamship tycoon, enjoyed an even higher net worth.

John D. Rockefeller himself is considered to be the wealthiest American of all time — the first billionaire, long before there were billionaires. Rockefeller never resided in Bar Harbor, but his son did. In fact, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. built a “cottage” near Long Lake that boasted 99 rooms. He and his heirs were instrumental in founding Acadia National Park. The distinctive carriage road system remains today as part of that legacy.

The view from tour boats skirting the Bar Harbor shoreline is revealing. Many of the mansions tell a story. Some of those stories ended abruptly with the Great Fire of 1947. The

PHOTO: AISLINN SARNACKI

CHANGE

inferno spared the downtown area, but 67 mansions, five grand hotels and 170 more modest homes were reduced to ashes or demolished when owners relocated. Other estates escaped the fire and retain their opulence to this day.

John Jacob Astor was America’s first multimillionaire, making his money in the early fur trade. Some of that wealth was later spent by his heirs in Bar Harbor. His grandson built the Breakwater Estate in 1904, with a Tudor exterior that remains eye-catching today. Farther down the shoreline, Redwood was the first shinglesided house built in the United States.

Just beyond, the Kenardin estate was built in 1892. It was acquired by heirs to the Campbell Soup fortune in 1933. They retain ownership to this day.

Joseph Pulitzer’s estate was called Chatwold. It was the first mansion in America with a steam-heated swimming pool. Pulitzer later built a 100-foot tower to improve his view, constructed of soundproof material to keep out the din of downtown Bar Harbor. He was famously

annoyed by noise, and once asked the Coast Guard to remove the foghorn from the Egg Rock Lighthouse. They didn’t dispense with this essential aid to navigation, but they did reposition it to point away from Chatwold.

Great Head is the outcropping on the far side of Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. Today, it’s part of the park. Originally, it was a wedding gift from J.P. Morgan to his granddaughter.

Wealth has its privileges.

In 1920, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution instituted prohibition across America. It took only 13 years before the 21st Amendment repealed it. Maine, however, was way ahead of the nation, and later way behind. It instituted prohibition in 1851, and the state technically remained dry for the next 82 years.

But in Bar Harbor, prohibition didn’t apply to the well-heeled. Authorities either looked the other way, or wealthy

partiers found more ingenious methods of procuring liquor.

There are four Porcupine islands on the edge of the harbor — Sheep, Burnt, Long and Bald. Between Burnt and Long Porcupine, there is a small islet called Rum Key. It’s aptly named, because it was the designated spot for smuggling booze to the social clubs. Smugglers would stash bottles in a lobster trap and submerge it in the shallow water.

Later, conspirators would row out at night and haul in the prize.

The “summer cottage” boom started around 1890, and ended with The Great Fire of 1947. For six decades, Bar Harbor was a favored destination for the onepercenters of that era. Today’s opulence may be equally apparent, viewing the multimillion-dollar yachts moored in the harbor.

The more things change, the more they remain the same.

BOB DUCHESNE is a local radio personality, Maine guide, and columnist. He lives on Pushaw Lake with his wife, Sandi.

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THE VIEW FROM HERE

A NO FUSS CHRISTMAS?

BY EMILY MORRISON

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“I know we said we wouldn’t,” I’d say. “But ... I just couldn’t resist this one small token of love and appreciation.”

“Awwww, Mom ... You shouldn’t have,” they’d say. “But since you brought it up, we got you something too!”

Oh, what an unexpected surprise it would be, this spontaneous, unprompted giving.

We’d exchange presents, nothing big or extravagant. We’d watch the pups lick chunky peanut butter from their Christmas Kongs and settle in on the couch for another round of holiday classics before calling it a day at a respectful hour.

Because who doesn’t love an early night, followed by a late morning, followed by another early night? I’d don my kerchief and Pa would don his cap, and we’d all settle in for a long winter’s nap.

And that would be that. Boom. Christmas. In the books.

But would it really be Christmas? No mound of presents under an overpriced tree from an overpriced tree farm? No fake poinsettias all over my home? No Grandma’s pancakes in the morning or Meme’s coffeecake? No Yankee Swap at Sue’s and the all-you-can eat dessert buffet on her long kitchen table?

We do it to ourselves, don’t we? We forget that we don’t have to buy it all, cook it all, decorate it all, see everybody and their sister. And because we forget this, forget to focus on what and who is most important to us, we succumb to the stupor of Christmas consumerism.

When I think about what I’d miss if we did nothing on our big day, it’s easy. I’d miss my people. My parents. My husband’s parents. Our extended families. Our web of loved ones that shoot out from our family like spokes on a bicycle tire.

Afterall, they keep us rolling all year long. Aren’t they worth a little holiday fuss? ’Course they are. It’s time to buy more tinsel anyway. Those bottom boughs were looking a little sparse.

PHOTO: TKTK

DECEMBER CAN BE SUCH a stressful time. We’re supposed to be sucking up the Christmas cheer and sucking down the spiked eggnog, but instead we find ourselves disgruntled. Did I buy enough? Is so-and-so going to be happy with her gifts? Where are we going for Christmas? Is it safe to visit this year?

It seems like with every holiday, no matter what holiday it is, there’s so much pressure to make it perfect. Everybody’s gotta be happy with what they get, what they eat and how much tinsel is on the tree (never enough).

It’s a lot of work, Christmas is. If only there was a way to rewind the tape and do this holiday thing differently.

What if instead of buying stuff, decorating stuff and going places, we did nothing. We bought nothing. We decked no halls.

We went nowhere.

Would it still be a holiday? ’Course it would! It’d be the best dang holiday around. Here’s what I’d do if I had nothing to buy or bedazzle and nowhere to bustle off to this Christmas.

I’d wake up and make waffles. And bacon. And eggs. And homefries. I’d put on some James Taylor and brew that peppermint coffee I like once a year. Then, I’d let my kids and pups sleep in until I’d sung through all the songs.

No one needs to hear me sing “The Christmas Song” at 7 a.m.

Fact: I’m not in fine voice at 7 a.m.

Once the teen and fur babies are awake and full, we’d go for a long walk in the blueberry fields around our home. We’d stop and take some pics, maybe post them to Facebook in lieu of the formal Christmas card I never send. Then, we’d come back and eat some more.

Homemade cinnamon rolls would do nicely.

For lunch we’d have smooshed turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce sandwiches on white bread (just stuffing and cranberry for the vegan in the group), and we’d nap and play board games, nap and watch movies, nap and eat more stuff until supper time.

At this point, the food coma would begin to set in, so we’d all agree to exchange one little thing.

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EMILY MORRISON is a high school English teacher, freelance writer and editor from coastal Maine. She is living happily-ever-after with her handsome husband, three beautiful children and two beloved dogs. And a cat.