Bangor Metro - October 2019

THE BEST SPOTS TO

HIKE & DINE

MAKE FELT FOOD FIND FOLIAGE BY

LAND & AIR

BE S T 20 19 $5.95

October 2019

OCTOBER 2019

CONTENTS

FEATURES 40

BEST RESTAURANTS 2019

Your votes have been counted!

Discover the best eats in your area, from northern Maine to Bangor to the coast.

62 GET OUT: HALLOWEEN EDITION Get spooked at these five haunted spots around Maine

IN EVERY ISSUE 08

WHAT’S HAPPENING

40

BEST RESTAURANTS 2019

62

GET SCARED

Local news & sightings

18

OBSESSIONS

What we can’t get enough of this month

72

THE VIEW FROM HERE

THE BEST SPOTS TO

HIKE & DINE

MAKE FELT FOOD FIND FOLIAGE BY

ON THE COVER

LAND & AIR

Your 2019 Best Restaurant picks are inside!

BE S T 20 19 $5.95

2 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

October 2019

PHOTOS: (TOP DESIGN) AMY ALLEN; (BELOW) GABOR DEGRE | BDN FILE

The comfort and familiarity of coming home

ARTS & CULTURE

FOOD & DRINK

HEALTH & FITNESS

14

22

26

SYNC YOUR LIFE

28

HIKE ME

WORD.

Visit the Blue Hill literary arts festival

IN SEASON NOW

We’ve got pumpkin recipes for breakfast, dinner and dessert

16 Q&A: SASCHA ZABURDAEVA-LORIMER

Discover trails near some of Maine’s best restaurants

Meet the woman teaching Maine’s children the power of classical music

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) ©JAKKAJE8082/ADOBE STOCK; SARAH WALKER CARON; AISLINN SARNACKI; BOB DUCHESNE; ©FAMVELDMAN/ADOBE STOCK; AMY ALLEN

Finding balance in work and play

HOW TO

HOME & FAMILY

OUTSIDE

34

38

70

CRAFTING WITH KIDS

Cook up some fun felt food

36

TRICK OR TREAT

Tips for trick or treating when you live in a rural area

WOODS & WATERS

Find the best fall foliage by plane, train and automobile

CREATE IT AT HOME

Create marbled baked clay bowls

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

Good EATS

THIS IS IT!

The annual Food Issue of Bangor Metro Magazine is both my most favorite and my greatest nemesis. It’s my favorite because, as a food writer, I adore food and appreciate hearing from readers via the voting process about the best and tastiest restaurants in our coverage area.

But it’s also my greatest nemesis because this issue takes months of planning and preparation to pull off. Of all the issues we produce yearly, this one requires the most time and preparation.

It all begins with putting together the poll. Every year, we seek to add more restaurants and to better represent the areas included in the poll. This year, I turned to reporters in Northern Maine, the midcoast and Down East to help us do that — and I was so excited to launch the poll with the most robust pool of restaurants in those areas yet.

After voting opens, we wait for the results, but I also start planning the rest of the issue.

This year, we decided to omit Obsessions: Food from the issue because it always feels redundant with all the other food covered in the issue. But fear not — that feature will return next month.

And then, once voting closes, there’s a mad rush to assemble the lists of winners and select the restaurants to feature in the issue and assign those stories. This year we had some help from writers in Aroostook County, and that brought a special, local flavor to those profiles.

As you dig through this issue, if you find yourself wondering why you don’t see a spot you love represented, know that it’s not our choice — it’s the will of the people who voted. So if you want to see different winners, mark your calendar for June next year. That’s when voting opens for the 2020 Restaurant Poll. Vote! Share! Celebrate!

In the meantime, enjoy everything this issue has to offer — from good food to hiking to a touch of Halloween.

HAVE A WONDERFUL MONTH,

SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

Connect With Us Online bangormetro.com facebook.com/BangorMetro @BangorMetro bangormetro talkback@bangormetro.com 4 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

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

ART DIRECTOR

Amy Allen

aallen@bangordailynews.com

SUBSCRIPTION & PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Fred Stewart

fstewart@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Julia Bayly jbayly@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Abigail Curtis acurtis@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Rosemary Lausier rlausier@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Aislinn Sarnacki asarnacki@bangordailynews.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Poornima Apte, Sarah Cottrell, Joseph Cyr, Bob Duchesne, Melissa Lizotte, Emily Morrison, Sam Schipani, Crystal Sands, Richard Shaw, Katie Smith www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 5

You’re invited to try the

best food in town!

At Winterberry Heights Assisted Living and Memory Care, the delicious food is just one of the many benefits you will enjoy. Our food is truly made from scratch and served right to your table along with a smile from our friendly staff.

Our menu offers a variety of nutritional choices at every meal, snacks and beverages are available anytime, and you will definitely want to save room for dessert. Call or stop by anytime and let our homemade meals speak for themselves!

To arrange your complimentary chefprepared meal and personal visit, please call

207-942-6002 932 Ohio Street, Bangor, ME 04401 Š 2019 HSL

6 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE

Bangor Metro Magazine. October 2019, Vol. 15, No. 8.

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.

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.

HALLOWEEN COSTUME

“

YOU EVER WORE?

“My favorite costume would have to be Spider-Man from the 1970s, with the plastic mask and vinyl costume that smelled like a swimming pool liner.”

— JOSEPH CYR, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

“When I started working for the Bangor Daily News, one of my reporters remarked that I looked like the Evil Queen/Regina from the ABC show ‘Once Upon a Time.’

So for Halloween one year, I dressed in a crisp white shirt, red lipstick and carried the shiniest red apple around — total Regina. It was so much fun!”

— SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

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

COVER DESIGN: Amy Allen

“Growing up, I was a huge fan of the comic strip Peanuts. Snoopy was and remains my favorite character and I particularly loved when he hopped on his Sopwith Camel/doghouse to engage in aerial combat with the Red Baron. One year I was Snoopy for Halloween and as part of my costume my grandfather — an old school biplane pilot — allowed me to wear his vintage leather flight helmet and goggles. He then supplied me with my very own Sopwith Camel — his riding lawnmower. With that helmet, the goggles, a silk scarf and snoopy sweatshirt I was every inch a WWI fighter pilot. Curse you Red Baron!!!!”

— JULIA BAYLY, STAFF WRITER “Dorothy from ‘The Wizard of Oz’” — MELISSA LIZOTTE, CONTRIBUTING WRITER “When I worked at a land trust in Southern California, I dressed as one of the original defenders of our country’s public lands, President Theodore Roosevelt. I modeled my look after the famous photo of Roosevelt in Yosemite with John Muir, so I was fully decked out in round spectacles, riding boots, a jaunty neckerchief and a bushy stickon mustache. The desert heat made the whole ensemble a little sweaty, but it takes more than that to kill a bull moose.”

— SAM SCHIPANI, STAFF WRITER “This is a tough question for me. Each year, I host a Halloween party with a costume theme that’s decided upon by family and friends. Themes have included villains, super heroes, musicians and “Undead Disney,” in which we all dressed as zombified Disney characters. But I think my favorite costume so far was Daenerys Targaryen from the book series and hit TV show Game of Thrones. To transform into this “Mother of Dragons,” I dyed my hair white-blond, hand-sewed a skirt and shirt, and crafted three dragon eggs out of clay. Also, for the party, I painted the banners of the noble houses and pieced together a Khal Drogo costume for my husband (of course). The whole process took me a couple months of after-work crafting.”

— AISLINN SARNACKI, STAFF WRITER www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7

WHAT’S HAPPENING

OCTOBER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 NORTHERN LIGHT EMMC AUXILIARY KITCHEN TOUR

Join local and regional artists and artisans for an evening celebrating creativity throughout downtown Bangor at the Downtown Bangor First Friday Artwalk. The artwalk, presented by the Downtown Bangor Arts Collaborative, aims to bring the community together through art. 5-8 p.m. Free.

Tour six amazing kitchens in the greater Bangor area, ranging from an emptynester’s dream kitchen to an expansive modern farmhouse-style kitchen in the 15th annual Northern Light EMMC Auxiliary Kitchen Tour. Just about every size, style and budget featured. Tour happens between 12-4pm. Tickets are $30 each and available at emmcauxiliary.org, the EMMC gift shop and other locations.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 ARTOBER KICKOFF IN BANGOR Since 2015, October has been designated as “Artober” in Bangor — a celebration of art and culture. Events happen throughout the month, but the festivities kick off on Friday, October 4, with a party at Bangor Arts Exchange, 193 Exchange Street, from 5-7 p.m.

8 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 RUNNING FOR RIDES IN BAR HARBOR The fourth annual Running for Rides, Mary Parker Memorial 5K run-walk will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 6 Pleasant St. The course starts at Pat’s Pizza in Bar Harbor and continues through a portion of the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park. This is a race for runners and walkers alike, and friendly furry friends on a leash

are welcome. All proceeds benefit Island Connections, whose mission involves meeting the transportation needs for those who are seniors or people with physical or mental challenges. For more information, call 207- 288-4457 or visit the website at islconnections.org. To sign up for the race, visit runsignup.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 MASTERWORKS I Join the Bangor Symphony Orchestra for the first concert of their season at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono, which will celebrate the 10th season for BSO Music Director and Conductor Lucas Richman. Music from Hollywood to Spain and Russia opens performance.

A new work by noted film composer Kathrn Bostic is followed by The Village Romance, from the M. Night Shyamalan film The Village, featuring Korean violin prodigy SooBeen Lee. Violinist SooBeen Lee then performs Sarasate’s virtuosic showstopper, the Carmen Fantasy. The program concludes with Mussorgsky’s epic Pictures at an Exhibition.

PHOTO: (TOP) BDN FILE; (SKIS) ©IAKOV FILIMONOV/ADOBE STOCK

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4 DOWNTOWN BANGOR FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK

OCT 9 Thomas Hill Standpipe Tour

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 THOMAS HILL STANDPIPE TOUR Climb inside the Thomas Hill Standpipe to see the fall foliage view from the top.

It’s a great spot (and time) for photos! The standpipe will be open from 3-6 p.m. Free.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 PVSC ANNUAL SKI SALE The annual ski sale by the Penobscot Valley Ski Club is filled with new and used skis and winter gear for sale. Mark your calendars and be there to stock up! The sale is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. There’s also a consignment section. You can drop off your clean, in good repair used equipment on Friday, October 18 between 5 and 7 p.m. to sell.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19 COMEDIAN BOB MARLEY

OCT 19 PVSC Annual Ski Sale

Join hilarious comedian Bob Marley at the Collins Center for the Arts in Orono for a night of laughter and fun. The doors open at 7 p.m. See the man who was inducted www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 9

10 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

WHAT’S HAPPENING into the Guinness Book of World Records for “the longest stand up comedy show by an individual” at 40 hours of straight stand up. Mature content — this one isn’t for the kids. Tickets available at the Collins Center box office and online.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 DOWNTOWN BANGOR TRICK OR TREAT Don those costumes and head to Downtown Bangor for the annual Downtown Trick or Treat event. Downtown businesses and organizations open their doors, welcome costumed kids in and give out candy from 2 to 4 p.m.

PHOTO: ©FAMVELDMAN/ADOBE STOCK

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 ROSANNE CASH Rosanne Cash is on tour with She Remembers Everything, a poetic, lush and soulful collection of songs that reckon with a flawed and intricate world. She Remembers Everything follows Rosanne’s triple-Grammy winning 2014 album ‘The River & the Thread’ and marks a return to more personal songwriting after a trio of albums that explored her southern roots and family heritage. In the wake of the latest tsunami of survivor stories, Cash has embraced women’s narratives in this powerful material.

Her performance is scheduled for 8 p.m. Tickets available at the Collins Center box office and online.

OCT 26 Downtown Bangor Trick or Treat

STILL STUMPED? 







Here are the answers to last month’s Pop Quiz.



Visit our Bangor Metro Facebook page to play online!

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 11

WHAT’S HAPPENING

HERE’S A LOOK AT JUST A FEW SPECIAL EVENTS FROM THE PAST MONTH...

2 1 1: An extra special guest surprised movie goers during an advanced screening of IT Chapter 2 sponsored by WKIT at Bangor Mall Cinema.

2: Bangor Land Trust’s Pedal the Penobscot celebrated cycling while supporting Bangor Trails and helping make Bangor more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly.

3: Main Street Bucksport hosted Dinner with a View: A Waterfront Farm-to-Table Dinner. The gourmet catered dinner celebrated summer and all things downtown Bucksport has to offer.

SHARE YOUR EVENT PHOTOS! 12 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

Email your photos and captions to

talkback@bangormetro.com

PHOTOS: JEFF KIRLIN / THE THING OF THE MOMENT

3

BEWARE!

4

It’s Halloween time in Maine’s spookiest city!

Test your knowledge of Derry... er, Bangor.

4: The 2019 Bangor Walk to Defeat ALS fundraiser raised more than $70,000 and bought hundreds together to support this important cause. The walk supports innovation toward a treatment and ultimately a cure for ALS. 5: Maine Governor Janet T. Mills and others celebrated the centennial of the 19th Amendment at The Blaine House recently. The amendment granting women the right to vote was ratified by the state of Maine in November 1919 and officially adopted as part of the U.S. Constitution in August 1920.

6: The Get Lit II Literary Wine Tasting was held recently as a fundraiser for the Brooksville Free Public Library.

5

6

FIND ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S POP QUIZ ON PAGE 11! www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 13

ARTS & CULTURE

Three fledgling fairies show off the flower crowns they made during the Word 2018 children’s program, co-sponsored by Blue Hill Public Library.

14 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

Poet Sarah Dickenson Snyder reads at Blue Hill Books Saturday afternoon during the Word festival’s Poetry Crawl.

Festival-goers gather at the opening of Word.Art, an exhibit of visual art using words, at Winings Gallery in Blue Hill.

WORD. BLUE HILL’S START-UP LITERARY FESTIVAL SHINES IN ITS THIRD YEAR

WORD. The Blue Hill literary arts festival in Maine has had its share of fans since it launched in 2017.

Case in point: Laura Miller, the co-founder of Salon.com. Eager to help drive the success of the festival, author Jonathan Lethem, a resident of Blue Hill, invited Miller to share a conversation with him. That chat was part of the inaugural edition and Miller fell so much in love with Blue Hill that she ended up buying a home in town.

Indeed the charming Blue Hill Peninsula boasts a rich literary heritage that includes E.B. White, Mary Ellen Chase and Jonathan Fisher. Steering committee founder Sarah Pebworth, the ex-owner of Blue Hill Inn, realized that borrowing on these roots to host a literary festival every fall would be an elegant way to extend the summer tourist season.

Since 2017, the festival has attracted a potent mix of both local and New York-based literary authors. Dave Cullen, author of “Parkland,” will be one of the many authors expected at this year’s event, to take place October 24 to 27.

Poet Richard Blanco, arguably best known for the poem he wrote for the Obama inauguration, will collaborate with local Grammy award-winning musician, Paul Sullivan. The production — expect chorus singers, Pebworth says — will be the last stop for the festival’s popular poetry crawl.

To design the festival, Pebworth works with members of the steering committee and leans heavily on advice she received early on: “create opportunities for community.” A chowder supper, an art show, workshops for writers, events in schools and even “blind dates” with a book are all meant to encourage community-driven engagement.

“There are so many ways that words come to us and delight and influence us,” Pebworth says, “This literary festival can be really fun for people in different ways and just open people’s eyes. Being able to embrace our inner nerd is a really sweet piece of the Word festival,” she adds.

Even if not every participant ends up buying a house in town.

Visit the Word. Blue Hill Literary Arts festival website at www.wordfestival.org and their Facebook page for more information.

PHOTOS: (FAIRIES) ELLEN BOORAEM; (MIDDLE) MARECHAL BROWN; (ART SHOW) ELLEN BOORAEM

BY POORNIMA APTE

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 15

ARTS & CULTURE

&

Q A: SASCHA ZABURDAEVALORIMER

TEACHING MAINE’S CHILDREN THE POWER OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

BY CRYSTAL SANDS

WHEN SASCHA Zaburdaeva-Lorimer walks into the practice area at the Bangor Arts Exchange, her orchestra students are ready to play. Her students sit up straight and have their instruments ready, ready to impress their teacher.

Zaburdaeva-Lorimer, who is known as Ms. Sascha to her students, sits in the first violin section of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra but also serves as the string conductor for the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra. In this position, she works with child musicians of all ages. As conductor, ZaburaevaLorimer teaches Maine children about the power of classical music and the power they have within themselves as musicians.

“When my students realize that playing an instrument is not just about the skill but a way for them to express themselves through music, I see them

16 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

feel such joy in just that instance. I love when they lose themselves in the music,” Zaburdaeva-Lorimer said.

Zaburdaeva-Lorimer was born in Moscow and grew up in the Russian musical tradition. She emigrated to New York for her second Bachelor’s degree, attending the Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Itzhak Perlman.

She was drawn to Maine by the small but excellent music program at the University of Maine, where she earned her Master’s in violin performance.

From there, she began teaching at RDL Strings in downtown Bangor. In 2013, became the conductor for the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra.

For Zaburdaeva-Lorimer, teaching was a part of a lifelong dream.

She grew up an only child but found a way to share her love of music from a very early age. She lined up her

PHOTOS: (BACKGROUND) ©KIATTIPONG2499 /ADOBE STOCK; (INSET) JEFF KIRLIN/ THE THING OF THE MOMENT

“I CAN NURTURE THEM WITH ME. I AM NOT THEIR MOTHER, BUT I AM THEIR MUSICAL MOTHER. … I FEEL I HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE — MY LOVE OF MUSIC AND MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE VIOLIN.”

stuffed animals and taught them her music lessons. It is as if teaching is in her soul, and the calling she has to teach classical music has had a big impact on her life, as well as the lives of the children who study under her.

“I am child-free,” she said, but her students are her children, at least for a while.

“I can nurture them with me. I am not their mother, but I am their musical mother. … I feel I have something to share — my love of music and my relationship with the violin.”

The passion Zaburdaeva-Lorimer is evident as she speaks. She describes music as a “story-telling business” in which the lessons must be passed on from teacher to student. This is not something that “you can learn from books,” she said.

Zaburdaeva-Lorimer’s teaching philosophy makes her stand apart as a storyteller.

She believes in praise and in making music a positive experience for her students. “I love to give sincere compliments and watch a child bloom,” she said. She feels her educational background was “a little too critical” for her personality and tries to do things differently. She said that she aims for 85 percent encouragement.

Zaburdaeva-Lorimer’s students have gone on to play on the national stage.

At the local level though, she works tirelessly to get children involved in classical music. She has a demanding schedule as a violinist, playing for the BSO, in chamber groups, and as a soloist, always encourag-

ing children to attend the performances.

She is also concertmaster for the Colby Symphony Orchestra. Still, she devotes much of her time to education. In addition to conducting the BSYO, she co-founded the strings program for the Maine Summer Youth Music program at the University of Maine, where she is also a teacher, and plays her music at schools and hospitals around the state as a part of BSO outreach.

Her students light up when she enters a room. The love Zaburdaeva-Lorimer has for both the music and her students comes through, and her students never seem to mind too much working hard for her. She is, indeed, to many students, a “musical mother.”

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17

ARTS & CULTURE

OBSESSIONS

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

CHECK OUT

VISIT DOWNTOWN BANGOR WHEATPASTE MURALS

BODYPOSIPANDA ON INSTAGRAM WHY DO WE LOVE IT? I was introduced to Megan Jayne Crabbe, aka “bodyposipanda” on Instagram by BDN’s “Instagram Queen” Natalie Williams. I was looking to familiarize myself with more feminist accounts and did Natalie deliver.

Crabbe, with her bubbly personality and rainbow hair, talks about body positivity, feminism and overall accepting and loving yourself — no matter who or where you are in your life — in the most encouraging and empowering way. Sometimes, if you’re having an off day, physically or mentally, it’s just nice to scroll through an account that reminds you about your fabulous, magical self.

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? When I first moved to Bangor last summer, I immediately fell in love with the many illustrated wheatpaste murals around town. However, I was pretty disappointed when the temporary paper art installations slowly started to come down throughout the year. Luckily, a new batch was installed in June, allowing downtown visitors to take in sights of bunches of wildflowers, a colorful owl, grayscale toad and more natural critters. A selection of 20 artists were selected to depict Maine’s animals, plants and landscape. If you haven’t already, take a stroll around downtown and try to spot them all.

—NATALIE WILLIAMS

PHOTO: ©SARAHDOOW & ©BLOOMICON/ADOBE STOCK; (MURALS) AMY ALLEN

—ROSEMARY LAUSIER

18 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

Where Can We Take You? Cyr Northstar Tours’ Upcoming tours KEEPSAKECELTICS QUILTING BOSTON vs OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER October 20, 2019 • |$134 person (Center Harbor, NH) February 3, 2019 $194perper person (TD Garden, Boston, MA) HAUNTED HAPPENINGS

QUEBEC WINTER CARNIVAL October 26, 2019 • $135 per person (Salem, MA) February 8-11, 2019 | $929pp (dbl occupancy) PLIMOTHCity, PLANTATION (Quebec Quebec) Nov. 2-3, 2019 • $421pp occupancy) (Plymouth, MA) BOSTON BRUINS vs LA(dbl KINGS February 2019 | $235 per person BOSTON 9, CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL (TD Garden,9,Boston, MA)per person November 2019 • $132

THE ILLUSIONIST (Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA) March 10, 2019 | $246 per person THANKSGIVING inTheatre, NYC & MACY’S (Emerson Colonial Boston,PARADE MA) Nov 27-Dec 1, 2019 • $2112pp (dbl occupancy) (NYC) BOSTON FLOWER SHOW March 16, 2019 | $136 per person GARDENS AGLOW • December 7, 2019 (Seaport World Trade Center, $111 per Hotel person&(Boothbay Harbor, ME) Boston, MA)

Call to receive a 2019 brochure 1-800-244-2335 | 207-827-2010

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! LANCASTER December 10-14, 2019 CHERRYCHRISTMAS BLOSSOM •PARADE

$985pp (dbl occupancy) April 10-15, 2019 (Lancaster, | $1,620ppPA)(dbl occupancy) (Washington, DC) BOSTON POPS HOLIDAY Dec. QUINCY 14, 2019 •MARKET $224 per person (Symphony Hall, Boston) SHOPPING April 17, 2019 | $120 per person BOSTON CELTICS vs Toronto Raptors Dec. (Boston, 28, 2019 •MA) $210 per person (TD Garden, Boston, MA) PENN DUTCH

2020 Tours May 14-18, 2019 | $1,045pp (dbl occupancy) FLORIDA LEISURE (Lancaster, PA)• Jan. 28 – Feb 9, 2020

$2,225pp (dbl occupancy) (Daytona Beach, FL) OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE (Show TBD)

MayCELTICS 19, 2019 $209 per person BOSTON vs|Golden State Warriors

Lunch ME) Boston, MA) Jan. 30, 2020Included, • $242 per(Ogunquit, person (TD Garden, ESCAPE TO THE CAPE QUEBEC WINTER CARNIVAL

May7-10, 20-24, 2019 | $873pp (dbl occupancy) February 2020 • $957pp (dbl occupancy) (Hyannis, MA) (Quebec City, Quebec)

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19

ARTS & CULTURE

OBSESSIONS

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

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

“IS THERE STILL SEX IN THE CITY,” BY CANDACE BUSHNELL — When “Sex in the City” was a new show on HBO, I was there for it. It felt fresh and free, the kind of New York life I dreamed of living. And even now, I love going back and watching the episodes again. It’s a bit like meeting up with old friends. That’s also how it felt when I read “Is There Still Sex in the City,” a new memoir from Candace Bushnell, who wrote the book SITC was based on. This book focuses on lives of Bushnell and her friends as 50-somethings in the Hamptons, learning to date (again). It’s gritty, tragic, real and open … just as I would expect from Bushnell. (ADULT MEMOIR)

“CHANCES ARE ...” BY RICHARD RUSSO — Maine author Richard Russo is known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Empire Falls,” and his novel “Nobody’s Fool,” which was made into a film starring Paul Newman. In his latest novel, he explores the enduring nature of friendship and love. Lincoln, Teddy and Mickey have been friends since they met in college in the 60s. Now, they are reuniting on Martha’s Vineyard in the house that Lincoln’s mom had left to him when she died. But each comes with secrets — and memories — of the Memorial Day weekend they spent in the house after graduation with their friend Jacy. After that weekend, Jacy disappeared. And though this isn’t quite a mystery, it is an unraveling of the things the friends didn’t say to each other — and the truth about the girl they all loved. (FICTION) —SARAH WALKER CARON 20 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

PHOTOS: ©AFRICA STUDIO /ADOBE STOCK

“MY LIFE AS AN ICE CREAM SANDWICH,” BY IBI ZOBOI — When my kids and I were headed on a long car ride this summer, I brought along the audiobook of this new middle grade novel. It’s the story of a tween girl sent to live with her dad in Harlem for summer. She’s got a full, open imagination that colors her every interaction with the world. But her dad thinks she’s getting too old to live so imaginatively. As she struggles with being away from her grandfather and mom, she also learns how to better interact with the world — the real one. This was a really entertaining read that led to some good discussions with my kids. (MIDDLE GRADE)

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 21

in season now

FOOD & DRINK

PUMPKIN

BY SARAH WALKER CARON

RAVIOLI WITH ROASTED PUMPKIN AND SAGE Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 2 cups cubed sugar pumpkin (about 1/2 pumpkin, peeled and innards removed) 2 tbsp olive oil salt and pepper, to taste 12 oz package cheese ravioli 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, small diced (about 2/3 cup) 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh sage

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil. Toss the cubed pumpkin with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper and spread on baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes, stir and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the ravioli according to package directions. Drain, reserving one ladle of water.

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown — about 10 minutes. Add the butter and sage and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, until the butter is melted and the sage is wilted. Add the ladle of water from the pasta pot and stir well. Add the pasta and pumpkin and toss to coat.

Serve immediately. If desired, add a sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

PHOTO: SARAH WALKER CARON

THEY DECORATE our porches and our plates this month. The venerable pumpkin, which has been growing all summer long (seeds need to be in the ground by the end of May for a good harvest!), is finally ready for harvesting and enjoying.

And while some pumpkins are ideal for Jack O’Lanterns, others — like the long pie pumpkin — make delightful puree.

But pumpkin is also a nutritious fruit, filled with antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E and beta-carotene. It’s also a good source of fiber and has been linked with regulating blood pressure, reducing the risk of diabetes and reducing the risk of cancer.

Here are a few ways to enjoy pumpkin this season. For the recipes that require pumpkin puree, making your own is great, but canned is good too. Don’t be shy.

ICED PUMPKIN COOKIES Yields 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar 1 cup pumpkin puree 1 tbsp canola oil 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract

PUMPKIN SPICE GLAZE 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 2 tbsp milk 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, sift together flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and baking powder using a wire whisk.

PHOTOS: ©KOSTREZ & ©MAREK ULIASZ /ADOBE STOCK

In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the butter, brown sugar, pumpkin, oil, egg and vanilla extract until combined. The butter will be small pieces in the mixture. with the mixer running on its lowest speed, add the dry ingredients to the batter a little at a time until fully incorporated.

Using a medium cookie scoop or a heaping tablespoon, drop dough onto the parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving about 1-inch between mounds. Bake for 12-14 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool.

Once the cookies are cooled, make the glaze. Stir together all ingredients. Then, transfer to a resealable bag and snip the corner. Drizzle over the cookies.

PUMPKIN CREAM CHEESE MUFFINS Yields 12 muffins

INGREDIENTS 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tbsp baking powder 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice ½ tsp kosher salt 2 large eggs, slightly beaten 1 cup milk 1 cup light brown sugar 1 cup pumpkin puree ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 oz cream cheese 2 tbsp sugar ¼ cup roasted pepitas, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a muffin tin with 12 spots with muffin liners.

Divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin liners.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt.

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and sugar. Divide evenly among the muffins, dolloping on top. Sprinkle the tops with pepitas, if desired.

Place the muffins in the preheated oven and cook until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (1520 minutes). Let cool before serving.

SARAH WALKER CARON is the editor of Bangor Metro magazine and the author of several cookbooks including “One-Pot Pasta,” “The Super Easy 5-Ingredient Cookbook,” and “Grains as Mains.”

Her latest cookbook, “The Easy Appetizer Cookbook,” is due out in October from Rockridge Press.

She is also the creator of the popular food blog Sarah’s Cucina Bella (www.sarahscucinabella.com).

PHOTOS: SARAH WALKER CARON

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, oil and vanilla extract.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

Don’t be afraid to fill the cups to the top.

HEALTH & FITNESS

SYNC your

LIFE WHAT TO DO WHEN WORK AND PLAY ARE OUT OF WHACK

BY EMILY DENBOW MORRISON

26 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

AS AN ADULT, it can be hard to find balance in a life that demands both work and rest.

We’ve all heard the old adage, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and there’s definitely truth to it.

Too much time at the grind dulls our edges. But, one could say the same about leisure.

Binge-watching every rom-com we lay eyes on doesn’t necessarily mean we’re living our best life. When work and play are running haywire in your life, here are a few things you can do to set them straight.

LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE It’s called self-distancing, and in a 2014 study, “Self-Distancing: Theory, Research, and Current Directions” published in Advances In Experimental Psychology, authors Ethan Kross and Ozlem Ayduk found that getting a little psychological distance from a difficult situation is an excellent way to move through it. When people reflect on what’s going wrong in their life while immersed in their negative feelings they’re doomed to fail. Why? Because they’re so focused on emotion they can’t see reason. Kross and Ayduk hypothesize that people need a way to “take a step back” from their experience so they can work through it more effectively.

CONSIDER HOW IT AFFECTS OTHERS Thinking about how our actions affect those we work and play with is integral to reestablishing balance. In his classic best-seller, “How To Win Friends and Influence People,” author Dale Carnegie wrote, “If out of reading this book you get just one thing — an increased tendency to think always in terms of other people’s point of view, and see things from their angle … it may easily prove to be one of the building blocks of your career.” Consider the source: Dale Carnegie literally wrote the book on self-improvement, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

If he’s telling us to think about how others think and feel, maybe we should listen — not because it makes good business sense — it’s just good sense.

PHOTOS: ©RAWPIXEL.COM/ADOBE STOCK

FOCUS ON WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT As human beings we’re hardwired to move forward. Life is linear, so stepping back instinctively feels like we’re losing ground. But, sometimes stepping back is the only way to move forward. So how do we do this? By focusing on what’s important and eliminating what’s not. In Marie Kondo’s best-selling book, “The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” Kondo calls this act of decluttering our life the “KonMari Method.” In essence, Kondo believes that what we surround ourselves with, both physical and emotional, should “spark joy.” If it doesn’t, then we need to lose it like a bad habit and move on.

MAKE AMENDS Another emotion that comes in our DNA is the desire to make amends. When we’ve spent too long at the office or too much time surfing the web, we need to acknowledge how our actions have hurt the ones we love. According to Michael McCullough, the principal investigator of the 2014 study, “Conciliatory Gestures Promote Human Forgiveness and Reduce Anger,” published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, when people make a sincere attempt to apologize, they are usually forgiven. Whether we give an apology, make a peace offering, or bake a cake, it doesn’t matter how we show we’re sorry.

It matters that we’re sorry.

It’s incredibly difficult to see the big picture, think about the consequences of our actions, and repair what’s wrong when we’re engrossed in our own world. Ultimately, our ability to reflect whenever we feel our lives are out of whack can make the difference between a meaningful life and a life of wasted potential. The ability to think about and learn from our mistakes is a gift — why not use it?

HIKE ME

HIKE & DINE TRAILS NEAR SOME OF MAINE’S BEST RESTAURANTS STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI

“WHAT SHOULD WE have for dinner?” a hiker asked as she picked her way over a tangle of roots.

Following in her footsteps, her hiking companion pondered the possibilities.

Tacos, seafood, pasta, barbeque. Spending time outdoors is a great way to work up an appetite.

“What about that new pizza place?” he called out, skirting a cluster of honeycolored mushrooms.

Ahead, the trail was coated with colorful autumn leaves, a carpet of orange and gold, soon to fade and crumble. This fleeting beauty, along with the comfortably cool temperatures and lack of biting insects, makes October a month that is prized by many Maine hikers.

In addition to a beautiful landscape and weather, good food is usually a key component of a successful fall adventure. And among hikers, it’s usually a hot topic of conversation.

As the shadows in the forest lengthened, the two ravenous hikers made their way out of the woods and headed into town. They finished their outing with wood fired pizza, local brews and good company.

28 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

NORTHEAST PENJAJAWOC PRESERVE

IN BANGOR EASY

Owned and maintained by the Bangor Land Trust, Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve covers just over 80 acres of forestland and wetlands in the northeast corner of Bangor. This conserved property features about 2 miles of hiking trails that visit a variety of habitats including an upland forest, cattail marsh, vernal pools and a small stream. A brochure for a self-guided tour, available at bangorlandtrust.org, will help you identify these habitats, which are marked with numbered signs.

Hiking the main loop trail is just under 1 mile; and another mile of trails spur off that loop. While the trails are relatively easy, expect a few rocky areas, narrow bog bridges and a few small hills.

The preserve trails are open to walkers and bicyclists year round. Dogs are also permitted but must be kept on leash at all times. For more information, visit www.bangorlandtrust.org or call (207) 941-1010.

DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 95 Exit 186 and turn right onto Stillwater Avenue. Drive 1.1 miles (straight through the traffic light at the Stillwater Avenue-Hogan Road intersection) and turn left onto Kittredge Road. Drive 0.1 mile and turn right at the stop sign to remain on Kittredge Road. Continue another 0.8 mile to the preserve trailhead, which will be on your left, just before the pavement ends. (The kiosk is set back into the woods a bit.) Park at the side of the road, well out of the way of traffic.

WHERE TO EAT: Just a 5-minute drive from the preserve, Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant in Bangor was voted Bangor Metro’s Best Vegetarian in Bangor this year. Also nearby, Oriental Jade was voted Best Chinese in Bangor, Las Palapas was voted Best Mexican in Bangor and Kobe Ninja House was voted Best Sushi and Best Overall in Bangor. For lighter fare, Harvest Moon, voted Best Sandwich in Bangor, has an outpost on Stillwater Avenue.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 29

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

TRENTON COMMUNITY TRAIL EASY TO MODERATE A woodland path that splits into a loop and features a short bog boardwalk, Trenton Community Trail offers a 2.4-mile hike that visits scenic brooks and dwarf shrub bog. A few wooden chairs are located along the trail, as well as detailed educational displays about wildlife and plantlife of the area. Also, the Hancock County Master Gardener Volunteers have labeled some plants along the trail, from the highbush blueberry bushes near the trailhead to the stunted black spruce trees in the bog.

The boardwalk, located at the far end of the loop trail, features four benches and three interpretive signs (with color photos and plenty of great information about flora and fauna). A seating area is also located by one of the swiftly flowing brooks on the property. Lined with mossy banks, the brook is a beautiful spot to stop and enjoy the peaceful forest.

The trail is open between dawn and dusk year round. Bicycles are prohibited. Dogs are permitted but must be kept under control at all times. For information, visit friendsofacadia.org, where a trail map is available, or call the Trenton Town Office at (207) 667-7207.

DIRECTIONS: To get there from Ellsworth, start where Route 1-Route 3 split and take Route 3 south toward Mount Desert Island. Drive for about 4.9 miles to Gateway Center Drive, a wide paved road that will be on your right. The parking area at the end of the drive, at the turnaround.

WHERE TO EAT: About 20 minutes away from the trail, DragonFire Pizza in Ellsworth was voted Bangor Metro’s Best Pizza for the Down East region this year. Also, nearby Sylvia’s Cafe was voted Best Breakfast in the Down East region.

30 / BANGOR METRO September 2019

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 31

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

HILLS TO SEA TRAIL FROM UNITY TO BELFAST EASY TO CHALLENGING Passing through eight towns in midcoast Maine, the Hills to Sea Trail measures about 47 miles long and is designed to be a traditional hiking trail, with plenty of roots and rocks. Marked with blue blazes and wooden signs, it stretches from Unity College to the new Belfast Rail Trail.

The trail varies greatly in terms of scenery and difficulty. The trail section in Montville, for example, travels over two sizeable mountains. While the Belfast trail section is much easier, traversing small hills and visiting a few interesting boulders. Regardless of what section you choose, the majority of the trail travels through a mixed forest, which would be colorful in the fall.

The trail travels through conserved land and the properties of more than 60 private landowners. Therefore, it’s especially important that trail users stay on trail and respect the privacy of landowners. Dogs are allowed on most of the trail but must be kept under control at all times. There are a few sections where dogs are not allowed. Also, certain sections of the trail are closed to hikers in the fall for hunting. For more information, visit waldotrails.org or call Buck O'Herin, Waldo County Trails Stewardship Coordinator, at (207) 589-4311.

DIRECTIONS: There are several trailheads located along the Hills to Sea Trail so people can explore different sections. All official parking areas are marked on the Hills to Sea Trail map available at waldotrails.org. The Belfast trailhead is located at City Point Central Railroad Museum at 13 Hill Road in Belfast. And the Unity trailhead is at the edge of the Unity College athletic fields, with nearby parking in Parking Lot E. WHERE TO EAT: Less than 10 minutes away from the trail, Young’s Lobster Pound in Belfast was voted Bangor Metro’s Best Outdoor Seating and Best Seafood for the midcoast region this year. In Downtown Belfast, visit Alexia’s Pizza, voted Best Pizza in the midcoast region this year.

AISLINN SARNACKI is a staff writer for Bangor Metro and the Outdoors and Homestead sections of the Bangor Daily News. An expert on the Maine outdoors, she is author of the guidebooks “Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path,” “Family Friendly Hikes in Maine” and the newly released “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine.”

Follow her adventures on her blog, actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.

32 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 33

HOW-TO

CRAFTING WITH KIDS

Fun with

FELT FOOD COOK UP SOME CREATIVITY WITH THIS SIMPLE SEWING PROJECT STORY & PHOTOS BY AMY ALLEN

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

THIS IS THE KIND of sewing project you can make as simple or complicated as you want. There are hundreds of different ways to create felt food — you can find ideas online or just wing it and recreate your favorite food dishes. We made everything from pizza to hot dogs to multi-layered sandwiches, but this breakfast plate was among the easiest to create.

This is also a great way to introduce kids to sewing. We learned how to thread a needle, how to sew some basic stitches and even how to use a sewing machine. The kids stayed on task for longer than I expected, particularly for some of the trickier projects — maybe the perceived threat of the sharp needle added a danger element they couldn’t resist. In the end, no one got hurt but everyone learned a handy life skill and we made some fun toys.

And if your kids are a little too old to play with the felt food when they’re done creating, the Maine Discovery Museum in downtown Bangor welcomes felt food donations for use in their Italian kitchen exhibit where kids can play and learn in a restaurant full of pretend food.

• Felt — we picked our food projects in advance then shopped for the colors we would need. Basic felt that comes in 8.5 x 11 sheets make this project simple and affordable

34 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

• Thread and needles — we bought a small variety pack of thread so we could easily match or contrast the felt as needed • Stuffing for any padded areas, like the egg yolk

DIRECTIONS & TIPS 1. Decide what kind of food you want to make and what colors you’ll need to create it. Draw the outlines on your felt and cut out the shapes you’ll need to create the food pieces. For the pancakes, we simply cut circles. If you wanted to add more depth, you could sew two circles together and add a layer of stuffing for a puffier pancake. For the egg, we cut a wiggly circle of white felt and a round circle of yellow for the yolk.

2. To create the egg, begin sewing a simple running stitch (just up and down through the fabric) around the edge of the yolk, stopping with about an inch gap before it’s completely sewed on.

3. Through the small opening you’ve left, tuck in as much stuffing as you want.

4. Finish by sewing up the opening and tie off the end of your thread with a knot.

with KIDS

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 35

HOW-TO

CREATE IT AT HOME

MARBLED BAKED

CLAY BOWLS A NEW TWIST ON CLAY PROJECTS STORY & PHOTOS BY KATIE SMITH

I LOVE THE MARBLE trend happening right now. It makes everything look a little classier and there’s a fun, easy way to “marbleize” your next clay project. It involves a little rolling and twisting, but in no time, you will have a decorative bowl for your dresser, or to give away as a gift.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Several different blocks of 2 oz. Sculpey oven-bake clay. It’s fun to pick out a bunch of different colors to swirl together. In order to get the colors to pop, you need to incorporate lots of white clay. I got 7 blocks (3 white) and it made 6 bowls. However, how many bowls you yield will depend on the size of your template.

• Rolling pin • Knife • Small oven-safe bowl or ramekin to use as template and for baking • Gold paint for edge of bowl • Small paint brush (you can also use a Q-tip to apply paint which I’ve done several times after my kids have destroyed all my small brushes)

36 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

DIRECTIONS & TIPS 1. Cut small chunks of clay. I used about 5 chunks of white and three chunks of colored clay.

2. Roll each piece with your hand until it’s about 5 inches long.

9. Gently press clay circle in your bowl so it forms a bowl — it won’t be quite as deep, but don’t worry it will still have a great shape.

3. Gather all your rolls together and twist.

10. Set bowls on a baking sheet and follow baking instructions on your clay package (mine baked for 15 minutes at 225 degrees Fahrenheit).

4. Roll out twist with your hand again until it’s about 10 inches long.

11. Once clay is done, let it cool completely before popping it out of its mold.

5. Fold in half and twist again (Photo #6) All this fun twisting is therapeutic and what makes your bowls look all swirly.

12. Paint rim with gold paint (or color of your choice) for a nice finish. These aren’t supposed to be smooth and perfect. I love the more handmade, organic look the clay gives them.

6. Form a ball with your hand.

7. Roll out ball with rolling pin until it’s about 1/4 inch thick.

13. Place on your dresser, nightstand, or windowsill and you have the perfect place to set your rings.

8. Use small bowl as a cutter by pressing into clay and cutting around edge.

at

HOME

HOME & FAMILY

Trick or

TREAT

HOW TO TRICK OR TREAT WHEN YOU LIVE IN A RURAL PLACE

BY SARAH COTTRELL

HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT DOWNTOWN For families with very young kids who want the trick-or-treat experience but who live in a rural area, downtown Bangor offers a fantastic opportunity. Every year, on the Saturday before Halloween, local businesses host an afternoon of spooky fun.

This year, on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m., families can enjoy trick-or-treating up and down the main drag in the safety of daylight while enjoying fun with friends. If you’re driving in from out of town, don’t worry about parking since there is plenty at the public parking garage located next to Pickering Square.

THROW A TRUNK-OR-TREAT If you don’t have a neighborhood to trick-or-treat in, you can create one in a parking lot by parking cars in lines, decorating the cars in fun costumes, and having kids trick-or-treat by getting candy from the trunks. Orrington mom of two, Laura George, has been participating in trunk-or-treats for several years and she thinks they are a fabulous option for families with small kids. “I thought it was a great alternative to traditional trick or treating as we live in a town that doesn’t have a lot of places to take kids for Halloween,” George said. “It provided a safe and contained area for families. You don’t have to worry about traffic, you know most everyone, and you get to decorate [cars] in a way that makes you think outside the box.”

38 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

DRIVE TO ANOTHER TOWN If trunk-or-treats are not your thing, try driving to another town. Mom of two, Crystal Smith from Winterport, said that she’s been taking her kids to a different town to trickor-treat for years. “We live in a rural area and don’t have many homes to visit,” Smith said. “It allows us to visit multiple homes in one stop and feel safe in doing so.”

Driving to another town like Bangor for trick-or-treating has become an annual pilgrimage for many families as Bangor, Elm Street homeowner Jess LeClair knows all too well. Her family sees around 200 to 300 kids every Halloween. “We’ve seen vans pull up on our street and let out big groups of kids, so we know it is more than just the local kids,” LeClair said. “But we love to do it and offer kids a safe place to spend their evening.”

GO TO SCHOOL Some elementary schools get into the spooky spirit of Halloween by offering a safe indoor option for kids and families. Cathy Adamo, the president of Partners In Education, an organization of parent volunteers, in partnership with the Winterport Town Rec Department, organize an annual Monster Mash that includes a “haunted hallway.” “This is a decorated wing of the school where students can stop in classroom doorways for trick or treating and student volunteers from Wagner Middle School hand out candy,” Adamo said. “The gym is filled with fun Halloween-themed games that the kids can play to win toys and Halloween-themed prizes.”

Whatever plans you choose for Halloween, no matter how rural you are, stay safe and have fun.

PHOTOS: ©FAMVELDMAN/ ADOBE STOCK

RAISING KIDS in a rural state like Maine can be a wonderful experience thanks to all the natural beauty and opportunities to be outside in big open spaces. But what do you do when Halloween rolls around and trick-or-treating isn’t an option because your neighbors are a mile away? We talked with a few creative moms who have found clever ways to enjoy the spookiest of holidays without worry of missing out.

REALTORS

Your listing could be on this page.

Sell it faster.

Advertise in Bangor Metro’s Home section.

Call 990-8000.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 39

40 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

PHOTO: (ORIGINAL) ©PROSTOCK-STUDIO/ ADOBE STOCK; (DESIGN) AMY ALLEN

BEST

20 1 9

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 41

BAN GO R BEST

VEGETARIAN

MIGUEL’S 697 HOGAN RD, BANGOR

Miguel’s

BY SAM SCHIPANI

AT MIGUEL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT in Bangor, owner Chris Jones brings a taste of the southern border to Bangor.

Despite its proximity to chain competitors at its Hogan Road location near the Bangor Mall, Miguel’s manages to keep their prices affordable while providing authentic Mexican dishes with healthy, fresh ingredients, many of them locally-sourced.

The dishes and drinks are anchored in Mexican tradition as much as possible while still sourcing local ingredients, like the sizzling platter of chargrilled fajitas with flank steak from Maine Family Farms, or the crisp carnitas with pork from Maple Lane Farms marinated in a special citrus broth.

The signature margarita is made from fresh-squeezed lemon and lime juice and sweetened with agave, with over 60 tequilas to choose from.

Jones makes frequent trips to Mexico to scout out new dishes for the Miguel’s menu. After years of living on the border in Yuma and 12 years running Miguel’s, Jones estimates that he has been to Mexico “four to five hundred times.”

Recently, a trip to Mexico-inspired Miguel’s Sonoran hot dog, Jones’s twist on a popular Mexican street dish featuring a hot dog wrapped in bacon — from Maple Lane Farms, of course — dressed with jalapeño, mayonnaise,

42 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

ketchup and a special salsa (Jones would not reveal the make-up of this “secret sauce”).

The decor follows the menu’s Mexican flair. Portraits of vaqueros and mariachis line the walls alongside racks of hot sauce. Many of the tables in the main dining room, which are decorated with painted tiles depicting sugar skulls, were purchased in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Miguel’s also accommodates a range of dietary restrictions without compromising authenticity.

“Vegetarians don’t need to get a salad,” Jones said. “They have about 20 dishes to choose from.”

Along with a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, Miguel’s offers a “Mexi Paleo” menu for diners following the popular Paleo diet.

Miguel’s also stands out in its commitment to the community.

Most every other Monday, they host Good Neighbor Nights, where they give 10 percent of their total sales to a local non-profit. Jones said that the comunidad within the restaurant is strong as well, which is essential in such a busy kitchen cooking primarily from scratch.

“People like working here,” he said. “Our kitchen staff is amazing. They’ve got to be on their game. We’ve kept a lot of our staff for over ten years.”

BEST NEW

Tesoro ITALIAN

RESTAURANT

RESTAURANT AND PIZZERIA

BY SAM SCHIPANI

TESORO ITALIAN RESTAURANT and Pizzeria has been nestled on the corner of Harlow and Franklin Street for nearly 25 years but over the last year, it’s undergone a transformation. Original owners Rocco and Fortunata Agrusa sold the restaurant to Johanna Harvey in November 2018, who closed it for renovations and revamping.

The first-time restaurant owner wanted to make her mark on the Bangor restaurant scene, while paying homage to the legacy. Since re-opening in February 2019, Harvey and her staff have carried on — with their own flare.

“I wanted it to be that no matter how you are dressed — whether you’re on a first date or with your kids — Tesoro’s feels comfortable and welcoming,” Harvey said.

The renovated Tesoro’s is at once casual and elevated — no sticky elbows on the table, but no suits and ties required, either. The modern trattoria decor is inviting but makes even a weeknight pizza dinner feel special.

The most notable new addition to Tesoro’s is the sleek bar abutting the dining area, harkening back to Harvey’s near-decade as a bartender at restaurants around downtown Bangor, including Carolina’s, Sea Dog and High Tide. The strawberry rhubarb margarita made with a simple syrup prepared in-house is a stand-out.

Even though the interior is renovated and the menu has changed, the DNA of the old Tesoro’s is still there. Tesoro’s still serves pizza and pasta, of course. Harvey will even mix and match to fit a customer’s taste if she has the ingredients inhouse. The restaurant prepares homemade thin-crust pies in a pizza oven. The Margherita, made with torn basil and fresh mozzarella with a balsamic drizzle, and the Geaghan’s, topped with buffalo chicken and the Geaghan’s Reserve Sauce, are house favorites.

Tesoro’s also sells hot and cold subs along with cheese and pepperoni pizza by the slice, especially suited for the downtown Bangor lunch crowds.

To Harvey, the happiness of her staff is just as important to the ambiance of Tesoro’s as any granite countertop or stylish tiles.

“Customers definitely expect homemade food and friendliness [when they come to Tesoro’s],” she said. “Everything here is made by people who are happy. Everything is made with love.”

TESORO 18 HARLOW ST, BANGOR

New Restaurant TESORO 123 VOTES

TEA & TARTS 100 VOTES

Vegetarian MIGUELS 57 VOTES

TASTE OF INDIA 51 VOTES

FORK & SPOON 50 VOTES

UMAMI NOODLE BAR 50 VOTES

BAN GO R

Family Friendly DYSARTS 74 VOTES

GOVERNOR’S 73 VOTES

AND THE WINNERS FOR BANGOR ARE ...

BEST BAKERY

BEST PLACE TO

FRANK’S BAKE SHOP

TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS

199 STATE ST, BANGOR FRANKSBAKERY.COM

SEA DOG BREWING COMPANY

BEST BAR GEAGHAN’S PUB & CRAFT BREWERY 570 MAIN ST, BANGOR GEAGHANS.COM

26 FRONT ST, BANGOR SEADOGBREWING.COM

BEST TAKE-OUT MOE’S ORIGINAL BAR B QUE 650 BROADWAY, BANGOR MOESORIGINALBBQ.COM

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT

BEST BREAKFAST

TIMBER

BAGEL CENTRAL

22 BASS PARK BLVD, BANGOR TIMBERKITCHENANDBAR.COM

33 CENTRAL ST, BANGOR BAGELCENTRALBANGOR.COM

BEST OUTDOOR

BEST BURGER

SEATING

SEA DOG BREWING COMPANY 26 FRONT ST, BANGOR SEADOGBREWING.COM 44 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

BLAZE 18 BROAD ST, BANGOR WWW.BLAZEBANGOR.COM

BEST CHINESE ORIENTAL JADE 320 BANGOR MALL BLVD, BANGOR ORIENTALJADE.COM

BEST COCKTAIL TIMBER 22 BASS PARK BLVD, BANGOR TIMBERKITCHENANDBAR.COM

BEST COFFEE SHOP BAGEL CENTRAL 33 CENTRAL ST, BANGOR BAGELCENTRALBANGOR.COM

BEST CRAFT BREWERY GEAGHAN’S PUB & CRAFT BREWERY 570 MAIN ST, BANGOR GEAGHANS.COM

LOCAL EATS

BEST FAMILY-

FRIENDLY EATERY DYSART’S 1110 BROADWAY, BANGOR WWW.DYSARTS.COM/BROADWAY

BEST FOOD TRUCK THE LOBSTER BUOY 268 ODLIN RD, BANGOR

BEST PIZZA TRI-CITY PIZZA 422 CENTER ST, BANGOR TRICITYPIZZABANGOR.COM

BEST SANDWICH HARVEST MOON DELI 72 COLUMBIA ST, BANGOR 366 GRIFFIN ROAD, BANGOR 1018 STILLWATER AVE, BANGOR HARVESTMOONDELI.COM

BEST FRENCH FRIES THE LOBSTER BUOY

BEST SUSHI

268 ODLIN RD, BANGOR

KOBE NINJA HOUSE

BEST ICE CREAM GIFFORD’S FAMOUS ICE CREAM 1109 BROADWAY, BANGOR GIFFORDSICECREAM.COM

829 HOGAN ROAD, BANGOR KOBENINJAHOUSE.COM

Your ad could be on this page.

Advertise in Bangor Metro’s monthly Food & Drink section.

Call 990-8000.

BEST VEGETARIAN MIGUEL’S 697 HOGAN ROAD, BANGOR MIGUELSBANGOR.COM

BEST MEXICAN LAS PALAPAS

BEST WINGS

8 BANGOR MALL BLVD, BANGOR WWW.LASPALAPASBANGORME.COM

GEAGHAN’S PUB & CRAFT BREWERY

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

570 MAIN ST, BANGOR GEAGHANS.COM

TESORO ITALIAN RESTAURANT AND PIZZERIA 118 HARLOW ST, BANGOR TESOROSBANGOR.COM

BEST OVERALL

EXPERIENCE

KOBE NINJA HOUSE 829 HOGAN ROAD, BANGOR KOBENINJAHOUSE.COM

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 45

BA N GOR

Seafood EAGLE’S NEST 77 VOTES

MCLAUGHLIN’S AT THE MARINA 70 VOTES

EAGLES NEST 1016 N MAIN ST. 207-989-7635

BEST

SEAFOOD

Eagle’s NEST

BY ROSEMARY LAUSIER

YOU MIGHT MISS the Eagle’s Nest if it wasn’t for the dozens of cars parked along both sides of North Main Street on a Friday afternoon. Overlooking the Penobscot River, the Brewer establishment is a small, modest place.

But its food is anything but.

Open year round, breakfast through dinner, the Brewer staple can see up to 500 patrons on a given summer day, with open arms to both its dedicated locals and new and returning tourists.

“That’s the part about my job that I love. We have the local crowds that are very welcoming to visitors,” said manager Katie Rosenberg. “We want the customers to come in and have a good experience, good food and a good atmosphere.”

46 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

The Eagle’s Nest is best known for its seafood ranging from its fish sandwich to lobster stew. But you can’t go to the Eagle’s Nest without trying a lobster roll.

The restaurant’s most popular dish, the lobster roll is made with whole pieces — knuckles, claw and all — mixed in with mayonnaise on a toasted hot dog bun. Put butter on the side, and it will have everyone flocking to the esteemed establishment.

Other popular dishes are the allyou-can-eat fish fry and the seafood platter (“largest platter anywhere,” according to the menu) which includes all seafood you need — clams, scallops, shrimp and haddock — both served with fries and coleslaw.

“It’s quality seafood at great prices,” said Rosenberg. “We keep everything kind of simple. We don’t get too fancy.”

But if you don’t like seafood, other items such as burgers and steak sirloin are on the menu as well. And don’t forget to grab the strawberry shortcake before you leave.

BEST NEW

RESTAURANT

Logical Sip

CAFE & COFFEE

BY ROSEMARY LAUSIER

WHEN AMANDA BROOKS took over Logical Sip in February, it had already been open for three years with a loyal following and set menu. Brooks, a nurse practitioner, wanted to expand and help customers transition to a healthier lifestyle but still have the delicious food they love.

Logical Sip proves that healthy food can be tasty too.

The new Logical Sip has kept a couple of the old favorites such as cheese bagels, made by original baker Becky Hayward, and the acai bowl, but developed the menu to offer plant-based, flavorful options and healthier alternatives to decadent treats such as blackbean brownies and vegan peanut butter donuts.

The bestsellers are the salads, smoothie bowls and smoothies, but the menu doesn’t stay the same for too long, even the coffee.

Every day, they offer different specials and rotate the grab-andgo meals to keep things fresh and new, created by manager Becky Leavitt-Stewart and staff.

The space also underwent renovations, replacing the counter space, adding comfy sitting chairs and redoing the main wall. A quote from Hippocrates reading “Let thy food be thy medicine” hangs on the wall, reflecting Brooks’ mission. But what Brooks really wanted was an “overall, genuinely good, positive vibe.”

“I love it,” said Brooks. “We’ve built a good team, I couldn’t do it alone. I had an idea. The idea couldn’t have gone to the masses without the right team.”

The cafe also sells natural products and offers classes taught by Brooks to show people how healthy living is integral to their lives.

With the new Logical Sip only opened for a few months, LeavittStewart and Brooks have started to find their groove, but will continue to switch things up with customers in mind.

“It’s going to get bigger and better and it’s already happening,” said Leavitt-Stewart.

LOGICAL SIP CAFE AND COFFEE 103 CENTER ST. (207) 217-4735

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 47

BA N GOR

Chinese NOODLES & COMPANY 46 VOTES

CHINA GARDEN 42 VOTES

AND THE WINNERS FOR GREATER BANGOR ARE ...

BEST BAKERY GOVERNOR’S RESTAURANT & BAKERY 963 STILLWATER AVE, OLD TOWN GOVERNORSRESTAURANT.COM

BEST PLACE TO TAKE

OUT-OF-TOWNERS MASON’S BREWING COMPANY

15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

BEST BAR

BEST TAKE-OUT

MASON’S BREWING COMPANY

HARVEST MOON DELI

15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT MASON’S BREWING COMPANY 15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

BEST OUTDOOR

LOCATIONS IN ORONO, BREWER AND NEWPORT HARVESTMOONDELI.COM

BEST BREAKFAST DYSART'S RESTAURANT & TRUCK STOP 530 COLDBROOK RD, HERMON DYSARTS.COM

BEST BURGER

SEATING

MASON’S BREWING COMPANY

MASON’S BREWING COMPANY

15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

BEST CHINESE NOODLES & COMPANY 492 WILSON ST, BREWER

BEST COCKTAIL MASON’S BREWING COMPANY 15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

BEST CRAFT BREWERY MASON’S BREWING COMPANY 15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY EATERY DYSART'S RESTAURANT & TRUCK STOP 530 COLDBROOK RD, HERMON DYSARTS.COM

BEST ICE CREAM SPENCER’S 77 MAIN ST, BRADLEY SPENCERSICECREAM.COM

BEST MEXICAN MARGARITA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT 15 MILL ST, ORONO MARGS.COM

BEST OVERALL EXPERIENCE MASON’S BREWING COMPANY 15 HARDY ST, BREWER MASONSBREWINGCOMPANY.COM

BEST NEW

RESTAURANT LOGICAL SIP 103 CENTER ST

BEST PIZZA PAT’S PIZZA - ORONO 11 MILL ST, ORONO PATSPIZZAORONO.COM

BEST SANDWICH HARVEST MOON DELI LOCATIONS IN ORONO, BREWER AND NEWPORT HARVESTMOONDELI.COM

BEST SEAFOOD EAGLE’S NEST RESTAURANT 1016 N MAIN ST, BREWER www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 49

DO

N BEST PIZZA

DragonFire

BY AISLINN SARNACKI

A PIZZERIA with flare, DragonFire first opened its doors last summer and has quickly developed a reputation for serving delicious wood fire pizza with creative topping combinations. Located in Ellsworth’s Mill Mall Plaza, the restaurant is also praised for its friendly atmosphere.

It’s no surprise, given the attitude of DragonFire’s owners.

“Pizza brings people together,” said Harry Luhrs, who owns and operates DragonFire with his wife, Ashley Luhrs.

“We’ve got a lot of stuff going on in this world. We’re always divided on this and that, but everyone seems to get along when there’s pizza involved.”

Harry Luhrs started working in the restaurant industry as a dishwasher at age 14 at Epi’s Pizza in his hometown of Bar Harbor. More recently, he served as manager of Finelli’s Pizzeria in Ellsworth, where he received the nickname “Pizza Slayer.”

“It’s a level of mastery,” he explained.

“Now I’m going to try to teach others.”

DragonFire pizza is “Neo-Neopolitan,” with a thin crust that’s crispy on the outside but soft in the middle. It’s cooked in a giant oven that was manufactured in Italy and is fueled by both gas and wood.

“This is a new age wood fire pizza oven,” Harry Luhrs explained. “The wood kind of just smolders and lets out smoke slowly to allow for the best flavor, and the gas cooks very evenly so there’s no hot spots. So it’s nice, evenly-cooked pizza.”

Their signature pizzas range from the meat-filled King Pizza (red sauce, cheese, pepperoni, hamburger, sausage, bacon) to the simple Mythic Pizza (red sauce, cheese, tomato, fresh mozzarella, basil) to the more unusual Dragonfly Pizza (cheese, chicken, jalapeno, pineapple, onion and BBQ sauce). And of course, you can always build your own.

In addition to pizza, the DragonFire menu includes wings, stromboli, calzones, a small selection of salads, a handful of sandwiches and French fry baskets, including nacho fries and

poutine. They also serve soda, wine and craft beer, including a selection from the local Fogtown Brewery.

To spice things up, the Luhrs offer monthly specials, including two inventive pizzas — one that contains meat and one for vegetarians.

“I want to make something you’ve never had before and make you go ‘wow,’” Harry Luhrs said.

The restaurant also periodically offers crab rangoon pizza to raise money for various causes, such as sending kids to YMCA camp and helping a local resident who lost their possessions in a fire. These efforts support the concept that “pizza brings people together,” and explains how DragonFire has quickly found a place in the Ellsworth community.

DRAGONFIRE 248 STATE ST, ELLSWORTH DRAGONFIREPIZZA.ME

50 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

Flexit Cafe AND BAKERY

BY AISLINN SARNACKI

OFFERING A VARIED BREAKFAST and lunch menu, Flexit Cafe and Bakery in downtown Ellsworth strives to provide yummy options to vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike. They also serve dishes from different areas of the world, introducing different flavors, ingredients and combinations to their customers.

“We try to mix it up, shake it up and have something for everybody,” said Paul Markosian, who owns the eatery with his wife, Lorena Stearns.

The couple, who also own Finn’s Irish Pub, opened the cafe in 2014. Their goal was to BEST create a place that, like Finn’s, would become COFFEE SHOP an integral part of the downtown area.

“We love our downtown,” Markosian said. “We live downtown, and there are so many cool things here.”

BAKERY Located in a beautiful brick building constructed after the Great Fire of 1933, the cafe serves coffee, baked goods, breakfast sandwiches and burritos, a juice bar and smoothies. And for lunch, they offer salads, soups, tacos and sandwiches, including paninis.

The cafe’s name was originally inspired by the term “Flexitarian,” which describes a person who enjoys a vegetarian diet but may also eat meat on occasion. The name also emotes a positive, “we can do it” attitude,

&

Markosian said. This is further reflected by their logo: woman posing like Rosie the Riveter, flexing her arm while holding a cup of steaming coffee.

“We know there’s a lot of people out there with dietary restrictions and needs,” Markosian said. “So let’s see if we can do it and make something for everyone.”

In addition to providing many options for vegans and vegetarians, the cafe serves gluten-free meals and plenty of good-quality meat, free of antibiotics and hormones.

Based on personal preferences and experiences, the couple has also added a number of menu items from different cuisines around the world. For example, the cafe serves a variety of traditional Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, which feature marinated meat (or tofu), pickled vegetables and herbs. This is a food that Markosian fell in love with when visiting family in Texas.

“For our soups, we do a Mexican meatball soup, Thai chicken soup with coconut milk and curry, Hungarian mushroom, chicken and dumplings — we run the whole gamut,” Markosian said.

The seating is also varied. Visitors can get comfortable on a couch or set up their laptop at a table. In fact, Markosian takes pride in the fact that they have regulars who work in the cafe several hours each week. He strives for Flexit to be a welcoming space for locals and travelers alike, where a friendly staff complements their good food.

FLEXIT CAFE AND BAKERY 192 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH FLEXITCAFE.COM

Breakfast DRAGONFIRE OWNER HARRY LUHRS AT WORK SLAYING PIZZA.

SYLVIA’S CAFE 66 VOTES

MARTHA’S DINER 64 VOTES

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 51

DO

N Craft Brewery AIRLINE BREWING CO. 83 VOTES

FOGTOWN BREWING 82 VOTES

AND THE WINNERS FOR DOWN EAST ARE ...

BEST BAKERY

BEST BURGER

FLEXIT CAFE & BAKERY

PROVENDER KITCHEN + BAR

192 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH FLEXITCAFE.COM

112 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH WWW.EATPROVENDER.COM

BEST BAR

BEST COCKTAIL

FINN’S IRISH PUB

FINN’S IRISH PUB

156 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH FACEBOOK.COM/FINNSIRISHPUB

156 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH FACEBOOK.COM/FINNSIRISHPUB

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT

BEST COFFEE SHOP

PROVENDER KITCHEN + BAR 112 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH WWW.EATPROVENDER.COM

BEST BREAKFAST SYLVIA’S CAFE 248 STATE ST, ELLSWORTH SYLVIASCAFE.NET

52 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

FLEXIT CAFE & BAKERY

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY EATERY PAT'S PIZZA 396 HIGH ST, ELLSWORTH ELLSWORTHPATSPIZZA.COM

BEST ICE CREAM PUGNUTS ICE CREAM SHOP 1276 ME-172, SURRY WWW.PUGNUTS.COM

BEST INTERNATIONAL

192 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH FLEXITCAFE.COM

MANNY’S GREEK GRILL

BEST CRAFT BREWERY

BEST MEXICAN

AIRLINE BREWING COMPANY

86 THIS!

22 MILL LANE, AMHERST 173 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH ABCMAINE.BEER

248 STATE ST, ELLSWORTH

125 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH WWW.86THISMAINE.COM

BEST NEW RESTAURANT SIDELINES SPORTS BAR 367 STATE ST, ELLSWORTH

BEST OVERALL

EXPERIENCE

PROVENDER KITCHEN + BAR 112 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH WWW.EATPROVENDER.COM

BEST PIZZA DRAGONFIRE 248 STATE ST, ELLSWORTH DRAGONFIREPIZZA.ME

BEST SANDWICH 86 THIS! 125 MAIN ST, ELLSWORTH WWW.86THISMAINE.COM

BEST SEAFOOD UNION RIVER LOBSTER POT 8 SOUTH ST, ELLSWORTH WWW.LOBSTERPOT.COM www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 53

BEST

CRAFT BREWERY

Monhegan

BREWING COMPANY

BY ABIGAIL CURTIS

VISITORS TO MONHEGAN ISLAND might be traveling with some important cargo if they take the mailboat from Port Clyde.

That’s because there’s a chance that they’ll be sharing the boat with pallets of grain destined to be turned into beer at the Monhegan Brewing Co., Maine’s only brewery that can boast the motto of “craft beer, 10 miles out to sea.”

Starting an offshore brewery was a labor of love for Mary Weber, her husband Matt Weber, and her father, Maine brewing legend Danny McGovern. Mary Weber moved to Matinicus in 2011 when she married her lobsterman husband, and Danny McGovern figured that the island would be a perfect place to open a taproom. They started out in 2013 and have been going strong since, but only from May to mid-October. During the busy summer months, they open what they call Maine’s only “outdoor trap room,” a U-shape space built of lobster traps, where they welcome locals and tourists alike.

“This is a place for people to meet up and chat over a beer,” Mary Weber said. “Visitors to the island really like coming and mingling, and we see a lot of connections made.”

And although initially the three co-owners had figured

54 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

they would need to sell their beer on the mainland to make the venture work financially, it hasn’t been necessary. During their open months, they sell just about all the beer they can make on the island. Some of Mary Weber’s favorite brews are Balmy Days, a citra-hopped Kolsch that is particularly refreshing after a hike on island trails, Mad Cow Milk Stout and Island Farm Double IPA, which is made with hops grown entirely on Monhegan.

Then, when fall comes, with its shorter days, cooler weather and fewer visitors, they close up for the year. That annual cycle is what Mary Weber said she loves best about running an off-shore brewery.

“It’s a nice balance of lots of activity and quiet recharging time,” she said.

Monhegan Brewing Co. is located on Lobster Cove Road at the edge of Monhegan Village. It is open from May to midOctober, and visitors should check monheganbrewing.com for its hours of operation. Generally, it’s open from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day from 11-6 from Sunday to Thursday and from 11-7 on Friday and Saturday. For the rest of September, it’s open 12-6.

Perennial Cider Bar & FARM KITCHEN

BY ABIGAIL CURTIS

IN RECENT YEARS Maine has seen a surge of new breweries opening in even the most remote corners, making it possible to get craft beer just about everywhere.

But there’s only one place in the whole state that is dedicated to cider: Perennial Cider Bar & Farm Kitchen in Belfast. Owner Khris Hogg doesn’t expect that state of affairs to last.

“In a landscape that’s literally covered with apples, there should be ciders bars everywhere,” he said recently.

Walking down the short flight of stairs into Perennial, which opened earlier this year, you can tell you are in an establishment that reveres the apple. Flights of cider arrive tucked snugly into a box that was handmade out of applewood by one of the bartenders. The bathroom walls are covered with the apple “wanted” posters developed by Maine apple expert John Bunker, who has a mission to find rare apple varieties.

And even though some local restaurateurs figured that Hogg would wind up adding a couple of beer or wine options to his beverage list, he has held the line. Perennial serves only ciders, a deliberate choice.

“There’s a cider for everybody,” Hogg said.

The ciders available here have a wide range of flavors and colors, which reflects the huge variety of apples in the world.

None, though, are too sweet. Instead, the ciders at Perennial are often complex, funky, dry or semi-dry and made by farmers and artisans who care about their product.

As well as a curated cider selection, Hogg makes a point of offering locally-sourced, inventive foods that come out of the restaurant’s miniscule kitchen. Recently, the small plates on the menu have included a tomato tart that sang of summer and a pile of addictively salty shishito peppers, both of which fit with his plan to help people discover what’s special about both craft cider and local food.

“Every one of these ciders, these dishes, tells a story,” he said.

Perennial Cider Bar & Farm Kitchen is located at 84 Main St. in Belfast and is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, visit the website www.perennialciderbar.com.

BEST NEW

RESTAURANT

PERENNIAL CIDER BAR & FARM KITCHEN 84 MAIN ST., BELFAST

MONHEGAN BREWING COMPANY LOBSTER COVE ROAD, MONHEGAN

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 55

Cocktail DELVINO’S 22 VOTES

Ice Cream

PRIMO

STONE FOX FARM CREAMERY

THE HICHBORN

49 VOTES

19 VOTES

18 VOTES

WILD COW CREAMERY 40 VOTES

AND THE WINNERS FOR THE MIDCOAST ARE ...

BEST BAKERY RALPH’S CAFE 12 PURPLE HEART HWY, BROOKS FACEBOOK.COM/EATATRALPHS

BEST BAR

BEST PLACE TO TAKE

OUT-OF-TOWNERS RALPH’S CAFE 12 PURPLE HEART HWY, BROOKS FACEBOOK.COM/EATATRALPHS

BEST BREAKFAST

BEST COFFEE SHOP RALPH’S CAFE 12 PURPLE HEART HWY, BROOKS FACEBOOK.COM/EATATRALPHS

BEST CRAFT BREWERY

RALPH’S CAFE

MONHEGAN BREWING COMPANY

12 PURPLE HEART HWY, BROOKS FACEBOOK.COM/EATATRALPHS

LOBSTER COVE RD, MONHEGAN WWW.MONHEGANBREWING.COM

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT

BEST BURGER

THE LOST KITCHEN

RALPH’S CAFE

BEST FAMILYFRIENDLY EATERY

22 MILL ST, FREEDOM WWW.FINDTHELOSTKITCHEN.COM

12 PURPLE HEART HWY, BROOKS FACEBOOK.COM/EATATRALPHS

BEST OUTDOOR

BEST COCKTAIL

ROLLIE’S 37 MAIN ST, BELFAST ROLLIESMAINE.COM

SEATING

YOUNG’S LOBSTER POUND 4 MITCHELL ST, BELFAST YOUNGSLOBSTERPOUND.WEBS.COM

56 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

DELVINO’S 52 MAIN ST, BELFAST DELVINOS.COM

RALPH’S CAFE 12 PURPLE HEART HWY, BROOKS FACEBOOK.COM/EATATRALPHS

BEST FOOD TRUCK WASSES HOT DOGS RENY'S PLAZA, BELFAST

BEST ICE CREAM STONE FOX FARM CREAMERY MONROE; AVAILABLE AT STORES AND SPECIAL EVENTS. CHECK WEBSITE FOR FULL LIST. STONEFOXFARMCREAMERY.COM

BEST NEW RESTAURANT PERENNIAL CIDER BAR + FARM KITCHEN 84 MAIN ST, BELFAST PERENNIALCIDERBAR.COM

BEST OVERALL

EXPERIENCE

THE LOST KITCHEN 22 MILL ST, FREEDOM WWW.FINDTHELOSTKITCHEN.COM

BEST PIZZA ALEXIA’S PIZZA 93 MAIN ST, BELFAST

BEST SANDWICH RALPH’S CAFE 12 PURPLE HEART HWY, BROOKS FACEBOOK.COM/EATATRALPHS

BEST SEAFOOD YOUNG’S LOBSTER POUND 4 MITCHELL ST, BELFAST YOUNGSLOBSTERPOUND.WEBS.COM

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 57

NO R TH E R

N

SADIE’S BAKERY 5 WATER ST, HOULTON

Sadie’s BAKERY

BEST

OWNERS OF SADIE’S BAKERY ROBIN GREEN, LEFT, AND KRISTIE FITZPATRICK.

BAKERY, SANDWICH & MORE

THE DELIGHTFUL SCENT of fresh baked doughnuts from Sadie’s Bakery permeates the air of downtown Houlton most mornings. It is an undeniable reminder of a baking tradition dating back seven decades.

Established in 1948, Sadie’s Bakery has been an icon in the Houlton area. Located at 5 Water St. near Market Square, getting fresh, hot doughnuts has been a tradition for generations in the greater Houlton area and current owners Robin Green and Kristie Fitzpatrick are doing their part to keep that tradition alive and well.

The doughnut recipe for the primary flavors of plain, chocolate and molasses remains a closely-guarded secret, and has pretty much been unchanged over the decades. The current owners, however, have tweaked the offerings to include pumpkin and potato doughnuts on certain days.

Sadie’s Bakery typically focuses on one type of doughnut for each day of the week.

For example, Wednesdays are molasses day, while Friday is chocolate.

Green and Fitzpatrick have owned the

58 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

bakery for nearly three years and have been amazed at the support they have received.

“We have a lot of people who come back to Houlton and stop in just to get a doughnut or to buy a coffee mug,” Green said. “Coming here is a tradition for so many people.”

The business dates back to 1948 when Sadie Hand opened a bakery on Military Street. She later moved the doughnut and pastry business downtown to the Dunn Block and eventually to its current location on Water Street.

Today they offer muffins, cookies, whoopie pies, three types of bread, dinner rolls and other pastries, but it is the doughnut that continues to be their biggest seller. Another popular item with customers is fried doughboys, but those are only made one night a year during the town’s “Midnight Madness” celebration. On that night, a line of patrons waiting for doughboys can run anywhere from 30 to 50 people deep.

Patrons’ habits have also changed over the years. In the past, there were people coming in the afternoon buying doughnuts for the week. Today, the average customer

is looking to get doughnuts for their place of work in the morning, so the owners close up shop at 2 p.m. each day.

Lunchtime has proven to be lucrative as well, as Green and Fitzpatrick now offer a variety of sandwiches on homemade bread. The most popular sandwich is the chicken salad with cranberry and walnut on oatmeal bread. They also sell Italianstyle sandwiches and grinders, which have chopped deli meat in them. During the cooler months, a warm offering like chili or soup is available.

“Our oatmeal [bread], I can’t get over it,” Fitzpatrick said. “We have people that come from Presque Isle, Caribou and Bangor just for our bread.”

Sadie’s Bakery is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday is molasses doughnut day, while chocolate doughnuts are made on Fridays.

Plain doughnuts are served on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Potato doughnuts are seasonally offered on Tuesdays and pumpkin is available on Saturdays.

PHOTO: JOSEPH CYR

BY JOSEPH CYR

BEST NEW

LOCAL EATS

RESTAURANT

MAINELY

Mexican

PHOTO: MELISSA LIZOTTE

BY MELISSA LIZOTTE

LOCATED JUST OFF the intersection of Parsons Road Connector and State Road in Presque Isle sits a Mexican-style restaurant that combines the spicy flavors of traditional Mexican food with Maine-inspired touches.

By day, Jay Edgecomb is a physical education teacher for Van Buren District Secondary School, close to 45 minutes northeast of Presque Isle. But by night, Edgecomb is the head chef at Mainely Mexican, the restaurant that he has owned and operated since February 2018.

“The food is a good mix of Tex-Mex and items that feature Maine seafood, such as our lobster tacos and seafood enchiladas,” Edgecomb said, as he chopped up chicken to stuff inside tacos and burritos on an August day.

If you’ve never tried a meal at Mainely Mexican, Edgecomb recommends ordering the Chimichanga, which consists of refried beans, Mexican rice and cheese wrapped in a flour tortilla with a choice of grilled chicken, ground beef or smoked brisket.

For those who prefer less traditional Mexican food, Edgecomb has suggested the Mexican spiced ribeye steak with tequila reduction and caramelized onions.

Chicken, steak and shrimp and vegetarian fajitas and seafood-themed tacos and enchiladas have also been popular menu items. The restaurant can seat 74 people, including at the bar, which is equipped with flavored margaritas, fruit daiquiris and both white and red wine.

“I’ve had a guy come in three times a week for a ribeye steak,” Edgecomb said.

“What people like are depends on their own taste.”

Edgecomb, a graduate of Wisdom High School in St. Agatha, is no stranger to the culinary world.

After earning a degree in culinary arts in 1987, he spent the next decade working as a kitchen staff member for Palm Beach Polo and Country Club in Wellington, Florida; the Christmas Tree Inn and Spa in Jackson, New Hampshire; Migis Lodge near Sebago Lake; and the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. He also has an education degree and has taught in Van Buren since he and his family moved back to Aroostook County in 1997.

At Mainely Mexican, Edgecomb’s wife Kelly serves as the main bartender while his daughter Lindsey works as a server. His son AJ and daughter-in-law Hannah, as well as his daughter Allison, also work as servers when needed. Edgecomb thinks the family and small-town connections have helped create a warm, friendly atmosphere at Mainely Mexican.

“I don’t get out of the kitchen as often as I’d like, but sometimes I can tell which customers I’m serving based on what they’ve ordered,” Edgecomb said. “Getting to know customers has been the best part of this process.”

Why a Mexican restaurant? Edgecomb knew that no such restaurant existed north of the Greater Bangor area and wanted provide Aroostook County folks with a unique meal that they cannot find elsewhere. In the future, he hopes to continue building on the support of visitors both local and those from outside The County.

“We still meet customers who didn’t realize we were here, but once they try the food they say, ‘Don’t worry, we’ll be back,’” Edgecomb said.

Mainely Mexican is located on 6 State Road in MAINELY Presque Isle and is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday MEXICAN and Tuesday, 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

6 STATE ROAD, PRESQUE ISLE

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 59

NO R TH E R

N Burger THE BUS 80 VOTES

GRAMMY’S 79 VOTES

AND THE WINNERS FOR NORTHERN MAINE ARE ...

BEST BAKERY

BEST BREAKFAST

BEST ICE CREAM

SADIE’S BAKERY

SADIE’S BAKERY

HOULTON FARMS DAIRY

5 WATER ST, HOULTON

5 WATER ST, HOULTON

LOCATIONS IN HOULTON, PRESQUE ISLE & CARIBOU HOULTONFARMSDAIRY.COM

BEST BAR

BEST CRAFT BREWERY

DOWNUNDER SPORTS PUB

NORTHERN MAINE BREWING COMPANY

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT LAKEVIEW RESTAURANT 9 LAKEVIEW DR, ST AGATHA LAKEVIEWRESTAURANT.BIZ

22 MAIN ST, CARIBOU FACEBOOK.COM/NORTHERN MAINEBREWINGCOMPANY

BEST BURGER

BEST NEW RESTAURANT MAINELY MEXICAN 6 STATE RD, PRESQUE ISLE

BEST OVERALL

EXPERIENCE

THE BUS

SADIE’S BAKERY

100 MILITARY ST, HOULTON

5 WATER ST, HOULTON

OUTDOOR SEATING

BEST CHINESE

BEST PIZZA

LAKEVIEW RESTAURANT

TASTE OF CHINA

CAMERON’S MARKET

9 LAKEVIEW DR, ST AGATHA LAKEVIEWRESTAURANT.BIZ

127 MILITARY ST, HOULTON

1132 COUNTY RD, NEW LIMERICK

BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY EATERY

BEST SANDWICH

BEST

BEST PLACE TO TAKE

OUT-OF-TOWNERS SADIE’S BAKERY 5 WATER ST, HOULTON

GRAMMY’S COUNTRY INN 1687 BANGOR RD, LINNEUS

SADIE’S BAKERY 5 WATER ST, HOULTON

BEST POUTINE GRAMMY’S COUNTRY INN

60 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

1687 BANGOR RD, LINNEUS

PHOTO: (THE BUS) JEN LYNDS

282 NORTH ST, HOULTON

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 61

GET OUT

HALLOWEEN EDITION

GET 5 HAUNTED SPOTS IN MAINE STORY & PHOTOS BY JULIA BAYLY

PHOTOS: BDN FILE PHOTOS

WHO DOESN’T LOVE a good, old fashioned ghost story? The kind that grows from an actual event and somewhere along the way had various supernatural and haunting elements added in. The ones that are told and retold endlessly over the years.

Maine is full of haunted locations that are fodder for the kinds of stories that make the back of your neck tingle and have you leaving a light — or two — on at night. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Maine is also home to the master himself, Stephen King, who has made a living using Maine locations to scare the bejeebers out of us. All in good fun, of course.

Because in Maine, there are a lot of unexplained things that go bump in the night. With Halloween just around the corner, what better time than to take a closer look at some of these haunted spots you can visit for yourself. I’ve also included some well-lit spots to join your mortal friends. Then again, don’t be surprised if some of those spectres pull up a ghostly seat and join you.

So, let’s break it down — if you dare.

62 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

HEAD TO BUCKSPORT FOR COLONEL JONATHAN BUCK’S CURSED TOMB Standing tall in the old Buck Cemetery, just off US Route 1 in Bucksport, is the tomb of Jonathan Buck, the founder of Bucksport.

A plaque at the site describes Buck as “an honorable, industrial man” and credits him with building the first boat in Bucksport.

But the monument has a more sinister mark on it, one that allegedly no human ever made. In fact, efforts by numerous people to rid the granite marker of what appears to be the outline of human leg, have failed.

According to popular legend, the stain closely resembles a left leg and foot and appeared soon after Buck’s grandchildren erected the monument in 1852, 57 years after his death.

Some say the dismembered leg represents that of a woman burned at the stake after Buck condemned her to death.

The woman may or may not have been a witch, depending on which version of the story you hear, but according to another plaque at Buck’s monument, as the fire was lit, the woman cursed Buck with the words,

“So long shall my curse be upon thee and my sign upon the tombstone.”

In some versions of the story, her unburned leg falls from the flames where it is picked up by her deformed and ostracised son who flees into the woods, never to be seen again.

The biggest flaw with this story is that there are no records of anyone ever being burned at the stake in Maine — witches or otherwise. Moreover, the last accused witch burned anywhere in this country was in Salem, Massachusetts, before Buck was even born.

Fact or legend, there is no denying the stain still exists on Buck’s tomb and there could be a perfectly logical explanation for the mark. But if you are looking for a fright, how about taking a walk in the Buck Cemetery and perhaps meeting up with a one-legged ghost looking for her lost leg?

APRÈS SCARE — What better place to shake off any lingering shivers or spiritual disturbances than at the Friars’ Brewhouse Taproom [84A Main Street, 207-702-9156].

Run by Franciscan Brother Donald Paul

find it

and Brother Kenneth Leo, BUCK CEMETERY the brew7 HINKS ST, house creates BUCKSPORT and serves Belgian-style craft beers with names like Whoopie Pie Porter and Monastery Ale. The menu features appetizers style dishes like cheese and charcuterie boards, bruschetta and creton — a traditional Quebecois pork spread. House specialties include lobster sliders, Spanish tapas and ovenbaked macaroni and cheese.

The Friars’ Brewhouse and Taproom is open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

GETTING TO BUCK’S GRAVE — Buck Cemetery is east off of the junction of Highway 15 and US-1 across the street from the Hannaford Supermarket. It is easily visible on on top of a hill. Parking is in the lot next to Hinks Street. Keep in mind, while there may be a ghost or two haunting the grounds, this is also the resting place of loved ones.

Treat the area with the respect it is due.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 63

GET OUT

HALLOWEEN EDITION

Gangster Al Brady (foreground) and Clarence Lee Shaffer Jr. (right) were killed by government agents on Central Street in Bangor on Oct. 12, 1937.

The Charles Inn in Bangor.

CHECK OUT THE CHARLES AND FALL IN WITH THE BRADY GANG IN BANGOR On the face of it, the only things in common between the four-story The Charles Inn on West Market Square and the public shoot-out between federal law enforcement and the notorious Brady Gang on Oct. 12, 1937 is geography.

The shootout occurred just about a block away from The Charles Inn in the middle of Central Street near the old Dakin’s Sporting Goods Store that was located on Central Street.

In 1937 the FBI had declared Al Brady “Public Enemy Number One” as the leader of a gang responsible for a series of armed robberies and killings — including the murder of an Indiana state tropper.

The gang was on the run heading north and in late September they ended up in Bangor, where they believed they had little fear of being recognized or arrested. They were also in the market for more firepower and were told Dakin’s carried guns and ammunition.

According to The New England Historical Society, the gang members visited Dakin’s on Sept. 12 posing as out-of-town hunters and bought two handguns. They returned to the store on Oct. 5 and bought another pistol and a rifle. They also asked if the store could get a machine gun for them. That request proved to be the gang’s undoing.

A suspicious clerk reported the gang’s weapon order to local and state police who, in turn, reported it to the FBI. The federal agent sent to Bangor found witnesses who identified the members of the gang from mug shots.

Knowing that the gang would return to check on the status of the machine gun order, the FBI agent posed as a clerk in Dakin’s.

Outside, more agents and local police were hiding and ready.

When the gang arrived on Oct. 12 to purchase their arms, the FBI moved in and the shooting began.

When the smoke cleared, an FBI agent was wounded — he survived — but Brady and fellow gang member Clarence Lee Shaffer were dead. A third member of the gang James Dalhover survived and was later executed in Indiana.

Today, plaques on the sidewalk and in the road (where the bodies fell) are all that remain to remind people of that day.

Well, that and perhaps a spooky visitor to The Charles Inn. There is no record of Brady or any of his gang staying at THE CHARLES INN the hotel, but reports of heavy 20 BROAD ST, BANGOR footsteps being heard by staff and guests on the first floor have THECHARLESINN.COM been attributed to the gangster.

207-992-2820 Paranormal investigators reported contacting the spirit of Brady inside the Inn where was heard whispering about his gang.

Brady Gang aside, staff and guests have also reported unusual sounds coming from the fourth floor. According to staff at the inn, at different times, people have reported hearing children’s feet running up and down the fourth floor hallway and the sound of children’s laughter.

Other than making noise, there are no reports of the spirits bothering guests or causing harm.

But it would take someone far braver than I to spend a night in a room on the fourth floor.

64 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

PHOTOS: BDN FILE PHOTOS

find it

The Charles Inn in Bangor that is said to be haunted.

APRÈS SCARE — Coming face to face with even the hint of the ghost of the FBI’s most-wanted like Brady or his fellow gang members calls for a good cocktail. I really enjoy the drinks prepared by the mixologist at Blaze [18 Broad Street, www. blazebangor.com, 207-922-2660]. I like the traditional Old Fashion or Martini but I also enjoy trying something from the signature cocktail menu like the Strawberry Rhuball — a refreshing mix of 1800 Silver Tequila, Conitro, house-made simple lemon and lime syrup and rhubarb bitters. There is also an extensive list of Maine craft beer as well as imported brews.

On the menu, I recommend going for anything that is prepared with locally sourced ingredients in the restaurant’s wood-fired brick oven. My favorites are the haddock tacos served with house slaw, salsa fresca, lemon aioli and queso fresco.

I also love a good burger and at Blaze you can have your burger served with cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, mushrooms, arugula and even a duck egg.

Blaze is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to closing and on Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to closing.

GETTING TO THE CHARLES INN AND BRADY GANG SITE — The inn is on Broad Street in the middle building of what used to be called The Phenix Block on West Market Square. There is not a great deal of street-side parking available, but the public parking garage on Pickering Square is only a block away. The garage is open at 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday; and closed Sundays and holidays. Your first two hours of parking are free. After that it’s $1.50 for three hours, $2 for 3-4 hours and $1 for each additional hour up to a $6, 24-hour maximum. I recommend parking your car and walking back to the Inn. From there, head on up to Central Street and in a short distance you will come upon the plaques marking the Brady Gang’s shootout.

WALK WITH SOME SPIRITS AT MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY IN BANGOR With more than 30,000 people laid to rest [to date] at Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor it should come as no surprise that spooky apparitions and ghostly sightings have been reported around its 300 acres. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 65

66 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

Mount Hope dates back to 1836 and is the country’s second garden cemetery — a style of cemetery resembling more of a public park than burial ground. In fact, the earliest garden ceremonies were often the only places where people with little money could walk and view sculpture, landscaped gardens and other artwork. Museums at the time were for the wealthy.

Visitors to the cemetery have reported seeing strange shadows and experiencing a general sense of unease or anxiety. There have also been reports of ghostly figures flitting about.

Who knows? Maybe it is Brady himself wandering the acres searching for his fellow gang members to plan their next heist.

Brady was buried at Mount Hope in an unmarked grave immediately after the 1937 shootout. Years later a marker was placed over his grave. His grave that sits at the edge of the woods a distance north from the main burial areas. Brady shares the cemetery with other notables including novelist and screenwriter Raymond Chandler, humanitarian Lillian Ward, Bausch and Lomb co-founder John Jacob Bausch and naturalist Henry Augustus Ward.

The cemetery also made a location cameo in the 1989 big screen adaptation of Stephen King’s horror classic Pet Sematary.

APRÈS SCARE — Head over to Bangor Beer Company [330 Bangor Mall Blvd. 2076960, www.bangorbeerco.com]. Here you will find an eclectic menu featuring really good pub-style food and Asian-inspired selections including Bao buns, sushi and ramen.

I’m a huge fan of all of the above, so I’d have a hard time narrowing my order down beyond the pork belly bao, the Red Dragon shrimp tempura roll and the fish & chips.

As for their craft beers, there is Oddball, an American stout brewed with local oats; the Catchphrase, an east coast style IPA; the Between the Lines, an American brown ale; or, perhaps as an homage to the Brady Gang, how about the Killed by Death, a jet black imperial stout.

Bangor Beer Company is open Monday and Tuesday from 3 to 10 p.m.; Wednesdays through Fridays from 3 to 11 p.m.; Saturdays noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.

GETTING TO MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY — The cemetery is located at 1048 State Street at the intersection of Mount Hope Avenue. An online,

find it

MOUNT HOPE CEMETERY 1048 STATE ST, BANGOR 207-945-6589 MTHOPEBGR.COM

interactive map on the cemetery’s website at www.mthopebgr.com can direct you to various resting places, including that of Al Brady. There is also a walking map, historical information and the guidelines of rules. The cemetary gates are open May through mid-September from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. From mid-September through end of October signs at the entrances will be posted with that gate’s closing hour.

During this period, entrances other than the Lower State Street and Northern Division entrances will be closed at 4 p.m. and the Lower State Street and Northern Division entrances will be closed at 7:30 p.m. The only entrances open on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays will be Lower State Street and Northern Division entrances. From November through March the cemetery will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Keep in mind, while there may be ghostly goings on at Mount Hope, it is first and foremost the final resting place of thousands of loved ones. Walk the grounds with great respect.

CATCH A MOVIE — OR A SCARE — AT THE STRAND CINEMA According to its own website, Skowhegan’s The Strand Cinema can seat 425 people, is family-friendly and is among the top 50 haunted places in the country.

In a 2014 article in The Bangor Daily News, then-manager Montana Murray

find it

THE STRAND CINEMA 19 COURT ST, SKOWHEGAN 207-474-3451 SPOTLIGHTCINEMAS.COM/ SKOWHEGAN

described a spooky experience as she was loading movie reels into the projection screen one dark night.

After adding the first reel, she turned to pick up the second and out of the corner of her eye saw what appeared to be a woman walk into the room behind her. Assuming it was a co-worker — even though she was certain she was alone in the theater at the time — Murray turned around, but there was no one there. The woman — if indeed it was a woman — had vanished.

According to the BDN story, legend has it Murray saw the ghost of a woman who died in one of the apartments that had been added on to the theater. Her spirit is said to wander the halls up and down the stairways.

Employees have reported their power tools either shocking them or unplugging themselves.

Patrons and employees have reported ghosts who smear paint on the walls of the building or smear ghostly handprints on the movie screen. Staff tell of papers flying off www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 67

GET OUT

HALLOWEEN EDITION

Maine’s second oldest lighthouse Seguin Island Lighthouse.

desks, pens being tossed around and strange sounds coming from balconies and basement.

One specific report tells of an employee who had gone down to the basement for some ice and became frozen herself on the stairs after being overcome by a spirit.

It’s still a great place to catch a movie. Just keep in mind your date may be out of this world — literally.

APRÈS SCARE — If you are still hungry after watching a movie and snacking on popcorn with the spirits, head over to the Old Mill Pub [39 Water Street, 207-474-6627, www.oldmillpub.net] for a glass of Maine craft beer and a plate of the pub’s signature dish Bangers and Mash. It’s an edible homage to Old Mill’s dedication to all things Irish with three Irish sausages on top of garlic mashed potatoes smothered in a gravy made with nut brown ale.

The Old Mill Pub is open daily 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Fridays until 10 p.m.

find it

SEGUIN ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE 207-443-4804

SEGUINISLAND.ORG

68 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

THE GHOSTS OF THE SEGUIN ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE Seguin Island Lighthouse was built in 1796 and is Maine’s second oldest lighthouse. And according to the online guide New England Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions, it’s also Maine’s most haunted light with a history of tragedies of the living and ghostly activities of the dead. Seguin Light, is located on remote Seguin Island, more than two miles off the mouth of the Kennebec River and near what is now Popham Beach State Park.

The first lighthouse keeper was Count John Polereczky.

Polereczky grew up in Hungary as part of a noble family, but ended up fighting with the French in the American Revolution. After the war, he moved to Dresden, Maine, and ultimately was named the lighthouse keeper.

Accustomed to the wealth that came with his title and the status of nobility, he was not prepared for the meager salary of his new post nor the bleak conditions living on a small island that was fogged in almost half the year.

Polereczky died after spending eight years on the island without a penny to his name. Some say his ghost still haunts the keepers who followed him and there have been numerous sightings of the spirit who has been named “Old Captain.”

The Old Captain has reportedly visited keepers instructing them on tasks they should or should not do.

Recent volunteers who help with the upkeep of the lighthouse and guide summer tourists have reported items moving around inside the structure, things being tossed from shelves to the floor, mysterious cold spots, tools vanishing and then showing up in different locations, doors opening and closing and any furniture that was moved ending up back in its original location the next day.

People have also reported hearing coughing and claim all of these events are due to the presence of the Old Captain.

Visitors have also reported seeing the ghost of a young girl who died on the island and was buried there by her parents. She has been seen playing and running around the gardens laughing and smiling and waving to onlookers.

PHOTO: CYNDY CARNEY

GETTING TO THE STRAND CINEMA — It’s about an hour drive over the 55 miles from Bangor to The Strand Cinema. Head south on I-95 to Exit 150 in Pittsfield. Turn on to US-2 West for 18 miles to Court Street in Skowhegan. The Cinema is at 19 Court Street.

Perhaps the most tragic and gruesome story coming from the Seguin Light is that of a newly married keeper and his bride assigned there in the mid-1800s.

It didn’t take long for the lighthouse keeper’s bride to become depressed due to the isolation and boredom of life on the island, so her husband ordered a piano, much to her delight.

Unfortunately, it came with only one piece of sheet music, a Scott Joplin tune, which she played over and over and over again throughout the winter, until her husband could not take it anymore.

Reportedly driven insane by the repetitive music, he took his axe and chopped the piano into bits. He then used the axe to murder his wife by chopping her into bits as well. The incident reached its tragic conclusion when the young husband died by suicide in apparent remorse for his actions.

To this day, it is reported, the ghost of the lighthouse keeper still walks the grounds and if you listen carefully enough on a foggy night, you can hear the ghost

of the lighthouse keeper’s wife playing that Joplin tune on her phantom piano.

APRÈS SCARE — After you get back to the mainland from visiting the spirits at Seguin Light, head over to Spinneys Oceanfront Restaurant& Guesthouse in Phippsburg [987 Popham Rd., 207-3891122, www.spinneysonpophambeach.com].

Nothing takes the edge off a Maine paranormal experience like fresh Maine seafood. Spinneys has that and more.

Lobster? You bet — boiled, baked stuffed, over pasta, in chowder, in pie, whole, claws or tails only. There’s also shrimp, swordfish, scallops, clams and mussels. And for meat lovers, plenty of steak, chicken and pork dishes. There is also a full bar and a patio with that ocean view.

And if you are feeling really brave, the Friends of Seguin Island Light Station [www.seguinisland.org] can even arrange overnight accommodations on the island.

And who knows? If you listen hard enough as the evening fog rolls in, maybe you’ll hear snippets of a Joplin tune.

GETTING TO SEGUIN LIGHTHOUSE — Weather permitting, The Seguin Island Ferry departs from 990 Popham Road in Phippsburg, sailing from the pier next to Fort Popham. It makes one, round-trip run each on Wednesdays and Saturdays May 20 through June 20. From June 20 to Sept 9 the ferry runs once a day on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. From Sept.

10 to the end of the season on Sept. 20, it’s back to daily trips on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The schedule and fees are available online at www.fishntripsmaine. com/seguinislandferry. Reservations may also be made by emailing captethan@ fishntripsmaine.com or calling or texting 207-841-7977.

You can get close to Seguin Lighthouse through the end of October thanks to cruises around — but not landing at — the lighthouse. These are available through The Maine Maritime Museum [www.mainemaritimemuseum. org] and River Run Tours. [www. riverruntours.com]. Both tours depart from the Bath wharf.

GetGLIMPSE a WOODS & WATERS

GLIMPSE FALL FOLIAGE

BY PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES STORY & PHOTOS BY BOB DUCHESNE

70 / BANGOR METRO October 2019

MAINERS ENJOY AMAZING fall foliage, and we don’t take it for granted. Web sites and television reports track the advance of peak colors. We talk about it, comparing this year to last. If necessary, we make excuses: it’s been too dry, or too wet, or too windy. We care.

But we may be in a rut. Little has changed since our parents took the kids for a Sunday drive in the station wagon. This month, let’s rethink leaf-peeping via planes, trains, and automobiles.

The automobile part is easy. Rather than just taking a routine drive through the countryside, consider one of Maine’s Scenic Byways. There are 10 state scenic byways, three national scenic byways, and one All American Road. Pick one with a vista and lots of maples. It’s hard to beat the Million Dollar View on Route 1 in Weston, or Blackwoods along Route 182 from Ellsworth to Cherryfield. The Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway includes Height Of Land, one of the most spectacular panoramas in all of Maine.

The Acadia All American Road is an obvious choice. A devastating fire in 1947 replaced much of Mount Desert Island’s spruce-fir forest with colorful hardwoods. A drive up Cadillac Mountain provides the best showcase.

Now, park the car and kick it up a notch. Ride a train. It’s inexpensive, ideal for families, and the kids won’t realize they’re absorbing a piece of Maine history. Some of that history is pretty quirky.

For instance, the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad got its name before the first rail was laid. Shortly after the line was chartered in 1867, plans changed. The line to Moosehead was never built. Instead, it served only to connect Belfast to the Maine Central Railroad junction in Burnham. But the name stuck, and though the railroad now functions solely as a tourist excursion, it is the oldest rail line in America that still operates under its original name — even though the original name was never accurate.

The railroad now entertains visitors from its base on Depot Street in Unity. Expect a short, slow ride, as you reminisce about a time when the click of cars over rails was

a routine sound in Maine. The hour-long round trip to Unity Pond spans a section of forest that is mostly maple, oak and ash — lively with color.

The Downeast Scenic Railroad in Ellsworth offers foliage rides, and the history of the track is equally fascinating.

The Maine Shore Line Rail was built in 1884. It was later taken over by Maine Central Railroad to connect wealthy passengers to Bar Harbor — a premier summer destination for affluent city dwellers seeking to beat the heat. They rode the rails to Bangor, jumped on the connector train that would carry them to McNeil Point in Hancock, and then boarded steamers waiting to ferry them the last six miles across Frenchman’s Bay. Not much of the original track remains, but the Downeast Scenic Railroad is making the most of it. Train tours typically run a short distance westward to the Union River, then reverse course and wind through the backwoods of Ellsworth to the depot at Washington Junction. The foliage colors are particularly vibrant along this latter section of track.

For both rail excursions, 70-year-old diesel engines have replaced 100-year-old steam engines. But the passenger cars are original and a century old. Nothing is plastic.

Back then, everything was made of wood and metal. Both trains are run completely by volunteers, and it’s their heroic duty to keep everything painted before it rusts.

Throughout summer, visitors can often ride the rails of both trains on short notice. But the foliage runs of October are popular, and reservations are highly recommended.

Or take your leaf-peeping to new heights this year. Nothing beats the fall foliage from a plane. On the ground, each tree is separate. Red maples stand next to russet oaks next to yellow beeches. But from the air, Maine’s forest looks like a richly colored carpet, according to Vicki Vroom at Scenic Flights of Acadia. Her company has been around for 50 years.

She’s been the owner for the last 15. In October, their pilots offer quick jumps

to the most colorful spots, swinging up the coast to Tunk Mountain, then inland to the awesome foliage around Lucerne. They even customize trips to suit passenger interests.

Naturally, weather can be an issue. There are high-tech ways to be certain the cloud ceiling is high enough, but from her vantage point on Route 3 in Trenton, all Vicki has to do is glance over at 1,500-foot Cadillac Mountain. If she can see the summit, all’s well. Throughout summer, the two pilots and three planes stay busy. Then when autumn arrives and the leaf-peepers show up, it gets truly hectic. Make a reservation.

There are many flight options in Maine.

The float planes of Currier’s Flying Service in Greenville and Katahdin Air in Millinocket come to mind. Even the shortest flights from Rockland on Penobscot Air are sure to dazzle with the beautiful foliage of the Camden Hills. New leaf-peeping adventures await, via planes, trains, and automobiles.

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

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 71

pz Comi n g HOME B Z Z

THE VIEW FROM HERE

j

BY EMILY DENBOW MORRISON

B

in the morning; the cinnamon buns fresh out of the oven during break; Mr. Nes and the band rocking the roof off the gymnasium; and Steve, the world’s friendliest custodian, singing while he works.

Most of all, we want them to see our love.

Yes, you read that right. My colleagues and I love the bejeezus out of our kids.

As awesome as it would be to say we’re exceptional, the truth is, we’re not alone or any different than any other school in this endeavor. Educators love kids. Why else would we be wearing these comfortable shoes, wolfing down our salads, and carrying a canvas bag that makes Atlas’ job look easy? In all of my years in education, I’ve never heard one administrator say, “Tighten your belts teachers — no money for love this year!” That’s not how relationships work.

Whether it’s between teachers and students, teachers and teachers, or teachers and administrators, the same ingredients for healthy relationships outside of school hold true inside of school.

Honesty, trust, communication, kindness, generosity, patience, and acceptance, these are the same qualities teachers bring to the lives of students, parents, and colleagues. Sure, it’s not easy finding something admirable in everyone we interact with, because, let’s face it, no one’s perfect. Getting along isn’t supposed to be easy.

Nothing worthwhile ever is. On a global scale, schools are charged with helping create fully human individuals, and if there’s no hope for education, then there’s no hope for humanity.

In the words of poet W.H. Auden, “We must love each other or perish.”

When kids walk inside our classrooms, we want them to know how we feel about them, regardless of how they feel about school, Shakespeare, quadratic equations, grammar, or whatever else we’re peddling. At the end of the day, our students won’t remember most of what we’ve taught them. They’ll remember how they were treated, how they felt seen, heard, and special as soon they came inside.

That’s what coming home is all about.

PHOTO: ©KONSTANTIN YUGANOV/ ADOBE STOCK

WHEN I WAS 25, after living three states away from my family for seven years, I moved back to Maine and instantly noticed all of the things I’d forgotten I missed. While I was gone, college, employment and my first child all but consumed my capacity for observation. Add sleep deprivation and an unobservant nature, and I barely knew I’d left.

Returning home, the first thing I noticed was the radio stations had changed back to normal. I knew which ones played my favorite jams, and I reset those dials to the Q, the B, and the Moose as soon as we crossed the The Piscataqua River Bridge.

Oh, how I’d missed them.

After spending the first few weeks unpacking every baby gadget I never knew I had, I flipped on the nightly news and recognized the same faces I’d watched from my parents living room as a kid. They were my news people. The weather forecast was my family’s weather forecast. I started to sing, “The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain,” over and over again — that’s how Eliza Doolittle I felt.

Going to the grocery store, I knew where all the good food was hiding. The cashiers were my friends and family. The people in the produce, deli and meat department were my produce, deli and meat people. Church was my church. Meatloaf was Mom’s meatloaf. And laundry once again smelled like my mother’s house (Tide, Downy, and clothes just in from the line).

Life was as good in my hood as it had ever been.

Since moving back to Maine 15 years ago, I’ve taught high school English in a small coastal town, and I’ve become part of a new family of colleagues and friends. When our students walk through our purple and gold doors, regardless of whether they’ve been gone for a day, a weekend, or a long vacation, this is exactly how we want them to feel — like they’re coming home again.

We want them to notice what they didn’t know they missed.

These teachers are their teachers. These custodians are their custodians. These secretaries are their secretaries. We want kids to know the lay of the land, and we want them to see what they’ve missed: Mr. Pelletier greeting 350 students by name every day as soon as they walk in; the wacky sendoff on the announcements

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.