August Proof

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER 3 POOCH-FRIENDLY SUMMER HIKES

GETTING MARRIED IN MAINE FIND YOUR ZEN AT THESE RETREATS

BEHIND THE MUSIC at the American Folk Festival

$5.95

August 2017

HEATHER MCCARTHY TALKS ABOUT 15 YEARS OF THE AREA’S LARGEST MUSIC FESTIVAL

CONTENTS

AUGUST 2017

FEATURES 52 IN CONVERSATION: HEATHER McCARTHY Meet the Folk Festival boss 60 ESCAPE MINDFULLY Discover Maine yoga and meditation retreats 68 KEEPING IT CLASSIC Check out these upcoming summer classic car shows

IN EVERY ISSUE

52

BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE FOLK FESTIVAL

60

ESCAPE MINDFULLY

08 WHAT’S HAPPENING Local news & sightings 18 OBSESSIONS What we can’t get enough of this month 72 THEN & NOW Lakewood Theatre brings Broadway to Maine

ON THE COVER The view from a stage at the American Folk Festival, coming Aug. 25-27.

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PHOTOS: (TOP) BDN FILE; (BOTTOM) ERIN WHEAT CO.

80 LAST WORD Exploring the mysteries of the brain

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 14 FINDING HOME IN MAINE Writer reflects on 25 years in Maine

FOOD & DRINK

HEALTH & FITNESS

24 IN SEASON NOW Tomatoes fresh from the fields

34 DOG DAYS Three great hikes for you and man’s best friend

26

BY LAND OR BY SEA Don’t miss this Castine seafood shack

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) SEANMEWSHAW; SARAH WALKER CARON; AISLINN SARNACKI; BDN FILE; (WEDDING) PHOTO: REBECCA ARTHURS/WEDDING DESIGN: MAINE SEASONS EVENTS; SARAH WALKER CARON

30 IN THE HOT SEAT Lobster Fest head cook tells all

HOW TO

HOME & FAMILY

OUTSIDE

40 MAKE BUBBLE PRINTS Turn bubbles into works of art

44 SAYING “I DO” Getting married in Maine

78 BIG CAT, LITTLE CAT Take a trip to the Maine Wildlife Park

42 PRESERVE BERRIES Make summer berries last all year www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

MUSIC WAFTED FROM STAGES, CARRIED ON THE AIR, AND SEEMED TO ENCIRCLE US AS WE APPROACHED THE DANCE TENT. Inside, my daughter was soon spinning and tapping her feet to the melody.

That was our first summer attending the American Folk Festival, and it was magical. An annual tradition, it brings so much joy to late summer here in Bangor.

Now, several years later, we’re looking forward to that weekend when music fills the waterfront. We’ll again help “Fill the Buckets” and take in the many varied acts. We’ll certainly find room to sit on a lawn and listen, do a craft in the children’s area and get dinner from the food trucks. Perhaps we’ll visit the dance tent again too.

There will be memories made and fun had; that’s for certain.

How exactly does the American Folk Festival happen? It’s thanks to the hard work of some dedicated individuals and many volunteers. John Holyoke takes us behind the scenes of the festival with director Heather McCarthy, who’s been the driving force for this annual tradition since its earlier incarnation as the National Folk Festival.

Abigail Curtis also takes us behind the scenes this month. She has the scoop on the Maine Lobster Festival’s longtime head cook.

Looking for more fun this August? We are too. Get hiking with your pups with some great trail suggestions found in Aislinn Sarnacki’s column, Hike ME, on page 34. She shares three trails perfect for getting outside with your pooch.

There’s also an interview with author Bill Roorbach on page 14, advice on preserving summer’s harvest on page 42, summer yoga retreats on page 60 and so much more. I hope you love this month’s issue of Bangor Metro as much as I do.

Want to tell me what you really think? I welcome constructive feedback at talkback@bangormetro.com.

HAVE A WONDERFUL AUGUST!

SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

Connect With Us Online bangormetro.com facebook.com/BangorMetro @BangorMetro bangormetro 4 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

talkback@bangormetro.com

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

Lauren Abbate labbate@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Emily Burnham eburnham@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Abigail Curtis acurtis@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Meg Haskell mhaskell@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

John Holyoke jholyoke@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Aislinn Sarnacki asarnacki@bangordailynews.com

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 5

6 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bob Duchesne

Jodi Hersey

Jeff Kirlin

Todd Nelson

Richard Shaw

Chris Quimby

AND...

Lorraine Berry and Katie Smith

Bangor Metro Magazine. August 2017, Vol. 13, No. 8.

Copyright Š Bangor Publishing Company.

Bangor Metro is published 12 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 207-990-8134.

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Accounts Payable/Receivable: For information about your account please contact Todd Johnston at 207-990-8134.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7

WHAT’S HAPPENING

AUGUST JULY 28-AUGUST 6 BANGOR STATE FAIR

The Bangor State Fair returns to Bass Park for another year of rides, food, fun, music, animals, games and more. Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for kids and seniors. bangorstatefair.com

AUGUST 2-6 MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL

The Maine Lobster Festival is five days of fun and feasting on the fabulous coast of Maine! Enjoy rides, great music, beer and wine tastings — and lots and lots of lobster.

The 70th annual event is set for Rockland’s Harbor Park. mainelobsterfestival.com

AUGUST 3-6 ANNIE

The sun will come up tomorrow … or so Annie sings in the classic musical coming to Belfast this summer. The Belfast Maskers Theater Company will perform “Annie” as its 30th anniversary summer musical from Aug. 3-6, at the United Farmers Market of Belfast, 18 Spring St. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children.

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AUG. 11-13 Ploye Festival in Fort Kent

AUGUST 4 DOWNTOWN BANGOR ARTWALK

Enjoy a summer Friday evening in Downtown Bangor, celebrating creativity and checking out art at local businesses and artist studios. Local and regional artists and artisans will be showing off their work.

Start at the UMaine Museum of Art, and pick up a map to all the locations. 5-8 pm, presented by the Downtown Bangor Arts Collaborative. Free.

AUGUST 5 HOMEBREW EXPO 2017

Hey, homebrew enthusiasts! Whether you’re into the brewing, or just the sipping, drop by the pocket park next to Central Street Farmhouse for the 4th Annual Homebrew Expo. From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. $5 donation at the door, with proceeds going to Friends of Lower Kenduskeag Stream.

AUGUST 8 DIRIGO SPEAKS: CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE

Author Christina Baker Kline discusses her newest book “A Piece of the World” at 5:30 p.m. in the latest Dirigo Speaks event by the Bangor Daily News. The book is a fictional telling of the life of Christina Olson, the

real-life inspiration for Andrew Wyeth’s 1948 painting “Christina’s World.” Free.

AUGUST 11-13 PLOYES AND MUSKIE FESTIVALS

The Greater Area Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce hosts the Ploye Festival in conjunction with the annual Muskie Derby the weekend of Aug. 11-13. Don’t miss the making of the world’s largest ploye — an iconic Acadian buckwheat pancake — or your chance to catch some really big fish. fortkentchamber.com

AUGUST 12 MAINE RED HOT DOG FESTIVAL

Celebrate that beloved Maine delicacy — the red hot dog — on Aug. 12 in Dexter. Activities include an inflatable obstacle course, live music, cooking contests, kids activities, and plenty of hot dogs. redhotdog.org

AUGUST 16 DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS

Doctors Without Borders anesthesiologist Dr. Gerry Bashein will share his experiences in the field at a “Medecins Sans Frontieres/ Doctors Without Borders On the Road” fundraiser event. The talk, which will cover

PHOTOS: BDN FILE

EVENTS

Doctors Without Borders programs across the globe, is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and will be followed by a donor reception at 6:30 p.m. at The Tarratine, 81 Park St. in Bangor. Free, but registration required. doctorswithoutborders.org

AUGUST 17-20 SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES

On a strange and dark night long ago, Halloween came early — on Oct. 24, in fact — at the same time that Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show rolled into town.

Coincidence? We think not. Follow along in this adaptation of a Ray Bradbury tale in which two boys discover the truth about the carnival. Performed by the Penobscot Theatre Company’s Dramatic Academy, this is a show not to miss. Thursday - Saturday, Aug. 17-19, at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m.

Ticket available at the box office and online.

AUGUST 18-20 MACHIAS WILD BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL

Don’t miss this sweet festival featuring a dazzling selection of desserts made from the most Maine of treats: blueberries. There’s music, performances, suppers and more!

AUG. 12 Maine Red Hot Dog Festival, Dexter

machiasblueberry.com www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 9

EVENTS

WHAT’S HAPPENING AUGUST 21 SOLAR ECLIPSE VIEWING AT EMERA ASTRONOMY CENTER

The Emera Astronomy Center will host a solar eclipse viewing, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clark Observatory, behind the planetarium.

The program, in collaboration with the Bangor Public Library, is free to the public.

The eclipse will begin at 1:31 p.m. and finish at 3:55 p.m. Maximum eclipse will be at 2:46 pm when 54.27% of the Sun will be covered by the Moon. A variety of telescopes with solar filters will be used to share the solar eclipse with the general public. A limited supply of eclipse glasses will be available to participants as well.

AUGUST 24 SCENES & SONGS

From Misery to Beauty and the Beast to the mystery final show, the Penobscot Theatre Company will preview their season at their annual Scenes & Songs event. Check with the theatre for time and ticket availability. penobscottheatre.org

AUG. 25-27 American Folk Festival, Bangor Waterfront

AUGUST 25-27 AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL

The 15th edition of the American Folk Festival on the Bangor Waterfront will offer musicians representing a colorful array of world traditions, fantastic food, great people watching and family fun. americanfolkfestival.com

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

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PHOTO: BDN FILE

Play THIS MONTH’S Pop Quiz on page 13!

Meet MAINE SCIENTISTS AT THE 2017 MAINE SCIENCE Festival (MSF), Westbrook-based IDEXX Laboratories (a global provider of animal health diagnostics with a mission to enhance the well-being of pets, people, and livestock and an MSF Sponsor and Partner) gave festival goers an inside look at their work, through presentations provided by two of their scientists — Dave Levine and Sarah Millington. We wanted to share a little more about Dave and Sarah, and so we asked them to share some of their story with us.

MSF: What do you do at IDEXX? DAVE: I am a senior process engineer for SNAP automation. (SNAP tests are IDEXX’s ‘pet side’ or ‘point-of-care’ tests that deliver a quick result to the veterinarian.) I deal with all validations for new products or processes for the high volume automated assembly equipment.

SARAH: I am an associate scientist specializing in cell and tissue culture production and purification.

MSF: You recently presented at the Maine Science Festival, Dave as part of the Made in Maine forum and Sarah as one of our 5 Minute Genius presenters, and you both talked about your work to people who aren't necessarily in a scientific field. Was it difficult to talk about your work without using science “jargon?”

DAVE: I provide a lot of tours of the SNAP production area, so I am used to speaking to people who aren’t familiar with what we do. Most of the people I show around have no technical background in manufacturing (veterinarians, students, investors, etc.) so finding a way to communicate in terms that everyone clearly understands is important.

SARAH: At first it seemed challenging, but I realized it’s very easy to speak and make a connection with people at any level about something that I love and am passionate about.

MSF: Why did you choose to pursue your career path?

DAVE: My career path really chose me. I started out as a Computer Science major but changed to Manufacturing Engineering because I enjoyed the classes. I took classes in many different disciplines: electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, statistics, management, manufacturing, etc. When I graduated, I was hired

by Lockheed Martin into their rotational leadership development program. That experience let me figure out what I liked, which turned out to be processes and how to improve how manufacturing systems run.

SARAH: When I’m learning or experiencing something new, I am generally enthusiastic. I originally chose Biotechnology because I connected with it and the feeling of constantly learning, evolving, and innovating that came with it. I also like it because it covers a broad range of fields and topics, and focuses on an effort for constant improvement and helping people, places, and things.

MSF: What do you like most about your job?

DAVE: I deal with a lot of different technical issues, which gives me a chance to problem solve.

Sometimes this means dealing with an emergency on the manufacturing floor, and other times it’s through longer term projects where I design, perform, analyze, and report on different experiments. I also work with a great group of people, which allows me to have fun.

SARAH: That’s a tough question to answer. I love what I do, and that what I do at my job helps someone or something else. Even on my hardest days, I know that what I’m doing will help someone else to have a better day.

MSF: If you could only tell Mainers one interesting thing about IDEXX, what would it be?

DAVE: Manufacturing still lives in Maine and it’s being led by IDEXX. IDEXX is one of the largest companies based in Maine, and is part of the S&P 500 stock index.

SARAH: IDEXX is driven to support the well-being of its employees and local communities. The company cares so much about their people, and is a very bright, happy work environment.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 11

EVENTS

SIGHTINGS

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

PHOTOS BY JEFF KIRLIN, THE THING OF THE MOMENT

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1 1: Michele Gross Metzler and Jake Metzler at the 4th annual Pants on Fire 5k Beer Run/ Walk on June 17 in Winterport.

2: Kids set off for the 1K kids run during 4th Annual Pants on Fire event to benefit the Winterport Memorial Library and the Winterport Fire and Rescue Association.

3: During a benefit for Our Town Belfast, 80 people enjoyed a four course meal with wine pairings on the idyllic Armistice Footbridge overlooking Belfast Harbor and the Passagassawakeag River.

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12 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

Feeling Festive?

It’s festival season in Maine!

Play online at bangormetro.com for your chance to win a FREE oneyear subscription to Bangor Metro!

4

PHOTOS: (TOP) BDN FILE; (MIDDLE & BOTTOM) COURTESY OF OLYMPIA SNOWE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

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4: Several hundred people participated in the Bangor Pride parade in Bangor in June despite drizzly conditions.

5: Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Founder of the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute, applauds a group of sophomore Olympia’s Leaders at their 2017 Year End Celebration at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor. At the event, each high school girl was individually recognized for

a year of hard work and accomplishments within the program.

6: Hannah Sanderson, Isabella Robishaw, Ayla Fitzjurls, Annica Snow-Kelley, and Tara O’Donovan pose after speaking at the Year End Celebration for the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. The high school girls volunteered as a group to share a reflection on their year in the program.

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FIND ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S POP QUIZ ON PAGE 10! www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

PHOTO: SEAN MEWSHAW

Author Bill Roorbach.

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F I N D I N G

H O M E in Maine Writer reflects on 25 years in Maine and his new book. BY LORRAINE BERRY “The woods were as dense as ever, the two-tracked lane as grassy, and the dark thoughts that had gripped him on the plane trip seemed to float up among the leaves of the trees and disappear.”

– “The Girl of the Lake,” by Bill Roorbach AUTHOR BILL ROORBACH wasn’t born in Maine, but he’s claimed it as his home.

After growing up mostly in Connecticut, he graduated from Ithaca College in New York in 1976.

Later, in 1990, he received his Master of Fine Arts Writing from Columbia University. A year later, in 1991, his career brought him to Maine. He’d been hired to teach at the University of Maine at Farmington.

“I only taught there for four years,” he said. He was hired away by Ohio State University, where he later became a tenured professor. But Roorbach came back to Maine every summer, taking sabbaticals from teaching. During the time he taught at Ohio, he never considered it his home, preferring to fly home to Maine as often as he was able.

“When my daughter was born in Farmington in 2000,” he said, “I picked up this little baby and I said, ‘I don’t want you to be from Ohio.’ I quit my great job on the graduate faculty at Ohio State — I gave up full-time work, which was scary — because I thought raising her here was worth it.”

Now, Roorbach lives on a “scruffy old farm” just outside Farmington. The 25-plus years he’s lived in Maine — that includes the years he taught in Ohio — is the longest he’s ever lived anywhere.

“Western Maine reminds me of the best of the Connecticut of my youth. There’s still farms, still a sense

of looking out for one another here. And summer is sweet. It is so beautiful. I love the ocean and I love the mountains. I love the farms. Maine has all the stuff I love.

In a couple hours’ drive, I can see all sorts of landscapes.

Roorbach’s writing includes creative nonfiction, novels, and short stories. His newest book, “The Girl of the Lake,” released by Algonquin in June, is a collection of short stories. Roorbach says he didn’t stop writing short stories during the time that his novels, “Life Among Giants” in 2012, and “The Remedy for Love” in 2015, were published. The stories were written between 2004 and 2016.

“I’m always writing stories,” he said. A lot of them are placed in magazines ranging from literary magazines like Ploughshares to more well-known outlets such as Playboy. But when he had about 20 of them, he looked for 10 to put together, a process he described as “sort of like putting together a bouquet,” finding stories that complement each other, and then writing additional stories to flesh out the collection. In “The Girl of the Lake,” the newest story is The Tragedie of King Lear.

But the stories in the collection all contain elements of water and women in them, and he says the title story expresses something important now. “The earth and the land are in a trust — it’s our job to carry that forward.”

Some of Roorbach’s earliest published writing was about nature, and he says that the nature writer’s craft www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 15

has changed. Traditionally, they describe and study and answer questions about nature, but these days, “There’s no way around being political if you’re a naturalist who is the least bit conservation-minded,” he said. And conservation is not a partisan issue. “Back in the day, ‘conservative’ meant ‘conserve things.” Which is why he argues that most Americans do not agree with President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Accords on climate change.

Roorbach says that he is not writing about the Trump administration … yet. “I suspect it will start to turn up. My work always has a quiet political core mostly expressed through the troubles of the characters.”

Roorbach attends a writing group where they gather to read and critique each other’s work. But they’ve had to institute a new rule since the election. “We’ve instituted a ‘Trump Timer.’ We only have an hour to talk about him, because otherwise, it would take over everything.”

Yet he is insistent that he isn’t thinking about politics as much as he did when he was a young man in the early 1970s. “When I was in college, the federal government was shooting students on campuses and killing them. We haven’t gotten that far yet. The horror of that as a young high school kid and then college kid, it was a terrible time. Friends were dying overseas in an illegal war and kids were being shot in the street. I don’t think things are worse now than the way things are then.”

And it’s also clear that the country has advanced since the 1970s. “In terms of environmental stuff, they’re definitely better now in many ways. But do I believe that we will go back knowing what we know now? That’s what’s horrible.”

He says the same issues confront civil rights. The possibility that things could go backward is terrible.

“All the progress that’s been made since my angry days is really upsetting to see people in charge want to blow it back.”

And while he contends that it’s part of the political cycle, steps backward on these issues would be hard to take.

Elysia, the daughter born in 2000, will soon be of college-age. But unlike many soon-to-be empty-nesters, Roorbach and his wife, artist Juliet Karelsen, aren’t looking to leave Maine for a warm beach somewhere.

“I love the winters. I’m a skier. My first novel was about a downhill skier. I like Maine winter because there’s lots of snow and then lots of bright sunshine inbetween. I love that,” Roorbach said.

Roorbach’s daughter has grown up just a few miles from her birth, keeping her dad’s promise to her that she wouldn’t be raised in Ohio. He says that with 6,000 people, and a university, Farmington is a lively town. He especially likes all the young people who are returning to the land, giving up modern ways of farming to go back to growing and making beautiful products.

As for his daughter?

“My daughter’s idea of a great date with her boyfriend is a long walk in the woods,” he said. “I love that.”

16 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

PHOTOS: BELITAS, NITEENRK & KARANDAEV/THINKSTOCK

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

OBSESSIONS

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

MUSIC KGFREEZE: SCAPEGOAT The extravagantly talented, highly energetic singer-songwriter-guitarist Kyle Gervais is one of the most prolific and underappreciated musicians currently involved in the Portland music scene. On “Scapegoat,” the fourth full-length album for KGFREEZE, the band Gervais leads, this preponderance of talent is apparent.

KGFREEZE also features guitarist Nate Carll, bassist Jason Engler and drummer Chris Gervais. Kyle Gervais, a Fort Kent native, has played in two other wellreceived Portland bands (Cosades and Grand Hotel). But with this album he’s shifted away from the funkier, more R&B-inflected work of his earlier KGFREEZE albums, towards a heavier, crunchier — but still pop-friendly — modern rock sound. In fact, “Scapegoat” is the most guitar-heavy of anything Gervais has yet put out as KGFREEZE, bringing to mind tightly-wound duel-guitar attack bands like Cheap Trick, the Pixies and the Foo Fighters. Beneath all those riffs, however, are Gervais’ intelligent, sarcastic, often very funny lyrics, about relationships, love and friendship. Clocking in at under 30 minutes for ten songs, “Scapegoat” is a brisk, electric, highly enjoyable listen from one of Maine’s best songwriters.

Artwork from 2 of the

band’s previous records,

“Volunteer” and “Hypocrite.”

18 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

—EMILY BURNHAM

BOOKS “MAUD: A NOVEL INSPIRED BY THE LIFE OF L.M. MONTGOMERY,” by Melanie Fishbane — Fans of L.M. Montgomery’s “Anne of Green Gables” series will appreciate this historical fiction novel by Melanie Fishbane. It’s based on the teenage life of Lucy Maud Montgomery on Prince Edward Island and elsewhere in Canada, pieced together from letters, journal entries and other research and glued with poetic license. Though it’s written for teens, any Anne-enthusiast will love this engrossing story.

“SALAD FOR PRESIDENT,” by Julia Sherman — Part art book, part cooking instruction, this cookbook is as lovely to look at as it is to cook from. Recipes like Watermelon Wedges with Bronze Fennel, Olive OIl and Flaky Sea Salt and Grilled Peach Panzanella with Almond Essence and Purple Basil only sound complicated — many are actually completely doable with the array of produce available at Maine farmers markets. Plus, it’s salad — a treat during these hot days of summer.

—SARAH WALKER CARON

PHOTOS: JAKKAPAN21, MACTRUNK & STOCKBYTE/THINKSTOCK

“SAINTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS,” by J. Courtney Sullivan — Told across decades and continents, this story of a complicated Irish-Catholic family from the Boston suburbs unravels deeply guarded secrets — and the fallouts that result from them — in a page-turning novel. Author J. Courtney Sullivan spins a touching, heartbreaking tale.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

OBSESSIONS

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

EXHIBITS BY WILLIAM WEGMAN AND OTHERS CENTER FOR MAINE CONTEMPORARY ART, ROCKLAND Though you may be familiar with his iconic photographic portraits of Weimaraner dogs (one of which you can see at the Gardiner rest area on I-95), William Wegman’s career goes far beyond his most famous works. Wegman, a parttime resident of Rangeley, is a pioneer in video art, and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art will this summer exhibit works from Wegman’s early career in the 1970s.

“Reel to Real” will feature videos and drawings from that period. Don’t worry: there will still be dogs. Also on display at CMCA this summer is John Walker: Seal Point, an exhibit of paintings from the internationally acclaimed abstract painter Walker, who for 20 years has found inspiration in the landscape of Seal Point in Lamoine. In CMCA’s Screen series, a video installation titled “My Body Is Your Body Is Everybody Is Nobody”

by Pop Killed Culture will be displayed. If you haven’t yet been to the new CMCA, located on Winter Street in downtown Rockland, make sure you go soon — it’s one of the most impressive spaces, architecturally speaking, in the state. For more information, visit cmcanow.org.

—EMILY BURNHAM

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THEATER AT MONMOUTH’S SUMMER SEASON If you’ve never been to Cumston Hall, the home of the Theater at Monmouth, you’re in for a treat. This historic early 20th century gem is one of the most beautiful buildings in Maine, with striking columns and towers outside, and an abundance of frescos, stained glass windows and plaster carvings inside. What’s just as good is the theater that happens inside this 250-seat opera house. The Theater at Monmouth has since 1970 offered a mixture of Shakespeare, classic and contemporary plays and family-friendly shows each summer, offering performances six days a week. This year, audiences can enjoy “Macbeth” and “Othello” for the Shakespeare offerings, Moliere’s French farce “The Learned Ladies,” the contemporary dark comedy “Three Days of Rain,” and “Red Velvet,” Lolita Chakrabarti’s examination of social, racial and historical themes present in “Othello.” For a family-friendly show, “My Father’s Dragon,” written by Theater at Monmouth producing artistic director Dawn McAndrews, runs several times this August as well. A full schedule of performances can be found online at theateratmonmouth.org.

The Center for Maine

Contemporary

Art in Rockland.

—EMILY BURNHAM

PHOTOS: (CMCA) BDN FILE; CHAMILLEWHITE & YALESHUTTER/THINKSTOCK

THEATRE

ART

FOOD & DRINK

OBSESSIONS

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

CAPTAIN MOWATT’S GREENIE HOT SAUCE WHY DO WE LOVE IT? At the Garden Show held at the Cross Center this past spring, I tried this hot sauce made with avocado on a tortilla chip and promptly fell in love. Now the spicy, savory, rich flavor is drizzled on my tacos, squirted on rice and dripped on anything else I think might benefit from a little flavor boost. Beyond booths at shows like the Garden Show, this is available in select stores throughout the state including locally at the Natural Living Center in Bangor.

—SARAH WALKER CARON

Show your tacos

some love with this

mean green sauce.

DRINK WHITE LADY BARON’S PUB, PENTAGOET INN, CASTINE WHY DO WE LOVE IT? In and of itself, The Pentagoet Inn in Castine is a little slice of old-fashioned hospitality, with its historic facade and elegantly appointed rooms packed with both antiques and contemporary amenities.

But within the Inn is yet another surprise: Baron’s Pub, one of the coolest bars in the state, which to this day remains a hidden gem in eastern Maine. Every square inch of the bar is covered in art, photographs and artifacts from another time, including an impressive array of portraits of world leaders both good and bad: everyone from Mahatma Gandhi to Vladimir Lenin is on display. Co-owner Jack Burke is not only your concierge — he’s also your bartender, as well as a reallife Most Interesting Man In The World. Let him regale you with tales of his travels and life as an innkeeper, while he makes you a classic cocktail. There’s lots to choose from, but we’re big fans of The White Lady, a classic libation from another era, made simply from gin, lemon juice and cointreau and shaken til foamy. Sit in the pub, or outside on the wraparound porch. Either way, it’s a trip back in time to a more elegant era.

—EMILY BURNHAM

PHOTOS: OKSANAKIIAN, PLATERESCA, ONAIRJIW & PHOTO_HAMSTERMAN/THINKSTOCK

FOODSTUFF

CHEESE CHEVRE IN OLIVE OIL APPLETON CREAMERY WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Take one round of fresh goat cheese, marinate it in olive oil and add whole cloves of roasted garlic and herbs. What do you get? Creamy, savory, salty, oily perfection. Appleton Creamery is a small family farm in Knox County with a herd of 40 registered Alpine dairy goats. I don’t know exactly what they do to their chevre to make it so delicious, but there’s no doubting the results. One recipe for a great summer picnic involves a loaf of fresh bread, good company, a beautiful view and a little tub of this cheese — simple and satisfying. Spread,

chew, repeat. Once you’re finished with the chevre, which is also super in an omelet or on a salad, the leftover olive oil makes a tasty salad dressing or dip to polish off the rest of that bread. You can find Appleton Creamery cheese at farmer’s markets, co-ops and other stores throughout the midcoast, as well as at their own farmstand at 780 Gurneytown Road in Appleton. The farmstand is open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through late fall.

—ABIGAIL CURTIS

Our research has confirmed that

these are, in fact, amazeballs.

RESTAURANT DISH AMAZE BALLS MELT FOOD TRUCK, BANGOR WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Behind the cheeky name of this dish is something truly amazing. These fabulous Loaded Mashed Potato Balls are not to be missed. Bite into the delightfully crunchy exterior and reveal the marvelous creamy mashed potatoes inside. They’re studded with bits of bacon, spots of cheddar cheese and hints of chives.

And don’t forget to dip them into the lick-the-bowl-good gravy they’re served with. Just perfect. Melt parks on the Bangor Waterfront and is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays.

—SARAH WALKER CARON

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 23

FOOD & DRINK

IN SEASON NOW

In Season Now:

TOMATOES STORY & PHOTOS BY SARAH WALKER CARON

Farmers Market Panzanella Salad Serves 6-8 1 loaf French bread, torn into bite-size pieces (about 6 cups) 2 tbsp olive oil 2 cups halved cherry, pear and/or grape tomatoes 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 carrots, peeled and diced 1 cucumber, peeled and diced ½ cup sliced fresh basil 1 /3 cup diced red onion 2 ears corn, steamed Vinaigrette: ¼ cup olive oil 3 tbsp red wine vinegar ½ tsp dijon mustard 1 tsp honey salt and pepper, to taste Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and arrange the bread pieces on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and toss well to coat. Bake for 4-6 minutes, until hot and just beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and cool.

In a large mixing bowl, toss together the tomatoes, red bell pepper, carrots, cucumber, basil and red onion. Cut the kernels from the corn cobs, and add kernels to the mixture, tossing well to combine. Discard the cobs. Stir the cooled bread pieces into the mixture.

Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients and pour over the bread mixture. Toss well to combine. Let sit for five minutes and then stir again. Enjoy.

24 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

FROM THE GNARLY heirlooms to the softball sized big boys to the petite grape, pear and cherry varieties, vine-ripened tomatoes from Maine’s farmers markets are special. Try as they might, growers cannot duplicate the robust flavor and juiciness of a tomato grown outdoors in season.

A good source of antioxidants like vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene, which is good for cardiovascular health, bone health and more. There’s even some research that tomatoes can lower the risk of some cancers like prostate cancer. Plus, they’re low in calories (there’s only about 32 calories in a cup of sliced tomatoes!).

TRY AS THEY MIGHT, GROWERS CANNOT DUPLICATE THE ROBUST FLAVOR AND JUICINESS OF A TOMATO GROWN OUTDOORS IN SEASON. This nightshade can be found at farmers’ markets throughout Maine starting sometime in August. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Don’t be afraid to slice up a tart green zebra and sprinkle it with a little salt. Or top your BLT sandwich with a juicy purple-tinged Brandywine slice.

For this salad, petite tomatoes are best. Any color and variety will do.

SARAH WALKER CARON is a Bangor-based food writer and a senior editor for the Bangor Daily News. Her weekly food column, Maine Course, appears in the BDN every Wednesday and she is also author of Sarah’s Cucina Bella food blog (www.sarahscucinabella.com) and a cookbook: “Grains as Mains: Modern Recipes Using Ancient Grains.”

FOOD & DRINK

RESTAURANTS

By land or

BY SEA

This seafood shack is nothing short of extraordinary.

STORY & PHOTOS BY TODD R. NELSON

WHEN IT WAS TIME for a new take-out restaurant on the town dock in Castine, the town lucked out.

“We wanted fresh food, fresh ideas, and fun,” said Town Manager Jimmy Goodson.

And that’s exactly what the town got in Dudley’s Refresher, opened by Michael Rossney and Michelle Levesque, the couple behind the award-winning El El Frijoles on Route 15 in Sargentville.

“Before we knew it,” says Rossney. “Dudley’s was open to rave reviews and we were just trying to keep up. Sometimes you just have to follow the path that unfolds in front of you!”

Now in its third season, Dudley’s Refresher is thriving.

“A lot of places just serve a scoop of coleslaw from a bucket of prepared salad and call it good,” says Rossney. “We spend a lot of time making real iced tea and limeade, scratch-making our chickpea vegan burger; we do quite a bit of baking.”

This is a food pro who insists on tortillas shipped from Pachenga in Portland, oysters from the Bagaduce River, Pineland Farms beef, and 30 Acre Farm’s sauerkraut. The ice cream comes from Morton’s Moo in Ellsworth. Fruits, vegetables, and garnishes

26 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

Dudley’s Refresher owners Michael Rossney and Michelle Levesque at work at their other restaurant, El El Frijoles.

(Below) The fish tacos at Dudley’s Refresher.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 27

FOOD & DRINK

RESTAURANTS come from Horsepower Farm in Penobscot and various farmers’ markets.

It might be the only seafood takeout shack in Maine serving a gourmet fiddlehead burger, dreamed up by the new chef de cuisine, Brad Buck.

“Early this spring, I picked fiddleheads up on the Canadian border,” said Buck. “I like to take old school favorites and combine them with new flavors. They were amazing.”

To move away from the earthiness of the fiddleheads, he added fig, lemon balsamic, sage and classic butter. This is not your average dockside take-out burger.

The fish tacos have been legendary since opening day. The location and diminutive building may suggest burgers and fries, but just wait until you pick up your order and see the size of the individually assembled, fresh lobster roll. The haddock sandwich, with a sriracha rub tucked under the traditional crunchy beer batter coating, could feed a family. And how about some poutine?

It’s all about local, fresh, and innovative.

This summer look for house-made shortcakes with blueberries and strawberries, a nod to Buck’s interest in baking. Also, there’s Michelle Levesque’s famous gluten free macaroons dipped in chocolate.

In year three, Dudley’s isn’t resting on its laurels. Their classics are still flying out the door. The menu experiments are meeting approval.

Sure, this restaurant is off the beaten path — something Rossney readily admits — it’s worth the trip.

“A lot of people see a shack on a dock with a burger and a lobster roll on the menu, and (rightly) assume we are going to be a quick, cheap bite,” says Rossney.

“Our whole philosophy about food is that it is not cheap, or quick — it should be savored and shared and be the basis of community and family.”

Brad Buck works the grill at Dudley’s Refresher.

BUCKSPORT

LEARN MORE Dudley’s Refresher Location: 5 Sea Street, Castine

Your listing could be on this page Attract more customers. Advertise in Bangor Metro’s Restaurant Guide. Call 941-1300.

Located on the town dock at the bottom of Main Street in Castine.

Accessible by land and sea.

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 11 a.m. until closing, weather permitting.

Website: dudleysrefresher.com

28 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 29

FOOD & DRINK

In the

HOT

SEAT Longtime Lobster Fest lobster cooker tells all. BY ABIGAIL CURTIS

PHOTO: BDN FILE

A COUPLE OF YEARS ago, Peter Smith had a very bad day in the middle of one of his favorite times of the year — the Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland.

Smith, the longtime volunteer head lobster cook at the festival, spends long hours toiling on the waterfront during the first week of August making sure that thousands of pounds of lobsters daily make it safely into the huge lobster cooker and onto the plates of hungry, plastic-bibbed visitors. It gets hot in front of the lobster cooker, which some festival staff have dubbed the world’s largest, and so over the years Smith has fashioned a uniform of sorts of shorts, short rubber boots, a t-shirt, rubber gloves and rubber sleeves that go all the way up to his armpits. It’s an outfit that’s designed to be both practical and protective.

30 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

On that fateful Saturday, though, he was hustling to get lobsters into and out of the propane-powered cooker when he made a mistake and dumped a “whole mess” of boiling water into his boots. The pain was excruciating.

“I just sat down and peeled my boot off,” he said, adding that he had a three-inch third degree burn on his leg. Smith, now 61, resisted the urge to unleash the kind of language you use when you want to let off a little steam, so to speak.

“It’s a zoo, and I probably had an audience of almost 100 people out there ... I bit my lip. These people don’t deserve that,” he remembers thinking. “I just toughed it out.”

Tough is a good word for it. Despite Smith’s injury, the lobsters still needed to be cooked and he kept right

Local lobster cooking legend Peter Smith leans over a basket of crustaceans at the 67th annual Maine Lobster Festival in 2014.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 31

FOOD & DRINK on cooking them. He waited until the next day to seek medical attention from the triage team stationed on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s threemasted training ship Eagle.

“I had five people waiting on me,” he marveled.

While it must be said that Smith’s level of self-sacrifice is not typical, his dogged git-er-done mentality is no stranger to the festival, which is run exclusively by volunteers.

“I enjoy the thought of doing something for my community

to give back to it,” said Smith, who began volunteering as a teenager in 1972. He’s

been promoted to head of all grounds at this summer’s festival. “That’s pretty much it.”

And the festival, celebrating its 70th year this summer, is a big deal for his community. When the Maine Lobster Festival comes to town, the Rockland waterfront is transformed from a picturesque and sometimes sleepy place to a bustling, jostling carnival scene. Tens of thousands of people come every summer from far and near to listen to music from nationally known acts, admire the contestants in

WHEN THE MAINE LOBSTER FESTIVAL COMES TO TOWN, THE ROCKLAND WATERFRONT IS TRANSFORMED FROM A PICTURESQUE AND SOMETIMES SLEEPY PLACE TO A BUSTLING, JOSTLING CARNIVAL SCENE.

Smith hooks on to a basketful of cooked crustaceans before pulling them form the steam cooker.

32 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

the Sea Goddess Pageant, enjoy the rides, take in the arts and crafts and much more.

But mostly, they come for the lobsters. The state’s beloved crustacean is the driving force at the festival, and it isn’t much of a stretch to say that the humongous lobster cooker that was installed nearly 10 years ago is the beating heart of the event. The cooker can steam 750 pounds of lobsters at a time, and is capable of cooking more than 20,000 pounds of lobsters over the five day festival.

“There’s a lot of logistics involved,” Chuck Kruger, a member of the board of directors of the festival, said. “We’ve developed a pretty good system.”

Integral to that system is the trap to table nature of the massive lobster feed, which writer David Foster Wallace pointed out in his 2004 essay for Gourmet magazine, “Consider the Lobster.”

“Part of the overall spectacle of the Maine Lobster Festival is that you can see actual lobstermen’s vessels docking at the wharves along the northeast grounds and unloading freshly caught product, which is transferred by hand or cart 100 yards to the great clear tanks stacked up around the Festival’s cooker,” Wallace wrote.

Once they arrive at the cooker, they enter Smith’s domain. Over the five days of the festival, between 65 and 85 people altogether donate their time to make sure the lobsters get cooked and delivered to the eating tent. On Saturday, usually the busiest time for the lobster cookers, the crew hits high speed, unloading crate after crate of lobsters into a mesh basket and placing the basket in the cooker. When they’re done, they pull them out and unload the lobsters into an insulated tub.

“We’re just a machine for about two hours,” Smith said. “We’re just rolling, dropping lobsters in, pulling lobsters out, loading up the cart and sending them on.”

The crustaceans are steamed because, well, it’s the best way to cook them, he said.

“If you steam something, it’s more tasty.

You aren’t robbing all the goodness out into the water,” he said. “Basic steamed lobster with butter. Classic. That’s the best way to eat it.”

The 70th annual Maine Lobster Festival will be held on the Rockland waterfront from Wednesday, Aug. 2 to Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017.

Find your perfect

AUDIENCE

Advertise your business in BANGOR METRO!

CALL 990-8134 for details

bangormetro.com

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 33

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

DOG D AY S Go hiking with your pup this month.

STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI

BOUGHS OF WHITE cedar, spruce and fir trees bend overhead, blocking out the sun. In the shade of the forest, a man sits on the banks of a swift-flowing brook and watches his dog wade into the cool water, soaking the leash that joins them. It’s a scorching day in August, and they’ve found their escape.

Escape from the heat. Escape from the sun. Escape from the hustle and bustle of Maine towns at the height of tourist season.

The man kicks off his boots, peels off his sweaty socks and follows his canine companion into the water.

During the dog days of summer, the beauty of the Northeast landscape draws many people outdoors to hike — but some trails are more suitable for this time of year than others. When planning a hike during a hot day, think about two of nature’s finest comforts: shade and water. Select a trail that features a little bit of both, and be sure to also pack some shade — in the form of a hat and sunglasses — and plenty of water.

And if you want to bring along your dog, keep in mind that dogs aren’t allowed on some trails in Maine. On other trails, dogs must be kept on a leash. And furthermore, trail rules may specify the maximum length leash allowed. So before you hit a trail, do a little research ahead of time.

The following are three local hikes that are perfect for hot, humid days — and dogs. All three hikes feature well-maintained and marked trails that offer plenty of shade and water. So prepare to break a sweat; grab the dog leash, water and bowl; and check one of these out with your canine hiking buddy.

34 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

A waterfall on Peter's Brook marks the far end of Peter's Brook Trail.

Aislinn’s pup Oreo checks out the waterfall on Peter’s Brook Trail.

PETER’S BROOK TRAIL IN BLUE HILL EASY

TRAVELING THROUGH A QUIET mossy forest of conifers, the 0.5-mile Peter’s Brook Trail follows the lively Peters Brook uphill from the ocean to a beautiful waterfall. Constructed and maintained by the Blue Hill Heritage Trust, the trail lies on a conservation easement and is open year round for the public to enjoy.

This trail is open to dogs, but they must be kept on leash. The cool, swift-flowing brook is the perfect spot for dogs, and possibly their owners, to cool off on a hot summer day.

The hike, out and back, is 1 mile long and travels gradually uphill on the way to the waterfall.

Exposed tree roots, rocky areas and a few muddy areas makes footing tricky in some spots. The trail travels through a forest composed mostly of conifers — spruce, white pine, hemlock, balsam fir and cedar trees — with a few oak trees scattered throughout. Growing under the shade of these trees, an abundance of mosses and hardy low-lying plants carpet the forest floor.

Since the trail is fairly wide, it’s easy to follow. The only confusing point is a short distance from the trailhead, when the trail comes to a “T.” At this intersection, turn left to continue on the trail. If you turn right, you’ll come to someone’s private field and residence.

A few informal side trails here and there will bring you down to the edge of the water, where you can view several tiny waterfalls and churning pools. The trail ends at a waterfall, which is unnamed as far as I know, but is certainly a sight to behold. There whitewater tumbles down over a steep set of natural rock steps to plunge into a calm shallow pool below.

Across from the trailhead for Peters Brook Trail is Peters Cove, accessible to the public at the AB Herrick Memorial Landing, which is also owned by the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. A combination of a sandy beach and rocky shoreline, the landing is a great spot for picnicking and playing with your dog by the water.

For information about the trail, including a trail map, visit bluehillheritagetrust.org or call 374-5118.

HOW TO GET THERE: In the Blue Hill village, at the intersection of Route 172 and Route 176 (also known as East Blue Hill Road), take Route 176 and drive 0.6 miles east, then park on your right at the AB Herrick Memorial Landing on Peter’s Cove. The trailhead is across the road from the parking area, on the east side of the bridge over Peters Brook, and is marked with a blue and white Blue Hill Heritage Trust sign. A trail kiosk that includes a trail map and visitor registration book is located in the woods just a short distance from the road. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 35

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

LITTLE RIVER COMMUNITY TRAIL IN BELFAST MODERATE

BUILT BY THE Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition, Little River Community Trail officially opened to the public in the fall of 2007. From end to end, the trail is approximately 4 miles long, but is divided by a road into two sections that can be treated as two separate hikes. Though not far from downtown Belfast, the trail feels remote as it travels along Little River through a mature forest.

Dogs are permitted on this trail, but they must be kept on leash. In several places, the trail kisses the shore of Little River, offering opportunities for your canine hiking companion to cool off in the calm water.

Beware that this trail dips into gullies and travel along steep riverbanks. Take your time to navigate this uneven terrain. Exposed tree roots and several bog bridges require careful footing as well.

The first section of the trail skirts the north shore of Little River’s lower reservoir and passes under tall white white pine trees. In this area, keep an out for the many species of waterfowl that live and feed around the edges of the reservoir. Be sure to give them plenty of space, especially if walking with a dog. The trail follows the water as it narrows into a river, winding through a mature mixed forest.

After about 1 mile, the trail comes to a large hayfield off Perkins Road. When the trail reaches the road, turn left and follow the blue blazes to the road’s intersection with Herrick Road and Congress Street. Cross the intersection and approach a sign that reads “Little River Trail” by a dam and Little River’s upper reservoir.

Follow the blazes along the water’s edge and back into the forest.

This section — which includes some large hemlock trees mixed with a variety of deciduous plants — is approximately 3 miles long and ends at the Walsh Field Recreation Area off Route 52. A good landmark to gain your bearings along the way is a large boulder beside the river at 1.7 miles.

Remember, this is not a loop hike. Unless you park vehicles at both ends, you will need to hike back, making for an 8-mile walk in the woods.

For information about the Little River Community Trail, as well as a trail map, visit www.belfastbaywatershed.org.

HOW TO GET THERE: From the traffic light in Belfast at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 52, drive south on Route 1 about 2.4 miles and turn right onto the driveway of the Belfast Water District office. Keep to the right when the drive splits and park at the back of the parking area, where there is a sign that reads “Hikers, please park here.”

The trail starts at the nearby kiosk. Always follow the blue blazes (paint marks) on the trees, and you will remain on the main trail. A few side trails lead to views of the river and reservoirs.

36 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 37

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

BLACK MOUNTAIN CLIFFS TRAIL NEAR FRANKLIN CHALLENGING WITH AN ELEVATION of 1,049 feet above sea level, Black Mountain rises between two scenic bodies of water — Donnell Pond and Tunk Lake — in eastern Maine. The mountain is located within the state-owned Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land unit, and is home to a number of public hiking trails. From its bald east peak, hikers can enjoy a 360-degree view of the region.

Dogs are permitted on the trails and on the beach, though they must be kept on leash at all times.

The Black Mountain Cliffs loop — from the parking lot to the mountain’s west peak, down to Schoodic Beach, and back to the parking lot — is about 3 miles long. But to get the best views, you will need to hike off that loop about 1 mile to the mountain’s east peak, then backtrack to get back to the loop.

In total, that will make for a 5-mile hike.

38 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

The trail includes plenty of rocky spots and exposed tree roots, requiring hikers to watch their step, but the trail does not require hand-over-foot technical hiking. There are no ladders or metal rungs, making this hike suitable for dogs that have some experience hiking and are in good physical condition.

Black Mountain Cliffs Trail starts at an intersection with Schoodic Beach Trail, less than 0.1 mile from the Schoodic Beach Parking Lot. At first, the trail climbs steeply through a hardwood forest, then levels out and crosses two old woods roads. The trail then starts to climb again, becoming increasingly rocky and switchbacking up a few modest cliffs before leveling off again and striking through a couple tranquil, grass- and fern-filled clearings.

Near the mountain’s west peak, the trail comes to a trail intersection where you can

turn left to continue the 3-mile loop and descend the mountain to Schoodic Beach Trail near Schoodic Beach. Or you can veer right onto Black Mountain Summit Trail and follow the signs for about 1 mile to the mountain’s east peak, which is bald and provides amazing views of the region.

(Along the way, you’ll pass a trail leading north to Caribou Mountain, which is another good hike in the area.)

Back at the Black Mountain Cliffs loop, when you descend the mountain, follow signs pointing to Schoodic Beach.

Eventually, you will cross a few bridges and the trail will end at Schoodic Beach Trail. There, turn right to walk to Schoodic Beach, which is a long, sandy beach located on Donnell Pond. Set back into the woods near the beach are several tent sites and outhouses.

A sign marks a trail intersection atop the east peak of Black Mountain, which rises just over 1,000 feet above sea level near the town of Franklin.

Oreo enjoys a dip in Donnell Pond after hiking Black Mountain.

For more of Aislinn Sarnacki’s adventures (and pictures of Oreo), visit her blog at actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.

Follow her on Twitter: @1minhikegirl.

Her new guidebook, “Family-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” is available at local bookstores, Down East Books and online booksellers.

From there, simply follow the easy, 0.5-mile Schoodic Beach Trail back to the parking area.

For information and a trail map, call 941-4412 or visit maine.gov/ donnellpond.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Route 1 in Sullivan, turn onto Route 183 (across from the Town Landing Road) and drive 4.3 miles and turn left onto the gravel Schoodic Beach Road. Drive 0.3 mile and veer left at the fork to stay on Schoodic Beach Road. Drive 1.9 mile to the Schoodic Beach Parking Lot at the end of the road. Start your hike at the far end of the parking area, on the wide, smooth trail that leads to Schoodic Beach. A short distance down the trail, cross a bridge and turn left onto the Black Mountain Cliffs Trail.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 39

HOW TO

MAKE BUBBLE PRINTS

PRINTING

BUBBLES!

Turning summertime bubbles into works of art. BY AMY ALLEN

Directions & Tips:

• Mix a squirt of dish detergent with a small amount of water in a cup or bowl. We tested a few options and found straight bubble solution also worked well for this project. We also discovered small Dixie cups worked best to help contain the bubbles and inevitable mess. Ideally, this is an outdoor project as the bubbles are bound to overflow their containers or float away.

• Stir a generous amount of food coloring (we’re talking a squirt not just a few drops) into the bubble mixture. Use a straw to blow air into the mixture and make bubbles.

Lots of bubbles. When the bubbles come up to the top of the cup or bowl, gently place a sheet of paper over them to make a print. Remove, repeat and let dry.

• Try it out with different color combinations, add paper leaves to make bubble print hydrangeas, or try printing on a canvas for a hangable work of art.

40 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

What You’ll Need: • Small bowls or paper cups

• Dish detergent (we find blue Dawn works well bubble projects) or any bubble solution • Food coloring • Straws • Cardstock or watercolor paper PHOTOS: SARAH WALKER CARON

EVERY NOW AND THEN you can turn a Pinterest fail into a win. It’s just takes some quick thinking — and a whole lot of food coloring. Summertime is bubble time, so we decided to up our bubble game and try our hand at bubble painting. Fail one: it rained, so our outdoor project got moved inside. Fail two: using dish soap and paint produced very pale bubbles. In a last ditch effort, we added food coloring — lots of food coloring.

And voila! Printable bubbles.

It’s a simple concept — add color to bubbles and use them to print a fun design — but we have some tips to share after giving it a try.

More straws, more bubbles -- and more fun!

Small cups help contain the mess and let you make lots of different colors.

Try blowing bubbles directly on the paper for a different effect.

Frame your final prints or try printing on canvas for wall-worthy works of art.

HOW TO

PRESERVE BERRIES

PRESERVING

SUMMER

BERRIES How to preserve Maine’s summer berries for enjoying all year long.

BY LAUREN ABBATE

IN MAINE fresh berries are available throughout the summer. With strawberries appearing in June, raspberries and blackberries in July, and blueberries rounding out the summer season in August, there is so much goodness available to preserve to use throughout the whole year.

Luckily, there are several ways to preserve fresh berries while they are at peak freshness. Freezing fresh berries is the simplest way to preserve them, according to University of Maine Cooperative Extension community educator Kathy Savoie.

Freeze berries

for future use in smoothies,

jams and more.

42 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

FREEZING BERRIES Begin by washing the berries. Place them in a colander and rinse with cool water. Remove the stem and leaves and then dry them. Savoie recommends using a salad spinner to ensure that the berries are completely dry. If the berries are still wet when placed in containers or bags in the freezer they’ll freeze as a clump of berries. Spreading berries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper and freezing them before transferring them into bags or containers for long term storage also helps to prevent the berries from clumping together.

There’s no need to pack the berries with a sugar or syrup solution, Savoie said, as they will hold up just fine in the freezer as is.

For freezing, berries should be stored in airtight containers or plastic freezer bags. The containers should be marked with the contents and the dates they were stored. Frozen berries can be used for a host of purposes, from smoothies to jams and jellies. They should be used within eight to 12 months after being placed in the freezer, Savoie said.

DRYING BERRIES Drying is another way to preserve summer berries. To do this, berries should be placed on a baking sheet in an oven set to a low temperature, around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake them until the berries are shriveled. A food dehydrator can also be used to dry berries. Dried berries are a great addition to granola or yogurt.

Dried berries are simple to make

and a great addition to breakfast.

PHOTOS: MARTIN POOLE, POVARESHKA, PHONLAWAT, CHARLIEAJA/THINKSTOCK

Jam recipes can be found on the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website at extension.umaine.edu.

CANNING BERRIES Perhaps the most traditional way to preserve berries is by making jams or jellies. Jams and jellies can be made with either fresh berries or berries that were frozen when fresh. Ingredients for jams and jellies are relatively simple, and recipes can be found on the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website (extension.umaine.edu) for both blueberry and strawberry jam. If you intend to store your jam in the cupboard, for food safety purposes, the canned jam or jelly must be processed in a boiling water bath for 10 to 15 minutes, Savoie said. While shelf life of canned goods vary, they are generally safe for up to one year. Refrigerate after opening.

Choosing which method of preservation will work for you depends on your household’s tastes and needs, but regardless of how you preserve your summer berries, once February rolls around, you’ll be glad you still have the tastes of summer.

PHOTO: COOLNINA/THINKSTOCK

HOME & FAMILY

44 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

Saying

“I DO” Why couples from away are choosing the Pine Tree State for their nuptials.

BY KATIE BINGHAM-SMITH

WHEN JULIE QUI and her husband Brian of New York were planning their wedding, they looked to Maine. Both have fond memories of trips with their families to Acadia National Park from their childhoods and had spent time together in Maine as a couple.

“We decided to re-experience the magic together [when we were dating]. We took several trips up to Maine to hike, kayak and eat lobster. When we got engaged, I had initially considered planning our wedding in NYC, where we live, but it quickly proved to be uninspiring and annoyingly expensive,” Julie Qui said.

They didn’t want to get married in their hometowns either. Julie Qui is from Indiana and Brian grew up in upstate New York.

“So then I started to think about getting married in a place that we both love and has always made us happy. Coastal Maine was the obvious choice,” Julie Qui said. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 45

HOME & FAMILY

J B

Julie Qui and her husband Brian at French’s Point in Stockton Springs.

PHOTOS: REBECCA ARTHURS WEDDING DESIGN: MAINE SEASONS EVENTS

46 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

They were married at French’s Point in Stockton Springs in May 2014. “It was a dream come true. Being able to share the breathtaking scenery, charming culture, and amazing food and drink that we’ve always enjoyed with all of our family and friends made our wedding weekend incredibly special. Our friends still rave about the fresh local oysters from our reception to this day,” Julie Qui said.

The Quis aren’t alone.

Chris and Bonnie Moxhay chose Maine because Chris had a strong affinity for the state that he passed on to his bride. He’d taken family camping trips here as a child and later attended Bowdoin College. When they started dating, he introduced Bonnie to the state as well. They were having brunch near their Manhattan apartment when they saw an article about the Portland food scene in The New York Times.

“IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. BEING ABLE TO SHARE THE BREATHTAKING SCENERY, CHARMING CULTURE, AND AMAZING FOOD AND DRINK THAT WE’VE ALWAYS ENJOYED WITH ALL OF OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MADE OUR WEDDING WEEKEND INCREDIBLY SPECIAL.”

— Julie Qui “We decided that Maine would be a great long weekend trip, so we headed up a few weeks later, over Columbus Day Weekend, to check out the food, and so I could show Bonnie some of the sights. Bonnie fell in love with Maine, and Portland felt like a whole new city to me, even in the few years I’d been away,” Chris Moxhay said. “We started visiting regularly, and a year later, when we started thinking about a destination wedding, Maine felt like the perfect choice.”

The couple knew they wanted an October wedding so everyone attending could enjoy the changing leaves along with ocean views. “I even realized that, because of www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 47

HOME & FAMILY

Getting

Married IN MAINE

HOW TO GET A MARRIAGE LICENSE Marriage licenses are issued at the town or city level. The couple must visit the town office in person to apply for the marriage license.

If both of you are residents of the state of Maine, you should both apply at the town office where at least one of you is a resident. If you are residents of different Maine towns, you both may apply in one town or the other — you do not need to apply separately in each town. If neither of you is a resident of Maine, then you may apply in any Maine town office. It need not be the same town where you plan to be married.

FEES & WHAT TO BRING The current fee for a Marriage License Application is $40. Each of you must show proof of identity (a driver’s license or state I.D.) and, if there have been previous marriages for either applicant, Certified Documents of Death or Divorce of the most recent marriage must also be presented.

Your marriage license is valid for 90 days and can only be used within the State of Maine. There is no longer a waiting period from the time your marriage license is issued until your wedding can take place.

WHO CAN PERFORM A MARRIAGE? • Ordained ministers of the gospel • A person licensed to preach by an association of ministers, religious seminary or ecclesiastical body • Judges or justices (residents of Maine only) • Lawyers admitted to the Maine Bar (residents of Maine only) • Maine Notaries • Maine does not have Justices of the Peace. Out-of-state Notaries and Justices of the Peace cannot officiate weddings in Maine.

INFORMATION FROM MAINE.GOV AND BANGORMAINE.GOV.

all the peninsulas, Maine is one of the few places on the east coast where you can see a sunset over the water,” Chris Moxhay said.

Now, they visit Maine every year for their anniversary.

Wedding professionals like Meagan Gilpatrick, owner and creative director of Maine Season Events & Rentals for the last 17 years, say that affinity for the state brings lots of folks here to wed.

“For some of our clients, they grew up here and want to return to be married. Several of our couples have gone to summer camp or college in Maine or have relatives here, making Maine a special destination for their wedding celebration that they want to share with their family and friends. Sometimes the couple has just come on a vacation to Maine and fallen in love with the natural beauty and charm of this special place, and decided to bring their family and friends here to celebrate their marriage,” Gilpatrick said.

“THE BEAUTIFUL COAST LINE AND TRADITIONAL LOBSTER BAKES AND ALL THE BEAUTIFUL SPACE WE HAVE TO OFFER HERE [MAKE IT AN IDEAL PLACE TO GET MARRIED].”

— Heidi Curry At William Allen Farm in Pownal, owner Heidi Curry estimates that she’s hosted about 24 weddings each year at her 200-year-old rustic New England-style barn in the last threeplus years. Many are for people from away.

The busiest time for her business is the fall, when the leaves change colors.

“Many clients are coming from a metropolitan area and don’t have the peaceful, quiet space to enjoy. We joke about how we don’t have any street lights here in Maine and how you can lay in the middle of the field and see the stars at night. Many people can’t enjoy that where they come from,” Curry said.

Curry’s barn, which is now booking for 2018, rents for $7,200 for weddings.

Picturesque Maine has a lot to offer couples looking for a destination wedding.

“The beautiful coast line and traditional lobster bakes and all the beautiful space we have to offer here [make it an ideal place to get married],” Curry said.

PHOTO: CREATAS IMAGES/THINKSTOCK

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FEATURE

IN CONVERSATION

And the Beat GOES ON

52 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

Heather McCarthy walks along the Bangor Waterfront.

Folk festival boss Heather McCarthy has led the way for 16 years.

BY JOHN HOLYOKE

“Never heard of it,” she said of the folk festival.

“OK. Bring it on.”

McCarthy and the Bangor team were successful, and lured the National Folk Festival here for a three-year run that ended in 2004.

When the National Folk Festival moved on to other cities, Bangor decided to keep a version going. That when the American Folk Festival was born, and it’s been staged on the city’s waterfront every August since.

And one of the constants in those events has been McCarthy herself, who spent the first year as the assistant director, and has been

The view of the Bangor Waterfront Saturday evening during the 2008 American Folk Festival.

PHOTO: BDN FILE

SHORTLY AFTER Heather McCarthy decided to trade her career in the radio business for one in marketing for the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, she was faced with a task that would set her career course for the next 15 years. “[The CVB was] working with the city and with [Eastern Maine Development Corporation] to put in a proposal to have the National Folk Festival come to town,” McCarthy said. “So I landed at my desk and my boss said, ‘The first thing you need to do is write this proposal.’”

McCarthy admits now — some 16 years later — that she had a lot to learn.

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FEATURE

IN CONVERSATION

54 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

the director or executive director, working for the festival organization itself, ever since.

McCarthy is the behind-the-scenes rock, the person tasked not only with doing everything that needs to be done over the festival’s three days, but with figuring out how everything will get done.

And she still remembers the pie-in-the-sky planning that led her and her colleagues to ask the first audacious “what if” questions, and to think about what might be possible.

“It’s interesting that the vision was, ‘This is going to bring outof-staters by the thousands,’” McCarthy said. That hasn’t been the reality.

“It’s brought some out-of-staters. But more than that I think that it has become an event for Maine,” she said. “It does have a piece of tourism to it, but it is also very strongly a community event, which isn’t necessarily what we thought back at the beginning.”

Heather McCarthy at the Bangor Waterfront.

PHOTO: GABOR DEGRE

MCCARTHY WALKED FROM BACKSTAGE, TOOK A LOOK, AND SAW A TEEMING THRONG OF PEOPLE THAT STRETCHED FROM THE PENOBSCOT RIVER TO BUILDINGS ALONG THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL HAD ARRIVED, AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WERE WAITING. The fact of the matter is, although the National Folk Festival had a track record of success in other cities, organizers didn’t really know what they were in for.

“We just had a real steep learning curve that first year,” McCarthy said.

And so, a matter of months after trading in that radio career for a new one, she found herself standing backstage in the summer of 2002, waiting as the first act of the American Folk Festival in Bangor prepared to kick off that inaugural event.

“We had no idea. We had no idea that that many people were going to come, and this was just the first show [of the weekend].

This was just one little piece of everything that we were doing,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy walked from backstage, took a look, and saw a teeming throng of people that stretched from the Penobscot River to buildings along the railroad tracks. The American Folk Festival had arrived, and thousands of people were waiting.

“It was so overwhelming, fulfilling, validating, I just burst into tears,” she said. “That was my first reaction: Oh my gosh. They’re going to come to this event.”

They came. And they went. Which led to another little problem.

“One of my most vivid memories of that first year was running around with a golf cart full of toilet paper because the port-a-potties www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 55

FEATURE

IN CONVERSATION

were running out of toilet paper,” McCarthy said. “They let you go to the front of the line when you’re carrying toilet paper.”

Fifteen years later, the folk festival is still popular: McCarthy says organizers estimate each year’s event generates 100,000 visits by about 65,000 unique individuals.

And nowadays, the selfproclaimed “theater geek” from little Houlton, Maine, isn’t so surprised when the crowds embrace what has become one of her life’s passions.

Eventually, that is.

“I started out as a biology major, and my entire family said, ‘What are you doing?

You’re supposed to be in English. You’ve been a reader since you were three. Why aren’t you an English major?’” she said.

writing program, where she worked under professor Harvey Kail. “[He] just guided us through a learning process of how to critique, how to compel, how to compose, and how to convince,” McCarthy said. “It was the most crucial class that I took in college.”

That experience, she said, continues to aid her.

“It certainly has made itself useful in everything that I do,” she said. “[But] I don’t know that it’s changed who I am.”

And who is she?

McCarthy won’t really say.

She’s far more comfortable with sentences that start with “We” than she is with those beginning with “I.” She talks easily about her co-workers, and volunteers, and the festival itself, but slows when asked what drives her.

“Do people have a ready answer to that question? I struggle to articulate an answer,” she said before settling on a response of

GROWING UP IN HOULTON McCarthy grew up in Aroostook County and graduated from Houlton High School in 1984.

She loved theater, the arts, and music, and said the education she received — particularly under the tutelage of an English department she called “stupendous” set her on a course that she’d follow at the University of Maine in Orono.

After three semesters, she saw the light and changed majors. The transformative moment came when a professor recommended her to the peer

2003 Folk Festival chairman John Rohman and coordinator Heather McCarthy take turns announcing the first round of performers committed to the 65th annual National Folk Festival.

56 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

PHOTO: BDN FILE

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER, THE FOLK FESTIVAL IS STILL POPULAR: MCCARTHY SAYS ORGANIZERS ESTIMATE EACH YEAR’S EVENT GENERATES 100,000 VISITS BY ABOUT 65,000 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS.

sorts. “There’s always something that needs to be done right now. And there’s always a longer-term goal of ‘what if.’ To figure out how to tackle both of those types of challenges, and to figure out the right team and the right questions to ask.”

McCarthy has a rich, resonant voice that she says she got from her dad, a radio personality who also served as a lay reader at church.

She describes herself as ‘fairly handy,” and says she likes to sew, take photographs, and spend time at the family camp on Drews Lake.

And when pressed a bit, she said those Aroostook County roots mattered. And still do.

“I don’t know if I ever admitted it [growing up], but I’m so grateful to be able to sit here today and say, ‘I picked potatoes,’” she said.

“It’s small town life, and there’s so much that’s good about that as opposed to what’s challenging about that,” she said.

“To go to coffee with your grandmother so that she can hang out with her friends, and then listen to an hour of what’s going on in town. You learn who people are and you learn who you can reach out to. And those people are looking out for you.”

And they never stop.

“Twenty years later, when you go back to town, they’ll ask you how your dad’s doing, how your sister’s doing,” McCarthy said. “And they care. That’s kind of nice to come home to.”

PLANNING IS AN ALL-THE-TIME ACTIVITY Hanging in McCarthy’s office, within easy reach of her desk, are three calendars. She sets each with a different month showing, giving her a three-month planning window in perfect view every single day.

The day of this interview was a big one: It was the last day of May, meaning that the following morning, she’d get to flip another calendar page and finally put this year’s festival on the more immediate planning horizon. “[This year’s festival is] August 25, 26, 27. I’m almost ready to switch my calendar so then I’ll have June, July and August, and I can look at them,” she said. Then she paused, and offered some explanation for the unorthodox organizational method. “It doesn’t do me any good to know what’s coming up in four weeks. I need to know 12 weeks out.

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IN CONVERSATION Vendors light up as night falls on the 2012 American Folk Festival.

John Rohman gives flowers to American Folk Festival Executive Director Heather McCarthy in 2012 during the American Folk Festival kick off party.

And tomorrow, I get August.”

That’s because a show that juggles dozens of acts at various stages over a three-day span doesn’t happen on its own.

Luckily, McCarthy said the American Folk Festival has accumulated a core group of staffers, volunteers and board members that know they can solve any problem that might crop up, even if they’re not exactly sure what those problems might be.

And the best parts of the festival?

McCarthy has three. First, she said, is the Sunday morning gospel show, a tradition that many festival-goers wouldn’t dare miss.

“That particular performance is sacrosanct,” she said. “I’ll get on [my twoway] radio and say, ‘Guys, I’m going off radio for 50 minutes. I don’t care what happens. This is my time.’”

LUCKILY, MCCARTHY SAID THE AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL HAS ACCUMULATED A CORE GROUP OF STAFFERS, VOLUNTEERS AND BOARD MEMBERS THAT KNOW THEY CAN SOLVE ANY PROBLEM THAT MIGHT CROP UP, EVEN IF THEY’RE NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT THOSE PROBLEMS MIGHT BE. The second takes place when traditional musicians — fiddlers, for instance — who play the same instrument in different styles meet for a workshop, and share secrets, as well as a common language, with each other.

“To have that mixture of conversation and performance, the sum is just infinitely greater than the parts at those workshops,” she said.

And the third? It’s that moment when she sees a tiny 3-year-old, dancing wildly to music that might not even be intended for dancing.

“I think that’s just indicative of what we’re trying to do with this festival,” McCarthy said. “It’s music. Do what it makes you feel that you want to do.”

58 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

PHOTOS: BDN FILE

FEATURE

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 59

FEATURE

E S C A P E M I N D F U L LY Explore yourself through yoga and meditation.

BY MEG HASKELL

Yoga in Your Park offers classes at iconic sites across Mount Desert Island, including within Acadia National Park. Here, instructor Haley Brandt practices at Sand Beach.

PHOTO: ERIN WHEAT CO.

60 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

MAINE IS FULL of natural beauty, quirky cultural attractions and seasonal activities to enjoy during the summer and fall. Whether you live here full time, own a second home or treasure a few days of hard-earned vacation, the options are seemingly endless for enjoying festivals, gallery-hopping and shopping, hiking, camping and sightseeing, world-class dining, brewery touring and fried-clam tasting, or plain old porch-sitting.

But away from all of that bustle, Maine also offers the opportunity for relaxation and renewal. All across the state, in communities large and small, Mainers and visitors alike can find yoga and meditation centers that offer not only a schedule of weekly classes but also full-blown, multi-day retreats.

A meditation retreat is an immersion in self-care — a place to encounter yourself at a deeper level, to meet like-minded new friends and teachers, and to cultivate healthy new habits in diet, movement, spirituality and mindfulness. These get-aways invite curious beginners and serious students alike to step outside their daily routines and focus on nourishing their minds and bodies through the ancient practices of yoga and meditation.

And what better place than Maine to deepen your contemplative experience and find a more authentic connection to the natural world? From the rocky coast to the western mountains, from rustic farmsteads to mossy zen gardens, the state offers up its own unique beauty as a setting for your journey toward increased mindfulness and health in your daily life.

For people living or traveling in mid-Maine area, here’s a sampling of regional options to include a few days of yoga and meditation in your vacation plans — or, indeed, to make those days the centerpiece of your vacation. Each promises a unique balance of scheduled sessions and free time, its own blend of philosophies and teachings, and a bounty of opportunities for inner growth, personal renewal and joy.

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FEATURE

Rolling Meadows Yoga & Meditation Retreats in the town of Brooks asks participants to stay on site and observe a practice of "social silence" during their week-long retreats.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ROLLING MEADOWS

Maine Yoga Adventures, headquartered in Orono, combines yoga and meditation with guided outdoor adventures such as rock climbing, whitewater rafting and paddleboarding.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF MAINE YOGA ADVENTURES

Rolling Meadows YOGA & MEDITATION RETREATS

Sewall House Yoga Retreat in Island Falls invites guests to deepen their practice in a restored farmhouse setting while independently exploring the northern Maine wilderness.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF SEWALL HOUSE

62 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

On a peaceful back road about 15 miles from the small but bustling coastal city of Belfast, Rolling Meadows Yoga & Meditation Retreats in Brooks sits on 100 acres of grassy fields, productive gardens and hardwood forest. Husband-and-wife team Surya-Chandra Das and Patricia Sunyata Brown bought the old farm back in 2001 and turned it into a center where they could teach yoga and meditation.

Most retreats at Rolling Meadow last one week. They are structured around a daily schedule that includes sessions of guided yoga and meditation as well as meals and personal time. Participants are asked to observe “social silence� throughout the week, although there are opportunities to ask questions and interact with teachers.

Participants are also expected to be “fully present,” remaining at the center throughout the week, unplugging from their electronic devices and taking care of all outside business before arriving so they won’t be interrupted during the retreat.

“We spend so much time in our lives being busy, going and doing,” Das said. “Each person has to find their own way, to ask How do I learn to be more quiet with myself?”

Rolling Meadows can accommodate up to 11 participants for each retreat. The cost of a week-long retreat is $1250 per person and includes all meals. A three-day weekend retreat in November is $650.

There is often a waiting list.

In addition to the retreats at the farm, Rolling Meadows has taken groups on winter retreats to India, Guatemala, Italy, Costa Rica and Mexico. rollingmeadowsretreat.com

Sewall House YOGA RETREAT Sewall House Yoga Retreat is located in tiny Island Falls, about an hour and a half north of Bangor. When Donna Davidge bought the place in 1997, she was staking her claim to a family heritage of seeking and finding in the Maine wilderness.

young Theodore Roosevelt and taught him to love the natural world, including sections of what is now the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Their relationship is chronicled in the 2010 book, “Becoming Teddy Roosevelt: How a Maine Guide Inspired America’s 26th President,”

by Andrew Vietze.

PARTICIPANTS ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO BE “FULLY PRESENT,” REMAINING AT THE CENTER THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, UNPLUGGING FROM THEIR ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND TAKING CARE OF ALL OUTSIDE BUSINESS BEFORE ARRIVING SO THEY WON’T BE INTERRUPTED DURING THE RETREAT. Davidge’s great-grandfather, William Wingate Sewall, was a quintessential Maine outdoorsman who became friends with the

Davidge, who grew up spending summers at nearby Lake Mattawamkeag, now teaches yoga full time in New York www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 63

FEATURE

At the Ayurveda Yoga Center in Liberty, students learn to practice yoga and meditation in combination with elements of the centuries-old Indian health system known as Ayurveda.

PHOTO: BDN FILE

City most of the year. She started bringing friends and students up to Island Falls shortly after she purchased and renovated the old family property. Many have become repeat customers at what is now a summerlong retreat center.

The schedule is open-ended — participants come for as long as they want and participate as much as they want in the center’s daily schedule of yoga and meditation sessions, vegetarian meals and free time periods for contemplation, napping and porch-sitting.

They are also encouraged to actively explore the surrounding countryside, including hiking in the Katahdin Woods and Waterways National Monument — the main entrance is about 20 miles away, through the deep Maine forest — swimming and paddling in local lakes and golfing at a nearby course.

Though the center often brings in guest teachers in both yoga and meditation, Davidge said the atmosphere remains casual, low-key and friendly. “We don’t go in much for advanced, competitive, showoffy yoga,” she said. “We have fun.”

All-inclusive rates start at $289 per night with discounts for longer stays. sewallhouse.com 64 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

Maine YOGA ADVENTURES Maine Yoga Adventures is based in Orono, but it doesn’t actually have a center, per se.

“We’re all over the state,” said upbeat instructor Holly Twining. “I use all kinds of different places.”

From whitewater rafting on the Penobscot River and rock climbing in Acadia National Park to paddling a section of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway and horseback trail riding in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Twining teams up with other outfitters and organizers to offer her clients a one-of-a-kind experience.

“The yoga is usually a small part of the adventure,” she acknowledged. “There are lots of other activities layered on top.” The actual yoga itself might take place on the beach, atop a mountain, under the stars or on a stand-up paddleboard. Beginners are welcomed and encouraged.

In addition to her Maine-based adventures, Twining leads yoga students on high-energy adventures to Costa Rica and Iceland. She will also develop a customized adventure for celebrating a special birthday, a family reunion, a bachelorette party or other event.

Prices vary widely, from $1250 for the five-day Allagash adventure to $75 for an

overnight stay at a classic Maine lakeside camp. Food, campfires, storytelling and stargazing are generally part of the package.

Twining, a certified yoga instructor and mother of two, with a background in outdoor education, sees her expeditions as a way to help people of all ages connect vigorously with the natural world. In addition to her Maine Yoga Adventures business, she teaches adults and children at Om Land Yoga in Bangor. maineyogaadventures.com

Morgan Bay ZENDO Established in 1971 as a Buddhist hermitage, the Morgan Bay Zendo in Surry is the granddaddy of Maine’s meditation centers. Now incorporated as a non-profit organization, the zendo, tucked in the woods near Blue Hill, offers a regular weekly schedule of sitting and walking meditation as well as a number of half-day, one- and two-day, and occasionally longer, retreats.

Visitors and newcomers are welcome.

Board member Hugh Curran, who teaches in the Peace & Reconciliation Studies program at the University of Maine, said it is easy to get bogged down in the

The Morgan Bay Zendo in Surry offers sitting and walking meditation, yoga sessions, special lectures and other activities in a classic Zen Buddhist environment. In this setting, yoga is used to support and deepen the meditation practice.

PHOTO: MEG HASKELL | BDN

different philosophical interpretations of Buddhism as it has been practiced over the centuries. The Morgan Bay Zendo encourages the exploration of many traditions and teachings, but its daily life is based on Zen Buddhism, employing the tool of meditation to practice living intentionally in the present.

In this setting, yoga is used principally to support and deepen the meditation practice by opening the body’s energy centers, developing awareness of breathing and practicing the principles of mindfulness.

“You learn to breathe, to center yourself, to move your mind’s eye away from your thoughts into the present moment,” Curran said. “It sounds easy, but it’s not.”

The practical extension of a zen practice is mindfulness in everyday activities and interactions, he said, and the deepening ability to “sacralize” the present moment, to make it holy. Through recognizing the sacred in the everyday, students of Zen Buddhism strive to “do the least harm” toward other sentient beings.

Upcoming retreats at Morgan Bay Zendo include two day-long retreats on incorporating yoga into a meditation practice; a full day of silent meditation in the traditional meditation hall and in the zendo’s moss garden; two week-long residential www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 65

FEATURE

Benefits of a

DISCIPLINED PRACTICE IN MINDFULNESS

BY MEG HASKELL

derail turf battles and work more collaboratively; and in our homes and personal lives, where mindful responses to everyday chaos and annoyances can foster more peaceful and compassionate relationships.

“There are reports that when just one person in a household is practicing mindfulness, it actually impacts others in the home,” she said. “Not only does the environment change, but people start picking up on the behavior that is being modeled and being more mindful themselves.”

So, whether you’re looking to just relax and connect with your own thoughts or to develop a deeper, more spiritual life, or if you could use a more focused approach to your work, your health care, family dynamics, world politics or other life situations, cultivating mindfulness through yoga and meditation could be an important step in the right direction.

And one of Maine’s unique providers can provide guidance, support and enlightenment on the journey.

PHOTO: JUPITERIMAGES/THINKSTOCK

THERE ARE BOTH short-term and long-term benefits to cultivating mindfulness through a practice in yoga and meditation, according to registered nurse Mary Doyle of Winthrop. She’s a disciplined meditator herself who oversees a program of complementary therapies for cancer patients, as well as the owner of a business, Mindfulness To Work, that brings mindfulness training to the workplace.

“At the beginning, people say what you’d expect them to say. ‘Oh, I feel so much more peaceful and relaxed after I meditate.’ And science tells us that even a short encounter with meditation can lower blood pressure and inhibit the production of stress-inducing hormones like cortisol,” she said.

Who wouldn't benefit from a little more peace and relaxation in this frenetic world? But Doyle says a disciplined, longer term practice is where the good stuff is.

One primary goal of a disciplined practice is to recognize stress and distraction and to train yourself to respond with calmness, focus and intention, she said. This holds true in the clinical setting, where patients can learn to more effectively manage the stress of their illness; in the workplace, where managers and workers can learn to

66 / BANGOR METRO August 2017

programs of zen meditation, and more.

Shorter events include talks on incorporating zen principles into everyday life and a series of Tuesday evening silent teas followed by discussion, meditation and chanting.

Accommodations at Morgan Bay Zendo include five rustic cabins and two small apartments, which are sometimes available to the general public through AirBnB. Camping is also allowed on the grounds.

There is no charge for those who wish to participate in the regular weekly meditations although donations are accepted. morganbayzendo.org

Yoga IN YOUR PARK Yoga in Your Park in Bar Harbor doesn’t offer retreats, exactly. But if you’re a vacationer looking to touch base with your regular yoga practice, or just want to top off a great day of hiking at Acadia National Park with an hour of asanas in a dramatic outdoor setting, this program’s got what you need.

A sun salutation on top of Cadillac Mountain, with the sun itself rising before your eyes? A warrior pose on the tranquil afternoon lawns of the Jordan Pond House?

Shavasana at dusk on Sand Beach?

“There is just something physiologically and psychologically great about practicing yoga in the outdoors,” said founder Ellen Pierce, a Somesville native now living in Boulder, Colorado. Plus, she said, “Yogis tend to be a ‘green’ population — people who use parks and love parks and understand that it’s important to protect public spaces.”

Yoga in Your Park was conceived in 2009 as she was practicing on a rocky ledge in Acadia.

“I remember looking through my legs up at the sky and thinking ‘There is something really crazy happening in my brain right now,’” she said. What was happening, perhaps facilitated by the flow of blood and energy into her cranium, was the idea of setting up informal, local yoga concessions in parks and public spaces across the country.

Pierce, who has a commercial-use permit with Acadia, contracts with local yoga instructors to teach classes in the park.

“They can teach wherever and whenever they want,” she said. The information is posted on the organization’s website and she collects a percentage of whatever people

pay for the classes -- generally about $17 for a one-hour class, less for multiple classes.

Currently, YiP is active in Bar Harbor, Boulder, and New York City, with plans to expand in other areas.

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Ayurveda YOGA CENTER The Ayurveda Yoga Center in Liberty brings the ancient health and healing traditions of one of the oldest medical philosophies in the world to rural Maine. Developed in India over many centuries, Ayurveda in this country is generally practiced as a complementary or alternative therapy that supports good health, a strong immune system and mental and spiritual wellbeing. It teaches that three substances called “doshas” are present in the human body. These doshas — vata (air), pitta (fire) and kapha (water) — govern all aspects of health and wellness. When they are in balance, well-being is maximized.

Imbalance opens the door to illness, anxiety and unhappiness.

“We can live in ways that support us or in ways that harm us,” says certified ayurvedic yoga instructor and ayurvedic counselor Deborah Keene. “We have to make a choice.” She incorporates the tools of diet, personal hygiene, yoga, meditation and a life habit of moderation and regulation into her practice and teachings.

Popular offerings, in addition to regular weekly classes, include a 10-week mentoring program for women, a foursession individualized wellness program and a seasonal rotation of week-long, nonresidential “camps” — five morning sessions for exploring and fine-tuning individual regimens and remedies, which change with the transition of the seasons.

An initial ayurvedic consultation lasts 90 minutes and costs $125. The four-session wellness program is $320. The cost of the seasonal five-session camp — the next one is in October — is $115. Other pricing information is available on the website.

The center has no overnight accommodations, so a desire to learn more about ayurvedic practices here, including yoga and meditation, might include staying at a nearby bed and breakfast and enjoying other activities in the midcoast area.

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FEATURE

KEEPING IT

STORY & PHOTOS BY JODI HERSEY

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David Ellingwood displays his Chevy Nova.

Showing off at the 4th annual Hermon Car Show.

Classic car shows are a favorite summer past time in Maine.

EVERY CAR HAS A STORY. And just about every classic car owner loves to share the tale of their vehicle’s humble beginnings, where they discovered their prized possession, and how they methodically and painstakingly restored or modified it into a head turning work of art on wheels. Just ask Kerrie Tripp of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau. This September will be the 10th year the Bangor CVB has hosted the Wheels on the Waterfront car show.

“You’ve got the really classic cars that have been brought back to specific modifications. You have the classic cars that have kits on them that are different and unique. You have brand new cars from today and everything in between,” explained Tripp, the executive director for the Bangor CVB. “And car people love to hang around with other car people. These are wonderful, wonderful people that love to have conversations about their cars, how they’ve worked on their car, or the story behind that particular car.” www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 69

FEATURE The Wheels on the Waterfront car show is now one of the largest car shows held each summer in Maine. Tripp said last year 352 classic automobile owners participated in the event.

“Different years we’ve had cars from different areas but [cars from] New England and Atlantic Canada are the heart and soul of what we get,” said Tripp.

David Ellingwood of Winterport has been attending car shows for years as both a participant and a spectator. He is the proud owner of a 1965 Chevy II Nova.

Rylan Wintle of Newburgh with her 1967 Mustang.

Checking out old cars is fun for the whole family.

“IF YOU HAVE KIDS, YOU CAN BRING THEM. IF YOU HAVE GRANDPARENTS, THEY’RE GOING TO WALK THROUGH AND TELL YOU STORIES OF THEIR YOUTH. IT BRINGS FAMILIES TOGETHER,” TRIPP SAID. “I’ve had my car since I was 17 years old and I’m 55 now. I restored it twice,” said Ellingwood. “When I first got it, I painted it blue and it sat in the garage for 20 years. I totally stripped it apart and put it back together. It’s not totally done. I’ve got some interior [work] to still do to it, but it’s getting there.”

Ellingwood isn’t the only one fascinated by the classics. Calvin Boss of Dover-Foxcroft can’t take his eyes off old pick-up trucks.

“I’m a diehard Chevy guy but I like looking at all of them,” said Boss. “I just

Cars are lined up for inspection at the 4th annual Hermon Car Show.

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really like pick-ups. I’ve had 17 pick-ups since I started driving, everything from a 1979 to a 2016.”

There’s also a new generation of classic car owners pulling into car shows these days like 16-year-old Rylan Wintle of Newburgh. She recently acquired her grandmother’s 1967 Mustang convertible.

“It was a barn-find. My grandparents got it pretty cheap and had it about 20 years. When my grandmother passed away she wanted it to come to me so my grandfather gave it to me after he got it running. Then me and my dad have been restoring it,” Wintle explained. “I just got my license so I can drive it by myself now. It’s just not something many young people have.”

You’ll find young and experienced drivers alike mulling around car shows; every one of them captured by something different from the automobiles of the past.

“If you have kids, you can bring them.

If you have grandparents, they’re going to walk through and tell you stories of their youth. It brings families together,” Tripp said.

Boss couldn’t agree more. He said nothing on the road today compares to the wheels of yesterday.

“Back then you could tell a Ford from a Chevy or a Dodge, but now they all look alike,” Boss said.

“Most of these cars here are made out of real metal,” Ellingwood added. “There’s not a lot of plastic in them.”

Although they require lots of planning and organization, car shows are a great family outing that drives fans in from all ages to take in the timeless features of these American classics.

“It’s just a great family friendly event.

It’s never going to be the biggest fundraiser [we have] but it is the biggest friendraiser,” Tripp said.

Upcoming

CAR SHOWS August 5: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Newport River Annual Festival and Car Show Newport August 6: 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

4th annual MCI Alumni Car Show Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield September 9: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

10th annual Wheels on the Waterfront Bangor September 10: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m Brewer Days Car Show Brewer Auditorium

September 16: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Annual ARCC Corvette Autumn Car Show Darlings Chevrolet, Ellsworth September 23: 8 a.m.- 1 p.m.

34th annual Autumn Gold Car Show Home Depot, Ellsworth October 7: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Searsport Fling into Fall Car Show Mosman Park, Searsport

THEN & NOW

LAKEWOOD THEATRE

(Top right) The 1926 company with playwright John B. Hymer, front center, at the newly renovated theater.

(Top) The Lakewood Theatre at night. (Above) Theater interior after the 1927 balcony was added.

(Below) A view of the stage from the balcony. (Right) Theatre co-owners Jeff and Susan Quinn.

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BRINGING BROADWAY to

Maine

Lakewood Theatre’s been bringing the world to Maine since 1901. BY RICHARD SHAW

NEW PHOTOS BY RICHARD SHAW | HISTORIC PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE COLLECTIONS OF JENNY OBY AND RICHARD SHAW

IT’S A JUNE afternoon in Madison, a one-time mill town located just north of Skowhegan, and Lakewood Theatre is between plays. Backstage, in the historic 1901 wooden playhouse on Lake Wesserunsett’s western shore, a four-man crew is tearing down the set of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” the opening season fare.

Backdrops and props are to be set up for “Some Sweet Day,” billed as “A love triangle between two people.”

“These fellas only have five days to do their jobs between our nine plays and musicals this summer and they’re great …” said Susan Quinn, who co-owns the theater with her husband, Jeff. “We try to have a little something for everyone, even the musical ‘Shout!’ to draw in young folks.”

Like everyone working at the nation’s oldest continuously operating summer theater, Quinn wears many hats. She oversees costuming, fund-raising, and the small army of volunteers needed to run the place. Jeff Quinn serves as general manager, actor, and found time to direct seven plays in the theater’s current 117th season.

Rounding out the family affair is the Quinns’ son, Matthew, technical director and set builder, and their daughter, Katie, who manages the restored 1926 Lakewood Inn restaurant. In summer, Jeff and Susan live in two rooms over the inn, and after the curtain drops in September on the play, “A Comedy of Tenors,” they spend the winter in nearby Cornville, where Jeff grew up. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 73

THEN & NOW

LAKEWOOD THEATRE

(Left) The matinee theatre audience.

(Below) The matinee audience on a postcard from 1938. (Bottom) An aerial view of the Lakewood resort area in the autumn of 1955.

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“Nancy Carbone, our box office manager, is starring in ‘Shout,’” Susan said, “and two members of our stage-carpentry crew were in our first play this year. Jacob Coombs was Mortimer in ‘Arsenic’ and Jacob Junkins played Teddy Roosevelt.

Connor Reeves and Aren LaBrun also are extremely diverse.”

The Quinns have managed the property for 30 years, and can rattle off a long list of stars who performed there, including Desi Arnaz, Phyllis Diller, and Carol Channing. Before that, in the theater’s heyday, Humphrey Bogart, Groucho Marx, and Mary Pickford included Madison on their straw-hat circuits.

Susan’s father worked there during World War II and caddied at the Lakewood Golf Course, now run separately.

“Susan and Jeff are a dear couple and know so much about the Lakewood resort,” said Jenny Oby, the author of a new Arcadia Publishing photographic book, titled “Lakewood Theatre,” describing the playhouse’s rich history.

“Things were in disarray, so I had to crawl around dusty attics and musty basements to assemble all of the photos and other research materials. Only one other book on the place was ever published.”

Oby writes about the theater’s founding in 1898, development in 1901, and renovations in the 1920s and 1930s.

A trolley shuttled patrons out from Skowhegan, and a hotel, bungalows, and the Colony Inn, still standing, accommodated overnight guests. If the entire property has a ghostly feel, it is because the theater was built over an 1882 religious camp meeting sanctuary. No one would dare disturb a portrait of theater impresario Herbert Swett, which hangs in the lobby, for fear of riling his spirit.

And local paranormal experts have taken an interest in Lakewood. “There is lots of spirit activity at Lakewood,” said Melissa Gabriel, a medium at Madison Spiritualist Camp. “I took my first mediumship classes there. It is a special place, where people can spend the night at our temple.”

Curtain Up Enterprises, the nonprofit that purchased the theater in 1990, taking over from Friends of Lakewood and Cornville Players, co-founded by Bruce Hertz, also owns The Shanty, a former coffee shop where theatergoers met stars after shows. Oby’s book mentions my family and me, then a 12-year-old Bangor resident, as we met actor Lloyd Bridges after a 1964

(Above) Actor Hume Cronyn and actor-comedian Ed Wynn at Lakewood in 1939. (Below) The back of the Lakewood Inn before the 1938 terrace addition. (Bottom) Bathers in Lake Wesserunsett circa 1910.

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THEN & NOW

LAKEWOOD THEATRE performance. Bridges’ future Oscar-winning son, Jeff, then 15, also appearing in the Lakewood comedy, ‘Happy Anniversary,’ played pinball with his friends.

“The Lakewood of the 1950s and ‘60s featured a menu of attractions that brought back visitors year after year,” said Earle G. Shettleworth Jr., whose family spent summers in East Madison, across the lake from the resort. “The rustic elegance of the Lakewood Inn made dinner there a special occasion. Herbert Swett’s widow even presided over the inn’s gift shop.”

“THE LAKEWOOD OF THE 1950S AND ‘60S FEATURED A MENU OF ATTRACTIONS THAT BROUGHT BACK VISITORS YEAR AFTER YEAR,” SAID EARLE G. SHETTLEWORTH JR., WHOSE FAMILY SPENT SUMMERS IN EAST MADISON, ACROSS THE LAKE FROM THE RESORT. “THE RUSTIC ELEGANCE OF THE LAKEWOOD INN MADE DINNER THERE A SPECIAL OCCASION.”

(Top) The Lakewood Inn lobby after the gift shop was added in the early 1930s. (Above) Tourist cottages circa 1940. (Below) Tourist bungalows as they appear today.

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As executive director of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission, Shettleworth oversaw the 1975 naming of Lakewood to the National Register of Historic Places.

Many people, like Clair Wood and his family of Veazie, return year after year, often attending the season’s first and last plays. For Clair’s wife, Marian, and son, Brian, it heralds the beginning of summer and has an air of nostalgia.

“We enjoy a well-acted play and they never disappoint,” Clair Wood said. “‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ is a good example.”

“This has been quite an experience,” said Jeff Quinn. “A highlight would have to be saving the inn, which had been condemned in 1998.”

There was also the season in 1984 that Lakewood, buckling under financial difficulties, never opened. But the show must go on, and that it has in the years since then, at the landmark that has been “Bringing you the world since 1901.”

LAKEWOOD STATS Founded: 1898 Named for: Lake Wesserunsett’s wooded setting Mottos: State Theater of Maine; Bringing Broadway to Maine; All the World’s a Stage … Bringing You the World Since 1901 Notable people: • Herbert L. Swett, theater developer • John B. Hymer, Lakewood’s first resident playwright • Owen Davis Jr. and Sr., stock company actors, producers, playwrights • Jeff and Susan Quinn, Lakewood managers Quotable quote: “As the oldest continuously running summer theater in the country, Lakewood is a local, state, and national treasure. Thanks to the firm foundation laid by the Swett family, and the current stewardship of the Quinn family, we can look with hope toward the future for this beloved institution.”

– By Jenny Oby, author of the 2017 Images of America book, “Lakewood Theatre”

(Top right) Lloyd Bridges in the comedy “Happy Anniversary” during the 1964 Lakewood season. (Top left) Phyllis Diller appeared at Lakewood in July 1976. (Above) A matchbook from the 1960s. (Right) The 2017 brochure and, below, a Lakewood brochures from the 1940s.

Useful trivia: Lakewood began in 1901 with the production of “Private Secretary.” The guest bungalows were built in 1923, the Country Club in 1926, and the present inn in 1927.

Original backstage dressing rooms include one autographed by John Travolta and other actors. The inn’s “Bette Davis table” honors the actress’ favorite dining spot. In 1967, the Maine Legislature resolved that Lakewood is the Official Theater of the state of Maine.

Landmarks: Lakewood Theatre, Lakewood Inn, Lakewood Young Performers Camp, The Shanty, The Colony House Inn, Lakewood Clubhouse and Golf Course, Madison Spiritualist Camp Helpful websites: www.jennyobywriter.com www.lakewoodtheater.org Madisoncamp.org

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OUTSIDE

WOODS & WATERS

A Canada lynx sits in an enclosure at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray.

BIG CAT,

LITTLE Where you can find some of Maine’s most elusive wildlife.

BY BOB DUCHESNE

A female mountain lion at the Maine Wildlife Park.

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MAINE HAS ITS own version of Noah’s Ark. The Maine Wildlife Park in Gray is home to many of Maine’s animals, and you’ve probably driven by it countless times. Perhaps you noticed the sign as you passed Exit 63 on the Maine Turnpike.

I know what you’re thinking. “Maine has so much wildlife, why do we need a park?” I put that same question to park superintendent Curtis Johnson, who happily gave me three good reasons.

First, the park is an awesome educational opportunity. It operates under the auspices of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Interpretive signs explain the natural history of each native animal. Over 20,000 school children visit every year, and that total is surpassed by the number of visiting adults.

Second, tourists visiting Maine gravitate to the park, especially to see moose. Many Maine visitors hope to see a moose while here, but most have no idea where to go.

Moose are difficult to keep in captivity, and few zoos have them. However, the four moose in the Maine Wildlife Park enjoy a spacious 3-acre enclosure, and they are quite comfortable in their natural surroundings. Like most of the resident animals, they are injured or otherwise unable to be released into the wild.

Third, the park itself has an intriguing history. In 1931 it was a farm for ringnecked pheasants, a European fowl that is sometimes a game bird and sometimes an ornamental bird in America. The pheasant farm closed in the early 1980s, and the property was converted into a wild animal park. For a decade, it languished on the cusp of closure before local citizens petitioned the state to rescue it. The park now generates enough revenue to be selfsufficient, and there is even enough left over to make capital improvements. New, animal-friendly enclosures have been installed over the last several years.

PHOTOS: BDN FILE

CAT

The Maine Wildlife Park is home cuter than red foxes, and are more adept at attention, or just watch the spectators to one particularly charismatic species. climbing trees. Yes, foxes climb trees. The with amused passivity.

Eastern cougars once roamed Maine, but range for gray fox extends through much of A new exhibit for turtles and snakes was by all accounts they have been extirpated. southern and central Maine, but Bangor is installed this spring, and a new building Three big cats from elsewhere have been within its borders. for nocturnal animals has come online. rehabilitated and now live at the park. It’s And on it goes. You can walk quickly You forget how big the eyes are on a flying a thrill to watch one, especially when he’s and see it all within an hour, or you can squirrel until you are practically nose-towatching you back. Wait, did he just lick his stroll slowly and relish the experience. The nose in the dim light. lips? How thick is this glass between us? deer enclosure is huge. Can you find all the The park is open every day through The Canada lynx exhibit is next door. deer? They are surprisingly invisible when November 11. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 During my most recent visit, the cats were lying on the forest floor — all except the p.m. all summer, but may be shorter in autumn. lounging in the heat of the A NEW EXHIBIT FOR TURTLES AND SNAKES WAS INSTALLED THIS SPRING, day. One scratched an ear.

The other yawned. They AND A NEW BUILDING FOR NOCTURNAL ANIMALS HAS COME ONLINE. both went back to snoozing.

YOU FORGET HOW BIG THE EYES ARE ON A FLYING SQUIRREL UNTIL YOU In all my years, I’ve only seen one in the Maine woods.

ARE PRACTICALLY NOSE-TO-NOSE IN THE DIM LIGHT. It was in Kokadjo, east of Moosehead Lake. I was walking down a piebald deer. It looks like a pile of leftover And, do I have to say it? Dogs and other pets trail. It was walking up. I was struck by snow asleep in the leaf litter. There is also an are not allowed. Imagine walking a dog past how tall and lanky the bobcat was, until I albino raccoon, which is a real child pleaser. the cats. Or maybe the porcupine. realized it wasn’t a bobcat.

If you went to the park a while ago, That’s the point of the park. Many there has been a long list of improvements BOB DUCHESNE is a local Mainers have never seen some of the critters since that visit. Concrete floors and chain radio personality, Maine guide, that now live in Gray. My favorite stop is link fences are in the past. More natural, and columnist. He lives on the gray fox pen. I’ve never encountered one spacious accommodations are the rule Pushaw Lake with his wife, Sandi. in the wild. It’s on my bucket list. They are now. Many of the animals enjoy the

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LAST WORD

Mysteries OF THE BRAIN Back up your limited brain capacity with technology.

BY CHRIS QUIMBY

I RECENTLY HAD the pleasure of sharing close proximity to a man in his seventies who was, with the assistance of his wife, telling a story of an eventful trip from his recent past. Struggling for details, he would often defer to her, allowing his partner to fill in information that he would then incorporate into his narrative.

Twice, she mentioned what would likely have been, to most people, significant details of the adventure that this gentleman contested upon hearing, having no recollection of them.

Finally, at the end and in a tone of satisfied conclusion — without joking — this man said, “That was a trip I’ll never forget.”

It’s tempting but difficult for me to make fun of this man, for his mind is undoubtedly overburdened both with the increased unreliability that comes with age and the incredible pile of information one must accumulate over that much time, like adding more and more furniture to a home with floors that are weakening each year.

I see this in my relationship with my own wife. Only in our forties we, to an increasing degree, find ourselves doing one or more of the following: • Person A reporting to Person B something as news that Person B actually learned a few days ago from Person A. • Person A asking Person B to remind them of something, showing a complete lack of memory that Person B cannot be depended on to remember anything important.

• Person A asking Person B to call them so they can have a clue where they left their cell phone.

I’m not sure if the unimpressive failure of our brains is due to the atrophy of that organ, or if this is a general problem in our culture due to the impossibility of managing the incredible flow of information we are subjected to on a daily basis.

My plan, however, is to burden my mind with as little as possible. In running my small business, I request customers to text or email me rather than call me on the phone, mostly so I’ll have a digital record of the conversation to refer back to. Many important details I need to share with the family are done through Facebook Messenger so my wife and children each have something to refer back to when they forget the details.

And every possible detail of my life that I can schedule with, record on or derive from my smartphone is outsourced to that device.

For this reason, I propose that, for those that use them, one of the few things you’ll ever need to know in life is the location of your phone. And if you cannot trust your mind with that, try to adequately maintain at least one human relationship, not so you have someone with whom to share your challenges and successes in life, but an individual who can call you to help you locate your digital brain.

Lastly, only make an effort to consume information that is important. Your brain can only handle so much. For example, if you watch too many sitcoms and movies, your mind will eventually lose its ability to separate fiction from reality.

One day you might be instructing your grandchildren on important details of the Civil War that include Indiana Jones or a Death Star.

And if someone around you is prone to chat uncontrollably, kindly warn them to distill their monologue down to a few interesting points.

But make sure and be gentle and not insulting.

You may one day need them to help you find your cell phone.

CHRIS QUIMBY is a Christian comedian, speaker and writer, morning news anchor and host of Soup du Jour on VStv, and owner of Chris Quimby iPhone Repair. He resides in Brooks with his wife and two children.

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