Bangor Metro - May 2020

The MONEY ISSUE BUILD YOUR

FINANCIAL LITERACY SKILLS

Discover KIDS BUSY

FUN WAYS TO KEEP

Love Rhubarb?

3 MUST-TRY RECIPES

frog walks

HOP YOUR WAY INTO

$5.95

May 2020

Spring

CONTENTS

MAY 2020

FEATURES 40 ARE YOU FINANCIALLY LITERATE? Everything you need to know to get started

48

JUST FOR KICKS

The secret world of shoe reselling

52

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Fun project ideas for educating at home

58

AROUND MAINE

Dreaming of visiting some of our favorite Maine spots

40

ARE YOU FINANCIALLY LITERATE?

26

HIKE ME

16

OBSESSIONS

What we can’t get enough of this month

62

WOODS & WATERS

Head for the bog

64

THE VIEW FROM HERE

You can’t always be an ostrich

ON THE COVER The Finance Issue.

Design by Amy Allen

2 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

PHOTOS: (TOP) ©ADIRUCH NA CHIANGMAI/ADOBE STOCK; (BOTTOM) AISLINN SARNACKI

IN EVERY ISSUE

ARTS & CULTURE 12

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Meet the expressive sign language interpreter making sure the deaf get the facts about coronavirus

FOOD & DRINK 20

IN SEASON NOW

Three must-try recipes for rhubarb

24 BITING INTO VEGETARIANISM IN THE COUNTY In the land of meat and potatoes, vegetarians remain hopeful

HEALTH & FITNESS 26

HIKE ME

Hop into spring with these Maine frog walks sure to delight nature lovers of all ages

HOME & FAMILY 32

CRAFTING WITH KIDS

Create something new for game night with this boredom- busting project

34

PLANTING SEASON

Tips for prepping garden beds, edible flowers to plant and what tools you’ll need to get started

38

A FRESH LOOK

Simple decor idea for a fresh look www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

The MONEY ISSUE WHEN I GRADUATED from college, I had great intentions of being financially responsible. Each time my paycheck arrived in my account, I dutifully put half of it into my savings account to use for a fixed monthly transportation cost and to save. The rest of the money paid bills, bought food and paid for entertainment.

Each month, I saw my nest egg grow.

But through job changes and income and expense fluxuations, my good intentions were replaced by needs. Mortgage payments, car payments, insurance expenses, food, gas — all the things we pay every month — seemed to take more and more of my paycheck.

I’ve changed my spending habits since moving to Maine. I tuck away a portion of my income every month again. I set loose budgets and manage expenses. Doing so, I’ve worked myself into a better financial picture. And what a relief that has been.

Still, though there are many expenses we can control, there are some financial events we cannot. And that’s the challenge of being financially responsible.

WHEN I ENVISIONED THIS ISSUE OF BANGOR METRO, I WANTED IT TO BE ABOUT PERSONAL FINANCE AND BEING MORE FINANCIALLY SMART. BUT ALONG THE WAY, A LOT HAPPENED. There was no way of knowing that as we’d begin putting the issue together, our country would be deeply affected by the worst health and financial crisis in at least a decade. There was no way to know that my small business owner friends would struggle to stay afloat as they had to shut their doors and change how they sell to customers — if they were among the lucky few able to keep doing so. And there was no way of knowing that so many people would find themselves with lives upended.

There was also no way of knowing that a pandemic would sweep the globe, sickening tens of thousands and killing many. As I write this, I have no idea what the world will be like when you read this.

We kept our personal finance theme, but were careful to keep the information pertinent to the time we’re in now. That’s why you won’t find our usual What’s Happening and Get Out columns in this issue.

With many events canceled and the state encouraging people to stay home, both felt too uncertain to publish. They will return in the future though.

So please know, dear reader, that as you read this issue, we’ve done our best to be sensitive to the fact that there are many unknowns. I hope when you open this, you find something that interests, entertains or even teaches you.

WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST,

SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

Connect With Us Online bangormetro.com facebook.com/BangorMetro @BangorMetro bangormetro talkback@bangormetro.com 4 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

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

PUBLISHER

Richard J. Warren

EDITOR

Sarah Walker Caron scaron@bangordailynews.com

SALES MANAGER

Laurie Cates

lcates@bangordailynews.com

ART DIRECTOR

Amy Allen

aallen@bangordailynews.com

SUBSCRIPTION & PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Fred Stewart

fstewart@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Julia Bayly jbayly@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Rosemary Lausier rlausier@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Aislinn Sarnacki asarnacki@bangordailynews.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Sarah Cottrell, Bob Duchesne, David Marino, Emily Morrison, Karen Tietjen www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 5

6 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

WHAT MAINE

Bangor Metro Magazine. May 2020, Vol. 16, No. 4.

Copyright © Bangor Publishing Company.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ORIGINAL PIGGY BANK PHOTO: ©PIXEL-SHOT/ADOBE STOCK

COVER DESIGN: Amy Allen

SPRING TREATS DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO THE MOST?

“

When it comes to spring edibles, I am most excited about fiddleheads. I have never been foraging, much less fiddleheading, so I’m going to make an extra effort to have the quintessentially Maine experience. Plus, I have a great recipe for fiddlehead and duck egg quiche that I can’t wait to whip back out.”

— SAM SCHIPANI, STAFF WRITER

“I always look forward to finding wild strawberries. It’s a nostalgic thing. They don’t amount to much even if you pick dozens.”

— AISLINN SARNACKI, STAFF WRITER

“For me, nothing says springtime in Maine like that first meal of freshly picked fiddleheads. The season to enjoy them is so fleeting I make sure to eat as many as I can in as many ways possible before they unfurl and are done for the year.

Steamed up with a bit of butter or vinegar, added into an omelet or quiche, topping on a pizza or — as I discovered last year — a delightful addition to a rich, buttery and decadent risotto. The best part? fiddlehead season often comes and goes before the start of blackflies in Maine.”

— JULIA BAYLY, STAFF WRITER

“Ramps, garlic scapes, fiddleheads. There are so many to choose from! But something I have grown to love is lovage, an herb that tastes like celery but without the stringy texture. I use it in vinaigrettes, salads and more.”

— SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7

8 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

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









Answers to this month’s Pop Quiz on page 11: Question 1: B; Q2: B; Q3: A; Q4: C; Q5: B.



www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 9

10 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

ALL THE TRIVIA!

Spend some time challenging your brain with these Pop Quiz trivia questions!

(Answers on page 9.)

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 11

ARTS & CULTURE

LIGHT in the

DARKNESS EXPRESSIVE SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER MAKES SURE THAT DEAF MAINERS GET THE FACTS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS BEFORE THE NOVEL coronavirus pandemic began in March, not many people in the state had heard of Regan Thibodeau.

But in the early days of COVID-19 in Maine, Thibodeau, who is deaf herself, translated what Maine Center for Disease Control Director Dr. Nirav Shah said about coronavirus for the state’s deaf community during the daily press conferences. Her expressive facial expressions and dynamic body language, which convey meaning in American Sign Language, made the 41-year-old from Windham something of a bright spot in an otherwise difficult situation.

Thibodeau, a native user of ASL who was born deaf and also a University of Southern Maine professor, is taking it all in stride. She wanted to emphasize that she was just the messenger.

“I’m grateful that [CDC staff] trusts me to interpret what they all work tirelessly to gather,” she said in March. “It’s information that keeps the public — including health workers and factory workers, many of whom are also deaf themselves — informed and educated to maintain their jobs with care.”

Still, for viewers who either relied on her translation or looked forward to seeing her in action, Thibodeau came to feel like something more.

“It’s incredibly important to have a deaf interpreter,” Bryer McDougall, 27, of Millinocket, “I’m the one deaf person in my area so I can’t even share information with deaf peers. I have seen Regan interpreting. I do see that I have the information I need, and I’m so thankful for that.”

But Thibodeau’s lively approach to translation was something brand-new for many viewers who are not ASL speakers.

“I imagine for some people, it’s disorienting, because it’s a language they don’t know or understand,” she said.

She hopes that over time, the public will get used to it, which is what happened about 15 years ago in Massachusetts when that state 12 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

PHOTOS: TROY R. BENNETT | BDN

BY ABIGAIL CURTIS

“WHAT SHE’S DOING IS EXACTLY WHAT A DEAF PERSON WILL WANT AND NEED TO CONVEY THE MESSAGE. THIS IS A NEEDED POSITION IN OUR WORLD.”

Certified deaf interpreter Regan Thibodeau works with Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah at a press conference in Augusta.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 13

ARTS & CULTURE

Certified deaf interpreter Regan Thibodeau has emerged as a celebrity with her expressive interpretations of the daily coronavirus briefings.

began using a Certified Deaf Interpreter — an ASL interpreter who is deaf, not hearing — for press conferences.

“It became the new normal,” she said.

‘SHE’S DOING SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY’ During the Maine press conferences, a team of two hearing interpreters listened to what Shah and other state officials said.

They then signed it to Thibodeau, who quickly figured out how to best convey the message to people who depend on ASL. The expressiveness in her face, hands and body is all part of how she does that. She uses a hearing aid, but it only tells her if sounds have stopped or started.

“ASL face expression is not only about emotions or tone — it’s also about showing if a phrase is a question or a declaration,” she said.

As well, in ASL, information is organized through the use of space, she said. For example, if Shah is talking about getting a new order of personal protective equipment that will arrive soon, she puts that in the future space, which is literally in front of her. If the CDC director is giving data from last week, Thibodeau puts it behind her.

14 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

Even if it looks a bit unusual to those who don’t speak ASL, it makes all the sense in the world to those who do.

“My work as a [Certified Deaf Interpreter] is to reach those that don’t access English at all,” she said. “These are native ASL users — their first language is ASL, not English. Otherwise, what’s the point of having an interpreter that interprets to an audience that already can access English?”

In the past, it was more common for hearing interpreters — ASL interpreters who can hear — to do this work, but there can be drawbacks to that, Thibodeau said. Many hearing interpreters only begin to use their faces when they go into interpreting, so they haven’t learned all of the ways that expressions mark grammar and much more.

“Often, hearing interpreters will sign smaller and move smaller — but it’s monotonous, and kind of like mumbling,” she said.

No one could accuse Thibodeau of being monotonous or mumbling. In fact, some members of the deaf community, or their relatives, have reached out to

her to tell her they appreciate her work.

That’s what Terri Milligan of Gray did when she saw how helpful Thibodeau’s interpretation is to her adult son, who is deaf and has mild cognitive impairment as well.

“She’s doing something extraordinary, and that is deaf interpreting,” Milligan said in March, as the pandemic was starting to unfold. “For someone like my son, a hearing interpreter might not get him the full message. He’ll be watching [Thibodeau]. He’ll get the full understanding. It has made such a difference, I think, for his anxiety. He feels really secure in the information, and he gets it every day. He understands everything she’s saying.”

Milligan said that she’s aware that some people watching the press conferences were taken aback by Thibodeau’s expressiveness, weighing in on social media if they feel the interpreter was a distraction. They don’t get it, she said.

“What she’s doing is exactly what a deaf person will want and need to convey the message. This is a needed position in our world,” she said.

‘ALLOWING ACCESS TO EVERY DEAF PERSON IN THE STATE’ Thibodeau describes herself as “a girl from the woods” who was raised in Falmouth by a single father who did his best to make sure she had what she needed. Back in 1984, he was the first father in the state to win full child custody, she said, and she has clearly absorbed some of that fighting spirit. Her whole life, she has had a goal of communication advocacy and helping others fight for their rights.

Towards that end, she has been something of a pioneer. In 2019, when she received a doctorate in public policy from the University of Southern Maine, she became the first deaf Mainer to earn this degree. She wanted to earn it to show other deaf people that it can be done, she said.

She’s married to Jami Grendell, a hearing man, and they use ASL to communicate together. They have two children — 10-year-old Sawyre and 13-year-old Averi. She describes them as “CODAs,” or children of deaf adults.

“Which basically means they are bicultural,” she said. “Only CODAs know what it’s like to have to go get their deaf mom to let them know they are bleeding, lol.”

Thibodeau loves hiking, biking, painting and going to burlesque shows to support her husband, who performs with a burlesque troupe for men. She also is an enthusiastic fan of signing for karaoke singers.

“That’s so fun because it’s more interpreting, but without any risks or demands, so I can be creative,” she said.

But it’s her commitment to communication advocacy during the pandemic crisis that will be remembered by deaf Mainers such as Konner Looney, 24, of Old Town.

The information Thibodeau is relaying is not just important — it’s vital, Looney, a nontraditional communication consultant, said.

“She’s allowing access to every deaf person in the state of Maine,” he said.

“A lot of people have been talking about how much she’s over-emphasizing her expressions, but she’s not. She’s absolutely matching correct ASL grammar.”

He doesn’t have a lot of patience for those people.

“We are always considered secondary, if at all,” he said of the deaf community. “We’re looking at a national crisis right now, and [Thibodeau’s] up there making sure that deaf Americans know what is at hand.” www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 15

OBSESSIONS

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

RELAX LOVEYOURBRAIN FOUNDATION MEDITATIONS

SIT TUFFET FROM MEXICALI BLUES 1 WEST MARKET SQUARE, BANGOR WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Like a lot of kids I grew up listening to nursery rhymes, including the one about Little Miss Muffet, her tuffet and bowl of curds and whey. And, like a lot of kids, I grew into adulthood with no idea what the heck a tuffet even was, though I did eventually learn curds and whey is just a fancy term for cottage cheese.

So imagine my delight when I discovered not only are tuffets real, but you can have your very own upon which to sit and eat whatever you want. Part footrest and part cushiony seat, I found my colorful tuffet at Mexicali Blues in Bangor when I went looking one day for something soft upon which to sit. Not only does it look wonderful in my living space, it’s super comfy and just makes me happy. The only issue is my tiny dog Chiclet and the two cats love it every bit as much as I do, which means there is an ongoing battle for tuffet time. The simplest solution may be to add to my tuffet trove so we all have a place on which set. Curds and whey optional, of course.

— JULIA BAYLY

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Being all cooped up inside and working a pretty stressful job during the coronavirus pandemic kind of makes me a ball of nerves. Luckily, something I’m able to do during my time in isolation is meditating. I’ve tried meditating before, but couldn’t find anything that stuck with me.

The LoveYourBrain Foundation (which I wrote about in our March 2019 issue) has different themed meditations for whatever you are needing in the moment. It has really helped center me during this anxious time. Mediations can be found at loveyourbrain.com/ meditation-movement.

PHOTOS: (TUFFETS) ©PHOTOGRAPHEE.EU/ADOBE STOCK; (HAND) EVGENY ATAMANENKO/ADOBE STOCK

— ROSEMARY LAUSIER

16 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17

OBSESSIONS

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

LISTEN

WERU-FM COMMUNITY RADIO WHY DO WE LOVE IT? In March, as ordinary life in Maine ground creakily, suddenly to a halt and residents began staying home and social distancing as much as they could in an effort to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus infections, little seemed normal. That made the sound of familiar voices on WERU-FM, the community radio station that broadcasts out of Orland, all the sweeter. Although the station was closed except to a skeleton crew of staffers, some of the volunteer DJs learned how to produce radio shows in their own homes. Listening to the alt-country, bluegrass, folk, and other songs they played, interspersed with their homey chat, felt a little like having an old friend over for a visit. And that was especially precious at a time when even such a small, familiar act was not recommended.

— ABIGAIL CURTIS

PLAY

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? In the absence of running to practices and concerts and activities every evening, board games and card games have become our family’s new post-dinner routine. One of our favorites that we can all agree to play is Exploding Kittens, a card game for “people who are into kittens and explosions and laser beams and sometimes goats,” according to the box. It’s simple and silly and lots of fun to play. With cards like “Beard Cat” and “RainbowRalphing Cat” and the accompanying illustrations and explanations (“Tacocat” explains what a palindrome is — so maybe it’s even educational?), it’s completely ridiculous and guaranteed to make you giggle.

There’s some fun strategy involved as well, as you try to avoid “exploding” by “defusing” the exploding kittens with things like laser pointers and belly rubs.

Perfect for entertaining school-aged kids (and adults with an immature sense of humor).

— AMY ALLEN

18 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

PHOTO: ©JAKKAPAN, ©ANDRII A, ©FAHRWASSER/ADOBE STOCK

EXPLODING KITTENS CARD GAME

READ

LOCAL EATS

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

“THE FIXED STARS” BY MOLLY WIZENBERG — Molly Wizenberg is best known for her food writing, which includes a former Bon Appetit column, two memoirs and the blog Orangette. But in her newest memoir, she gets more personal, opening up about her sexuality, the end of her marriage and the beginning of a new chapter in her life as a part of the LGBTQ+ community. It’s raw and honest, at times uncomfortable and always worth reading. (MEMOIR) “PAPERBACK CRUSH” BY GABRIELLE MOSS — Sweet Valley Twins were the gateway to a love of reading for me. The Baby-Sitters Club, Sleepover Friends and just about everything written by Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and Lois Lowry helped too. When I glimpsed a cotton candy-colored copy of “Paperback Crush,” it took me right back to the days of endless reading as a girl growing up. This is a book about books — specifically about the books of the 1980s and early 90s written for middle grade and young adult readers. And like those novels of my childhood, I devoured this nonfiction book with a ferocity. If you were a young reader in the 80s and 90s, I highly recommend grabbing a copy and falling in love all over again. (NONFICTION) “DINNER FOR EVERYONE” BY MARK BITTMAN — At a time when folks are staying in, cooking more and rediscovering their personal libraries, a good cookbook is a prize. This one by Mark Bittman has an interesting premise: 100 iconic dishes made three ways (easy, vegan and all out). And while this isn’t quite the cookbook I was expecting (each recipe is a unique one with different flavors — so it’s not like you will have three interchangeable ways to make the same thing), I found so many reasons to love it anyway. From Sausage Cassolet to Beetballs with Red Pepper Crema, this book hits a lot of right notes with its creativity and variety. It was supposed to be the March selection for my cookbook club as well, but the meeting was postponed. I can’t wait to taste a variety of these dishes with my friends … sometime. (COOKBOOK)

Your ad could be on this page.

Advertise in Bangor Metro’s Food & Drink section.

Call 990-8000.

—SARAH WALKER CARON

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19

in season now

FOOD & DRINK

RHUBARB

STORY & RECIPE PHOTOS BY SARAH WALKER CARON

HOW DID I GO so many years without enjoying the array of dishes that can be made with pleasantly tart rhubarb? The stalks, with an often red or pink outside and green inside, were there all along, showing up for a scant few weeks at farm stands and in grocery stores.

And it was there, too, paired with strawberries in pies and jams that I didn’t sample. Oh, what a mistake.

All I can say is I didn’t know. I didn’t know that this vegetable (used like a fruit) could be so delightful. It is though, it so is.

Rhubarb has a limited season here in Maine, beginning typically in mid-May and wrapping up in mid- to late-June. You can find it at farm stands and farmers’ markets as well as grocery stores. But if you are really, really lucky, you might just find a forgotten patch in your backyard, as one friend did last summer.

However you come to acquire rhubarb, enjoy it in as many ways as you can for as long as you can. These recipes all show the sweet ways rhubarb can be enjoyed. But it’s also delightful in savory dishes too — stir-fries and fried rice, for example.

Just be sure to eat the stalks only. The leaves contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic.

SMALL BATCH STRAWBERRY RHUBARB JAM Yields about 1 cup

INGREDIENTS 1 cup halved strawberries 1 cup diced fresh rhubarb

½ cup granulated sugar 1 tsp lemon zest

INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over mediumhigh heat, stirring frequently. The fruit will release juices as it cooks.

Reduce the burner’s heat to medium-low, and simmer 4045 minutes, stirring occasionally. The jam is done when it’s thickened and a spoon leaves a wide wake when pushed through it.

Transfer to a jelly jar (8 oz.) and seal with a lid. Let cool before storing in the fridge. This should be enjoyed within 2 weeks.

20 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB UPSIDE DOWN CAKE Serves: 8

PHOTOS: (RHUBARB) ©ANNA_SHEPULOVA, ©ELENA SCHWEITZER/ADOBE STOCK

INGREDIENTS ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 1½ cups sugar, divided 1 cup quartered strawberries 1 cup chopped fresh rhubarb 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda 2 large eggs 1 cup milk ½ cup grapeseed oil or olive oil 1 tsp vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour the melted butter into a 9x13-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle with ½ cup sugar. Add the strawberries and rhubarb, sprinkling them all over the pan to evenly distribute them.

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Stir vigorously to combine, about 2 minutes (until smooth). Pour the batter into the pan, evenly distributing it over the fruit.

Bake for 40-50 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out cleanly. Enjoy hot from the oven or cool, if desired. Cut into squares to serve.

FOOD & DRINK

IN SEASON NOW

RHUBARB WHITE CHOCOLATE MUFFINS Yields 12 muffins

INGREDIENTS 1 large egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp kosher salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup small diced fresh rhubarb (about ¼-inch to ½-inch pieces)

2 tbsp granulated sugar

1 cup milk ½ cup olive oil

2 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp baking powder

½ cup white chocolate chips coarse sugar (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-slot muffin tin with muffin liners. If using paper liners, spray each one lightly with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk and oil. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, about 1 minute, and then let sit for 10 minutes. Stir in the rhubarb and white chocolate chips.

Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin liners. If desired, sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar.

Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden. A toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins should come out cleanly.

Remove from the oven. These can be enjoyed immediately, or stored in an airtight container for up to five days.

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

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

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

22 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

FOOD & DRINK

Biting into

VEGETARIANISM IN AROOSTOOK

IN MEAT AND POTATOES AROOSTOOK COUNTY, VEGETARIANS REMAIN HOPEFUL

ACROSS THE COUNTRY, the prominence of vegetarian and vegan diets seems higher than ever before, with meatless restaurants and shops inhabiting not just liberal bastions like San Francisco and Seattle, but smaller cities and towns as well.

But while they seem to populate every main street, are meat-free health trends permeating rural areas like Aroostook County?

Amy Stedman is the owner of County Roots, a vegan bakery and health store on Presque Isle’s Main Street. The store is a rebranding of Bread of Life, which existed at the location for about 10 years prior.

“I feel that through exposure, education and support, veganism will continue to grow here in The County,” Stedman said.

Her business, which opened on Feb. 18, 24 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

carries a variety of vegan and vegetarian foods, including vegan cookies and muffins, tofu egg salads, Mediterranean stuffed sweet potatoes and several soups. She’s also added a new cafe and bakery to the mix.

Though Stedman, who has been vegan for four years and was vegetarian before that all while living in Aroostook County, said options for vegans and vegetarians remain “limited” in The County, she said available meat-free food had grown remarkably in the last 10 years.

Despite Stedman’s hopefulness and personal investment in bringing the earth-friendly vegan and vegetarian diets to The County, it can still be hard for residents to maintain in the place with a “meat-and-potatoes” culture and a long tradition of hunting.

Christina Theriault said she had no problem maintaining a vegetarian diet when she lived in North Carolina and Massachusetts. But when she moved to Fort Kent, she was overloaded by restaurants that didn’t seem to have vegetarian items.

“There were actually times where I had to walk out of the place because there was absolutely nothing for me to eat except french fries,” Theriault said.

Theriault found similar difficulties in local grocery stores. The lack of variety eventually contributed to a change in her diet: after not touching red meat for seven years, she began eating it again. Though she still tries to eat vegetarian whenever possible, she said being meat-free full time is just too difficult in The County.

Though it is far from enough for many

PHOTO: ©VALYA82/ADOBE STOCK

BY DAVID MARINO JR.

vegans and vegetarians, a growing number of County restaurants have increased the number of meatless items on their menus.

Chandler Dixon is the assistant manager of Timberwolves Restaurant in Mars Hill, about 15 miles south of Presque Isle.

Dixon, who is vegan, has added several vegan and vegetarian items to the BBQ restaurant’s menu, even creating a separate vegetarian menu. While customers can order traditional fare baby back ribs or a hamburger, they can also get vegan zucchini alfredo or an avocado bowl.

The dishes are attractive to vegans and vegetarians who eat at the restaurant, Dixon said, but they are a harder sell with the restaurant’s traditional clientele. The vegan dishes are now listed in the salad section of the menu, a move that Dixon

hopes will attract more people who are looking for healthy alternatives.

Restaurants are not the only County locations serving meat-free food: Donna Davidge runs the Sewall House Yoga Retreat in Island Falls where visitors eat three vegetarian meals a day.

Davidge said most who come to her retreat are not vegetarian or vegan. Yet, she said it had not been a problem: she tries to maintain an eclectic and flavorful set of dishes. Guests can dine on veggie burgers, curries, pasta and vegetarian chili, among other items.

Outside the world of vegan health stores and yoga retreats, some vegetarian and vegan hotbeds are more subtle, like the historically vegetarian Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Adventist pastors Judy Mathers and Arnet Mathers said their faith has traditionally shunned meat as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Judy Mathers estimated that up to 80 percent of congregants in the four County churches the couple oversee are vegetarian, though the church does not require it.

Judy Mathers said the onus is on restaurant and grocery store owners to provide more options to a growing meatfree population. She said a change in mindset is needed.

“If we could make folks in our communities aware that we are not a strange breed and to show greater respect for people who choose vegetarian or vegan diets [County life would improve for vegans and vegetarians],” Judy Mathers said. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 25

HIKE ME

HOP into

Spring HOP INTO SPRING WITH THESE MAINE FROG WALKS STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI

AT THE EDGE of a small pond, a frog crouches in the shallows, its smooth green head just visible above the surface of the water. Motionless, the animal easily blends into the aquatic plants that surround it. But when a hiker approaches the banks, it darts away with a splash, revealing itself for just a moment before disappearing into the mud.

Frogs are a common sight in Maine throughout the spring and summer. The state is home to nine species of frogs and toads. And when they can’t be seen, they often can be heard.

As the landscape thaws in April, wood frogs and spring peepers emerge and begin a chorus of raspy quacks and high-pitched peeps. Later in spring comes the trill of the American toad, and the low snores and chuckles of the pickerel frog and leopard frog.

Then, as the weather warms, the loud trill of the gray tree frog, the glugging call of the green frog and the clackity chirp of the mink frog become more common, along with the moo of the American bullfrog.

Who would have thought that Maine, a place that’s frozen for half the year, could be home to such a variety of amphibians?

They’re often found in ponds and wetlands, but can also be spotted in the forest, depending on the species. Toads, for instance, are frequently found hopping across woodland trails. And many frogs simply lay their eggs in big puddles or seasonal bodies of water called vernal pools.

If interested in learning more about Maine’s frogs and observing some in the wild, you may have some luck if you select a trail that visits plenty of water, especially small, calm bodies of water such as ponds. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

(Above) A wood frog swims in a pond in Albion.

(Below) A leopard frog.

KITTREDGE BROOK FOREST

IN BAR HARBOR EASY

Named for the body of water that runs through its center, Kittredge Brook Forest covers 523-acres of wetlands and forest on Mount Desert Island. The property is home to several active vernal pools, which are seasonal pools that are full of water in the spring, then dry up later in the year.

These pools are great for frogs because the water is free of fish, which might prey on their eggs or tadpoles. Vernal pools are also often home to salamanders and fairy shrimp.

The property is also home to large wetland areas and two wastewater ponds, which are other places you might spot frogs. And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled in the forest, where you might spot toads and tree frogs. These habitats are visited by four well-maintained hiking trails: Vernal Pool Loop, Pine Ridge Loop, Kittredge Brook Trail and Cascade Overlook Trail. Altogether, they total about 2 miles.

The preserve is owned and managed by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, and is open to the public for free during daylight hours. Dogs are not permitted at the main parking lot and trailhead because it is located at MDI High School.

Dogs are permitted at the Cascade Overlook Trailhead and parking area and on the trails if kept under control at all times. Fires and camping are not permitted, and visitors are asked to carry out all trash, including pet waste. For more information, visit mcht.org or call 207-244-5100.

DIRECTIONS: The main parking area for the preserve is behind Mount Desert Island High School at 1081 Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor. At the school, veer to the right and drive around the school buildings to park near the tennis courts in the back. From the parking area, follow signs (with blue arrows) to the west, then strike north, walking past two wastewater ponds to a gravel road. Continue on the gravel road northeast — following the occasional sign — to the corner of a playing field, where you’ll find the trailhead for the preserve beside a small building. The trailhead leads to every trail in the preserve except for the short Cascade Overlook Trail, which is accessible from the end of the nearby Bluff Road, east of the high school off Norway Drive. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 27

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

HIRUNDO WILDLIFE REFUGE

IN OLD TOWN

EASY TO MODERATE The 2,460-acre Hirundo Wildlife Refuge features sections of Pushaw and Dead streams, an archeological site, fields maintained for ground-nesting birds and mixed hardwood and evergreen forest. The property also features a domed bog, maple and juniper swamps, beaver ponds, vernal pools and a 4-acre pond called Lac d’Or — all places where you might spot frogs.

About 7 miles of trails explore the various habitats on the property, including the new 0.3-mile Trail of the Senses, which travels along the edge of Lac D’or, and the 0.2-mile Big Spring Trail, which passes near some vernal pools. The trail network is bisected by Route 43.

Educational public presentations, workshops and events are held regularly on the property. In the past, Hirundo has run workshops about identifying Maine 28 / BANGOR METRO April 2020

frog species by their unique calls. The program was in collaboration with FrogWatch USA, which is a citizen science project to monitor frogs throughout the country.

The trails are open to the public from dawn until dusk. Access is free. Donations collection boxes can be found near the parking areas. Dogs, hunting, camping and campfires are not permitted. Also, the collection of rocks, flowers or any other natural item is not permitted. For more information visit hirundomaine.org or call 207-394-2171. ​ DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 95 Exit 197 (Old Town/Hudson), then turn west onto Hudson Road (Route 43) and drive about 4.6 miles. The main gate for Hirundo — Gate 1 — will be on your right, marked

with a large red sign. If the gate is open, you can drive down the long driveway to a parking area near Lac D’or and Parker Reed Shelter. This gives you easy access to the northern half of the trail network.

If the gate is closed, you can park by the road, but make sure not to block the gate.

Across the road from Gate 1 is Gate 6, which is the trailhead for the southern half of the trail network. And another 0.4 mile down Hudson Road, on your right, is Gate 3, which bars the driveway leading to the refuge boat launch and a trail that connects over to the northern half of the trail network. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 29

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

SCHOODIC BOG PRESERVE

IN SULLIVAN MODERATE

At the foot of Schoodic Mountain in eastern Maine, the 150-acre Schoodic Bog is filled with water lilies and cattails, beavers, turtles and — you guessed it — frogs. The Frenchman Bay Conservancy purchased the bog and surrounding upland forest in 2005, creating the 500acre Schoodic Bog Preserve.

Since the establishment of the preserve, FBC has constructed two trails that connect with Schoodic Bog Road and the multi-use Downeast Sunrise Trail to form a 3.5-mile loop hike. Throughout the hike are multiple views of the bog — and opportunities to see frogs.

You’ll also see plenty of forestland.

Dogs are permitted if kept under control at all times.

Beware that ATVs, horses and snowmobiles use the Downeast Sunrise Trail, and it’s trail etiquette to keep your dog out of the way of all other visitors. For more information, visit frenchmanbay.org or call 422-2328.

DIRECTIONS: From the Sullivan side of the HancockSullivan Bridge on Route 1, drive 3.4 miles, then take a left on Punkinville Road. Drive 2 miles, bear left onto Punkin Ledge Road. Drive 0.7 mile, then turn left onto Schoodic Bog Road. A short distance down the road, on the right, you’ll find the parking lot for Schoodic Bog Preserve.

AISLINN SARNACKI is a staff writer for Bangor Metro and the editor of Act Out, a section of the Bangor Daily News.

An expert on the Maine outdoors, she is author of the guidebooks “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” “Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path” and “Family Friendly Hikes in Maine.” Follow her adventures at bangordailynews.com/act-out.

30 / BANGOR METRO April 2020

Best course of treatment for Lyme disease

For more information please visit our website: MyerowitzChiroAcu.com.

PAID SPONSORED CONTENT

Paid Advertisement for Myerowitz Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 31

HOW-TO

CRAFTING WITH KIDS

MAKE YOUR OWN

BOARD GAME CREATE SOMETHING NEW FOR GAME NIGHT WITH THIS BOREDOM-BUSTING PROJECT

STORY & PHOTOS BY AMY ALLEN

FOR MANY FAMILIES, social distancing has included playing every board game imaginable in an effort to break up the screentime and curb the boredom that comes with staying home. If you just can’t bring yourself to play another game of Clue or Monopoly, why not make your own game? This is a great project to keep little hands busy while mom and dad attempt to get some work done at home.

With some basic supplies we already had on hand, my third grader happily worked on this project for several hours. I mapped out some simple instructions and let him go to work, with the goal of having a board game for the whole family to play. He came up with a theme and a name for his creation — Game Land — as well as a set of rules, pieces to move around the board and all the different elements required to play.

This is a fun project that you can incorporate into your child’s “academic time” at home to help them get creative and thinking in different ways — not mention give you something new to add to the mix for family game night.

32 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Large sheet of paper, posterboard or cardboard to create your game board • Markers, paint, colored paper and other craft supplies • Game pieces (you could borrow pieces from another game, create your own, use Lego pieces, etc.)

• Any elements you need for the game, like dice, cards, play money, a spinner, etc.

DIRECTIONS & TIPS The sky’s the limit when it comes to making your own game. You can use anything from posterboard to a flattened out cereal box to create your game board. And the same goes for your game pieces — you could use pieces from a game you have on own hand or create your own from Legos, action figures or your own cardboard creations.

Here are a few tips and things for kids to consider while making their own board game: Step 1: Decide what kind of game you want to create. Choose a theme and objective.

•

Start by taking a look at games you already own for inspiration. Make some notes about what you want the game board to look like.

•

Decide on the objective of the game — how do you win?

•

Choose a theme to tie your elements together. It could be candy and treats like Candy Land or a mystery like Clue.

•

Choose a name for your game.

Step 2: Rules and components.

•

Define the rules of your game. How will players move around the board? Will you use dice or a spinner or cards or something different?

•

Think about pitfalls that might send a player back a few spaces or ways a player might jump ahead to keep things interesting.

Step 3: Create your board and materials.

•

Once you’ve sketched out your plan for the game, it’s time to make it official. Don’t forget to make any cards, play money or other elements you’ll need.

Step 4: Time to play!

CRAFTING

with KIDS

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 33

HOME & FAMILY

PLANTING

Season

PREPARING GARDEN BEDS FOR PLANTING. COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

SOIL COMPOSITION Many gardeners prefer growing a variety of plants in their gardens. Such an approach requires taking inventory of the type of soil in one’s garden and making the necessary modifications so that the types of vegetables, herbs, shrubs, or flowers that will be planted can grow in strongly. In fact, according to the plant company Proven Winners, the most important step to developing good roots is preparing the soil.

Take a sample of the soil and examine it to see what is present. If the soil is too full of clay, too sandy, too dense, or too loose, that can lead to problems where plants cannot grow in strong. Work with a garden center or your local Cooperative Extension to add the right soil amendments to make a rich soil. This may include organic compost or manure, which will also add nutrients to the soil.

CULTIVATION Cultivating the soil can involve different steps. Removal of weeds, errant rocks, roots, and other items will help prepare the soil. Mother Earth News suggests working on garden soil when the soil is damp but never wet, otherwise, garden soil can become messy and clumpy. Use a digging fork or shovel to lightly turn the soil when it’s mostly dry. Gentle tillings also can open up the soil to incorporate the nutritional amendments and relieve compaction that likely occurred from freezing temps and snow pressure. Tilling also helps with drainage and oxygen delivery to roots. The DIY Network suggests turning over soil at a depth of 12 inches to work the soil — about the length of a shovel spade. However, the resource Earth Easy says that existing garden beds have a complex soil ecosystem and simply top-dressing with compost or manure can be 34 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

PHOTOS: ©PIYASET, ©MADSEMILLARSEN, ©EXPENSIVE/ADOBE STOCK

GARDENING ENTHUSIASTS may have been thinking about their landscape plans throughout the winter, eager to once again get their hands dirty with soil. Whether a home gardener is making preparations for edible crops or beautiful flowers, he or she must take time to make the soil amenable to planting. To establish hearty, durable plants, gardeners can focus on three main areas: addressing soil composition, cultivating and adding nutrients.

SAVOR THESE BEAUTIFUL (AND EDIBLE) FLOWERS Cultivating beautiful blooms is a popular pastime for gardeners near and far. While gazing at a yard full of vibrant colors or enjoying the aroma of freshly cut blooms is enough for many gardeners, others may want to embrace a long-enduring tradition — growing edible flowers.

Cooking with edible flowers is a trend that has endured for centuries.

According to Fleurs Gourmandes, the first recorded history of edible flowers occurred in 140 BC. Use of calendula in salads dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Victorian-era candied flowers and flower-encrusted sweets took edible flowers to new heights. Today, nothing may make a meal seem more gourmet than the inclusion of flower petals in the recipe.

Of course, before delving into the expanded world of cooking using edible blooms, some notes of caution should first be mentioned. Avoid flowers that may have been sprayed with fungicides, herbicides or insecticides. To verify safety, only use edible flowers grown specifically for this purpose, not flowers picked from roadsides or from landscapes. Secondly, remember that not all flowers are edible. Some can be poisonous or cause severe gastrointestinal upset when consumed. That means all flowers should be carefully researched prior to experimenting with them in the kitchen.

To begin growing — and eating — edible flowers, refer to this list of varieties deemed safe and be careful to double-check against allergies and any interactions with medications prior to use. · BASIL BLOSSOMS: It may be customary to pinch off the blossoms of basil, which come in colors from white to lavender in order to stimulate growth of the leaves of the plant. However, the blossoms, which are more mild than the leaves, can be tasty as well. enough preparation for planting. Gardeners can experiment with the methods that work best for their gardens.

NUTRITION Testing the pH and the levels of certain nutrients in the soil, namely nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, will give gardeners an idea of other soil additions that may be needed. Soils with a pH below 6.2 often can benefit from the addition of lime several weeks before planting. Soil tests will determine just how much fertilizer to add to the soil. Complete fertilizers will have equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Individual fertilizers can amend the soil with only these nutritional elements that are needed.

Top-dressing empty beds with a layer of mulch or compost can prevent weed growth and preserve moisture until it is time to plant. If existing shrubs or plants are in garden beds, use more care so as not to disturb roots or dig too deeply.

Preparing garden beds takes some effort initially, but can be well worth the work when plants flourish throughout the growing season.

· CALENDULA: Sometimes known as “poor man’s saffron,” this yellow flower in the marigold family can taste like saffron when it’s sautéed. Uncooked, calendula can have spicy notes that add variety to salads and garnishes. · CHAMOMILE: This plant features small, daisy-type flowers that can be used in treats and teas. · CILANTRO: The flowers from the cilantro plant can be eaten, just as the leaves and the seeds that form the spice coriander. · FENNEL: Just like the plant itself, the flowers of fennel have a subtle licorice flavor. · LAVENDER: The sweet, perfumed taste of lavender works in cocktails and desserts. · PANSIES: These vibrant early bloomers can take on a wintergreen flavor and look beautiful when glazed on cakes and other desserts. · ZUCCHINI: The blossoms from this squash, which have a slightly sweet taste, can be enjoyed in many different ways. Some people batter and fry the blossoms, while others may stuff them with herbs and cheeses.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 35

HOME & FAMILY

8 GARDEN TOOLS FOR BEGINNERS The right tool for the job is essential to working safely and efficiently. Novice gardeners may not know where to begin in regards to which tools they need. The following are eight items that can serve as a solid foundation.

3. WHEELBARROW: A wheelbarrow can transport gear to garden beds or tote dirt, leaves, rocks, and other materials around the landscape. A good wheelbarrow is strong but light enough to maneuver when full.

1. GLOVES: Your hands will be working hard, so it pays to protect them from calluses, blisters, splinters, insects, and dirt. Look for water-resistant gloves that are also breathable.

4. LOPPERS: Long-handled loppers will fit the bill for thick branches. The long handles provide leverage to cut through branches an inch or more in diameter.

2. HAND PRUNERS: Hand pruners are essential for cutting branches, cleaning up shrubs, dead-heading flowers, and various other tasks. Choose ergonomic, no-slip handles that will make work easier. Rustresistant, nonstick blades also are handy.

5. HAND TROWEL: A hand trowel is a handy tool that lets you dig holes or unearth weeds. While shopping for a trowel, consider getting a hand-held garden fork, which can aerate soil and cut through roots.

FOR SALE

REALTORS

6. HOSE/WATERING CAN: Invest in a lightweight, expandable hose if storage space is at a premium. An adjustable nozzle will enable you to customize the water flow as needed. A watering can is an easy way to tote water to hard-toreach pots and containers.

7. GARDEN KNEELER: Gardeners often bend and kneel while working in the soil, putting pressure on the back and knees. A comfortable garden kneeler with memory foam or one made from shock-absorbing material can reduce aches and pains.

8. GARDEN HOE: Garden hoes till soil, remove weeds and more. A garden hoe can be used along with a full-sized shovel, trowel and garden rake.

REALTORS

Your listing could be on this page.

Sell it faster.

Advertise in Bangor Metro’s Home section.

Call 990-8000.

Bar Harbor • MLS #1447438 In-town Bar Harbor! Minutes from Acadia — walk, bike, or drive. Live year round or as a summer home.

Just needs your TLC. $310,000

(207) 288-3334 • lynams.com

36 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

HOME & FAMILY

fresh LOOK

SIMPLE DECOR IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR HOME A FRESH LOOK

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

MAY IS A MONTH of budding plants and rejuvenation, and that spirit of renewal can take hold inside a home.

Warm weather and longer hours of daylight make spring a perfect time to imagine a home’s interior design in a new light. The following are a handful of decor ideas that may inspire homeowners to give their homes an entirely new look this spring. · WALLPAPER: Wallpaper fell out of favor years ago, but new styles that aren’t so heavily patterned can make for wonderful additions to any room. One accent wall is a great way to add a fresh look. Large-scale prints can give a room a whole new feel without giving homeowners or their guests the impression that they have stepped back in time. A simple, mural-style floral wallpaper on the walls surrounding a table in a breakfast nook can bring nature inside. Not ready to make it permanent? Look for peel-and-stick removable wallpaper options. · PASTEL COLORS: Nothing embodies spring quite like pastel colors. If colorful, bright flowers dot the garden in the backyard, homeowners can bring those uplifting pastels inside by painting an accent wall or adding pastel-colored accent furniture, throw pillows or decorations to rooms that could use a lift. · DECLUTTER: Clutter is often conquered during spring cleaning sessions, but homeowners who want to create more free-flowing interior spaces can downsize their furniture and/or look for multipurpose features that make it hard for clutter

38 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

PHOTO: KATARZYNA BIALASIEWICZ PHOTOGRAPHEE/ADOBE STOCK

A

This is the place for you. Imagine hundreds of exceptional bath, kitchen and lighting products from trusted brands, in settings that help you envision them in your own home. Classic styles alongside the newest trends. A friendly, accessible staff offers guidance and detailed coordination to ensure that your project goes smoothly. to take over a room. Create more open space in entertaining areas by mounting the television and getting rid of a bulky entertainment center. Create even more space by replacing rarely used end tables with a storage ottoman where books and magazines can be stored to give a room a fresh, clean look.

Find details and hours for more than 40 showrooms at frankwebb.com.

BANGOR, ME 1156 Hammond Street 207-947-6333 • frankwebb.com

· ACCENT FEATURES: Sometimes the smallest changes to an interior space make the biggest impression. Replace dated accents like vases and table lamps with newer items that reflect the latest styles and trends. Such adjustments won’t break the bank, and they can give rooms a whole new feel.

Spring is a great time to reconsider home interiors. This spring homeowners can embrace various strategies, both big and small, to give their homes a whole new feel. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 39

FEATURE

financially Are you

LITERATE? HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO GET STARTED

IF YOU’VE EVER HEARD the saying an elephant for a nickel is only a deal if you need the elephant and you have the nickel then chances are good that you probably have a solid understanding of the concept of need versus want, which is the foundation of financial literacy.

But if you didn’t grow up with a parent giving you smart advice on how to spend and how to save then you might easily feel overwhelmed when talk turns to money.

Developing a working knowledge of financial literacy takes some time and experience but Bangor-based financial advisor, Stephanie Oiler from Edward Jones, said that baby steps are the smartest way to get started toward learning about money, saving and planning for retirement, no matter your age. With 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Oiler is an expert at helping people to

40 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

create clear objectives and to implement plans that can work toward achieving financial goals.

For many Mainers who live paycheck to paycheck, however, the skills of financial literacy can seem like a concept that simply doesn’t apply. Why bother learning about how financial markets work when you don’t have any money to invest in them, right?

But it turns out that having some working knowledge on how to save can fundamentally alter the way money works for you no matter what tax bracket you find yourself in.

According to Investopedia, a growing digital resource for explaining the world of finances, the concept of financial literacy is incredibly important for those looking to build wealth.

PHOTO: ©DRAZEN/ADOBE STOCK

BY SARAH COTTRELL

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 41

FEATURE

NEEDS VERSUS WANTS If you are living paycheck to paycheck it can often feel like every expenditure is a need. But Oiler suggests really looking closely at how you define the word need because there may be some unexpected room for saving.

“We look at needs versus wants and we tell our clients to build up emergency savings to help out with unexpected expenses that may arise. This is where we talk about budgets and learning the difference between essential spending,” Oiler said. “People need to develop a budget to determine their needs versus wants. For example, food is a need that everybody has but you should know within your budget how often you can afford to eat out while also being able to save.”

Budgeting is the smartest way to start learning about finances. According to the financial website NerdWallet, the 50-30-20 rule is a great place to begin. NerdWallet suggests allowing up to 50 percent of your after-tax monthly income for needs and breaking those needs down by rent, utilities, food, insurances, transportation, and child care. The site suggests leaving 30 percent for wants like gifts, travels, and entertainment – anything that is not considered essential for living. The remaining 20 percent should be earmarked for saving.

42 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

“PEOPLE NEED TO DEVELOP A BUDGET TO DETERMINE THEIR NEEDS VERSUS WANTS. FOR EXAMPLE, FOOD IS A NEED THAT EVERYBODY HAS BUT YOU SHOULD KNOW WITHIN YOUR BUDGET HOW OFTEN YOU CAN AFFORD TO EAT OUT WHILE ALSO BEING ABLE TO SAVE.”

PHOTO: ©NEW AFRICA/ ADOBE STOCK

What is worrying, however, is that only a fraction of Americans have a basic understanding of how finances work to begin with. For example, every year the National Financial Capability Study, by the FINRA Investor Education Fund, collects data from test responses about consumers’ knowledge of financial topics such as interest, inflation, diversification, bond prices, and more. Surprisingly, only 34 percent of respondents pass the test.

What is even more surprising is that one in three Americans have zero dollars saved for retirement and a whopping 22 percent have less than $5,000 according to Northwestern Mutual’s 2019 Planning & Progress Study. The national financial advisor firm has advisors across the country.

But before you get overwhelmed by the numbers or feel dizzy from the confusing jargon and intimidating concepts, let’s start with the basic idea of need versus want.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 43

FEATURE But if you’ve never saved money before, learning how to adopt new behaviors around spending patterns can be especially challenging. Oiler said that it all starts with creating habits.

“Create a habit of saving so much from every paycheck no matter how small it may be,” Oiler said. “Your financial strategy should be based on you, there’s nothing more important than understanding what is important to you,” she explains. “Only then can you work with a financial advisor to build your personalized strategies and the specific action needed to achieve your goal.”

When it comes to saving toward retirement, Oiler said the strategy should be based on long-term goals, length of time to invest, and your comfort level with risk required for you to get there.

BUILD A NEST EGG To begin creating new habits of mind when it comes to spending and saving money, it helps to start by building a nest egg. A personal financial safety net is incredibly important especially in times of need. Oiler agrees, she said, “we always have to anticipate the unknown and start to build that emergency saving no matter how small it may seem.”

Since each individual’s financial reality, lifestyle, and goals are different, it is important to know that there isn’t a onesize-fits-all approach to saving that can work perfectly. That’s why it is important to sit down and do some math to figure out what an ideal emergency fund – or nest egg – looks like for you.

“It all depends on the comfort level of the individual. Some people like to have 3 to 6 months reserved for their expenses, some like to have 6 to 12 months. It is all a matter of what is best for you and your family and your comfort level,” Oiler said.

“If you cannot have three months of expenses at least make sure you are creating a habit of saving so much from every paycheck no matter how small it may be,” she said. “Then once you’ve created that habit we can look at increasing the amount from every paycheck.”

OPTIONS FOR STARTING A RETIREMENT PLAN While it’s never too late to begin saving for retirement, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin. Oiler suggests that folks start where they are, literally. If you have a job that includes benefits then you might have access to a retirement plan already.

44 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

“We encourage individuals to participate in an employer-sponsored plan if available because oftentimes they have matching contribution amounts,” she said. “An individual may be eligible to contribute up to the lesser of 100 percent of their taxable compensation or $6,000, or $7000 for those over the age of 50.”

But not everyone has an employer that offers benefits.

The gig economy is a fastgrowing sector of the workforce with more than 57.3 million freelancers and contract workers.

For many of these workers health insurance and 401K style saving plans simply are not a daily reality of their working life. But that doesn’t mean that there are not options to get started with saving.

“For those individuals that are selfemployed there are many other options to explore as well,” Oiler said. “A couple of potential options for business owners are SEP IRA plans or Owner Only 401K plans.”

Another option is a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP), a type of business retirement plan that allows an employer to contribute tax-deductible dollars to the owner and the employees’ retirement account, Oiler said.

TALK TO AN EXPERT FINANCIAL ADVISOR Once you’ve begun the process of developing new habits around how you define needs versus wants then you’ll be ready to start socking away a little bit of savings, no matter how small. The next step is to begin working toward setting clear goals to grow your wealth for future events like retirement.

The good news is, no matter how close you are to sending your kids off to college or retiring, it’s never too late to begin saving.

“It is never too late to start but of course, the sooner you can begin saving the better you will be. There’s a lot of competing priorities for your money so make sure you are making that priority to save no matter how far away retirement may seem,” Oiler said. “We build personalized strategies based on what you value most, i.e. your lifestyle and goals.”

Saving for retirement is the biggest financial concern for many people. But it’s a little more complicated than tossing cash in an envelope, and that’s where an experienced financial advisor comes into the picture. It can be confusing knowing who to turn to especially when the financial

“IF YOU CANNOT HAVE THREE MONTHS OF EXPENSES [SAVED], AT LEAST MAKE SURE YOU ARE CREATING A HABIT OF SAVING SO MUCH FROM EVERY PAYCHECK NO MATTER HOW SMALL IT MAY BE.”

PHOTO: ©DRAZEN/ADOBE STOCK

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 45

FEATURE

TRY SIGNING UP FOR A SEMINAR If you find that you’re not quite ready to hire an advisor, but you’re definitely ready to learn more about the nuts and bolts of how to manage your finances to your advantage, then consider signing up for a seminar.

Local experts might better understand life in Maine. So consider looking into local seminars by financial advisors like Oiler.

“There are several different seminars that I am able to offer including one called ‘Rules of the Road Seminar’ that teaches fundamental concepts of investing and a potential strategy to help build wealth,” Oiler said. She adds that another seminar called, ‘Simplify Your Spending and Saving Strategies’ could be a great fit for those looking to develop a working knowledge of financial literacy. “That one encourages developing a budget, identifying financial goals, understanding the balance between spending, saving, and borrowing, and having a strategy,” There are also plenty of online tools available to show you how to budget your money and track your spending like Mint or Good Budget. Folks can also check out the U.S. Department of Treasury website where the Financial Literacy and Education Commission has set up a robust menu of information and trusted resources that anyone can use to help learn more about finances including how to plan for wealth growth and retirement.

46 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

AN EXCELLENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR WILL HELP YOU SET GOALS, CREATE PLANS AND THEN HELP YOU TO MAKE THE SMARTEST CHOICES FOR YOUR MONEY. THEY WILL ALSO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE REASONS AROUND THE CHOICES YOU MAKE.

PHOTO: ©DRAZEN/ADOBE STOCK

industry uses different titles to describe advisors such as financial advisor, financial planner, wealth manager, retirement planner or money manager.

Different advisors have different specialty skills so it helps to know what your goal is before you hire someone. Are you looking to save for college, pay down debt, generate an income from investments or prepare for retirement? How you answer that will help you find the right expert for you. For example, some advisors will help you focus on how to navigate risk while investing, others will help with estate planning and life insurance. The safest bet is to look for a certified financial planner who is a registered fiduciary. This means that the advisor is required by law to work on behalf of you and your interests and not the interests of anyone else.

An excellent financial advisor will help you set goals, create plans and then help you to make the smartest choices for your money. They will also help you understand the reasons around the choices you make. Remember, hands-on experience is the best way to grow your knowledge of financial literacy and your financial advisor should be there to help you learn as you go.

Power outages can occur anywhere and at any time. With intense weather and acts of cyberterrorism constantly threatening a deteriorating and overloaded infrastructure, our nation’s power grid is more susceptible to frequent and prolonged power outages than ever before. Generac works hard every day to design and manufacture affordable home standby generators that provide power to your home until utility service is restored.

 �

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 47

FEATURE

Lindsay Esbjerg prepared a shipment of shoes for her company, RNZY.

48 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

Just for

KICKS THE SECRET WORLD OF SHOE RESELLING

BY KAREN TIETJEN

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF RNZY

IT ALL STARTED out of necessity: In June of 2017, Ryan Esbjerg was bartending at a restaurant in Portland while Lindsay Esbjerg, his now-wife, was working for a handbag company in Freeport. When she unexpectedly lost her job, she had to think on her feet to start earning money as quickly as possible. This catalyzed a career change for both of them.

“We decided together that instead of looking for employment elsewhere, we would try to make money working for ourselves,” Lindsay Esbjerg said. “Ryan left his bartending job and we went all in full-time reselling that month, and [we have been reselling shoes] full-time since then.”

Nearly three years later, the Esbjergs have successfully created their own shoe reselling business that earns a six-figure income. In about three years, they’ve sold over 11,000 pairs of shoes and earned a whopping $500,000 through online sales. They’ve branded themselves as RNZY (pronounced rin-zee), a combination of their names.

Modern technology has given would-be entrepreneurs a new way to sell, and you don’t need professional experience or seed money to do it. Reselling has exploded among individuals looking for extra income, beginning with sites like Craigslist and eBay, then evolving into Facebook Marketplace and consignment apps like Poshmark, Mercari, OfferUp, and dozens (if not hundreds) of others.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 49

Lindsay and Ryan Esbjerg organize products for their company, RNZY.

50 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

With the casual vibe of an online garage sale and virtually no overhead to “set up shop,” anyone who has internet access and extra stuff they’re willing to sell can turn a profit. In this model, the seller earns some cash while the buyer pays less than retail price (or, in some cases, gets their hands on a product that’s no longer available in stores); in other words, it’s a win-win.

Turns out, the business of reselling can be so lucrative, some people actually make a living flipping merchandise. While designer clothing and accessories are popular in the resale world, there’s an entire market solely for sneakers and shoes — one that the Esbjergs, who are based in Yarmouth, Maine, have successfully tapped into.

Incidentally, shoes weren’t the main focus for Lindsay and Ryan Esbjerg from the get-go. They began by scrounging items from around their home and posting them on Facebook Marketplace to make some cash.

“We started selling everything and anything we had in our closets and home,” Lindsay Esbjerg said. “This included shoes, clothing, coffee makers, wooden bowls, etc.”

But after dabbling in different types of merchandise, one category stuck. “We realized quite quickly that we enjoyed the business of shoes so we started focusing on footwear. We also realized we don’t know anyone who doesn’t wear shoes, so we knew the market was there.”

With a finite amount of personal items to flip, the RNZY founders started sourcing stock from local discount retailers — thrift stores like Goodwill, off-price chains like Marshall’s and Burlington Coat Factory, and name brand outlet stores including Nike and Adidas.

“In the beginning, we built our entire business selling shoes to fellow Mainers through Facebook Marketplace,” Lindsay Esbjerg said. And in those initial reputationbuilding weeks, they knew it was important to get the merchandise in their customers’ hands as soon as possible.

“We delivered anywhere within 50 miles of Portland for free,” said Lindsay Esbjerg.

“We sold 1,200 pairs locally before taking our business to online [reselling platforms].”

Now, the couple uses selling apps like Poshmark, Mercari, StockX, and Goat to sell shoes to buyers nationwide. (“We don’t use Amazon or eBay,” she added.)

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF RNZY

FEATURE

THE NITTY GRITTY Here’s how these platforms work: The seller can create an account and post the merchandise they have for sale, which fellow users can browse. Some platforms also work as a third party to authenticate products for buyers’ peace of mind. In this case, the seller ships the item directly to the company to be examined, and if approved, it then goes to the buyer.

This process usually costs the seller a fee, but it’s often worth it to instill confidence in the buyer. After all, one of the biggest challenges when selling online is proving trustworthiness, especially when it comes to making those first few sales. Another benefit of using these reselling platforms is that honest sellers can quickly build a positive reputation. Buyers are often asked to rate the transaction; for instance, on a scale of one to five stars. With this feedback visible to other users, potential customers are more likely to trust highly-rated sellers. At the end of the day, “You build trust in your customer base by always selling authentic footwear in great condition at a fair price based on the market value,” Lindsay Esbjerg said.

While thrifting and discount shopping is one approach to selling shoes for profit, resellers can also make money by flipping footwear bought at retail price. “In the past five years, the footwear — and especially, the collectible sneaker market — has grown 10 times to [an] over a billion dollar industry,” said Graham Wetzbarger, a leading expert and pioneer in e-commerce authenticated resale. He owns Luxury Appraisals & Authentication, a consultancy firm based in San Francisco, and has prior experience authenticating and appraising for resale site TheRealReal.

“Reselling sneakers isn’t anything new, it goes back to the 90s with the first limited styles launched by Nike. With the widespread reach of e-commerce, these local hustlers have grown thriving businesses.”

An in-demand pair can sell for hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Many resellers wait in lines (either literal or virtual) to snatch up a pair at retail price, only to turn around and sell them for a profit once they’re out of stock.

The potential downfall of reselling collectible sneakers bought at retail price is that they’ll likely cost at least $100 to $200 per pair. Plus, predicting an increase in value can be a gamble. However, if you choose the right shoe, it can be a quick way to make some substantial cash. The challenge, of course, is getting your hands on the sought-after design in the first place, while hundreds or thousands of other sneakerheads — aka, sneaker enthusiasts — are clamoring to do the same.

But Linsday and Ryan Esbjerg claim you can limit financial risk (and skip the long lines) and still earn a profit if you’re willing to put in the time and effort. Two to three times a week, they hit the road to scour five

Esbjerg said. “We very rarely sell shoes for ‘hundreds or thousands’ [of dollars]. Our bread and butter is providing a price point that is affordable to almost anyone looking for shoes. Ninety-nine percent of the shoes we sell, we sell for under $100.” While moderately-priced Nike and Adidas sneakers are always in the RNZY inventory, they also source performance and cult-favorite brands like L.L. Bean, The North Face, Keen, and Brooks. In other words, they probably won’t be posting a pair of gently used Christian Louboutin stilettos or the newest Yeezys for several hundred dollars anytime soon.

But whether thrifted finds, designer heels, or sold-out sneakers are being flipped, the most important thing is to find the shoes that people are looking for. As far as collectible kicks go, “the styles with the most demand, most hype, generate the highest resale value,” said Wetzbarger. “These are usually produced by a major brand (Nike, Adidas) in collaboration with a designer or athlete.” He added that luxury brand shoes also tend to hold value, as well as brands with a loyal fan following that may hunt for discounted or discontinued styles.

And in every case, it’s always essential to source footwear that’s still in good condition, otherwise, it may be virtually worthless.

All things considered, if shoe reselling sounds surprisingly doable, Lindsay and Ryan Esbjerg swear that it is.

“Our advice would be to have an open mind, leave all excuses behind, and soak up as much free knowledge as you can,” Lindsay Esbjerg said. “You can learn the entire business for free on YouTube, Instagram, Google and Facebook. There is so much free content online.” Some of that content comes from straight from RNZY’s social media and YouTube accounts, where the couple gets candid about the reselling secrets that helped make them a success (@RNZY on YouTube and Facebook, @ rnzynow on Instagram).

A final point: Living in a state with a limited amount of shoe retailers and resellers can position newcomers for even more success. “Whether you’re looking to make $100 per month or more than $10,000 per month (like us), there is a huge opportunity in Maine to be a shoe reseller,” Lindsay Esbjerg said.

“OUR ADVICE WOULD BE TO HAVE AN OPEN MIND, LEAVE ALL EXCUSES BEHIND, AND SOAK UP AS MUCH FREE KNOWLEDGE AS YOU CAN.”

to 10 stores (dubbed the “RNZY Runs”).

Then every so often, they take a longer tour through New England including 25 to 30 stores. After all, they have to maintain a full stock to sell an average of 650 to 750 pairs of shoes across about 80 brands every month.

Furthermore, the duo isn’t keen on dabbling in high-end footwear, and their stock includes boots, hiking shoes, and even toddler shoes in addition to sneakers.

“For used pairs, we keep our average buy cost under $10. For new pairs, we keep our average buy cost under $30,” Lindsay

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 51

FEATURE

WHAT

Can We Do? FUN PROJECT IDEAS FOR EDUCATING AT HOME

WE MAY BE KEEPING our distance these days, but as newly elected homeschool teachers we are all in this boat together. Trying to keep up with school and work simultaneously, creating lesson plans, checking Google Classroom — it’s a lot. And then there’s the “What can we do now?” that emanates from my children every 10 to 15 minutes. Despite being overwhelmingly busy at times, there is also a lot of downtime (I think it’s somehow related to the same phenomenon that makes each week feel like a year nowadays). So, we’ve dug through our back issues of Bangor Metro and compiled the ultimate answer to “What can we do?”

STEM CHALLENGE #1: If you’re not familiar with STEM challenges, just ask your schoolaged kids. STEM (or STEAM) stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, (Art) and Math.

The idea is to get kids thinking like scientists and have some fun in the process. Using common household items and crafting supplies, kids have to work out solutions to simple problems and then test their creations.

52 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

These are some of our favorite past projects that can be completed with simple supplies you likely already have on hand.

Some are perfect for incorporating into school lessons, some are just plain fun, and one is for recess with the family pooch (or, if your dog is like ours, as an apology for disrupting his usual weekday schedule of naps on the couch).

And if you want even more ideas, we’re posting lots of our past Crafting with Kids projects on our Facebook page and on our website at bangormetro.com. Have your own ideas to share? Post them on our Facebook page or email talkback@bangormetro.com.

Remember — we’re all in this together.

LEGO Man Launcher

DIRECTIONS: Design a catapult or slingshot device to launch a plastic figurine using only the items provided. Whoever can build the best launcher and fling their Lego man the furthest is the winner!

MATERIALS: 1 paper cup 1 Lego man (or army man) 1 plastic spoon 6 popsicle sticks 2 rubber bands Tape and a hot glue gun

PHOTO: ©PROSTOCK-STUDIO/ADOBE STOCK

BY AMY ALLEN

(EDIBLE) GEOLOGY CLASS:

Rock Candy WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Wooden skewers

• Food coloring

• Clothespins

• Flavoring (optional)

• 3 cups of sugar

• Tall narrow jars or glasses. (Champagne flutes or small mason jars work well.)

DIRECTIONS & TIPS: • Boil one cup of water. Slowly add 3 cups of sugar, stirring until it completely dissolves.

Remove from heat and let the solution cool for at least 20 minutes. We found patience to be a virtue here — if you work with a sugar solution that’s too hot, everything just melts and your sugar crystals won’t grow well.

• Dip your wooden skewers into the sugar solution and roll them in sugar to create a base for your candy and encourage crystal growth. Let the sugared skewer dry before moving on to the next step.

sides or bottom (crystals will attach to the sides if it’s touching and you won’t be able to remove your candy). Secure in place with a clothespin balanced on top of your glass.

We found tin foil or plastic wrap will do the trick too.

• Let sit for two to three days. Try not to bump or disturb the crystals as they grow. Remove your candy, give it a quick rinse in cold water and enjoy!

• Add one drop of flavoring (if you choose to flavor your candy), several drops of food coloring and the warm (but not hot!) sugar solution to your glass.

• Carefully place a sugared skewer in the glass, making sure the skewer isn’t touching the

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE CANDY • When you add sugar to hot water, the sugar crystals dissolve and the solution becomes supersaturated. As the water evaporates, the solution becomes even more saturated.

• Supersaturation is an unstable state. It contains more sugar than can stay in a liquid form. The sugar molecules will begin to crystallize back into a solid.

• The sugar you roll on the skewer acts as tiny seed crystals to provide starting points for larger crystals. Future growth will be concentrated around these points.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 53

FEATURE

OUTDOOR RECESS:

Giant Bubbles

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

DIRECTIONS & TIPS:

• Dawn dish detergent (the blue kind)

• Combine the bubble recipe ingredients. If you don’t have everything on the list, experiment! Test different combinations and ingredient amounts.

• Corn starch • Karo light corn syrup

• Gently mix together the bubble recipe, taking care not to get it too frothy while stirring. Let sit for a few minutes.

• Baking powder

• Cut 3 equal lengths of yarn (about 2-3 feet each).

• Glycerine

• Screw eye hooks into the ends of 2 equal length dowels or sticks.

• Yarn • Wooden dowels or sticks

• Tie on your yarn to create a triangle shape, with the washer tied in the bottom section for weight.

• Metal washers

• Gently dip your giant bubble wand into the solution.

• Eye hooks

• Walk backward or catch a light breeze to blow the ultimate giant bubble!

BUBBLE RECIPE • 6 cups water • 1/2 cup blue Dawn dish detergent • 1/2 cup corn starch • 1/4 Karo light corn syrup • 1 Tbsp baking powder • 1 Tbsp glycerine

HOME EC PROJECT:

Simple Sewing

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

DIRECTIONS & TIPS

• Felt in a variety of colors

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

• Thread and needles • Stuffing for any padded areas, like the egg yolk

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

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

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

54 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

STEM CHALLENGE #2: DIRECTIONS: Who can build the tallest tower?

There are tons of materials to make this challenge happen — mix and match to make multiple challenges.

Build a tower of mini-marshmallows and toothpicks one week, then try to construct a tower of spaghetti and playdough another time. The objective regardless of the materials: Construct the tallest tower and make sure it’s sturdy enough to stay standing for 1 minute! And once you get the hang of towers, take construction to the next level and build a bridge. (Add another layer to the challenge and make a tower that can hold something on top of it like a weight or a ball.)

Towering Towers

MATERIALS: • Ideas for Sticks: • Toothpicks • Spaghetti • Pipe cleaners • Rolled up newspaper • Straws • Popsicle sticks IDEAS FOR CONNECTORS: • Mini-marshmallows • Jelly beans • Play dough • Skittles • Gum drops • Apple slices

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 55

FEATURE

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACK:

Ice Cream in a Bag

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Heavy cream • Milk • Vanilla • Sugar • Salt (ideally kosher or rock salt, but any salt will do) • Gallon and sandwich-sized Ziploc bags • Crushed ice • Ice cream add-ins, like M&Ms ICE CREAM RECIPE • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 1/2 cup milk • 1 tsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS & TIPS: • Combine heavy cream, milk, sugar and vanilla in a sandwich-sized Ziploc bag.

• Then place the sealed smaller sandwich bag in the ice-filled gallon bag.

• Select your add-ins, like M&Ms, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc. Close the bag tightly and shake to mix.

• Shake, shake, shake for 10 minutes. We used towels and oven mitts to protect little hands from the cold.

• Add ice to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag.

• Feel the bag to check for firmness to see if your treat is frozen. An extra few minutes in the freezer doesn’t hurt. Scoop and enjoy!

• Add about 6 Tablespoons of salt to the ice.

• 2 Tbsp sugar

PLAY TIME: WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Fleece fabric

• Scissors

Remember: Always keep an eye on your pets as they play and chew with toys. Take them away if they start to unravel or come apart.

56 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

Dog Toys

DIRECTIONS & TIPS: • Cut your fabric into strips, about 3 feet long and 1.5 inches wide — the final product is a good fit for a small to medium-sized dog. For the square knot technique, use 4 strips. For a braided toy, use 6 strips (double them up to make the braid more substantial).

• Knot the end tightly. Then braid or knot (follow steps and repeat to desired length). Finish with another knot — leave plenty of length on the end to create your knot. Trim the ends as needed and hand over to Fido!

STEM CHALLENGE #3:

Egg Drop Challenge

DIRECTIONS:

Using only the items listed below (or whatever items you have on hand and want to include), create a cushioned container that will protect a raw egg from breaking or cracking when dropped from various heights.

MATERIALS: • 1 raw egg per team • Tape and a hot glue gun • String • Scissors • Paper towel tube • 10 straws • 1 piece of felt material • 6 cotton balls • Cardboard beverage carrier

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 57

FEATURE

Around Maine

AS WE APPROACHED this issue, we knew that our usual Get Out feature wouldn’t work during the time of social distancing and stay at home orders. So, instead, we’re giving you a glimpse of some favorite spots, scenics and alcoves. As of the time of this writing, it’s still okay to get out as a household for fresh air.

Perhaps this will spark an idea.

CHESUNCOOK LAKE Evening sets in over Chesuncook Lake. View from the boat launch off the Golden Road. LINDA COAN O’KRESIK | BDN SPRING POINT LEDGE LIGHT A Casco Bay Ferry boat passes Spring Point Ledge Light in South Portland around sunset. TROY R. BENNETT | BDN MOXIE FALLS Moxie Falls in The Forks, with a vertical drop of more than 90 feet, is one of the tallest waterfalls in New England.

SETH KOENIG | BDN

58 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

SHAW MOUNTAIN The view from the Middle Summit of Shaw Mountain includes Second Roach Pond and Farrar Mountain east of Moosehead Lake.

AISLINN SARNACKI | BDN OTTER POINT The sun sets near Otter Point in Acadia National Park. BDN FILE EASTERN PROM A man jogs along the Eastern Prom trail in Portland at sunrise.

TROY R. BENNETT | BDN FRASIER POINT Fraser Point of Schoodic Peninsula features a grassy picnic area and a long dock where visitors can enjoy views of the ocean. This is located in the mainland portion of Acadia National Park.

AISLINN SARNACKI | BDN

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 59

FEATURE

GRAND LAKE STREAM Anglers enjoy a beautiful day of fall fishing on Grand Lake Stream.

LINDA COAN O'KRESIK | BDN

60 / BANGOR METRO May 2020

MONROE FALLS Damien Ward of Winterport has been swimming at Monroe Falls for more than twenty years. “I like the rush of jumping,” Ward said of the 35-foot cliff he and others jump off of at the falls. The gem of a swimming hole is located off N. Center Road in Monroe and although it is on private property, the landowners allow people to use the area but ask that people respect the area, leave it clean and only come during daylight hours.

LINDA COAN O’KRESIK | BDN MOOSEHEAD LAKE Sunrise over Moosehead Lake is always worth an early morning wakeup. JULIA BAYLY | BDN BLACK MOUNTAIN SUMMIT TRAIL The Black Mountain Summit Trail travels through a mossy forest filled with evergreens.

AISLINN SARNACKI | BDN

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 61

WOODS & WATERS

WHERE CARNIVOROUS PLANTS PLAY

BY BOB DUCHESNE

TADPOLES. SLUGS. LEECHES. When it comes to getting a child off the couch and fascinated by nature, the slimier the better. Or how about plants that eat insects? It’s enough to compel children of all ages to visit a bog.

As it happens, Maine is full of carnivorous plants. We’ve got our own Little Shop of Horrors going on.

Bogs are a special type of wetland that come in several different forms. It’s easy to get “bogged” down over the definitions. In general, bogs are characterized by poorly drained soil, over which a layer of peat and decayed vegetation builds up. Bogs typically get most of their moisture from rainfall, rather than being stream-fed.

Bogs can occur anywhere if the conditions are right. There are bog types in Africa and South America. But generally, bogs are most prevalent in the upper latitudes of the northern hemisphere. A large part of Siberia is bogcovered. Much of Canada around Hudson Bay qualifies. Smaller bogs are located all around Maine.

Many of our Maine bogs were created by receding glaciers during the last Ice Age. Melting water puddled up in ponds, with no natural streams to feed or drain them. Over time, these ponds filled in with decayed vegetation, creating the bogs we see today. The outline of a pond is still apparent around the woodland edges of many Maine bogs, even though the pond itself disappeared thousands of years ago. Some bogs are still so wet that a mat of vegetation floats on top of the pond edges. Walking on a quaking bog is like walking on a bouncy water bed.

Bog soils are highly acidic, the result of slow decomposition in an oxygen-poor environment. In the raised portion of some bogs, where

EXPLORING A BOG CAN BE DIFFICULT. FORTUNATELY, BOGS ARE SO COOL THAT INTERPRETIVE BOARDWALKS HAVE BEEN BUILT OVER SOME OF THE BEST.

PHOTOS: (LEFT) BDN FILE; (RIGHT) AISLINN SARNACKI/BDN FILE

Head for the BOG

decayed peat has built up to significant depths, the soil may be as acidic as grapefruit juice. These soils are poor in nutrients, and only specialized plants can live in them. Some plants are so specialized, they get their nutrition by eating bugs.

Pitcher plants are the most famous of the carnivorous plants in Maine. They are both sinister and ingenious. Pitcher plants use attractive colors and enticing aromas to lure insects onto their wide, inviting petals. As the insect investigates, it becomes trapped by downward facing hairs on the leaves that slowly force the prey toward a basin of rainwater inside the pitcher-shaped plant. Eventually, the insect drowns, and it is slowly dissolved and digested by enzymes in the water, thus feeding the plant.

Sundews are another carnivorous plant family. Two species are found in Maine bogs. The sundew’s strategy is to rely on petite flowers at the top of a central stem to attract insects. The flowers are surrounded by small, rounded leaves, containing sticky hairs. When small insects — often ants —

get stuck on these hairs, their struggles to escape trigger the leaves to slowly close over the prey. Digestion begins.

The smallest of Maine’s carnivorous plants may be the most lethal. The horned bladderwort is so tiny, it doesn’t even have roots. It simply nestles into the upper edges of sphagnum moss. Small stalks of white leaves are surrounded by tiny air bladders that act as vacuums. When a tiny critter walks across the mouth of the bladder, it pops open and sucks in its prey. The victim is often totally digested within an hour.

Exploring a bog can be difficult.

Fortunately, bogs are so cool that interpretive boardwalks have been built over some of the best.

The Orono Bog Boardwalk in Bangor City Forest can lay claim to being one of the most famous. A mile-long boardwalk floats over the top of the vegetation, allowing visitors

access to a uniquely strange place. It’s filled with stunted trees, thick carpets of moss…and bug-eating plants. Interpretive signs explain what to look for, and the carnivores are growing right next to the path. To see inside a pitcher plant, just lean over and peek.

When the boardwalk opens (check their Facebook page for the official opening date which may be delayed this year), it will be accompanied by a new book: The Bog Walker’s Companion — A Guide to the Orono Bog Boardwalk, published by University of Maine Press.

Once you’ve caught the bog bug, make plans to also visit the Arctic Bog boardwalk in Lubec at Quoddy Head State Park, and Eagle Hill Bog on Campobello, inside Roosevelt International Park. It’s the kind of family-friendly outing that entertains adults, and inspires kids to get outdoors more often.

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

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 63

Z

Ostrich Z THE VIEW FROM HERE

YOU CAN’T ALWAYS BE AN

j

BY EMILY MORRISON

B

But I knew. We weren’t going to need it. Why would we? This is Maine. This is rural Maine. Nothing ever happens here.

Then, after civilization as we both knew it started boarding up its doors, I began to rethink my logic. Why did I believe “nothing bad” could ever happen here? And why did I routinely overlook my husband’s brilliance?

That’s when I realized, yet again, I’m a nummy and he’s not.

The thing is, this insight is nothing new. I’ve always refused to understand certain things about life: you need to earn money to spend money; cars don’t run on love; Nair really doesn’t make your leg hair go away; food tastes better when you use a recipe; crappy things can happen whenever you least expect it.

As to the last, whenever I face adversity my first thought has always been, “This isn’t happening.”

Lose my golden retriever? Never. Parents have chronic health issues? Nonsense. Kids seem to exist on autopilot? Good for them.

This is the first time in my life when being numb to the world around me doesn’t really work. I can’t deny that people are dying, the economy is gasping for life, and that social distancing feels more like social exile.

Ignorance would be bliss, but it would also be thoughtless, and for once, I really, really want to be thoughtful. I want to do whatever I can do to help those who are most affected by this pandemic. I want to save the children. I want to save the elderly. I want to feed the hungry.

And I want to tell my husband I love him for being all the things I’m not.

As I sit here writing this piece in my warm, sunlit kitchen, he’s made the kids breakfast. While I plunk myself in front of a computer screen for one more day, he refreshes my coffee. He throws the laundry in the washer, declutters the living room, and pulls yet another meal together from the pantry he stocked weeks ago.

But I don’t love him for this. I love him for agreeing to take me on, despite my numminess. Too bad he’s from away. He’s almost perfect. Well, that and the hairline.

PHOTO: ©LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS/ ADOBE STOCK

THERE ARE MANY TIMES in my life when two undeniable facts have been reaffirmed to me: first, I’m a nummy, and second, I married well.

Now, in case you’re not from the greater Bangor area, a nummy is right up there with a nitwit or dubbah, which I realize now are also Maine terms.

To the rest of the world, nummy is an adjective. It means delicious, an informal North American expression for mouthwatering food.

To Mainers, nummy is a noun referring to a person who processes slower than most. Someone who, as my grandmother used to say, is a “big fat foolish.”

They don’t have a square inch of common sense to spare (not that they had any to start with).

Before this time of quarantine, I wasn’t prepared for the large scale shutdown of American life. Though I would get up everyday to read the newspaper headlines (both local and national), I was an ostrich.

“Boy, it looks bad over there doesn’t it?” I’d say to my husband over coffee. “Thank God that’s not happening here.”

He would nod his head, look at me with that kind smile I’ve often wanted to wipe off his face and say, “Yes, thank God,” all while making mental notes to buy more milk, meat, veggies, eggs, and household products.

Every time Adonis (my husband looks like a Greek god minus the hairline) would come home from the grocery store, he would have one or two extra things with him. Not a ton, mind you. An extra jug of milk. An extra bottle of laundry detergent. One more crate of eggs.

“What’s all this? We’re never going to need all of this stuff!”

I’d tell him.

I come from two teachers who made grocery shopping a daily event when I was younger. Every day after school we’d swing by Bud’s and do the daily meal shopping. For better or worse, I’ve succumbed to the same pattern.

“Just being prepared,” he’d say. “You never know when we’re going to need it.”

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