Bangor Metro_September 2021

VISIT A

MAINE

Agricultural

MEET THE V OL U

FAIR

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S BEHIND T R E HE TE

Common

Ground

DIS

CO M

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E O U T DOO R S

September 2021

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$5.95

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SNEAK A

WORKOUT

INTO YOUR DAY

CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER 2021

FEATURES 42 FUN FOR ALL & ALL FOR ONE Volunteers make the Common Ground Fair possible

50 FINDING COMMON GROUND What the Common Ground Fair means to me

54 MAINE FAIRS: AN AGRICULTURAL TRADITION Mark your calendar and plan to attend these Maine fairs

42

COMMON GROUND FAIR

22

EXPLORE LETTERBOXING

IN EVERY ISSUE 08

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Local news & sightings

14

OBSESSIONS

What we can’t get enough of this month

38

PERSONAL FINANCE

62

WOODS & WATERS

Looks can be deceiving

64

THE VIEW FROM HERE

The secret to a happy marriage is...

ON THE COVER Celebrating Maine’s agricultural fairs.

Design by Amy Allen

2 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

PHOTOS: (TOP) BDN FILE; (BOTTOM) AISLINN SARNACKI

Think before you charge it

ARTS & CULTURE 10

BACK TO THE STAGE

Bangor-area arts organizations ready to open the curtains

FOOD & DRINK 18

IN SEASON NOW

Whip up these game day recipes

HEALTH & FITNESS 22

HIKE ME

Explore a new hobby with letterboxing

28

WORKING IN A WORKOUT

Sneaky ways to work fitness into your busy life

HOME & FAMILY 34

CRAFTING WITH KIDS

Make your own hook and ring game

36

CREATE IT AT HOME

Fun and fast abstract art

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3

Mai n e AGRICULTURE EDITOR’S NOTE

BEFORE MY CHILDREN and I even moved to Maine in 2014, I knew about the Common Ground Fair. Or, more specifically, I had heard of it thanks to a series of posters hanging at Whole Foods in Portland, Maine.

At first, I thought those posters were just quirky art. But then I learned that those beloved posters advertised an also beloved event that homesteaders, farmers and folks leaning green get super excited to attend.

When I finally attended the fair a few years later, I understood why.

The learning sessions took deep dives into so many topics.

The vendors were selling an array of wonderful items, many made by hand.

The food was good too.

The vibe was relaxed, focused on living well off the land.

IT WAS A PLACE AND AN EVENT FOR LIKE MINDED PEOPLE. AND WHAT FUN IT WAS. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WHY THE COMMON GROUND FAIR REMAINS SUCH AN IMPORTANT EVENT TO SO MANY PEOPLE. When we started envisioning this issue last summer, we had no idea if there would be an in-person fair this year. But if there was, I wanted to celebrate it and Maine’s other beloved fairs. So that’s what we’ve done. Check out our fair stories from the many volunteers who make the Common Ground happen (see Sam Schipani’s story on page 42) to the many fairs making returns this year (see Julia Bayly’s story on page 54).

But that’s not all. We’re showing you how to make your own abstract art on page 34, sharing why a certain area of the state — now seen as a pristine forest — is so special on page 62 and helping you find ways to fit good fitness into your life on page 28.

And so much more.

I hope you find something to love in this issue — and share it with someone who you think will enjoy Bangor Metro too.

SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

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

4 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

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

PUBLISHER

Richard J. Warren

EDITOR

Sarah Walker Caron scaron@bangordailynews.com

SALES MANAGER

Laurie Cates

lcates@bangordailynews.com

ART DIRECTOR

Amy Allen

aallen@bangordailynews.com

SUBSCRIPTION & PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Fred Stewart

fstewart@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Julia Bayly jbayly@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Rosemary Lausier rlausier@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Aislinn Sarnacki asarnacki@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Sam Schipani sschipani@bangordailynews.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Bob Duchesne, Emily Morrison, Crystal Sands, Katie Smith www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 5

6 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Bangor Metro Magazine. September 2021, Vol. 17, No. 7.

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.

IF YOU COULD INVITE ONE PERSON

to Dinner THIS SEPTEMBER, WHO WOULD IT BE?

“

I’d invite my grandmother, Betty, who passed away in 1994. She was a fabulous, elegant woman who lived life as she wanted. I’d want her to spend time with my two kids while I cooked something amazing for dinner in the house I just bought.”

— SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

COVER DESIGN: Amy Allen ORIGINAL PHOTOS: ©FANETTE, ©RABBITTI & ©TSTOCK/ADOBE STOCK

“Ben Franklin. Maybe HE can explain what the Founding Fathers really intended.”

— BOB DUCHESNE, COLUMNIST

“Dr. Nirav Shah is welcome at my house for dinner literally any time (provided that it’s within the Maine CDC’s guidelines).”

— SAM SCHIPANI, STAFF WRITER

“I’m tempted to say Taylor Swift or some such mega-celebrity, but the person I miss eating with the most would easily be my grandmother. If I could sit down with her again for one more boiled dinner with beets and rolls, maybe some apple pie or raspberry turnovers for dessert, I’d be in heaven. I miss her.”

— EMILY MORRISON, COLUMNIST

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7

WHAT’S HAPPENING

SEPTEMBER

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW MAINE?

We’ll give you the nickname — you name the town!

Ready? Let’s go!

MONDAY, SEPT. 6 LABOR DAY 5 MILE ROAD RACE 2021 BANGOR Strap on your running shoes for the annual Labor Day 5 Mile Road Race in Bangor. The race begins and ends at the Bangor Parks and Recreation Center. Check in for the race begins at 7:45 a.m. for pre-registered runners and the race begins at 9 a.m. In addition to age category awards, the Robin Emery award is given to the top female finisher, the Bob Hillgrove award is given to the top male finisher. The Ralph Thomas award is given to the top male master finisher, and the Leona Clapper award is given to the top female master finisher. Registration is $35 and can be completed through Bangor Parks and Rec.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 18 MAINE CELTIC CELEBRATION BELFAST WATERFRONT The Maine Celtic Celebration on the Waterfront in Belfast makes a return this year on Saturday, Sept. 18. While it’s a little later in the year compared to previous years, the celebration returns for its 15th season of music, dance, kilt-wearing contest, boathouse workshops, traditional Highland Heavy Games and much more. Visit www.mainecelticcelebration.com for more info.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 25 SPOSE AND THE HUMANS W/ BENSBEENDEAD BANGOR ARTS EXCHANGE

SATURDAY, SEPT. 25 BRAD PAISLEY DARLING’S WATERFRONT PAVILION Country legend Brad Paisley will play Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion on Sept. 25 with Jordan Davis and Kameron Marlowe. The winner of three Grammys, two American Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards and 15 Academy of Country Music Awards, he brings his blend of popular songs and unmatched showmanship to the outdoor stage in Bangor for a lively country show. Tickets available through Waterfront Concerts.

Find answers below.

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

PHOTO: ©CHICCODODIFC/ADOBE STOCK

Beloved Maine rapper Spose returns to Bangor with his defiantly honest lyrics and masterful storytelling for a concert at Bangor Arts Exchange. Born Ryan M. Peters, Spose grew up in Wells. His first album, “Preposterously Dank,” sold modestly but laid the seeds for his fervent fanbase. Opening for Spose and the Humans is Bensbeendead, a Portland-based vocalist/producer who has been making a name for himself in hip-hop and electronic music. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of this all-ages show. For Bangor Arts Exchange members tickets are $17.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 9

ARTS & CULTURE

Back to the

BANGOR-AREA ARTS ORGANIZATIONS READY TO OPEN THE CURTAINS AND TURN UP THE LIGHTS THIS SEASON

BY JULIA BAYLY

10 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

I

n a normal year, the Bangor-area performing arts organizations start announcing season plans in spring and summertime. For some theatre organizations, there are auditions in the spring too.

And by September, the stages are ready to light up, bringing joy to audiences.

But the 2020 to 2021 season wasn’t normal. The stages remained dark while Penobscot Theatre Company, Ten Bucks Theatre and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra went virtual with their performances.

Some Theater Company went ahead with live performances incorporating masks, reduced seating and social distancing.

Meanwhile, Robinson Ballet suspended their performances all together, instead focusing on their dance school.

But the 2021 to 2022 season will be different.

Though the announcements are coming later than usual, performing arts organizations in greater Bangor are planning a return to live performances.

The performers can hardly wait.

“Everyone in the organization is really excited,” said Brian Hinrichs, director of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. “We know we can create music on stage for digital concerts but we are so excited to be back into the theater and into the communication loop between the musicians and audience that happens in live performances.”

Hinrichs said the symphony is turning up the volume for the upcoming season as a way to welcome people back into the Collins Center for the Arts.

“We have programmed the season to draw people in with some popular pieces and some really splashy pieces,” Hinrichs said. “It’s all meant to remind people of that live orchestral experience.”

Over at Robinson Ballet, artistic director Stevie McGary is looking forward to a holiday season with live performances of “The Nutcracker.”

PHOTOS: BDN FILE; (BSO) COURTESY OF THE BANGOR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

STAGE

The Bangor Symphony Orchestra stands in an empty concert hall at the Collins Center for the Arts after recording its first digital concert of the season.

The stage at the Penobscot Theatre under construction last year.

The Bangor Opera House in downtown Bangor is home of the Penobscot Theatre Company.

“It is such a happy show and it brings such joy,” McGary said. “It really ushers in the whole holiday season and I think people are going to need to feel like they can get back together again rather than a Zoom holiday.”

The Bangor Ballet is also offering a Nutcracker performance this coming holiday with December shows of “Nutcracker in a Nutshell” in Dover and Hampden.

Penobscot Theatre Company is also opening its 2021 to 2022 season with a holiday show. “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play” opens in November. That’s a little later than usual.

“We usually open our season in September,” said Trisha Hobbs, the theatre’s artistic director. “This is the first time we are opening with a holiday show for the holidays.”

For those that can’t wait till the holidays, Some Theater Company is getting into the Halloween theme in October with the musical “Rocky Horror LIVE.” That

will be performed at their space located in the Bangor Mall.

Penobscot Theatre’s executive director Jennifer Shepard could not be happier to have live theater back in Bangor.

“We really consider [Penobscot Theatre Company] to be a flagship of downtown Bangor,” Shepherd said. “People don’t just come to see a show, they come to eat out, shop and it’s a place where people gather to see each other.”

Over the last year some organizations offered performances virtually online to keep those channels of communication open between performers and audiences. It worked by keeping the live arts relevant and accessible to people.

They also used the time to do some behind-the-scenes work.

The staff at Penobscot Theatre Company took advantage of the downtime to spruce up the dressing rooms and rehearsal spaces and address some other maintenance issues.

“In a normal year, our productions overlap each other and we are building sets for several shows at a time,” Hobbs said.

“Last year we had the time to really take care of our ‘home’ and of our people.”

While they’re ready to get back to performing, the year off came with some unexpected enlightenment. Hobbs said the year off gave them time to consider what she is calling a more humane performance schedule.

“The season can be really quite grueling and does it have to be?” Hobb said. “Do we really need 12-hour days and is that pace really worth ramping back up to?”

Turns out, it’s not.

There will be modifications to the new season’s schedule, including the number of shows. The season will include performances of “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Radio Play,” “Tell Me On a Sunday,” “Maytag Virgin,” “Hockey Mom,” “Becoming Dr. Ruth” and “9 to 5: The Musical.” www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 11

ARTS & CULTURE

As in the past, Hinrichs said the upcoming BSO season is going to combine traditional composition with brand new pieces.

“Our musical director has always been a genius uncovering hidden gems and introducing new composers,” Hinrichs said.

“When we did not have live audiences and ticket sales to worry about last year he was really able to lean into that.”

So the BSO this coming season will embrace new compositions paired with traditional blockbuster works that include Beethoven, Mozart and Stravinsky alongside world premiers by composers Reinaldo Moya, Jessica Meyer and the delayed premier of “The Warming Sea” composed for the 2020 Maine Science Festival, which was cancelled.

“We are really proud of this schedule,” Hinrichs said. “It’s pushing the art form while celebrating the past and delivering works with that ‘wow’ factor.”

The full Robinson Ballet Company 2021 to 2022 schedule remains to be determined, according to McGary. But it will include other performances in addition to The Nutcracker.

12 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

“At this point we are not sure what we are doing other than Nutcracker,” McGary said. “But we will be doing a show in March or April geared more towards adults and in May there will be a show that is geared more for children.”

Regardless of the final show selection.

McGary said the performers are more than ready to start rehearsals.

“I am ready and the dancers are more than ready,” she said. “They have not performed live for a year and a half and, while they have been dancing in the studio, it is very different to be working on something with an end goal and then see your work come to life — that is the magic of dance.”

Downtown Bangor got a brief reminder of what has been missing when members of Robinson Ballet did an outdoor performance in the park during July’s First Friday event.

Moving the shows to the live, indoor stage could bring some challenges, McGary said, given the ongoing nature of the pandemic and the fact that younger performers may not be eligible for the vaccine. She said parents may be hesitant to allow them back into the studio.

“With our younger kids that dance for Nutcracker, there may be an issue with their family’s comfort level in having them inside a confined space,” McGary said. “We have been using masks to dance and we are hoping we don’t have to for the live performances.”

It’s definitely going to be a learning year, according to Hinrichs who said BSO is looking at a hybrid season of live and online performances. Going digital last year showed him a way to expand the audience, so they will continue to offer online access to concerts this coming season.

“We really want to encourage people to come into the theater, but we all understand some folks are not ready for that,” Hinrichs said. “We have gotten such great feedback about our digital performances and it opens it up for people who may not otherwise be able to enjoy the concerts so we think it will be a nice thing to do.”

Everyone involved believes that is the bottom line: bringing performers and audiences back together.

“Everyone is unified in this mission to perform and perform safely,” Hinrichs said.

“And we want to do it to the largest number of people as possible.”

PHOTO: BDN FILE

Past and present Robinson Ballet dancers perform in “Reflections” in 2016 at Husson University’s Gracie Theatre.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 13

OBSESSIONS

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

MAKE HOMEMADE MAGNETS WITH SOUVENIRS WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Have you ever come back from vacation with a whole bunch of random pamphlets, brochures, maps and the like from all the places you visited? I’m a scrap hoarder, too, and it always destroys me to throw out my treasures once my pile of assorted papers gets unruly. I found a solution: make magnets. You can never have enough magnets, right? I order a big patch of glass, backing, magnets and glue from an Etsy shop called The Glass Connection and follow the simple instructions included on the Etsy page. It’s really easy, relaxing and fun to rifle through the memories as you pick bits and pieces to memorialize on your refrigerator.

— SAM SCHIPANI

EAT WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Peace, Love & Waffles is a breath of fresh air for a breakfast and brunch restaurant. It’s a very laid back and cozy way to start your day.

First, the waffles are delicious. You can order savory like the Greek or Chicken Pot Pie waffle or sweet like the Blueberry Cheesecake or Maple Bacon waffle.

Next, the place itself is entertainment. Clever sayings are written all over the chalkboard walls inside. Every corner has some little interesting photo or drawing. You can also eat outside which is a great option for diners with children. Baskets hanging from the trees have all sorts of fun games to pass the time. The owner’s dog Achilles will be there to greet you. On the weekends, there’s a DIY Bouquet Bar. Check out their FB page for more information and visit at 1282 Bangor Road in Dover-Foxcroft.

— BARB MOWER 14 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

PHOTO: TKTK

PEACE, LOVE & WAFFLES IN DOVER-FOXCROFT

FOLLOW COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHTS WHY DO WE LOVE IT? After the past year and half, we all need something to be optimistic about. In the 60s, NASA helped us through war times giving us something to be positive about (the moon landing), and now with commercial spaceflight becoming a reality, the dawn of a new era reminiscent of Apollo days is happening again. With the recent completion of the SpaceX Starship prototype, the world’s largest rocket will give us something to be excited about and propel us into the future. Follow the progress of SpaceX and all things space related via www.youtube.com/c/ NASASpaceflightVideos and www.nasaspaceflight.com. The YouTube channel features most of the live coverage, while the website is useful for stories and updates. And don’t miss everydayastronaut.com. Everyday Astronaut recently released a three-part exclusive interview with Elon Musk, as well as numerous in-depth documentaries on rocket engines, upcoming launches and live coverage. Pretty cool stuff!

— MARCIE COOMBS

Fun for the whole family —

keep up with the latest in modern space travel!

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 15

OBSESSIONS

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

EAT ANCHO HONEY SANDWICHES IN TENANTS HARBOR WHY DO WE LOVE IT? I chatted with Malcolm Bedell, owner of Ancho Honey in Tenants Harbor, about his best sandwich-making tips for a Bangor Daily News story. After hearing all of his radically delicious techniques and ideas, I knew I had to try Ancho Honey’s sandwiches for myself — and it did not disappoint.

Malcolm himself was even working the front counter and gave a friendly “hello” before passing me the best tuna melt I’ve ever eaten — called “The Daytuna” — with generous sprigs of dill, perfectly pickled onions and crushed potato chips on top. My boyfriend recommends “The Brisket Twister” — I thought he was going to cry tears of joy when he bit into the juicy braised brisket with horseradish aoili and caramelized onions.

— SAM SCHIPANI

DECORATE PEEL AND STICK WALLPAPER WHY DO WE LOVE IT? When we first bought our house 14 years ago, every square inch was covered in decades old wallpaper in every imaginable color and print. A repeating pattern of Afghan hound heads on an electric blue backgound? Check. Even the roll-down blinds were somehow wallpapered. We spent years steaming and scraping, eventually removing all that paper, patching the pock marks we made removing it all and painting the walls more subtle and serene colors.

Aww. So when I started putting wallpaper back up in a few spots around our house — one of my many pandemic projects — my husband thought I was nuts. But sometimes you need a little pop of cheery color or a funky pattern (not too funky, mind you) to brighten a room and your spirits.

And peel and stick wallpaper is the way to go. It can be easily adjusted if you don’t get it up quite right the first time, and it can be removed without the hassle of steamers and wrecking the walls beneath. Peel and stick wallpaper is a little more expensive than regular paper (I’ve found good quality products both online and at local hardware stores) so you might not want to paper a whole room (and let’s be honest, that might not be a great idea anyway) — but it’s perfect for splash of color and fun on a single accent wall, the triangle of wall space beneath a stairway, to decorate a cupboard door or add a little flash to the back of a bookshelf. And future you will appreciate how easily it can be removed when trends and styles change.

— AMY ALLEN

16 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

READ

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

“THE MISSING HOUSE” BY JULIA DAHL — A rich, well-known New York college student is sexually assaulted on a night she can’t recall.

She’s left to piece together what happened and make sense of it, using a video of what happened and her vague memories. In the process, she pushes everyone away, except for the boy next door who she didn’t even know before. Power, money, social media, friendship and fear collide in this gripping novel written by a former crime journalist. (FICTION) “WHERE THE GRASS IS GREEN AND THE GIRLS ARE PRETTY,”

BY LAUREN WEISBERGER — Peyton is the woman who has it all: a coveted job as anchor of a national morning show, a loving marriage and a smart daughter who is off to a top school. But in an instant, everything changes. The reverberations of a bad decision strip away the pretty veneer, leaving the stark truth: no marriage is perfect, no job is promised and sometimes a “top school” isn’t the right school. Can Peyton pick up the scattered pieces of her life? (FICTION) — SARAH WALKER CARON

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17

FOOD & DRINK

in season now

GAME DAY

RECIPES WHIP UP THESE APPETIZERS FOR A DELIGHTFUL GAME DAY SPREAD

BY SARAH WALKER CARON

WHEN THE CALENDAR flips to September, it’s time to think football. On a national scale, our favorite teams start their regular season. And locally, teams take to the field too.

Here in Bangor, the Bangor High School Rams have a brand new turf field — complete with freshly painted end zones and a mascot in the center — ready to play on. After a spring and summer of watching progress at Cameron Stadium, it was pretty exciting to see the finished field.

Of course, no game day would be complete without food. Whether you are planning to settle in for a little NFL action or ready to watch our hometown favorites, these recipes for game day food will keep your sports fans satisfied.

Serve them all together, if you want. Or make one and serve it with veggies and dip. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

CRISPY BAKED HOT WINGS Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS 3 lbs uncooked chicken wings (tips removed, and pieces separated) ¾ cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp chili powder ½ tsp ground pepper cooking oil spray 5 tbsp unsalted butter ½ cup hot sauce 1 tbsp dark brown sugar

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil (or parchment paper, but I prefer nonstick aluminum foil). Spray with cooking oil spray.

18 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

Rinse the chicken wings in cool water and pat dry.

Whisk together the flour, salt, pepper and chili powder. Place in a drudging dish (or shallow bottom bowl/plate with a big lip). Dip each wing in the flour, flipping to coat on both sides and then tap gently to remove excess. Arrange on the baking sheet. Repeat until all the wings have been coated. Spray liberally with cooking oil spray.

Bake for 20 minutes. Then, use tongs to carefully flip all the wings. Bake for an additional 20-22 minutes, until golden on each side.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan set over medium heat, whisk together the butter, hot sauce and brown sugar. Bring to a boil and continue whisking for 3-5 minutes until smooth.

Remove the wings from the oven and toss with hot sauce mixture. Enjoy immediately.

MINI TWICE BAKED BROCCOLI CHEDDAR POTATOES Serves: serves 4

INGREDIENTS 4 small (about 2½ inch in diameter) potatoes 1-2 tbsp milk salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup chopped steamed broccoli ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

INSTRUCTIONS Wash the potatoes, and then prick once with a fork. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 45-50 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, until tender.

Remove from the oven and cool.

Slice the potatoes in half and scoop out the insides into a bowl. Mash with a fork.

Add 1 tablespoon of milk and season with salt and pepper. Stir well. Add additional milk, if desired, to reach preferred consistency.

Stir in the broccoli and half of the cheese.

Divide the broccoli potato mixture evenly among the potato halves. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes until beginning to brown at the edges. Enjoy.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19

FOOD & DRINK

PRETZEL BITES WITH BEER CHEESE DIPPING SAUCE Serves: 8-10 servings

INGREDIENTS 3 tbsp baking soda 1 package active dry yeast 1½ cup warm water 1 tbsp granulated sugar 4¼ cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp salt 1 tbsp olive oil coarse salt (such as coarse kosher salt)

BEER CHEESE SAUCE: 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp all-purpose flour ¼ cup beer ½ cup milk 1 tsp ground dry mustard 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large pot, dissolve the baking soda in 8 cups of water and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Allow to sit until it foams — 2-3 minutes. Stir the sugar into the yeast mixture. Add the flour and salt and stir well to combine.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead until smooth. Divide into four pieces and roll each one into a long rope. Cut into 1-inch pieces.

Drop the pretzel pieces into the boiling water, about 10 at a time, and boil for 30 seconds. Remove to the prepared baking sheet with a slotted spoon. Continue until all the pretzels have been boiled.

Brush the pretzels with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

While the pretzels are baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan.

Whisk the flour into the butter until fully combined and golden. Add the beer a little at a time, whisking thoroughly until combined. Add the milk a little at a time, whisking until fully combined. Whisk in the ground mustard. Continue cooking until it's steaming hot. Whisk in the cheese until smooth. Remove from heat and season with salt, as desired.

Serve the pretzels and cheese sauce together immediately.

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

20 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 21

HIKE ME

Explore a New Hobby with

LETTERBOXING LETTERBOXING COMBINES ART AND OUTDOOR EXPLORATION STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI

TUCKED IN THE WOODS, just off the trail, a letterbox sat on a tree stump. The simple wooden cubby contained a weatherproof plastic container. Inside sat a rumpled notebook, pen and hand-carved rubber stamp of a beaver, stained with layers of different colored ink.

Hike too fast and you just might miss it.

But the two hikers knew to be on the lookout, and they were prepared. In their backpacks, both carried a small notebook, ink pad and personal rubber stamp. They’d been letterboxing before.

Following written clues, the hikers crossed a series of narrow bog bridges, which saved them from having to tromp through mud. Just beyond, the trail emerged from the dense hardwood forest to trace the edge of a beaver-made bog. Skeletal remains of dead trees jutted out of plant-filled water. A frog lept from the shore with a splash.

“Just beyond the pond, off the trail to your left,” the clue read.

The hikers easily found the cubby, set their backpacks down on the forest floor and retrieved their letterboxing materials. The game was simple. First they opened the notebook inside the letterbox, leafed through to find a blank page and wrote their names and the date — and perhaps a little message about their adventure, too. Then they pressed their personal rubber stamps onto their ink pads and marked the notebook, sharing their artwork with anyone else who might find the letterbox.

Next, they used the letterbox’s beaver stamp to record the find in their own personal notebooks. Next to the inky print, they jotted down the name of the trail, the date and a note about the porcupine they spotted scrabbling up a tree just a few minutes ago.

The pair may have never explored that particular trail if it hadn’t been for the goal of reaching the letterbox. That’s the magic of letterboxing. It pushes participants to explore places they might not otherwise think to visit. At the same time, it’s an outlet for creativity. Carving a rubber stamp is an easy art project, for which kits are available at craft stores.

Once you get started, here are a few Maine letterboxes to visit.

OAK HILL

IN ORLAND EASY TO MODERATE

A beaver stamp is located in a letterbox on Esker Trail, which is one route to Oak Hill.

(Right) A bench sits at a viewpoint near the top of Oak Hill.

Oak Hill is one of the many hiking destinations in the 4,500-acre Great Pond Mountain Wildlands.

Overlooks near the hill’s top offer some of the best views on the property. And near one of those overlooks is a letterbox, tucked behind an old spruce.

From the South Gate, you can hike to Oak Hill on the multi-use gravel Valley Road or the Esker Trail. Both routes feature an additional letterbox. All you have to do is follow the clues provided online by the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, the nonprofit that owns and manages the property.

The hike requires navigating several trail intersections, so carry a trail map, which can be found on the land trust website and is posted at the trailhead. To the top of Oak Hill and back, the hike is about 4 miles if you park at the South Gate and

hike it as a loop, using Esker Trail and Valley Road (as well as Hillside Trail and Oak Hill Trail).

The Wildlands is home to 16 letterboxes, scattered throughout different hiking and biking routes. Access is free. Dogs are permitted on most trails if on leash. To learn more, visit greatpondtrust.org or call 207-469-6929.

DIRECTIONS: The South Gate is located on Route 1, about 100 yards west of the Route 1-Route 176 intersection in East Orland, and on the opposite side of the road. It’s approximately 8 miles east of the McDonalds in Bucksport or 11 miles west of the intersection of Route 1 and Route 1A in Ellsworth. The street address is 1574 Acadia Highway.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

CATERPILLAR HILL

IN SEDGWICK EASY

Located on Caterpillar Hill in Sedgwick, the Cooper Farm preserve covers 134 acres of scenic fields and forestland.

It’s known as a place to pick wild blueberries and enjoy stunning views of the coast. On the lower portion of the hill, a quiet, mossy woods is the perfect spot to escape the hustle and bustle of busy coastal Maine.

The preserve is owned and managed by the Blue Hill Heritage Trust, which maintains letterboxes on all but one of its preserves. (The land trust’s new Meadowbrook Forest doesn’t currently feature a letterbox.)

A trail network at Cooper Farm on Caterpillar Hill consists of three loops: the 0.5-mile Upper Loop, 0.7mile Middle Loop and the 0.25-mile Lower Loop. The 24 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

letterbox, located near one of the trail intersections, is marked on the trail map that’s posted on the Blue Hill Heritage Trust website.

The letterboxes are a part of the land trust’s Passport to the Trails! program. The land trust provides free passports to families and individuals to collect stamps and write down personal observations while exploring the properties. If you visit and record 10 or more trails on the passport, stop by the Blue Hill Heritage Trust office to collect a prize.

Access is free. Dogs are permitted if on leash. For more information, visit bluehillheritagetrust.org or call 207-374-5118.

Bog bridges help hikers cross a mossy forest floor at Cooper Farm preserve.

(Above) A butterfly stamp is located in the letterbox at Cooper Farm preserve.

(Left) A letterbox is located on a tree trunk near a trail intersection.

DIRECTIONS: From the roundabout in Blue Hill, take Mines Road (Route 15-Route 176) toward Brooksville and Sedgwick. In 4.1 miles, turn left onto Snow’s Cove Road. In 2.9 miles, continue straight onto Caterpillar Hill Road. Drive 1.5 mile to the Caterpillar Hill Scenic Turnout. Turn right onto the unpaved Cooper Farm Road, which is right after the turnout and also on the right. A small parking lot is located just a couple hundred feet down the road on the right.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

The North Shore Trail travels along the edge of the shore.

EDGAR M. TENNIS PRESERVE

IN DEER ISLE

EASY TO MODERATE In 1972, Edgar M. Tennis gifted approximately 100 acres on Deer Isle to the State of Maine for conservation. His daughter gifted another 45 acres, expanding the coastal preserve that now features about 3.5 miles of hiking trails for the public to enjoy.

The trails explore the forest, trace the rocky coastline and visit several historical landmarks including an old cemetery and the foundations of the Roswell Davis Farm.

Hikers can access the water in several places, or simply enjoy views of the ocean from rocky overlooks.

The maintenance of the preserve is a joint effort by the state and the Island Heritage Trust, which holds conservation easements on the property. The land trust maintains letterboxes on all of its preserves, including the Edgar M. Tennis Preserve. However, it’s entirely up to you to find them, so keep your eyes peeled. While the letterboxes aren’t hidden, you could easily pass them by.

The letterboxes are a part of the Island Heritage Trust’s Passport to the Preserves program. Use the stamps from the letterboxes to stamp your passport. When you

collect all of the stamps, visit the Island Heritage Trust office for a prize and to have your name entered into a drawing for the grand prize: a field guide.

Access is free. Dogs are permitted if on leash. For more information, visit islandheritagetrust.org or call 207-348-2455. The website features a self-guided nature tour of the preserve, as well as a brochure and trail map.

DIRECTIONS: The preserve parking is located on Tennis Road in Deer Isle. To get there, drive south through Deer Isle village on Route 15, then turn left onto Sunshine Road (across from Mill Pond Mobil). Drive about 2.5 miles, then turn right onto Tennis Road. Follow this road for less than 0.5 mile and you’ll come to four small parking lots for the preserve. If the parking lots are full, return another time. Do not park on the side of the road.

To learn more about letterboxing, including proper etiquette and how to find letterboxes near you, visit letterboxing.com.

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.

26 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

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HEALTH & FITNESS

28 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

Working in a

WORKOUT SNEAKY WAYS TO WORK FITNESS INTO YOUR BUSY LIFE

BY EMILY MORRISON

P

eople always ask me, “What are you training for?” because I’m forever trying to squeeze in push ups during my coffee break or squats while brushing my teeth. I’m not training for anything though. I’m just trying to live my best life like everybody else.

If you, too, are trying to live healthier, there are lots of little ways you can work on your fitness without committing to a massive training program.

WHILE DRIVING: For those of you who look down all day, perhaps staring at a computer, chin tucks while driving can help strengthen your neck muscles and help relieve the stress felt in tight shoulder muscles, tension headaches and a stiff neck, among other things. So sit up straight and pull your chin in a couple inches. Leave it there for five seconds and repeat 5-10 times whenever you hop in the car.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

WHILE WATCHING: You don’t need a pricey gym membership or an expensive machine to get a good upper body workout. Lifting 5 to 10 pound dumbbells while binging your favorite show helps build arm strength.

No dumbbells? Grab a five pound bag of flour to lift and find a chair to do dips on and you’re all good. Doing push-ups during commercial breaks is another great way to get strong at home.

WHILE COOKING: Hop on a stool or a stair and crank out some step-ups while dinner’s cooking. If you know you’ve got a 30-minute meal to prepare, dishes to do and a kitchen to clean, take a break every 10 minutes or so and do 10 step-ups. You’d be surprised how much a simple exercise like this done three or four times a week makes a difference in your leg strength.

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www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 31

HEALTH & FITNESS

WHILE WORKING: Get those steps in. Take the stairs, walk the dog, do a lap around the driveway, parking lot, mall, wherever and whenever you can. A lot of people have FitBits or smartphones that track their activity and help keep them accountable. But, you don’t really need to see a number on a screen to tell you whether or not you walked a lot today. Just take any and every opportunity to walk instead of sit.

WHILE EATING: Choose fruit for dessert and skip the chips. If you like a crunchy snack, crunch on fresh veggies. Sure, if it’s a birthday party or special occasion, by all means, eat the dinner rolls and omit the guilt.

Life’s too short to be good all the time, but when you hold back you make the special treats more special. The same rule applies to diet drinks, protein shakes and fruit smoothies. Fuggedaboutit. Embrace water, tea and coffee and leave those sugary beverages alone.

Make the most of the time you’ve got.

If you’d rather clench your tummy than retract your chin, have at it. You can jog instead of walk and save room for dessert if it gets you through. Find what works for you and stick with it.

32 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

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HOME & FAMILY

CRAFTING WITH KIDS

Make your own

HOOK & RING GAME

TURN YOUR SCRAP WOOD INTO A SIMPLE GAME PERFECT FOR LATE SUMMER FUN. STORY & PHOTOS BY AMY ALLEN

AS MY KIDS GET OLDER, the craft projects they enjoy doing seem to be getting more complicated. And an element of danger (like saws and power tools) always helps to motivate them, while I appreciate a project with enough steps to keep them busy and away from the alluring glow of screens for more than five minutes. And it’s a bonus if the results are something that will be fun for years to come. Luckily, this project’s got it all.

This hook and ring game is simple to make and fun to play.

We dug around the basement for the perfect scraps of wood and leftover screws and hooks from past projects, and managed to create this whole game without a trip to the hardware store. The dimensions can be whatever fits your preference and the scraps you’ve got kicking around — you just need a solid base and two smaller pieces of wood (or large dowels) to create the T-shape.

We didn’t have metal rings on hand but we did have two round key rings which work just fine.

Create your own game while there’s still a little summer left.

It’s a great outdoor project (to keep the sawdust outside) and fun (and addictive) to play at picnics and late summer barbecues.

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WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Scrap wood — you’ll need one larger piece for the base and dowels or smaller pieces of wood for the T-shape.

• Small dowel or wood block for the scoring peg • Miter box or saw to cut your wood to length • Sandpaper • 4 screws, power drill and bits • 2 screw eye hooks and 2 cup hooks • 2 rings (available in hardware stores, or key chain rings also work well) • String • Acrylic paint and brushes or wood stain for a finishing touch

DIRECTIONS & TIPS 1. Determine what pieces of wood you’ll use for your base and for the T-shape.

Cut them to size as needed and sand the edges. You don’t need to stick with any exact dimensions, but for reference, our base shown here is 6x13 inches, the T-shape is 10 inches tall and 11.5 inches across the top.

Tip: Depending on the age and skill level of your kids, this is a great project to teach them about different tools. A chop saw would make this project very quick and simple for older crafters. We only needed to cut the smaller pieces so we used a miter box — a handy tool my daughter uses frequently for small building and craft projects.

2. Find the center of your base and drill pilot holes to attach the vertical post of the T-shape. We used 2 screws to attach the post (and ensure it wouldn’t be able to twist once attached).

3. Drill pilot holes for your hooks into the post and into the ends of the top bar.

4. Repeat Step 2 to attach the bar across the top to the post.

5. Now it’s time to add the score-keeping peg. We used a small dowel for the peg and cut it down to size. Using a large drill bit, we measured and created 5 even holes across the front of the game base.

6. Paint, stain and decorate your game.

Once it’s dry, attach your cup hooks to the center post and the eye hooks to the top bar. Tie string to the eye hooks and rings to the other end of the string — measure enough length so you can swing the ring onto the cup hook.

7. Time to play! Start with the scoring peg in the center and for each hooked ring, move it one step closer to you. First to reach the end is the winner!

CRAFTING

with KIDS

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HOME & FAMILY

CREATE IT AT HOME

Fun & Fast ABSTRACT ART MAKE YOUR OWN ABSTRACT PAINTING IN UNDER 20 MINUTES STORY & PHOTOS BY KATIE SMITH

ABSTRACT PAINTINGS are so hot right now. Everytime I watch a decorating show, I see stunning works of art. They are bright, bold, colorful and can absolutely make a room.

However, they can be expensive to purchase one, and it takes time to find something that’s perfect for your wall or above your fireplace.

What if I told you that you could make your own in under 20 minutes without it costing you a lot of money? Not to mention it’s incredibly satisfying and therapeutic to see something you’ve created which could land on any HGTV show room redo.

36 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Canvas (or canvases, I used two) in the size of your choice.

• Acrylic paint (I used about 3-4 colors but the options are endless).

• Quilting ruler, regular ruler, yard stick or any straight object you can use to push the paint around.

LET’S MAKE OUR PAINTING 1. Start by taking one color and running it down your canvas from top to bottom.

There’s no right way to do this — your lines can be shorter or longer — you are the artist here.

2. Repeat with other colors.

Tip: I like to alternate light and dark colors for a nice contrast. You could also go for an ombre effect by running colors down your canvas from light to dark or visa versa.

3. Next, line your straight edge at the top of your canvas and run it down the entire length of surface.

4. Once you have reached the bottom, repeat the above steps going from bottom of canvas to top.

That is it — you have now made a stunning piece of art without using a paintbrush or special techniques. This is the best way to make a painting that will always be unique. Do a few and have a grouping or make one large piece as a focal point for above your bed or fireplace.

C R E AT E I T

at

HOME

PERSONAL FINANCE

Think Before You CHARGE IT LEARNING HOW TO BE RESPONSIBLE WITH CREDIT CARDS

W

hen I moved to Maine, I signed up for my first credit card ever. I was 26.

Up until that point, I was terrified of credit cards. I had heard horror stories about responsible people accruing tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt, seemingly overnight. Besides, how can you spend money that doesn’t exist? (I’ll save the money-is-a-social-construct revelation for another column.)

I was tired, though, of being hamstrung when applying for apartments (and someday, I hoped, loans for a house) by not having any credit to reflect my very responsible spending habits.

“Especially for young people, I think the importance of building credit can do a lot of beneficial things as they grow into adulthood,” said Jon Paradise, senior vice president of communications, marketing and community engagement at Town & Country Federal Credit Union in South Portland. “Establishing credit can be a very positive thing.”

After getting over the initial trepidation, I found myself spending slightly more money than I had to spare. I fell for the seduction of just putting it on the credit card and paying for it later, whatever that might mean. With all the fun perks that come with a credit card, spending money was almost like a game — until it wasn’t.

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BY SAM SCHIPANI

“I’ll get points for this!” I always insisted. “Five percent cash back!”

Before I knew it, I was a couple thousand dollars in the hole. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but as time went by, I realized how quickly just a little bit of debt can snowball into unmanageable amounts of money owed.

Turns out, I’m not as responsible as I thought.

“We receive letters and phone calls from consumers who owe $20,000, $25,000 or even $30,000 in credit card debt,” said Will Lund, superintendent of the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. “Although they start out with the best intentions of paying their balances in full each month to avoid finance charges, they get behind — often because of a single large purchase — and then get further and further behind.”

Paradise said that responsible credit card usage starts with understanding how credit cards work — especially elements like interest rates — to avoid making common mistakes, like not paying bills on time. He said that local bank branches are especially helpful to navigating the ins and outs of the credit card process.

“You don’t have to go into a branch and yell out in the lobby, ‘Hey, I don’t understand interest,’” Paradise said. “Make an appointment. Shoot them an email. Ask questions. The only stupid question is the one that’s not asked.”

Paradise said that a good rule of thumb is to only spend 30 percent of your credit limit. Also, don’t open too many credit cards — two, maybe three, is plenty.

If you have accrued a little bit of credit card debt, it might be time to consider a spending plan. The best way for a consumer to understand his or her own spending habits is to study 12 or 24 months’ worth of credit card statements to see what purchases were most significant in terms of adding debt. Make small cuts or adjustments, setting reasonable goals for your spending.

“Oftentimes people try to say, ‘I’m going to save $100 a month,’” Paradise said. “Well, if you can’t afford that, you’re setting yourself up to fail. If you can save $10 a week, that’s a much more sustainable and successful strategy. Sometimes it’s those little steps that you take, those little things that you do that will make you much more successful and financially well.”

Paradise said to make sure you reward yourself for good behavior.

“If you say, ‘I’m only going to charge $500 a month on a credit card,’ and you spend $400, reward yourself,” Paradise said. “Maybe I’m going to get an iced coffee today or treat myself to a dinner out or something.”

Also, Lund said to stay with paper statements rather than electronic statements, as the latter are easy to ignore.

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PERSONAL FINANCE But what if you’re really in the hole? Well, Lund said you have to stop using the credit cards that have accrued the most debt. Take those cards out of your wallet and replace them with a debit card. “...CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS “If you feel you must keep the card with you for emergencies, tape a big yellow NOW MUST LIST HOW MANY sticky note over the card’s face, so when you take it out you are reminded of your MONTHS AND YEARS OF commitment not to use it unless it’s MINIMUM PAYMENTS YOU WILL absolutely necessary — and that means a true emergency, not a limited-time HAVE TO MAKE IN ORDER TO PAY sale price on golf clubs or new clothes,” Lund said.

OFF YOUR CURRENT BALANCE. Check how many months it will take ...TAKE A MOMENT TO READ IT — for you to get out of debt, too.

“Under federal law, credit card IT’S SOBERING INFORMATION.” statements now must list how many months and years of minimum payments you will have to make in order to pay off your current balance.

I recommend that Mainers take a moment to read it — it’s sobering information.”

Also, pay more than the minimum required payments each month.

“Make it a round number — $200 or $300 or $400 — an amount that hurts, because it should,” Lund said. “If you are feeling rich for some reason (someone makes you a cash gift or you sell something or you get a tax refund check in the mail), take a small amount and use it for a fun purchase, but take most of the windfall and put it immediately toward your credit card balance.”

Share your spending goals with another person. This will help with accountability.

“There’s a reason most of us perform better under the guidance of a coach or as part of a team, and the reason is that that sharing your goals, and being answerable to someone else, provides great incentives to change your behavior or stay the course if you are working hard to rein in your spending habits,” Lund said.

Paradise said to also reach out to your lender.

“Financial institutions in general and some credit card companies will work with you, but they can’t work with you if they don’t know what your situation is,” Paradise said. “They can find a loan or a payment plan that can consolidate all the debt into one [personal loan] that makes it easier because you’re not paying various interest rates. Some credit card rates are 18 or 19 percent, but for a lot of personal loans, the interest rate is eight or nine percent. It’s a great way to get out of the hole.”

On the flip side, Lund said to avoid debt management companies, especially those that advertise through national media.

“They are nearly always located in a distant state, and they rarely have consumers’ best interests in mind,” Lund said.

Instead, Lund said to contact the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, 1-800-DEBT-LAW or 1-800-332-8529, and they will tell you which companies hold licenses to offer debt management services to Maine residents.

I’m lucky enough that I’m not in major credit card debt, but I see that it can happen to anyone. For now, I’ll be cutting a few luxuries out of my budget, setting a spending limit that is a fraction of my actual credit limit and making sure I’m paying it off every month — and rewarding myself for good spending behavior, of course.

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FEATURE

Carol Walker (left) and John Walker laugh as the chickens cluck during the Common Ground Fair in 2014.

(Right) Old Common Ground Fair posters mark the years. A new artist is selected each year.

42 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

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VOLUNTEERS MAKE THE COMMON GROUND FAIR POSSIBLE

PHOTOS: (THIS PHOTO) BDN FILE; (POSTERS) COURTESY OF MOFGA

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BY SAM SCHIPANI

very year, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s Common Ground Fair relies on nearly two thousand volunteers to make the beloved annual fair happen. They are the backbone of the event.

But volunteering at the fair is more than the work being done. It’s also being part of a community that shares a sense of purpose and fun, behind-the-scenes experiences. And for some, it’s an event worth coming back to volunteer at again in future years.

“A three-day event that can draw 60,000-plus people takes a ton of planning, organization and implementation on the ground, and it happens because of the effort put in by the hundreds and hundreds of volunteers that generously donate their time and energy throughout the year,” said Caitlyn Barker, community engagement coordinator at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).

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Children attempt to herd goats as part of a demonstration during the Common Ground Fair in 2017.

(Above) The Maine Squeeze play and entertain visitors in 2017.

(This photo) Stan Maynard of Orchard Hill Farm of Woodland cleans around his Scottish Highland cattle during the 2007 fair.

44 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

BEHIND-THE-SCENES The more than 1,700 volunteers at the Common Ground Country Fair are organized into several groups. Shift volunteers sign up for four-hour stints in various areas before, during and after the fair. In exchange, they receive the Common Ground Fair’s annual t-shirt (which, because the design changes every year, many volunteers collect and use to keep track of the years that they participated), fair entry, a meal and one night of free camping.

Shift volunteers take on a wide array of responsibilities — even some of the least glamorous (but most important) at the fair, like cleaning tables or managing the fair parking lot.

“It’s amazing when you look at the wide range of things that volunteers end up doing,” said Dusty Dowse from Cambridge, who has volunteered at the fair since the 1980s. “We always seem to find people who are able to do anything. The hardest job is parking. I did that for a while.”

Volunteers who want to be more involved can also become coordinators or planning team members, who organize specific areas of the fair. Cara Oleksyk, who has been volunteering since she was in high school, became a volunteer coordinator for the children’s area — what she calls the “fair within the fair” — about 10 years ago, when one of the volunteer coordinators for that area of the Common Ground Fair happened to pop into the business where she worked.

“She and I were just sharing stories and she got the sense that it was an experience that I greatly valued and also I was younger and had a lot of energy and she just invited me to collaborate on activities for the children’s area,” Oleksyk said. “People are just enthusiastic.”

At the most involved level, volunteers like Dowse work on the Fair Steering Committee, which meets monthly with some MOFGA staff and board members.

The committee organizes almost everything at the fair, from the annual t-shirt contest to fair policies — for example, whether cannabis and alcohol, which can both be produced with organically-grown crops in Maine, should be included at the fair.

“We make those decisions,” Dowse said. “A lot of times, [fairgoers] don’t see what comes out of it.”

Sam Brown, a MOFGA board member, said that there are about 20 volunteers who regularly come to fair steering committee meetings.

PHOTOS: BDN FILE

FEATURE

“Their own motivational factor determines their involvement level,” Brown said. “I think that there are so many aspects of the culture that we live in that are relentlessly individualistic. When they are at the fair, they [have a] more communityminded mindset.”

WHAT DRAWS VOLUNTEERS TO THE FAIR Volunteers at the Common Ground Fair have all sorts of reasons for joining the ranks that first year. Some want a free t-shirt and fair admission. Others volunteer to show their commitment to the ideals of sustainable, organic agriculture and rural living. Others still are just looking for a fun way to spend a weekend.

“There’s an incredible amount of diversity,” Oleksyk said. “There’s not one look. There are commonalities, but I don’t think it’s just about sustainable agriculture. I think it’s deeper than that. The common ground, what a great name for this fair, because not only are folks connecting on ideas of sustainability we’re connecting with stories.”

And, oh, the stories they have to tell.

Long-time volunteers are basically informal historians of the Common Ground Fair. Some have worked at the fair since it was in Windsor, before it moved to Unity in 1996. Helen York, who has volunteered since 1981, said that she remembers having to help famed homesteader Helen Nearing move her wares.

“I remember the year of the flood at the Windsor Fairgrounds,” York said. “Members of the Maine Sportsmen's Alliance drove home and got giant sump pumps and dug drainage channels, while [vendors] were assessing the damage. I remember helping folks at Johnny’s Selected Seeds rescue floating boxes of seed packets.”

The Common Ground Fair experience goes far beyond the day itself, too.

Volunteers come from all around the country — and, sometimes, the world.

Oleksyk said she has made connections that have led to business opportunities, and has seen others do the same.

“It’s Maine economics,” Oleksyk said.

“It’s more than just food and farming. I used to work for a small business. When we walk through the marketplaces of Common Ground Fair there are business owners going through and looking for new artists.”

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FEATURE

Children sled down a hill with cardboard during the 2017 Common Ground Fair.

MANY VOLUNTEERS CAMP OUT AT THE FAIRGROUNDS DURING THE WEEKEND, AND AT NIGHT, VOLUNTEERS HANG OUT, THROW INFORMAL DANCE PARTIES, PERFORM MUSIC AND MORE. “SLEDDING DOWNHILL ON CARDBOARD OR DOING

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VOLUNTEER Volunteering at the Common Ground Fair can also be a family affair. Mary McNabb Weyer from Hollis has volunteered with her husband since they moved to Maine in the late 1980s. Over time, her twin sister and two kids joined the fun, almost as soon as they were old enough to walk.

“We have our own campsite that we’ve kind of groomed the area in the woods where we camp and it’s reserved for our family,” Weyer said. “Usually on Tuesday before the fair we do a lot of set up. We all go and we all take time off from our jobs.

It’s basically our family vacation.”

Even beyond her own family, though, Weyer and other long-time volunteers said that going to the fair every year is like a “family reunion.”

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“There are people we only ever see at the fair and we feel like we know really well,” Weyer said. “It’s like a big family at the fair.”

As with any family, having dinner together is important for bonding. One of the staples of the Common Ground Fair volunteer experience is the Common Kitchen, at the backside of the fair’s exhibition hall where volunteers make delicious meals to serve to their brethren, much of it from donated ingredients.

Dowse has been the “bread area coordinator” at the Common Kitchen for the past few years.

“Everybody loves it,” Dowse said. “The volunteers all get together and eat together.

It’s really a nice communal experience.

That’s really the heart of the volunteer experience is everyone getting together to eat there.”

Volunteers rave about the food, and the importance of the bonding experience that dining together provides.

“One of the slogans behind the Common Kitchen is that it’s food made with love for volunteers by volunteers,” said April Boucher, director of the Common Ground Fair.

KUNDALINI YOGA AT 6 A.M. — THERE’S JUST A CULTURE OF DIVERSE HAPPENINGS.”

“It’s a highlight for a lot of the volunteers.

Volunteers can really get creative with what we have in our pantry, which is a lot of food.

Some people have kitchen experience, have been chefs, and some people are just great leaders that also love to cook.”

And, of course, there are the after-hours activities. Many volunteers camp out at the fairgrounds during the weekend, and at night, volunteers hang out, throw informal dance parties, perform music and more.

“Sledding downhill on cardboard or doing kundalini yoga at 6 a.m. — there’s just a culture of diverse happenings,” Oleksyk said. “Having music sessions, contra dancing, sometimes there’s fire dancing popping up, or people just sitting and chatting and having great conversations.”

PHOTO: BDN FILE

“I like traveling and being able to give a shoutout because someone is wearing the shirt,” Oleksyk said. “I was in West Asheville in North Carolina and I was like, ‘Oh, cool, Common Ground Fair, I’ll see you when we’re back on site.’ It’s really great to have that connection wherever I’m at, geographically.”

FEATURE There’s more, but Oleksyk said that “it’s a secret” — you just have to volunteer to find out.

Ashley Winter makes flower crowns during the 2014 Common Ground Fair.

THE NEXT GENERATION OF VOLUNTEERS Despite the camaraderie, there are some concerns from the organization that the Common Ground Fair won’t have volunteers in the future. Brown said that it has been more difficult to get young people to commit to the fair and come back year after year.

Much of the leadership is also aging out and aren’t able to do as much as they used to.

“I know we’re worried about it,” Dowse said. “I hate to say it but how many people want to put down their cellphones and go to a fair? I say that as a ridiculous generalization but are fairs like this fading?”

Still, Dowse sees a glimmer of hope in the influx of young farmers coming to Maine.

“As long as we can get some of those younger farmers interested we’ll survive but it’s something we’re aware of — something we’re concerned about but we’re not at the point now when we’re panicking,” Dowse said.

Dowse said that to gauge younger interest, the Fair Steering Committee has a high school representative come to their meetings. Barker said that MOFGA is expanding community outreach, educational events and widespread communication, like opening their storefront and event space in Freeport.

“We’re also working to create dynamic volunteer opportunities that will draw in a diverse population and continually gauge accessibility — are we creating equitable volunteer opportunities? How can we ensure that communications and volunteer resources are reaching communities across Maine?” Barker said.

“We know we can always do better, and listening, learning and reflecting are some of the principles that guide MOFGA as we move forward.”

Having the Common Ground Fair run by volunteers is part of its ethos. Brown said that the atmosphere of the event depends on it, that commitment from taking tickets to running agricultural demonstrations.

“The community that has been built around this event over the last 45 years is remarkable,” Barker said. “Our volunteers are at the center of that.”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR The 2021 Common Ground Country Fair is coming

SEPTEMBER 24, 25 AND 26 UNITY, MAINE GATES OPEN AT 9 A.M. EACH DAY VENDORS OPEN UNTIL 6 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 5 P.M. ON SUNDAY. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT

MOFGA.ORG/THE-FAIR

For your safety this year, attendance will be managed to reduce congestion. Fairgoers will need to obtain tickets in advance to reduce lines.

Masks and social distancing may be required according to CDC guidelines.

Some areas and activities will not take place this year.

Stay tuned for details.

Additional sanitation of high-touch areas will be in place.

Fair poster, The 2021 Common Ground y Russell.

Cod n hry Kat by ed ign des 48 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

LEARN MORE OR SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AT MOFGA.ORG/THE-FAIR

PHOTOS: (PHOTO) BDN FILE; (POSTER) COURTESY OF MOFGA

Layouts will be changed to allow for more distance between vendors.

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FEATURE

Fi n di n g COMMON

GROUND

50 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

WHAT THE COMMON GROUND FAIR MEANS TO ME

BY CRYSTAL SANDS

WHEN I MOVED TO MAINE more than 12 years ago, the Common Ground Fair was the first Maine event I attended and the first agricultural fair I had ever attended in my life. I grew up in rural Texas, but my family always lived in town. Though my grandparents had been homesteaders and raised chickens and gardens, I had none of these skills, and in my adult life, I honestly had not given much thought to the idea of growing my own food or raising animals.

But, after my very first trip to the Common Ground Fair, I was curious. I was mostly fascinated by the people I saw and interacted with at the fair. They were warm, kind, so willing to teach and answer questions. After feeling so far from home after moving to Maine, there was something about the Common Ground Fair that, in hindsight, I can see felt a little bit like “home” to me.

Moving to Maine from away was not always easy. I struggled at first. But the warmth and beauty of the fair made me forget that I was from away. At the fair, it didn’t seem to matter where people were from or how much money they had or what their political beliefs were. Everyone had a common purpose and a love of the land, and that was the thing that was important.

It felt like a place where people could truly find a common ground.

The next year, my husband and I returned to the fair, this time with a plan

to take in more classes and buy more organic food. I became interested in keeping chickens, so there was much to learn. The following year, we had bought a house with a little bit of land — and a garden.

There was so much more to learn at the Common Ground Fair that year, and each year, I learned more from the workshops and discovered more treasures I wanted to purchase from the vendors — honey, apples and wooden spoons.

In the time in between the fairs, my husband and I were becoming homesteaders ourselves. We got chickens and ducks. We raised a large organic garden that just kept growing larger as each year passed. We learned how to process food from our garden, how to compost chicken poop and how to save seeds. Each year, we would attend the fair and add a little more to our knowledge, but we were on a path of learning that would extend far beyond the fair.

Four years ago, I submitted to be a speaker at the Common Ground Fair, to share my knowledge this time — what I knew about raising chickens and living sustainably. I was so nervous the first time I presented, but I shared all I could with a full tent. It went well, and, after that presentation, I felt like I had found my people. Audience members followed me after the presentation, and we chatted more. We talked about keeping roosters,

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FEATURE composting chicken poop and preparing coops for the Maine winters. Everyone was so kind and supportive — and I, just as the teachers who had taught me — was eager to share what I knew with others.

The Common Ground Fair had become a part of what made Maine home to me.

I presented two more years with my little boy helping. The Common Ground Fair became an important part of our family fall traditions. We loved stocking up on local, organic food items, watching the herding dogs, and, of course, visiting the poultry barn.

When the world shut down in March 2020, it didn’t take long for me to wonder if there would be a Common Ground Fair.

The fair ultimately went online in 2020.

I presented virtually and perused the online vendors, but it wasn’t the same. I missed walking around, seeing the animals and interacting with people in person. I missed my little boy playing the hollow logs, making music as people passed by. I missed gathering my Common Ground Fair treasures into my bag and admiring them on the trip home.

This year, if all goes well, the Common Ground Fair will be back, and I am anxious for its return. I miss the people. I miss the animals. I really miss learning.

My husband will be presenting this year. He will be reading children’s poetry from his book of poems about the Maine seasons, and this year, we will have our own vendor booth for the journal we founded called “Farmer-ish,” born out of a love of the food, farmers and lifestyle that started all those years ago when I first visited the Common Ground Fair.

Today, my husband and I produce and preserve about 60 percent of our families’ food. We live more sustainably and frugally, and we now work to help others see the freedom and health benefits of this lifestyle.

It feels like we have come full circle with the fair, from being curious learners to being eager teachers, and though I always have much to learn from the fair, the best part of the Common Ground Fair for me is that it became the place that made Maine feel like my home. The fair truly helped me find my place in the world, and I am forever grateful.

The 2021 Common Ground Country Fair is scheduled for Sept. 24, 25 and 26 in Unity, Maine.Tickets are on sale now at mofga.org/the-fair.

52 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

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FEATURE

Maine Fairs:

PHOTO: ROSEMARIE GEARHART/ADOBE STOCK

An Agricultural Tradition

54 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

A GUIDE TO MAINE FAIRS

A

Photos (this and below) of the past from the Blue Hill Fair.

BY JULIA BAYLY

s you get close to the main entry gate, you can smell it. The aroma of food vendors — pulled local pork, grilled fresh corn dripping with butter, warm and fresh homemade donuts — wafts around you.

And then there are the sounds: the strumming of stringed instruments, happy screams from the midway, a cacophony of mooing, oinking and bleating and tractor engines revving.

There is really nothing like packing up the family and going to the fair on a crisp fall day. Here in Maine, there are many to choose from. And this year, after a canceled 2020 season, it’s a great time to get a good look at Maine’s agricultural traditions and how farmers do what they do all year long.

Here are some good options for visiting this fair season.

THE BLUE HILL FAIR

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SEPTEMBER 2-6 With a tradition that goes back to 1910, the Blue Hill Fair this year is highlighting its history and community connections. In what is hoped to be a permanent exhibit, organizers are collecting historic photos, posters and other Blue Hill Fair memorabilia for display.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: The Blue Hill Fair features numerous exhibits and activities that people expect from a country fair. Come watch sheep dog trials, horse pulls, farm skill demonstrations, 4H exhibits, homemade food, agricultural competitions like the oxen scoot, the youth sheep obstacle course and the ladies skillet toss.

People walk past rides at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds.

WHERE IT IS: Blue Hill Fairgrounds — 233 Ellsworth Road, Blue Hill

HARMONY FREE FAIR

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PHOTOS: BDN FILE

SEPTEMBER 3-6 The Harmony Free Fair is organized by the Harmony Patriarchs Club, which was formed in 1947 with the mission of helping it’s community through tough times and generally making Harmony a great place to live. Billed as a hometown fair, it features a schedule packed with events aimed at young and old alike with everything from tractor pulls for the grownups to frog jumping contests for the kids. And of course, farmers showing off livestock and produce they raised.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Just as the name suggests, the Harmony Free Fair is an agricultural fair with no entry fee, no parking fee and plenty of free music and entertainment. There will be plenty of agricultural demonstrations, food, kid-friendly games and a Labor Day Parade.

WHERE IT IS: 1 Fairway Loop, Harmony

Photos (this and below ) of the past from the Blue Hill Fair.

FEATURE

SPRINGFIELD FAIR

SEPTEMBER 3-4 The colorful traditions of Maine’s highlands regions have been celebrated at the Springfield Fair since 1850.

With its vast forests and rolling fields, this is a part of Maine where logging and farming are two sides of the agricultural coin. As a result, the fair pays homage to both aspects of the area’s heritage. It’s the perfect opportunity to see how the two evolved to support each other over the years.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: The fair’s demonstrations, events and exhibits are designed to showcase the local culture. Whether it’s trying your hand and log rolling, showing off your prize vegetables, entering the baked pie contest or showing off your rolling iron in one of the tractor pulls, it’s two days of family fun.

WHERE IT IS: 91 Springfield Road, Springfield

CLINTON LIONS AGRICULTURAL FAIR

SEPTEMBER 9-12 When the Clinton Lions Club hosts their annual fair, their main goal is bringing people together. They do it all against a backdrop of agricultural history and present day farming. They bill the fair as “The biggest little fair in the state” and pack in car shows, agricultural competitions, a parade, animal exhibits, a pig scramble and the annual Maine Dairy Princess Pageant.

LITCHFIELD FAIR

SEPTEMBER 10-12 The Litchfield Fair started in 1857 at the Litchfield Town House. In 1904, the Litchfeld Fair moved to its current home at the Litchfield fairgrounds covering 15 buildings and what is considered one of the best 4-H exhibition halls in the state. Talk to the folks who work with these animals all year long and you’ll get a real feel for what it means to be a farmer in Maine.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Clinton’s fair may not be the largest or longest running in Maine, but that hardly matters. People there would rather focus on showing off their small town heart and what makes their area great. The fair has a reputation for hosting the best mechanical tractor — vintage and modern — pulls in the state.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Farm animals are the stars of the Litchfield Fair. Come some of the finest livestock around at the oxen, steers, dairy cattle, beef cattle, horses and pony shows. Watch the animals show off their strength at horse and oxen pulls. You can also get up close to some friendly critters at the fair’s petting zoo. Plus there’s food, music and agricultural demonstrations.

WHERE IT IS: 1450 Bangor Road, Clinton

WHERE IT IS: 44 Plains Road, Litchfield

56 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

Mark Larabee of Litchfield shows off two of his oxen in 2017.

PHOTOS: (TOP) PROVIDED BY EXPLORING LINCOLN; (BOTTOM) BDN FILE

The Horse Pull at the 2012 Springfield Fair.

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FEATURE

THE MAINE CHEESE FESTIVAL

SEPTEMBER 12 Celebrate cheese and all things cheesemaking at the one-day Maine Cheese Festival. It’s a day to learn about Maine’s cheeses and talk to the people who create them while sampling their products. You can also meet some of the four-legged cheese producers — the goats whose milk goes into the craft cheeses.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: This year the festival will introduce the first Maine Cheese Awards as a way to really shine the spotlight on Maine’s cheese producers. The festival also includes music, food trucks and a beer tent. Not to mention the chance to sample some of the best cheese around.

WHERE IT IS: Manson Park, 51 Peltoma Ave, Pittsfield.

Coby McDonald gets comfortable the bucket of a tractor display on opening day of the Oxford County Fair in 2019.

(Below) Samantha Davis of New Sharon tries to coax her Brown Swiss cow Zada into the stall during the 2018 Farmington Fair.

OXFORD FAIR

SEPTEMBER 16 - 18 There is something for everyone at the Oxford Fair. Since it was founded in 1842 by the Oxford County Agricultural Society, the fair has showcased the area’s agricultural heritage and traditions with local food, demonstrations, competitions and exhibits. All of this gives local farmers the opportunity to talk about what they do and show off what they make or raise.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Local organizations including the Norway Fire Department, the Paris Fire Department and Oxford Hills area 4-H will each have fundraising food booths, offering standard fair and grilled food and beverages.

4-H will feature a dinner special every evening. There’s also both corn and seafood chowders every night. Rides and games will be presented by Smokey’s Greater Shows, which also coordinates commercial food vendors.

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FARMINGTON FAIR

SEPTEMBER 19 - 25 Since 1911, the Franklin County Agricultural Society has showcased farming of the region at its annual fair in Farmington. Agriculture traditions run deep in western Maine, and it’s not at all unusual for a 4-H judge to have been a 4-H competitor in his or her youth. For a lot of the people who raise livestock, the fair is the best advertisement for selling their animals to other farmers.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: The Farmington Fair has everything you’d expect from a traditional agricultural fair.

There are dairy, beef, sheep, poultry exhibits, horse and ox pulling, harness racing, and a great exhibition hall with fancy work and grange exhibits. A midway with a variety of rides and games. Plus, plenty of homemade goodies so you won’t go hungry.

WHERE IT IS: 292 High Street, Farmington 58 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

PHOTOS: (TOP) ©JENIFOTO/ADOBE STOCK; (MIDDLE) ANDREE KEHN/SUN JOURNAL VIA AP; (BOTTOM) RUSS DILLINGHAM/SUN JOURNAL VIA AP

WHERE IT IS: 67 Pottle Road, Oxford

Adventure awaits. What are you waiting for? Let’s go!

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Bangor International Airport. The official airport of you.

FlyBangor.com

FEATURE CUMBERLAND COUNTY FAIR

SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 2 The very first Cumberland County Fair was in 1868 and lasted two days. It was held on a piece of land that is now Greely High School and included horse races down Main Street. Even though those Main Street races are gone, the fair has been growing ever since and it seems there is always something being painted, moved or built on the current fairgrounds.

MAINE WHOOPIE PIE FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 2 If you have ever had a whoopie pie, you know it is really more cake than pie. It’s also the official Maine state treat — and the annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival celebrates it.

It’s also the perfect opportunity for whoopie pie aficionados to see just how many flavor combinations there are of creamy filling sandwiched between two soft cookies.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Each day or consecutive days of the fair has its own theme and schedule. From start to finish there’s opening day, Maine agricultural day, senior citizens’ day, All American Rodeo day and Maine Maple day. Pick your day or days and come for all the food, fun, events and music it involves.

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: The festival brings together some of the best bakers from around New England to create the ultimate whoopie pie. There’s also live music, arts and crafts, games in addition to thousands — yes thousands — of whoopie pies to sample. At the end of the day, a panel of judges will award top honors to the best whoopie pie of the 2021 festival.

WHERE IT IS: 197 Blanchard Road, Cumberland

WHERE IT IS: Piscataquis Valley Fairgrounds, 77 Fairview Avenue, Dover Foxcroft.

(Top) Tim Patten with oxen Bear and Brick at the Cumberland Fair in 2019.

(Above) Sweetie Pie is the mascot of the Maine Whoopie Pie Festival.

(This photo) Morgyn Stevens scrubs her Pinzgauer cow Juniper at the 2014 Fryeburg Fair.

FRYEBURG FAIR

WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL: Pick any topic, talent or skill remotely connected to agriculture in Maine and chances are you will find a demonstration or exhibit about it at the Fryeburg fair. Is livestock your thing? Come see shows of baby farm animals, horse pulling, sheep dog trials, 4-H animals or a sheep shearing demonstration. Maybe you like decorative plants. Check out the flower show, wreath-making demonstrations or try your hand at pumpkin painting. If it’s food you are after, there are plenty of baked goods, produce and specialty foods to fill you up. All that plus tractors, feats of strength and parades.

WHERE IT IS: 1154 Main Street, Fryburg

60 / BANGOR METRO September 2021

PHOTOS: BDN FILE

OCTOBER 3 - 7 At the first Fryeburg Fair in 1851, William Walker won $3 for the best acre of corn and William Spring won $1 for the best wheat seed. Since then, the fair has grown into the largest fair in Maine and second largest in New England. More than 225,000 people visit each year to watch more than 3,000 farm animals compete and display why livestock remains central to the farming lifestyle.

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WOODS & WATERS

Looks can be

DECEIVING

PRISTINE FOREST CAMOUFLAGES THIS AREA’S INDUSTRIAL PAST STORY & PHOTO BY BOB DUCHESNE

FIVE MILES NORTH of downtown Brownville, Maine, there is an obscure left turn off Route 11 that would likely go unnoticed except for the signs. The gravel road connects Brownville to Greenville, but many features along the way attract attention.

Gulf Hagas is one of Maine’s favorite hiking spots, for those who can find it. It’s often called “The Grand Canyon of Maine.” Two of the Appalachian Mountain Club lodges are off this road. Some truly extraordinary campsites along the Pleasant River are managed by the North Maine Woods Association, and all of this splendor lies behind their gated checkpoints.

The signs on Route 11 point to these features, and one other: Katahdin Iron Works.

This historical landmark sits adjacent to the North Maine Woods checkpoint, and it’s free to visit. Maine’s forest is sometimes described as a pristine wilderness, usually by those unfamiliar with its industrialized past. Most of the forest has been cut down at least once. Dams control the waters. Remnants of trains and trestles persist in the woods. Katahdin Iron Works was among the most industrialized sites of all.

The blast furnace remains in place on the site, a hundred yards away from the lone remaining charcoal kiln. The small size of this preservation belies the original magnitude of the complex. Where there is now one remaining kiln, there were once 16. An entire town was built around the operation to house the 200 workers who labored there. The village had its own school and post office. Loggers roamed the woods, harvesting the wood needed to fuel the furnace. For most of its existence, the smelted pig iron was hauled to market by wagon.

A railway was built much later. A boarding house was converted into a hundred-room hotel on the shores of nearby Silver Lake — one of

THE SMALL SIZE OF THIS PRESERVATION BELIES THE ORIGINAL MAGNITUDE OF THE COMPLEX. WHERE THERE IS NOW ONE REMAINING KILN, THERE WERE ONCE 16.

several historic hotels built throughout the region to serve city folk looking to escape summer heat and “take the waters” of Maine’s remote lakes and mountains.

Why here? The site was located along the Pleasant River, which provided water power for the bellows that blasted air into the furnace. The surrounding forest provided the fuel. Ore Mountain, less than two miles away, provided the iron. The ore deposit was shallow, covered only by about four feet of topsoil. Though the ore was of meager quality, it was accessible.

As with many ventures in Maine’s northern forests, boom and bust business cycles were a fact of life. The expansion of the nation’s agriculture and railroads boosted demand for iron, as did the making of arms for the U.S Civil War, and later the U.S. Navy.

But these spikes in demand would often be brief. The iron works changed ownership several times.

The blast furnace began service in 1844, closing in 1890. It operated for only about 25 of those 46 years, with

peak production in the 1880s. It was never large enough to be commercially efficient, and getting iron to the Boston markets would always be a challenge from such a remote location. This particular iron ore deposit was overly rich in sulfur, requiring refinement before smelting. The smelting process needed higher temperatures than hardwood could provide, requiring up to 20,000 annual cords of wood to be converted to charcoal in the kilns.

Fires were a chronic problem.

Over time, several kilns burned.

The blast furnace was rebuilt in 1874, improved in 1877, only to burn down in 1883. Its replacement remained in service for merely seven years, as fuel supplies from the nearby forest became exhausted.

Technological improvements rendered the pig iron process obsolete. Much of America’s smelting industry moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Some of Katahdin Iron Works’ equipment was sent to Nova Scotia.

The town lingered for a while after the iron works shut down. A chemical company retained an interest in the sulfur deposits. The hotel persisted until 1913, when it suffered the fate of many historic hotels, burning to the ground. Rail operations continued until 1922, and the rails remained in place until 1933. Their removal effectively ended mail service to what was left of the village.

In the end, only the blast furnace and one kiln remained standing. Maine acquired the remnant parcel in 1965, stabilized the structures, and has operated the site as an historic preservation ever since. A few camps line one edge of Silver Lake. The regenerating forest has reclaimed dominion over the rest. Visitors today might get the feeling that the area has been forever wild and pristine. It wasn’t.

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

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THE VIEW FROM HERE

The SECRET to a

HAPPY MARRIAGE IS…

BY EMILY MORRISON

B

not perfect. And let me save you the suspense, this girl you met isn’t either. The question is, whether or not you’re perfect for each other.”

Now, I’m not saying I saw this movie and overnight I gave up the illusions of happily-ever-after, but it did open my eyes to the idea that people don’t have to be perfect for you to love them. All we need to do is be right for each other.

Two decades, three kids and several fur babies later, I’ve discovered the secret to a happy marriage comes down to forgiving all the ways we don’t stack up separately and loving all the ways we add up together.

When he forgets to do the dishes I do them, and when I forget, he grabs a sponge and goes to town. If I’m too tired to cook, he springs for takeout or takes on kitchen duty. And when he’s not around, I know how to open up a can, bag or box and pretend I’m cooking.

The key to our survival as a couple isn’t perfection — it’s acceptance.

This past July, we celebrated our 20th anniversary, and this year (like every other) we asked each other, “What do you want to do? Shouldn’t we do something? Go on a trip? Take a solo vacation? Hit Applebee’s?”

But, we did what we always end up doing. We spent the day laughing, eating and having fun with our kids. We cried over our oldest leaving for college soon, and we sat without words or reassurance that everything’s going to be okay when she goes.

When you love someone — really love someone — you know that things aren’t always going to be alright, but you’re going to be alright as long as you’re together. And that’s more than enough for me.

It’s perfect.

PHOTO: ©PROSTOOLEH/ADOBE STOCK

BEFORE I GOT MARRIED, I wanted to have the perfect wedding. I was young, foolish and broke, and despite my lack of funds or wisdom, I believed we should throw one heck of a bash.

Roll out the white carpet, open up the bar, pitch the tent, cater the cuisine, hire the film crew and make way on the dance floor.

Remarkably, all of these things happened.

My fiancé’s parents paid for a third, my parents forked out another and the trust fund picked up the difference, and voilà, a gorgeous wedding was had by all. We got married on a hot summer day in a picturesque Vermont chapel, and it was perfect.

But that’s not what I came here to hash out.

Honestly, if I’d spent half as much energy preparing for our marriage as I did for the day we said “I do,” I would have fared better as a young wife. Maybe I wouldn’t have expected so much out of my young husband or believed that every aspect of our new life had to resemble a fairytale.

In non-fairytale life, people have morning breath. People pass gas. People forget to take out the trash. People occasionally forget to call you when they’re running late. People may not like cleaning the cat litter, doing the dishes or picking up their dirty clothes once they’ve disrobed for the day.

And people definitely don’t like it when you tell them they’re being an insensitive jerk.

In short, people are imperfect.

As young marrieds, I remember the night we watched “Good Will Hunting.” Robin Williams, God rest his soul, absolutely hit it out of the park as Sean, the shrink who helps Matt Damon’s boygenius character, Will, deal with his traumatic past.

Will is afraid to let the girl he loves see his dark side, so Sean explains to him what it’s like to love someone, “People call these things imperfections, Will. It’s just who we are. And we get to choose who we’re going to let into our weird little worlds. You’re

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