Bangor Metro - December 2020

RINGING in the

NEW YEAR

SNOWY WALKS IN WINTER WONDERLANDS

M A I N E DOW N TOW N S T H R O U G H T H E Y E A R S S I M P L E H O L I DAY A P P E T I Z E R S

$5.95

&

M A I N E COC K TA I L S

December 2020

inside HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE & MAINE-MADE GIFTS

CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2020

FEATURES 32 WINTER IN MAINE’S DOWNTOWNS A collection of Maine holidays past

36

STEEPED IN TRADITION

How Mainers celebrate the holidays

42 CHEERS TO A HAPPY NEW YEAR How to ring in 2021 with flair — at home

46

THAT’S EPIC!

Time these classic movie moments for an extra special New Year

32

MAINE HOLIDAYS PAST

16

TASTY MAINE COCKTAILS

SPECIAL SECTION 49

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Discover something for everyone on your list

IN EVERY ISSUE 08

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Local events & Metro’s Pop Quiz

12

OBSESSIONS

64

THE VIEW FROM HERE

It’s no fun to get old

ON THE COVER Snowy walks, photos from the past, tasty treats — it’s all inside!

2 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

PHOTOS: (TOP) BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO; (BOTTOM) ©RICKA_KINAMOTO/ADOBE STOCK

What we can’t get enough of this month

ARTS & CULTURE 10

MAINE AFTER DARK

The Nite Show turns 10

FOOD & DRINK 14

IN SEASON NOW

16

MAINE-MADE IMBIBING

Quick and delicious crostinis will make the holidays tasty

Get in the spirit with these 6 cocktails

HEALTH & FITNESS 20

HIKE ME

Embrace the season with a winter walk

26

ROLL IT OUT

Tips to rejuvenate your muscles

HOME & FAMILY 28

LEARN TO KNIT

Simple-to-follow instructions and a pattern for a funky homemade blanket

30

LEARN TO SEW

A needle, thread and a little know-how

OUTSIDE 62

WOODS & WATERS

What to know about Christmas trees

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

COMFORT

&

Joy

AS I AM WRITING THIS, it’s early November. The election has passed, but ballots are still being counted around the United States. I wonder how much things will have changed by the time you read this?

Meanwhile, some of my neighbors already have holiday decorations and trees up — almost as if Halloween transformed into the December holidays. In any other year, this would feel too soon.

BUT IN THIS YEAR — A YEAR WHERE SO MANY THINGS WE COUNT ON HAPPENING HAVEN’T — IT’S SOMEHOW COMFORTING TO WELCOME THE SEASON OF PERPETUAL HOPE A LITTLE EARLY. Closer to home, we’re keeping our eye on silver linings. For instance, since our schedules have been effectively cleared until further notice, we’ll get to make a day of getting and decorating our Christmas tree this year. In the past, that’s been something we’ve had to squeeze in between events, practices, rehearsals and call times.

As we close out 2020, I want to thank you for being a Bangor Metro reader. Every month, we aim to put together a magazine that makes you smile, think, wonder and enjoy. I do hope you love it as much as we do.

HAVE A WONDERFUL, JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON!

SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

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

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

PUBLISHER

Richard J. Warren

EDITOR

Sarah Walker Caron scaron@bangordailynews.com

SALES MANAGER

Laurie Cates

lcates@bangordailynews.com

ART DIRECTOR

Amy Allen

aallen@bangordailynews.com

SUBSCRIPTION & PROMOTIONS MANAGER

Fred Stewart

fstewart@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Julia Bayly jbayly@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Rosemary Lausier rlausier@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Aislinn Sarnacki asarnacki@bangordailynews.com

STAFF WRITER

Sam Schipani sschipani@bangordailynews.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS Stephanie Bouchard, Bob Duchesne, Emily Morrison, Kaylie Reese, Crystal Sands, Richard Shaw, Katie Smith www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 5

6 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

WHAT’S ON YOUR

Bangor Metro Magazine. December 2020, Vol. 16, No. 10.

Copyright © Bangor Publishing Company.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COVER PHOTO: ©Halfpoint/Adobe Stock

WISH LIST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

“

I have my fingers crossed for a whoopie pie pan, watermelon seed butter (yes, it’s a thing, and I have to try it) and a COVID vaccine.”

— SAM SCHIPANI, STAFF WRITER

“My list ranges this year from a white noise machine to candles. But yoga gear is on my list this year and is something I would actively use. Since I’ve been mostly practicing yoga at home, I would love to have a yoga bolster since I could only access one in the studio pre-covid. A bolster is great to put under your knees for svasana (the quiet period at the end of class) or for stretching. A few new pieces to add to my wardrobe wouldn’t be so bad either.”

— ROSEMARY LAUSIER, STAFF WRITER

“This will certainly be a holiday season like no other. It’s difficult to know what to wish for, but I do know my wants and wishes have changed from early in the pandemic to now. Seven months ago I was lamenting the cancelation of a trip to Europe and another travel adventure to Manitoba, Canada. Now I realize it was not the trips so much as the fact they would be shared with my dearest and closest friends. Now all I really wish for the holidays and now is the chance to sit with them at a kitchen table to laugh, talk, cry and drink coffee for hours on end. That wish extends to everyone out there — that we are soon together again.”

— JULIA BAYLY, STAFF WRITER

“It’s going to be an unusual holiday season for my kids and I. I am wishing for a merry holiday, the most perfect tree ever and a lot of relaxation time.

Oh, and I am also wishing that my cat won’t scale the tree and knock it over.

On the presents front, I would love a new pair of black dress boots.”

— SARAH WALKER CARON, EDITOR

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7

WHAT’S HAPPENING

HO HO HO!

What’s that under the tree?

It’s our holiday movie Pop Quiz!

DECEMBER Head to the Boothbay Peninsula for the annual Gardens Aglow. This year, the showcase of lights is hitting the road.

A Driving Event of Magical Light is the Gardens Aglow theme for 2020. Arrival times are every 15 minutes between 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays through Sundays. It will also be open on Wednesdays, Nov. 25 and Dec. 23 and nightly from Christmas Day through Jan. 2.

To learn more or to purchase tickets ($40 nonmember/$30 member per vehicle), visit www.mainegardens.org/calendar-events/ gardens-aglow.

DECEMBER 1-31 NIGHT TREE STORY WALK FIELDS POND AUDUBON CENTER Fields Pond Audubon Center in Orrington is holding a special Night Tree Story Walk in December. A book walk will be installed along the trail behind the Nature Center highlighting the classic children’s book, “Night Tree” by Eve Bunting. Families are also invited to bring wildlife-friendly ornaments to hang on the Night Tree at Fields Pond. Bird-friendly ornaments include pine cone feeders covered with peanut butter and birdseed; small suet balls or suet cakes in holiday shapes, or small

mesh bags of suet; strings of fruits such as apple, pear, or orange chunks, raisins, or cranberries; or dried sunflower heads or stalks of dried millet or other grain.

DEC. 5 - JAN. 2 2020 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Bangor’s traditional Festival of Lights parade is hitting the road. The Rotary Club of Bangor, which plans the yearly event, will be holding a driving tour of participating homes, businesses and nonprofits beginning in December with light displays. Visit bangorrotary.org to find the map of locations and learn how to vote for the best displays.

DECEMBER 10-13 “EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THENSOME)” SOME THEATRE COMPANY Why see one Christmas show when you can see them all at once? Some Theatre Company will be performing “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Thensome)” in their space at the Bangor Mall at 7 p.m. on Dec. 10, 11 and 12 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 12 and 13. For more information, including how to buy tickets, visit: www.stcmaine.org.

Find answers below.

Answers to this month’s Pop Quiz: Question 1: A; Q2: B; Q3: A; Q4: A; Q5: C. 8 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

PHOTO: ©CRYSTAL MADSEN/ADOBE STOCK

NOVEMBER 21-JANUARY 2 GARDENS AGLOW

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 9

ARTS & CULTURE

MAINE After Dark THE NITE SHOW TURNS 10

BY SARAH WALKER CARON

ow Host of The Night Sh Dan Cashman with Comedian Ed Asner,

10 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

FOR A YEAR that’s been filled with so much challenge and difficulty, Dan Cashman isn’t missing the silver linings.

His television show turns 10 this year — and it produced the most episodes it’s ever had in a single year.

The Nite Show has the pandemic to thank for that.

Inspired by Johnny Carson, Cashman has worked to create a show that’s engaging and brings viewers back again. He tries to mix it up, pairing silly and serious, as Carson did. David Letterman, another influence on the show, did as well.

“Hopefully if someone sits and watches the whole show, they like something they saw. That’s what we hope will keep bringing them back,” Cashman said.

And for Cashman this is all a dream come true.

“To look around and see the work that’s being done, the talent that’s being showcased, the creativity that is being harnessed, the guests who appear on the

PHOTOS: (SHOW) WHITTLING FOG PHOTOGRAPHY; (BACKGROUND) ©ALIAKSEI/ADOBESTOCK

show and the music that is being performed is almost always emotional to me. I’m literally living my dream,” Cashman said.

Every show begins with a monologue, much like other nighttime shows.

“It’s an attempt to start the show with a few laughs,” Cashman said.

A team of writers get together over email, sharing jokes. The best make the cut.

Then it’s up to Cashman to deliver it with good timing.

“I characterize the delivery style of the monologue as real, I think. There are absolutely silly jokes in there that I would be embarrassed to tell my mother. There are also intelligent jokes in there that I am really proud that we developed,” Cashman said.

This is the third iteration of The Nite Show. It was initially launched in 1997 and ran for two years. It returned in 2001 for a year. And then in 2010, it came back for its third run.

“I thought it would never ever come back again,” Cashman said. “I think if you had asked me 10 years ago or 11 years ago when we first started having the conversations, I would have said, ‘Gosh, I hope so.’”

Local television isn’t something that’s generally able to sustain and support shows like Cashman’s. But Bangor, and Maine at large, has embraced the live audience show.

“We were at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer for the first four years, and it was great for what we were doing. But there were some limitations,” Cashman said.

Those limitations included having to stop the show to set up bands and then wait for them to break down before continuing to other segments.

“It created for some long nights,” Cashman said.

In 2014 though, a new opportunity arose. The Gracie Theatre at Husson University was able to host the show, opening up possibilities. The Nite Show partnered with the New England School of Communications (NESCOM) to do the audio and video production of it.

“For NESCOM, it’s a different experience for students that isn’t normal for a higher education experience even with large … communication schools,” Cashman said. “So, the students do a ton of work to make sure the show looks good and sounds good and is a well-oiled machine for the guests who arrive and for the audience as well.”

After 10 years, Cashman has many moments he considers memorable. Some involve fun with the people who make the show happen. Others involve special guests.

Mark Summers, host of the Nickelodeon show Double Dare, is a particularly special one for Cashman. He even invited the Maine host to Los Angeles to tour the new Double Dare set.

“To him, that’s everyday life. And to me, it’s this mecca of childhood memories that I walked into,” Cashman said.

Comedian Ed Asner, who tried to get a reaction out of everyone, is another special memory for Cashman.

“He had extremely kind words that he shared privately after with me. It was just an incredible night,” Cashman said.

The Nite Show is on track to have 50 episodes this year — the most it’s ever produced. When the show pivoted from live tapings to recording remotely, it opened up possibilities and the show ran with it. Cashman set up a place to record in his basement. The show took recordings from people and harnessed technology to remotely tape interviews.

“We decided to keep producing episodes as people were going home from home,” Cashman said. “We wanted to bring some sort of normalcy to people or maybe a reason to smile before they go to sleep.”

That continued into the summer months, and even came with a silver lining: when you don’t have to fly guests

in, it gets easier to book them. That included actress Andrea Barber, who played Kimmie Gibler on Full House and the Netflix sequel Fuller House.

“I have been a fan of Full House since I guess I was 9 when it came out,” Cashman said.

Now, Cashman is looking ahead. He’d like to hit the 25th year anniversary of the show. But most of all, he just wants the joy the show brings to continue.

“I just want to keep having fun with it.

As long as we all find different ways to keep having fun with it,” Cashman said.

And in a time when everything feels changed, the show has kept going — despite the challenges.

“We’re in a scary time and I keep hearing from people ‘thank you for continuing to do new episodes,’” Cashman said. “We still hear that. And I think if we are doing a little something to [give] people ... a little piece of mind before they go to bed in what is arguably the most challenging time of our generation, why not keep doing that?”

The Nite Show will air a 1-hour holiday special in December, featuring a compilation of past holiday skits and segments. That will appear on WABI in Bangor on Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. and on Christmas Eve at 12:35 a.m. It will also appear on WGME Portland on Christmas Eve at 12:35 a.m. An airing on Fox23/Portland is planned but the date and time have yet to be announced.

Brian Nadeau & The Nite Show Band.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 11

OBSESSIONS

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

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

“EVERYTHING INSIDE” BY EDWIDGE DANTICAT — This short story collection by Haitian-American writer Edwidge Danticat opens windows and doors to Haitian culture and the Haitian-American experience. I found that with every essay, I loved the collection more and more.

(ADULT SHORT STORIES)

“BREAK AN EGG: THE BROADWAY COOKBOOK” BY TARA THEOHARIS — When I flipped open the cookbook and set eyes on Señorita Lolita Banana Flambé, a recipe inspired by the Broadway musical Damn Yankees, I was smitten — and not just because that was one of my very favorite productions of my high school musical career. With fun names, ingredients lists that aren’t too long and totally user-friendly instructions, the recipes in this cookbook are inspired. But more than that, they will make the Broadway-lovers among you remember favorite productions and smile. This would make a stellar gift. ( COOKBOOK) — SARAH WALKER CARON

12 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

PHOTOS: ©SPLITOV27, ©RAWPIXEL.COM, ©SKLYAREEK, ©CLAREM/ADOBE STOCK

“FRIENDS AND STRANGERS” BY J. COURTNEY SULLIVAN — Elisabeth is a new mother and new to town. She hires Sam to babysit for her new son, giving her time to work on her next book — and find herself again. But what Elisabeth finds in the college student is an unexpected friendship. As the two navigate challenging points in their lives — Sam approaching college graduation and finding her way through a challenging long distance relationship, and Elisabeth figuring out what she really wants from her life — the differences between where they are and who they are become stark and apparent. This is a story of power dynamics, growing up, relationships and privilege. What I really loved about this book was the character development.

There was so much to love in so many of the characters. (FICTION)

LISTEN

WATCH

SASHA SLOAN’S DEBUT ALBUM “ONLY CHILD”

“THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR” ON NETFLIX

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Singer and songwriter Sasha Sloan caught my eye (ear, rather) a few years ago when she released singles like “Ready Yet” and “Runaway.” Her sweet, quiet voice and heartwrenching lyrics combined with dreamy soft rock beats immediately drew me in, and I was listening to her itty bitty discography on repeat. This year, she released her first fulllength LP with 10 songs that I’ll be listening to ad infinitum for the next few months. Think early Kacey Musgraves, but less country and more acoustic rock. Very much my jam.

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Spooky season may have come and gone, but if you missed Netflix’s original mini-series, you should absolutely watch it. Without spoiling too much, it’s about an American woman who moves to England to escape her past and winds up as an au pair for two precocious British children, whose last caretaker died under mysterious circumstances. It’s scary, but I’m a certified scaredy-cat and I was brave enough to make it through, so you can, too.

— SAM SCHIPANI

— SAM SCHIPANI

CHECK OUT THE HU WHY DO WE LOVE IT? Four words I never thought I’d use in the same sentence: Mongoilan folk metal band. But that was before being introduced to The Hu, a band out of Mongolia that blends heavy metal and traditional throat singing. Their music is raw, edgy and backed with electrified traditional Mongolian stringed instruments including the Morin Khuur, the Tumur khuur and the Tovshuur. Those traditional instruments combine with heavy bass and rock drums to produce a sound like nothing I have heard before. There is nothing unplugged about The Hu. The Hu’s music can be streamed or downloaded on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. You can also hear it on their website www.thehuofficial.com/music.

— JULIA BAYLY www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 13

in season now

FOOD & DRINK

CROSTINI

BY SARAH WALKER CARON

NEED SOMETHING QUICK for your holiday festivities? Crostini are perfect! You can make as many as you need — just a few for you or more for your whole household. And then can be topped in so many delicious ways.

Perfect! And flexible too.

But first, what is crostini?

The word sounds impressive but really it’s a fancy way of referring to something that’s just somewhere between toast and a crouton. If you like bread (and crackers), this is for you.

And ultimately, crostini is a vessel for delicious toppings.

The only question is how do you want to top yours?

HOW TO MAKE CROSTINI Serves: 8-12

INGREDIENTS 1 French baguette, sliced into ¼-inch slices Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet (or two, if necessary), and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until just beginning to brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before topping and serving.

14 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

EASY IDEAS FOR TOPPING CROSTINI QUICK BRUSCHETTA: Mix together diced fresh tomatoes with chopped fresh basil, salt and pepper. Spoon onto crostini and drizzle with a touch of balsamic vinegar glaze.

CAPRESE: Spread basil pesto on crostini. Top with a slice of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomato.

MEDITERRANEAN: Spread with ricotta cheese. Top with chopped kalamata olives, artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

RASPBERRY, WALNUT AND GORGONZOLA: Spread with raspberry preserves, sprinkle with chopped walnuts and crumbled gorgonzola cheese.

EGG AND ARUGULA: Top with sliced hard cooked eggs and mound with baby arugula that’s been mixed with a little fresh lemon juice, salt, pepper and olive oil.

BACON, EGG AND TOMATO: Mound with prepared egg salad. Top with a grape tomato. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

FIG AND PROSCIUTTO: Spread with fig preserves. Top with baby arugula and a little thinly sliced prosciutto.

MEATBALL MARINARA: Spoon a little marinara sauce on and top with sliced meatballs. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.

BARBECUE CHICKEN: Spread with shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with barbecue sauce. Top with a little coleslaw.

PHOTOS: ©GCAPTURE, ©FAHRWASSER, ©VAASEENAA/ ADOBE STOCK

Arrange your crostini on a platter, and you’re ready to serve.

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.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 15

Imbibing FOOD & DRINK

Maine-Made

THESE 6 COCKTAILS MADE WITH MAINE SPIRITS WILL DAZZLE YOUR TASTEBUDS

BY SAM SCHIPANI

THE PINE TREE STATE has many distilleries that have spirits carefully crafted and uniquely Maine, from rums flavored with coffee to gins distilled with the waters from Sebago Lake. Whether you are preparing a tipple for a Zoom party or looking to cap off a long winter night snuggled up on the couch, a cocktail made with Mainemade spirits is sure to bring a touch of warmth and merriness to your evening.

Here are 6 cocktail recipes from distillers throughout the state that will make your winter a little cozier.

DOWNEAST DAIQUIRI Yields 1 cocktail Recipe courtesy of Dan Davis, at Sebago Lake Distillery in Gardiner • 2 ounces Sebago Lake Distillery KOPI Coffee Flavored Rum • Fresh squeezed juice of 1 lime, about 1 ounce • ½ ounce Maine maple syrup

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRY Yields 1 cocktail Recipe courtesy of Kasey Lupo, co-owner of Mossy Ledge Spirits in Etna • 1 ½ ounce Mossy Ledge Spirits Cherry Cordial • 4 ½ ounce hot chocolate Prepare hot chocolate according to the manufacturer's instructions. Combine with cherry cordial in a cocktail shaker; if serving chilled, add ice.

Shake and strain into a mug or cocktail glass.

Combine ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Rim the glass with Maine maple sugar for an added treat.

PHOTOS: ©RICKA_KINAMOTO/ ADOBE STOCK

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17

FOOD & DRINK

SPICED BEE’S KNEES Yields 1 cocktail Recipe courtesy of Jordan Milne, founder and distiller, and Jaren Rivas, tasting room manager, at Hardshore Distilling Company in Portland • 1 ½ ounce Hardshore Original Gin • ¾ ounce cinnamon and clove-spiced honey syrup • ¾ ounce lemon juice First, prepare the cinnamon and clove-spiced honey syrup.

Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and ½ teaspoon ground clove to 1 quart of hot water. Add spiced water to 1 quart of honey. Stir until honey is completely dissolved. Let cool, then strain through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

Combine ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel and cinnamon stick.

FALL RETOX Yields 1 cocktail Recipe courtesy of Angela Miller-Gray, office manager at Cold River Vodka in Freeport • 2 ounces Cold River Vodka Distiller’s Reserve • 2 ounces apple cider • ½ ounce apple cider vinegar • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper • A few dashes angostura bitters • Orange twist Combine ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass.

Garnish with an orange twist.

BOURBON SLIDE Yields 1 cocktail Recipe courtesy of Colin Kolmar, brand ambassador for Wiggly Bridge Distillery in York Beach • 1 ½ ounce Wiggly Bridge Small Barrel Bourbon • ¾ ounce half and half • 1 ½ ounce cold brew coffee • ½ ounce agave syrup Add all ingredients to a cocktail tumbler.

Shake vigorously with ice for 20 seconds.

Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of fine-ground coffee.

18 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

EQUINOX PEAR PUNCH Yields 1 cocktail Recipe courtesy of Karen Heck, co-owner of Tree Spirits Winery and Distillery in Oakland • 3 ounces Tree Spirits Pear subLime • 3 ounces Maine Root Ginger Beer • 2 ounces dry gin

PHOTOS: ©RICKA_KINAMOTO/ ADOBE STOCK

Combine the ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Pour over ice and top with sparkling water and garnish with a fresh pear slice.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19

HIKE ME

WINTER

WALKS EMBRACE THE SEASON WITH THESE BEAUTIFUL TRAILS STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI

WATER GURGLES under the ice, which covers the brook and coats its frozen banks. Tall hemlocks stretch up to the cloudy heavens, their rich brown trunks as straight as telephone poles, their tops forming a patchy roof of emerald needles.

December is a quiet time in the woods of Maine, but there are still the cheerful calls of black-capped chickadees, the drumming of woodpeckers and the rustle of squirrels digging in the duff for acorns.

There’s still the bubbling and churning of woodland waterways. Such are the sounds of winter.

With snow and ice coming and going, early winter can be a tricky time to hike. Sometimes ice cleats are needed, while other times snowshoes are necessary. Dead leaves cover the trail, forming another slippery medium to be careful about. But like any other time of year, there is peace and beauty to be found in the wilderness.

Ice forms into intricate shapes. Fresh snow dusts the landscape. The air is crisp, cold and fresh. And with the leaves gone, the forest opens up, revealing wildlife and scenery far from the trail.

So bundle up. Be prepared for slippery surfaces and cold weather.

Pack all the necessities — including a freeze-proof snack — and explore some Maine’s many trails this winter. Here are just a few to start.

20 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

LAKE GEORGE REGIONAL PARK

IN CANNAN AND SKOWHEGAN

EASY TO CHALLENGING Covering 520 acres on the south end of Lake George, Lake George Regional Park is a great spot for winter hiking or snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing and snowmobiling.

The park features two extensive trail networks, 10,000 feet of shorefront, two sandy beaches and waterfront picnic areas.

The park is owned by the state of Maine and leased by the towns of Skowhegan and Canaan.

It’s split into two sections: east and west. Divided by a narrow strip of water at the south end of the lake, these two sections both feature trail networks and amenities such as picnic areas. The trails vary in difficulty and total about 10 miles, though most suggested loop hikes are less than 2 miles long.

Some highlights of the trail network include large boulders called glacial erratics, an overlook atop a hill called The Pinnacle, views along the shore of Lake George and mature woods that feature a stand of tall hemlocks.

The park is open during daylight hours. Pets are prohibited from May 15 to September 15, but are permitted in the colder half of the year. Park admission is $7 for visitors ages 12 and up; $3 for children ages 5 through 11; and free for children younger than 5, senior citizens (65 and older) and disabled veterans. Annual, family and group passes are also available. For more information, visit lakegeorgepark.org or call 207-474-1292.

DIRECTIONS: From the intersection of Route 2 and Route 23 in Canaan, drive west on Route 2 (Main Street) for 1.1 mile, and the two entrances to the park will be on your right. The east entrance is on a gravel road called Lake George Drive East and includes a winter parking area. The west entrance is on the paved West Lake George Park Road and does not include winter parking, but you can park just outside the gate.

During the off season, gates block off summer parking areas, however, the park is still open for visitors. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 21

HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

JORDAN HOMESTEAD PRESERVE

IN ELLSWORTH

EASY TO MODERATE This 31-acre property was owned by the Jordan family for more than 200 years before being acquired by the Frenchman Bay Conservancy in 2017. It features 3,000 feet of frontage on the Union River, mature forestland and a stretch of the scenic Whittaker Brook.

The preserve is home to a 1-mile hiking trail that splits to form a loop. At the beginning of the hike are some maple and aspen trees, but these are soon replaced by mostly evergreens, including cedar, pine, spruce and balsam fir. The trail features a scenic wooden footbridge, 22 / BANGOR METRO November 2020

a few small rock staircases, a rock wall, long stretches of wooden bog bridges and wooden steps.

The trail was constructed for foot traffic only.

Access is free. Dogs are permitted on leash or under voice command. Hunting is not permitted.

For more information, visit frenchmanbay.org or call 207-422-2328.

DIRECTIONS: The preserve parking lot is on Bayside Road (Route 230) in Ellsworth, between Lundin Way

and Pioneer Farm Way. To get there from Route 1 in downtown Ellsworth, turn onto Water Street, following it south along the Union River for 1.5 miles, then turn right into the parking area at the preserve sign. (Along the way, Water Street turns into Bayside Road.) This is just 0.3 mile north of the turn off for Pioneer Farm Way.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

HIKE ME

RICHARDSON TRACT

IN ORRINGTON

EASY TO MODERATE The Olin Richardson Tract Public Access Area is a 160acre preserve featuring just over 2 miles of trails, which travel through fields and forestland, across brooks and over small hills. More commonly known as the Richardson Tract, this town-owned property is maintained by the Orrington Conservation Commission for the benefit of wildlife and for public recreation.

Frontier Trail, which is the longest trail on the property, forms a 0.74-mile loop that connects with all other trails in the network. Along the trail are 12 numbered posts that were part of a tree identification Eagle Scout project.

Each post is by a different tree species. Other highlights of the property include scenic footbridges, old rock walls and a grove of apple trees.

The Richardson Tract is open for public use year round, from a half hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. Dogs are permitted if kept under control of their owners at all times. For more information, call the Town of Orrington at 207-825-3340.

DIRECTIONS: From Orrington center (the intersection of Center Drive and Dow Road, not far from Orrington Center Church) take Center Drive east 3.7 miles, then turn left onto Richardson Road.

Drive 0.3 mile and the parking area is a small gravel pull-off on your left. There you’ll find several signs for the property and two picnic tables.

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.

24 / BANGOR METRO November 2020

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HEALTH & FITNESS

ROLL I T OU T HOW BODY ROLLING CAN REJUVENATE YOUR MUSCLES

BY STEPHANIE BOUCHARD

26 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

ATHLETES AND FITNESS ENTHUSIASTS have long used body rolling techniques and tools to reduce sore muscles, gain flexibility and diminish pain, but body rolling isn’t just for gym rats. Everyone can enjoy the benefits of this physical fitness technique from home.

Body rolling is a physical therapy technique using foam rollers, balls of various sizes and densities and other tools on the muscles and tissues of your body.

The pressure and compression the rolling creates has effects similar to getting a deep tissue massage with a massage therapist.

It was once used primarily in physical therapy offices and athletic training centers, but more and more it is also being used in yoga studios and at home.

Marianna Moll, a yoga instructor since 1986 and owner of Belfast Yoga Studio in Belfast, came to the practice of body rolling because of back pain. In 2004, she began taking training classes from Yamuna Zake, the creator of a proprietary body rolling method.

“It changed my life (for) the better,” she said. It resolved her back pain and improved her overall health and wellbeing. She has seen its positive effects on her clients, too.

Today, at her yoga studio, more of her clients see her for body rolling than they do for yoga, she said.

“When you start doing it and you’re getting deeper and deeper, it’s like peeling layers of an onion,” she said.

“You rejuvenate.”

START BY ROLLING FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS OVER THE AREA YOU WANT TO TARGET AND, OVER TIME, WORKING YOUR WAY UP TO 40 TO 60 SECONDS.

PHOTOS: ©MICROGEN@GMAIL. COM & ©ALIAKSEI SMALENSKI/ ADOBE STOCK

TRY IT AT HOME

But for those doing it on their own at home, getting educated on proper technique is what makes body rolling safe and effective. “It’s very safe,” she said, “but a ball is only a ball without the education.”

Chad Howland, a physical therapist who teaches physical therapy and anatomy at Husson University in Bangor, seconds her advice. He has used another form of body rolling — with foam rollers — in the clinic and for himself.

For those new to body rolling, Howland suggests learning proper techniques, starting out gently and trying out various types of rollers available to see what works best.

He suggests rolling for about 10 seconds over the area you want to target and, over time, working your way up to 40 to 60 seconds of rolling the targeted area.

“Usually after doing the foam rolling, you should feel like you have improved flexibility and mobility,” he said.

“You should feel better after doing it. You should not feel like you’ve been so over-tenderized that you can’t move.”

Foam rollers are great for areas of the body like the iliotibial band down the side of the leg and the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh and the hamstrings at the back, he said. Smaller rollers, like Yamuna balls or lacrosse practice balls, are perfect for spots that foam rollers are too big for — such as the back of the neck and the feet.

Before you start body rolling, he said, check with your doctor or physical therapist, especially if you have bleeding risks or a history of clotting, or lower back issues.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 27

HOME & FAMILY

Learn to KNIT BASICS OF KNITTING FOR BEGINNERS

BY KATIE BINGHAM-SMITH

IT’S THE BEST time of year to tackle a new hobby like knitting or crochet. The days are getting shorter and colder and there’s nothing like snuggling up under a blanket and feeling the satisfaction that comes when you are able to create something with your own two hands.

If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at knitting, this is the time. All you need is some yarn of your choice (I say just pick something that looks beautiful and inspires you) and coordinating needles, which will be listed on the yarn label.

SUPPLIES: • YARN OF CHOICE • KNITTING NEEDLES • A DARNING NEEDLE (TO SEW YOUR PROJECT TOGETHER IF NEEDED) • SCISSORS

28 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

 HOW TO CAST ON AND START KNITTING The first thing you want to do is cast your stitches on. A pattern will tell you how many stitches you need to start with. This will read something like: CO 20 stitches.

• MAKE A SLIP KNOT WITH YOUR YARN AND PUT IT ON YOUR NEEDLE. • PULL THE YARN TO TIGHTEN. • WRAP THE YARN THAT’S CONNECTED TO YOUR BALL OR SKEIN OF YARN AROUND YOUR THUMB SO YOU HAVE A LOOP, THEN PUT THE NEEDLE THROUGH THE LOOP AND PULL UNTIL IT’S TIGHT. • REPEAT UNTIL YOU HAVE THE DESIRED NUMBER OF STITCHES.

 KNITTING Now you are ready to knit.

• HOLD THE NEEDLE WITH THE STITCHES IN YOUR LEFT HAND AND HOLD THE EMPTY NEEDLE IN YOUR RIGHT HAND. INSERT THE EMPTY NEEDLE (FRONT TO BACK) INTO THE FIRST STITCH OF YOUR CAST ON ROW. • NOW, WRAP THE YARN COUNTERCLOCKWISE AROUND THE FRONT OF THE EMPTY NEEDLE TO MAKE A LOOP. • PULL THE NEW LOOP THROUGH THE ORIGINAL STITCH AND SLIP IT OFF THE LEFT HANDED NEEDLE, ONTO THE RIGHT HANDED NEEDLE.

Continue until you’ve knit all your stitches, then repeat the process. Remember, it takes some getting used to so leave yourself lots of time to get used to how it feels.  PURLING Many patterns call for the stockinette stitch which involves knitting on one side and purling on the other. It’s the next thing you should try after you are comfortable with knitting.

• YOU ARE WORKING IN THE BACK OF THE YARN SO MAKE SURE YOUR WORKING YARN IS IN THE FRONT. • NEXT, INSERT YOUR RIGHT NEEDLE IN THE FRONT OF THE STITCH. • CARRY THE WORKING YARN COUNTERCLOCKWISE WRAPPING IT AROUND THE RIGHT NEEDLE.

PHOTOS: (INSTRUCTIONAL) KATIE BINGHAM-SMITH; (OTHERS) ©LITTLENY & ©VICTORIA/ADOBE STOCK

• HOLD THE YARD SO IT’S TAUT AND SLIDE YOUR RIGHT NEEDLE DOWN THROUGH THE LOOP AND OFF OF THE LEFT LEFT NEEDLE ONTO YOUR RIGHT. CONTINUE UNTIL YOU PURLED ALL STITCHES ON THE WRONG SIDE.

 HOW TO CAST OFF In order to finish a knitting pattern, you need to cast off the stitches so you can break the yarn and your project won’t unravel.

• KNIT THE FIRST TWO STITCHES IN YOUR LAST ROW. TAKE YOUR LEFT NEEDLE AND INSERT IT INTO THE FIRST STITCH ON YOUR RIGHT NEEDLE. • LIFT THE STITCH OVER THE SECOND STITCH AND DROP IT OFF THE NEEDLE LEAVING ONE STITCH IN YOUR RIGHT NEEDLE. • KNIT ANOTHER STITCH FROM YOUR LEFT NEEDLE AND REPEAT THE PROCESS UNTIL YOU HAVE ONE STITCH LEFT. • CUT YOUR YARN LEAVING A 6” TAIL AND PULL THE YARN THROUGH THE LAST LOOP AND PULL IT TIGHT. • WEAVE IN THE END OF THE YARN.

With these basic stitches and steps, you can now knit a scarf or cast on more stitches and make a blanket. There are thousands of knitting videos online as well if you need a visual.

HEXI BLANKET If you are up for more of a challenge after you get the hang of it, here’s a knitting pattern I wrote a few years ago that’s great for beginner to intermediate knitters.

I used worsted weight yarn and size 8 needles but this would also be great using chunky yarn.

• REPEAT ROW 2 AND 3 UNTIL YOU REACH 40 STITCHES • NEXT KNIT ROW DECREASE TWO STITCHES BY KNITTING THE FIRST TWO AND LAST TWO STITCHES TOGETHER

• CAST ON 20 STITCHES

• REPEAT PURLING ON BACK SIDE AND DECREASING TWO STITCHES ON THE KNIT SIDE UNTIL YOU HAVE 20 STITCHES AGAIN

• ROW 1: KNIT ALL STITCHES

• BIND OFF ON RIGHT (KNIT) SIDE

• ROW 2: PURL ALL STITCHES

• LEAVE A LONG PIECE OF YARN TO MAKE SEAMING EASIER.

• ROW 3: ADD TWO STITCHES TO THIS ROW

BY KNITTING IN THE FRONT AND BACK OF THE FIRST STITCH AND THE LAST STITCH-22 STITCHES

Seam all hexagons together however you’d like and you have a nice throw.

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HOME & FAMILY

Learn to SEW A NEEDLE, THREAD AND A LITTLE KNOW-HOW GO A LONG WAY

BY KAYLIE REESE

START SMALL Before you tackle a big project such as a shirt or jacket, start with a smaller project.

Consider making a bandanna for your furry friends, or pick up a hand-stitching kit at your local craft store to get your hands used to the mechanics of needle and thread.

Another simple project to start with is to make your own cloth face masks with fabrics that feature patterns and colors that suit your personal style.

INVEST IN THE ESSENTIAL TOOLS AND MATERIALS Sewing by hand is a great way to get started, but most projects require a sewing machine.

Purchasing a sewing machine is an investment, so consider borrowing a machine from a friend or family member first if you’re unsure whether you will be pursuing the craft long-term.

Most base model or beginner machines are suitable for different types of machine sewing, whether you are making a quilt or clothes.

30 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

BUILD YOUR SEWING KIT It’s easy to get overwhelmed at a craft store, but if you’re just starting out, you don’t need to invest in all of the fancy tools and supplies yet. Your biggest purchase will be a sewing machine, but the other basic tools you need to get started are relatively inexpensive.

• PINS • HEAVY-DUTY FABRIC SCISSORS • THREAD SNIPS • HAND-SEWING NEEDLES • SEAM RIPPER • IRON AND IRONING BOARD

Different projects may require new supplies, so be sure to read the instructions on the pattern and pick them up as needed.

BECOME AN EXPERT ABOUT PROJECT BEFORE MAKING THE FIRST CUT Perhaps you’ve heard the saying, “Measure twice, cut once.” It’s true.

When you’re sewing a new pattern, it is crucial that you read through the directions very carefully, even if it feels as though you’re reading the small print.

For example, the sizing on many sewing patterns doesn’t translate directly to traditional American clothing sizes, so be sure to read through the measurements.

One tip to navigate this is by checking sizing guides for a clothing company you know fits well, then map those measurements to the pattern you wish to work with.

Another thing that’s easy to overlook but is very important is finding out which types of fabrics are compatible with the selected pattern. Some patterns are designed for fabrics to stretch while others

do not, so be sure to purchase a fabric recommended by the pattern instructions.

It may seem boring to read pattern instructions from start to finish before diving into your project, but I promise it is worth your time.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES Whether you’re an amateur or a master seamstress, mistakes happen. The seam ripper is your best friend.

Don’t expect your first projects to turn out picture perfect. It will take some time to learn the basic skills, and even then a type of fabric or your trusty sewing machine may not be cooperative.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve torn apart a project and wanted to quit — believe me. But keep in mind that the sense of accomplishment when a project is finished is an excellent morale booster.

PHOTO: ©ITAKDALEE/ADOBE STOCK

WINTER IN MAINE can sometimes feel like it’s never going to end, especially after the holiday season is over. It’s cold outside, the days are shorter, and spring is a few long months away.

One way to break up the monotony is by learning a new skill, such as sewing.

Whether you want to learn more or are starting out for the first time, sewing is an excellent craft to learn and can mean the difference between keeping or retiring your favorite shirt if it loses a button.

FEATURE

Winter in

MAINE’S DOWNTOWNS A LOOK AT MAINE HOLIDAYS PAST COMPILED BY RICHARD SHAW

32 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

(Left) Congress Street in Portland, circa 1962.

COURTESY RICHARD SHAW (Top) A Millinocket theatre crowd, prior to the annual Christmas Party in 1945. COURTESY PAPER TALKS (Above) Assisted by her mother, Mrs. Terrence Fitzpatrick, Deborah Fitzpatrick, 4, deposits her letter to Santa at downtown Bangor’s North Pole Rocket Mail Box in December 1968.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO

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FEATURE

(Top) Bangor’s Main Street during the 1930’s Christmas season. COURTESY BANG0R HISTORICAL SOCIETY (This photo) Levant’s volunteer fire department sponsored a traveling Santa who visited every home in town in December 1980.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO (Right) Santa parachutes into Bangor’s Airport Mall in November 1980. BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO

34 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

(Top right) Main Street in Presque Isle, circa the winter of 1915.

COURTESY RICHARD SHAW (Middle) Students at St. Anne’s School on Indian Island present a Christmas skit, December 1974.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO (Left) Boy with a Christmas tree and presents, circa 1935, from the Blaisdell family photo album.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOGLER LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Far left) Santa Claus visits families in downtown Van Buren during the Christmas season of 1956.

COURTESY PAPER TALKS www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 35

FEATURE

Steeped in

TRADITION HOW MAINERS CELEBRATE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS

BY CRYSTAL SANDS

36 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

WINTERS IN MAINE can be long and cold, but the winter holidays in December give the people of Maine many ways to celebrate just as the long winter begins. From Christmas and Hanukkah to Solstice, Yule, Kwanzaa and others, there are many holidays celebrated by Mainers. In fact, some families celebrate more than one winter holiday, forging important traditions.

This year, as people across the world are working to find creative ways to celebrate during a pandemic, the traditions of our winter holidays provide an opportunity for nostalgia, comfort and togetherness. And, for Maine families, their winter holiday traditions may be more sacred than ever after a long, difficult year dealing with a pandemic.

WHAT HOLIDAYS ARE CELEBRATED IN DECEMBER? HANUKKAH — Also called the festival of lights, this Jewish holiday celebrates a victory in the second century BC when Jews rose up against their Greek oppressors. The holiday represents a time of rededication.

PHOTOS: ©ALEXMASTER, ©OREN, ©BERNARD BODO/ADOBE STOCK

KWANZAA — First celebrated in 1966, Kwanzaa is a celebration of African American culture that takes place each year from December 26 to January 1. The celebrations emphasize unity, creativity and faith.

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WINTER SOLSTICE — In the northern hemisphere, Winter Solstice is the darkest day of the year. Cultures around the world have long celebrated this day, with evidence of celebrations going back to prehistory.

YULE — This pagan holiday has origins related to the Norse god Odin and is celebrated with food and gift giving. For some, the holiday can last for 12 days, starting on the Winter Solstice.

CHRISTMAS — This Christian and cultural holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus. The holiday is celebrated on December 25 with gifts, meals and family gatherings.

BUILDING MEMORIES Sarah Moon is an artist and art teacher from Bangor. Her family traditions 38 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

include celebrating two winter holidays — Christmas and the Solstice. In her Christmas traditions, Moon and her husband focus on making important memories for their three daughters.

“Our family goes to a family-run tree farm every year to cut down our own Christmas tree. We always go all together, and my kids begrudgingly let me photograph it all, every year. We have so many memories over the years because of this tradition,” Moon said.

For the Moons, the Christmas traditions begin at Thanksgiving, when they focus on making homemade gifts and shopping.

CREATING TRADITION THROUGH HERITAGE When JJ Starwalker was raising her five daughters, her family also celebrated Christmas with a focus on homemade over

commercial. Starwalker, a farmer, artist and witch from the Bangor area, shifted her focus to Yule when she separated from her husband and her children were older.

That has become the gift-giving holiday she celebrates with her family during the winter months. Like Christmas, Yule comes with its own powerful traditions.

“The center of my ritual time is the night before Solstice, when I extinguish all of the electric lights,” Starwalker said. “We eat a supper that does not involve cooking, often cheese, smoked meats, seasonal fruit, by the light of a single candle, to immerse ourselves in the quiet and darkness of the idea of the longest night.”

The Moon family celebrates the Solstice through Yule as well. Yule is one of the oldest winter celebrations in the world and centers around the Winter Solstice, the shortest day

PHOTO: ©DROBOT DEAN/ADOBE STOCK

FEATURE

of the year, though celebrations can last for weeks and will vary from culture to culture.

In the Fall, the Moon family picks out a log to be the Yule log. Then on the Solstice, the family gathers “and we all write something onto a piece of paper, something we wish for, perhaps something we wish to let go of … We don’t share these, but we put them together on the Yule log and place them into the evening fire to be released into the universe.

Then, we have a great meal together.”

For Skywalker, the Solstice is an important time for reflection.

“We call this Mothers’ Night (Modranicht) and this is the time when I set aside my spinning for the duration of the Yuletide holiday (12 days) and contemplate our ancestral mothers, and other female spirits and Goddesses — in my case Frigga [the highest of the Norse goddesses],” Starwalker said. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 39

FEATURE

BLENDING TRADITIONS When partners come from different traditions, sometimes they blend them. Sara Yasner, for instance, celebrates Hanukkah, Christmas and Solstice with her husband and three children. This brings together both she and her husband’s traditions.

“I grew up in a traditional Jewish home in New Jersey. My family celebrated all of the Jewish holidays, including Hanukkah,” Yasner of Clifton said. “Although my personal spiritual beliefs have expanded since then, and I married a man who grew up celebrating Christian holidays, celebrating Hanukkah is part of our family’s winter 40 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

holiday tradition. We see the holidays as a time to celebrate our family’s annual traditions, which bring up fond memories of our past, as well as fun experiences today.”

When Hanukkah arrives each year — the date changes because the Jewish calendar follows the moon — Yasner’s family decorates including getting out the traditional Menorah. “We also bring out our Hanukkah board and card games, dreidels (traditional Hanukkah spinning tip game) and books,” Yasner said.

As they celebrate each night of Hanukkah, Yasner’s family lights candles on the Menorah and sings traditional prayer songs. Yasner said her family exchanges small gifts and plays family games on some of the nights.

For the Winter Solstice, they usually hold a big bonfire party outdoors with friends — and that’s a tradition possible even during a socially-distanced holiday.

When Christmas arrives, the family has a meal together on Christmas Eve and

then the older boys head upstairs with their younger sister for the night.

“They play games, read books, and put her to bed, while my husband and I wrap presents and finish decorating the house downstairs,” Yasner said. “We celebrate Christmas morning opening stockings around the kitchen table and eating breakfast, followed by opening presents under the tree. Later we head to my mother-in-law’s house in Brewer, for a lovely visit, some gift exchange, and an always-delicious noontime celebratory meal.”

TRADITIONS BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER In Maine, the focus on traditions and finding joy can be so important after a difficult year dealing with a pandemic and, for many, economic uncertainty. It is the traditions that bring families comfort and a feeling of togetherness during the long winter, which seems more important now than ever before — even if celebrating can’t be done exactly as it has been in the past.

PHOTO: ©RAWPIXEL LTD./ADOBE STOCK

Starwalker said she and her partner celebrate Solstice day with a breakfast featuring an orange or a grapefruit, which are symbolic of the sun. After the Solstice, the darkest day of the year, the Sun returns, and the hours of daylight increase, so foods are eaten that honor and give thanks for the return of the light.

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FEATURE

CHEERS to a Happy NEW YEAR HOW TO RING IN 2021 WITH FLAIR AT HOME

PHOTOS: ©FOTOMAXIMUM, ©KIKO TORIJA GONZALEZ, ©SELTY/ADOBE STOCK

BY ROSEMARY LAUSIER

42 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

IT’S SAFE to say that 2020 has not been kind to us. And while it’s tempting to not celebrate with the ongoing effects of coronavirus, it’s also a fine time to kick 2020 to the curb.

It’s hard to know what towns and cities are going to do for New Year’s Eve — at least at the time of writing this. New York City may not do the countdown in Times Square. Thousands won’t be gathering in Eastport to see the salmon drop. Sushi the drag queen won’t be gracing our screens from Key West, and the giant Bangor beach ball might stay deflated.

With larger events being canceled or drastically changed due to the coronavirus, it’s a good time to do things outside of the norm with your celebrations this

year. Whether by yourself or those in your “covid bubble” here are some ideas to ring in 2021 with some socially distanced flair.

HAVE AN ONLINE PARTY What this year has shown us is that you can have a party anywhere with anyone. If you still want to celebrate with your friends and family, get dressed up and do it over video. There are plenty of online games you can play (check out Jackbox Games), or you can just reminisce about the wonderful year you’ve all had. Then, when it hits midnight, you can all do a champagne toast together.

You may be alone physically, but can still ring in the new year with those you care about.

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FEATURE

MAKE YOUR OWN BALLOON DROP Since you can’t go to a beach ball or salmon drop this year, time to bring it to your home.

The downtown Bangor beach ball drop is iconic. If you want to bring a taste of it to your home, get an inflatable beach ball, wrap it in twinkle lights, and toss it off a high spot in your home.

When I was five years old in 1999, my sisters and I weren’t allowed to stay up until midnight to greet the new millennium.

So my sister — who was 12 at the time — made a balloon drop in our sunroom.

You can buy some sort of netting, use a tablecloth or sheet or buy a balloon drop bag at Walmart or Party City. Just fill it with balloons and let them come down at the stroke of midnight.

DANCE PARTY TO 2020’S MUSICAL HITS A downside to 2020 is that no one was able to go out to the bars and clubs and dance. And there are so many great songs that we will have to wait for. Make an epic playlist to your favorite 2020 songs and have a solo dance party or over video with friends. At the beginning of the pandemic — back when we thought we were only quarantining for two weeks — I would make a daily dance video and send it to my family group text. You can do the same thing and have a virtual “dance off.”

Vote on which person has the best moves and crown the winner.

PLAN A BONFIRE PARTY Although it’s cold in December, a bonfire with blankets and hot cocoa will keep you 44 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

PHOTOS: ©MARYVIOLET, ©JACKFROG, ©FESENKO MAKSYM/ADOBE STOCK

PAJAMA PARTY We’ve been working from home in our pajamas since March, why not end the year that way? You can have a pajama party with whoever you live with or gather your friends online. Plus when midnight hits and you’re partied out, you’ll be all ready for bed. Make your pajama party more fun by wearing matching pajamas with your family and friends or making an old-school pillow fort out of your couch cushions.

You can even have breakfast for dinner, make mimosas and turn it into a New Year’s Eve brunch. Save some of that champagne or prosecco and you’ll be all set for your New Year’s toast.

warm as you ring in the new year. This is also a good option if you want to spend New Year’s Eve with those outside of your “covid bubble.” You’ll be outdoors, can stay 6 feet apart and wear masks to adhere to Maine Center for Disease Control guidelines. Bring your own meals and drinks so you won’t have to share food — or germs — and ring in the new year under the stars.

If you want to bring some dramatics into the mix, write one thing you’d like to forget about 2020 on a piece of paper and throw it in the flame.

MAKE A NICE DINNER Although CDC guidelines have allowed restaurants and bars to expand their indoor dining service in a safe way, you still may not feel comfortable going out.

And in December in Maine, outdoor dining may not be an option. If your New Year’s Eve tradition is to go out for a fancy dinner, get food from your favorite restaurant and take it home. Or pick out a recipe you’ve never made before and do it yourself. Cooking with a partner (who is part of your covid bubble) or by yourself can be a fun way to try something new but in the comfort of your own home. Follow that with dessert and a kiss at midnight (with your partner or cat, it’s okay) and it’s the perfect romantic night in.

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SPA NIGHT This has been the year where “treat yourself” has become a daily motto. So why would the last day of 2020 be any different? If you have to — or want to — spend New Year’s Eve alone, make the night truly about yourself. Draw a warm bath, put on a face mask, light a Scentsy candle and pour a glass of wine. The least you can do for yourself is spend the final day of this year unwinding and entering the new year relaxed and refreshed.

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NOTHING Remember, it’s okay if you don’t feel like celebrating at all. 2020 was a tough year for many people and you may not want to look back on the past year or look forward to the year ahead. You can treat this night like any other night. Read a book, watch Netflix, drink wine or just go to bed at 10:30. Let go of the expectations that you need to do something to ring in the new year and just do what feels right to you.

No planning required. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 45

FEATURE

THAT’S

EPIC! TIME THESE MOVIE MOMENTS TO MAKE YOUR NEW YEAR'S EVE EXTRA SPECIAL

BY SARAH SMILEY

46 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

MAKE STAYING HOME this New Year’s Eve exciting by timing a classic movie moment for the stroke of midnight. You’ll get to see a great movie and you’ll impress your family when the movie’s climax and the clock simultaneously send you into 2021.

TipS:

• To get the best effect, you need to know the exact time, down to the second. Go to Time.gov to set your clock to the national atomic clock.

• Different formats (DVD, streaming, etc.) have slightly different timing depending on the material that appears before the movie. Scroll through the movie in advance to find the exact time stamp on your format. Use the times below, which are from streaming media, as a general guide.

(Warning: Spoilers ahead!)

STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE This is the classic. Darth Vader hunts Luke Skywalker. Obi Wan’s ghost speaks to Luke. And if you have pressed play at 10:02:42 p.m., the Death Star will explode at exactly midnight. As you and your friends share a toast, you’ll hear the Rebels celebrate their victory.

DIRTY DANCING Excitement builds as Baby and Johnny dance to “The Time of My Life” and the camera moves between Baby’s angry dad and the duo locking eyes (and legs) on stage. Time it right (press play at 10:26:15 p.m.), and after Johnny nods, Baby will be in the famous “lift” at midnight.

PHOTOS: ©MONKEY BUSINESS, ©PROXIMA STUDIO, ©GORODENKOFF PRODUCTIONS OU, ©FOTO4ALL.COM.UA/ADOBE STOCK

THE TRUMAN SHOW It doesn’t get more 2020 than this. Truman has overcome his fear of the ocean and steeled himself to escape Seahaven. The storm calms, the water is still, and Truman stares peacefully at the sky … until his sailboat rams into the wall of his enclosure. Time the “thud” for midnight by pressing play at 10:30:31 p.m.

JAWS The shark has killed people, and Chief Brody is ready for revenge. Tension builds as Brody steadies his rifle and takes a few wayward shots. With good timing, however, Jaws will explode over the ocean at midnight.

Press play at 9:59:38 p.m.

BACK TO THE FUTURE Marty is stuck in the ‘50s as you say goodbye to the last hours of 2020. In order to — ahem — get back to the future, he first needs power. Press play at 10:19:15 p.m., and lightning will strike the clock tower at midnight, sending Marty back where he belongs.

KARATE KID Daniel surprises his bully, Johnny, by returning to the mat with an injured leg during the All-Valley Karate Championship. Press play at 9:57:33 p.m., and after a tense back and forth between the opponents, you’ll see Daniel do the classic Crane Kick at midnight to defeat his foe.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 47

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the local economy

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EMPOWERING LOCAL BUSINESSES A Program of Bangor Savings Bank

EMPOWERING LOCAL BUSINESSES A Program of BangorEMPOWERING Savings LOCAL BankBUSINESSES

EMPOWERING LOCAL BUSINESSES A Program of Bangor Savings Bank

E-sign consent *Messaging is required. and dataDecember rates apply.

48 / BANGOR METRO 2020E-sign consent is required.

A Program of Bangor Savings Bank

Member FDIC

for the foodie

Find something

for everyone on your list

& to Give (and Get)

Our Favorite Maine-made Gifts

for book lovers

for the home improvement enthusiast www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 49

Our

Favorite

MAINE GIFTS

SO MANY AMAZING THINGS ARE MADE RIGHT HERE IN MAINE...

We asked our staff to share their favorite Maine-made gifts to give (and get).

From A SHLI ELL C AMPB

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Alaina Marie Signature Clutch.

WHY IT’S SPECIAL: These clutches are handmade with lobstering materials that local fisherman use — you can’t get much more authentic than that! They make perfect gifts because they’re so versatile. You can take them out to dinner, use them as organizers or pack them for travel. I usually fill them with a few treats or trinkets to complete the presentation.

WHO IT’S PERFECT FOR: Fashionistas, travel lovers and Maine enthusiasts.

COST: $65 WHERE TO GET IT: www.alaina-marie.com.

50 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

PHOTO: (CLUTCH) COURTESY ALAINA MARIE

UTOR CONTRIB

From COREY RMAN Z IM M E UTOR CONTRIB

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Scone Goddess Scone Mixes.

WHY IT’S SPECIAL: Scone Goddess Scone Mixes are available in regular and gluten-free recipes, and their ingredients are top notch. There are 20 varieties with fruit, nut and even chocolate options. A delicious breakfast for a special holiday morning — it’s my go-to gift.

WHO IT’S PERFECT FOR: Everyone! Even kids can make them.

COST: $8 for regular mixes, $10 for gluten-free.

WHERE TO GET IT: Online at www.thesconegoddess.com or at their home store at 21 Verona St. in Northport. Or call (207) 3230249 for more information.

Renys has always had Layaway* No Extra fees, no service charges

PHOTOS: ©AANBETTA, ©FAHRWASSER/ADOBE STOCK

and no restocking fees.

…

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 51

m Fro NELLE JUNDT JA NNE OR DI A BUT

From SA R A H R WALKE N C ARO

T CON

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ATURES BDN FE EDITOR SENIOR

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Tavolo Specialty Oils & Balsamic Vinegars.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: I love a good consumable gift that can last awhile. And these flavorful oils and delightful vinegars are exactly that. Plus, I love that they come from a locally owned company, sold at a locally owned store, which makes them extra special to my locally-driven self.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Your sibling who loves great food. Your hard-to-buy-for friend who is a total Insta-cook star. Really, anyone who is into local, good, flavorful food.

COST: Starting at $8.

WHERE TO GET IT: Bangor Wine & Cheese at 86 Hammond St. in Bangor or online at www. bangorwineandcheese.com.

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Pickle’s Potions and Lotions Winter Warrior Gift Set.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: This pack is perfect for fellow Mainers or anyone else who lives in a place with harsh winters (in fact, you may want to snag one for yourself). Give it to a loved one before cold and flu season. Skiers and outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate this set, too!

COST: $27 WHERE TO GET IT: Buy Pickle’s Potions online at picklespotions.net or at the new storefront at 130 Main St. in Winthrop. Kristin also makes regular appearances at the Maker’s Market at Thompson’s Point and craft shows around the state (that is, if they’re open this year).

Check out the Pickle’s Potions Facebook page to see where she’ll be setting up shop this season.

52 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

Fr om K ARENN TIETJE

IBUTOR CONTR

PHOTOS: (LEFT) COURTESY PICKLE’S POTIONS AND LOTIONS; (TOP) ©MIZINA & ©BOULE1301/ADOBE STOCK

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: Winthrop-based maker Kristin handcrafts the best body, skincare and wellness products.

Not only will you be supporting a small business, her prices are super affordable… you’d spend three times as much getting “all natural” products in a store.

The Winter Warrior Gift Set is a must-have to have on hand as the weather gets colder. It comes with the Winter Is Coming vapor rub, Immune Booster essential oil rollerball and the Winter Is Coming balm for chapped lips, cheeks, hands and everywhere else.

WHAT MAINE MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE: There are so many special people in our lives that we want to give to during the holiday season. One fun and unique way to check many of these loved ones off at once is to take a wine class and make your own wine at the Central Street Farmhouse.

WHY IT’S SPECIAL: You will be giving your friends and family a one-of-a-kind gift that was made by you. Make it even more personal by creating your own wine labels.

The wine classes are fun and you can do it with friends. You can choose from so many different options and select the perfect wine you know everyone will enjoy.

WHO IT’S PERFECT FOR: Anyone who loves to unwind at the end of the day with a lovely glass of wine.

COST: The classes are free but you pay for the wine kits which range from $80-$170.

There is a $25 bottling fee and it is $17.50 for a case of bottles. When you think about how much you would spend to buy individual bottles of unique delicious wine you really can’t beat it.

WHERE TO GET IT: You can find the Central Street Farmhouse in downtown Bangor at 30 Central St. You can find more details online at centralstreetfarmhouse.com.

From N AMY ALLE

SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Restaurant gift certificates.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: I like to cook, but I love going out to eat. And as our dine-in options have been rocked by the pandemic, going out to a restaurant has become even more special. This year it is particularly important to support the local businesses and restaurants in our communities to make sure they’re here for years to come. A gift card to someone’s favorite local spot is a great way to spend money locally and give a gift that is sure to be used and appreciated.

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Anyone!

COST: Any amount works, but enough to cover dinner for two (or the whole family) is a nice touch.

WHERE TO GET IT: In-store or online. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 53

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From ANNE NELLI G A BBI A UTOR CONTRIB

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Box of Maine.

WHY IT’S SPECIAL: You can share a taste of Maine in a box packed with Maine-made goodies.

WHO IT’S PERFECT FOR: Anybody who loves Maine and its iconic treats like whoopie pies and Moxie. It’s a great gift especially for friends and relatives who miss our beautiful state and its many products. It’s also perfect for the shopper, as you can place your order online so there is no need to visit stores seeking the perfect, special gift for your family or friends who are “from away.”

COST: Pricing depends on the box you create. Starting at $19.99, you can select from a variety of Mainemade products and custom build your box from choices like maple syrup, blueberry items, Moxie, whoopie pies, clam chowder, potato chips, B & M baked beans, WA Bean’s red hot dogs, Carrabassett Coffee, salt water taffy, Raye’s Mustard and even an Uncle Henry’s. When placing your order, ask about the Giving Back program — Box of Maine will donate $1 of the proceeds to a Maine nonprofit charity, program or foundation.

WHERE TO GET IT: www.boxofmaine.com

54 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

PHOTO: ©BRENT HOFACKER/ ADOBE STOCK

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 55

From IN A C AROL R AVE WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Maine Man Flavahs Wild Blueberry Habanero Hot Sauce.

GR APHIC R E DESIGN

WHY IT’S SPECIAL: I like giving Maine-made gifts every time I have the opportunity. This hot sauce combines the heat of habanero peppers with the sweetness of Maine blueberries for a unique flavor. It is a great addition to anybody’s condiment collection.

WHO IT’S PERFECT FOR: The foodies on your list!

COST: $7.95

PHOTOS: (BOTTLE) COURTESY MAINE MAN FLAVAHS; (BACKGROUND) ©FAHRWASSER/ADOBE STOCK

WHERE TO GET IT: Online at 84w.c2e.mwp.accessdomain.com and in Brewer at Tiller & Rye and Mason’s Brewing Company.

Also available in Bangor at the Natural Living Center, Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant and Pepino’s Mexican Restaurant.

56 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

From K ATIE SMITH

CONTRIBUTOR

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Honey Tribe Jewelry.

WHY IS IT SPECIAL? It’s special because owner Pamela Desantas hand makes every piece and will even help you design something unique based on where you are in your life. She helps you understand the different stones and metals and how they can benefit you.

WHO’S IT PERFECT FOR? All the women in your life.

COST: Prices range depending on what type of stones and metal you choose.

WHERE CAN YOU GET IT? Visit the website at www.honeytribejewelry.com.

Honey Tribe Jewelry can also be found in Zen & Company in Kennebunk, Handworks Gallery in Blue Hill, HappyNest by Maili in Kennebunkport and In The Clover in Wiscasset.

From MARCIE COOMBS

PHOTOS: (TOP) COURTESY HONEY TRIBE JEWELRY; (THIS PHOTO) ©OKSANA/ADOBE STOCK

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

WHAT MAINE-MADE GIFT DO YOU LOVE TO GIVE? Sisters Soap.

WHY IT'S SPECIAL: Goat’s milk soap is very moisturizing, and this brand is particularly amazing! I personally love the rainbow sherbet scent!

WHO IT'S PERFECT FOR: Anyone on your list that is crazy about handmade soap or bath products.

COST: Around $6 .

WHERE TO GET IT: I get mine at The Dry Dock in Stonington. It’s also available online at mainesisterssoap.com.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 57

HOLIDAY GIFTS TO SPARK

Home Improvement Ideas People

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

have spent more time at home in 2020 than they likely have in years past. This has provided homeowners with plenty of time to ponder potential upgrades to their homes.

After taking inventory of their lifestyles, surroundings and furnishings, people have embarked on construction projects or home interior design renovations in record numbers. Holiday gifts that cater to projects around the house are likely to be highly valued this holiday season.

Here are some ideas for home improvement-related gifts.

• HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILER GIFT CARD: Home improvement centers are one-stop shopping for do-ityourselfers. To help offset the cost of supplies, gift-givers can give a gift card to a neighborhood hardware store.

• MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION: There are plenty of ideas on the internet, but a subscription to a home remodeling or interior design magazine puts inspiration right in homeowners’ hands. Pages can be marked or cut out and used on idea boards.

• TOOLS AND SUPPLIES: Homeowners just starting out may benefit from the basics. Stores often sell starter tool kits that can be used in home improvement-themed baskets. Experienced DIYers may have a special tool in mind that is outside their budget right now, like a chop saw or cordless power drill. Purchasing one of these items can help projects move along more smoothly.

• BIG-TICKET ITEM: Some friends and family members may want to pool their resources and offer loved ones an over-the-top gift. This can include a backyard playset for children, a storage shed, a pool installation, or even a new appliance.

• ROOM RE-DO: All it may take is some new linens or accents to transform a room. From throw pillows to curtains to wall art, give the gift of an easy room makeover.

Riding the momentum of increased home improvement projects from the past several months, holiday shoppers can choose home-related gift ideas to keep the projects and ideas flowing.

58 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

PHOTOS: ©WAVEBREAKMEDIAMICRO, ©KERKEZZ, ©SHUTTER B, ©KITTIPHAN/ADOBE STOCK

• EXPERT CONSULTATION: Who can’t use a little help with their home remodeling efforts? Give the gift of a consultation from an interior designer or professional contractor to help complete plans that may be a little out of reach for the average DIYer.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 59

Great gifts for

BOOK LOVERS

Books

• AUDIO BOOK SUBSCRIPTION: Audio book subscription services have grown in popularity in recent years. These services make it possible for busy readers to devour their favorite books while commuting to and from work or running errands.

Amazon’s Audible membership provides readers with a host of benefits, including discounts on audiobook purchases, monthly credits toward anything available through the service and even complimentary digital newspaper subscriptions.

Even local retailers like The Briar Patch in downtown Bangor are getting in the digital audio book and e-book game — visit the website of your favorite bookstore to see what’s available and support a local business.

• BOOKENDS: Book lovers tend to put a lot of effort into designing their reading areas. Decorative bookends, which can have a humorous angle or tie into a theme that correlates to readers’ favorite literary genre (i.e., boat bookends for lovers of maritime histories), can make for great, unique gifts.

• EMBOSSER: Embossers allow readers to put their personal stamps on every book in their collections. That not only adds a unique touch to readers’ personal libraries, but also may increase the chances that the books they loan out to friends and family members are ultimately returned to their original owner.

PHOTO: ©MAGDAL3NA/ADOBE STOCK

are very popular gifts come the holiday season. Genres that run the gamut from fantasy to nonfiction ensure there’s a book out there for everyone. But finding the right gift for a book-loving loved one may not be as easy as it seems.

Avid readers may have personal book collections that rival local libraries, so it can be difficult to find something they haven’t already read. In addition, asking them what’s on their wish list of books can remove the element of surprise from holiday gift-giving. Fortunately, shoppers can still light up their favorite book lovers’ eyes this holiday season, even if they’re not giving them a recent bestseller.

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

60 / BANGOR METRO December 2020

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 61

WOODS & WATERS

Have yourself a merry little

CHRISTMAS

HISTORY DOES NOT record the first Christmas tree. Like many traditions, the custom evolved over time. It’s still evolving.

Since the Christmas holiday falls around the winter solstice — the darkest time of year — early Christians were known to bring a little greenery indoors in anticipation of

BY BOB DUCHESNE the longer days to come. But there is scant greenery in northern climates in late December.

Choices were limited to plants like holly, ivy and conifers.

The Christmas tree custom seems to have started in Germany, and the first known market appears in print in the early 1600s. The tradition slowly spread across Europe, and from there to the colonies. Commercial sales of trees in the United States began in the 1850s, which is also when the first tree was erected in the White House. For 50 years, trees were merely hauled out of the forest. In 1901, the first tree farm broke ground in New Jersey. New York’s Rockefeller Center got its first tree in 1931.

TRADITION IS MAKING A Arguably, nothing beats the scent of a balsam fir, and firs have ascended in today’s market. However, Scotch pine was the preference COMEBACK THIS YEAR... not long ago, and still predominates in many parts of the country. It is a hardy species that can be grown nearly anywhere. Indeed, tree THE TREND MAY ENCOURAGE farms are found throughout North America. One of the largest is MORE PEOPLE TO RESUME THE just outside Mexico City. There are over 15,000 tree farms in the United States.

FAMILY CUSTOM OF VISITING Balsams grow best in cold regions with acidic soil, like most Maine tree farms. Trees are pruned and shaped every year, A TREE FARM AND CUTTING beginning when they are waist-high. It can take up to 15 years to grow a typical Christmas tree, though seven years is average for THEIR OWN TREES. most household trees. Given that Christmas trees are a crop that

PHOTO: ©HALFPOINT/ADOBE STOCK

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHRISTMAS TREES

takes years to mature, tree farmers are sensitive to evolving consumer trends.

Wider trees used to be more popular.

Narrower trees are now in vogue, as customers select trees that fit better in tight corners. Slender trees can also be trucked to market in bigger numbers.

Tree stands have evolved, thank goodness. Modern stands hold much more water — the key to keeping a tree healthy. Hand-me-down tree stands should be discarded immediately. Trees are harvested in cold weather, when they are dormant. Most of their moisture has gone underground. A tree cut in cold weather can stay fresh for a long time. When a tree is brought indoors, it thinks spring has arrived and it gets thirsty. Keeping the stand full of water prevents needles from falling prematurely, and virtually eliminates fire danger.

For a tree that has been on the lot or in the garage for a while, it’s best to cut a half-inch disk off the base before erecting.

The old cut may have sealed somewhat, impeding water absorption. For a cut-

your-own tree just off the farm, it’s OK to skip this step. Avoid trimming the outer edges of the trunk in order to fit the stand.

The outer layers absorb more water.

Tradition is making a comeback this year. Mainers are coping with the health crisis by getting outdoors more, returning to the woods and waters in ever-increasing numbers. The trend may encourage more people to resume the family custom of visiting a tree farm and cutting their own trees. The Maine Christmas Tree Association lists 53 tree farms among its members, spread throughout the state.

The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree exists. Talk to a tree grower, and you may chuckle over the revelation that there are no ugly trees. Sometimes, an imperfect shape is the perfect shape to fit into a quirky living room. Families delight in finding just the right tree to fit

their unique circumstances. To help the process along, measure the space in your home, and then bring the tape measure to the farm.

Fake Christmas trees have been around for a century, but they started taking significant market share away from real trees about 50 years ago. Time Magazine noted the change in 1964.

That trend may reverse itself this year.

About 80 percent of fake trees are made in China. Most artificial trees last only about seven years on average, anyway.

Sometimes they wear out. Mostly, they fall out of favor and are replaced.

The evolution of Christmas trees continues. One reason consumers opt for artificial trees is that they don’t like needles in the carpet. Researchers are working to develop trees that keep their needles longer.

In the meantime, keep the tree cold until setup, then water, water, water.

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

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 63

Z

THE VIEW FROM HERE

j

It’s No Fun TO GETzOLD

BY EMILY MORRISON

B

the long hallway, the lighthouse picture, the plastic seats. I’d been here with Mom years ago for her back pain.

After the trigger shot injections in my traps, I came home and took a look at my kitchen calendar.

“Monday — neck, Tuesday — nose, Thursday — mamo, Friday — pap.” This is the moment I realized, “It’s a bitch to get old.”

I told Mom about my cruel discovery on the phone that night and she, in turn, told me about her stone.

“It’s so beautiful. It’s got praying hands on it with a rosary draped across them, and of course, your father’s and my names etched in white. It’s all black and quite bold really. Do you want me to send a pic?”

I suppose there are benefits to being close with your parents, but this is not one of them. Of course I didn’t want to see her stone. Why would I enjoy seeing the physical representation of my parents death?

When I said as much she told me, “Well, I took Aunt Zeda to see it, and she loved it.”

God love Aunt Zeda, Mom’s dearest friend. Apparently, they had donuts, coffee, and a tour of the cemetery while they were at it.

The point is, if someone had told me five, hell, even one year ago, that I would wake up every morning with pain in my neck and a calendar full of appointments for different body parts, I would’ve told them, “You’re crazy.”

But here I am, living proof that crazy is real.

It sucks to treat your body like a car that requires regular maintenance. It sucks to have to let people peek under the hood and in the crevices no one should be peeking into to ascertain whether you are in good working order. And it sucks to rack up these road weary miles without really knowing how many more you’ve got in the tank.

But the one thing the incredible mothers in my family have taught me is, “You might just as well laugh as cry.”

So I’m going to keep laughing all the way to my bold stone, praying hands and all.

PHOTO: ©PIMAN KHRUTMUANG/ ADOBE STOCK

WHEN I WAS in my early 20s, I used to marvel at my grandmother’s kitchen calendar. Directly above her telephone table hung a wall calendar she’d picked up as a freebie from her church, bank or doctor’s office.

Underneath serene nature scenes of birds in flight, cozy cottages, and cascading waterfalls lay Meme’s hectic, scrawled reminders.

“Tuesday — feet, Wednesday — teeth, Friday — blood.”

Back then, I felt pretty sure my grandmother was the only person in the world to use this kind of shorthand. Most people, I assumed, had kitchen calendars that read, “Tuesday — podiatrist, Wednesday — dentist, Friday — lab.”

Two decades later, while visiting my mother, I glanced at her lighthouse calendar above her telephone counter and saw the same notes to self.

“Monday — heart, Thursday — moles, Friday — kidney.”

I asked her when she realized she’d turned into her mother.

“It’s a bitch to get old,” she chuckled, “but this way I can keep track of what needs work.”

So we laughed about my grandmother and we laughed about my mother and we laughed about all the ways we wanted to be like Meme — a strong Ronco woman.

Recently, I found myself in a waiting room filled with septuagenarians.

One woman scooted around with her walker, another with a rounded back sat across from me, and beside her sat a lady in a wig. A gentleman with a limp asked the secretary for copies of the x-rays he came in with and the man in line behind him said, “Now those look like comfortable shoes.”

I looked around to pass the time and saw a poster of two 70-somethings biking through a field, one hand on the handlebar, the other in their partner’s outstretched grasp (as if 70-year-olds normally cycled with one hand).

The poster read, “Delay surgery with minimally invasive regenerative medicine for arthritis, tendon/ligament damage, joint pain, or sports injuries!”

The place started looking familiar, and I began to remember

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.