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Where Mainers Go For F UN!
Have you visited the hottest spot in the state? With over 850 state-of-the-art slot machines and 26 heart-pounding table games, 26 Lewiston/ Auburn the action at Oxford Casino is 11 95 unbeatable! Day or night, don’t 26 196 miss out on the excitement. It’s EXIT Gray 63 closer than you think, come on 295 95 and join the fun!
OxfordCasino.com
Portland
Persons under 21 years of age may not enter the restaurant or casino unless licensed as employees. Gambling Problem? Call 2-1-1 for help.
Cover photos: Snowmobiling Paul Cyr; Beer glass Mike Leonard; XC Skiing Courtesy of Maine Huts and Trails, Toboggan Activity Maine Photo
Photo: Joyce Love
Welcome to the Guide!
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20 Activities Guide of Maine 9 Susan’s Way • Windham, ME 04062 www.activitymaine.com stan@activitymaine.com • (207) 671-7230
MAINE
Publisher Stanley J. Rintz III Founding Publishers Stanley & Barbara Rintz
Design Elizabeth Berry MacKenney Photography Mike Leonard Carol Savage Kevin Couture Amanda Gagnon
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Senior Editor Jim Harnedy
Advertising Sales Betsy Brown Jim Harnedy Stanley J. Rintz Sr. Ellie Stengel Sherri Skinner Contributing Writers Leigh Macmillen Hayes Benjamin Moore Robert Martin Operations Assistant Marissa Gianino Members of: Maine Tourism Association Convention & Visitors Bureau Maine Merchant’s Association Chambers of Commerce
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Photo courtesy of Wells Chamber of Commerce
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f e at u r e s
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VISIT maine’s adventure towns Moosehead p.38 Jackman p.40
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Bethel p.19 Farmington/Wilton p.30 Lakes Region p.4
Maine lakes region A Maine 4 season hot spot
The County p.33
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maine brew guide Welcome to FERMENTATION LAND!
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HIgh Peaks p.28 Rangeley & Oquossoc p.24
Winter Races and Running tips Get your winter race on this year and stay comfortable
go backcountry
How one man skied himself into oblivian
maine slopes: Adaptive ski friendly programs provide courage and passions at Sunday River
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snowmobile rental adventures:
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gift guide
Down East p.46
Explore Maine’s unique hand-crafted heritage
Bangor p.45
46 Augusta/Gardiner p.42
Rentals provide easy access into Maine and New Hampshires trails and recreational areas
A winter downeast Fall in love with one of Maine’s most enchanting places
Coming Soon . . .
ACTIVITY MAINE
Your passport to deals and ideas for adventures all over Maine! Go to activitymaine.com and click on passport deals for more information, we’ll see you out there! Why you shou ld hire a main e guid e
Lear n How To Surf This Summ er
The Quod dy Loop : A 3-Nation Vacation
act ivit yma ine. com
summer | fall 2014
Display thru Oct. 2014
To advertise in Activity Maine’s Summer/Fall 2015 edition please contact: Stan Rintz Greater Portland & Western Maine 207-671-7230 • stan@activitymaine.com
Ellie Stengel Rt 302 & Southern Coastal Maine 207-756-3453 •cdg1@fairpoint.net
Sherry Skinner Northern Maine harttphoto@gmail.com
Stanley J. Rintz Sr. Midcoast Maine 207-542-4445 • stan57r@tidewater.net
Jim Harnedy Machias, Downeast & The Highlands 207-255-0170 • jharnedy@maineline.net
*If you see an area of Maine that we have not represented in the magazine and would like to share your ideas or join our team, please give us call, we would love to talk with you!
South Coastal
Southern Maine during the holidays
Winter Running Tips Layer up Winter weather is always changing. Make sure you wear a good base layer such as a wicking shirt, mid layer and jacket or vest so you can control how warm you are on the run. Hats, headbands and gloves or mitts can also keep your extremities safe in very low temperatures. If you get too hot, you can always remove a layer. Warm up Your muscles need to be ready to run once you venture into the cold. Warm them up with a dynamic routine and consider trying a stick roller such as Addaday to get blood flowing to your legs before you sprint out the door.
Photo courtesy of Wells Chamber of Commerce
Maine Diner and Remember the Maine Gift Shop
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Stay hydrated Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you need to drink less during outdoor efforts. Try an insulated, handheld bottle to keep your water or sports drink from freezing and remember to take in 12-22 ounces of water per hour.
ith six million customers and counting – appearances on “The Today Show” and raves from the Phantom Gourmet – it takes quite a bit to get the Maine Diner all abuzz. However, in the summer of 2010, The Maine Diner hit another milestone as they were featured on the Food Network program “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Stay visible Winter means more running in the darkness. Stay safe with reflective gear. Add a vest and blinking safety lights if you run on roads-–and always run facing traffic for maximum visibility. Prefer the trails or uneven paths? Make sure you have a good headlamp that will help guide you and prevent falls.
The Maine Diner has been serving delicious food for over 30 years. In addition to menu selections there are daily specials also made fresh to order, from Monday’s Meatloaf Madness to Friday’s Lobster Stew. Weekends bring on Maine Diner favorites like Red Flannel Hash and our Roast Pork Dinner. Be sure to visit the Remember the Maine Gift Shop located next to the Maine Diner. f
Get some traction Ice, snow, slush-–it’s a recipe for slips and falls on the road or trail. Whether you want something to slip over your shoe, or a spike to put into the sole, having a little extra underfoot will help keep you upright.
2 winter | spring 2014-2015
South Coastal
MID WINTER CLASSIC
Photos courtesy of Maine Running Photos
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he Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic in Cape Elizabeth will be run on February 1, 2015. Usually held on the first Sunday in February, and coinciding with the Superbowl, the race is organized by the Maine Track Club, and presented by Fleet Feet Maine Running. Donations from the race are made to the Road Runners Club of America youth running program - Kids Run the Nation, which helps establish kids running programs at schools across the country, including Maine.
want to try a snowshoe race? Bradbury Squall, 3.5 miles – Sunday, January 25, 2015 Bradbury White Out, 4.5 miles – Sunday, February 15, 2015 Bradbury Blizzard, 5 miles – Sunday, March 1, 2015 All races start at 11:00am. Race website: trailmonsterrunning.com/bradburysnow
One of six races organized annually by the Maine Track Club, the Mid Winter 10 Mile Classic has 1000 slots, and has sold out for the past several years. The 2014 race sold out in just 6 hours - the fastest of any MTC event. Registration begins (and usually ends!) on the Monday before Thanksgiving - Monday, November 24, 2014. Race directors Chandra Leister, Blaine Moore, Don Penta and Four Hewes will once again be at the helm of this popular tune up run for those running spring Marathons, or looking for a goal race to keep them running through the cold winter months. The USATF certified race course, which starts and finishes at the Cape Elizabeth High School is a loop, and follows Rt 77, Spurwink, Scott Dyer and Sawyer roads. Long sleeve technical shirts are available to runners from Atayne, and post race massages are given by HealthSouth Chiropractic. f activitymaine.com 3
W. LAKES & MTNS.
Photo courtesy of Five Field Farms
Maine Lakes Region
F R O M W I N D H A M T O T H E G R E AT E R B R I D G T O N A R E A A N D A L L P O I N T S IN BETWEEN - A MAINE FOUR SEASON HOT SPOT! Extreme Fun for the Whole Family! Summit Adventures offers a wide variety of extreme sports simulators that keep each visitor engaged & active! BIG BALLER • WRECKING BALL • BOOT CAMP • THE SWEEPER • LASER TAG • SPOOKY GOLF • Bumper Cars • Hamster Balls • Rock Climbing Wall archery Shoot • Foam Ball Cannons • AND MORE!
EXTREME ADVENTURE CENTER South Portland • Windham summitadventurecenter.com • 888.938.6496
JUMP
RUN
4 winter | spring 2014-2015
CLIMB
PLAY
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ummit Adventures offers a wide variety of extreme sports simulators that keep each visitor engaged and active! With equipment and features such as human hamster balls, boot camp, laser tag, big baller, the sweeper and spooky golf there is something for everyone in the family! For the littlest guests we offer a special toddler play zone designed just for kids 5 and under. If parents are looking for the perfect place for a family outing, where kids can be active and let their energy out in a safe environment, Summit Adventures is it! Summit Adventures is THE place for birthday parties and other celebrations! Our affordable party packages remove the stress from party planning and let the kids have a blast! Visit our website and facebook page for more information! We hope to see you soon at Summit!
AREA EVENTS February 14 and 15, 2015 Sebago Lake Region/Cumberland County Ice Fishing Derby coincides with the FREE Fishing Weekend (Feb. 14 & 15) – No Fishing License Required. Northwoods Law will be on site filming all weekend! Kids Derby March 7th At Range Pond in Poland.
South Coastal Mushers’ Bowl on January 24-25, 2015, you’ll hear the dogs yip--ready to go. They’ve trained for this moment throughout the year. Dogs, sled and driver dash off onto trails that wind through the orchards and woods at Five Fields Farm in South Bridgton. The Mushers’ Bowl, an International Sled Dog Racing Association sanctioned event with competitors from throughout the USA, includes sled dog races and skijoring. The Maine Lakes Winter Carnival, a mid-winter bash, will be held on February February 13, 14 & 15th. The annual event Kids Derby at Range Pond includes a myriad of activities that embrace our Maine heritage Photo courtesy of Cyndy Bell, Auburn, Maine and celebrate winter. Some people find the Maine Lakes Winter Carnival to be especially cool--that’s because they jump through a hole in the ice on Highland Lake. Freezin’ For A Reason, an annual polar bear plunge that raises money for Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg.
Cross-country skiing has been part of Five Fields Farm for a decade. An elevation of 850 feet helps put them on the right side of the “snow line.” Prepare for your outing or warm up in the new winterized retail stand. Rental equipment is available in all sizes including snowshoes. The 27 km trail system starts on their back lawn. Guidance and terrain is available to start the inexperienced, and the trail system is designed so that new skiers will rapidly be able to access all portions of the trails.
X-C Skiing Looking for the best bolt? The perfect paint color? The most knowledgeable grilling advice? Since 1965, Hayes True Value Hardware and Just Ask Rental has provided expert advice, goods and services to the Lakes Region. Whatever project you are working on, our staff is here to help. And with brands like Benjamin Moore, Husqvarna and Weber, you can trust you will be getting the best products at great prices. Open MondaySaturday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Like us on Facebook. Behind every project is a True Value.
Dog Friendly 27 Km of trails X-C Gear Rentals Snowshoe Rentals
FIVE FIELDS FARM
www.fivefieldsski.com • 207.647.2425 720 So. Bridgton Rd (Rte. 107) • Bridgton
Lakes Region Properties offers the services of a committed group of professional real estate agents. Waterfront and residential properties and land are included in listings for the greater Naples area, Long Lake, Sebago Lake, Thompson Lake and Brandy Pond. Inquiries for immediate and future interests are welcomed. The LRP office is located on Route 302 near the Naples Causeway.
THE VALUE OF FINDING THE PERFECT COLOR
HAYES
Bridgton, Maine 207.647.3342 activitymaine.com 5
MAINE BREW GUIDE
MAINE
FERMENTATION LAND That’s what our road signs and license plates should say for the State of Maine. Craft breweries across the state create destinations for locals and visitors who are here for the beer...
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The Maine Brew Guide’s mission is to bring together brewers and consumers. Our job is to educate readers on Maine brews, from the classics to the newbies, where to sample them and how to find them before the taps run dry. We owe a big thank you to all the supporters who partnered with us to make this first issue a reality. Stay tuned for the next Maine Brew Guide, where you’ll find more local brew knowledge and a list of restaurants that serve high quantities of fresh beer. In addition, we’ll include a home brewing and local hops segments. Drink well!
6 winter | spring 2014-2015
Get Beer Here S
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ocal breweries do a wonderful job with brewing delicious and unique beer. They mash in their creativity, boil in love, pitch their innovations, and ferment the hard work. The end product is something they are proud of and want everyone to enjoy. How does the brewery get the liquid goodness to the consumer? How does the brewer & owner get their story out to the masses?
A website & a good social media campaign can do the job pretty well. Even an email campaign can let loyal imbibers know what’s going on with a brewery. At the end of the day those aren’t the only solutions for showing your product to the public. There are so many traditional and unique ways to introduce beer to consumers. A growing culture in the Maine beer industry is a warm & inviting tasting room. A tasting room is a way for a brewery to create an environment they envision you to fully enjoy their beer in. In Maine, we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the tasting room craze that started on the west coast 5 years ago. These past few years have brought a wonderful improvement to already existing tasting rooms as well as new ones. One of the last breweries to open a tasting room is Maine’s oldest brewery, Geary’s Brewing Company. A tasting room is just what Geary’s needs. It’s located in the Riverside area of Portland near Industrial Parkway where Allagash, Bissell, Foundation, and Austin Street breweries are all located. Now long time fans of Geary’s English style ales can see where they are produced and the unique equipment involved. Adorning the tasting room are news paper clippings, awards, and other things that act as a timeline of events for the brewery to showcase to curious imbibers. A tasting room is a perfect way to gather people into your web of tasty beers at the place of its creation. What else is there to marrying brewery and consumer? A tasting in a store front is a great, and often free, way to spread the word about your beer. Choosing a craft beer store is the way to go because the customers are presumably knowledgeable beer drinkers and would be open to trying new beers and hearing your company’s story. A tasting allows the owner and brewer face time with consumers. The brewer can tell the story about the beer and describe it as the consumer drinks it. The opportunity to buy the beer in bottle at the store is another bonus for the customer. A store like the Craft Beer Cellar has regularly scheduled beer tasting events every couple weeks. A simple beer tasting isn’t the only way to bring the beer to the consumer. Sometimes you have to pair other things with it too.
ince 1988, Gritty McDuff’s has been creating fine, handcrafted ales and traditional pub fare. From our humble beginnings as a small brew pub in Portland’s Old Port we’ve grown to become the brew pub of choice for Mainers and folks “from away”. From the start, Gritty’s was at the forefront of the brewing renaissance in the Maine. Founders Ed Stebbins and Richard Pfeffer had two simple goals in mind: to create a true, English-style pub serving fresh ales and great food, and to have fun doing it. Ever since we opened our doors, the accolades for Gritty McDuff’s have been piling up. Gritty’s has frequently been awarded the titles of “Maine’s Best Brew Pub”, “Best Maine Microbrew” and “Best Bar” in statewide polls. Gritty’s ales have been repeat winners at the annual Real Ale Festival in Chicago and have also appeared as Featured International Selections at the Great British Beer Festival. Stop in to our Portland, Freeport and Lewiston/Auburn Brew Pubs and treat yourself to the very best in real ale, real food and real Maine hospitality.
Gritty McDuff ’s brew pub & restaurant Maine’s Original. Maine’s Best. Handcrafted Ales Traditional Pub Fare Fresh Seafood Pizza, Pasta and More! Casual & Affordable! Outdoor Seating
Stop by our Brewtique for the best in Grittywear, Grittygear and fresh ales to-go!
PORTLAND 396 Fore Street 207-772-BREW
FREEPORT
Lower Main Street 207-865-4321
AUBURN
68 Main Street 207-376-BREW
www.grittys.com
Another great way to get your craft beer to the people is a simple tap takeover. This is a win-win scenario to both the bar/restaurant and the brewery. This could be in the form of a beer & cheese see ‘beer’ on page 11
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MAINE BREW GUIDE
Photos: Michael Leonard
Maine Brew 101 O
ur first annual Freshmen Orientation event was a huge success. Over a hundred people showed up to meet and spend some quality time with brewers and owners from our state’s newest breweries - and the format worked perfectly to make this happen. With 120 minutes parsed out into 10-minute ‘classes’ with each brewer - every single attendee got to try every beer, meet every brewer, and do it all without waiting in lines. Our goal was to take the best parts of major brewfests, eliminate the worst parts, and we feel we’ve created a format that does just that. Based on the feedback from our attendees, we will DEFINITELY be doing this event again. In fact, we might even end up doing this freshmen orientation event twice next year - once in southern Maine, and once further north. At the rate brewers are opening in Maine, it can be hard for even the most diehard of beer fans to try beers from every brewery in the state, and we aim to solve that. It’s clear the Freshmen Orientation format offers a fun way to ‘study up’ on all that’s happened in the past year, and also gives our brewers a great opportunity to spread the word about the beers they’re creating. It’s a win-win and we can’t wait to do it again. Cheers, Sean Sullivan -Executive Director of The Maine Brewer’s Guild
8 winter | spring 2014-2015
MAINE BREW GUIDE Shipyard Brewing Company is a family owned brewery -- rooted in tradition and brimming with innovation. Our award-winning beer is carefully handcrafted by our talented team of brewers who learned the fine art of brewing from world-renowned master brewer, Alan Pugsley. Cultivating and showcasing the creativity and passion of our brewers is what excellence in brewing is all about. Located on the waterfront in Portland, we offer video tours and tastings every day. Seasonally, we also offer full, in-depth, brewery tours on Tuesday evenings led by our trade brewer. This in-depth tour, along with our daily video tours, is free. Ever wonder what it would be like to brew on a larger scale? We also offer the unique opportunity of brewing vacations. From January through May, book a Maine Brewing Vacation with Shipyard and learn with some of the country’s best brewers. For more information, visit www.shipyard.com or contact us at 1-800-BREW-ALE. Shipyard Brewing Company is located at 86 Newbury Street in Portland. Our brewery store is loaded with Shipyard gear, beer, and unique Maine-made gifts. #SipaShipyard @shipyardbrewing
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MAINE BREW GUIDE Maine Beer Tours offers an ALL INCLUSIVE brewery tour experience. While on the big white bus, we will give you some of the rich beer history here in Maine and share with you our knowledge of the inner workings of the local beverage scene. At Maine Beer
Photo: Michael Leonard
Tours, we have an appreciation for Maine craft beverages, and love how it can bring strangers together. The Maine scene is extremely collaborative, and we are excited to include all of you as well! Maine Beer Tours has been connecting beer enthusiasts to the source since August of 2012. We offer several different tour options, two on Friday and two on Saturday, where we will pay a visit to some of the many great breweries, wineries and distilleries in Portland and beyond. So, what are you waiting for? Hop on board Maine’s most entertaining bus, and let us do the driving for you!
Maine’s Tasty
FOR TICKETS CALL 207.553.0898 OR GO TO WWW.MAINEBEERTOURS.COM
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Umbrella Factory Outlet (U.F.O.) in Naples Be sure to visit the The Umbrella Factory Outlet (U.F.O.) on Route 302 in Naples in the Naples Shopping Center. The store boasts more than 450 kinds of craft beer along with more than 1,750 wine selections including champagne, sake, boxed wine, organic wine and 75 made-in-Maine wine brands. Open daily. 639 Roosevelt Trail, Naples
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here has been a new precedent for new breweries: you need to have a tasting room. This wasn’t always the case but I’m happy that it is today. An example is Geary’s Brewing Company who recently opened a tasting room after decades of being in production. Now, all of Geary’s vast amount of fans can enjoy the environment of the brewery. This all means you can enjoy local craft beers in a welcoming environment with other like minded people. Tasting rooms make or break a brewery. If there wasn’t a tasting room than you’ll only be able to enjoy what the brewery had to offer at bars. You wouldn’t get the culture and environment that a tasting room can offer. The tasting room employees can always go on and on about the beers pour. If the brewer is on premise you can talk to him about the beer and the company. There is so much learning in a tasting room. Below I’ve selected my 3 favorite tasting rooms from North of Portland, Portland, and South of Portland.
Northern Maine
I define anything “north” as being past Portland on I-95 and I-295 on a map. If you’re heading north I would pay a visit to Maine Beer Company, Lively Brewing Company (Ebenezer’s Brewpub), and Baxter Brewing Company. 10 winter | spring 2014-2015
MAINE BREW GUIDE While in the greater Portland area and Sebago Lake Region, be sure to visit Patman’s in North Windham for an impressively large collection of craft beers - 500 choices including the newest and seasonal beers! Plus beer tastings are scheduled twice a month. Follow them on their facebook page for details.Patman’s also features a liquor store and wine selections.
Sebago Lakes Region Largest Selection of Craft Beers! 500 Craft Beers 33 Doors of Choices!
Latest Craft Beers - Craft Beer Kegs Seasonal and Limited Release Beers Two Beer Tastings Monthly Agency Liquor Store - Over 500 Wine Selections Windham: Route 115 (95 Tandberg Trail) - Open Daily
‘beer’ from page 7
pairing, beer & food pairing, or any other unique pairings that utilizes the restaurants culinary abilities to use the beer and food to accentuate one another. Sometimes you need a unique and new way to bring people to the beer, or in this case, the brewery itself. The Maine Beer Tours is a company that popped up in 2012 that drives you to different alcoholic beverage creators for you to experience. Basically, they drive you from brewery to brewery so you can be fully immersed where the beer is being brewed. You also get to hang out with the creators of the product as they tell their unique story. The Maine Beer Company is located in Freeport, just south of exit 20 bonus is the bus is licensed so you can try beers from long drives off of 295 and the outlet shops on Route 1. They have a sizeable, from location to location. clean, and classic-looking tasting room with white walls - a minimalist design similar to their beer labels. Their beers, which Photo: Benjamin Moore vary but often hoppy, are a nice way to break up a day of shopping.
Tasting Rooms
Lively Brewing Company is located inside Ebenezer’s Brewpub(formerly Lions Pride) and is located on Main Street, Brunswick. They serve hefty portions of family-style food as well as brew their own beers on premise. Veterans in the craft beer business, Chris Lively and Michael LaCharite are working together to produce some amazing beers at the pub like Magin Mike Saison and Space Taxi Belgian Quad. The custom blown glass tap handles are beautiful to look at as well. Baxter Brewing Company is located in the center of Lewiston in the Bates Mill building. They brew delicious seasonal and yearround beers. The tasting room is homey and industrious and always includes friendly faces behind the bar. There are picnic tables and cornhole games in the brewery itself. Baxter tends to keep on a few small batch beers that you can’t get outside of the tasting room. If you’re in Lewiston for the day, this is a staple for a visit. activitymaine.com 11
MAINE BREW GUIDE
Portland
Portland has so many breweries and tasting rooms it has it’s own place as the middle. There are many breweries and brewpubs in Portland that provide a wide variety of environments and craft beers, and a visit to any one supports the local community. The tasting rooms I want to highlight this time are Allagash Brewing Company, Rising Tide Brewing Company, and the NEW Oxbow Brewing Company Portland tasting room. Allagash Brewing Company is Maine’s 2nd largest brewing company and the 47th largest craft brewery in the country according to data from the Brewer’s Association. The past two years was spent expanding the brewery and tasting room to what it is today: a fantastic craft beer experience. Just by walking into the tasting room you can have a free flight of 4 of their beers on tap. However, I suggest visiting their website and scheduling a tour of their vast and breathtaking brewery - THEN doing a flight of beers. The tasting room is also a wonderful opportunity to buy some rare Allagash beers that aren’t distributed outside of Maine, as well as their merchandise. Rising Tide Brewing Company has a tasting room with a custom concrete bar with wood accents underneath, and a polished floor containing smooth bits of recycled glass. The room is large and can house lots of thirsty people, also spilling out (weather permitting) to an outside seating area. You can find Rising Tide’s year-round beers pouring, as well as all of their seasonals. On the weekends they have a food truck parked outside of the brewery so you can enjoy local grub while drinking their beers. The tasting room staff always has a smile on their face and are full of energy. This is a great place to take a few friends to and try a bunch of Rising Tide beers, especially in the summer time. Oxbow Brewing Company has - until recently - been exclusively located in the rural town of Newcastle, Maine. In November, they opened a second tasting room on the East End in Portland. Their new tasting room has barrels forblending and aging the saisons and sours they brew. Their tasting room includes some on-tap selections and bottle pours of some of the harder to get Oxbow beers. The huge space is inside of a warehouse, and includes picnic tables with wood accents all over the place. The Oxbow crew will have no problem explaining their brewing and blending process they do for their craft beers with a space like this.
Southern Maine
Like Northern Maine, I will over-generalize and call my “Southern” selections those in York County - Maine’s southernmost county. There has been a recent boom of new breweries and beer spots popping up in York County as well as some awesome ones that have been there already. The first brewery I want to mention is Barreled Souls Brewing Company, which opened this summer. They are located off of Route 1 in Saco. They are located in the basement of an office building, and is furnished with chairs, benches and other 12 winter | spring 2014-2015
furniture made from reclaimed wood and staves of barrels. They use a special Burton Union System to barrel ferment all of their beers. With a large TV to watch the game on Sunday, this place is fun to have a flight of craft brew. Tributary Brewing Company is located in Kittery, Maine and was started by brewing legend Tod Mott (creator of worldrenowned Kate the Great at the Portsmouth Brewery). This is an easy place to hit up if you’re visiting the beautiful city of Kittery. The tasting room is painted blue and has picnic tables and a sizeable bar area. The beers are tasty, and many are not available anywhere but in the tasting room. The next southern tasting room that I love hanging out in is not a tasting room, it’s a bar & café called Elements : Books, Coffee, Beer. It’s a combination of a relaxing café environment where you can read a book and a comfortable bar where you can enjoy a pint or bottle of local beer. The sign from the street as well as all the signs inside are designed to look like the periodic table. The bar/ café also serves coffee if beer isn’t your first beverage of choice. Benjamin Moore is photographer and martial artist. He has been blogging about craft beer for 4 years for Southern Maine. The Run of the Mill and The Liberal Cup bring the comfortable, inviting atmosphere of English style pubs to Maine. Housed by a sprawling mill building in Saco, ‘The Mill’ offers ample indoor and (seasonal) outdoor seating with views overlooking the Saco River and up-and-coming mill district. Smaller and more intimate than its southern counterpart, ‘The Cup’ is located in the heart of Hallowell- a vibrant, historic town. Both feature hand crafted beer and home-style food surrounded by distinctive architecture and old world charm in rustic brick & mortar structures. Our pub style menus feature an array of lighter fare, hearty entrees and creative specials made from fresh, local ingredients. To wash it all down, we use the finest malts and hops to create 25 varieties of craft beer which flow directly from our in-house breweries. Eat, Drink, Relax & Enjoy!
Photo: Michael Leonard
LiveME® is a Maine lifestyle brand based in Scarborough. It began in 2009 when the founder Chris Avantaggio designed a t-shirt that he and his friends could wear to the Maine Brewers Festival. After a friend literally sold one off his back, he decided to make some more to sell around town and expanded into many other designs that celebrate Maine and it’s activities. LiveME® offers a wide variety of items for the Maine beer drinker such as BeerME pint glasses, bottle openers, koozies, t-shirts, hats,
MAINE BREW GUIDE
hoodies and more. You can explore their entire line of goods online at www.livememaine.com Baxter Brewing Co. is a Maine-based craft brewery which is the first of its kind in New England to can all of its beer. Located in Bates Mill in the up-and-coming community of Lewiston/ Auburn, ME, Baxter Brewing Co. currently distributes its flavorful and unique craft beers in ME, MA, NH & VT, CT, & RI both in six-pack and on draught.
ADVENTURE BEGINS WHEN YOUR CANS ARE PACKED.
BAXTERBREWING.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/BAXTERBREWING | @BAXTERBREWING activitymaine.com 13
W. LAKES & MTNS.
Get your
kicks
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on’t miss an opportunity to stop at one of these featured locations for incredible deals on active-wear clothing, stunning jewelry, Made-in-Maine products, sensational food and comfortable motels.
Cream that’s “udderly delicious,” Smedbergs’ Crystal Spring Farm is an experience unlike any other. Stop by and check out their homemade baked goods including pies, breads and Gayle’s delicious homemade baked beans and chicken pies. Smedberg’s allnatural, home-grown beef, pork and lamb are raised on the farm Need to pause for the night? Stop at The Lodge at Poland Spring and fed from the field, with no added hormones. Also available: Resort in Poland Spring, where newly refurbished rooms await bison, chicken, seafood and live lobster. You won’t want to miss a your arrival. Relax in the lobby, dine in the breakfast nook and stop at Smedbergs’ Crystal Spring Farm. shop in the general store. They are now open year -round and only minutes from the new Oxford Casino. Nearby enjoy shopping, Since 1976 Maurice Restaurant has been a pleasant surprise for XC skiing, ice fishing, ice skating, snow tubing and snowmobiling. world sojourners and people new to the beautiful Oxford Hills area of western Maine. Located on Route 26 in South Paris, which Whether you crave breakfast in the morning or for lunch, Egg- takes the traveler north into Canada, the 200-year old clapboard ceptional has the menu for you. They offer breakfast all day and are house turned restaurant continues to delight, serving Frenchhome to the “Belly Buster,” an Omelet Challenge. Located at the 5 Continental cuisine in an elegant country atmosphere at affordable Corners in Mechanic Falls, Egg-ceptional features hearty country prices.
cooking and a friendly staff. You’ll feel as if you’re eating at home, The Mollyockett Motel in Woodstock is named in honor of Molly except--you don’t have to wash the dishes! The restaurant is open Ockett, an Abenaki healing woman who administered her remedies seven days a week from 6 a.m. till 2 p.m. to many settlers of this area. At the motel, you’ll experience your own healing when you spend a night in one of the twenty newly Smedbergs’ Crystal Spring Farm’s roadside stand in Oxford was refurbished rooms ready to enhance your comfort. In an adjacent originally built in 1967 and is owned and operated by Roger fieldstone building with large windows, watch the snow fall as you and Gayle Smedberg and Roger Smedberg, Jr. From Made-in- relax in the pool, sauna or hot tub. Pool and spa memberships are Maine products like maple syrup, honey, fruit salsa, pottery, available for those not staying at the motel and it’s a fun space for soaps and ornaments, to their own One Cow Homemade Ice birthday celebrations. f 14 winter | spring 2014-2015
W. LAKES & MTNS.
S
ince 1960, Mt Abram has been Maine’s premiere learn-toski area. While retaining it’s old school vibe of fun, funk and friendliness, Mt Abram has stayed true to its roots.
Mt Abram Ski Area is comprised of 1,150 vertical feet, 5 lifts, 51 trails and 2 base lodges. There is terrain for all ability levels, including the Westside, a separate base lodge, chairlift and magic carpet and day care available for families. Making a return for the 2014-15 season is Tubing, on Fridays from 4 to 7 pm and Weekends and Holidays from 11 am to 3 pm. Mt. Abram has several signature events each season including a monthly full moon hike, the Winter Kids Downhill Derby and White Grass Festival and the Wild West Weekend. Mt Abram prides itself on focuses on sustainability initiatives. We were the second ski area in North America to install E/V chargers and won the 2012 Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence. Mt Abram is open Thursdays through Sundays and all week during Maine School Vacations. The season is set to kick off on Saturday, December 13. Thursdays are $25 lift tickets. Fridays are Car Load Fridays, where all legally belted passengers pay just $79. Weekend and holiday lift tickets remain at $49 for the sixth year in a row. If you are looking for a non-pretentious, come as you are, authentic ski experience, we will see you at Mt Abram. For more information, call (207) 875-5000 or visit www. mtabram.com. f
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Maine Tourmaline
Expert in-house repair and Jewelry restoration
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See us at our
activitymaine.com 15
Photo: Carol Savage carolsavagephotography.com
Go BACKCOUNTRY By Roger Zimmerman
g n i i k S
Many years ago I succeeded in skiing myself into oblivion. Here’s how I did it...
I
was up in Baxter State Park. It was January. The snow was places to get off and take a look around. And look I did, right dry and plentiful. Grayish sky. I was skiing up the Chimney into a glacial cirque called the North Basin. The views were jawPond trail. Much of this trail is steep and narrow, but do- dropping. able with some ski skills. As I got close to the top there were
16 winter | spring 2014-2015
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lasted with snow, the more than thousand-foot granite walls were calling cards for alpinists. Wind gusts flung loose snow upward in spirals that looked like ghostly whirling dervishes. I wanted to get closer. I did. I got off the Chimney Pond trail, veered right , and after some bush-whacking, skied onto another trail. A mile of reasonably rugged skiing followed, and then I skied into the bottom of the Basin. Huge boulders captured my vision. These are remnants of Maine’s last Ice Age, deposited by the retreating glacier that has sculptured so much of Maine’s landscape. I felt neither cold nor exhausted. In fact, I felt intensely alive--a part of the scene before me. That’s what I meant before when I said I had skied myself into oblivion. There are few places in New England that have that sense of remoteness--few places where you can be so surrounded by a raw winter grandeur. But you can have a grand backcountry ski day much closer to home. Do you have a favorite local spot you visit in the spring or summer? Well, think about visiting it in winter. On skis. Perhaps a hiking trail: not super steep--not super narrow-not in need of a super amount of snow. Throw in a view and you may find yourself captured by an experience you’ll want to repeat many times. Don’t like real cold? Then go when it’s warmer, but I think you’ll find moving around on skis will keep you on the warm side. In fact, bring a liter of water with you, as well as other things to keep yourself comfortable and safe, e.g. extra hat, snack food, extra socks( which can double as mittens if need be), a map (and the ability to read it). Go with a knowledgeable friend. Maybe a local Land Trust is doing a beginner ski trip.
y r t n u o c s s o r c o G
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arters Cross Country Ski Center is a family owned and operated business, and has been for over 30 years. We have 2 locations, each with its own full service ski shop and unique ski trails. Our ski shops will have exactly what you need from quality touring packages, Back Country and top of the line racing equipment to fit you and your family! The latest trend for on snow enthusiasts is Back Country skiing. The skis are wider, more stable, have more shape and typically have metal edges. They also allow the skier to get out onto less populated trails and provide more flotation in deeper snow! Carter’s has many trails designated for Back Country skiers and snowshoers! We also sell and rent Back Country equipment and snowshoes at both locations!
You’ll need to get backcountry equipment-skis, boots, poles and bindings. Having the right stuff is going to make for a more enjoyable trip. The skis themselves are not narrow (like crosscountry skis). The boot heel isn’t held down like they are on alpine (downhill) boards. So: the ski is wide and the heel is free. A good ski shop with knowledgeable staff will help you outfit yourself. Expensive? Yes, it can be. But there’s plenty of used equipment around. Outing clubs have sales, as do many shops. You can go slow--maybe track animals like some folks do on snowshoes. But you can do so much more on skis. Glide across a snow-laden meadow, then pick up the pace and feel your heart’s demand for more oxygen. Power down a slope; climb a deep-woods trail. Take some lessons. All the skills you need are learnable. I know; there’s nothing special about me. A modicum of fitness is good. Just like having the right equipment, being fit will make for a more enjoyable time in the winter backcountry. There are places all over western Maine that lend themselves to the backcountry ski experience. Remember that bog in the summer? The one with the beaver lodge? Well, it’s frozen now. Go ahead-ski it. But don’t annoy the beavers. How about that rocky hiking trail? Covered now with white, those rocks are no problem. Go. See the landscape with ski eyes. Go; find your oblivion. f Dr. Roger Zimmerman is a forensic psychologist and a backcountry ski guide in Maine and Montana. He has guided in Yellowstone National Park for 29 years. He can be reached at: zimozimmy@ yahoo.com.
activitymaine.com 17
W. LAKES & MTNS. In Oxford we have 25km of groomed nature trails that run through the fields and woods. In Bethel our our newly expanded ski and rental shop is the only full service Nordic ski shop in Bethel! Our Bethel accommodations include a ski lodge, and 3 off grid trailside cabins. Guests at our lodging sites receive a free trail pass, at either of our ski centers. Its our goal at Carter’s to make cross country skiing a part of your life, as it is a part of ours! We hope to see you on the snow! f
Get cash and prizes for your Maine adventure photos!
Get published. Get paid. Get out there! go to activitymaine.com for details
2015 Maine Sled Dog Events • Musher’s Bowl January 25-26 Five Fields Farm Bridgton • Farmington Frolic February 7-8 Sandy River Farm • Exeter Sled Dog Race February 14-15 Exeter & DESDC and Maine Highlands Club joint race • Central Maine Mushers Challenge February 28-March 1 Quarry Rd. Recreation Area, Waterville Contact DESDC: president@desdc.org • www.desdc.org
Egg-ceptional Restaurant
5 Pigeon Hill Road • Mechanic Falls, Me. 04256 • 207-998-5577 • Breakfast All Day. Open Mon-Fri: 7-1:45, Sat-Sun 6-1:45 • Family Friendly Atmosphere • Great Food • 10% off w/Oxford Casino Loyalty card • Kid Friendly (Ducks to all Kids) • Large Parties (10 or More) Call Ahead • Take our Omlette Challenge (Get your picture on our wall of Fame) • Located at the 5 Corners in Mechanic Falls 18 winter | spring 2014-2015
Maine’s most beautiful mountain village
Bethel
W.
Ski Town “The Greatest rse!” LAKES MTNS. Unive in the & in -Ski Magaz e Home of Sunday River & Mt. Abram Sk i Resorts, just minu tes from the village!
The affordable winter getaway!
To learn more, log on to www.BethelMaine.com or call 800-442-5826
area events Weekends – Thanksgiving to Christmas: Country Christmas in Bethel. Horse-drawn wagon rides, shopping specials, open houses, The Living Nativity, Christmas tree lighting, caroling - a fun country Christmas atmosphere. 207.824.2282. www. bethelmaine.com Dec. 6: The Nutcracker with the Robinson Ballet 3 PM - Bingham Auditorium, Gould Academy, 45 Church St., Bethel. The Robinson Ballet Company of Bangor brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, to Bethel. Robinson Ballet is a highly respected dance company from Bangor that enhances community by reaching out to educate, inspire and involve people of all ages by providing opportunities to create and experience quality dance. Adults $15/Children 12 and under $10 Dec. 7: 14th Annual Santa Sunday at Sunday River. Dress in full Santa costume and ski or ride for free. Must pre-register. Benefits Rotary’s Christmas for Children. 207.824.3000. www.sundayriver.com Mt. Abram’s Full Moon Hike & Ski Jan. 3, Feb. 7 & 28 5:30 p.m: Take a guided winter hike to the peak of Mt. Abram to view a spectacular full moon. Meet at base area at 5:30pm. 2.5 hours round-trip. Reservations recommended, but not required. 207.875.5000. www. mtabram.com Feb. 7: Annual Whitegrass Festival & Maine Telemark Festival. The white slopes of Maine host New England’s only winter bluegrass jam on snow. 207.875.5000. www.mtabram. com Feb. 14: Valentine’s Ski Date at Carter’s XC Ski Center. Free chocolate for lovers. 207.539.4848 / 207.824.3880. www. cartersxcski.com Mar. 14: Wild West Festival Mt. Abram - Calling all cowboys and cowgirls! Back by popular demand, the Wild West Festival is a great way to celebrate spring skiing. Activities throughout the day include live music, BBQ, cowboy & cowgirl ski race, and a mechanical bull! 207-875-5000, www.mtabram.com.
March 21: Western Maine Fly Fishing Expo - 9:30 am to 4 pm at The Bethel Inn Conference Center. Fishing guides, camps, retail vendors, fishing videos, fly tying competitions, outdoor authors and artists, prize drawings every hour. www. upperandro.com fish@upperandro.com 207-824-3694 Apr. 11: Pond Skim-A-Palooza Sunday River’s first-ever obstacle pond-skimming event. Details for Pond Skim-a-Palooza will be announced in early March at sundayriver.com and registration space will be limited. www.sundayriver.com (800) 543-2754
Jewelry worn globally, crafted from Maine-mined gemstones.
That’s something we can dig.
Mountain Jewelers a jewelry store and so much more...
(207) 824–3030 • 57 Main St Bethel www.mtnjewelers.com
activitymaine.com 19
W. LAKES & MTNS.
by Leigh Macmillen Hayes
Maine Slopes:
Adaptive-Ski
F r i e n d ly
W
hen Sara Stockwell asked a Veteran injured in a helicopter crash in Iraq what his goals were for a winter ski program, he told her that he wanted to be able to ski with his two young children. The man’s spine was fused and he’d suffered a brain injury, which affected his balance and sometimes his decision making. His goal became Sara’s goal--as a volunteer with Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation (MASR), she’s trained to assess individual needs and provide one-on-one instruction using adaptive techniques and equipment. The overriding goal is to get the person outside to play and have fun in our beautiful state.
Sara says, “We started off slowly using a slider, a piece of equipment that is like a walker on skis and is tethered by the instructor. He progressed quickly and found his balance, so we soon switched to a simple waist tether. The tether was mostly an emergency brake. With his brain injury from the crash, he did not trust himself to make good decisions in the beginning.” 20 winter | spring 2014-2015
Photo courtesy of Maine Adaptive Sports and Recreation
“By the end of the long weekend,” continues Sara, “he was skiing independently using outriggers, which are like crutches with little skis attached for balance, and skied many of Sunday River’s intermediate trails. He was thrilled to be headed home to ski with his children.” This is just one of the many experiences she has had with MASR. “Every day that I volunteer, I meet amazing, brave, trusting individuals who just want to enjoy recreational experiences like everyone else.” Sara began as a volunteer for summer programs in 2004, but the actual adaptive ski program was launched at Sunday River in 1982 by Dr. Omar (Chip) Crothers, a Portland-based orthopedic surgeon, and Leslie B. Otten, founder of American Skiing Company. Today, about 400 volunteers are trained and certified to create a safe and fun environment while developing the potential of each participant. JoAnne Diller is another on-slope volunteer. “Depending on a person’s disability and equipment,” she says, “they may have two to four people with them. I’m more or less a ski buddy. I ski behind them and try to figure out how they can improve their skiing. One day I worked with an eight-year-old girl who has cerebral palsy. She’d been in the program for several years, but I’d never worked with her before. She had always been tethered. As I watched her, I figured out she didn’t depend on the tether so we had her ski without it. I told her to make turns just like she had learned and to ski down to her mom. The look on her mother’s face was spectacular. Her daughter was a free and independent skier.” That’s what it’s all about. Freedom. Independence. Control. Smiles.
W. LAKES & MTNS.
Accomplishment. The opportunity to make decisions and try new things; the chance to not feel inhibited by what inhibits them in their every day lives. MASR aims to provide all of this and more. The participants take leaps of faith as they learn to do something they didn’t realize they could do.
Sushi Bar & Grill Korean and Japanese Cuisine 141 Main Street Bethel
Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation has its home base in a small ski-in, ski-out handicap-accessible lodge at Sunday River. Deb Maxfield, Director of Marketing & Development for MASR, stresses that the program caters to people with permanent physical needs ages four and up.
ed Best international cuisine & Best place to splurge
t Vo
-Sunday River This Week
The cost of equipment is challenging for able-bodied people, but magnified when it comes to adaptive equipment. Add to that the cost of private lessons and a lift ticket and the price is quite hefty. Through fundraising efforts, including the annual Ski-A-Thon held at Sunday River each March, MASR raises the monies so the entire experience is free of charge for all participants.
Sushi & Noodle Bar South Ridge Lodge Sunday River Ski Resort
207-824-7370 lanechosun@hotmail.com MASR offers individuals the opportunity to participate in outdoor adventures year round. Right now, they are enjoying winter sports including alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding and Expanding Space and Taste at Cho Sun snowshoeing at Sunday River, The Outdoor Center, Sugarloaf and by Leigh Macmillen Hayes Pineland. Other programs take place at the Nordic Heritage Sport Club, Camden Snow Bowl and Black Mountain. xpect a sizzling new experience soon at Cho Sun Restaurant in Bethel. Since 2002, Cho Sun, The Land of Stop by the MASR lodge at Sunday River this winter and discover Morning Calm, has offered Japanese and Korean cuisine what Deb describes as “Old Home Week on a daily basis.” The at their Main Street location and Sunday River. camaraderie between participants and volunteers is evident in the
E
jokes and smiles everywhere you turn. And then there’s the thrill of Scott Lane, son of owner Pok Sun Lane, says that the Main Street business continues to grow and they’ve realized the need the mountain that awaits. f for a private banquet room to host parties and other functions. FMI: Register with MASR at www.maineadaptive.org. The highlight, says Lane, will be Korean barbecue. The 24’ x 28’ room is dedicated to a party of sixteen, but more seating can be At Never Summer, each board is carefully handcrafted in added. Korean barbecue, a first for western Maine, is meant to their Denver, Colorado factory to precision tolerances. Their be a shared meal. The cook-it-yourself concept allows customers domestic manufacturing and ability to improve upon existing to choose their own marinated meats, seafood, fish and poultry technologies resulted in Never Summer being awarded the first items and grill them over the BBQ located in the center of each patent on any type of hybrid camber technology. They allow only table. the world’s best snowboard shops to sell our products. Focusing Lane says that they are also adding a farmer’s porch and handicapless on excessive promotion and hype, and more on using the accessible ramp to the front of the building. The porch will be a highest quality materials, craftsmanship, and customer service place to lounge in an adirondack chair and people watch. has made Never Summer the world’s premier independent board Plan to enjoy this new taste experience when the Korean BBQ company. opens this winter. f Photo: Stan R.
activitymaine.com 21
W. LAKES & MTNS. Photo: Hal Blood
Take a
snowmobile a
I
f seeing the beautiful backcountry of Maine and New Hampshire is on your winter bucket list, then you can check it off now. Northeast Snowmobile Rentals allows you to enjoy scenic terrain and groomed trails on self-guided snowmobile rentals with GPS tracking. Three trail-side locations enable you to park and ride hassle free. You, your family and friends will experience all the excitement of exploring trails, riding new routes and taking in scenic vistas while sitting upon NEW Arctic Cat snowmobiles. Miles of well-groomed trails and open fields are well suited for novice to experienced riders.
BBT&M is a sporting goods store that provides good & service to enable people to get outside, & enjoy all of the natural resources the Maine wilderness has to offer. We sell gifts, Maine made products, hunting & fishing supplies, live bait, guns, ammunition, hunt/fish licenses, we are a game inspection station with certified scales, we host game pools, & fishing derbies, coordinate guided hunt/fish trips for all seasons, host lobster bakes, sell live lobster, & Maine seafood. 207-824-4868 bethelbait.com. 22 winter | spring 2014-2015
From their three locations, you can access the largest trail systems and the best terrain in the area. Prior experience is NOT required. At Northeast Snowmobile Rentals, they strive to instruct you on the proper operating procedures, rules, and most importantly, safety. They’ll help you plan a trip, take you onto the trails and stay with you until you feel comfortable with the vehicle and your abilities.
W. LAKES & MTNS.
Choose your Adventure:
adventure
Bethel: Take the family or friends out for a sunny Bethel, Maine, snowmobile adventure. This location is on the Androscoggin River across from The Big Adventure Water Slide Park. The riding in Bethel is unparalleled to anything you will ever experience. Rolling trails, majestic mountain views and the quaint village of Bethel make for a wonderful family time. Two thousand miles of groomed trails means you will never see the same thing over and over like other rental companies in a closed circuit. Fryeburg: Park and ride at this location with access to over 1,000 miles of well-groomed snowmobile trails deep within the White Mountains. Begin your sled rental in an open field, adjacent to the business and become familiar operating your snowmobile before heading off onto the exciting trails. Gorham, NH: New Hampshire trips venture into the nationally recognized Jericho Mountain Park trail system that provides opportunities for miles of riding for the snowmobile enthusiasts. Throughout the park, visitors are treated to a number of scenic outlooks to capture the postcard shot you’ll remember forever.
Why Rent? Because renting is much more convenient and affordable than owning. Just show up and ride. No purchase, registration, maintenance costs, storage or trailering. Just pure enjoyment and memories to last a lifetime. Rental rates range from $55 for one hour to $260 per day. Guided trips are also available. Your rental includes a protective full-face helmet. Northeast Snowmobile Rentals also offers warm clothing, boots, coats, gloves and anything else you may need to stay warm and make your trip enjoyable. Don’t forget your camera. Northeast Snowmobile also provides free trail maps, an operational video and damage waiver. All Snowmobiles include reverse and hand warmers. Drivers must have valid drivers license. You’ll find Northeast Snowmobile Rentals open from 8:30 to 5:00 seven days a week. Mention this article for special discount prior to booking.
activitymaine.com 23
W. LAKES & MTNS.
Photo: Rangeley Chamber
Get Away to
RANGELEY by Leigh Macmillen Hayes
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n the frosty months, outdoor enthusiasts will find a multitude of events in Rangeley, a premiere winter destination. The Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club sponsors the annual SNODEO, a celebration of all things snowmobile, on January 23-25. The weekend includes family snowmobile rides, a snowmobile stunt show, radar run, casino night and other activities. The club grooms over 150 miles of trails for your enjoyment.
Inn offers a perfect combination of location, ambiance, and comfort. And opening soon is their Rangeley Tavern that offers refined rustic cuisine by the fire. The Town and Lake Motel and Cottages are open year round and located on Rangeley Lake.
Whatever type of outdoor enthusiast you are, this four-season vacation destination is sure to pull you back again and again. Ready to help you call this place home is City Cove Realty located at the bottom At Camp Do What You Wanna on Main Street, rent snowmobiles, of City Hill (Main Street/Route 4). From building lots to condos, plus the gear to go with them, including gloves, jackets, pants and and lakefront homes to mountain camps, they’ve got something that boots. Even if you don’t hit the trails, dine on breakfast or lunch at the will tickle your fancy. Come to Rangeley and embrace this winter General Store and enjoy the view overlooking Haley Pond. wonderland. Be sure to bring your camera! f Also located on Haley Pond is Ecopelagicon, a nature store. Purchase books about the Maine outdoors, maps and camping supplies, as well as crafts, cards and jewelry. Right outside their door is the town cleared ice rink on Haley Pond. Need skates? Free skates are available at Ecopelagicon. The 7th Annual New England Pond Hockey Festival will take place on February 1-2. This weekend of outdoor games on Haley Pond celebrates a time-honored New England tradition. Ski and ride at Saddleback Mountain, Maine’s third largest ski resort. It’s a big mountain with a low-key, family-friendly environment. Don’t miss the Saddleback Mountain Challenge on February 9, a 7-mile, 1,800 vertical randonee or ski mountaineering style race. And on February 21, the Saddleback Ski Patrol will host its annual torchlight parade. Strap on your skinny skis, grab some poles and head out on the 55 kilometers of groomed trails at the Rangeley Lakes Trail Center. The Center will host the 17th annual legendary Rangeley Lakes Loppet on Saturday, March 1. The races include a 25k and 50k Freestyle, 25K Classic, and 25K Touring Division. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available in the rustic yurt lodge at the center. At the end of the day, get some rest at either the newly updated Rangeley Inn or stay lakeside at the Town and Lake Motel and Cottages. Come experience the revival of a landmark, the Rangeley 24 winter | spring 2014-2015
HIGH PEAKS REGION
Rangeley Lakes Trails Center: The ultimate Maine woods winter experience!
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angeley Lakes Trails Center is the ultimate Maine woods winter experience you and your family won’t want to miss! Offering 55 km of groomed Nordic trails and newly expanded, dedicated snowshoe terrain, there’s something for everyone and a great family winter outdoor experience. You may have skied trail systems that were railroad beds or golf courses and thought that was pretty nice, but nothing compares to the Rangeley experience on trails that show off our region’s most spectacular mountain and lake vistas. Our 55 km mapped trail system offers trails for all levels of skill. Trails are groomed for skate and classic Nordic skiing. We also feature dedicated single-track trails for the backwoods snowshoe experience. These double as mountain bike trails in the summer but are transformed in the winter with the quiet beauty of our legendary snow cover. There are a variety loops that offer you a choice of trek length, from a quick workout to a day-long outing with a picnic! A special event hosted every year by the RLTC is the TD Bank Rangeley Lakes Loppet on February 28, 2015. There are 25km and 50km races to test your mettle or you can opt to cruise along our spectacular trails at your own pace. A classic-style race of a 25km course offers special tribute to our long-time benefactor Burt Kettle–we call it the Kettle Classic. Everyone gets a prize no matter how you finish! This race is part of the NENSA (New England Nordic Ski Assoc) Marathon series. Special rate days offer some great discounts. Check our website for all the details about: Locals’ Appreciation Days, Maine Days, Ladies’ Day, and Men’s Day. The Rangeley Lakes Trails Center is open 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM every day. Season passes for Nordic and Snowshoe, a specially priced 10-pass ticket, daily tickets, rental equipment for Nordic and snowshoeing, and ski lessons are all available. We recommend that you call ahead to arrange ski lessons. We look forward to seeing you at the Rangeley Lakes Trails Center this winter–Maine’s most unique backwoods trail experience! f
activitymaine.com 25
HIGH PEAKS REGION
Photos: Activity Maine
oquossoc
26 winter | spring 2014-2015
W. LAKES & MTNS.
Early Winter Hiking Photo and story by Robert Martin
A
s the days grow shorter and temperatures drop below freezing, our thoughts turn to the holiday season and the start of the new year. Popular activities, such as snowmobiling, ice fishing, and skiing seem to be on everybody’s mind. The ground has begun to freeze, allowing early winter snows to remain and babbling brooks to be muted by thickening sheets of ice. It’s a time when the crisp air has blown the last leaves of fall from the trees. We don’t commonly view this time as a good time to hike in the Maine woods, but that’s changing. With the inventions of lighter, warmer base layer clothing and chemical reaction hand and foot heaters, more people are not only staying out in the chilly temperatures longer and longer, but they are also beginning to look for new ways to enjoy the Maine woods. In the past decade, snowshoeing and winter hiking have grown into an emerging sector of the Maine winter sports industry. Ski resorts are now offering ski and snowshoe packages. Outdoor-based programs put on by Maine State Parks and Land Preserves, such as the Roberts Farm Preserve, have grown in popularity with people wanting to get out and move during the winter. State parks, like Rangeley and Sebago Lakes State Park, traditionally shuttered for the winter, are now opening and offering winter programs for their trail systems, like free snowshoe and cross country ski rentals.
favorite hikes is a quick jaunt off from the East B Hill Road between Andover and Upton to a series of mountainous waterfalls and gorges, known as The Cataracts. It takes only a half hour or so to walk the entire trek, and the ice sculptured waterfalls in seasonal stasis make the trip well worthwhile. Another favorite, Piazza Rock, along the Appalachian Trail in Rangeley, takes about an hour to reach. A peaceful trail winds
PHILLIPS
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SRRL Add Activities Maine.pdf
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Backwoods hiking has also grown in popularity. Hikers enjoy the less crowded trails and absence of foliage, which affords them deeper views into the forest. This is a time when wildlife can be spotted more easily, perhaps a mink near a frozen brook or a snowshoe hare hoping through the underbrush. Roughed grouse, owls, and even turkeys can now be observed from a distance. Unique land features, Maine’s famous rock walls and old foundations, become easily identifiable. Areas once thought of as only summer locations, like Grafton Notch, Angel Falls, and Bigalow Mountain, are now seeing winter visitors. Early winter hikes needn’t be all day experiences. One of my
The Next Stop is Rangeley by Guy Rioux
Our museum store offers a unique assortment of original art, books and memorabilia from the days when the little two foot railway blasted its way through the North Woods. Visit www.srrl-rr.org and use the promo code AM1214 to earn a 10% discount Our Newsletter-Free with your pu rchase on all items!
The Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes Railroad Museum located in Phillips Maine operates the only remaining stretch of the largest two-foot line ever built in America. The Museum, its members and friends operate and restore heritage equipment from the original railroad on site. The railroad played a significant role in the development of Franklin County and is a favorite stop for Rangeley vacationers. Located on Bridge Street in Phillips, tourists and vacationers can spend an engaging hour to visit and “ride the two footers” again. Visit their website at: www.srrl-rr.org for the spring through fall operating schedule and location details. activitymaine.com 27
HIGH PEAKS REGION
Photo couresty of FABA
Do it all in Maine’s High Peaks Region!
F snow!
eel the excitement as you ascend the peaks by chairlift, snowmobile or on foot. This is the land of adventures, where there’s no such thing as too much fun or too much
The Mountain View Motel on Carrabassett Road in Stratton is an “outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.” Owned and operated by Mark and Cindy Rollins, each cozy room is more like a cabin in the woods than a motel room. All of the rooms have a fullyequipped kitchen, private bath and are pet-friendly. Enjoy sunrises and views of Cranberry Peak as you sip your morning coffee before heading out to explore. When you are on Main Street in Stratton, think about breakfast or lunch at the Looney Moose Cafe. Open seven days a week, this is the place for a delicious home-cooked meal. Looking for comfort food--how about warming up with a cup of Jamie’s famous chili and a grilled cheese sandwich? The Carrabassett Valley Antigravity Complex at the base of Sugarloaf is operated by the Town of Carrabassett and Carrabassett Valley Academy. This recreation complex features Maine’s largest indoor skate park and skate bowl, Olympic-size trampolines, an indoor rock climbing wall, full-court gymnasium and fitness room. Classes and private lessons are offered and reservations are required for the trampolines and climbing wall. After a day of the skiing or riding on the snowmobile trails, you’ll be ready for a giant Wolf burger or some other downhome cooking entree from the menu at the White Wolf Inn and Restaurant. Be sure to save room for an incredible dessert. There’s also a pub in which to relax while enjoying a Maine microbrew or Newcastle Brown Ale. And when dreamland calls, there are pet-friendly rooms where you can catch a few zzzzzzs. Tucked into the trees at 3004 Town Line Road, Carrabassett Valley, is Nestlewood Inn Bed & Breakfast. This elegantly furnished log cabin lodge offers seven cozy guest rooms, each with a private bath and all with woodland views. You’ll be conveniently located near Sugarloaf, yet just off the beaten path. After your day-long outdoor adventures, warm up by the field stone fireplace in the Great Room as you sip a cup of tea. f 28 winter | spring 2014-2015
HIGH PEAKS REGION
‘hike’ from page 21
through majestic hardwoods and cozy softwood stands along the route to the hanging monolith. Go early, just after freeze up, as this notch is prone to deep snow by mid-winter. For day long hikes, check out the Roberts Farm Preserve in Oxford Hills. There is an entire network of meandering trails through rolling hills, fields, and serene forests for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. Maine Huts and Trails offer kitchen use and heated rooms at any one of their three secluded lodges after a daylong route through some of Maine’s most pristine woods. While in the area, be sure to visit the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center in Carrabassett Valley for a variety of outdoor adventures set in a beautiful backdrop of wintery Maine woods. The key to enjoying these wintery hikes is being prepared. Dress in layers, with a base layer designed to wick away the moisture of perspiration to keep it from cooling on your skin. Wear fleece as lightweight warmth and an outer shell to deflect wind and precipitation. Plan your hike and hike your plan. Tell someone where you are headed and when you expect to return. Have a basic knowledge of map and compass navigation. Remember the usual recommendations: waterproof matches, a first aid kit, and a light source. Along with high energy snacks, consider a small Thermos of heated beverage or stew. We buy dozens of packages of chemical reaction hand, foot, and body warmers at cheap off season prices for use all winter long.
Located 6 miles North of Sugarloaf USA
Mountain View Motel 4755 Carrabassett Road Stratton, ME 04982 Non-Smoking • Pet Friendly
207.246.2033 • www.mountainviewmotelmaine.com eight comfortable rooms, each that feature private bathroom, cable tv and wireless internet. Six rooms have fully equipped kitchens; and two of these are two bedroom suites. Seasonal rate with mid week discounts.
For more information, visit the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, Maine Huts and Trails, Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, and Maine Appalachian Trail Club. f
activitymaine.com 29
Farmington
Gateway to the Western Mountains
L
ocated among the rolling hills of Western Maine, Farmington can be your jumping off point to winter adventures or a prime location for some R & R.
This picturesque town is home to the University of Maine Farmington, named “One of America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report for 15 consecutive years. In the oldfashioned downtown setting you’ll also find art galleries, plays, concerts, plus a diverse variety of shops and eateries.
Ready for your cabin in the mountains? Stop by any location and find out how easy it is to
Bank with Frank!
Farmington Rangeley River Valley Jay Skowhegan Wilton
Toll-Free 800-287-0752 www.FranklinSavings.com 30 winter | spring 2014-2015
Farmington’s residents have long appreciated the outdoor activities that are close at hand. Each year the town celebrates Chester Greenwood with a parade. In 1873, at the age of 15, Chester invented the earmuff. Local lore has it that he came up with the idea while ice skating and had his grandmother help him create the ear coverings out of wire, beaver fur and cloth. More recently, Seth Wescott became the first Olympic gold medalist in Snowboard Cross during the 2006 games. Local skiers enjoy Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley as well as Titcomb Mountain in West Farmington. Titcomb Mountain is big enough to offer a variety of terrain, yet small enough that families are quickly at ease. Here, you’ll find both alpine and Nordic skiing opportunities. The mountain has snowmaking capacity to cover 70% of its alpine terrain and lighted trails for night skiing, also a new small lighted XC Ski loop trail. Northern Lights Rental Shop, located at Titcomb Mountain, offers ski and snowboard rentals for children and adults. FMI:
Photo:: Susan Atwood
W
ilton, Maine, is a four season destination nestled in the foothills of Western Maine on the shore of beautiful Wilson Lake. While most of the well-known areas in Maine get lots of press, you’ll find a gold mine of other destinations to call your own special discovery and Wilton is one of them. Located in the hub of Maine’s recreational mecca–Wilton is less than one hour from Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Black Mountain and Titcomb ski areas. It’s also located on ITS 82 and 89. In 2012, the Wilson Lake Inn was awarded the “Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.” Wilson Lake Inn delivers unsurpassed value, warm hospitality, and personalized service you can only find at a family-operated inn. The guest rooms, studios and suites are bright, clean, spacious and quiet. Continental breakfast includes freshly ground coffee, bakery fresh coffee cakes and muffins, fresh fruit and juice to get you off to a great start to explore this winter wonderland. Inn owners Tom and Susan invite you to enjoy the peace, serenity and service that will exceed your expectations. As your base camp for a fun-filled getaway, they want to share the snow covered hills and valleys that surround the lake and provide you endless opportunities for skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing and ice fishing.
& Wilton
In 1876, George Henry Bass founded G. H. Bass & Company on Wilson Lake in Wilton. Bass shoes were manufactured here until the family sold the business in 1998. Today, Calzolaio Pasta Company, an Italian Restaurant with some American alternatives, is located in the historic former shoe factory building. The restaurant features homemade sauces and pasta, brickoven-style pizza, fresh Maine seafood and natural meats. It’s open 7 days a week from 11am- 9pm for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. f
www.titcombmountain.com, or 207.778.9031. Since the 1970s, Northern Lights Stove Shop in Farmington has helped make homes cozy. They carry classic wood stoves, gas fireplaces, pellet stoves and outdoor wood furnaces. Are you ready to purchase that mountain getaway or new snowmobile? At Franklin Savings Bank, they’ll be happy to assist you in the process. The bank has convenient locations in Farmington, Jay, Mexico, Mount Blue, Rangeley, Rumford, Skowhegan and Wilton. You’ll also find ATMs at most of these locations. To learn more about all of the businesses and events in Farmington, visit the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce on the web at: www.franklincountymaine.org or call 207.778.4215. f
Wilson Lake Inn
Come play in the foothills of Western Maine.
30 Guest rooms, Studios, and Suites Direct access ITS 82 & 89 Great restaurants close by Within 1 hr. of all major ski areas
for his AD Bring t count 10% dis
183 Lake Road Wilton, Maine 04294
207.645.3721 800.626.7463
www.wilsonlakeinn.com activitymaine.com 31
Photo: Carol Savage, carolsavagephotography.com Carter’s X-C Ski Center
Beech Hill X-C Ski and Snowshoe Center
Nordic Centers in Maine
296 Tucker Road, Wayne • 207.685.9281, www.beechhillski.com. 11 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, warming hut Bethel Nordic Ski Center 21 Broad Street, Bethel • 207.824.6276 • www.bethelinn.com/site/ cross-country-ski-center. 25 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, snowshoe trails, lessons, retail & rentals Birches Ski Touring Center 281 Birches Road, Rockwood • 800.825.9453, www.birches.com/ winter/activities/cross-country-skiing. 40 miles, groomed trails, varied terrain, 3 trailside yurts, guided excursions, lessons, rentals Black Mountain of Maine Touring Center 39 Glover Road, Rumford • 207.364.8977, www.skiblackmountain. org. 17 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, rentals, lodge Carter’s X-C Ski Center 400 Main Street, Oxford • 207.539.4848, www.cartersxcski.com 40 kilometers, groomed trails, beginner to intermediate terrain, retail & rentals, warming hut Carters’s X-C Ski Center 786 Intervale Road, Bethel • 207.824.3880, www.cartersxcski.com 55 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, retail & rentals, warming hut Five Fields Farm X-Country Skiing Route 107, South Bridgton • 207.647.2425, www.fivefieldsski.com/ xc_skiing. 25 kilometers of groomed and back country trails, ski & snowshoe rentals, warming hut Harris Farm Cross Country Skiing Center 280 Buzzell Road, Dayton • 207.499.2678, www.harrisfarm.com/ skiing. 40 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, retail & rentals, lessons, warming hut Katahdin Nordic Center 181 Medway Road, Millinocket • 207.723.6305, www.katahdinnordiccenter.com.Groomed and back country trails, ski 32 winter | spring 2014-2015
& snowshoe rentals
Maine Winter Sports Center 10th Mountain Center Paradis Circle Road, Fort Kent • 207.834.6203, www.10thmtskiclub. org. 25 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, 3 kilometers of lit trails for night skiing, ski & snowshoe, biathlon range, lodge, waxing center Maine Winter Sports Nordic Heritage Center Presque Isle • 207.762.6972, www.nordicheritagecenter.org 20 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, 2.5 kilometers of lit trails for night skiing, ski rentals, biathlon range, visitor center, waxing center Pineland Farms Outdoor Center 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester • 207.688.6599, www. pinelandfarms.org/recreation/nordic_skiing. 17.5 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, ski & snowshoe rentals, lessons, visitor center Rangeley Lakes Trail Center 523 Saddleback Mountain Road, Rangeley • 207.864.4309, www. rangeleylakestrailscenter.com. 55 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, ski & snowshoe rentals, yurt-style lodge Sugarloaf Outdoor Center Route 27, Carrabassett Valley • 207.237.6830, www.sugarloaf.com/OutdoorCenter/index. 90 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, ski & snowshoe retail & rentals, lodge Sunday River Outdoor Center Skiway Road, Newry • 207.824.5700, www.sundayriver.com/eventsactivities/Outdoor_Center 35 kilometers, groomed trails, varied terrain, ski & snowshoe retail & rentals, lessons, lodge Titcomb Mountain West Farmington • 207.778.9031, 16 kilometers of beautiful cross-country trails for all levels from beginner to expert. trailsofare groomed for both classic and skate PhotoThe courtesy Aroostook County Tourism skiing and meander from fields through beautiful woodlands. FMI: www.titcombmountain.com
NORTHERN MAINE Photo courtesy of Aroostook County Tourism
A Photo: Paul Cyr
Welcome to
roostook county is rich in outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can find something to do outdoors all four seasons. Visitors can go into the outdoors on their own or hire one the many local Registered Maine Guides in the area to make their trip both enjoyable and often an educational experience. The International Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Race held annually in the Greater Fort Kent Region will be held on Feb. 28. The CanAm Crown consists of three races – the 30 mile, the 60 mile and the Iditarod-qualifying 250 mile race. All races begin in downtown Fort Kent on Main Street. The 250-mile race extends into the Allagash wilderness and finishes back in Fort Kent. Information on this year’s race, as well as statistics, entry forms, maps, pictures and background can be found at www.can-am-crown.net. Snowmobile capital of Maine! That is just one way to describe this area. The local clubs, towns and businesses are very active in maintaining the 2200 miles of existing trails. No matter what a person is looking to do for fun…Aroostook County has it all! f
‘The County!’ activitymaine.com 33
fort kent
Photo courtesy of Aroostook County Tourism
EAGLE LAKE
& LAKESIDE COTTAGES
Phill LeBoeuf
3232 Aroostook Rd. PO Box 347 Eagle Lake, ME 04739
Tel (207) 444-4535
MADAWASKA
Wireless Internet Air Conditioning Cable TV Private Decks Hot Tub Suites Efficiencies 2 & 3 Bdr. Apts. In-room Coffee Makers Continental Breakfast Tanning Bed Private Beach Coin-op Laundry Seasonal Lakeside RV Sites OverlookMotel.com
Welcome to the St. John Valley! The towns of Fort Kent, Eagle Lake, & Madawaska offer limitless Winter Fun!
area events Jan 24th & 25th, 2015 Long Lake Fishing Derby. Cosponsored by the Town of St. Agatha and The Black Bear Rod & Gun Club. $15,000 in prizes, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Edgar J. Paradis Cancer Fund. Derby Lakes include: Glazier, Long, Cross, St. Froid, Eagle, Square, and Beau. Base Camp & Weigh Station: Long Lake Sporting Club, 48 Sinclair Road, Sinclair, ME Muskie Weigh Station: Joe’s Country Store, 1005 Main St., St. Francis, ME For more info and a complete set of rules, visit www.stagatha.com/derby Dec 27th to Jan 1 FORT KENT NEW YEARS NORDIC SKI FESTIVAL: Fort Kent Outdoor Center FMI: http://10thmtskiclub.org/events/nordic-festival/ or Maine Winter Sports Center: http://www.mainewsc.org/ Photo courtesy of the Long lake Ice Fishing Derby
34 winter | spring 2014-2015
NORTHERN MAINE
The Sled Shop, Inc. opened in June 1992 by owner Kevin Freeman, he brings a long history in outdoor recreation to the business. They have a snowmobile rental inventory of well maintained Ski-Doo snowmobiles and rates that start at just $200 a day. Service: From basic factory authorized maintenance to custom race applications, The Sled Shop has years of experience in sales and racing and is an authority in both performance and customizing solutions. Their certified technicians are well trained and dedicated to customer support. They also do sled wraps and custom body work and have a 9000 square foot storage facility for summer or winter sled storage. Join one of their riding teams to experience new challenges and meet some great people. As a member of a Sled Shop team, you will get first access to adventure trips and tours. You’ll also experience guided tours of County trails otherwise unknown.
presque isle events
January, February ACTIVE MAINE PROJECT: WINTER NORDIC PROGRAM (“AROOSKIS”) Fort Kent, Presque Isle, Bangor, Waterville, Auburn, Farmington, New Gloucester. For more info: https://www.skireg.com/active-maine-projectwinter-xc-ski-program. ALSO, check out Aroostook Outdoors at http://www.goaroostookoutdoors.com/ for updates on events going on throughout the year. January 9 & 10 County Bluegrass Winter Festival at Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center
Pets Welcome / Free WiFi / Complimentary Breakfast
Experience the difference Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center 116 Main Street Presque Isle ME 04769
800.533.3971 207.764.3321 Direct Snowmobile Access to ITS 81, 83 & 85 MSA Rates & Snowmobile Packages Available All Major Credit Cards Accepted Featuring:
121Newly Renovated Guest Rooms Extended Stay Suites Hair Dryers, Coffee Makers and Irons Wireless Internet Frankie’s Lounge and Martini Bar The Connection Lounge with live weekend entertainment Indoor Heated Pool Fitness Center Banquet Facilities & Conference Center
Caribou Inn & Convention Center
19 Main Street Caribou, ME 04736
www.presqueisleinn.com
800.235.0466 207.498.3733
Direct Snowmobile Access to ITS 83A MSA Rates and Snowmobile Packages Available Featuring:
73 First Class, Spacious Rooms 3 Fully Furnished Executive Suites Hair Dryers, Coffee Makers & Irons Wireless Internet Albie’s Lounge & Martini Bar Jacuzzi & Sauna Indoor Heated Pool Fitness Center Banquet Facilities & Conference Center
www.caribouinn.com activitymaine.com 35
NORTHERN MAINE
View from Oakfield Photo: Paul Cyr
PATTEN
MT CHASE
Matagamon Wilderness is located at the North entrance of Baxter State Park along the East Branch of the Penobscot River. They offer lodging, miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, heated ice and coyote shacks, hunting and fishing supplies, and gas. Sue’s home cooking is unforgettable and worth the ride to their doorstep on ITS 85.
Wilderness Variety, located right on Shin Pond and ITS 83/85, offers a variety of services. Weezie’s Snack Bar cooks up some mean burgers and fries. They also offer gas, clothing, food, beer, and assistance if your sled breaks down. Lodging at their camp that sleeps 5 is available, also.
36 winter | spring 2014-2015
NORTHERN MTNS.
Photo courtesy of Aroostook County Tourism
K
atahdin Woods and Waters is an organization sponsored by Elliotsville Plantation. It consists of approximately 100,000 acres, located east of Baxter State Park, near Grand Lake Matagamon. The East Branch of the Penobscot River bisects the land.
There are excellent outdoor opportunities available here. There are miles of hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or mountain biking trails. Numerous streams and ponds are present for canoeing and kayaking, along with fishing. The Katahdin Woods and Waters program sponsors a handful of winter activites. Valentine’s Day, there will be an overnight cross-country ski trip to one of their “Back County Huts” with shuttle included. The Maine Winter Sports ski rental trailer will be available Thursday, February 12th through the 15th at Matagamon. Thursday and Friday will be student days, and Saturday and Sunday will be open to everyone. There will be a campfire on Saturday morning at the start, so bring some marshmallows or hot dogs and a stick to enjoy. Trail fees by donation to Matagamon Wilderness Camps, who do the grooming. For more information and other events through out the ski season contact EPI recreation managers Susan and Mark Adams at lunksoos@gmail.com or207-858-1291 Stay up to date on current events on the land by finding us on Facebook at Katahdin Woods and Waters . Directions can be found atwww.katahdinwoods.org. f
Shin Pond area is a hub of Snowmobiling in the County Photo Courtesy of Aroostook County Tourism
SHIN POND Find us On Facebook! facebook.com/activityme
Shin Pond Village is a located on the Katahdin Woods & Waters Scenic ByWay 15 miles from the Northern Entrance to Baxter State Park. We are a family resort offering Housekeeping Cottages and Campsites. We enjoy hosting family reunions and weddings! Open all year for your outdoor recreational enjoyment.
HOULTON Jan- 26 - Feb. 6 Adopt-a-Block of Aroostook is sponsoring the Maine Winter Sports Cross Country Ski Trailer. This is a great opportunity to test out skis with the family. Call 532-2783 ext. 102
Feb. 6, 7, & 8 The Moose is Loose! Join your neighbors, bring the kids and have fun outside in Community Park and the Millar Civic Center at the annual Moosestompers weekend! This is an all day event. Look for brochures at area merchants in January or call 532-4216 FMI activitymaine.com 37
NORTHERN MTNS.
Photo: Sherry Skinner
Welcome to the
K ATA H D I N region
Medway
W
e invite you visit our four season destination where trails, fun and recreation are plentiful year round! Miles and miles of terrain are waiting to be explored by hunters, fishermen and hiking enthusiasts alike. Kayakers, canoeists and whitewater daredevils look to our lakes, rivers and streams in our neck of the woods are considered among the best. While you’re here, catch a glimpse of our local celebrity – the Moose and the spectacular scenery the Katahdin area is famous for! We are home to Baxter State Park where Maine’s tallest peak Mt. Katahdin, the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail and an abundance of hiking trails are found. The Katahdin Region is well-known by sportsmen for its world class landlock salmon and small mouth bass fishing. Winter in the Katahdin Region is truly a pristine winter wonderland. With over 350 miles of groomed trails, we are proud to offer some of the most spectacular snowmobiling in Maine. The winter season also brings added pleasure for cross country skiers, snowshoers, ice fishers and lovers of snow. ATV enthusiasts, take note! The latest addition to the plethora of recreational opportunities within the Katahdin Region is the Katahdin Region Multi-Use Trail. While this four season trail can be used for anything imaginable, including hiking and biking, it’s ideal for ATVs. K.R.U.M.T connects with ATV
38 winter | spring 2014-2015
NORTHERN MTNS. trails in the Brownville region to provide a whole new world of riding! We’re conveniently located just an hour away from Bangor International Airport and easily accessible from Interstate 95. Our local airport operates year round to accommodate visitors who prefer air travel.
Area Events
Lennie’s Superette Jaimie & Michelle Wallace
Gas • Beer • Soda • Coffee • Pizza • Subs • Gift Cards Lottery • ATM • Groceries • Worms & Crawlers • Souvenirs
www.lenniessuperette.com 2154 Medway Road, Medway, Maine 04460 Phone: (207) 746-5100 • Hours: 5 am – 10 pm Resident & Non-Resident Fishing & Hunting Licences
Winter Fest 2015, February 13-14: BIG Snowmobile Parade Starts at Sterns High School (Downtown Millinocket) Friday Feb 14th Antique Snowmobile Show @ The Northern Timber Cruisers Snowmobile Club House Sleds on display range from Model Ts to late 70s models. Antique Snowmobile Museum open.
Welcome! s r e l i Snowmob Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce 1029 Central St. Millinocket, ME 04462 • 207-723-4443
Millinocket The Ice Fish Inn
millinocket’s newest bed & breakfast Large Heated Pool, Hot Tub, Exercise Room,Game and Play Area * Free WiFi, Continental Breakfast, local calls and business center * Pets Welcome Book online at icefishinn.com or call toll free 855-FISH4U2 gonefishing@icefishinn.com Bring this ad for a 15% discount 177 Central St Millinocket Maine 04462 discount can’t be combined w/other offers
740 Central Street, Millinocket, ME 04462 1-877-902-4555 • 207-723-4555 activitymaine.com 39
CENTRAL MAINE
Photo courtesy of Gray Ghost Camps
the
Moosehead Lake region
ROCKWOOD
W
inter at Moosehead Lake is not just about snowmobiling on the finest trails in New England; we also offer fantastic dog sledding, ice fishing, snow shoeing, and downhill Alpine & cross country skiing. This time of year is great for nature lovers wanting to catch a glimpse of moose, deer, eagles, snowshoe hare and other native animals. And speaking of moose, our male moose lose their antlers every winter. These casts are regularly found by outdoor enthusiasts.
DEXTER
Dog sledding: Guides provide wilderness dog sled tours throughout the winter allowing visitors to enjoy the peace and serenity of our beautiful backcountry. Every February, mushers and spectators come to Moosehead Lake for the 30 & 100 mile Sled Dog Races. Ice Fishing: Anglers target lake trout, brook trout and landlocked salmon on Moosehead Lake and dozens of other area ponds and lakes. Bait, supplies, and rental equipment are available from local outfitters. Several guides provide ice fishing trips, including ice shacks and all supplies. Snowshoeing: Whether you use traditional wooden or modern aluminum snowshoes you will have hundreds of miles of unplowed logging roads as well as groomed trails available to explore at your leisure. Enjoy incredible views of frozen waterfalls, mountains, ponds and lakes during your outing. Snowshoes are available for sale or rental locally.
40 winter | spring 2014-2015
Photo: Eric Sherman
CENTRAL MAINE
Ski BIG Squaw Mountain this winter!
Cross country skiing: Visitors will find numerous opportunities to try out their cross country skiing skills. From family friendly trails at the Visitor’s Center and Lily Bay State Park to hundreds of miles of ungroomed logging roads; there’s something for everyone. Skis are available for sale or rent at local outfitters. The area also boasts two extensive groomed cross country trail systems. The Birches Resort has 38 miles of trails with varied terrain including beginner, intermediate and a small amount of expert. Brassua and Moosehead Lake, and Baker Pond can be accessed from their cross country trail system.
GREENVILLE
activitymaine.com 41
CENTRAL MAINE
Photo: Samm Stewart
W
elcome to the Central Maine region, full of winter Quarry Road Winter Carnival - Saturday, activity options! From snowmobiling, to downhill January 31st at quarry Road Recreation Area. www. skiing, cross country skiing to ice fishing, there is quarryroadrecarea.org. something for every winter outdoor enthusiast!
Fairfield
42 winter | spring 2014-2015
AUGUSTA
thorndike
Photo courtesy of Camden Snow Bowl
CENTRAL MAINE
Unity
Albion
25th Annual US National Toboggan Championships Feb. 6, 7, & 8th
Find us On Facebook! facebook.com/activityme
MIDCOAST/CAMDEN IDE
DR SKI AN CAMD
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W
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Welcome to Camden Snow Bowl, the only ski area on the Eastern Seaboard with a view of the ocean! The 2014-2015 Season celebrates major upgrades to what was already a safe and beautiful place for skiers and riders of all ages and abilities. From new trails and a new triple chair to enhanced night skiing and expanded ski and ride programs, we’ve got more winter fun than ever before, PLUS an even bigger view of Penobscot Bay and the mountains. Whether you are new to Camden Snow Bowl, or have skied with us in the past, you will love what we have to offer. Come ski with us! Info: 207-236-3438 Conditions: 207-236-441 www.camdensnowbowl.com activitymaine.com 43
Photo: Michael Leonard
Maine Gift Guide Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm
Northern Solstice is a well-rounded and respected alpaca breeder and full service farm. The owners, Robin Fowler Pratt and Corry Pratt have an incredible passion for alpacas and love sharing their knowledge and experience. They operate their farm in a socially and environmentally friendly manner. They own & breed showquality, champion alpacas. Alpacas are shorn once a year here in Maine. Alpaca fiber is often compared to cashmere for its softness and is lustrous like silk. Alpaca is warmer than wool, without the weight or bulk, and it doesn’t contain lanolin, making it hypoallergenic. Northern Solstice Alpaca Farm and Fibers of Unity Gift Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday for farm tours and shopping. www. northernsolstice.com.
Welcome to Georgetown Pottery
Georgetown Pottery has been handcrafting fine porcelain pottery since 1972. All of our handmade pottery is made by local Maine potters and hand decorated with our Maine themed brushwork patterns or our stunning glazes. A trip to Maine isn’t complete until you’ve visited one of our stores and taken an stroll through one of our showrooms where we sell pottery, jewelry, glass, furniture, gifts and more. Many of our favorite items are made by local Maine artists. Until then we hope you enjoy our online store where you can shop for all of our Maine pottery. Our functional porcelain is meant to be used and is microwave, dishwasher, and oven safe. Our Ikebanas and Ikebana Vases are nationally known and incredibly popular. They’re a perfect gift and a great way to add color to any room of you home.
Route 127 GEORGETOWN
44 winter | spring 2014-2015
148 Main Street FREEPORT
813 Route 1 WOOLWICH
866.936.7687 georgetownpottery.com
Belfast
Bangor: Maine’s QueenCity
Photo: Jeff Kirin
A
s early as the 1500s, when David Ingram sailed up the Penobscot River explorers believed the region was extraordinary. Some thought that the area was possibly the lost City of Gold – Norumbega. Samuel de Champlain attempted to find the gold but settled for a lucrative fur trade with the Indians. The city’s name dates to February 25, 1791 when the General Court of Massachusetts (which Maine was a part of at that time) approved Bangor for incorporation. Lumber was the key industry in the Queen City during the city’s early history. By the late 1800s, Bangor was the busiest seaport on the East Coast shipping lumber to Europe and other parts of the United States. Bangor has been home to many national luminaries including President Lincoln’s, Vice President, Hannibal Hamlin, as well as such contemporaries as authors Stephen King and Pulitzer Prizewinning playwright Owen Davis. The Queen City offers visitors great accommodations and a diverse menu of fantastic dining opportunities as well as an abundance of cultural choices. The University of Maine’s Museum of Art, Maine’s Discovery Museum, The Penobscot Theatre and the Bangor Symphony Orchestra which has been providing music to Bangor audiences since 1896 are but a few of the cultural interest that one can enjoy. Outdoor winter activities including skiing/ snowboarding, Nordic skiing, hiking, ice fishing and snowmobiling abound close by. f Rae Ann Rice, Home Mortgage Specialist with Regency Mortgage Corporation of Bangor has been assisting folks for nearly a decade through the process of purchasing or refinancing of their home. Her professional expertise, compassion and drive will turn your need into a reality. You can reach her by Tel. (207) 974-8996 or by E-mail:rrice@regencymtg.com.
BELFAST
CO-OP
LOVE • LOCAL • FOOD everything you need to live an active Maine lifestyle is at your Co-op!
123 HIGH STREET + BELFAST + 207.338.2532
Find us On Facebook! facebook.com/activityme
256 Years! Now Bigger & Better Than Ever!
Route One Searsport Ave. Belfast, Maine
www.bennettsgems.com 207.338.5530 • Open All Year • • Since 1989 • Next to Perry’s Nut House Cash For Your Gold, Silver & Coins!
activitymaine.com 45
DOWN EAST
Photo: Michael Leonard
Downeast
a winter
46 winter | spring 2013-2014
DOWN EAST Milbridge Medical Center Accepting New Patients Down East community Hospital is 100% committed to delivering a high level of care, while providing the healthcare services that match the needs of Washington County. Milbridge Medical Center is Down East Community Hospital’s physician office practice that overlooks the beautiful Narraguagus Bay in Milbridge Maine. The practice offers a variety of providers to care for the healthcare of your entire family with services offered in a pleasant, comforting environment. Carl Aselton, MD, Christine Kuhni, WHNP and Kristen Barbee, DO are pleased to announce they are accepting new patients. Dr. Aselton is a family medicine physician who specializes in adult care and Dr. Barbee sees patients of all ages including pediatric patients. Chris specializes in complete holistic wellwomen care including yearly exams, menopause management, and weight loss. Milbridge Medical Center also offers family planning services. To schedule an appointment or for more information, please call 207-546-2391.f
Machiasport
The Blue Lobster Gallery Seascape artist
Jane Diggins Harnedy paintings capture the spirit of the sea High Surf Oil, 26x30 Directions: From Route 1 at the University of Maine at Machias, go exactly 9 miles on Route 92 to Pettegrow Point Road in Bucks Harbor. Open by chance or appointment
The Day in the Life of a Blue Lobster Oil, 20x24 2 Pettegrow Point Road Machiasport, ME 04655 207-669-4255 or 207-255-0170 jharnedy@maineline.net
Carl Aselton, MD, Christine Kuhni, WHNP, Kristen Barbee, DO
Serving Our Community
MilbridgeOrthopedic Medical Center at 24 School Street, Milbridge Surgeon new patients. Maine is accepting Thomas To schedule an appointment, Crowe, MD call 207-546-2391.
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Lubec
Acadia Surf Mixed Media, 4x6
MACHIAS
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oodies and Spirits Connoisseurs will delight in discovering fine Maine made products Downeast. While all across Maine you will find great locally produced foods and spirits, here in the Downeast Region you will be delighted by the wonderful treats that you will enjoy at the Saltwater Café & Whole Life Natural Market in Machias and Monica’s Chocolates in Lubec. Offering homemade, fresh, local healthy foods
& Cafe Your Local Health Food Store
Shopping Opportunity: All Natural & Organic Groceries & Produce Supplements Quality Wine, Beer & Chocolates Gluten-Free Products Stop in and enjoy a special dining experience! 4 Colonial Way • Downtown Machias Bulk Herbs & Spices 207-255-8855 Quality Pet Food Winter Hours Mon.–Fri. 9–5, Sat. 9-3 Maine Made Products Café open Mon.-Fri. 11-2 www.wholelifemarket.com activitymaine.com 47
DOWN EAST
Thinking Outside Partnering with Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Sunday River, Titcomb Mt., The Maine Tourism Assoc., Northern Outdoors and others, UMF offers an exciting Outdoor Recreation Business Administration major (ORBA) that offers real-world, hands-on experience in the four-season outdoor recreation and tourism industry — including internship opportunities. And now UMF is collaborating with Maine ski areas to create a new Certificate program (offered in fall 2015) combining a strong on-mountain experience with business and related classes, including an on-mountain internship. Providing the core skills to work in the skiing industry and preparing students to earn PSIA certification.
Academically rigorous, nationally-recognized public liberal arts college Located at the gateway to epic skiing, snowboarding, hiking, rafting and kayaking The affordable alternative to a private liberal arts college A 2015 U.S.News “Best College” where students are the center of the universe A 2014 Washington Monthly “Best Bang for the Buck” college and a 2014 Educate to Career “Top 100 School”
farmington.edu 48 winter | spring 2013-2014
One of Maine’s Public Universities