LUMBIA FALLS • WESTBROOK • VAN BUREN • ALTON • NORTHPORT • MONMOUTH • OLD TOWN • ARUNDEL • ST. ALBANS • ALFRED • DAMARISCOTT
Back to the Land Visit Maine’s farm-to-table restaurants
Wit h a
Paddle Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Kenduskeag Canoe Race
Inside:
Faces of Farms: Photographer Catherine Frost Inside the Midcoast Actor’s Studio Rare blooms donated to Smithsonian
$5.95
April 2016
Your people, your region, your magazine.
contents
APRIL 2016
features ACROSS BORDERS / 18 Camden woman helping Syrian refugees FARMING GOOD KARMA / 20 A visit to a coastal alpaca farm BANGOR’S BLOOMING / 22 Jamie Ballinger is making Bangor brighter with downtown gardens WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE / 24 Tips for eating right for better health RARE BLOOMS / 32 Prize orchid collection from Penobscot heads to Smithsonian FARM TO TABLE / 40 Maine restaurants going back to the land THE TOWN THAT WENT TO SEA / 48 Touring Thomaston’s past and present
32
BREWING GOOD TIMES / 56 Tuning in to great brews and good food
UP A CREEK WITH A PADDLE / 68 Celebrating 50 years of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race
ON THE COVER This photogenic goat from Tide Mill Creamery won our farm and garden cover contest! See story on page 62.
Photo: Catherine Frost 2 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
68
PHOTOS: (TOP) MICKY BEDELL; (BOTTOM) BDN FILE
THE PLAY’S THE THING / 60 Inside the Midcoast Actor’s Studio
Aimee & Amy try crafting garden owls, page 64 48 24
PHOTOS: (PURSE) IRINA VORONTSOVA/THINKSTOCK, (HERB) WAVEBREAKMEDIA LTD/ THINKSTOCK; (FOOD) BDN FILE; (FRUIT) COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
40
in every issue
columns
TALK BACK & SIGHTINGS / 8 Our readers’ thoughts and photos
METRO WELLNESS / 30 Gaining strength, losing weight
BIZ BUZZ / 10 People and places on the move
METRO FAMILY / 66 Mom’s night out
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
WHAT’S HAPPENING / 11 Local news and events
MAINE WOODS & WATERS / 76 Being born with a black thumb
• Scan the code to visit us at bangormetro.com
PERSPECTIVES / 62 Faces of Farms by photographer Catherine Frost
METRO STYLE / 82 Incorporating vintage accessories into your look
Visit us out on Facebook to enter fun giveaways!
AIMEE & AMY TRY... / 64 Turning trash into garden treasure
LAST WORD / 88 Preparing for the future
Check out our interactive map of Thomaston (featured on page 48)
SAVVY SENIORS / 78 Fighting senior fraud METRO HOME / 80 Trends for outdoors CROWN OF MAINE / 85 News from Aroostook County
New column on perfecting your style, page 82
More photos from events around our region. Email your own event photos: sightings@bangormetro.com
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3
editor’s note
It’s officially spring and this issue is packed with all things green, f lowery, and farm related. We tried something different this month and let our Facebook fans choose the cover. Photographer Catherine Frost is our subject for this month’s Perspectives feature, and we love her work so much that we thought it should be on the cover. The only problem was that we couldn’t decide (agree) on a final option. Emily said alpaca, Amy was counting sheep, and, although I had slight leanings toward team alpaca — I voted goat. In the end, goat won (obviously, as you can see). Not only were we stunned at the number of votes, we thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your responses and watching the number of times the post was shared climb higher and higher. One of my favorite comments came from Sonya Sampson who was an advocate for our winning Tide Mill Creamery goat. “Love them all but B is my vote,” she posted. “I often see cute baby goats, cute alpacas, etc. but rarely see a good looking goat. I think this represents the whole species well.” Thank you for humoring (and helping) us. We’d also like to thank Catherine for sharing her work with us, as well as the alpaca from Black Woods Farm of Maine in Cherryfield, the sheep from North Star Sheep Farm in Windham and our winning goat for being so photogenic. Make sure to Like our Facebook page for more chances to share your opinion, but also be sure to find us on Twitter and now on Instagram!
“Love them all but B is my vote. I often see cute baby goats, cute alpacas, etc. but rarely see a good looking goat. I think this represents the whole species well.” Sonya Sampson, via Facebook 4 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
PHOTOS: (ANIMALS) CATHERINE FROST; (FLOWERS) NAOKIKIM & DRPAS/THINKSTOCK
AIMEE THIBODEAU, MANAGING EDITOR
www.bangormetro.com P.O. Box 1329 Bangor, Maine 04402-1329 Phone: 207.990.8000
PUBLISHER
Richard J. Warren
Goat fancier MANAGING EDITOR
Aimee Thibodeau athibodeau@bangordailynews.com
Alpaca admirer STAFF WRITER
Emily Burnham eburnham@bangordailynews.com
Voted goat SALES MANAGER
Laurie Cates lcates@bangordailynews.com
Rallied for the sheep ART DIRECTOR
Amy Allen aallen@bangordailynews.com
SUBSCRIPTION & PROMOTIONS MANAGER
Fred Stewart fstewart@bangordailynews.com
Team goat Connect With Us Online! bangormetro.com facebook.com/BangorMetro @BangorMetro bangormetro editor@bangormetro.com
6 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
BE PART OF OUR
DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Micky Bedell
Catherine Frost
Abigail Curtis
Bob Duchesne
Jodi Hersey
Jane Margesson
CITY OF OLD TOWN
Open for
BUSINESS A PROUD HISTORY • A BRIGHT FUTURE
Laura Lynn Michaud
Deb Neuman
Jordan Quimby
Richard Shaw
Ashley Thornton
Emilie Brand Throckmorton
CONTACT US FOR YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS RON HARRIMAN • DEVELOPOLDTOWN.COM • 207-827-3965
Bangor Metro Magazine. April 2016, Vol. 12, No. 4. Copyright © Bangor Publishing Company. Bangor Metro is published 12 times annually by Bangor Publishing Company. All rights reserved. This magazine may not be reproduced in whole or part in any form without the written permission of the Publisher. Bangor Metro is mailed at standard rates from Portland, Maine. Opinions expressed in either the editorial or advertisements do not represent the opinions of the staff or publisher of Bangor Metro magazine. Advertisers and event sponsors or their agents are responsible for copyrights and accuracy of all material they submit. Bangor Metro magazine to the best of its ability ensures the acuracy of information printed in the publication. Inquiries and suggestions are welcome and encouraged. Letters to the editor, story suggestions, and other reader input will be subject to Bangor Metro’s unrestricted right to edit and publish in the magazine both in print and online. Editorial: Queries should be sent to Aimee Thibodeau at athibodeau@bangordailynews.com. Advertising: For advertising questions, please call the Sales Manager, Laurie Cates at 207-990-8149. Subscriptions/Address Change: A one year subscription cost is $24.95. Address changes: to ensure delivery, subscribers must notify the magazine of address changes one month in advance of the cover date. Please contact Fred Stewart at 207-990-8219. Accounts Payable/Receivable: For information about your account please contact Laurie Cates at 207-990-8149.
COVER PHOTO: Catherine Frost
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7
talk back & sightings
We Love Hearing From You We gave our Facebook fans three choices for the April cover – and we loved hearing your feedback!
Perspectives photographer Catherine Frost (see page 62) shared some amazing shots for our Farm & Garden issue. We were split on which photo to pick for the cover, so we let our Facebook fans vote. Here’s how the votes stacked up... “Goat!! Yes, given the option, I will always vote goat! Something about their button eyes just makes them seem smarter than the rest of the barnyard.” Rebecca R.
Option A: Alpaca
Option B: Goat
Option C: Sheep
37%
52%
11%
arts & culture
“There’s something that’s right with the world when good people are making their family and work meld with such success!! ♥ Michael & Cara and the Seawicks story!” Anita R., via Facebook
“Very nice article and interview with Cara Romano. Loved to see her positive outlook about living and working in Maine shine through in your interview with her. Nice job!”
Crafting a
Business BY EMILY BURNHAM
Marc Spruiell
T
hough her work
has been nationally recognized and in December she was honored with the 2015-16 Maine Arts Commission Belvedere Hand Craft Fellowship, master metalsmith and jeweler Cara Romano has, for the most part, remained in her childhood home of Hancock county for most of her life. The Gouldsboro native, who operates KOT Contemporary Craft in Ellsworth in the same downtown building where she has her studio, is not just a gifted artist — she’s a canny businesswoman, opting for the affordability (and sense of community) of Downeast Maine as a home base, and marketing her geometrically perfect metal and fabric jewelry items around the country via craft fairs and online. As president of the board of the Maine Crafts Association, she’s also instrumental in nurturing and educating the next generation of Maine crafters. Romano spoke with Bangor Metro about the Maine craft scene, the interplay of fabric and metal, and getting her start in jewelry in her middle school gymnasium.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF CARA ROMANO
Master metalsmith and jeweler Cara Romano talks about the business of art.
60 / BANGOR METRO February 2016
WE’RE EXCITED Here’s a look at what our staff is psyched to share with readers this month
Do These Things Only Happen to Us? Many thanks to our social media fans who helped fix this sideways problem before Laurie Cates got a permanent kink in her neck. Control-Alt-Up Arrow is the answer should this ever happen to you. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and now Instagram for more antics and behind-thescenes looks at the making of our magazine.
Adopting downtown gardens in Bangor, page 12 Visit Thomaston, then and now, page 38
All Over The Place We’re visiting farm-totable restaurants all over the state, checking out the Millar Civic Center in Houlton, and more!
Penobscot orchids heading to the Smit hsonian, page 32
Follow Us on Instagram! Find us on Instagram at bangormetro and keep up-to-date on what’s coming up in future issues, office adventures and, most importantly, what’s for lunch.
Coming NEXT MONTH...
Retiring? Finding a fun new hobby? As we age, new opportunities are everywhere. We explore what’s NEXT. Have a comment or story idea? Share! Email us at editor@bangormetro.com
8 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
From galas to pies,
funds are being raised for and by wonderful organizations all over our state. Here’s a look at a few recent events...
1 2
1 & 2: The Bangor Valentine’s Heart Gala to support the American Heart Association featured live music, dancing, auctions and more. (Photo 2) Photographer Jeff Kirlin snaps a selfie with Towle Tompkins and Felicia Knight at the event. 3: Innkeepers, restaurants and business members who participated in the 12th Annual Pies on Parade Pie Tour presented
a check to the Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program for $25,000 representing all ticket sales, silent auction and raffle proceeds, cash donations from the annual pie tour. This brings the total donations for AIO’s food and fuel assistance programs to more than $134,000 from the Pies on Parade’s 12-year tenure.
PHOTOS: (1&2) JEFF KIRLIN, THE THING OF THE MOMENT; (3) COURTESY OF PIES ON PARADE
3
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 9
biz buzz On the Move MEGAN A. SANDERS, ESQ.
has joined Penobscot Community Health Care as vice president of human resources and associate general counsel. Prior to joining PCHC, Sanders worked at the University of Maine, most recently as chief of staff to President Susan J. Hunter, Ph.D., and vice president for human resources. In addition, MEGHAN MAMULA, DO, and KRISTEN MARTIN, DO, have been named medical directors of Brewer Medical Center and Penobscot Pediatrics respectively. Dr. Mamula has been with PCHC for more than 15 years, serving at Brewer Medical Center since 2009, most recently as associate medical director. Dr. Martin has been with PCHC for almost 10 years, serving at Penobscot Pediatrics since 2006, most recently as associate medical director. JOHN MORIN will head Lyman-
Morse’s newly opened brokerage sales office located at Lyman-Morse at Wayfarer Marine. Morin comes to Lyman-Morse with a wealth of experience, knowledge and enthusiasm. Morin has been a Certified Professional Yacht Broker for more than 12 years, holds a 100-ton Masters license, and was responsible for creating and operating the in-house brokerage at Lee Wilbur Yachts in Southwest Harbor. In addition, he is the proud parent of two teenage children and owns and operates Equinox Island Transit LLC. SUSAN “SUE” M. BERNIER joined
St. Joseph Healthcare as executive director of philanthropy at St. Joseph Healthcare Foundation. She has been a leader in philanthropy in Maine and New England, particularly in the area of health care, for the past 20 years. KIM SMITH, has joined Bangor Savings
Bank assistant vice president and Waterville branch manager. Smith has been in the banking industry for 15
10 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
years as a mortgage lending officer, and most recently as a branch manager. She is an active volunteer in Junior Achievement of Maine programs. JENNIFER KHAVARI , an active
volunteer in the Bangor nonprofit community and recent project coordinator for the Eastern Maine Community College Foundation, has been named interim executive director of the Foundation.She moved to Bangor in 2002 and has been involved in board leadership for many nonprofits including the Bangor Y, Boys and Girls Club, and PEO International. Khavari’s past development experience includes work for the American Folk Festival, United Way, Bangor Rotary, and Bangor Boys and Girls Club. AMANDA CLARK , owner of The Maine
Barkery, an all-natural dog treats business in Skowhegan, was named the winner of the Main Street Skowhegan Savings Entrepreneur Challenge. She was awarded a $20,000 benefits package to help expand her home-based business to a downtown storefront this spring. Developed by members of the Main Street Skowhegan Business Enhancement Committee, the Entrepreneur Challenge began in September 2015 as a way to strengthen Skowhegan’s economy and spur business development in the region.
Awards Green Acres Kennel Shop Kennel supervisor MICHELLE HARMON and Pet Care Technicians, BREANNA DAVIS, NICOLE GATCOMB, CLARA IRVINE , LAUREN LEBRETON and ARON NICHOLS have been awarded the Pet Professional Guild’s Pet First Aid certificate of competence. THE TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY store
in Bangor is donating 26 bags of pet food to feed local dogs and cats at the Bangor Humane Society in search of forever homes. In addition to the pet food donation, the Bangor Tractor Supply periodically hosts pet adoption events throughout the year.
SCOTT SIMONS, principal and founder
of Scott Simons Architects in Portland, has been elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects for making a significant contribution to design excellence in the profession at both the state and national levels. One of only three Fellows in Maine and only the seventh in the state’s history to receive this honor, Simons has practiced architecture for more than 30 years. His firm created the award-winning design for the Portland Public Library, Casco Bay Ferry Terminal, and the Waynflete Arts Center. A resident of Freeport, Simons will be honored in Philadelphia in May at the national AIA convention.
Grants The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $21,000 one-year grant to CARING CONNECTIONS to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. It is the eleventh year that the program has received funding from the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to support its work on this important health issue, and in recognition of the program’s excellence. The Caring Connections breast health program will educate women in eastern Maine and refer them free mammograms and clinical breast exams. The BANGOR HUMANE SOCIETY announced that it has met a recent grant challenge presented in October by the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation, which helped the agency raise $50,000 from the community in three months. The $50,000 in eligible funds have been matched 100 percent by the foundation for a grand total of $100,000 to help homeless pets at the humane society. The grant challenge has helped the humane society expand its donor family to include 308 new friends, recaptured the support of 72 friends and 162 of current friends increased their support to raise $50,883 in three months.
what’s happening
PHOTO: JEFF KIRLIN, THE THING OF THE MOMENT
Spring has Sprung BANGOR: The 2016 BDN Garden Show is back in April with even more landscapers and is returning to a three-day format. The entire Cross Insurance Center in Bangor will be transformed into a gardener’s dream with landscape displays, more than 100 vendors and activities for grownups and children alike April 15-17. This year’s theme is Carnival, and Bangor Garden Show attendees can expect to find an event that won’t disappoint — a true exhibition of entertainment and amusement featuring elaborate landscape displays that welcome spring. This year’s presenting sponsor is Eastern Maine Medical Center, with Greenway Equipment serving as the equipment sponsor. “The Garden Show is one of the BDN’s signature events and we couldn’t make it happen without the help of our sponsors,” said BDN Events and Brand Coordinator Kelly Donnelly. “We are looking forward to a show this year’s show — our biggest yet — and can’t wait to show the public what our vendors and landscapers have in store for them.”
Other sponsors include Bronson Audio Visual and Event services, Mark’s Music and Zone Radio. The list of landscapers continued to grow, but at press time C.M. Nichols Landscaping Company, Summersweet Landscaping, the University of Maine Horticulture Club, Flagstones, Central Maine Stoneworks, JL Landscape, Eastern Plant Specialties and Hickory Dickory Decks were ready to turn the arena into a true flowering carnival. Vendors will include show favorites from years past, with newcomers such as mARTini Jewels and Bangor Lawn & Landscape. Show hours are noon-6 p.m. Friday, April 15, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April 16, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, April 17. Tickets are $8 and are available online through ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Cross Insurance Center box office during business hours. Children under age 12 get in free. For more information, visit bdnmainegardenshow.com.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 11
12 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
what’s happening
What’s Happening in April April 3 Popovich Comedy Pet Theater at the Collins Center for the Arts The World Famous Popovich Pet Theater is a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy and juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, and the extraordinary talents of his performing pets. Each of the show’s 15 cats and 10 dogs were once strays, rescued from animal shelters. Now, they love to show off onstage by performing a variety of stunts and skits. Tickets are available online. collinscenterforthearts.com April 3 “Welcome to Night Vale” recording at the State Theatre “Welcome to Night Vale” is a twicemonthly podcast in the style of community updates for the small desert town of Night Vale, featuring local weather, news, announcements from the Sheriff's Secret Police, mysterious
lights in the night sky, dark hooded figures with unknowable powers, and cultural events. A live recording of the podcast is set for April 3 at the State Theatre in Portland. April 8 Puscifer at Merrill Auditorium Maynard James Keenan — known to many as the frontman for rockers Tool — has another band called Puscifer, and he and Waterfront Concerts will be bringing his wild and crazy live show to the Merrill Auditorium in Portland. waterfrontconcerts.com April 8-10 Bangor Comic & Toy Con The Bangor Comic & Toy Con is set for the Cross Insurance Center from April 8-10; enjoy three days filled with exciting events, guests and exhibitors, comics, pop culture, gaming, horror, sci-fi, cosplay, art, animation, writers,
music, collectibles, panels, workshops and more. Panelists this year include Nichelle Nichols (“Star Trek”), Colin Baker (“Dr. Who”), Verne Troyer (“Austin Powers”), Tim Rose (the Star Wars movies) and many more. bangorcomictoycon.com April 12 Gordon Lightfoot at the Collins Center for the Arts Legendary balladeer Gordon Lightfoot weaves tales of love and longing in eloquent musical masterpieces that have become enduring standards. His poetic journeys have been told with such timeless, thought-provoking songs as “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown,” “Early Morning Rain,” “Carefree Highway,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” and many more. collinscenterforthearts.com
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 13
April 14 Portland Sea Dogs Opening Day
April 14 Portland Sea Dogs Opening Day The Portland Sea Dogs have their home opener set for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 14 at beautiful Hadlock Field, against the Hartford Yard Goats. There’s not much more that feels spring-like than the start of baseball. Tickets range from $6 to $14, so it’s also a fantastic, family-friendly deal. portlandseadogs.com
April 14-17 28th Annual Bud Light Reggae Festival Back in 2016 for its 28th consecutive year, Sugarloaf will again host the
14 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
April 15-17 BDN Maine Garden Show The fourth annual BDN Maine Garden Show, once again at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, is bigger and better than ever — it’s three days this year, and the theme is “Flower Carnival.” Expect lots of vendors, demonstrations, tasty food, live music, and, of course, beautiful flowers. Admission is $8, free for kids 12 and under. bdnmainegardenshow.com
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annual Bud Light Reggae Festival, a springtime party in ski country. Headlining this year's event is reggaerock band Ballyhoo, along with other guests including Renegade Sound Station and New Kingston. Music starts Thursday night. sugarloaf.com April 16 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race Can you believe it’s the 50th anniversary of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race? One of the most iconic events in Maine — and the springtime sporting event of the year in Bangor — kicks off bright and early Saturday morning, and finishes up in the late morning in downtown Bangor. kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com
April 24 La Boheme with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra One of the most anticipated concerts of recent years, the BSO will bring a staged performance of Puccini’s masterpiece, “La Boheme,” to the Collins Center for the Arts Stage. It will feature conductor Lucas Richman, tenor John Bellemer as Rodolfo and rising star Emily Birsan as Mimi. Joining the cast as Colline is Bangor’s own Eric Mihan. In this semi-staged performance, the BSO will be joined by the University of Maine Singers, Oratorio Society, and Bangor Area Children’s Choir. bangorsymphony.org
PHOTO: BDN FILE
April 16 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, Bangor
April 16-24 Free Admission at Acadia National Park for National Park Week 2016 is a year of many anniversaries — including Acadia National Parks 100th anniversary. As always, there’s free admission to the park in late April, when the Park Loop Road reopens. It’s also a great chance to beat the summer crowds. nps.gov/acad/index.htm
16 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17
unsung hero
Camden woman lending a hand to Syrian refugees. BY ABIGAIL CURTIS
18 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
C
amden mom
Alison McKellar’s heart breaks when she watches the news about the hardships in Syria, but instead of simply watching from her living room, McKellar is doing something to help. For more than a year, she has been collecting items on her Mechanic Street porch in Camden that will be useful for Syrians, and hauling them to New Hampshire, where volunteers with the nonprofit agency NuDay Syria fill massive shipping containers that are sent overseas. “I’ve learned that doing something is a lot better than doing nothing,” McKellar said. “I’ve tried to get as involved as I could. Sometimes I think, oh, I’ve probably tapped out the midcoast area. But then I get more and more stuff donated.” In McKellar’s backyard storage area, there are boxes packed with winter clothes, medical equipment and reams of recycled boat shrink wrap, which the Syrians use for shelters or in the makeshift hospitals. A hand-lettered sign on the picket fence in front of the house directs passers-by to drop off nonperishable food, winter coats, buckets and “anything to keep warm.” How did a regular mom from a small Maine town get involved with a country and problem so very far away? Though McKellar said she has been interested in international development and aid work
for most of her adult life, she had never really connected to the Middle East. But that changed when she read news stories and saw photographs from the Arab Spring uprisings that began in 2011. The images from Syria, in particular, stuck with her, she said. “This was doctors, children, university students in the streets, fighting for democracy,” McKellar said. “I found myself reading a little bit more, and a little bit more. I found myself cheering them on.” Still, while she was learning more about the issue, she didn’t know how she could help. Until she was asked about a year and a half ago to speak about the conflict in Syria to a class at Camden Hills Regional High School, that is. “The students said they’d like to send diapers and clothes to refugee camps,” McKellar recalled. “In my head, I rolled my eyes. They don’t know what I know — these organizations don’t want to mess around with in-kind donations.” But she humored the students and did a Google search to see if anyone was collecting items for Syrians, and up popped NuDay Syria, run out of Nadia Alawa’s home in East Hampstead, New Hampshire. McKellar also has found items right in the midcoast that might help struggling Syrians. Her husband works for a local yacht services provider, and
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
Across Borders
It’s never too early to start planning.
Photo by: Chris Pinchbeck
she was familiar with the heavy-duty plastic shrink wrap that protects fancy boats from harsh Maine winters. In the spring, most of that material is destined for the dump, but McKellar wondered if it might be useful in Syria. It is, she quickly learned. “Often they come right off the boats in the perfect shape to be a rain shelter,” she said. “They might cover hospital beds. They might use it for the walls of a hospital. It’s been one of the mostrequested items.” Local boatyards and yacht owners have been generous in supplying her with the plastic, which is most helpful if it is in good condition, she said. Other folks in the community also have surprised her with their generosity, including hospital workers who have brought unneeded equipment and a firefighter who dropped off retired turnout gear. “That stuff is really, really needed,” McKellar said, describing the situation in Syria as akin to a medical crisis and war happening inside an endless winter camping trip. “Everything is useful.” What McKellar still is in need of is more storage space. She has outgrown her front porch and backyard shed. For information about how to help, visit For information, visit facebook.com/MaineSyriaRelief or call McKellar at 386-956-1530.
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www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19
Farming Good Karma
Visit a coastal farm reaping the benefits of hard work and good karma. BY DEB NEUMAN
20 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
D
rive about one
mile from downtown Belfast and you will discover alpacas, sheep, turkeys, yarn, soap, a duck and “good karma.” Good Karma Farm and Spinning Company has operated in Belfast since 2008, when owners Jim and Amy Grant relocated their farm operation from Kingfield to Belfast. “We wanted to be closer to the coast and we really liked Belfast. It took us two years to find the perfect location,” Amy said. That spot includes more than 40 acres of field, allowing the couple to carry on their life of running a home-based business and farm. It all began in 1998, when the Grants were operating a screen printing and embroidery business, and Amy starting making soap. That hobby turned into the Carrabassett Soap Company. Amy has manufactured and sold the soap for more than 18 years at the Common Ground Fair in Unity, in retail stores and online. In addition to soap making, the Grants ventured into fiber when they acquired four alpacas. “We had a horse and we wanted another animal that we didn’t have to
milk. By the time we moved to Belfast we had 30 alpacas, a couple of sheep and tons of equipment to move. That move was not fun,” Amy recalled. Today, Good Karma Farm is home to about a dozen alpacas, 15 sheep, a rescue llama, turkeys and a duck named Stella, the farm mascot. “We used to breed alpacas, but we stopped doing that. There was a bit of an ‘alpaca bubble’ when a lot of people acquired them, and now there are many opportunities to rescue or adopt them. We choose to adopt instead of producing more of them,” Amy said. The couple makes yarn every day from the fiber and wool produced by their alpacas and sheep. It is sold to customers throughout out New England and beyond. “We do a lot of fiber and wool shows in the Northeast, and that exposure brings us most of our business,” Amy said. “As far as we know we are the only mill that raises our own animals, [and] does our own shearing, spinning and dying. We are really proud of our product. Our 60/40 blend of sheep's wool and alpaca fiber makes it super soft and we have incredible colors. We take pride in how hard we work at it,” Jim said. “Jim does all the spinning. I take care
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
eye on industry
of the dying of the wool, managing the office and the soap making,” Amy said. “I can make 500 bars of soap in one day. Then it takes several weeks for it to cure.” A day in the life at the farm is never predictable. “You never know what is going to happen. We work a lot. It’s unusual for us to ever take a day off, that’s just the nature of farming,” explained Jim. The couple, who have been together for 23 years, says the secret to a relationship when you work together all the time is, “We have our own jobs. We do make the business decisions together and we generally agree,” Amy said. They also raised a daughter on the farm. “Zoe grew up surrounded by entrepreneurial families. So it’s no surprise that at 20 years old, she too is a business owner. She manufactures and sells hula hoops and juggling sticks for her business, All Start Hoops and Sticks. She’s going gangbusters,” Amy said. The Grants welcome visitors to visit their farm and retail store. “Come see us and meet your next sweater,” Jim said. For more information, visit goodkarmafarm.com.
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movers & shakers
Bangor’ s D Blooming
owntown Bangor
Community of volunteers helps brighten downtown spaces with flowers. BY DEB NEUMAN
comes alive with gardens in the summer months, thanks in part to the efforts of community volunteers and the leadership of Jamie Ballinger. Gardens of all shapes and sizes, with a variety of plants can be found throughout downtown, in parks, next to buildings and in front of businesses. Ballinger arrived in Bangor from Ohio in the summer of 2006. “At that time there wasn’t much going in downtown, but you could tell it had potential and just needed a nudge,” Ballinger said. “I got involved in some of the groups who were focused on growing and improving downtown. I wanted to do something to contribute to the walkability of the city that was low cost and high impact and would result in getting more people to walk around downtown. I thought, ‘Why couldn’t we just stick flowers in all those unused spaces downtown?’” Ballinger admits to not knowing a thing about gardening and reached out to the Downtown Bangor Beautification Committee for help and support. Now in its third year, the Adopt-AGarden program estimates that 125 spots will be adopted by volunteers who will plant and care for them. “In the first year, we adopted close to 30 spots. The second year just over 100,” Ballinger said.
Adoptees include individuals, families, businesses, teachers and students, community groups and clubs. The adoptees are assigned a spot. They buy the plants, plant them and care for them. The City provides support with mulch and watering. “It gives people a sense of pride and ownership. It gets people downtown and involved and talking to each other,” Ballinger said. “There is even a little healthy competition going on now between the gardens to see who can be the most creative,” she added. “Last summer there was an all cactus garden and a garden you could eat from.” Prior to the Adopt-A-Garden program that Ballinger administers, there were some “rogue” gardeners downtown. “There have always been a few individuals that have planted gardens downtown sort of in the dark of night,” she said. “When you have an idea to do something, you just need to do it and if it’s a good idea, people will support it,” she said. When she’s not managing the adoption of gardens downtown, Ballinger is busy raising her 8-year-old son, Finn. She is the assistant director of Graduate Enrollment Management at the University of Maine and finishing up her doctorate. Ballinger says that her future plans for the Adopt-A-Garden program include expanding the garden plots into other areas downtown and handing over
the spade to a new leader in a few years. “I enjoy setting something up and making it run, then passing it on to the next person who can take it to the next level and I can start something new,” she said. But for now, Ballinger will continue to work with other volunteers who will make downtown Bangor beautiful again this summer. “I love that this project has touched so many people,” she said. “It’s so cool when a volunteer is planting or tending to their garden and a complete stranger walks by and thanks them for making our city more beautiful.” 22 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
PHOTOS: EMILY BURNHAM; (FLOWERS) MARTIN POOLE/THINKSTOCK
Now in its third year, the Adopt-A-Garden program estimates that 125 spots will be adopted by volunteers who will plant and care for them.
metro health
What’s on Your
Your Plate?
Eating right can improve your quality of life. COURTESY METRO NEWS SERVICE
L
egend states
that on April 2, 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León was the first European to discover modern-day Florida when he traveled on a quest for the mythical “Fountain of Youth.” While modern science has proven that there is no mystical fountain or body of water
that can reverse or slow down the aging process, there are many steps people can take to age well and prolong their lives. Eating the right foods is one way to age well. According to Ralph Felder, M.D., Ph.D., coauthor of “The Bonus Years Diet,” reversing the aging process internally is more difficult than
Fruits and vegetables Produce is good for the body because it’s low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins and other nutrients. Numerous studies have indicated that diets plentiful in fruits and vegetables help people maintain a healthy weight and protect against cardiovascular disease.
Whole grains Whole grains pack a lot of nutrition into a low-calorie food. Whole grains help protect against type 2 diabetes, and researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center found study participants whose diets included plenty of whole grains and fruit cut their heart disease risk by almost half compared to those whose diets favored meat and fatty foods.
Red wine A glass a day for women and no more than two glasses daily for men can be beneficial. Moderate consumption of red wine has been shown to slow age-related declines in cardiovascular function, according to the American Heart Association. 24 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Broccoli, grapes and salad According to Health magazine, researchers have found that compounds in these three foods boast extra life-extending benefits.
Fiber Increase your fiber intake for a longer life. Research from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition finds that the more fiber you include in your diet, the lower your risk of coronary heart disease. The daily recommendation is 25 to 35 grams.
Berries In addition to their abundance of antioxidants, berries have other benefits. A 2012 study from Harvard University found that at least one serving of blueberries or two servings of strawberries each week may reduce the risk of cognitive decline in older adults.
PHOTOS: KOOSEN, VIKIF, RATMANER, SLAWOMIR FAJER, NIC_OL, GIZELKA, OLHA_AFANASIEVA, TONGRO IMAGE STOCK/THINKSTOCK
outward cosmetic changes. But the right foods can go a long way toward increasing both life expectancy and quality of life. Those who want to employ diet to increase their life expectancy may want to start adding more of the following foods to their breakfast, lunch and dinner plates.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 25
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metro health
Sugar Swap PHOTO: COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
Swap out sugar for better health. COURTESY FAMILY FEATURES
Y
ou probably realize
that eating too many sugary foods and gaining weight go hand in hand. What you may not know is that aside from loading up on calories that help pack on the pounds, consuming too much sugar can also harm your health in other ways. Consuming more than nine teaspoons of sugar a day for men and six teaspoons for women can lead to health problems, such as tooth decay, obesity and depression. Reducing your sugar intake can help more than your waistline; it can improve your overall health. First, it’s important to recognize that
there are two types of sugar — natural sugar and added sugar. Natural sugar is found in fruits, milk and some whole grains. Added sugar is sugar that is added to processed foods and drinks, such as cookies, cereals and soda. Added sugar affects your body in many ways. It can be as addictive as drugs, tobacco or alcohol because it affects the same regions of the brain, triggering the pleasure sensors to release dopamine. Dopamine makes you want to eat more, even when you are not hungry. When you consume too much added sugar, your liver has to work extra hard to process it. Excess sugar in the liver often
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 27
turns into fat, which can lead to liver damage or other health concerns, such as high cholesterol, diabetes or heart disease. It can also overload and damage your pancreas, which controls the blood sugar called insulin that powers your muscles and organs. Lack of insulin can cause muscle and nerve damage. Limit added sugars in your diet with these healthy alternatives: Skip sugary cereals at breakfast. Instead, opt for a protein-rich meal. Options, such as eggs, turkey sausage and whole-wheat toast with peanut butter are healthier ways to fuel your day. Bring healthy snacks to work to ward off the temptation of sugary treats. Some smart choices include: frozen grapes, trail mix, yogurt, almonds, apple slices and peanut butter with celery sticks. Instead of pie, donuts or cake, curb your sweet tooth craving by reaching for fresh fruit, low-fat frozen yogurt or a fruit and yogurt parfait. If you can’t substitute a fruit, make your treats small, such as a single funsize piece of candy.
28 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Sodas, energy drinks and sports drinks sneak in a lot of sugar calories. In fact, a single can of soda has nine teaspoons of sugar – the maximum an adult male should consume in an entire day. Skip the sugary beverages and try hot or iced tea, fizzy water or lemon water instead.
Choosing simple substitutions make it easy to replace sugary foods with smarter options for better health. Visit guardyourhealth.com for more food and nutrition tips and resources.
PHOTO: JAMIE GRILL/THINKSTOCK
metro health
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 29
metro
wellness
Making Muscle Strength train your way to a healthy, happy weight. BY EMILIE BRAND THROCKMORTON
W
e all know
there is no quick-and-easy fix to finding your ideal weight, but there are definitely smarter and more sustainable ways to get there and to stay there. If you feel as though you are stuck on the diet cycle, put too much emphasis on the number on your scale, or just need some motivation to kickstart yourself into a healthier body, I need to talk to you, and I am not an infomercial. I’m just a mom who was tired of dieting and found a better way. Like me, you might just need a perspective shift, away from the weight you want to lose, and onto what you need to gain: muscle.
25 pounds. Calorie-counting programs like WW can work, but I don’t believe they are sustainable or healthy in the long term. Keeping track of every single thing you eat is just no way to live. I may have been thin, but I wasn’t strong. My journey to be fit over the next eight or so years went something like this: Run, eat a lot, run, diet, run, eat a lot, run, diet. When the number on the scale got too high, I’d diet. Until I became fully invested in strength training and building muscle, I didn’t realize that I was missing the key to finding my happy, healthy weight. A couple years ago, I started working out at Bodies by Badger, a gym in
I imagine my story is similar to a lot of yours. As a kid, I could eat whatever I wanted. In my mid-20s, my metabolism changed and I slowly started gaining weight. Into adulthood, I watched the number on the scale grow and my comfort in my own body decline. Having two kids did not help my cause, and I found myself settling into a body that I just didn’t like anymore. Eventually, I got fed up and went on Weight Watchers, which at the time, I found to be a welcome and helpful tool to help me “reign it in” and lose my baby weight. It felt like a game to count points and (I cringe to say this) to see how little I could eat; I was somehow able to stay on this plan for about six months, and I lost 30 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Brewer run by Amy Badger, a powerhouse of strength and enthusiasm. Now, my exercise life is centered in strength training in group exercise classes that are varied and high energy. Under Amy’s guidance, I have traded in some “fat weight” for “lean weight” (muscle) by doing squats, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, push ups, and a hundred other variations of exercises that build muscle. It’s weird. I’m no longer trying to lose weight. I’m just trying to get stronger, to add muscle. Here’s the cool part, as Amy explains: “The more lean muscle you have on your body, the more calories you burn, get this, even at rest.” I love that. Your muscles will work for you even while you are resting. Be-
PHOTOS: IPGGUTENBERGUKLTD, SOULREBEL83/THINKSTOCK
Like me, you might just need a perspective shift, away from the weight you want to lose, and onto what you need to gain: muscle.
lieve me, building up to 2-3 strength training workouts a week, and you will just feel better in your body and fit better in your clothes. Amy says “lean muscle doesn't always move the scale down, since muscle is more dense than fat, however, it is exactly what changes your body, revs up your metabolism, and makes your body smaller, tighter, leaner, meaner.” Expensive machinery or a gym membership are not required to add strength training into your routine. You can start with some hand weights in your living room. Feeling my arms, shoulders, abs, glutes, and quads get stronger is so much more rewarding to me than striving for a certain weight. If you need a way to note your progress, Amy suggests using these questions: Do you feel stronger? Do you have more energy? Can you do things you haven't been able to do in years? Are your clothes fitting differently? I now know firsthand the many benefits of strength training that I wish I’d known earlier: Building muscle helps you lose weight and maintains that weight loss, promotes bone health, and even elevates endorphin levels, making you feel better from head to toe. Instead of heading for the scale, you just might be flexing your muscles in front of the mirror.
EMILIE BRAND THROCKMORTON is a mom and runner who co-chairs the English Department at Bangor High School and writes the blog One Mom in Maine.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 31
feature story
32 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Rare Blooms Posthumous donation of Mainer’s prize orchid collection to Smithsonian a botanist’s dream.
STORY BY EMILY BURNHAM | PHOTOS BY MICKY BEDELL
T
here are nearly
28,000 known species within the plant family Orchidaceae, more than all the species of birds and mammals on Earth combined. They exist on six out of seven continents; grow everywhere from jungles and swamps to deserts and rocky cliffs; can smell sweet, musky, rotten or like nothing, and can range in size from two millimeters to 200 pounds. Other than perhaps insects, there’s no type of organism on the planet as wildly diverse and widespread as the orchid. That’s surely part of the reason why Denis Roessiger, in the years before his sudden death in 2014, traveled all over the world, collecting thousands of specimens of orchids, which he brought back to the Hancock County town of Penobscot, to the tree-lined, secluded home and five separate greenhouses he built over the years with his wife, Lucybell. “He was always a plant guy, but orchids were the special thing,” said Lucybell. “He
By 2014, Roessiger had amassed the largest private orchid collection in New England, numbering more than 3,500 specimens. loved them as a young man, but went away from them as an adult, and then returned to them later in life, around the year 2000. He returned to his first love. They were his passion.” By 2014, Roessiger had amassed the largest private orchid collection in New England, numbering more than 3,500 specimens, gathered both stateside and from his many trips to places like Singapore, Taiwan, South Africa and Ecuador, the latter of which is home to more than 4,200 unique species alone. Such was his passion for the plants that his name became known among collectors worldwide. In 2009, a hybrid variety of orchid was named after him: Masdevallia Denis Roessiger. There are also hybrids named after Lucybell, and after their grandchildren. At any point during the year, his geothermally heated greenhouses — each with a different temperature and humidity, depending on www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 33
feature story the types of orchids growing there — displayed a riotous array of colors, as one plant bloomed and another plant waned. In winter, they’re a verdant oasis. In summer, they’re a jungle. Regardless of the type or time of season, Roessiger cared for each with unique expertise. “You just have to find out what they want and give it to them,” said Denis Roessiger, in a 2009 interview with the Bangor Daily News after his namesake orchid was announced. “You have to watch everything. Observe. Observe. Observe.” More than a third of those orchids aren’t in Maine any longer, however. After her husband passed in November 2014, Lucybell found herself the new primary caretaker of thousands of flowers.
to see if the storied institution would want to add to its collection. The orchid collection specifically has a mission to educate the public, increase and enhance its already substantial collection, and contribute to the conservation of rare species. “We have an extensive array of species here to begin with, but there were lots and lots that we didn’t have that Denis did,” said Mirenda. “In addition, he had many different clones of orchids that were very, very special. There were blue color forms, and alba forms, which is where the flower is white but only the lip is colorful. Those are among the most beautiful orchids, and they are coveted... They’re very hard to get, and he had them.”
In July 2015, the Smithsonian sent climatecontrolled trucks to Penobscot to pick up the orchids and transport them back down to the D.C. area. The only refrigerated trucks available in Maine were Gifford’s Ice Cream trucks... the sight of a huge ice cream truck slowly maneuvering its way down a winding back road in Maine sent her handful of neighbors gawking. While her husband’s collection was his great passion in life, she — a plant lover, but not quite at his level — knew she couldn’t care for them the way he did. So she began to search for a new home. Over the winter of 2015, Roessiger and her family began the process of exhaustively cataloging every specimen they had. Within a few months, she had a thick binder containing the name and description of each unique plant, from bulbophyllum to dendrobium. “Most of the plants were labeled, but some weren’t. It was a very exacting task,” she said. “By the end of it, we realized he had even more plants than we originally thought — about 3,500. The binder was just huge.” It was this catalog that she sent to Tom Mirenda, orchid collection specialist at the Smithsonian Gardens and Greenhouses in Washington, D.C., 34 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Mirenda said Roessiger also had several species in his collection that were endangered. “There’s one in particular, laelia anceps, that is wild in Mexico, and is heavily poached. They use them to decorate cemeteries on the Day of the Dead,” said Mirenda. “That’s a plant we want to breed and conserve, and he had several wonderful color forms of it… we have a chance to breed it, and maybe even reintroduce it into the wild.” The collection in total — both what was sent to the Smithsonian and what remains in Maine — is valued at over $100,000. With the donation, the Smithsonian orchid collection has grown by more than 25 percent, from 8,000 to around 10,000. Lucybell is looking for a home for the remaining 1,500 or so specimens; she’s currently in talks with Smith College in Northhampton, Mass.,
Just a few of the colorful and unique orchids in the collection Denis Roessiger accumulated in his greenhoused in Penobscot.
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feature story
“Really, you’d never know from looking at Denis and from seeing the greenhouses from the outside what a spectacular thing he had.” to donate to their botanical gardens. In the end, she plans to keep just a few dozen plants; namely, the ones named after Denis and other family members. In July 2015, the Smithsonian sent climate-controlled trucks to Penobscot to pick up the orchids and transport them back down to the D.C. area. The only refrigerated trucks available in Maine were Gifford’s Ice Cream trucks, and Roessiger’s driveway is long and narrow, so the sight of a huge ice cream truck slowly maneuvering its way down a winding back road in Maine sent her handful of neighbors gawking. Louise Snow, an Orono resident and longtime friend of the Roessigers, started with Denis and others the Eastern Maine Orchid Society, which meets at 11 a.m. the third Saturday of the month at the Clapp Greenhouses at the University of Maine. The two shared a love of orchids that was infectious, and she was there when Mirenda and the Smithsonian trucks arrived. 36 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Sharing the collection Denis Roessiger’s wife Lucybell tends to the 1,500 or so orchids still remaining in the collection. Lucybell is looking for a home for the remaining specimens; she’s currently in talks with Smith College in Northhampton, Massachusetts.
“Seeing Tom in Denis’ greenhouses was like watching a kid in a candy shop,” said Snow. “Really, you’d never know from looking at Denis and from seeing the greenhouses from the outside what a spectacular thing he had. I have a lot of orchids myself — I have a little greenhouse, and it’s my tranquilizer in the winter — but Denis was something else.” Loving orchids is a hobby that can quickly grow into an obsession — read Susan Orlean’s “The Orchid Thief” for proof of that. It often leaves those struck with it often helpless in the face of the all-consuming need to keep searching and collecting ever more rare and beautiful blooms.
– Louise Snow
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 37
feature story “I had to make a career out of cultivating orchids, because I ran out of room in my home,” said Mirenda. “Certainly Denis went above and beyond as well… Most flowers, like daisies or chrysanthemums, are radially symmetrical. So are starfish and echinoderms. They’re the same all around. They don’t resonate. An orchid
“An orchid is bilaterally symmetrical, like a human. When you look at an orchid flower, it looks back. It has a personality. It draws you in… they are endlessly diverse. They have everything.” – Tom Mirenda
ON DISPLAY The Smithsonian’s annual orchid exhibition at the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C., is on display through April 17.
is bilaterally symmetrical, like a human. When you look at an orchid flower, it looks back. It has a personality. It draws you in… they are endlessly diverse. They have everything.” Though it wasn’t easy to see a living reminder of her late husband’s spirit leave the home they’d shared together for all those years, for Lucybell, the fact that the thing he’d spent years lovingly caring for will live on in perpetuity is a small comfort. “It’s going to live on for many, many years, and it’s going to be available for anyone to study and enjoy,” she said. “I think he would have liked that.” THE SMITHSONIAN’S annual orchid exhibition, held this year at the U.S. Botanic Gardens in Washington, D.C., is on display through April 17. A number of Denis Roessiger’s orchids are included in the exhibition. In addition, many of his orchids will be rotated in and out of display at the both the Smithsonian Gardens in D.C. and at the Smithsonian Garden Greenhouses in Suitland, Maryland, where the full orchid collection is housed. For more information, visit gardens.si.edu.
38 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
PHOTO: (DENIS ROESSIGER) BDN FILE
Denis Roessiger of Penobscot stands amid some of the 3,500 orchids he grew and collected in a photo from 2009.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 39
feature story
Farm to Table Maine restaurants are going back to the land for fresh, local food. BY EMILY BURNHAM
Freshly dug carrots are among the fine produce at Chase's Daily in Belfast. 40 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
T
he term
“farm-to-table” has been a popular one among diners and restaurateurs alike in recent years — but what exactly does it mean? Basically, it’s any eatery that sources most (if not all) of the food it serves from local farmers, growers and harvesters, be it produce, eggs, meat, cheese, fish or, in some cases, wine and beer. Some go the extra mile and grow their own, like Primo in Rockland or Vignola Cinque Terre in Portland. Some partner directly with local farms, like the Pickup Cafe in Skowhegan or The Lost Kitchen in Freedom. And some, like Helen’s in Machias, just do their level best to make sure that as much of what is served in their restaurant comes from local people, be it a lobsterman, cheesemaker or blueberry grower. Here are 13 restaurants — some among the finest in the Northeastern U.S., some longtime local favorites — that know how to do local food.
PHOTOS: BDN FILE; (HERBS) LILIGRAPHIE/THINKSTOCK
(Top) Benna Chase, Spencer Nietmann and Natalie Jones repot herbs at Turner Farm on North Haven. The produce from Turner Farms and other farms on the islands supports the needs of Nebo Lodge, a fine dining restaurant on North Haven. (This photo) Sous chef Ryan Quigley of Vinland in Portland makes a blueberry and vinegar reduction.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 41
feature story
Fore Street
Aragosta
Stonington For the past decade or so, Deer IsleStonington has quietly been a culinary powerhouse, with the Island Culinary and Ecological Center hosting workshops and dinners focused around local foods cooked by some of the best chefs and food writers in the world, including Jean-George Vongerichten and Mark Bittman. Aragosta, a restaurant open since 2013 right in the middle of Stonington Harbor, comes right out of that tradition — Chef Devin Finigan uses fresh local seafood and produce to create decadent, beautiful dishes.
The Pickup Cafe & CSA
Skowhegan Super casual and super local, this eatery in Skowhegan has for the past few years offered farm to table brunch and weekend dinner. There’s also a CSA — community supported agriculture — pickup on site. Sausage and gravy with a side of eggs, all made from local pigs, farmraised chicken and pigs? Count us in.
Vignola Cinque Terre
Portland Nearly all the produce served at Vignola Cinque Terre in Portland’s Old Port was grown at Grand View Farm in Greene, a family farm in operation since 1780, where Chef Lee Skawinski grabs the vegetables, fruits and herbs grown by Dan and Michelle Kary, creating eclectic, satisfying, Italian-inspired dishes out of them. If you love Italian food as much as you love eating local, this is the place for you. 42 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Earth at Hidden Pond
Kennebunkport For sheer atmosphere, Earth at Hidden Pond wins: nestled among shady trees, candlelight and flowers, it’s a truly beautiful dining experience. But it’s also a working farm, providing produce and fruits to the classic bistro-style dishes on the menu. Open since 2011, Earth is a seasonal restaurant, opening in May and closing (except for special events) in October, meaning everything on the menu is super fresh, and super local.
Primo
Rockland If there’s one other fine restaurant in Maine that can give Fore Street a run for its money, it’s Primo. And how: you dine in a beautiful Victorian house in Rockland, while mere feet away is a working farm, filled with livestock, buzzing bees, and organic — and sometimes exotic, for Maine — produce, as well as a generalized sense of gourmet Maine utopia. Chef Melissa Kelly is a James Beard Award winner, and with good reason, as she combines Italian influences with rustic Maine ideals.
Chase’s Daily
Belfast With no social media presence — not even a website — Chase’s Daily makes you come to them. It’s old school. This restaurant, bakery and longstanding Belfast business comes straight out of the back to the land movement in Maine, exemplifying those ideals of simplicity, sustainability and local, local, local. The Chase farm supplies produce that not only goes into their Friday night, allvegetarian dinners, but also into what’s sold during the day at the bakery. Simple, sustainable, and local. Lovely.
PHOTOS: BDN FILE; (HERBS) WAVEBREAKMEDIA LTD/THINKSTOCK
Portland The granddaddy of farm-to-table restaurants in Maine, Fore Street is a nationally recognized name, a multiple James Beard Award winner, and still among the best restaurants in New England. For 20 years now, chef and partner Sam Hayward has maintained a standard of excellence — as well as a commitment to local ingredients, be it the delicate greens in your salad, the wood-roasted Maine mussels, or the house-made gelato concocted from Maine cream and milk. If you’re a foodie, there’s no better treat in Maine.
(Top) A taste of local oysters at Aragosta in Stonington. (Far left) Primo chef Melissa Kelly picks fresh produce in the Rockland restaurant’s greenhouse as Johnny-jump-ups and violas are in bloom. (Left) Sarah Smith of Grassland Farm packs veggies for the Pickup Cafe and CSA in Skowhegan, manages questions and orders via the phone, and mothers all at the same time, in this 2012 photo.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 43
feature story Lost Kitchen chef Erin French prepares farm-to-table dishes in her Freedom restaurant during the summer of 2014.
The Lost Kitchen
Freedom In 2015, every seat in The Lost Kitchen, Chef Erin French’s idyllic restaurant in the town of Freedom is rural Waldo County, was booked up by early summer. You literally could not get a table for months. And with good reason: The Lost Kitchen serves up creative American cuisine almost entirely sourced from the many Waldo County farms nearby, and from local cheese and fishmongers, that’s also as visually appealing as it is delicious. Just make sure you call for reservations now.
Nebo Lodge
North Haven You have to take a boat to get there, but once you’re there, you don’t want to leave. Nebo Lodge, the charming inn and restaurant owned by the Pingree family on the island of North Haven, has always been a farm to table restaurant, building its menu around the local produce, meat, fish, cheeses and other foods produced on the island and in Midcoast Maine. In the warmer months, taking the Equinox dinner cruise from Rockland to North Haven and back in one night is a great way to celebrate a special occasion.
Portland When Vinland opened in 2014, chef David Levi was making a big gamble. Could an organic, gluten-free restaurant that serves food made solely from hyper local ingredients work? Two years on, that appears to be the case: Vinland is a truly unique dining experience, offering up either a $75 prix fixe dinner, or a tasting menu. There is nothing you can order that didn’t come from southern Maine, and there’s nothing else like it.
Sarah Smith of Grassland Farm at the Skowhegan Farmers’ Market. Grassland Farm helps provideveggies for the Pickup Cafe and CSA in Skowhegan. 44 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
PHOTOS: BDN FILE; (HERBS) KESU01/THINKSTOCK
Vinland
Chef Amanda Hallowell sorts locally grown potatoes as she prepares vegetables at Nebo Lodge on North Haven. Nebo Lodge purchases produce from several island farms to be served at the restaurant.
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feature story
Spaghetti and Meatballs prepared at the Cafe Miranda in Rockland.
Pittsfield Located just off the highway in Pittsfield, Vittles is one of the only restaurants in the area, making it special indeed. That turkey club you’re having for lunch before heading up to camp is made with produce grown in Vittles’ kitchen garden, along with those pickles, and that Friday night fish fry is all Maine haddock. Vittles, open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week and dinner on the weekend, is a real small town cafe with a real taste for local foods.
owner Kerry Altiero’s commitment to local food, and you’ve got a one of a kind dining experience. With a menu that spans multiple ethnicities and reads like a short novel, and a laid back, punk rock attitude, Cafe Miranda is perhaps the only place in Maine that is devotedly farm to table — and has been for over a decade, operating its own farm and sourcing meat and seafood locally — and also a fun place to eat.
Cafe Miranda
Machias You might associate Helen’s with pie and pot roast, and you’d be right — but you should also associate it with local foods, as Helen’s proudly partners with area farms, fishermen and dairies to
Rockland Few places combine zany attitude with high end cuisine as well as Cafe Miranda in Rockland does. Add to that chef and 46 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Helen’s Restaurant
source much of its menu from Washington County and neighboring towns. From Maine potatoes and blueberries to cheese and milk from Tide Mill Creamery in Eastport, Helen’s is affordable comfort food that also has an eye — and taste — for sustainability. PHOTOS: BDN FILE; (HERBS) KESU01/THINKSTOCK
Vittles
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thomaston then & now
(Top) Wagons on Main Street in Thomaston in 1912. (This photo) Main Street in the 1930s. (Right) A look at Main Street today.
48 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
The Town That Went to Sea The colorful history and bright future of Thomaston.
HISTORIC PHOTOS COURTESY OF THOMASTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, GENERAL HENRY KNOX MUSEUM, BANGOR DAILY NEWS, AND BANGOR PUBLIC LIBRARY’S JAMES B. VICKERY POSTCARD COLLECTION
V
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY RICHARD SHAW
isitors to the
Knox County community of Thomaston enter two separate worlds. Yesterday’s “town that went to sea,” with its tree-lined streets and white-clapboard homes, sits cheek by jowl with today’s Route 1 big box stores, fast food franchises, and Dragon Cement plant. Settled in 1605, incorporated in 1777, Thomaston touts its shipbuilding history in the face of 21st century development. The Maine State Prison, which put the sedate burgh on the map in 1824 with hangings and incarcerations, and inspired the 1994 Stephen King film “The Shawshank Redemption,” moved to nearby Warren in 2002.
Visitors still make a point to visit the State Prison Showroom, packed with inmate-crafted souvenirs. Next door, along the St. George River, is Thomaston Green, where the brick landmark once stood. Old and new values clashed in February, when the town’s planning board squashed a first draft Dollar General proposal for part of the green space. The store’s franchise architecture was not appropriate with its surroundings, the board argued, citing a town ordinance. “There was a time when ‘going down to Thomaston’ meant one was headed to the state prison to spend time,” said Peggy McCrae, historian for the town’s historical www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 49
thomaston then & now
(This photo) An old postcard showing the interior of one of the corridors of the Maine State Prison. (Middle) The exterior of the prison circa 1950. (Bottom) An aerial view of the prison in the 1970s.
society. “Today, time spent in Thomaston is a totally different experience.” McCrae and Susan Devlin, president and curator, point to the society’s Knox Street headquarters. Known as the Knox Farmhouse, the former railroad station was built in 1797 as a tenant house for Gen. Henry Knox’s farmers. Knox was George Washington’s secretary of war and remains Thomaston’s most celebrated native son. A 1929 recreation of his mansion, Montpelier, razed in 1871, stands at the junction of Routes 1 and 131. The General Henry Knox Museum is visited annually by 5,000 people, said collections manager Matt Hansbury. Highlighting this year’s activities will be a display from May 26-30 of the Vietnam Combat Veterans’ The Moving Wall.
“There was a time when ‘going down to Thomaston’ meant one was headed to the state prison to spend time. Today, time spent in Thomaston is a totally different experience.” –Peggy McCrae A short drive down Route 131, the Finnish Congregational Church and Heritage House evoke the region’s Scandinavian heritage. Two other historic houses of worship, the Church of St. John Baptist (Episcopal) and Thomaston Baptist Church, are located on Route 1 downtown. In honor of the Baptist congregation’s bicentennial year, the historical society will sponsor an August multi-church tour. The society is also leading a Revolutionary War graves tour in May with the local Daughter’s of the American Revolution (DAR) chapter. Downtown is a good place to pause for lunch at the Thomaston Café or Athens Pizzeria, or shop at the Thomaston Grocery, all based in restored brick and granite blocks. The Knox Hotel is home to senior housing and Camden Na50 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
(Top) Thomaston Academy today, and (at left) past view of the old high school. (Below) An historic view down Main Street in Thomaston, featuring the Watts Block and Knox Hotel.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 51
thomaston then & now The State Prison Showroom, packed with inmate-crafted items.
Town Stats Incorporated: March 20, 1777 Named for: (disputed) John Thomas, Revolutionary War general, commanded American forces in Canada Motto: The Town That Went to Sea Population: 2,776 (2012 estimate) Elevation: 100 feet Area: 11.48 square miles Gen. Henry Knox’s mansion, Montpelier, which today (below) is home to the General Henry Knox Museum visited annually by 5,000 people.
Notable people: • Henry Knox, first Secretary of War • Jonathan Cilley, U.S. representative, abolitionist • Adelyn Bushnell, actress, novelist • Chuck Kruger, state representative • Edward O’Brien, shipbuilder, banker • Samuel Watts, sea captain, shipbuilder • John Ruggles, Maine Supreme Court justice, U.S. senator, father of U.S. Patent Office • Enoch Fernald, landscape photographer • F.L.S. Morse, historian, author • Chris Rector, former state senator, aide to Angus King • Oliver Patterson Watts, educator Landmarks: General Henry Knox Museum (Montpelier); Knox Farmhouse (Thomaston Historical Society headquarters); Ruggles House; State Prison Showroom; Knox Hotel block; old high school; Soldier’s Monument; Museum in the Streets; Church of St. John Baptist (Episcopal); Thomaston Baptist Church; Finnish Congregational Church and Parsonage; Maine Watercraft Museum; Wadsworth Street Bridge; Dragon Cement plant; Waterman’s Point lobster pound (South Thomaston); ’Keag Store (South Thomaston) Municipal website: town.thomaston.me.us
52 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
tional Bank, and a short walk away is the old Thomaston Academy. Today’s Oceanside High School West stands in stark contrast to the old building. Thomaston Place Auction Galleries are a short drive down Route 1. While in the area, Rockland’s shops and the Farnsworth Art Museum are worth a visit. The Owls Head Transportation Museum, open year round, boasts a first-rate collection of vintage automobiles and aircraft. Owls Head also has a
While in the area, Rockland’s shops and the Farnsworth Art Museum are worth a visit. The Owls Head Transportation Museum, open year round, boasts a firstrate collection of vintage automobiles and aircraft.
The Wessaweskeag Historical Society in South Thomaston.
The Knox Hotel on Main Street in Thomaston then (above) and now.
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thomaston then & now The Gen. Henry Knox gravesite and monument in Thomaston.
state park, home to a lighthouse. Next door is South Thomaston, a village of galleries, a Methodist church, Waterman’s Beach Lobster, the ’Keag (pronounced Gig) Store, and the Wessaweskeag Historical Society. To the south, in the village of Cushing, is the Olson House, made famous in Andrew Wyeth’s iconic painting “Christina’s World.” Open for seasonal tours, the house is owned by the Farnsworth. April is a wonderful time to sample greater Thomaston’s historic sites and modern amenities. While many places are open in springtime, it is always wise to phone ahead for operating hours. Gen. Knox and his wife, Lucy, no strangers to excitement, might be amused to see how busy and vibrant their hometown continues to be.
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kitchen confidential
L
uke Duplessis loves
three things: food, beer and music. So it makes perfect sense that he’d open two restaurants that are focused on exactly those three things. Duplessis, 38, a native of Old Town, owns Mainely Brews in Waterville and the BoomHouse in Old Town, both of which have grown to be both dining destinations for locals, and great places to check out live music. Duplessis and his staff at both places offer upscale pub food done right — burgers, pizzas and mac and cheese, right alongside a wide array of seafood dishes and pasta. Not to mention a huge selection of Maine-made beer, and of course, the weekly live music. Duplessis spoke with Bangor Metro about how he got started in the restaurant industry, and why it’s important to bring food and entertainment to his hometown.
Great food, local brews and good music go hand-in-hand at these two Maine restaurants. BY EMILY BURNHAM
(Top) Luke Duplessis, owner of the BoomHouse restaurant. (Above) The bar at the BoomHouse Restaurant on Main Street in Old Town.
56 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Owner of Mainely Brews in Waterville and the BoomHouse in Old Town. Tell us about your background. Why did you go into the restaurant industry and what made you want to do it in Maine? I grew up in Old Town and worked at the University Commons, which is where I developed an interest in food service. I’m a people pleaser. I want everyone to have the best possible experience, whether I’m flipping a burger or pouring a cold one. I’d also been brewing beer since high school and just loved the idea of creating a brewpub that offered hand-crafted beers and outstanding food. When I was in my early twenties a friend told me about a dive bar in Waterville that was for sale and he thought it was a perfect fit for my idea. My partner and I loaded up and made the drive to Waterville, and two weeks later we owned the bar that in a few years after many renovations would become Mainely Brews Restaurant and Brewhouse. Flash forward a decade, my hometown of Old Town was interested in the idea of bringing life back to a restaurant space on the water downtown. Nothing could have been a more natural fit for me.
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
Brewing Good Times
Luke Duplessis
How would you say Mainely Brews and the BoomHouse are similar, and how are they different? They are very similar in philosophy, but different in appearance. I love them both like they’re my children: Mainely Brews is a teenager and the BoomHouse is a two year old. Both restaurants have a cozy, welcoming pub vibe and feature a range of distinctive draft beers and an eclectic menu you won’t find anywhere else in the Waterville or Old Town areas. Mainely Brews is an established downtown destination, and our longtime regulars have sung our praises better than I ever could. I love coming down Main Street and seeing our beautiful historic building on the cusp of the downtown. The BoomHouse has these great big windows overlooking the river and it was a fun experience cultivating a place that has a different physical feel than Mainely Brews. Both are family restaurants that give tribute to the history of the areas in which they are in. In both locations, the people are what make them great. The folks who visit my restaurants contribute to the evolution of them. What's the best part about owning a restaurant in Old Town, your home town? It’s great to come back and give the people I grew up with the same great experience that we have been perfecting in Waterville. I am excited to bring the same culinary classics to Old Town that are such a hit in Waterville. It’s been a real treat to host live music every weekend at the BoomHouse. Music is another of my passions, and I’m grateful to be able to share that with my customers. There wasn’t really a gathering place north of Waterville where you could see a show with a couple hundred of your closest friends. I feel like any place that has great food, great beer and great music is where I want to be! The area has been in need of commerce and positive energy, and I want to continue to be a part of that change. What's your favorite dish on the menu at both places? I generally order from the weekly specials menu, because I like to see what clever dishes the chefs have arranged. For example last week specials included zesty duck wings, horseradish salmon, and pork carnitas. But like most
The Side Hill salmon dish from the Boomhouse restaurant.
On the Menu
Just a few of the specials from Mainely Brews in Waterville and the BoomHouse in Old Town.
BoomHouse Specials
SIDE-HILL SALMON Fresh Atlantic salmon filet dusted with Cajun seasoning, pan blackened to perfection, topped with homemade roasted tomato and corn salsa and finished with cilantro sour cream. THE SAWMILL Sliced roast turkey, bacon, avocado, cheddar cheese and chipotle mayo served on your choice of bread and pressed.
Mainely Brews
AHI TUNA Fresh yellowfin tuna steak crusted with sesame seeds and pan-seared to your liking. Served with pickled ginger, wasabi and sweet garlic soy sauce. HAVANA Pulled pork, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese and chipotle aioli on a brioche bun.
kitchen confidential chefs I don't need anything fancy. I really love the comfort of fried chicken broccoli alfredo, but it is hard to choose just one dish because our burgers and pizza are fantastic as well. I also have to suggest that you try our lobster stew, an award-winning favorite that keeps people coming back for more. What are the things you really love to cook? I really love to make just about everything! I like to keep up with the latest trends in our industry. For example, our house brew Head Stash cheese dip, served with warm pretzel sticks started as a weekly special and has since become a permanent menu item. You're going to find pub food classics with a fresh twist in both restaurants. I've been lucky enough to travel out of the country and bring that inspiration back with me. A visit to the Ceviche House in Puerto Rico inspired a ceviche dinner special that got a great response for us. Stumbling upon different combinations of ingredients and willing to try something new has helped us keep things fresh and new. I also make a mean mac n’ cheese lol! We’ve featured at least a dozen different types of mac n’ cheese over the years. It’s a great comfort food you can experiment with.
more info MAINELY BREWS 1 POST OFFICE SQUARE, WATERVILLE
THE BOOMHOUSE 170 MAIN ST., OLD TOWN
Hours: 11 a.m. - 1 a.m. seven days
Hours: 11 a.m. - midnight Monday; 11 a.m. - 1 a.m. Tuesday - Saturday; 10:30 a.m. - midnight (10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday brunch)
Description: Mainely Brews Restaurant & Brewhouse is the place to be for firstrate food, the finest ales, and the best live music in Central Maine. Website: mainelybrews.com
Description: The BoomHouse Restaurant’s rustic-style set up and friendly staff create a homey, laid-back environment you’re sure to love. It’s a great place to bring the whole family. Website: theboomhouserestaurant.com
(Left) Block Cut Tuna from the Boomhouse restaurant.
HAMPDEN
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
Finally, what's your idea of a perfect night at the Boomhouse? A great dinner rush, with our guests laughing and full and employees busy and happy, followed by a high-energy band that packs the house! What more could I ask for?
BREWER
BANGOR
A TASTE OF
SUNSHINE IN MAINE
Latin-Caribbean Cuisine 14 North Main Street, Brewer atasteofsunshineinmaine.com
58 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
BUCKSPORT
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 59
arts & culture
The P lay’s the
Thing BY EMILY BURNHAM
60 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
A
ctors travel from
miles away — more than an hour’s drive each way, three days a week — to rehearse and perform with the Belfast-based Midcoast Actor’s Studio. Though amateur theater people are known for their commitment to spending all their free time on something that pays them next to nothing, there’s something special about Midcoast Actor’s Studio. Founder and executive director Jason Bannister, a theater teacher, director and producer
PHOTOS: (TICKETS) SCANRAIL/THINKSTOCK; (TOP) COURTESY OF MIDCOAST ACTOR’S STUDIO
The Midcoast Actor’s Studio in Belfast has become a big draw for actors and audiences alike.
Midcoast Actor’s Studio founder and executive director Jason Bannister in a recent production.
“The Servant of Two Masters.” Perhaps no other non-professional theater company in Maine produces such consistently challenging work — and on a shoestring, barely-breaking-even budget. Why? For the love of theater. Bannister, who by day is a performing arts teacher at Troy Howard Middle School, spoke with Bangor Metro about why people travel from miles around to work with his group. Midcoast Actor’s Studio’s next performances include George Bernard Shaw’s classic “Arms And The Man,” directed by Wendy Schweikert, set for September in Belfast. For more information, visit midcoastactors.org. In the four years since founding MAS, how has the group grown and changed? We started with such a tiny group of people, and at that time, we just wanted to do classic plays. We started with “Hedda Gabler” and “Miss Julie” and things like that.
challenge yourselves and take the audience with you? First and foremost, we pick what we want to do, and then we offer it to the community. We don’t chose things for commercial appeal, but we also don’t choose things to be deliberately provocative. Commedia dell’arte like “The Servant of Two Masters” won’t appeal to people that want to see “Glengarry Glen Ross.” But that’s OK — we try to offer something for everyone. But really, we have to want to do it. If we’re going to spend all this time together, let’s tell a story we love. What’s the biggest challenge to doing theater in rural Maine? And, on the flip side of that, what are you most proud of? I think audience building is hard. We’ve had a lot of shows that are really successful and get great crowds, and then we’ve had 15 people in the audience. We’re still happy with it. We love do-
We attract people that have a lot of experience in theater, whether they have a degree or studied it or just have that onstage experience. People that want to do scripts that are challenging and interesting and they want to really get into it. SAVE THE DATE The Midcoast Actor’s Studio performance of “Arms and The Man” will take place this September in Belfast.
in Maine for most of his life, can point to a lot of things that are special, but for him, it boils down to the play, as a famous guy once said, being the thing. Over the course of just four years, the group has produced 17 shows, from the wacky musical “Nunsense” to edgy fare like “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “Venus in Fur” to the charming, family-friendly
So the big thing that’s really changed is the programming — we’ve done musicals, and we’ve done a lot of new plays. We’ve also got a much larger group of people that work with us… We attract people that have a lot of experience in theater, whether they have a degree or studied it or just have that onstage experience. I think it boils down to the material. People that want to do scripts that are challenging and interesting and they want to really get into it. We don’t just meet for four weeks and do a play. We try to go in depth and really study the play and work hard at it. There are a lot of stories to tell, and people want to tell them. You’ve done some pretty powerful and challenging plays, like Venus in Furs and August Osage County. Do you find audiences asking for this kind of content, or do you do it to
ing it no matter what. But yes, it’s hard to market and get the word out. Venue space is also challenging. There’s no dedicated theater space on the Midcoast. That’s hard for a lot of people, I think, because you end up performing in either a tiny, 40-seat storefront, or in a school… But, one of the things I’m most proud of was last year, in the spring, when we did [David Hare’s] “Skylight” in an abandoned church. which we called the Court Street Theater. We brought in everything, and did theater in the round, and it was just fantastic. We had really high hopes for the space. My wife recorded a David Bowie song for the performance. It was really special. Unfortunately, the church is just not affordable for a group like us that just has no real money… but that’s kind of a dream space. That’s the kind of thing anyone would love to have. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 61
per spectives
Catherine Frost
62 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
M
ainer Catherine Frost
travels throughout the state, visiting farms with specialty livestock to curate her photoblog, "Faces of Farms,� a collection of animal portraits. Back roads have led her to towns such as Cherryfield, Pittsfield, Gouldsboro and Edmunds to capture the spirit of Nubian goats, Norwegian Fiords, Belted Galloways and Guard Donkeys. Each trip results in a unique post that illuminates the personalities of livestock through a lens of deep appreciation and respect for animals. Frost, who lived in Millinocket until she was 10, is an avid animal lover and outdoor explorer. Her vocation is closely linked to her passions. She owns Folio Marketing & Creative, which provides photography, creative and marketing services to small companies that are led by socially-responsible entrepreneurs. She collaborates with several Maine farmers, including: North Star Sheep Farm (Windham), Balfour Farm (Pittsfield), Aurora Mills and Farm (Linneus) and Norumbega Farm (New Gloucester). Her home is in Freeport, where she lives with her dog, Daisy. See more of her work at folio-marketing.com/faces-of-farms. If you're interested in having Catherine visit your farm, email her at catherine@folio-marketing.com. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 63
aimee & amy try...
Who We Are.. With a grand total of 4 children ages 1-9, Bangor Metro staffers Aimee Thibodeau and Amy Allen are well versed in keeping kids busy. Each month we’ll try a new project and share the results – be they great or disasterous.
Turning old junk and trash into garden décor treasure.
ou know when
you see something really cute on Pinterest and then you try it at home and it comes out completely different? Yeah, that’s what happened this month. Google “garden owls made from jar lids” – that was the plan. But when you put a pile of old junk in front of a group of kids, they get inspired. Our owls turned into faces, pigs and mustached monsters. All the same, we had fun, kept busy, made good use of some old junk destined for the trash, and came up with some adorable creations to decorate the yard. A couple of tips for trying this at home: we used hot glue to keep the projects together, which didn’t end up holding as well as we hoped. If you’re planning to keep your creatures outside, a stronger adhesive will definitely be in order. Also, if you’ve recently purged all your “old junk” that would have been perfect for a project like this, just ask around. We put out the call at the office and got bags of old lids, bottle caps and more delivered to us in record time!
A plastic bowl could be soup for your creature or a good spot to leave a little bird seed and invite some feathered friends.
64 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Old forks make great bird feet. Make good use of those old CDs.
Supplies • Stuff. Round stuff specfically if you want to make owls or faces – old CDs, pizza pans, oven burner covers, jar lids, bottle caps, silverware, buttons, keys, scrubbing sponges, strainers, allen wrenches, etc. • Adhesive. Hot glue works in a pinch, but construction adhesive would be ideal if you’re keeping your projects outside. Just remember to be in a well ventilated space.
Sparkley scrubbing sponges make fun facial hair.
PHOTOS: (FENCE & LEAVES) NORTHSTAR203, RODHO/THINKSTOCK
Y
What a Hoot!
Step 1: Make a plan. Check out some similar projects online for inspiration and gather your supplies.
Step 2: Pre-assemble your design. Decide exactly where all the pieces are going and the best way to arrange them so they will lay flat on your base.
Step 3: Stick them on. Whether you choose hot glue, construction adhesive or something in between, just be sure you’ve got a strong bond so pieces don’t pop off.
Project Review • Degree of Difficulty: Easy to assemble; adhereing everything can be tricky. • Average Time: 20-60 minutes, depending on how many you want to make. • Degree of Fun According to the Kids & Moms:
1:
We better get paid for this.
5:
Fun, but once was enough.
Sponsored by
10:
Super fun, let’s make one for everyone!
“This is very fun! I’m so excited I got invited to today!” –Isabelle F. The kids loved it, but once was enough for most of us.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 65
metro
family
Mom’s
Night Out
Mom’s complicated relationship with time away from the kids. BY ASHLEY THORNTON
Grown-up drinks in fancy glasses!
I
was asked,
not too long ago, “Don’t you ever get to go out on date night or a girl’s night?” Well, of course I do. Otherwise I would seriously lose my mind. For me, it is important that I get a glimpse of the person
As disheartening as it may sound, I longed for the little faces that tend to drive me crazy all the time. that I was prior to being a mother. I will never be that person again, responsible only for myself with the freedom to make decisions that only affect me. Someday, my children will be grown, and I will change then, too. Parents are like beautiful animals that undergo such frequent metamorphosis. I know those days will come upon me faster than I am prepared to accept, so I try to remind myself that I am also my own human being, despite being engulfed in my tiny humans’ needs, in the hopes that I can keep sight of myself throughout the stages of my life.
66 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
I take the time to coordinate with friends or my husband and go out sans children. I get to eat a meal that is hot, and talk about subjects that do not have superpowers or loveable sidekicks. We wear fancy clothes that don’t have or-
ange powdered cheese smeared on them, and shoes that aren’t sensible but look fabulous. I order drinks in fancy glasses, because I’m not worried about little hands knocking beverages to the floor. Sweatpants are left neatly folded in the drawer (rather, tossed on the floor of my closet) anxiously awaiting my return. But one thing never fails — the family sitting at the table in the corner that makes me long for my children and smile because they remind me so much of my own. One recent day, I got to go to lunch with girlfriends, then out to dinner with my husband the same day. The
amount of consecutive hours that I was only responsible for myself was almost overwhelming. I kept feeling like I was forgetting something — and I was. I was forgetting what it was like to be completely consumed. While the freedom and lightness of not having my children with me was a nice release, I found myself missing them terribly. They were most of what I talked about. I wondered what they were up to, and longed for their neediness. I wanted someone to yell that they needed my help, or to have a problem that only I could fix. As disheartening as it may sound, I longed for the little faces that tend to drive me crazy all the time. I read an article once that talked about all of the lists, and inventories that you keep in your head as a parent. We are constantly checking, and rechecking the diaper supply, snacks, toys, baths, homework, permission slips, doctor’s visits, and the list goes on. I will admit that occasionally I even impress myself with my mom skills. My son will ask me where some obscure little figurine is, and I can somehow pinpoint its exact location among our 6 million toys, with my coffee powered homing beacon. My daughter will have a well-child check that is scheduled 6 months in advance and I somehow know the exact date and time (not always), however, I can’t seem to remember to put my other earring in, or shave both of my legs. Is it because my brain is completely overcrowded with trivial little things that I keep track of day to day? Probably, but I usually just chalk it up to being a scatterbrain and move on. Someday this might improve, but I won’t hold my breath. These little nights out, hours away, and small breaks give me the time that I need away from all of this to be able to bear it all. It is heavy, and overwhelming to be a parent. There is almost constant guilt, responsibility, and second guessing. But it also comes with constant laughter, smiles, and love. In no way am I saying that it isn’t worth it, but sometimes it helps to give those parenting muscles a break and call the babysitter. There is nothing better than coming home to smiling faces and outstretched arms that have been anxiously awaiting your return.
Get the most out of your heat pump. Clean FILTERS regularly. When your heat pump is running at its best, you’ll realize maximum comfort and savings. Set the MODE to heat or cool for greatest efficiency. Use the auto setting for the FAN, so your system can adapt as indoor and outdoor conditions change. For optimal COMFORT at a standing or seated level, you may need to adjust the temperature up or down depending on the season. Heating with a ductless heat pump is comparable to heating with oil at $1.50 a gallon. So let the heat pump do the work to increase your SAVINGS.
2015-12-03 Bangor Metro Jan Issue - Get the Most.indd 1
12/6/2015 8:39:17 PM
ASHLEY THORNTON of Milford is a mom of two rambunctious toddlers.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 67
metro sports
MARK YOUR CALENDAR The 50th anniversary of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race will take place April 16.
68 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Racers make their way down the Kenduskeag Stream during the 49th annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. The 16-mile race starts in Kenduskeag and ends in downtown Bangor.
Up a Creek The Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race celebrates its 50th anniversary this April.
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
BY AIMEE THIBODEAU
(Drawing) Lew Gilman and Ed "Sonny" Colburn (front), founders of the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race, in a drawing by Tom Hennessey. (Top) Donnie Olsen, a volunteer with Lincoln Search and Rescue, swims after paddlers to rescue them from the current and cold waters of Six Mile Falls in 2015 at the annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.
F
with a Paddle
ifty years after
paddlers first took to the Kenduskeag Stream for the inaugural canoe race, the event is still going strong and has become the most popular whitewater race in Maine. Bangor’s iconic canoe race attracts about 1,000 participants each year, with thousands of spectators — lovingly dubbed river vultures — lining the stream banks to watch as paddlers tackle the rapids. The original race was the brainchild of Lew Gilman, who died in 2011, and Edwin "Sonny" Colburn. The actual conversation is reported in “Tales of the Kenduskeag” by Jim Smith and Fern Stearns, to have been a phone call that went like this: Ed: "Lew, what do you think about
having a canoe race on the Kenduskeag?" Lew: "It sounds like a helluva good idea to me. Let's meet tonight — get started right off." As a co-owner of Rivers & Gilman Molded Products in Hampden, Gilman once made simulated birchbark canoes that bore the tradename "Indian.” He later worked for the Old Town Canoe Co. A lifelong Bangor resident, Colburn grew up in a large house near Six Mile Falls on Outer Broadway along the Kenduskeag Stream. Gilman and Colburn first met in high school, and then encountered each other again through the Air National Guard. In the late 1960s, the duo came up with the idea for the canoe race and eventually found a sponsor with Bangor Parks and Recreation. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 69
metro sports The first canoe committee members were: Tony Trafton, Ed McKeon, Braley Gray Jr. from Old Town Canoe, Earl Baldwin, Lynn, Colburn, and Gilman. After Wendell Easler of Old Town Canoe spoke to the group about water safety, there were some concerns, according to a 1991 Bangor Daily News story. In recent years, Lincoln Search and Rescue and Dirigo Search and Rescue have been the go-to safety crews for paddlers navigating the stream. Lincoln is stationed at Six Mile Falls, a tricky whitewater area where paddlers often tip their canoes and kayaks. Dirigo, a larger operation from the Bangor area, patrols rapids below the falls, focusing on a series of rapids known as The Shopping Cart. And each year, a number of smaller search and rescue teams also are on hand to help, including members of DEEMI Search and Rescue, Down East Emergency Medical Institute, Maine Search and Rescue Dogs, Pine Tree Radio Amateur Club, and students from United Technology Center's Public Safety Program. That first year of the race, in April 1967, one report notes that seven of the 32 canoes that attempted to maneuver the stream failed to complete the course. Another says there were 34 canoes that raced that first year. No matter how many took part in the inaugural event, it’s known that more than 28,000 paddlers have participated in the race since 1967.
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
(Top) Boat 1 with Tina Scheer of Ellsworth, Nolan Mabee of Bangor, Terry Wescott of Thorndike, Leslie Winchester of Bangor, and Tammy Kelley of Lamoine passes safely over Six Mile Falls. (This photo) Zip Kellog makes his way down river at Six Mile Falls in 2010.
70 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Numerous records have been set over the years, but the current course completion record of 1:50:08, set in 1997, is held by Robert Lang of Renforth, New Brunswick. Lang is a well-known name among Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race paddlers, having won a total of 11 times. In addition to the record setters, there are a few fan favorites each year. Zip Kellog of Bangor stands in his canoe as he maneuvers the course each year. Kellog is always dressed for success in a suit and tie, the bow of his canoe decorated with flowers. Gumby — yes, like the cartoon character — is another crowd favorite that’s been part of the race since the early 90s. The green team even was featured once in Sports Illustrated magazine. And while the participants are the focus of the race, it’s the spectators that create the atmosphere year after year. "I think the spectators are what makes the race so much fun," Gilman said in a 1991 interview. He mentioned how many people arrive hours early to claim a favorite rock for viewing. "We've seen them there year after year. They make the race special."
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 71
metro sports
How-To:
River Vulture
Shannon Fitzpatrick, Brian O'Leary and Andrew Krause watch racers make their way down Six Mile Falls in 2015. (Left) Race enthusiasts watch racers make their way down Six Mile Falls.
Get the most out of watching the 50th annual Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race by maximizing your river vulture experience. BY AISLINN SARNACKI, ACTOUTWITHAISLINN.BANGORDAILYNEWS.COM
2. Something soft to sit on. People don’t sit on bleachers to watch a canoe race (though bleachers aren’t particularly comfortable either). Here’s your choice of seats: pointy rock, lumpy rock, wet rock, lots of little rocks, muddy grass or plain mud. Whatever you bring to sit on, plan to get it dirty. 3. Snacks. You can buy stuff from the Six Mile Falls Meat Market & Deli, but from my experience, this spectator event is kind of like a relay race. You don’t have much time to buy food along the way. You’re trying to find parking in a long line of cars, then you’re trying to find a seat, then as soon as the person you’re 72 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
cheering for paddles (or swims) by, you’re off to the next spot. I remember running a lot to make it from Six Mile Falls to The Shopping Cart to the finish line in Bangor. 4. A camera (protected from the rain or waterproof). Even if you aren’t proudly watching a friend or relative paddling in the race, you’re going to want to take a photo of the ridiculous costumes that some of the paddlers are wearing. Don’t feel bad about taking their photo. Why else do you think that person dressed up like Gumby … Donald Duck … a toothless pirate? 5. Warm layers. It’s still April. I don’t care if it has been unseasonably warm. You might be sitting for hours at Six Mile Falls while you wait for the first paddler to come around the bend. It’s a long slog from the starting line to the exciting part (and by that I mean the rapids that tend to upend boats). 6. A good CD. Traffic might be pretty miserable.
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
1. Dress for success. Layers are ideal, and if it looks like rain, make sure to pack a rain jacket. Umbrellas tend to tick people off. Everyone’s packed together to watch the race at Six Mile Falls and The Shopping Cart (named because several years ago a large number of shopping carts actually were discarded at this point in the stream), so don’t obscure everyone’s view.
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metro sports People wait for their turn to start during the 2013 Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race.
HOW TO REGISTER There are four ways to register for the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race. Phone registrations are not accepted.
1 2
You may register for the race by downloading the 2016 registration form at kenduskeagstreamcanoerace.com or bangorparksandrec.com and mailing the form in with your payment.
TIP: If possible, don't wait until race day to register. Who needs the last minute stress of waiting in line to register when you could be socializing or prepping your boat on the morning of the race?
You may register and pay online. This is a newer service provided by Bangor Parks & Recreation. NOTE: Even if you sign up online, you will still need to download and sign the fillable form – and it can be sent to Bangor Parks & Recreation via mail (or stop by the office).
Register early if you can, get a good night's sleep before the race. And sleep well knowing that you will only pay $20 per paddler versus $40 per paddler if you register on race day.
You may also register in person by visiting the Bangor Parks & Recreation office at 647 Main St. Registration forms are accepted at the Parks & Rec office up until the Friday before race day; the deadline is 1 p.m.
It has been said that pre-registering can sometimes land you a better spot in your class, which can be helpful in avoiding the masses of paddlers who start later.
Finally, you may register in Kenduskeag on the morning of the race. Registration on race day is from 6:307:30 a.m. PHOTOS: BDN FILE
3 4
Side note: No more than three boats can be registered from a single household.
74 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 75
woods & waters
A yard, and gardener, unfit for living things. BY BOB DUCHESNE
I
Dead Zone
used to garden.
Then I moved. I now live in a place with soil so poor and shade so deep that I can’t even grow astroturf. I gave away my rototiller. I’m not kidding; I gave it away. I am trying to remember why I gardened at all. I was born with a black thumb, something I inherited from my
ahold to avoid being tagged out, killed them. In our yard, no plant was safe. Wait, I remember now. I started gardening because the previous owners of my previous home were gardeners. The vegetable garden was there. The flower beds were there. There was a potting shed and root cellar. All I had to do was
I was born with a black thumb, something I inherited from my parents. Growing up, we didn’t even have houseplants — none that survived, anyway. parents. Growing up, we didn’t even have houseplants — none that survived, anyway. There were two ornamental shrubs in the yard, spaced just far enough apart to be useful as bases for whiffle ball games. Our constant touching of these bushes, as we grabbed 76 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
weed and seed. It seemed easier than reclaiming the yard for something more useful, like badminton. Besides, this was my chance to commune with nature, or so I thought. Mostly what I did was feed the black flies. That yard was a breeding pit for Satan’s spawn.
PHOTO: INGRAM PUBLISHING/THINKSTOCK
maine
Speaking of demons, one of my personal demons is that I can be a tad competitive. Most recreational gardeners appreciate the peace and quiet. They savor the fresh air and sunshine. They listen to the birds and bees. Me? I was intent on wrestling my garden into submission. Every year, I was determined to have fresh peas by the Fourth of July. I would endeavor to ripen a tomato before August. I would seek out and destroy every potato beetle while it was still a larva. Gardening was war. Squish. I gardened for a decade, which was ample time to make every mistake in the book. I grew lettuce. I loved the salads I could make with it, but I never got the timing down. A good gardener plants just the proper amount over just the right number of weeks to have a continual supply through summer. Me? I’d have great lettuce for a week, and then several more weeks of bolted rot, suitable only for the compost pile. This happened every year. I never learned. Same with radishes. A whole row
could go from tasty to wood in what seemed like an hour. I planted corn. Raccoons ate it. Of course, this also meant war, so I spent several years trying to guess when they were likely to raid. Was it related to the moon phase? Did corn have to reach a certain readiness? I eventually noticed they would send out scout raccoons. If I found a couple of stalks bent over and nibbled in the morning, I knew they were preparing for an all-out assault. I would pick everything worth picking and have one big meal of corn. It wasn’t nearly enough to justify all the work, but it was sufficient to declare victory. I wasted only two years on trying to grow string beans. They were 90% string, 10% bean, so I gave up. I persisted in trying to grow peppers, and I kind of succeeded, if you don’t mind small, thinskinned mutant peppers. It’s now been 30 years since I planted asparagus in that garden. For all I know, it’s finally up. Maybe the current owners are praising my foresight, and they’re having to give away some of the
abundance to neighbors. All I know is what the gardening book told me: don’t pick it for a few years until it gets well established. After three years, I raised enough to garnish a dinner plate — a single stalk beside each steak to add visual appeal, but little else. I did get pretty good at growing tomatoes. That’s because I got pretty good at making spaghetti sauce, and it didn’t matter what the tomatoes looked like. Eventually, half the garden was tomato, plus those anemic peppers, which also went into the sauce where no one could see. I realize I’ve added no gardening insights to this month’s Bangor Metro. I just needed to get it all off my chest. And I want you to know that I no longer fight my inner demons. We’re on the same side now.
BOB DUCHESNE is a local radio personality, Maine guide, and columnist. He lives on Pushaw Lake with his wife, Sandi.
www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 77
savvy seniors
Fighting
Fraud
AARP Maine and the Penobscot County Sheriff’s office are working together to fight fraud. BY JANE MARGESSON
EVENT REMINDER In collaboration with the Penobscot Sheriff office’s annual Drug Take-Back Day, AARP Maine will host a free shredding event from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 22, in the Bangor airport parking lot.
78 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
A
s part of our
ongoing initiative to raise awareness about consumer fraud and identity theft throughout the state, AARP Maine is collaborating with many community partners, agencies and organizations. We are also privileged to work with local law enforcement, including the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office in Bangor. With scams and fraud on the rise across the country and right here in Maine, finding ways for all of us to work together is more important than ever. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office, under the leadership of Sheriff Troy Morton, is involved with a wide array of programs to enhance community outreach. Of particular note is the local TRIAD, a partnership of three organizations — law enforcement, older adults and community groups — to promote older adult safety and to reduce the fear of crime that older adults often experience. TRIAD members meet once a month and AARP Maine is delighted to be working
closely with TRIAD to plan local scam awareness workshops and other events. One issue well-known to TRIAD and the Sheriff’s Office is identity theft. It is estimated that in the United States, someone’s identity is stolen every two seconds. While this is a daunting statistic, none of us needs to fall prey to these criminals. One way to protect yourself from identity theft is to make sure you safely dispose of all sensitive and personal documents. Particularly with tax season winding down, many of us have paperwork on hand which clearly exhibits our birth date, Social Security number and address. Those three items are the key ingredients that identity thieves need to perpetrate their crimes. In collaboration with the Penobscot Sheriff’s Office’s annual Drug Take-Back Day, AARP Maine will host a free shredding event from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 22, in the Bangor airport parking lot. Bring all sensitive paperwork that includes account numbers, birth dates, passwords, PINs,
signatures and Social Security and/or driver’s license numbers. To protect your privacy, you might also consider shredding other items that include names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses. (At this event, we cannot accept electronics or plastic, however, there is no need to remove staples or paperclips). Another way to thwart identity thieves is to contact each of the three credit bureaus and request that they place a “freeze” on your credit report. This is the most effective way to protect yourself from this crime. Thanks to a new law introduced by AARP Maine in 2015, freezing and unfreezing your credit report is free for Mainers of all ages. Please contact the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection to learn how to take advantage of this important preventive measure by calling 1-800-332-8529.
It is estimated that in the United States, someone’s identity is stolen every two seconds. While this is a daunting statistic, none of us needs to fall prey to these criminals. While many consumers are becoming more aware and therefore savvier about certain scams, there are steps each of us should take to protect ourselves. AARP Fraud Watch Network is an excellent free resource for anyone of any age to learn about the con artists’ latest tricks, share their stories or even report a scam. Please visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork or call 1-877-908-3360. We hope you will be proactive by placing a freeze on your credit report and joining us on April 22 for the free shredding event. If you would like to volunteer with either AARP Maine or the Sheriff’s Office, please send an email to me@aarp. org. If we’re in this together, the scammers won’t stand a chance. JANE MARGESSON is the AARP Maine communications director.
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metro home
Outdoor
Trends Garden-inspired decor brightens spaces and mood.
M
any homeowners
take up gardening to transform their homes with beautiful flowers and foliage, while others do so to yield fresh fruits and vegetables. But gardening can be more than just a weekend hobby. In fact, it may be especially beneficial for homeowners to surround themselves with more plants and natural decor, whether in the yard or in the home. Studies have indicated that gardening can be good for the mind and body. In addition to improving mood and reducing stress, plant life and gardening also may help people have a more hopeful outlook on life. If reaping the benefit of a beautiful landscape is not reason enough to get into gardening, elevating your mood and coping with depression or illness may be even further motivation to start developing your green thumb. Home-design trends seem to be following suit, offering individuals more opportunities to surround themselves with potentially therapeutic plants. Explore these emerging and established garden decor trends to try in and around your home. 80 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Living wall planters: A living wall planter can add greenery to any decor without taking up floor or table space. Ideal for outdoor structures, these planters also can be used indoors if you safeguard against leaks and dripping. A living wall planter is a framed device that houses plants in a manner that enables them to be vertically mounted to a wall surface. While there are commercially available models, you can create your own design and paint or stain it to match the existing decor. Use a soil-free potting substrate to avoid the mess that regular soil may create. Creative furniture designs: Maybe you’re a person who appreciates the unique and whimsical? Tables, benches and chairs can be built with planting channels that enable you to have greenery and garden decor in one piece. Envision a picnic table with a cutout down the center for a thin row of plants or decorative grasses. This is a project the entire family can get behind, as the more creative ideas the better. Improved outdoor lighting: People who like to spend time in their gardens and yards may not want to be limited by sunrise and sunset. By incorporat-
ing different lighting sources, you can create a retreat that is welcoming at any hour. Although flood lights and overhead lights can illuminate a space, consider ambient and decorative lighting to create the desired ambiance. Functional fire pits and places: A blazing fire creates a cozy spot to gather on chilly evenings, but fire pits and fireplaces also can be used as impromptu cooking spots for s’mores or frankfurters on a stick. You can purchase a standalone fire pit from any number of retailers or build your own with patio pavers and fire bricks to line the interior of the fire pit. Outdoor fireplaces require more work, and you want to hire a mason to ensure proper installation. Enjoyable yard additions: While plants and seating may take center stage, some people still want to have fun in their yards. There’s an increased demand for yard designs and decor that can put the fun in backyard living. Bocce courts, ringor horseshoe-toss setups, as well as bean bag-toss boards, can be incorporated into landscape designs, giving you yet another reason to spend a few hours in the great outdoors, where you can experience a few healthy laughs in the process.
PHOTO: KATARZYNABIALASIEWICZ/THINKSTOCK
COURTESY METRO NEWS SERVICE
LANDSCAPERS
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www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 81
metro style
Accessorize with
Vintage
Incorporating vintage pieces for a modern look.
A
BY LAURA LYNN MICHAUD
Pair a vintage brooch wit h a modern denim jacket.
Sponsored by
Bangor Mall • (207) 945-EYES MainelyEyes.com 82 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
outfit interesting. They can either make or break an outfit. If you add too many accessories, you risk looking a little crazy. Skip the accessories, and you won't look styled at all. There are a lot of different accessories out there and what can seem like a million places to shop for them. But what many of us don’t know, is that your accessories should be unique and interesting, and reflect who you are. One of my favorite ways to accessorize is with vintage. Vintage pieces not only tell a story about you and your style, but they also tell a story about the past that cannot be duplicated by any modern piece from today. Everything old is cool again! Let me share with you how to style your look with my favorite accessory — vintage. Opposites attract when wearing vintage jewelry with your modern look. For instance, you can wear an oversized vintage brooch on a cool new denim jacket or the lapel of any coat. If your brooches are small, you might even want to try wearing a cluster of them on your denim jacket for a little edgier style. Don't wear too many vintage pieces at once. You don't want to look like you just got dropped off the I Love Lucy bus. Make sure your clothing pieces as well as your shoes are contemporary and then trickle in some vintage jewelry here and there. Wear vintage bracelets in sets of three if they are dainty. Wear a vintage statement bracelet with a coordinating vintage ring for a bolder look. Vintage cuff style bracelets look best worn by themselves and can really compliment a three quarter sleeve shirt, blouse or knit top. Vintage scarves are always in style. They can be worn around your neck or you could try wearing one in your hair as a headband. Try tying a scarf around the handle of your modern handbag. Vintage pearl anything works well with everything! Pearl necklaces in all lengths look great with anything from blouses to a simple t-shirt. The same goes for vintage pearl bracelets, rings or earrings. Fingers with short and polished nails look fabulous wearing a bold vintage statement ring. Carrying a vintage bag can be super stylish, but make sure your outfit is 100 percent contemporary. And you want to look for a vintage bag that is in excellent condition. You don't want to carry a tattered bag that looks like you are still stuck in your high school days. Vintage earrings can make quite a statement. If they are small, you could also wear a vintage bracelet(s) and a ring, but stay away from adding a vintage necklace if you are wearing vintage earrings, as they live too close to each other and you could end up looking like you are trying too hard. And don't shy away from vintage clip style earrings because you think that they look painful. As it happens, vintage clip earrings can be quite comfortable when you apply an earring cushion to the back of the clip. I hope I have inspired you to try accessorizing your look with vintage! LAURA LYNN Michaud is owner and operator of The Canny Canary Online Vintage Boutique at CannyCanaryShop.com.
PHOTOS: (HAND) LAURA LYNN MICHAUD; (ACCESSORIES) OLGA OLIYNIK, CRISSY1982, IRINA VORONTSOVA/THINKSTOCK
ccessories make an
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84 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
Special Section Featuring Northern Maine
by Bangor Metro
Students and Catechists from The Parish of the Precious Blood’s PreK-5 Faith Formation program at St. Mary’s Church in Presque Isle with a basketful of ‘get-well’ cards designed for TAMC patients.
Gifts From the Heart
B
eing admitted
to a hospital for any reason can be stressful. Whether it’s a planned procedure or an emergency situation, there will always be questions, worries, and fears. According to Sherry Beaulieu, manager of TAMC Volunteers & Guest Relations Services, “the hospital can be a scary place sometimes for those who aren’t feeling well and they depend on the caring TAMC staff to help them figure out what’s wrong and to do what we can to make them feel better.” It was with that objective in mind that a local church reached out to TAMC. Theresa Bonner, coordinator of St. Mary’s PreK-5 Faith Formation program at the Parish of the Precious Blood in Presque Isle, contacted Beaulieu with a “Get Well” cards project for the sick that students were hoping to be able to offer to the hospital for patients. “I was very touched and knew that I could find the perfect way to make sure
Local church youth provide added comfort to TAMC patients. that these cards would reach our patients at TAMC,” said Beaulieu. 2016 marks the “Holy Year of Mercy” in the Catholic Church. With a convergence on the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, The Diocese of Portland has put forth an initiative to target a specific work of mercy each month. “St. Mary's PreK through 5 Faith Formation program has been working on one Corporal and/or Spiritual Work(s) of Mercy each month,” explained Bonner. “This month the focus was to visit the sick and comfort the afflicted.” On behalf of the hospital, Beaulieu paid a visit to the church and spoke to the children in person. “Your gifts from the heart will touch each and every one of them [patients] and will let them know that you care too. From the bottom of my heart, TAMC and our patients, we thank you for your beautiful gifts of get well cards,” she told them. “It was so wonderful having Sherry Beaulieu come to our site and explain
how such a small gesture has such a huge impact on another life,” Bonner exclaimed. “Often times it is the small things that are the biggest and most special gift.” Eli, an 8 year old from the second grade Sacraments class, was excited to participate in the project. “I like to get presents. I know that if I was sick in the hospital I would like it if people did nice things for me.” “We currently have a patient courtesy program called Fred’s Friendly Flowers,” said Beaulieu. “Every day during the week our TAMC volunteers deliver a small flower to every newly admitted patient to let them know that TAMC cares and welcomes them. We will include these handmade, from the heart, get well cards with the flower and let them know that they were given by the children of St. Mary’s Church. Each of these handmade get well cards will surely help make our patients feel better and truly cared about.” www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 85
crown of maine
Attendance Boost
D
espite above
average temperatures this winter, attendance is up at the Millar Civic Center in Houlton, where officials reported that attendance at the facility in 2015 increased by more than 60 percent over the previous year, and revenues are on the increase, as well. The John A. Millar Civic Center, constructed in 2000, was designed to accommodate a full range of events year round. During the civic season the facility is available for a variety of activities including trade shows, conventions, entertainment acts, receptions, and special events. There are several meeting and dressing rooms available to accommodate many functions. During the win86 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
ter season, the facility is home to many hockey and recreational skaters from the first of November to mid March. Town Manager Butch Asselin credits the positive trend to new ideas and programs from Marie Carmichael, director of the Houlton Parks and Recreation Department, and Haley Nickerson, manager of the civic center. “We are seeing this trend continue into 2016, with our attendance accounts well ahead of where they were last year at this time,” she added. The boost in attendance has led to an increase in revenue, according to Carmichael, with the first half of the 20152016 season being “especially busy.” “Overall, our skating attendance
revenues increased by over $4,000 in 2015 compared to the previous fiscal year,” said Carmichael. Asselin said that Carmichael and Nickerson have been working hard to create programs and generate ideas to bring in revenue. “They have some terrific ideas,” he said. “It is tough during the winter because hockey takes up most of the ice time. In May, the Blackfly Brewfest will be held, and that is a new event that is going to be a big draw to the civic center that will get a lot of attention to the venue and to the community.” Carmichael said that one of the biggest new programs at the civic center was bringing back an adult hockey program.
PHOTOS: BDN FILE
New programs boost attendance at Millar Civic Center in Houlton. BY JEN LYNDS, BDN STAFF
New Digs for St. John Valley Times Greater Madawaska Chamber board members, from left, Patricia Beaulieu, Jennifer Pelletier, Brenda Forbes, Denise Duperre, Gail Beaupre and chamber Executive Director Brian Bouley joined the members of the public and St. John Valley Times staff Wednesday at an open house and ribbon cutting for the newspaper’s new downtown office. Also in the picture, from right, are SJVT staff Don Eno, Rachel Southworth, Linda Pelletier, Madawaska Town Manager Ryan Pelletier, SJVT staff members, Loren Plourde, Crystal Berube and Mark Putnam.
The John A. Millar Civic Center in Houlton.
They also have initiated an adult only public skate and updated its stick time program to move from general stick time to separate programs for adults 18 and over, youth under 18, and high school age. “In the fall, we also hope to offer an after-school skate program, if all the logistics work out,” she said. “We have a few other ideas as well, and hope to be able to work them all into our 2016-2017 season.” Asselin said that revenues at the civic center still have not increased to the point where they are offsetting expenditures. “The cost of doing business is increasing, and at the civic center those costs include fuel, maintenance, salary and other expenditures,” he said. “But the civic center is a real asset to our town. We need to invest in it.” www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 87
last
word
From Columnist Chris Quimby: This month’s column is authored by my 18-year-old son, Jordan Quimby, and offers proof that mental illness does not skip a generation. This piece is a creative writing assignment for his English class at Mount View High School.
D
o you ever
Future
Preparing for the
Planning for tomorrow with a trip to the future. BY JORDAN QUIMBY
wonder what will happen tomorrow? Do you ever wonder where you will end up? Who you will end up with? And what you will be doing? Up until now, you simply had to wait and find out for yourself, but not anymore. We now have the ability to know anything: What the most prosperous nations will be in the year 2467? And when the metric system will finally be adopted by the United States? When looking into the future, you must first take Future Preparation Classes. The future can be a very overwhelming experience. You should always take prep classes from a trained Future Ed. instructor, unless you want to end up on the ground, slowly curling in and out of a fetal position while your mouth relentlessly repeats the very thing that drove you to this state, “Future...future….” In order to see the future, you must have the right instruments. I use a time machine, and 400 AA Duracell batteries. These both are easily obtainable through your local supermarket, and through online vendors, such as Amazon and eBay. You may have heard suggestions of crystal balls, magical pools, and drug-induced hallucinations. These are all obviously nonsense, and should be done away with immediately. The only way to see into the future reliably is with a time machine. Once your time machine has been delivered, get it ready. Make sure you insert the 200 AA batteries, and keep the remaining 200 in a separate bag. Batteries do not hold a charge well when careening through the space-time continuum faster than the speed of light, so you should be sure to never travel anywhere without spares. Make sure all of the moving parts are oiled with generous amounts of WD-40, so as to not lose your landing gear in some strange dimension. The last thing you want is to run your time machine dead into some futuristic cyborg elephant. That would definitely impede your plans to make it home again. Now that you’ve ensured proper maintenance of your vehicle, you’re ready to step inside. Make sure the door latches shut when you enter to prevent time dust from seeping into the machine, which will make you age at an exponential rate, turning you into dust in a matter of seconds. Set the date, time, and location on your time machine, and whenever you’re ready, press the launch button. Always be sure to watch out for other cosmic travelers, as well. You never want to run into Santa Claus, the U.S.S. Enterprise, or the Delorean. Most of the time you don’t have to worry about cosmic collisions, but the magnitude of the situation does beg some consideration. Always be sure your interstellar radar is fully functional, and shields are always up when travelling through space-time.
Landing a time machine is not easy. Always make sure you use autopilot, unless you have training on how to land. As soon as you land at your destination, replace the batteries with the extra you brought. Always make sure to turn on your machine’s cloaking device, and never forget where you parked it. After observing the future, heading back is easy. Do all the steps again. Make sure you’ve got a full charge, and all of your moving parts are well oiled. You should also check your machine. You may then proceed on your way, always on the lookout for cosmic collision catastrophes created in the cosmos. Then you can finally arrive back at home, with full knowledge of the future. JORDAN QUIMBY is an 18-year-old high school senior at Mount View High School. He is an avid guitar player, Mount View Chamber Singer and plans to study engineering at the University of Maine in the fall. 88 / BANGOR METRO April 2016
IMAGE: DODESKADEN/THINKSTOCK
Always be sure to watch out for other cosmic travelers, as well. You never want to run into Santa Claus, the U.S.S. Enterprise, or the Delorean.
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