Experience Maine Autumn

2 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Color

Maine beautiful

NEWS PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ; BOTTOM PHOTO BY DEBRA BELL

By Richard R. Shaw Ask native Mainers and tourists what their favorite season is, and you might receive a thunderous response: Autumn!

It’s that time of year when hardwoods are splashed with red, orange, yellow, and brown. Wedged between summer’s carefree months and winter’s frigid onset, autumn is best spent with a camera or easel with which to capture the season’s fleeting glory.

Unlocking nature’s mysteries is part of what makes fall so tantalizing. What turns a maple’s leaves from green to red?

Where are the best viewing areas? Why

do different counties’ forests turn at different weeks? Do some years produce more color than others?

Many online sources contain foliage information. Mainefoliage.com, the state’s official fall foliage Web site, is fun and comprehensive. There are links concerning foliage hikes to state parks and historic sites. An audio welcome message from Conservation Commissioner Eliza Townsend is included, along with an animated movie, “Maine’s Autumn Magic: How Leaves Reveal Their Fall Colors.”

Etravelmaine.com says the primary factors in determining fall colors are

temperature and moisture. Ideal conditions include a warm, wet spring, pleasant summer weather, and a warm, sunny fall with moderately cool evenings.

“A late spring or severe summer drought can delay the onset of the foliage season,” states the Web site. “An unusually warm fall will produce subdued color intensity in the deciduous trees’ foliage.”

So, will 2011 see color-splashed forests? Mainefoliage.com posts its new site in September so leaf peepers can glean early clues then. They can also peruse a color key map that splits the state into seven zones.

As autumn colors heighten, the map will be filled in with six variables: very low, 0-10 percent; low, 10-30 percent; moderate, 30-50 percent; high, 50-70 percent; peak, 75-100 percent; and past peak.

The Bangor Daily News, other papers, TV and radio will run foliage reports starting in September, so stay tuned.

The peak color areas and best foliage weeks are: • Northern Maine: last week in September; • Central and western Maine, first

Above left: Leaf peepers will be treated to beautiful vistas this fall as the leaves change. Above right: Reds and oranges adorn a hardwood growing near a house on Route 1 in Hodgdon. Middle: Playing on a warm October day and watched by a herring gull, a young golfer makes the rounds at Bangor Municipal Golf Course. Bottom: Children enjoy a ride at Thunder Road Farm in Newport while the foliage blazes behind them.

week in October; • Coastal and southern Maine, second and third weeks in October.

Leaves change color with the season.

In springtime, plenty of chlorophyll gives trees their green color. Other factors are

day length, rainfall, sugar accumulation in leaves, wind, and cool, bright, sunny autumn weather. Chilly, not frosty, nights produce the most brilliant hues. As sunlight decreases, the green disappears, and colorful pigments come alive.

As for the best viewing areas, answering this question is like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. Some choice spots are Aroostook State Park, Camden Hills State Park, Fort Knox State Historic Park, Route 201 from Bingham to Jackman, and the Airline Road (Route 9) from Brewer to Baring. Temperature variables, ranging from south to north, are partly responsible for varying weeks of peak foliage.

Colors vary with the tree species: • Yellow: green and black ash, basswood, beech, birches, butternut, and elm; • Red and scarlet: red, mountain, and sugar maples; black, red, scarlet and white oak; hornbeam, sumac, and tupelo; • Brown: white and black oak; • Purple: white ash and witch hazel.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 3

BDN PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Autumn foliage surrounds a bicyclist who has just ridden beneath an Acadia National Park Loop Road bridge while en route to downtown Bar Harbor.

Places to go... things to do Fall is ripe with activities for all ages

By Richard R. Shaw

Every autumn, visitors stay a little longer in Maine to enjoy all the state has to offer. Motels, restaurants, museums, and shops cater to tourists who like the lower rates and unclogged highways.

A fall vacation in the Pine Tree State might be the wisest choice travelers make all year.

First, you need to know where you’re going. Clustering activities around a geographical area makes sense. List the places you want to see and that best fit your budget and schedule. Does history turn you on, or is it art galleries, beach walks, or lighthouses? Will you be staying for a night, a week, or a month?

Many visitors start in Maine’s Midcoast, work their way east, then north to inland regions. All have colorful foliage that lasts into late October. Some tourists stay into November as moderate temperatures linger.

Among the Midcoast attractions are: • Rockland, the shiretown of Knox County, once was famous for its shipbuilding and lime quarries. Now it’s a wonderland of art and lighthouse museums, eateries, gift shops, and ocean walks. The mile-long walk along the Rockland Breakwater to the lighthouse is a must for artists, photographers, and recreationists.

• A popular side trip is the 20-minute drive to the Town of Owls Head, which boasts two free state parks. Owls Head State Park includes a lighthouse, and Birch Point State Park features a quiet beach and picnic facility.

• East along Route 1, visitors encounter the Camden-Rockport area, which has antique and gift shops, cafes, and panoramic harbor views from the summit of 800-foot Mount Battie, accessible by car for a small fee at Camden Hills State Park. Lincolnville Beach, Belfast, and Searsport are the next stops along Route 1, with more museums, stores and restaurants and coastal photo opportunities.

Among the Mount Desert Island and Down East attractions are: • The drive up Route 1 to Acadia National Park and into Washington County is spectacular in autumn. Fort Knox State Park

and Penobscot Narrows Observatory (admission fee charged) are favorite stops along the way to stretch your legs and take in 19thcentury history. Across the river is Bucksport, a town of sea captains’ homes and old cemeteries. Acadia and Mount Desert Island are an hour away, accessible through Ellsworth. Visitor centers can guide you to Bar Harbor, Northeast Harbor, and MDI’s “Quietside” towns of Southwest Harbor and Bass Harbor. Many motels and campgrounds stay open at least until Columbus Day, and land and sea tours are also offered.

• Farther east on Route 1, the towns of Harrington, Milbridge, Jonesport, and Machias are less commercialized, but just as charming. If time permits, side trips to Roque Bluffs State Park and Quoddy Head State Park are worth the effort.

Campobello Island, New Brunswick, lies off Lubec and includes the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, now a free museum. Remember to pack your passport!

Among the attractions in the Maine Highlands and north to Aroostook County are: • Head north up Route 15 out of Bangor, or Route 1 north of Calais, to explore Maine’s vast north country. Dover-Foxcroft is the gateway to Piscataquis County’s bounty of lakes, mountains, and moose watching. An hour to the north is Greenville, located at the southern end of Moosehead Lake, the state’s largest. Boat and seaplane rides are available.

• Northeast are the town of Millinocket and Baxter State Park, home to Maine’s tallest peak, mile-high Mount Katahdin.

It’s advisable to stop at a visitor information center or park headquarters to get oriented. Short-term moose-viewing passes are available at the park’s Millinocket headquarters.

• Aroostook County is the “Crown of Maine.” Accessible by Routes 1 and 2 or Interstate 95, the region’s rolling potato fields are especially beautiful in autumn. Houlton, Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle, Caribou, Fort Kent, and Madawaska are the county’s principal towns, linked by smaller communities stretching into the St. John Valley.

Maine’s landscape is always changing, so bring along your camera or easel to capture its beauty.

4 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Apple picking provides seasonal fun and tastes

By Debra Walsh An afternoon spent picking your own Maine apples can yield a season filled with baked apple treats, cider drinks, and overall pomological delight.

The state’s $20 million apple industry is composed of about 3,100 acres, according to state and federal agriculture officials. But figures aside, the state’s orchards offer more than just picking apples.

There are nearly 60 orchards registered with the Maine Pomological Society. “We invite individuals and families to visit their local apple orchards and take part in the traditional apple harvest by picking their own apples or going on a hayride around the orchard and discovering how nutritious apples are harvested,” wrote society president Steve Meheus at www.maineapples.org.

While most of the state’s apples are sold in grocery stores, an autumn day in an orchard offers families an opportunity to see from where their food comes and meet the farmer producing that food.

The most popular variety in Maine is the Macintosh, according to Dr. Renae Moran, secretary of the

pomological society and a tree fruit specialist with the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension.

However, new varieties are making inroads, including Moran’s favorite, the honeycrisp.

A quarter century ago, most orchards harvested their crop and sold them wholesale to grocery chains, says Meheus. But opening up the orchards to the public has encouraged the local support of orchards and a chance to gather the freshest produce.

“People can ask questions about apples,” says Meheus, referring to “pick your own” orchards.

Many of Maine ‘s orchards offer more activities that just picking apples off a tree. “A lot of orchards have diversified themselves to give themselves more of a fighting chance to survive,” Meheus says.

A look at www.maineapples.org shows how orchards have added wagon or hay rides to their list of activities. Apple cider and apple baked goods are available in gift shops and farm stands located at the orchards. Pre-picked and bagged apples are available.

Several orchards have added mazes constructed in cornfields to entertain children of all ages. The feeding of small farm animals, such as rabbits or

BDN PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Two children use long-handled apple pickers to reach apples high up in the trees at a Maine orchard.

goats, also attracts visitors to the state’s apple orchards. Concerts and other types of “agri-tainment,” also have been included at some farms, Meheus says.

One orchard, located along a scenic river, has added a quilting barn and retreat as part of its fall activities, while others include cafes and picnic tables.

Growers are more than willing to share recipes using apples and discuss what varieties are best used in baking or eating fresh.

The practice of picking apples has changed, with most orchards growing dwarf or semi-dwarf trees that make ladders and picking poles primarily unnecessary for public harvesting, Meheus says.

With the colorful harvesting season set to begin, it’s not too late to plan a trip to the local orchard to learn about one of Maine’s agricultural industries and make a fall family memory.

Picking a pumpkin for fall delights

By Evan Kanarakis No Halloween is complete without carving a Jack-o’-lantern and setting it in a window or on your front porch to scare and impress your neighbors! And yet, pumpkins may appear as toughskinned, unwieldy boulders to the uninitiated pumpkin carver to-be.

Fear not! You’re up to the task, and it’s easier than you may think.

First, be sure to choose a pumpkin that’s ideal for carving. It should be ripe — so your finished product won’t rot too soon — and with a long, firm stem that provides a good “lid handle.” Make sure the pumpkin has a smooth, rounded surface free from bruises and other imperfections and that it’s large enough to support your design.

Now get your tools ready. Have a dryerase marker or wax crayon on hand for drawing your design, a large boning knife for the “heavy work” of cutting the lid off your pumpkin, and a smaller carving or paring knife with which to prepare the face and finer details. Last of all, you’ll need a soup spoon to scoop out the pumpkin’s guts.

With the marker or crayon, it’s time to draw your Jack-o’-lantern face on the pumpkin. If you make a mistake, just wipe it off with a damp cloth. Feel free to be as creative as you like, but if new to this, you should probably keep the eyes and teeth of your design fairly large, otherwise they may prove a challenge to carve later on.

On to the carving of your Jack-o’lantern! Choose a stable, flat workspace covered with old newspapers. Use the larger boning knife to cut out a lid on the pumpkin that, depending on its size, is about one to three inches thick. Cut a small exhaust hole as well as a pointed edge to one side of the lid; the latter will

BDN PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Above: A Mainer selects pumpkins from a roadside stand in Houlton.

Below: Lit at night by an artificial light, a “Cat ’o Lantern” sits on the rail of the Lurvey Brook Bridge near Bass Harbor. help to align and replace the lid after carving.

Next, spoon out the pulp and scrape along the interior surface of the pumpkin. This will make carving easier and allow light to shine through the finished product. Scrape the base of the pumpkin flat so it will keep your light source stable.

Using the paring knife, carve along the face of your exterior Jack-o’-lantern design.

Move slowly and carefully, taking your time. Gently push the cut pieces through the holes and remove when finished.

When carving is complete, insert a small tea-light candle or artificial light source inside and return your stem-lid on top. If using a candle, you can make the pumpkin a bit safer by lining the interior with aluminum foil, but be mindful that as the pumpkin dries out it can pose a fire risk. This is important!

And you’re done! You’ve just carved your first Jack-o’-lantern. Go get yourself another pumpkin- Jack-o’-lanterns only get better with practice!

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 5

6 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Usher in fall with these 20 things to do in Maine

PHOTO BY RICHARD R. SHAW BDN PHOTO BY DEBRA BELL

Hayrides and corn mazes abound at Maine orchards this fall including this one at Thunder Road Farm in Corinna.

BDN PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Musicians perform at the Common Ground Fair in Unity in late September. Visit an agricultural fair this fall to see many Maine traditions on display.

By Evan Kanarakis Autumn gives Mainers and visitors to our beautiful state a few more weeks to enjoy outdoor activities before the real cold weather arrives. When planning something to do with family and friends this fall, why not consider these 20 activities?

1. Enjoy the changing foliage colors while on a relaxing stroll through Bangor’s City Forest and

along the Orono Bog Boardwalk.

2. Explore the “Corn Maize” at the Thunder Road Farm on Route 7 of the Moosehead Trail in Corinna (http://personalpages.tdstelme.net/~trfarm/).

3. Sample one of the Shipyard Brewery’s seasonal Pumpkinhead Ales.

4. Pull up a sidewalk seat at the Independent Café in Bar Harbor and enjoy your coffee while watching people at the nearby Village Green.

5. Take the family for a scenic fall drive along Route 201 to the Forks.

6. Try a slice of the pumpkin pie at Dysart’s Truckstop Restaurant in Hermon.

7. Enjoy a leisurely hike up leafy Mount Megunticook in the Camden Hills State Park.

8. While there, drive up Mt. Battie and climb the World War I monument for a breathtaking autumnal view over Camden.

9. Keep the kids busy with leaf rubbing and leaf scrapbooking projects.

10. Autumn is beautiful on Maine’s beaches as well! Take advantage of the fact that the state’s

While driving along Route 201 to see the foliage, pull into this rest area overlooking the Kennebec River and enjoy a picnic lunch. The information panels detail the Arnold Expedition’s journey through this region in autumn 1775.

beaches charge off-season rates for entry at this time of year. A drive to Popham Beach is gorgeous during the fall.

Dogs are allowed on beaches in the off-season as well! Take your pooch for a stroll along Sand Beach in Acadia National Park or to Long Sands Beach in York.

11. Go apple picking at the Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner during September and October (http://www.rickerhill.com/).

12. Turn a freshly made batch of pumpkin soup into something that much more decadent by adding a few seared Maine scallops to each bowl when serving.

13. Catch a University of Maine Black Bears football game at Alfond Stadium in Orono.

14. If you love food, then make a trip to Portland to attend the annual Harvest on the Harbor from Oct. 20-22. From a “Grand Tasting on the Harbor” to cooking demonstrations and a savory marketplace and with several celebrity chefs in attendance, it’s an event that gourmands make a point of marking on their calendar each autumn in Maine

(http://www.harvestontheharbor.com/).

15. Hit the Bangor Mall to find some great savings on end-of-summer clothing sales.

16. This Halloween, curl up with a chilling tale set in Maine and penned by our own Stephen King.

Pet Sematary, Salem’s Lot, Cujo and the Dark Half are just a few great examples.

17. For pumpkin catapulting, giant pumpkin weigh-offs, pumpkin pie-eating competitions and more, have a blast at the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta from Oct. 1-10 (http://damariscottapumpkinfest.com/).

18. Treat yourself to a gourmet pumpkin whoopie pie from the Cranberry Island Kitchen in Portland (http://www.cranberryislandkitchen.com/).

19. Take a drive from Bangor to Smyrna on Route 2, photograph the gorgeous foliage, and enjoy home-style cooking at restaurants in Lincoln and Smyrna.

20. Finally, keep in mind that the colder months aren’t far away! Start taking steps now to winterize your house for the season ahead.

Hiking the Great Head Trail provides awesome fall views

By Brian Swartz CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

Rising from sea level at Newport Cove to 145 feet at a weathered summit post, Great Head thrusts like a hammerwhapped thumb into Frenchman Bay next to Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. Battered by storm-tossed waves and moistened by enveloping fogs, rugged granite cliffs and ledges delineate Great Head’s broken shore.

Most tourists packing Sand Beach in midsummer ignore Great Head, which blocks easterly views. Some folks do venture across a beach-bordering stream to hike the headland.

Fast forward to mid-November, and few people trickle onto Sand Beach — and even fewer hike Great Head. That’s too bad: For a fast fall hike with excellent ocean views, Great Head rivals 525-foot Gorham Mountain, which rises across Newport Cove.

Hikers can access Great Head from: • Sand Beach, which requires crossing the stream and finding a cedar post on its east bank. The stream flows warm in July and cold in November; I suggest remov-

BDN PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Autumn colors decorate the edge of Great Head in Acadia National Park. The view extends across Newport Cove to Gorham Mountain on the horizon. ing footgear and socks before splashing through the water any time of year.

• Schooner Head Road. From the four-way intersection near Anemone

Cave overlook, drive south on a narrow park road and pull into the marked parking lot. In July, park rangers turn back vehicles lacking an Acadia NP per-

mit; with the Loop Road Entrance Station closed by November, hikers in “unmarked” cars can use the parking lot to access Great Head.

The Great Head Trail starts at the gate. Initially flat and well-built, the trail soon splits at a sign post. Bear left (southeast).

While crossing a thick spruce-fir forest not consumed by the October 1947 fire, the trail offers only “peek-a-boo” ocean views. Watch for a rudimentary, unofficial trail that leads “left” through the woods; take this trail to the shore.

Over the eons, the exploding sea has carved into the Great Head granite a geologically scenic cove similar to those along Ocean Drive. During a surging sea, hikers can “hear” the cove through the dense woods; each receding wave tumbles and “clatters” the sea-rounded rocks forming the cove floor. Look for the incredible rock formations exposed during mid-tide.

Where it starts to rise farther south, the Great Head Trail sheds its modern construction and reverts to traditional Acadia rock, with the ascent aided by primitive steps. A sign post points hikers to the right (west) and upwards to Sand Beach; no matter which direction hikers take, the trail loops Great Head beyond this intersection.

Stay straight. Why? A clockwise hike

See TRAIL, Page 23

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 7

Visit the St. John Valley for autumn-time fun this year

Foliage decorates a ridge beyond the Catholic church in Baker Brook, New Brunswick. The St. John River flows past in the foreground in this photo taken from Route 1 about 2 miles north of the Fort KentFrenchville town line.

ST. AGATHA — Verdant pastures of a waning summer — potatoes, grains, buckwheat, canola, and hay — shed their vibrant colors in the fall in time for harvesting while the forests of northern Maine turn from their bright greens to a collage of red, gold, rust, and brown.

It is a time when folks can see working farms with workers busily gathering the summer crops for storage, while others get ready for trips into the forests for the annual bird season, and still others plan annual forays along the byways to view the myriad colors that fall brings.

Scenic highways in the St. John Valley offer nature lovers an annual look at fall’s brilliant colors. Routes 1, 11, and 161 are dotted with hardwood ridges emitting rainbows of colors.

Even woods roads — the gravel byways into the working forests of the area — are filled with natural wonders of colors. Road trips, with the proverbial lunch, create a day of wonders for families looking for respite from the everyday trials of work.

All access byways into the St. John Valley offer wondrous scenes of the season. From Caribou tourists can follow Route 1 north along working forests and farms. Growers may be working the potato fields in late September, and others may be going through sprawling fields of oats. Many of the farms are along the route, offering a view of storing the crops in many facilities just off the highway.

The same can be said for motorists accessing the St. John Valley along Route 1A that comes to the area through Mars Hill, Easton, Fort Fairfield, and Limestone.

Route 1 north from Van Buren offers great fall scenery on both sides of the international border. Canada has beautiful vistas of hardwood forests. This year, because of the record rainfall through the summer, the trip can actually be made on the St. John River through most of the St. John Valley.

More working farms dot Route 1 through Grand Isle, Madawaska, and

Frenchville on to Fort Kent. At the Fort Kent-Frenchville town line, where canola and potatoes grow, is one of the most colorful ridges and hills in the area.

The hill, just south of Route 1, is a rainbow of nature’s fall colors. The hills on the north side of the river are dotted with foliage of all colors.

Another entry to the St. John Valley from Caribou is Route 16. The fully forested ride is at its most beautiful in the fall. All colors are available to enthusiasts, especially in the area of Madawaska and Cross Lakes. Nature’s beauty at its best can be viewed there.

Side trips, while in the St. John Valley, can be taken along Maine Scenic Byways, such as Route 162 through St. Agatha and Sinclair along the shores of majestic Long Lake, home of the some of the largest landlocked salmon in Maine. The area on the east shore of Long Lake is crested by hardwood forests that blaze with fall colors.

There is also the Maine Scenic Byway along Route 11, which meanders south through Wallagrass, Eagle Lake, Winterville, Portage, and Ashland through more forests all the way to Interstate 95.

Again, the hardwood ridges are a sight for foliage lovers.

Route 161 meanders through Fort Kent on its way to Allagash, where the largest forest in Maine can be accessed.

For the more hardy, miles of gravel roads through working forests offer great views. Take a lunch and meander along the Inn Road, which intersects with a road that takes you all the way to Ashland. Brooks, streams, and rivers can be seen along the route. Tourists can also be on the lookout for deer, moose, and the occasional bear.

The northern Maine outdoors awaits tourists, even the local enthusiasts who have yet to take the time to see the wonders of nature.

8 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Wildlife “shoots” abound throughout Maine

By Brian Swartz CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

As the leaves fall, wildlife appears.

If you’re a serious leaf-peeper, plan on seeing wildlife this autumn. You might notice only Canada geese in flight, red squirrels cussing at you along a forest trail, or turkeys strolling through backyards, but it’s wildlife for sure.

From a nuisance red squirrel to a magnificent black bear, fall represents the last time that the feeding’s good until late next spring. Acorns and beechnuts litter the forest floor, deer fawns and moose calves bounce through the woods, and remnants of corn stalks and other crops lie in harvested farm fields: For critters needing to fatten up or store food before winter, September and October are the time to dine.

To eat their fall fare, animals and birds must find it first — and that’s why wildlife seems more abundant in fall than summer. Pushed by cooler temps and less daylight, the critters move around quite a bit, and such movement often brings them into contact with people.

Where might we find wildlife this fall?

• Walk through any Maine forest, and a red squirrel will find you — and will let the whole world know that you are there. I swear that in the fall, red squirrels venture closer than in other seasons — and seem more vocal while doing so.

• Migrating ducks and geese land on quiet flowages and ponds and along the coast to rest and feed. Look for an egret or great blue heron along a slow-flowing inland waterway. Clamber along Newport Cove’s granite shore to spot eider ducks rafting off Mount Desert Island.

BDN PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Above left: Not long after an October dawn, a bull moose crosses an access road at Sunday River in Newry.

Above right: A great blue heron searches for food along a stream in Dixmont.

Step carefully where Canada geese make a waterfront public park (think “Rangeley”) a migratory stopover.

• Turkey hens and their surviving young form large flocks that wander hither and yon. These flocks appear anywhere: a Brewer yard, crossing Route 180 in Otis, the Lagrange-Medford Rail Trail, the extensive fields alongside Route 204 in Lamoine, even jaywalking on Route 137 in Freedom. One hen will always keep watch as the other birds feed; if you

can photograph the flock without spooking her, you’ve done well.

• Hang it, and they will come. If you fill a birdfeeder with delicious seed, you will attract not only the local songbirds, but also many migrants seeking a flythrough window at the local avian fastfood restaurant. Even some woodpeckers are not averse to raiding a feeder.

• Watch the fields for deer, especially at dawn and twilight. A great place to see deer each fall is along the University of Maine

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Bike Path, rebuilt this year. Another “warm” deer-spotting area is along the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park, particularly just north of the Entrance Station.

• To see partridge, moose, or maybe, just maybe a black bear, drive along woods roads in northern or northwestern Maine. Do bring a good map; there’s nothing a bit more worrisome on a gorgeous October afternoon than realizing that you’ve just blundered across the same woods-road intersection that you

left behind hours ago.

Just exactly where are we, anyways?

Bring along a digital camera and fresh (or recharged) batteries while leaf-peeping this fall. Useful for “capturing” beautiful foliage, a camera can also “capture” wildlife, animal or bird. And if you happen to “shoot” a big buck or huge bull moose or even 40 turkeys of a feather flocked together, a camera image will back you up when you’re telling the tale to your incredulous friends.

“Just how big was that bull?” they might ask, the doubt creeping into the question.

“This big,” you might reply as you show them the electronic proof.

Challenges abound when hunting wild fowl

By Diana George Chapin The autumn upland, marine, and migratory bird hunting seasons in Maine promise a host of outdoor recreation opportunities for individuals and families.

Statewide, private and public hunting areas boast an array of exciting fowl whose habit range from the state’s fresh waterways and forests to farm fields and the Atlantic coast. From wild turkey, woodcock, Canada and snow geese to sea and freshwater ducks, pheasant and quail, the state boasts a population of birds that promises an exciting hunt for all ages.

Chris Dyer serves as a game warden in rural Waldo County and has worked in the Maine Warden Service since 1995. Dyer hunted with his father and grandfather at an early age, trailing behind them at age 7 and starting to hunt at age 10. “I prefer to chase winged quarry — ducks, geese, turkeys — because you interact with the birds instead of just sit and wait,” he said. “They respond well to the calls and decoys and are just as fun to watch as they are to harvest.”

Dyer said the fall turkey hunt is different in terms and technique compared to the spring hunt, which has an enthusiastic following.

“Spring turkey hunting is set during the middle to end of the spring breeding season,” he explained.

“During the spring hunt you are actively trying to lure courting males away from their hens, which is totally against the bird’s nature to leave. Spring turkey hunting is setting up early in the morning and trying to lure in the male birds,” and “the hunting hours end at 12 noon.

“The fall hunt is basically an ambush-style hunt,” Dyer said. “You can call turkeys in the fall, by breaking up a flock and calling them back in. The fall hunt runs all day, and either sex bird is legal to harvest, as opposed to the spring, when bearded birds are only allowed.”

As for other hunting other woodland birds in Maine, Dyer noted that the ruffed grouse, or partridge, is one of the most enjoyed. “[Ruffed grouse and partridge] are the same bird, but the name depends on where you are in the state or how you hunt them,” he said.

“Ruffed grouse are found all over the state and are only called so if you are hunting them with a dog and shoot them on the wing,” Dyer said. “If you are driving around logging roads and shoot them from the road or out of trees, you are partridge hunting.

“Ruffed grouse can be found all over central and southern Maine, but are harder to hunt because of

BDN PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Above: A flock of wild turkeys in Lamoine forage for food in a field. Below left: Elder ducks float in ocean waters. Wild ducks provide a particular challenge for hunters. Below right: Lighting in a tree in the Maine woods, this partridge blends in with its surroundings.

the private land” in southern Maine, he said. “There are many Inland and Fisheries Game Management areas all over the state, and these are prime areas to target for ruffed grouse. Most management areas are old farmland and are managed for grouse.

“In the northern tier of the state, most hunters chase partridge by driving the logging roads. The hunters cruise the cool fall mornings looking for the grouse enjoying a warm fall sun. The birds are in the roads to get warm and fill their crops with gravel to help digest their food,” Dyer said.

“Maine has very diverse agricultural land. Whether it is dairy farms in the southern half of the state or the vast potato and broccoli fields of northern Maine, you will find waterfowl or upland birds,” he said.

Two major rivers, the Kennebec and Penobscot, have widespread drainage areas that waterfowl follow to find food and resting areas, Dyer indicated.

Migrating waterfowl also use open farmland.

“Without agriculture, there would be no wildlife, not just migratory birds,” Dyer said. “The farmland supports both game and non-game species alike.”

For the official fall hunting schedule dates and bag limits, refer to www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_ trapping/pdfs/2011HuntingSeasonsChart%20(8).pdf.

Numbers you may need: To reach a Game Warden 24-hours a day, please contact the dispatch center nearest you: Gray, 800-228-0857 | Augusta, 800-452-4664 | Orono, 800-432-7381 Houlton, 800-924-2261 | Dover-Foxcroft, 800-432-7372 Help stop wildlife violations: OPERATION GAME THIEF 1-800-ALERT US or 800-253-7887 Band Recovery Reports: Anyone finding a band or recovering one while hunting should call 1-800-327-BAND or 1-800-327-2263 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: East Orland (207) 469-6842

10 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Savvy hunters will learn how to snag a buck or bear

By Terry Farren Maine has hosted a hefty number of deer and bear hunters over the years, but why wouldn’t it? We have some of the best big-game hunting in the lower 48 states.

The bear population is about 24,000-36,000 animals, according to the Maine Department of Inland

Fisheries and Wildlife. The opportunity to knock down a bear weighing more than 500 pounds is real; however, don’t be expecting it, because the average black bear shot in Maine weighs about 150 pounds.

Another reason that Maine shines in the bearhunting category is that the state allows a season to hunt bears over bait, followed by another season of

hunting with dogs. However, it’s still no guarantee for success, although it ups the ante enough for hunters to invest their time and money to pursue a bear.

Let’s face it: When setting your sites on a black bear, you need a stack-full of odds in your favor. After all, you’re looking to tip over an animal with a sense of smell thought to be better than any other animal’s.

When hunting bears over bait, its a heavy investment of time on any outing. Expect to be waiting four to five hours on any given hunt, usually in a tree-stand or maybe a ground blind. Either way you’re there for only one thing: That’s to get a bear.

So another avenue for stacking the odds for success in your favor is hiring a Registered Maine Guide. With a good guide, that bear or deer hunt is probably going to rest on their shoulders more than yours; after all the guides wants you to be successful and have a good experience.

One Maine guide summed up his responsibilities like this: “Just show up with your gear and hunting license in hand, and I’ll take care of the rest.” Your time spent waiting for Mr. Black Bear in the tree stand is valuable. The guide wants all those minutes in your favor.

Our guides and lodges are also the only avenues that many out-of-state folks have to hunt the Maine woods. They fill a void as well for hunters seeking our oversized white tails, something the state is noted for primarily because of our colder climate.

It’s not uncommon for a hunter to knock down a deer that dresses out over 200 pounds, with a set of antlers deserving of a spot on the wall, but remember that they didn’t get their size by chance.

A reward like that requires homework on your end, as does any deer.

For starters, “you’ve got to understand the animal and spend time learning their habits,” said Phil Megquier of Glenburn. His father, Joseph Megquier (also of Glenburn), understands the sport of deer hunting well. At age 10, Joseph tipped over his first deer — and he never looked back.

Hunting deer wasn’t a pastime for Joseph; it was a passion. Now, at age 83, he’s tucked a near countless number of hunting trips under his belt that put venison on the table. But why wouldn’t he? Joseph wasn’t in the business of letting a November slip by without taken to the woods of Maine, so why should you?

BDN PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Deer hunting and bear hunting each pose their own challenge for new and seasoned hunters. A little patience, and some skill, will help a hunter net the big catch.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 11

Get out the rods: The fish are still biting this fall

By Sheila Grant Fall is arguably the best time to go fishing in Maine. The biting insects have died down, the foliage is beautiful, and cooler water temperatures cue the fish that it’s time to fatten up for winter.

“The Piscataquis River is a great place to enjoy some fall fishing,” said Tim Obrey, a Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife regional fisheries biologist working out of the Greenville office.“The foliage is nice along the river, and the Piscataquis is lightly fished even though the fishing is good. There’s roadside access, and it’s not far from Bangor.

It’s a big river, but the best fishing is near the stocking sites.”

Anglers would do well to concentrate on stretches of the Piscataquis near the covered bridge in Guilford and the Route 23 bridge in Sangerville, adjacent to the Guilford River Walk parking area, Obrey said. Both sections are open for year-round fishing.

“We also stock the East Outlet [at Moosehead Lake], which has good brook trout and salmon fishing, especially in September and October,” Obrey said. “Anglers need to watch flows here.

Sometimes it can be tough wading if there is a lot of water.” The section of East Outlet from the dam to the Beach Pool is open year-round.

“We also stock a number of ponds in the fall with brook trout, primarily to provide winter fishing opportunities, but fall anglers can take advantage of these fish, as well,” he said. Drummond Pond in Abbot, Brann’s Mill Pond in Dover-Foxcroft, Prong Pond in Beaver Cove (also a good bass water), and

How does the fishing in your neck of the woods hold up?

Fishing Reports by Regional Fishery Biologists are located at: www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/reports/weekly_biologist

Buy your Maine fishing or hunting permits online!

Fishing and hunting permits can be purchased online at www.maine.gov/ifw/licenses_permits/fishing.htm Learn more about fishing in Maine and how to have a great (and safe) time hitting the water.

NEWS PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ

A fly fisherman casts for fast-paced action on the Roach River in Kokadjo in early October.

Fitzgerald Pond — also known as Mountain View Pond — in Big Moose Township are just a few ponds offering fall angling potential.

For fun family outings, the Penobscot Region has a number of kids-only fishing options.

“The Edwards Family Kids Fishing Pond in Lincoln is a new pond that we’ve just started stocking in 2010, dedicated to the Edwards family that donated the land for the construction of the pond,”

said Nels Kramer, a fisheries biologist working out of MDIFW’s Enfield office.

Or try Jerry Pond in Millinocket.

“The Fin and Feather Club has taken the lead on this and has developed a very

popular program for kids,” Kramer said.

The Maine Youth Fish and Game Club runs Pickerel Pond, a kids-only pond boasting some good-sized brookies, located in T32MD. There’s also the Milo Farm Pond, which Kramer said, “is a new pond still in early stages of development, but very encouraging.”

The Penobscot Region has plenty of fishing waters stocked each fall and open to adult anglers, too. These include: • Smith Pond and Millinocket Stream in Millinocket; • Little Round Pond, Upper Pond, and Upper Cold Stream Pond in Lincoln; • Cold Stream Pond in Enfield;

• Mud Pond in Old Town; • Molunkus Lake in Molunkus Township; • Weir Pond and Silver Pond in Lee. “A new boat landing on Upper Cold Stream Pond has given us access for the first time in years,” noted Kramer.

Maine fishing regulations vary by water body, species, and time of year.

Anglers should always consult the current law book before heading out. Many waters are catch-and-release only after Oct. 1 and may also be restricted to the use of artificial lures.

A complete listing of fall-stocked waters can be accessed on the MDIFW Web site at www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/ reports/stocking/index.htm.

12 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Exploring the outdoors is easier with Brute Force

New Kawasaki ATV model features power steering, V-twin engine, alloy wheels By www.atvaction.net Flagship of the Kawasaki ATV line, the muscular Brute Force 750 4x4i ATV received a comprehensive round of upgrades for the 2012 model year. An electric power steering system highlights the changes, but is joined by other significant new features like a more-powerful V-twin engine, new double-wishbone front suspension, six-spoke cast alloy wheels, and new bodywork featuring wide-stance styling cues.

Thanks to revised tuning, a new cylinder head and increased compression ratio, the 2012 Brute Force 750 4x4i’s upgraded four-stroke fuel injected 90-degree 749cc V-twin engine offers more power than ever, with enhanced low-rpm performance.

Despite the big power from the engine, a light feel at the throttle lever helps reduce rider fatigue. This is achieved by using a low spring rate for the throttle return springs and ball bearings in the throttle bodies.

A new, larger radiator is placed high in the chassis for optimum protection against mud and debris, while a new larger radiator fan and larger-diameter cooling hoses and pipes help maximize cooling performance. A self-repairing circuit breaker and dedicated fuse for the new fan also help keep things cool when the going gets tough.

The addition of Kawasaki’s EPS sys-

tem to the Brute Force 750 4x4i results in enhanced handling and improved ride comfort. Turning the bars causes a signal to be sent to the electronic power-steering control unit, initiating power assist.

At slow speeds or when stopped, assistance is greatest; assistance is reduced as vehicle speed increases to help ensure predictable handling. The EPS assembly enhances ride quality and control by also acting as a damping system; even when steering input is neutral, the added inertia of the electric motor acts as a stabilizer.

An upgraded fully automatic, dualrange continuously variable transmission is mated to the powerful V-twin engine. A new high gear ratio and a thicker belt made of stronger material contribute to longer CVT belt life and reduced maintenance requirements.

Two- or four-wheel drive operation is selectable by simply pressing a button on the handlebar. In four-wheel drive mode, the Brute Force ATV utilizes the limited-slip front differential to help maintain steering response and ease steering effort at the bars. The rider can manage the amount of power to both front wheels with Kawasaki’s Variable Front Differential Control by using a small control lever on the left handlebar.

It’s a definite advantage when traversing deep mud, slippery uphill trails, or large logs or rocks.

New six-spoke cast aluminum wheels

replace the previous pressed steel units and make a significant styling contribution, while offering a more premium image and enhanced credibility on the trail. Mounted with aggressive tires, the premium wheels help give the Brute Force its 9.4 inches of ground clearance and transfer the awesome power of the V-twin engine to the ground.

Completely sealed, the rear braking system’s components are protected from mud, dust, and debris. Its compact size also provides more ground clearance than a conventional rear disc brake system.

The 2012 Brute Force 750 4x4i features a new stronger double-cradle tubular steel frame featuring reinforcements at key areas like the front wishbone mounts, rear stabilizer mounts, engine mounts, footrest mounts, etc., resulting in improved rough terrain handling and enhanced durability. The frame’s improved ability to absorb shocks when sport riding on rough terrain boosts ride comfort and makes it easier to maintain a higher average speed in a wider range of conditions.

A new double-wishbone front suspension layout features shock absorbers mounted at a more splayed angle between the upper and lower wishbones

2012 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4 to help minimize sag and allow a higher ground clearance to be maintained once a rider sits on the ATV. An upright and comfortable riding position enhances the rider’s ability to interact with the Brute Force 750 4x4i and allows the rider to effectively scan the horizon or check the easyto-read automotive-style instrument panel.

Check out the Brute Force 750 4x4I and other Kawasaki ATVs at these Maine dealerships: • Bangor Motor Sports, Bangor; • Friend & Friend Kawasaki, Ellsworth; • Newport Motor Sports, Newport; • North Country Powersports, Oakland.

ATV Education Courses The State of Maine offers ATV education courses on a regular basis.

According to their Website, “participation in an ATV education course will teach how to properly operate and maintain an ATV. Laws, responsibilities and personal safety will also be covered. Passage of a final exam is required.

You must attend every day of the class in order to receive your certificate.”

The ATV Course contains a total of six hours: • Proper operation and safety (riding skill, equipment, maintenance) • Pertinent Laws • Emergencies and survival • Map and compass • Self-help First Aid • Environmental/landowner/ethics The Regional Safety Coordinator for your area or the Recreational Safety Division Office at (207) 287-5220 will have information on classes near your location. Contact ATV Safety Institute by phone, call 1-800-887-2887 or email Bob Higgins at sgtbob@midmaine.com.

Get informed online!

The ATV Safety Institute has online trainings for ATV riders to help keep them safe. Located online at www.atvsafety.org, the organization works to promote safe (and fun) use of ATVs as a method of recreation.

For ATV safety information check out: www.atvsafety.gov/state/maine.html

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 13

Polaris Ranger ATV ready to take on the great outdoors

By Lucas Cooney WWW. SNOWMOBILE.OFF-ROAD.COM

We recently had a chance to take a sneak peak at the 2012 Polaris ATV and Ranger Lineup at a press event north of the border in Ontario, Canada.

While at the event, it seemed like it was a quiet year from the Minnesota-based Polaris with only one new machine to speak of. However, even when things seem relatively quiet, the engineers at Polaris are still hard at work tweaking the existing lineup. We counted 19 machines with at least modest changes for 2012. Only Polaris can make that seem understated!

For 2012 the only completely new machine is the Ranger Crew Diesel, the second diesel model and third multipassenger model in the Polaris family.

The Ranger Crew Diesel shares the same 904cc, three-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine as the Ranger Diesel (introduced one year ago), with the ability to carry six adults. The engine is rubber-mounted to

transfer minimal vibration to the operator and provides low-speed torque to work harder. The fully-sealed, fixed center distance clutch driveline is designed to keep water out of the clutches.

A 55-amp alternator gives the operator the ability to run many hard-working, higher electrical load accessories, such as plows, extra lights, cab heaters and fans at the same time. The Ranger Crew Diesel also boasts a monstrous one-ton of towing ability and comes standard with a two-inch hitch. Also, its rear dump box can hold 1,000 pounds and features gasassist dumping operation.

To help keep the ride smooth and comfortable, the Ranger Crew Diesel comes outfitted with a four-corner adjustable suspension system that features Dual Aarms with top-mounting-point adjustability. This allows the user to adjust to a softer setting for recreational riding or a stiffer setting for heavy-duty work.

We first got behind the wheel of the Ranger HD three years ago at Polaris’ 2009 model line introduction. This machine is

billed as the pure utility workhorse of the Ranger family, and it’s easy to see why. With features like ultrasmooth electronic power steering and self-leveling Nivomat rear shocks, riding with a full load in the back doesn’t get any easier.

While Polaris hasn’t made wholesale changes to the Ranger HD 800 for 2012, it did receive a significant upgrade in the form of Polaris’ enginebraking system. This system is designed to control downhill braking to give the operator more control and to provide smooth, even deceleration during descents.

We’ve tested out Polaris’ engine braking system on other machines and it seems like a natural fit on the Ranger HD 800, especially when you consider the heavy loads this unit was designed to haul. The biggest question we’re left with

2012 Polaris HD 800 is why hasn’t always been part of the Ranger HD package?

It should also be noted that the Ranger HD 800 and the rest of the full size Ranger family offer better heat-shielding in the cockpit, so less heat from the engine will reach the driver and passengers.

You can’t talk about Polaris without mentioning the Ranger RZR family.

Polaris turned the side-by-side world in its ear when the original Ranger RZR was introduced for the 2008 model year. It was by far the sportiest side-by-side available from a major manufacturer when it was first unveiled, and even today it has only been topped by Polaris. While we don’t have a brand new Ranger RZR model to talk about for 2012, Polaris has still been busy tweaking the successful platform.

Oddly, it is the newest RZR — the Ranger RZR XP 900 — that received the biggest changes for 2012. Though it was just introduced in January 2011, Polaris has given the RZR XP 900 a host of improvements. Suspension tuning is made simpler with the addition of compression adjustment knobs on the Fox 2.0 shocks for tool-less adjustment.

Check out the 2012 Polaris ATVs at these local dealerships: • Friend & Friend, Ellsworth; • Jackman Powersports, Jackman; • Victory Motorsports, Abbot.

14 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Fall is perfect weather to get on an ATV and ride

By Brian Swartz CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

For many ATVers, September and October represent the last time to enjoy country rides before autumn rains close the trails. Combine a cool, sunny day with a winding trail bordered by beautiful foliage, and ATVers ride through perfect weather and terrain.

Several thousand miles of ATV trails extend into many nooks and crannies in rural Maine and provide places for ATVers to ride each fall.

Most state-owned rail trails are open to ATVing; many ATV clubs maintain trail systems that often cross municipal boundaries and connect with adjoining trail systems.

Before heading out on a ride this fall, obtain an appropriate trail map. Some ATV clubs publish maps; for example, the Big Indian ATV Riders in central Maine post an online version at www.bigindianatvriders.com/Trail_Map .html. The Web site suggests linking with the Somerset Ridge Runners Club Web site, which posts no map, but describes a few trail heads and how to find maps at “Trail Report & Park-n-Ride Info.”

Not all ATV clubs have Web sites or Facebook pages, however, so finding a local trail map may be difficult. In such a situation, ride with a friend or relative who knows a particular trail system; “buddy riding” can improve riding safety and reduce the risk of getting lost or trespassing onto private property.

Get ready to ride the trails For ATVers seeking long-distance rides beneath the autumn skies, among

the ATV club-organized rides set for this fall are: • Sept. 17, 5-9 p.m.: The Southern Maine ATV Club will sponsor a ride to benefit the South Berwick Food Pantry.

For more information, call (207) 6761152.

The Knowles Corner ATV Club will sponsor a trail ride to Katahdin Lodge.

• Sept. 18, 8 a.m.: The Airline ATV Riders will sponsor a trail ride. For more information, email info@airlineatvriders.com.

• Sept. 24, 10 a.m.: The Western Maine Toy Run leaves Farmington to drop off toys in Canton and then proceeds to a barbeque in Jay. For more information, call (207) 897-2926.

The Sandy River Riders will sponsor a trail ride from Strong to Mt. Blue State Park in Weld. For more information, log onto www.sandyriverriders.org.

• Oct. 8, 9.a.m.: The Roxbury ATV Riders will sponsor a Fall Foliage Ride & Pig Roast that starts in Bingham. For more information, log onto www.roxburyatvridersclub.com.

• Oct. 9, 9 a.m.: The Big Indian ATV Riders will sponsor a trail ride from Solon to Kingsbury, with riders meeting at the Solon Dam. For more information, call (207) 431-0517.

• Oct. 9, 12 noon-7 p.m.: The Island Falls Freewheelers ATV Club will sponsor the Doug Weed Memorial Ride for Pancreatic Cancer Research, with riders leaving the Island Falls VFW Hall at 1 p.m. For more information, email fhcoombs@gmail.com.

• Oct. 22, 8 a.m.: The Airline ATV Riders will sponsor a trail ride.

For more information, email: info@airlineatvriders.com.

Be part of the ATV community: For information, a calendar of events, and more about ATVing in Maine, visit ATV Maine online at www.ATVMaine.org.

NEWS PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Top right: In mid-October, west-bound ATVers roll along the Down East Sunrise Trail near the Station Road in Jonesboro.

Bottom right: An ATVer flashes a “thumbs up” as he and a companion ride their machines through the October beauty at Coos Canyon in Byron.

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ON MOOSEHEAD LAKE

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BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 15

16 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Yamaha unveils new Grizzly ATV in 2012 2012 Yamaha Grizzly 550i EPS is the king of the Maine woods With all the features of its big-bore brother, including industry-first electric 2012 Yamaha Grizzly 550i EPS power steering, but in a slightly smaller engine package, the 2012 Grizzly 550i EPS is the ultimate utility ATV and is Field & Stream’s “Best of the Best” for 2012.

The designation follows last year’s announcement that the 2011 Grizzly 450 — which also featured electric power steering — had received the same award from Field & Stream.

“The ‘Best of the Best’ is one of the outdoor industry’s biggest awards,” Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s marketing manager, was quoted by www.atv.com. “Outdoorsmen use these machines (Yamaha ATVs) for scouting, hauling, food plotting, and various other challenging hunting situations.

“Whether we are talking about the mid-size or big bore class, the Grizzly line’s off-road capabilities and reputation for durability and reliability make these vehicles motor. This system helps lighten stand out for customers who collect the best steering for more comfort on rough gear,” Nessl said. terrain. and also greatly reduces the torque At 648 pounds net weight, the 550i EPS is the needed to steer the ATV when in 4-wheel full difflightest-weight ATV in its class. The electric power lock. steering also makes this ATV more comfortable to The 2012 Grizzly 550i EPS is equipped with ride, especially on rough terrain or with the racks Yamaha fuel injection, which means instantaloaded. neous cold starts and optimal performance. The The EPS system is driven by a dedicated ECU industry-exclusive, fully automatic Ultramatic that measures steering input force versus tire resist- transmission is the most advanced drive system ance and vehicle speed, then provides appropriate in ATVs. An automatic centrifugal clutch mainassist to the steering column through an electric tains constant belt tension for reduced belt wear

and uses a sprag clutch for all-wheel downhill engine braking in 4WD mode.

Among the Grizzly 550i EPS features that are new for 2012 are: • A new oil access cover that allows easy access to check the oil level; • The fenders have a textured finish that resists scratching and scuffing; • The gascharged rear shocks offer a quality damping feel and excellent performance over a long period of time.

The Grizzly 550i EPS is powered by a 558-cc, four-stroke liquid-cooled engine derived directly from the industry-leading Grizzly 700 powerplant. The compact engine design features a 35-degree cylinder angle for better ground clearance and a lower seat height for quick steering and maneuverability.

The stainless steel exhaust system features aluminum heat shields and a screen-type spark arrestor for great power with minimum noise output. The high-capacity aluminum radiator with a

fan motor delivers maximum cooling efficiency and is positioned high in the frame for optimal protection.

The 5.3-gallon fuel tank is located under the seat for excellent mass centralization and handling; there’s a 4.8-liter waterproof storage compartment under there, too.

Additional features found on the 2012 Grizzly 550i EPS include: • A center-mounted, heavy-duty trailer hitch that comes standard and tows more than 1,300 pounds; • The rugged steel cargo racks have a special, extra-durable wrinkle paint finish and can pack a total of 286 pounds combined (99 pounds up front, 187 pounds in the rear); • The large, specially designed seat is extra plush and widely contoured for all-day rider comfort; • The trick digital instrument panel boasts a multifunction LCD display with speedometer, odometer, dual tripmeter, an hour meter that counts the engine’s running hours, 4WD status, transmission position, a clock. and a fuel gauge.

The 2012 Grizzly 550i EPS is assembled in Newnan, Ga. The available colors are Hunter Green, Steel Blue, and Realtree AP Camouflage.

See the 2012 Yamaha Grizzly 55I EPS at these dealerships: • Friend & Friend, Ellsworth; • Friend & Friend, Orono; • Jackman Powersports, Jackman; • North Country Powersports, Oakland; • Roger’s Sport Center, Fort Kent.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 17

Fall hiking warrants extra caution

By Brad Viles You don’t have to hike very far or often to appreciate the changing seasons in Maine. This fall has proven that so far.

We’ve had cold nights, clouds, rain, high winds, practically everything this fall — except snow. There’s ice on Katahdin that will probably stay until spring, unless we get a warm spell. The snow’s probably only days away on those mountains to the north and west, as well.

For day hikers, changing weather and shorter days during fall present additional challenges to those encountered during a summer hike. Besides bringing proper clothing for the conditions, knowing fall weather patterns helps keep hikers safe during the season. Most trailhardened hikers know that for comfort and safety on autumn hikes they need to plan and pack accordingly. What follows are some trail-tested tips for a fall hike.

Planning your hike When you plan a hike, allow time to complete the distance out and back before it gets dark, which seems obvious, until you realize that it gets dark around 5:30 p.m. in the shaded, forested approaches to most of Maine’s mountains. If you try to hike a 10-mile round-

trip hike, for example, plan to leave the trailhead early in the morning. That way you’ll have plenty of daylight to take your time and assure returning back before dark. Also, if anyone needs help, there is more allowance for a daylight return trip.

Read the trail descriptions in your guidebooks carefully and be realistic in estimating your ability to complete your hike in the given time. Set a firm departure time and, more important, a firm, turn-back time. Once you are on a summit, you are only halfway done on an upand-back hike. Most injuries occur on the descent, because people think the hard part is over and they become inattentive.

Loading the pack The hard truth is, fall temperatures are lower, so pack extra layers. Wear polypropylene upper and lower base layers. No cotton. The old saying “cotton kills” really applies in autumn. Cotton soaks up perspiration and stays wet, cooling you further, and dangerously, in wind.

Pack a fleece mid-layer for rest stops. It’s better to have it with you and not need it than to wish you had brought it.

Pack a rain shell to double as a wind shell for breaks and summit stops. Carry at least two quarts of water for any hike longer than two hours. Pack a lot of

   

snacks to carry in pockets for easy access during breaks. Eating calories equals heat to your body, so plan to snack often, before you’re hungry. If you pack a thermos of hot chocolate or cider, you’ll be warmed from the inside when you stop.

Pack gloves and a hat, and maybe a down vest for the summit. Finally, bring a working flashlight and a first aid kit.

On the trail Begin hiking by wearing as few layers of clothing as possible to be comfortable. Put on a light fleece jacket, then start hiking to warm up in cool, morning air. When you stop for breaks, throw on the wind shell first to trap your body heat so you stay warm. Take it off and pack it before hiking again. It will get you moving to warm back up.

Drink water before you’re thirsty.

Heat exhaustion is not a problem in autumn, but dehydration could be. In fact, dehydration is common among hikers who think that just because it’s cool, they don’t need to drink as much water. Actually, cold air is just as drying as warm air. When you stop, find a wind break if it’s breezy. Look for sheltered spots behind a ledge or tree barrier that blocks the full effect of raw autumn wind.

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While hiking, watch for fallen leaves on the ground. Leaves can make trails slick, slowing your hiking speed and causing slips and tumbles. If you find that you’re not moving as fast as you thought you would, this is where having a firm turn back time is important. Temperatures drop quickly once the sun sets.

Hiking in Hunting Season Usually, hikers and hunters don’t cross paths; hikers are too noisy for hunters. Hunters typically have their favorite places off-trial. Just the same, you could encounter each other. In areas with trails that allow hunting, hikers should also wear blaze orange.

NEWS PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Whether you’re hiking a full day or a short trip, extra planning should be done before heading out.

18 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Take a trip down the Airline to Down East for fall colors

By Brian Swartz

CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

Fly The Airline during the next few weeks to enjoy autumn finery in interior Down East Maine.

Route 9, a.k.a. “The Airline,” crosses Down East Maine’s hilly interior and offers views overlooked by travel journals that steer leaf-peepers to coastal Route 1. Eastbound from Eddington, here’s what folks can find along this road less traveled by: • Gorgeous colors adorning communications tower-topped Peaked Mountain (usually called “Chick Hill”) in Clifton; • Fiery hardwoods waving their leaves along the highway in Amherst; • Red-tinted blueberry fields climbing Silsby Hill in Aurora, just north of the Route 179 intersection; • Red maples bordering the Union River’s Middle Branch, as viewed from the scenic overlook about 4 miles east of Aurora; • Foliage changing colors on Spruce Mountain, visible due east from where Route 9 crests a hill near the Airline Snack Bar; • More red-tinted blueberry fields spreading south around the Routes 9-193 intersection; • Colorful hardwoods blending with dark green softwoods along Route 9 in Townships 29 and 30; • Flowages — somnolent marshes, sparkling streams, fast-

flowing rivers like the Machias — reflecting the reds, oranges, and yellows rising along the adjacent banks; • Red-tinted blueberry fields rolling across Wesley’s Day Hill, from where the views encompass the foliage-adorned hills rolling away to the north and east; • Sunlit hardwoods blending with fir and spruce along Route 9 in Crawford; • Scenic views opening northward to Pocomoonshine Lake from where Route 9 follows the high ground in Alexander; • Beautiful colors along the marshes and streams lying within Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge in Calais. Waterfowl flock to Magurrewock Stream and its adjacent wetlands in autumn; divert south on the Charlotte Road (just east of the abandoned railroad crossing on Routes 1/9) and follow the signs to an enclosed streamside overlook. Bring the binoculars to see ducks and geese and the camera to photograph the foliage.

• Venerable maples and oaks casting gorgeous hues along several streets intersecting with Routes 1/9 (North Street) in Calais.

Consider making an overnight trip Down East, with Route 9 the outbound leg to Calais. Then take Route 1 south and west the next day to see foliage backdropped by salt water.

NEWS PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ

Fall colors border the Middle Branch of the Union River near Aurora.

UMaine play highlights Bradley museum In conjunction with the Sept. 17-18 “Life in the American Revolution” weekend at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum in Bradley, a play titled “The Hessian Officer in America” will be presented at Hauck Auditorium at the University of Maine.

The American Revolution is in full swing Sept. 17-18 at the museum, located at Leonard’s Mills off Route 178 (follow the signs from the highway). Kilted Royal Scots from the 74th Highland Regiment will skirmish with patriotic rebels from Goodwin’s and White’s Company as costumed civilian re-enactors demonstrate period life elsewhere on the Leonard’s Mills campus.

Activities will take place from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. each day. Admission is $5 per adult and $3 per child.

“The Hessian Officer in America” is a historic play written by Johann August Weppen in 1783 and recently translated from German to English. The lighthearted comedic play provides a unique view of the impressions that Germans stationed in the New World thought about America during the Revolution.

The play will start at 7 p.m., Friday,

The play “The Hessian Officer in America” will be presented at Hauck Auditorium at the University of Maine on Friday, Sept. 16.

Sept. 16. Ticket prices are $10 per adult and $5 per student of any age. For more information, log onto www.leonardsmills.com or email anette.rodrigues@umit.maine.edu.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 19

Fall calendar of events will keep Mainers busy Although the calendar indicates September, life doesn’t measurably slow at many places in Maine. Concerts, festivals, and plays fill the September and October pages, especially on weekends.

Check the calendars for the following geographic regions and find an interesting activity to enjoy this fall!

Aroostook County Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Celebrate the Scarecrow Festival and Homecoming Parade in Fort Kent. The parade will start at the Market Street courthouse and proceed through Fort Kent to the official residence of the University of Maine at Fort Kent president.

Oct. 15-16, 6-9 p.m., daily: Meet the local ghouls and gals during the “Haunted Walk at Aroostook State Park” in Presque Isle. For specifics, call (207) 764-6561.

Oct. 22-23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., daily: Fall Arts & Crafts Fair will take place at Caribou High School, Caribou.

Central Maine Sept. 16-18: The Trail’s End Festival will take place at Veterans Memorial Park, Millinocket. Scheduled activities include a parade, hikes, and live music.

Sept. 17, 10 a.m.: Mount Hope Cemetery Tour, starts at the Superintendent’s Office, 1048 State St., Bangor. For information, call (207) 942-1900.

Sept.17-18, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., daily: Revolutionary War Era re-enacting at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum, Leonard’s Mills, off Route 178 in Bradley.

Sept. 17: Bangor Waterfront Concerts, Reba McEntire with the opening act Janedear Girls. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Sept. 18, 3 p.m.: The Tokyo String Quartet, Minsky Recital Hall, University of Maine, Orono.

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: Explore Bangor’s 19th-

PHOTO BY TERRY FARREN

Beneath the ghastly glow of a street lamp, folks listen as a Bangor Museum and Center for History staffer details the ghostly history of downtown Bangor during a Ghost Light Tour. Tours are scheduled for Sept. 20, Oct. 11, and Oct. 25.

century history during a Ghost Lamp Tour that starts near the Bangor Harbormaster’s Office on Railroad Street. For more information, call (207) 942-1900.

Sept. 23: Bangor Waterfront Concerts presents George Thorogood & The Destroyers at Bangor Waterfront Pavilion. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Celebrate Maine Forest Day at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum, Leonard’s Mills, off Route 178 in Bradley.

Sept. 24, 7 p.m.: Canadian artist k.d. lang, Collins Center for the Arts, University of Maine, Orono.

Sept. 30, 7 p.m.: Explore the “wild side” of Bangor history during a Devil’s Half Acre Tour that starts near the Bangor Harbormaster’s Office on Railroad Street. For information, call (207) 942-1900.

Oct. 1-2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., daily: Living History Days at the Maine Forest and Logging Museum, Leonard’s Mills, off Route 178 in Bradley.

Oct. 5, 7 p.m.: Gazillion Bubble Show

at the Collins Center for the Arts, Orono.

Oct. 7-9: Maine Snowmobile Show at Augusta Civic Center, Augusta.

Oct. 9, 7 p.m.: The National Broadway Tour presents “My Fair Lady” at Collins Center for the Arts, Orono.

Oct. 14, 8 p.m.: NPR humorist David Sedaris will appear at the Collins Center for the Arts, Orono.

Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: Explore Bangor’s 19thcentury history during a Ghost Lamp Tour that starts near the Bangor Harbormaster’s Office on Railroad Street. For more information, call (207) 942-1900.

Nov. 2, 7 p.m.: The Irish Chamber Orchestra and Leon Fleisher, Collins Center for the Arts, Orono.

Nov. 12-13: United Maine Craftsmen Arts and Crafts Show at Augusta Civic Center, Augusta.

Down East Sept. 17, 8:30 a.m.: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Half Marathon & Fall 5K starts at MDI YMCA, 21 Park St., Bar Harbor.

Check out the diverse creations that appear in Fort Kent during the Sept. 17 Scarecrow Festival.

Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: 13th Annual MDI Garlic Festival, Smugglers Den Campground, Route 102, Southwest Harbor.

Sept. 17, 4:45-6 p.m.: Fried haddock dinner at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall, 62 Franklin St., Bucksport.

Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m.: Professor Jay Hoar and Gary Elwell will lecture about Maine Writers and Collecting Antiques at the Peabody Library, Jonesport.

Sept. 22-26: Acadia Night Ski Festival

See CALENDAR, Page 20

20 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Calendar Continued from Page 19 takes place at different locations in Acadia National Park and on Mount Desert Island.

For more information, call (207) 288-5103.

Sept. 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Art in the Park at Village Green in Bar Harbor.

Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Art in the Park at Village Green in Bar Harbor.

Sept. 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.: 28th Annual Autumn Gold Car Show, Home Depot, Ellsworth.

Sept. 28, 11:30 a.m.: 14th Annual Autumn Gold Chowder Fest, Waterfront Park, Ellsworth.

Oct. 7, 3-6 p.m.: Second Wine & Cheese Festival at Smuggler’s Den Campground, Route 102, Southwest Harbor.

Oct. 8, 11:30 a.m.: 16th Annual Acadia Oktoberfest at Smuggler’s Den Campground, Southwest Harbor.

Oct. 14, 10 –11:30 a.m.: Art Fool by Mystic Paper Beasts at The Grand, Main Street, Ellsworth.

Oct. 15, 4:45-6 p.m.: Fried haddock dinner at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall, 62 Franklin St., Bucksport.

Oct. 16, 7-8 a.m.: Mount Desert Island Marathon starts in Bar Harbor.

Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m.: Stephen and Susan Sanfilippo will perform songs from Seth Parker’s Hymnal and the Cruise of the Lapwing at Peabody Library, Jonesport.

Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.: The Brinkler Trio performs in concert at The Grand, Main Street, Ellsworth.

Nov. 15, 10 a.m.: ArtsPower presents “Salem Justice” at The Grand, Main Street, Ellsworth.

Nov. 19, 4:45-6 p.m.: Fried haddock dinner at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall, 62 Franklin St., Bucksport.

Midcoast Sept. 16, 8 p.m.: April Verch & Her Band will perform folk music at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House.

Sept. 17-18, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., daily: Earth Movers & Shakers & Antique Aeroplane Show at Owls Head Transportation Museum, Owls Head.

Sept. 17, 7 p.m.: Windjammer Barber Shop Chorus Annual Show at Rockport Opera House, Rockport.

Sept. 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Join the Muellers for Bluegrass Sunday the First

Congregational Church of Camden, 55 Elm St., Camden.

Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Karen Montanaro performs mime and dance at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House.

Sept. 29-Oct. 2: Camden International Festival at Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St., Camden.

Oct. 1-2: Lincolnville Fall Fest at Lincolnville Beach.

Oct. 1-2, 9 a.m.5 p.m., daily: Carol Sebold HarborArts Juried Arts & Crafts Show at Harbor Park, Camden.

Oct. 1-23: Finer Things Craft Show at Penobscot Marine Museum, 40 East Main St., Searsport.

Oct. 1, 8, and 15, 7-10 p.m., daily: Join a guided tour looking for ghosts at Fort Knox in Prospect.

Oct. 8, 8 p.m.: The Prodigals in concert at the Boothbay Harbor Opera House.

Oct. 8-9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., daily: The 6th Maine Battery will repeatedly fire a full-scale Civil War-era Parrott rifled cannon at Fort Knox in Prospect.

Oct. 8-9: Fling into Fall features a craft fair, a parade, live music, and other events at the Penobscot Marine Museum and other locations in Searsport.

Oct. 13, 4-6 p.m.: Beef Stew Take Out at John Street Methodist Church, Camden.

Oct. 14, 6 p.m.: The 32nd Annual Online & Live Auction starts at the Rockland Elks Lodge, 210 Rankin St., Rockland. Sponsored by the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Oct. 21-22, 5:30-9 p.m., daily: Fight at the Fort brings the most frightening spooks, monsters, and other things that go “bump in the night” to entertain visitors at Fort Knox in Prospect.

Oct. 21, 5:30-8 p.m.: Marine History Conference at Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport.

Oct. 22, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.: Marine History Conference at Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport.

Oct. 22, 8 p.m.: Sierra Hull performs bluegrass, Boothbay Harbor Opera House.

Oct. 24, 7 p.m.: Megan Pinette of the Belfast Historical Society presents “Belfast During and After the Civil War” in the Abbott Room, Belfast Library.

Oct. 28-29, 5:30-9 p.m., daily: Fright at the Fort brings the most frightening spooks, monsters, and other things that go “bump in the night” to entertain visitors at Fort Knox, Prospect.

Oct. 29-30, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., daily: Great Fall Auction and Flea Market, Owls Head Transportation Museum, Owls Head.

Nov. 4, 8 p.m.: Michael Kaeshammer, Boothbay Harbor Opera House.

Nov. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lincolnville Crafters Show at LIA Building, Route 173, Lincolnville.

State fairs

The remaining 2011 state fairs are: • Sept. 16-18: New Portland Lions Fair, New Portland Fairgrounds, Route 146, New Portland — (207) 566-5722; • Sept. 18-24: Farmington State Fair, Farmington Fairgrounds, High Street, Farmington — (207) 778-6083 or www.farmingtonfairmaine.com; • Sept. 23-25: Common Ground Country Fair, Crosby Brook Road, Unity — (207) 568-4142 or mofga.org; • Sept. 25-Oct. 1: Cumberland Fair, Cumberland Fairgrounds, 174 Bruce Hill Road, Cumberland — (207) 7972789 or www.cumberlandfair.com; • Oct. 2-9: Fryeburg State Fair, Fryeburg Fairgrounds, Route 5, Fryeburg — (207) 935-3268 or www.fryeburgfair.com.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 21

Tasty treats: 3 dessert recipes for your autumn table

By Evan Kanarakis

Justin Rowe is the executive chef at the Chebeague Island Inn and the Diamond’s Edge Restaurant on Great Diamond Island. After training at the Atlantic Culinary Academy at McIntosh College and Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts School, he went on to compile an impressive resume that included stops at the White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, as well as Portland’s esteemed 555 and Fore Street restaurants.

No less an authority than Fore Street’s Sam Hayward has called him “one of Portland’s most promising young chefs.”

With this wealth of experience, Justin is more than qualified to share suggestions on how to incorporate great seasonal ingredients into delicious food.

Here are three of his dessert recipes that are just perfect for the autumn months:

Basil Candied Apple Crisp 3 lbs Granny Smith apples 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 2Tbsp. lemon juice 1/3 cup raw sugar 1/3 cup rolled oats 4 Tbsp. cold butter 1/2 cup chopped pecans 1/4 cup chopped basil leaves 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/3 cup all-purpose flour Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Peel, core, and chop apples. Toss in a bowl with lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, ginger, cloves, and basil leaves. Add to the apples and toss to combine.

In another bowl, combine flour, sugar, and oats.

Cut butter into 8 small pieces, and cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly (or just use your hands like I did).

Stir in the chopped pecans.

Butter a 9-inch square-baking dish. Spread apple mixture in bottom of baking dish, then sprinkle with the flour mixture. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned.

Vanilla Bean Bread Pudding 1 loaf stale white bread ½ cup butter, melted 8 eggs 1 cup sugar ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 ¼ quarts milk and heavy cream 1 vanilla bean 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Cut bread into large cubes, brush with butter.

3) Overlap the bread in a 9 x 11 baking pan.

4) Mix first four ingredients.

Next, split vanilla bean in half, scrape out interior with a knife, and add it to the milk and heavy cream.

5) Combine all ingredients.

Pour mixture over bread. Let stand 1 hour or longer.

6) Set the baking pan containing your mixture into a larger pan filled with hot water. Mind that the water does not spill over.

Bake for 1 hour or until set.

Bourbon Hard Sauce 1 cup softened butter 1 lb confectioner’s sugar

1 oz bourbon

1) Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in bourbon. Spoon over pudding and serve.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Crust 3/4 cup chopped pecans 6 Tbsp. melted butter 1 1/2 cups ginger snaps (finely chopped)

1) Mix all ingredients, then press into the bottom of a baking pan and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Cheesecake batter 1/2 lb softened cream cheese 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 5 eggs

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Mix cream cheese, spices, and sugars on high speed in a mixer.

3) Add pumpkin puree. Mix. 4) Still mixing, carefully add the eggs to your batter, one at a time.

5) Remove from mixer and stir in cream.

6) Add the batter to a baking pan. Set the baking pan containing your mixture into a larger pan filled with hot water. Mind that the water does not spill over.

Bake until set.

22 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011

Farm stands bring the tastes of the season home

By Sheila Grant Maine’s short growing season is winding down, but there are still plenty of good reasons to head to the local farmer’s market this fall.

“Farmer’s markets in Maine are fabulous and are going gangbusters right now,” said Judy Ballard, agriculture promotions coordinator for the Maine Department of Agriculture. “You are not just going to get your tomatoes and cucumbers anymore.”

Today’s farmer’s market often includes everything from live music to classes on food preparation, she said.

And Maine consumers have a heightened sense of shopping in a way that decreases the carbon footprint and supports the local economy via purchasing locally-grown products. Ballard said that all of Maine’s 100-plus farmer’s markets remain open in the fall. Countless farms also operate on-site farm stands through the fall season.

BDN PHOTO BY BRIAN SWARTZ

An Amish waits on a customer buying autumn food at a Smyrna farm stand.

While a few farmers are operating greenhouses that allow offerings of fresh greens, most farm stands and farmer’s

markets will be laden with fall harvests of potatoes, turnip, squash, onions, garlic, beets, turnip, zucchini, pumpkins, and late cucumbers.

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension (UMCE) has resources to help the public learn about food production, preservation, safety and nutrition.

“Fall is the time when you’re getting a lot of crops at the end of the growing season, so in addition to better prices because farmers are trying to get rid of everything they have, you’re getting a different type of crops with the root vegetables, squashes, and there are still some green beans,” said Jason Bolton, statewide food safety educator for the UMCE. “Look for items that are not bruised, and that have intact skins.”

Bolton said that no matter if produce is purchased at a grocery store, super store or farm stand, the FDA recommends washing everything not already marked as prewashed or triple-washed.

“For firm produce, scrub with a brush or by hand under cold, clean water,” he said.

“Leafy vegetables should be soaked in cold, clean water for one or two minutes. For berries and other fragile produce, place them in a colander and spray them off with cold water. We have a publication on our website done by the food sciences department that states that a lot of the rinses and wash substances for sale work about as well as clean water, so the investment is up to you.”

Bolton said washing produce would help dilute any bacteria that might be present to safer levels, reduce any herbicides or pesticides present, and help remove insects.

Many types of fall produce keep well for longer than summer offerings without any food preservation efforts other than a cool space for storage.

“Most are very easy to cut up, blanch and freeze,” Bolton said. “It’s less labor intensive than canning, and retains better nutritional quality.”

The UMCE website, http://extension. umaine.edu/good-health/nutrition, has downloadable brochures, videos and other information on foods, including recipes complete with nutritional breakdowns. Bolton said a brochure and video on properly washing produce were updated in August. The following are a few UMCE recipes to help everyone enjoy the best of the harvest bounty.

Beets, Harvard Style 6-8 medium beets 1/2 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. cornstarch 2 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1/2 cup orange juice Cook beets, covered in boiling water, for 35-50 minutes. Cool slightly, rub off skins, and slice. Combine sugar and cornstarch. Melt 1/4 cup of butter. Add sugar/cornstarch mixture and orange juice. Simmer for five minutes, stirring often. Pour over beets and serve.

Pumpkin or Squash Bread ½ cup sugar ½ cup oil ¾ cup pumpkin or squash puree 2 eggs 1 ½ cups flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ cup raisins (optional) ½ cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat sugar, oil, pumpkin/squash and eggs. In a medium bowl, stir flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon. Fold into larger bowl just enough to moisten dry ingredients. Stir in raisins and nuts.

Pour batter into a greased 9”X5” loaf pan.

Bake one hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Wash one cup seeds. Spread on cookie sheet. Road at 375 degrees until dry (about 20 minutes). Dot seeds with butter or margarine. Heat for another 5-10 minutes, stirring often. If desired, sprinkle seeds with garlic, onion, or parmesan cheese. Store in a covered container.

Salsa 2 medium tomatoes, chopped 4 oz. can green chilies, chopped 1 cup corn 1/2 cup onion, chopped 1/2 tsp. chili powder 1/2 tsp. sugar 1/4 tsp. oregano 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe container. Cover tightly.

Microwave on high for five minutes or until boiling. Refrigerate for at least four hours before serving.

Bangor hosts 5th annual Book Festival The Fifth Annual Bangor Book Festival will feature 34 Maine-based or connected writers and illustrators reading and discussing their works at various locations in downtown Bangor Sept. 30Oct. 1.

“We are thrilled with this year’s lineup of wonderful Maine authors,” said Barbara McDade. She is the Bangor Public Library director and co-chair of the book festival.

“We will have more speakers than in any other year. Everyone will be able to find something of interest.”

The 2011 festival features award-winning and best-selling fiction, nonfiction, memoir, poetry, children’s books, and young adults’ books

Maine author Colin Woodard focused on Maine life, humor, history, fantasy, science, mystery, Native history, and travel. Writing workshops will be offered.

Award-winning journalist and author Colin Woodard will present the Bud Knickerbocker Keynote Address at 7 p.m., Sept. 30 at the Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St., Bangor. From 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 1, readings and various events will take place at select locations in downtown Bangor; for a complete listing,visit www.bangorbookfest.org.

A Maine native, Woodard has written such books as “The Lobster Coast: Rebels, Rusticators, and the Struggle for a Forgotten Frontier” and has published in Down East Magazine, the San Francisco Chronicle, Smithsonian, and the Congressional Quarterly.

Joining him are such authors as:

• Barbara Baig, who has led writing workshops at Harvard University and Lesley University. She will lead a Creative Writing Workshop in Bangor on Oct.1.

• Toni Buzzeo, an author of children’s books and professional books for librarians and teachers. She recently published “Adventure Girl Goes to Kindergarten” and “No. T. Rex in the Library.”

• Van Reid, who has published six novels (with five based on the Moosepath League) and The American Zig-Zag, a pseudo 19th-century literary journal.

For more information about the festival, contact McDade at (207) 947-8336 or info@bangorbookfest.org.

Trail Continued from Page 6 around the headland works well with the mid-November sun, especially into early afternoon, because the “clockwise” sun illuminates the hike’s natural beauty.

Great Head Trail emerges into open terrain with views north to Schooner Head and Frenchman Bay. Then the trail reaches the summit post; stop here and study the adjacent debris field, which resembles jumbled rocks.

Closer examination reveals shattered concrete and other construction materials. Almost 100 years ago, the privately owned Satterlee Tower stood at this site and lured visitors to its observatory, salon, and tea room. After acquiring Great Head, the National Park Service gutted the tower and demolished it.

BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011 | 23

Beyond the summit post, Great Head Trail gradually descends near the shore.

Views open south across Newport Cove toward Otter Cliffs and Baker Island and east toward Schoodic Point.

Be careful while walking on the side trails leading to cliff-top perches. Enjoy watching the waves explode against Great Head; the sights and sounds are wonderful, especially after an autumn storm churns the Gulf of Maine.

Great Head Trail soon bends northward and climbs toward the headland’s jack pine-sprouting ridge. At the trail’s initial curve, follow a side trail to the ledges overlooking Newport Cove and Sand Beach. Farther north atop Great Head, hikers discover excellent views encompassing Sand Beach, The Beehive, and Champlain Mountain.

At another post, hikers face a choice: • Take a 0.5-mile route that descends

BDN PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ TOP: Following the blue blazes, two hikers walk along the Great Head Trail in Acadia National Park on a sunny November day. RIGHT: From the high

ledges on Great Head, hikers can look across Sand Beach to The Beehive. steeply to Sand Beach before turning north to the Great Head Trail parking lot;

• Take a 0.6-mile route that descends steeply to intersect Great Head Trail at a sign

post passed earlier during the hike.From this post, hikers return north to the parking lot.

I recommend descending carefully to Sand Beach and hiking north past the flowage draining the high terrain behind Sand Beach. Hikers enjoy views different from those experienced while outbound.

24 | BANGOR DAILY NEWS | Thursday | September 15, 2011