Bangor Metro_Winter 2023

Family

SNOWSHOE ADVENTURES

Making the Season

M

A

Sharing

TRADITIONAL

HOLIDAY AMILY

ES

What's

IT LIKE TO RUN A

CHRISTMAS TREE FARM?

AR

COOKIES

E S T TO S H

GINGERBREAD HOUSE HISTORY & CONSTRUCTION TIPS

OC A L W O

QU

SEASON BRIGHT

IP

R AL, SIMP

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’S

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Baking the

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budget

AND...

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on a

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DECORATING

ND

HOLIDAY

MAINE PLACES NAMED FOR THE SEASON

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B U DG ET

RA CE LA L LIB P CA UR YO U R L O D F I N T YO A

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& E,

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BRIGHT N

CONTENTS

WINTER 2023

FEATURES 34

BAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT

One woman’s quest to keep a holiday baking tradition alive — and she’s sharing her recipes

38 A TOWN BY ANY OTHER NAME From Winterport to Christmas Cove, get in the cold-weather spirit with a visit to these aptly named towns and Maine landmarks

IN EVERY ISSUE 06

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Get to know our Bangor Metro team

08

34

BAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT

38

A TOWN BY ANY OTHER NAME

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Local events and a Pop Quiz

16

OBSESSIONS

What we can’t get enough of this month

THE VIEW FROM HERE

The Maine of my childhood

ON THE FLIPSIDE Flip this issue over for gift ideas, Maine-made products, and much more!

2 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

PHOTOS: (TOP) COURTESY OF KAT SULETZKI; (BOTTOM) PAGE EASTMAN

42

ARTS & CULTURE 10 HISTORY, TECHNOLOGY, & RIGHTING WRONGS The Hudson Museum works to send the Tlingit tribe’s Frog Clan Helmet home

14 MAINE READS, MAINE WRITES Find your place at a local library

FOOD & DRINK 18

PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD

The history of gingerbread houses

HEALTH & FITNESS 20

ADVENTURE ME

A family-friendly snowshoe adventure

24 WINTERIZING YOUR WORKOUT SPACE Local experts offer tips for creating a winter-ready home gym space

HOME & FINANCE 26 HOLIDAY DECORATING ON A BUDGET 5 ideas to get ready for the holidays

30

FESTIVE FARMING

What it’s like on a Christmas tree farm

32

PERSONAL FINANCE

Saving for the big stuff www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 3

EDITOR’S NOTE

Wishing You and Yours a Very

Happy Holiday

NOVEMBER MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A QUIETER TIME IN OUR HOUSEHOLD. The madness that is the end of the summer and beginning of a new school year tapers off, and the non-stop travel and pick-ups and drop-offs of soccer season for my two busy kids all suddenly come to an end. There’s a pleasant lull as we wait for the snow to fly and ski season to begin. It’s a time to make stews and light the fireplace. To start putting up holiday decorations. To snuggle up under a blanket with a good book (learn more about local libraries on page 14). And to finally fire up the furnace (maybe that’s the real reason things feel more warm and snug around here).

I’m determined to ride this calm and cozy atmosphere right into the holiday season. To enjoy more and stress less.

In that spirit, you’ll find tips for simple holiday decor (that won’t break the bank) on page 26 and discover where in Bangor I recently found the perfect old fashioned cocktail among our Obsessions on page 16.

Ready to get into the holiday spirit? Visit Maine towns with wintery names on page 38, and learn what it’s like to run a Christmas tree farm on page 30. You’ll find tips for building a gingerbread house and learn a little about their history on page 18. On page 34, meet a woman with an incredible holiday baking tradition — and she’s sharing her tasty cookie recipes with all of us.

And if you’re looking to work off all those cookies and gingerbread, we’ve got tips from local fitness experts on winterizing your workout space on page 24. And flip to page 20 for a list of family snowshoeing adventure spots. I’m adding new snowshoes for the kids to my holiday shopping list right now.

Speaking of holiday shopping, flip this issue over for our annual Gift Guide, packed full of gift ideas for everyone on your list. And we mean everyone — we’ve even got gifts for your mother-in-law. You’ll also find a long list of Mainemade gifts to delight young and old, plus something for the family dog, your favorite bookworm, cool experience gifts, and more. We’ve got everyone covered. Which means more time to stop and truly enjoy this holiday season.

As our gift to you, our readers, below you’ll find QR codes to all of our 2023 Bangor Metro magazines. We hope you enjoy, and we look forward to seeing you again in the New Year!

CHEERS TO A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND BEST WISHES FOR A FUN AND FANTASTIC NEW YEAR!

Thanks for reading!

HERE'S A LITTLE SOMETHING JUST FOR YOU!

AMY ALLEN EDITOR & ART DIRECTOR

As our gift to you, WE'RE GIVING YOU ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR 2023 DIGITAL ISSUES SPRING 2023

SUMMER 2023

AUTUMN 2023

WHAT’S ON YOUR

Maine

Bucket List?

BIG OR SMALL, WE’VE GOT TONS OF IDEAS TO ADD TO YOUR ULTIMATE MAINE TO-DO LIST

GET SPOOKED AT FORT KNOX DRINK A MOXIE

TA

TOUR THE STANDPIPE

CAMP OUT IN THE WOODS

SPEND THE NIGHT ON MONHEGAN

KE

A MAI

N

Vacation E

VISIT A MAINE LIGHTHOUSE

N

DE

TAKE A FERRY RIDE

R AROUND

E

Waterfalls MOXIE FALLS, GULF HAGAS,

4 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

VISIT ACADIA’S QUIET SIDE

TH

W A

TRAVEL THE SCULPTURE TRAIL

PLUS! FUEL YOUR DAY WITH A

MAINE-ROASTED CUP OF COFFEE

& MORE

MEET A LOCAL TEEN AUTHOR

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

PUBLISHER

Richard J. Warren

SALES MANAGER

Laurie Cates

lcates@bangordailynews.com

EDITOR & ART DIRECTOR

Amy Allen

aallen@bangordailynews.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, & PROOFREADERS Wanda Curtis, Marissa Donovan, Anne Gabbianelli, Emily Morrison, Kaylie Reese, Crystal Sands, Aislinn Sarnacki, Richard Shaw, Katie Bingham-Smith, Robin Clifford Wood

Bangor Metro Magazine. Autumn 2023, Vol. 19, No. 4.

Copyright © Bangor Publishing Company.

Bangor Metro is published 4 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.

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 Amy Allen at aallen@bangordailynews.com.

Advertising: For advertising questions, please call the Sales Manager Laurie Cates at 207-745-2419.

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

COVER BACKGROUND IMAGE: Colnihko/Adobe Stock

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 5

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Go Team!

WE’RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THESE TALENTED & CURIOUS WRITERS SHARING STORIES THIS MONTH. INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR RANKS?

EMAIL AALLEN@BANGORDAILYNEWS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WRITING FOR BDN SPECIAL SECTIONS.

KATIE BINGHAMSMITH is a full-time freelance writer. She’s a staff writer for websites such as Scary Mommy, Grown and Flown and The Girlfriend. You can also follow her fashion adventures on Instagram @katiebinghamsmith.

MARISSA DONOVAN is a contributing writer for the Bangor Metro and Bangor Daily News Special Sections. She was born and raised in Deer Isle, and graduated from Colby-Sawyer College in New London, NH, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing. In her downtime she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, and gardening. Marissa is always seeking out feel-good stories and upcoming events in Maine to share with Metro readers.

6 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

ANNE GABBIANELLI has enjoyed a robust career as a freelance writer, broadcast journalist, and college professor. Her articles about the fascinating people and history of Maine have been published in several magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals. She finds her subjects as she travels throughout the state, discovering hidden towns, visiting museums, and exploring local lore. Anne is also a hospice volunteer who meets amazing people who often share their life stories with her.

RICHARD SHAW is a Bangor native who lives and breathes local history. In 2021, the city named him its honorary historian and presented him with a key to the city. When Dick isn’t writing freelance articles, providing television commentary, or compiling best-selling vintage photo books for Arcadia Publishing, he might be photographing old graveyards or haunted houses. His long careers with the Bangor Daily News and the City of Bangor have provided him with fodder for untold stories and editorial opportunities. On his horizon is a possible novel involving Bangor’s colorful lumbering era.

CRYSTAL SANDS is a writing professor, homesteader, and editor of the journal Farmer-ish, a journal dedicated to farming arts and education. When she is not saving seeds or tending chickens, she is writing daily for the Farmer-ish blog. You can follow her adventures in homesteading in rural Maine at www.farmer-ish.net.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 7

WHAT’S HAPPENING

FOR THE MAINE-IACS! Test your Mainer know-how...

WINTER 2023 NOV. 19-DEC. 31 GARDENS AGLOW AT COASTAL MAINE BOTANICAL GARDENS

DEC. 2 MILLINOCKET MARATHON & HALF

Returning for its ninth season, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay will Gardens Aglow, featuring new walking routes and paths to explore. With more than 750,000 LED lights woven through 14 acres of central gardens, it’s the brightest light display in Maine. All tickets must be purchased in advance.

Check out BoothbayLights.com for a complete listing of regional events and businesses open during Gardens Aglow.

This USATF-certified free race was first held in 2015 to help Maine’s most prominent mill town, which was devastated by the closing of their major employer. Runner's World Magazine picked up the story shortly after, and as they say, the rest is history. The only requirement for runners is to generously support local businesses and contribute to the Katahdin region in some way. Any money raised above and beyond essential race expenses will be donated to charitable Millinocket area groups or organizations.

GARDENSAGLOW.ORG

NOV. 30-DEC. 24 A CHRISTMAS CAROL AT THE PENOBSCOT THEATRE The beloved holiday classic returns to the PTC stage! Ebeneezer Scrooge lives a solitary, miserly life collecting debts and shunning his fellow men. One cold Christmas Eve, he is visited by four remarkable spirits who reveal his past, present, and future in the hopes of reigniting some love for mankind. With music, dance, and theatrical spectacle, this heart-warming holiday treat will delight the entire family.

PENOBSCOTTHEATRE.ORG

RUNMILLINOCKET.COM

DEC. 2 FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PARADE IN DOWNTOWN BANGOR The Rotary Club of Bangor will host the annual Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The theme this year is Create Hope in the World. This dazzling event brightens the season for thousands of spectators who line the streets of downtown Bangor and is capped off by the arrival of Santa Claus at the conclusion of the parade.

BANGORROTARY.ORG

8 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

In partnership with the Collins Center for the Arts, Chicago The Musical comes to the Cross Insurance Center on Monday, Dec. 4. After 25 years, Chicago is still the one musical with everything that makes Broadway shimmy-shake: a universal tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz, with one show stopping song after another and the most astonishing dancing you’ve ever seen.

CROSSINSURANCECENTER.COM

Answers to this month’s Pop Quiz: Question 1: C; Q2: B; Q3: C; Q4: C; Q5: A.

Find answers below!

Join us for one of the best craft fairs in the area from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.! Over 50 crafters will fill the John Bapst auditorium and gymnasium spaces with a variety of handmade arts and crafts. You'll find holiday decor, sewn, knitted, crocheted, and cross-stitched items, delicious foods, photography, paintings, wooden toys and games, bowls, cutting boards, scented candles, soaps, unique jewelry of all kinds, pottery and ceramics, and more! Admission is by free-will donation. All proceeds benefit John Bapst students' experiences in art, drama, and music.

DEC. 4 CHICAGO THE MUSICAL AT THE CROSS INSURANCE CENTER

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

DEC. 2 JOHN BAPST HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

DEC. 7-23 LIVIN’ FOR DRAG: HAPPY HOLIGAYS Get into the holiday spirit with the one and only Priscilla Poppycocks in this intimate, personal portrait of her strife…

I mean LIFE. Is she a man, a woman, an angel, or a work of art? Does it matter?

This gift of a musical memoir will have you laughing, crying, dancing, and yearning for a drink as this queen reminisces about her holidays past and present to learn the important lesson: Save a little love for yourself, don’t you dare give it all away. She’ll have you livin’ for drag as she sets you on your own path to royalty.

PENOBSCOTTHEATRE.ORG

DEC. 9 BANGOR AUTHORS BOOK FAIR AND LITERARY FESTIVAL Join us for the second annual event where you can meet dozens of notable Maine authors, get your books signed, and support the local literary arts with your purchase of signed or personalized books. Enjoy readings, talks, and panels throughout the day as we “take over” the beautiful Bangor Public Library. The fair will also feature the special launch

of Rivers of Ink: Literary Reflections on the Penobscot, a charity anthology to support the Katahdin Woods & Water National Monument Wabanaki Contact Center, Tekαkαpimək. Admission is free and books will be available for purchase.

This event is organized and hosted by Christopher Packard, author of “Mythical Creatures of Maine”, in cooperation with the Bangor Public Library.

BANGORPUBLICLIBRARY.ORG

DEC. 16-17 THE NUTCRACKER AT THE COLLINS CENTER FOR THE ARTS A holiday tradition for all ages, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra’s annual production of The Nutcracker with the Robinson Ballet is beloved by audiences throughout Maine. Join us for a magical afternoon as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Nutcracker grace the stage of the Collins Center for the Arts as the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bangor Area Youth Choirs, and conductor Lucas Richman bring T chaikovsky’s score to life.

COLLINSCENTERFORTHEARTS.COM

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 9

ARTS & CULTURE

The original Frog Helmet and its twin. Can you tell which is which?

HISTORY, TECHNOLOGY, &

Righting Wrongs

SENDING THE FROG HELMET HOME STORY BY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE HUDSON MUSEUM

ARTS & CULTURE IS SPONSORED BY

COLLINSCENTER FORTHEARTS.COM University of Maine (207) 581-1755 10 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

I

t’s an old story, that tragic, oft-repeated tale of one human community that subsumes or erases another. But this old story has a new, more hopeful ending, or maybe it’s a beginning. In a win-win collaboration sparked by a forward-thinking federal program, the Hudson Museum, located within the Collins Center for the Arts on the University of Maine campus in Orono, is forging new relationships with indigenous communities and working toward righting old wrongs.

When European explorers invaded the long-inhabited lands of the Americas centuries ago, they harbored their own, narrow cultural views. Fueled by a sense of entitlement and superiority, their treatment of indigenous people was patronizing, dismissive, violent, or all three. Between 1880 and 1930, a particular fascination with indigenous cultures led European Americans into a frenzy of collecting and gathering cultural artifacts, including human remains, from indigenous communities all over the world.

Ironically, while they glorified these artifacts behind glass and invited fascinated crowds to view the finagled and stolen “curiosities,” there were simultaneous efforts to eradicate indigenous language and culture entirely. Many were too shortsighted to recognize the importance of preserving not just artifacts but the human cultures that produced them. Those cultural groups suffered great loss with the removal of their heritage — deeply sacred heirlooms and irreplaceable ceremonial objects. Now, efforts have begun to reunite some of these items with their traditional communities.

With the passing of the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, or NAGPRA, federal law paved the way toward repatriation of artifacts and “objects of cultural patrimony,” meaning objects that hold great traditional importance to a group’s heritage. Under NAGPRA, institutions that receive federal funding, such as the Hudson

Alex Cole, a research engineer in UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, scanned the Frog Helmet with a Faro Laser-line 3D scanner.

Reed Hayden, UMaine MFA interdisciplinary PhD candidate and Flagship Fellow, undertook post production work to minimize surface anomalies created by the 3D printing process in preparation for priming and painting.

Anna Martin, an interdisciplinary PhD candidate at the University of Maine, adding the final touches to the replica. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 11

ARTS & CULTURE

Anna Martin used acrylic paints to replicate the original pigments and ethnographic wear patterns on the replica to make it virtually indistinguishable from the original.

Museum, are required to return certain cultural heritage items (human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects, and objects of cultural patrimony) when requested by culturally affiliated, federally recognized Native American tribes and Native Alaskan and Hawaiian villages and organizations.

Repatriation means sacred objects are returned to indigenous communities, but it also means they are no longer exhibited to the public. NAGPRA recognizes those objects have enriched public awareness and education for decades. The act encourages dialogue among the holding institutions that have preserved and displayed these objects and the requesting groups seeking greater control over their legacy artifacts.

Such was the case when the Tlingit tribe, an indigenous tribe that has inhabited Southeast Alaska for millennia, requested repatriation of their beloved Frog Clan Helmet, housed at the Hudson Museum.

Clan helmets, like the Frog Helmet, are one of the most important cultural objects to the ceremonial, familial, and ancestral tradi12 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

tions of the Tlingit people. The Frog Helmet has also served as an important educational piece in the Hudson Museum for decades. Is there a way to repatriate these important cultural, historical artifacts, yet still offer the educational benefits of public access? The answer is yes, thanks to an amazing new technology.

With funds from a UMaine Arts Initiative seed grant, and with permission from the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Hudson Museum director Gretchen Faulkner launched a collaboration with UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center and Intermedia Programs. A team of specialists from these UMaine programs took on the challenge of replicating the Tlingit Frog Helmet.

Using a 3D “touch-free” scanner, they captured hundreds of millions of data points, which they used to print a 3D replica. Next came the smoothing out of physical irregularities before priming and painting the helmet to create a virtually identical copy of the original. Not all objects are suitable for this technology, but it was a perfect

solution for the Frog Helmet. Following months of work by the UMaine team, the helmet had its twin replica.

In the spring of 2024, representatives of the Tlingit tribe will take part in a celebratory repatriation ceremony at the Hudson Museum before escorting the sacred Frog Helmet home to its people. Between now and then, you can visit the helmet and its replica at the Hudson Museum. See if you can tell the difference.

So begins a new story, where cultural differences are celebrated, where groups engage in compromise and mutual respect, and everyone is the better for it.

Information for this article was obtained from the articles linked below, where you may find more detailed information about the Tlingit people and the replication process.

• digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum_publications • umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum/technologyand-tradition-shaping-indigenous-collections-for-the-future

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 13

MAINE READS, MAINE WRITES

A Home

Away from Home THE LIBRARY:

A “THIRD PLACE” FOR EVERYONE

BY ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD

ORONO PUBLIC LIBRARY ABOUT: At its current Pine Street location since 2009.

HAMPDEN’S EDYTHE DYER LIBRARY

BREWER PUBLIC LIBRARY EST. 1908 ABOUT: Moved to current location at 100 South Main St. in 2008.

FUN FACTS: • Bangor Career Center visits twice a month • Visits with therapy dogs (like Andy, pictured above) are popular with kids and adults.

ABOUT: Donated in the 1980s, the Tudor-style building evokes fairy tales, hidden under the trees up a long, winding driveway.

QUOTABLE: “All my life I wanted to be a librarian. … The library was my haven as a child,” Interim Director Mary Beckett said.

EDL.LIB.ME.US

QUOTABLE: “Libraries are constantly changing to meet the com was ic dem pan The munity’s needs. ren a perfect example,” Director Dar . said French BREWERMAINE.GOV/ LIBRARY

14 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

HAMPDEN PUBLIC L

FUN FACTS: • Has a beautiful new outdoor seating space and amphitheater.

• Collaborates with the University of Maine faculty for educational programs.

• Offers a “banned books club” and has a dedicated community space for teens.

QUOTABLE: Laurie Carpenter, director since 1985, said the library is “an equalizer.” She hopes the welcoming atmosphere for teens will serve them in the future, “when they need a place to feel safe, to be welcomed.”

ORONO.ORG/778/PUBLICLIBRARY

W

hen I was in grade school and got my first library card, I felt a thrill of importance. It had a metal ID tag with raised numbers embedded in the cardboard. They ran it through the manual imprinter with a wonderfully weighty sound: “ka-chunk, ka-chunk!”

It was my earliest memory of feeling officially recognized as a member of my community. I belong here.

Sociologists have a term for community gathering places outside people’s primary locales of home and workplace. They call it “the third place,” and it represents a home away from home, a place that welcomes anyone to linger without expectation, a place to feel connected. For many, the local public library is that third place.

When was the last time you whiled away an hour or two at the library? We have so many of them all over the state of Maine, just waiting for you to arrive and work on a communal puzzle, join a book group, use the internet, learn

about local history, get free passes to local attractions, gather with friends for crafting or learning activities, or just hang out in new surroundings, no purchase necessary. It is a place that offers community connection, both in person and virtual.

I visited six local libraries and interviewed library staff to learn what’s going on in their spaces. The answer?

A lot!

Libraries are constantly changing and adapting to meet a wide array of community needs and wishes. They are a quintessential service industry, paid for by your taxes, and librarians are devoted to their jobs for myriad reasons.

Every children’s section is abuzz with activity, but adults can find opportunities to connect and learn as well. Here are some tidbits from six local libraries to pique your interest.

When you get stir crazy this winter, stir yourself out of the home and head to your own “third place.” You have a family waiting there.

WINTERPORT MEMORIAL LIBRARY ABOUT: Quaint, 101-year-old building remains unchanged since its founding.

Co-directors Susan Atwood and Reba Stewart manage the building and property, write grants, and plan programs. “Some people don’t realize we don’t just sit and read when no one’s checking out books,” Steward said.

FUN FACTS: • Offers educational “take and make bags” and “discovery bags” for kids.

• Has an ongoing relationship with “Bess the Bus,” a traveling bookdonation program.

OLD TOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

EST. 1891 FUN FACTS: • Tripled in size in 1991 with a matching gift from Stephen and Tabitha King.

• Offers a “library of things” to lend: kayaks, DVDs, video games.

QUOTABLE: Librarian Crystal Schuurman: “The library is a place to cool off in the summer, to get warm in the winter, to meet friends, to get help of all kinds.”

OLD-TOWN.LIB.ME.US

DOVER-FOXCROFT’S THOMPSON FREE LIBRARY ABOUT: Celebrated their 125th anniversary in September 2023 FUN FACTS: • Constructed additions to the old building in 1972 and 2006.

• New outdoor pavilion for events.

QUOTABLE: Director Jon Knepp: “Libraries have changed. … The job means adapting to stay relevant. … I see tech help questions as an important part of our service.” And while some libraries turn off their broadband access at night, “I leave ours on 24/7” for community access.

THOMPSONFREELIBRARY.ORG

QUOTABLE: Atwood’s case for supporting libraries: “Bottom line, books are magic.”

WINTERPORTLIBRARY.ORG ROBIN CLIFFORD WOOD is the award-winning author of “The Field House,” a biography-memoir hybrid about Maine author Rachel Field. For the last 20 years she has immersed herself in Maine’s writing world — as columnist, poet, blogger, essayist, teacher, student, and colleague. To learn more, visit her website: robincliffordwood.com.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 15

OBSESSIONS

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

DRINK THE BUTCHER COCKTAIL AT THE BUTCHER, THE BAKER IN BANGOR

“OPEN THROAT” BY HENRY HOLT WHY DO WE LOVE IT? This isn’t your typical slice-of-life story.

“Open Throat” is a bite-sized view of California from the eyes of a mountain lion that happens to be living underneath the Hollywood sign. As the mountain lion shares its habitat with a community of unhoused individuals and hikers passing through, things quickly shift when a wildfire breaks out. The mountain lion is then forced to venture out into the suburbs to escape the smoke and flames. As an outsider looking in, he observes his new surroundings and raises questions about our own identities, our environment, and how each of us is trying to survive our own lives. The short syntax style of the story will also entice readers to devour the book in one sitting. Be prepared for some “Animal Planet” type gore and explicit scenes.

These moments ground some themes within the story, but may also catch you off guard if you’re anticipating a quirky, animal-based, narrative like I was before reading. This surpassed my expectations as a simple, short novel and is one of the most memorable books I have read this year. LITERARY FICTION —MARISSA DONOVAN 16 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

PHOTOS: ADOBE STOCK

READ

WHY DO WE LOVE IT? I’m a sucker for an old fashioned cocktail, and on a recent date night with my husband I discovered a particularly delicious version at The Butcher, The Baker in Bangor. With Taconic bourbon, simple syrup made from local honey, bitters, muddled orange and cherries, it’s as beautiful as it is tasty.

The restaurant opened this year to rave reviews on Hammond Street, nestled beside Bangor Wine & Cheese and Utopia — and for good reason. With fromscratch breads, sauces, cured meats, cheeses, and more, the food is outstanding. We couldn’t get enough of the pork belly appetizer and the chicken and waffles.

(Cornbread waffles? Yes, please!) Find the full menu online at thebutcherthebakerbangor.com.

—AMY ALLEN

SHOP PEACOCK CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE IN BREWER WHY DO WE LOVE IT? The first time I shopped at Peacock Consignment Boutique in Brewer, it felt like I had entered a chic and cozy treehouse. My eyes scanned over racks and shelves of clothing items that looked curated by the costume designer of “Gilmore Girls.” Every section of the store is neatly organized and easy to browse.

A majority of the clothing items for sale are gently used, and some even have the original sales tags. Purse collectors will also appreciate their many Dooney & Bourke and Coach bags on display. When you walk in, a small board displays the sale tag color of the month, which means you could score a fashionable deal if the tag matches the color. You also get a small punch card each time you make a purchase over $10 or $20. One of my favorite purchases from Peacock Consignment Boutique is my forest green Misty Harbor raincoat. Prepared to be walking out with a paper bag full of new wardrobe staples you’ll be wearing throughout the week.

—MARISSA DONONVAN

MAKE HOMEMADE DOUGHNUTS WHY DO WE LOVE IT? It’s funny how childhood memories never escape us when it comes to traditional holiday food. For me, it’s a Christmas Eve fish-based spaghetti sauce. In keeping with the Italian Catholic family tradition of the Feast of Seven Fishes, my family was treated to homemade pasta smothered with a traditional tomato sauce simmered with tuna, calamari, and baccalà (salted cod fish). Getting fish into the sauce was an attempt to offer the seven fishes, though it is an acquired taste.

But no special palate is needed for the Christmas morning tradition that Phil and I adopted.

We dig into Grandmother Holmes’ doughnut recipe. It’s become a labor of love. The childhood holiday treat that Phil still salivates for is his grandmother’s Rocky Road Supreme “melt-inyour-mouth” fudge. Perhaps we’ll tackle that recipe next year.

— ANNE GABBIANELLI

MARGARET HOLMES’ DOUGHNUT REC IPE INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

3½ cups of flour All mixing is done with a fork.

4½ tsp baking powder Sift dry ingredients together.

1 cup sugar In a separate bowl, beat sugar into lard ½ tsp cinnamon until fluffy, then beat in eggs. ½ tsp nutmeg 3 Tbsp melted lard Add flour mixture and alternate putting in milk.

2 eggs (If dough is too soft, add up to a half-cup of flour.)

1 cup milk ½ cup nuts (optional) Chill the dough while frylater gets to temperature (365 degrees).

1 tsp salt Roll out chilled dough to thickness of doug hnut cutter, or about a half-inch.

Fry in lard for 3-5 minutes.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 17

FOOD & DRINK

Play with Your Food

GINGERBREAD HOUSES REMAIN A FAVORITE HOLIDAY TREAT

B

BY WANDA CURTIS

uilding a gingerbread house is a favorite holiday tradition for many, serving as both a decoration and a tasty treat. It’s a fun activity that family and friends of any age can enjoy, but did you know gingerbread houses also have an interesting history?

A GERMAN TRADITION Gingerbread recipes span various cultures, but gingerbread houses are thought to have originated in Germany. The 1812 Brothers Grimm fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel” about two children who stumbled upon a house made of sweets in the woods helped solidify the popularity of gingerbread houses.

WORLD RECORD HOLDER In 2013, the Traditions Golf Club in Texas broke the Guiness World Record for the largest gingerbread house in the world as part of a fundraiser for a local trauma center. The house measured 60 by 42 feet and measured over 20 feet tall at its highest point. According to the club, the gingerbread house was constructed with 1,800 pounds of butter, nearly 3,000 pounds of brown sugar, 7,200 eggs, 7,200 pounds of flour, and 22,304 pieces of candy. The caloric content was reportedly estimated at 35,823,400 calories.

18 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

PHOTOS: ALEKUWKA83, PETRRGOSKOV, ARINAHABICH, RUTH BLACK/ADOBE STOCK

HISTORY OF GINGER Ginger is commonly used as a spice or home remedy for nausea, upset stomach, and other ailments, and it comes from the root of a flowering plant. In ancient times, the fragrant root was used in China for medicinal purposes, and it’s said Henry VIII used ginger to help ward off the plague.

MAKING YOUR OWN COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

Even though gingerbread houses can be fun to make, there's no denying it can be exacting work — especially for those who strive for perfection. Prepackaged kits attempt to take some of the guesswork out of the equation, but those who are crafting from scratch can employ these tips as they build their gingerbread houses.

GET THE RIGHT ICING TEXTURE. Royal icing is the preferred “glue” to adhere gingerbread pieces. The icing should be thick like peanut butter and not runny.

GO FOR FORM, NOT FLAVOR. Few gingerbread houses ever get eaten, so focus on finding a dough that will bake up rock hard as opposed to one that tastes good.

KIDS LIKELY WILL NEED HELP. Children may not have the patience or steadiness to handle complete gingerbread construction.

They can decorate the separate pieces of the house while the components are laying flat, which is easier for kids. Adults can do the main assembly later on.

MORE IS MORE. Especially for kids — the more candy options to decorate with, the better.

GET CLEVER WITH CANDY. Turn green gumdrops into topiaries, use cereal for roofing shingles, cut licorice into bricks for a chimney or walkway, use pretzels to turn your house into a log cabin, flip a sugarcone upsidedown and turn it into a Christmas tree for the yard.

One of the most important tips is this: Have fun! Don’t take gingerbread house making too seriously as a novice. Instead, enjoy the experience and the centuries-old tradition.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 19

ADVENTURE ME

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

Snowshoe Adventures EASY TRAILS FOR WINTER EXPLORATION STORY & PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI AS SNOW PILES UP on the landscape, blanketing fields and forests in white, the wilderness takes on an entirely new appearance. It’s simpler. Softer. And it sparkles.

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore that stunning winter world. Strapping right onto your boots, snowshoes help you stay afloat, so you aren’t sinking down into the snow with each step. Although, fair warning, you’ll still sink a little. They aren’t magic.

If you’re new to snowshoeing, have no fear. It’s an easy outdoor activity to learn. Snowshoeing is similar to walking, but you might need to place your feet a bit farther apart to avoid stepping on your own snowshoes.

Also, you’ll want to use trekking poles, equipped with snow baskets, to aid with your balance and allow you to add a little arm power to your stride.

For thousands of years, people have worn snowshoes to walk through the snowy wilderness.

Originally, they were built of wood and hide. Today, you can still purchase traditional snowshoes, but there are more modern designs, constructed of plastics and

20 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

metals. And different styles of snowshoes are built for specific activities, such as trail running and climbing steep slopes.

When hitting the trails on snowshoes, plan and prepare, just as you would with any outdoor adventure. Be sure to carry a backpack with the necessary survival gear, plus a thermos of hot chocolate or cider. It’s wonderful to rest with a warm beverage while enjoying the silence of a snowy winterscape.

Snowshoeing is a great family activity because it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s something young children can learn. And it’s fairly low-impact, making it a great activity to continue with as you age.

It’s also relatively low cost, with rentals available at several Maine sports stores, gear hubs, and recreation centers.

Many of Maine’s hundreds of hiking trails become snowshoe trails in the winter, which means you won’t run out of options of places to visit. To get you started, here are a few great family-friendly snowshoe hikes, from the coast to the mountains of western Maine.

Somes Sound is seen from the top of Flying Mountain in Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island.

FLYING MOUNTAIN IN ACADIA NATIONAL PARK MODERATE Of the many peaks in Acadia National Park, Flying Mountain is one of the smallest, yet it offers a wonderful view of the nearby Somes Sound. If there’s enough snow, this makes for a great, short snowshoe.

From the parking lot, the climb to the top (284 feet above sea level) is just 0.3 mile, and the trail is mostly gentle, with a few short, steep sections near the summit. You can lengthen the hike by continuing past the summit and descending to Valley Cove, which is absolutely beautiful. You can then return on a wide trail called Valley Cove Road for a loop that is 1.4 miles long.

To visit the park, you must purchase an Acadia National Park pass and display it in your vehicle. A standard entrance pass is $35 and is good for 7 days, while an annual park pass is $70.

Dogs are permitted but must be on leash no longer than 8 feet.

For more information, visit nps.gov/acad.

MOUNT BLUE STATE PARK IN WELD MODERATE

Pink granite boulders covered with ferns and lichens add color to the winter landscape in the forest at the foot of Flying Mountain.

Juno waits to hike to the summit of Mount Tuck in Stockton Springs.

Maine’s largest state park, covering about 8,000 acres, is a particularly great place to visit in the winter. The park’s extensive trail network includes trails designated for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Plus, you can sled at Center Hill and skate on the outdoor ice rink at park headquarters.

The park’s two snowshoeing trails, Rock Lookout Trail and Center Hill Trail, total about 2.6 miles and lead to scenic overlooks. Both are fairly easy with a few moderate sections.

The park entrance fee varies from free to $7, depending on your age and whether or not you’re a Maine resident. Dogs are permitted on snowshoe trails if kept on leash (no longer than 4 feet). They are not permitted on groomed skiing trails. For more information maine.gov/mountblue.

MOUNT TUCK IN STOCKTON SPRINGS MODERATE If looking for a peaceful preserve to snowshoe, take a trip to Mount Tuck, which was conserved by Coastal Mountains Lake Trust in 2019. A 1.75-mile trail travels gradually uphill to an overlook on this small peak, which rises just 565 feet above sea level. Once you hit the summit sign, be sure to continue past it another 0.36 mile for the view. The overlook offers a partial view of the surrounding area, including the Penobscot River and islands in Penobscot Bay. Trail use is free. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on leash. For more information, visit coastalmountains.org.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 21

HEALTH & FITNESS

ADVENTURE ME

A group meets at Pineland Farms in New Gloucester for a snowshoe.

PINELAND FARMS IN NEW GLOUCESTER

VILES ARBORETUM IN AUGUSTA

EASY TO CHALLENGING

EASY TO CHALLENGING

This 5,000-acre winter wonderland is home to a vast network of trails that are maintained for snowshoeing, skiing, and fat-tire biking – just be sure to stay on the right trails for your chosen activity. Carry a trail map to navigate the 18-plus miles of trails.

Throughout the property are warming huts and fire pits, plus an ice skating rink and sledding hill. Purchase food and drinks at the Pineland Market, and eat in one of their snowglobes. The Outdoor Center on the property offers rental skis, snowshoes, and fat-tire bikes.

The snowshoe day pass is $12, while a half-day pass is $9. Snowshoe rentals range from $6 to $14, depending on your age and how long you plan to spend snowshoeing.

Dogs are not permitted. For more information, visit pinelandfarms.org.

On the outskirts of the bustling city of Augusta, Viles Arboretum is a beautiful place to explore year round.

Covering 224 acres, the property features 20 unique botanical collections with tree species from around the world. During the winter, snowshoeing is permitted on more than 6 miles of trails on the property, while about 1.5 miles are groomed for cross-country skiing when snow conditions permit.

This is a great spot for people who are new to winter activities. The arboretum offers snowshoe and ski rentals, which are $15 for adults and free for those under the age of 18. The equipment is available on a first-come, firstserve basis, so be sure to show up with a plan B. And, if you’re interested in instruction or a tour, those services are also available, for an additional cost.

Trail use is free. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash at all times. For more information, visit vilesarboretum.org.

AISLINN SARNACKI is a columnist for the Bangor Metro and a registered Maine Guide. An expert on the Maine outdoors, she’s the author of the guidebooks “Dog-Friendly Hikes in Maine,” “Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path” and “Family Friendly Hikes in Maine.” Follow her adventures at bangordailynews.com/outdoors.

You can also find her @mainenaturehikes on Instagram and @1minhikegirl on Facebook and Twitter.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 23

HEALTH & FITNESS

Winterizing Your

WORKOUT

SPACE

LOCAL EXPERTS OFFER TIPS FOR CREATING A WINTERREADY HOME GYM

(Above) Skye Washington of SkyeFitness and (left) Ann Ross of Body Wise Pilates.

24 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

PHOTOS: (ROSS) MARISSA DONOVAN; (WASHINGTON) COURTESY OF SKYE WASHINGTON

BY MARISSA DONOVAN

S

taying active during Maine’s colder months can often be challenging.

The winter blues can sidetrack your physical and mental wellness. Now is a great time to evaluate how you will be staying active this winter.

You do not have to wait until New Year’s Day to design a workout space that maintains your health goals while tackling new ones. To get insight on what to consider when creating a workout area, I received helpful tips from Bangor fitness experts Skye Washington of SkyeFitness and Ann Ross from Body Wise Pilates.

DEFINE THE SPACE When building a workout area for yourself, define the space you will be utilizing in your home and the type of workout you will be doing. High-intensity interval training, or HIIT, exercises need more room to move around than isolated yoga poses, for example. A secluded spot in your home that will allow you to keep equipment out and available is ideal. That may be your basement, an empty guestroom, or part of your garage. You should also consider an area that has good ventilation, natural lighting, and electrical outlets.

A SOLID BASE & THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT Once you’ve established the area, start from the ground up by looking at your floors.

“Hardwood flooring is best, or non-slip vinyl,” Ross said. “Stay away from tiles and concrete floors.”

Getting mats for your floors will keep your workout safe. At SkyeFitness, Washington has several horse-stall mats she found at Tractor Supply Company.

“Puzzle mats that you see on Amazon can get slippery,” she warned. “It’s going to save your body.”

The best investment you can make is gym equipment.

“The biggest thing I always tell people is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money,” Washington said. “Think about what you’re doing right now and what works, and buy equipment that caters to that.”

Many pieces of equipment in her studio have been purchased through Facebook Marketplace. Bare minimum necessities of equipment are stretchy exercise bands and a variety of hand weights can work, too, Ross said.

Larger pieces of equipment you may want to consider for cardio are a treadmill, elliptical, rowing machine, and/or a stationary bike. Ross also suggests a physio ball, TRX, and mini trampoline for a low-impact workout that also energizes the lymphatic system.

Have an old television or speaker kicking around your house? A large screen and a sound system will be better for video-guided workouts compared to your laptop or cellphone screen.

At Body Wise Pilates, Ross has LED strip lights in her studio. Additional lighting is excellent to have for the dark, winter mornings and nights, when you’d rather be in bed. A fan is always good to have within your space, even when there are freezing temperatures outside. A space heater is beneficial for areas that experience a draft.

Laying the foundation for a great workout space at home will remove all the excuses for not staying on track this winter. Not even snow day cancellations will hold you back.

Looking to take your fitness routine out of the house? SkyeFitness is located at 170 Park St. in Bangor and Body Wise Pilates is located at 96 Harlow St. in Bangor. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 25

HOME & FAMILY

HOLIDAY

DECORATING

on a Budget

5 WAYS TO SET UP YOUR HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, WHILE ON A BUDGET

BY KATIE SMITH

D

HOME & FAMILY IS SPONSORED BY

FRANKWEBB.COM 9 Buttermilk Road, Ellsworth (207) 667-7841 1156 Hammond St., Bangor 26 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023 (207) 947-6333

PHOTOS: SONYACHNY, VALERII HONCHARUK, & VICTOR PHOTO STOCK / ADOBE STOCK

ecorating for the holidays is a tradition many look forward to each year. There’s nothing like setting the scene in your home to ensure the season is magical and bright, and it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. Here are five tips to help you save money on holiday decorations without breaking the bank.

1. FABRIC TABLE RUNNER Instead of getting an expensive runner to deck out your table, head to the fabric store. Of course, you can always hem the raw edges.

But if you don’t sew, you can still make a stunning table runner. All you need is a few yards of fabric in your favorite print. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise, or fold the two raw edges to the back, and lay it across your table. It’s such a quick and satisfying way to add a holiday touch.

2. GET OUT THE PAINT If you have things around your house, like a large bowl, stool, or basket you’d like to add some holiday flair to, you can transform it with paint. Planting pots look great when painted in gold, silver, red, or green. Vases with greenery are another way to add that special holiday touch. Instead of going out and buying some new accessories to hold all your holiday offerings, see what you already have. Giving items a holiday makeover can also be a fun family project.

3. SCAVENGE THE OUTDOORS If you live near or on a piece of land that has pine cones, greenery, acorns, or fallen branches, this is a great way to decorate for the season for free and get some exercise at the same time. Whether painted, glittered, or left natural, a display of your winter treasures will not only look beautiful for the holidays, but they will last all winter long. You can also get everything you need to make your own wreath or swag for your front door. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 27

HOME & FAMILY

4. EXPLORE BARGAIN STORES Scour bargain stores in your area. They often have items that are just as pretty as the expensive stores but at a fraction of the price. They are also great places to find things like cloth napkins, napkin rings, and centerpieces for your holiday table. If you find something you like but isn’t in your color, you won’t feel bad about getting out the paint and changing it. Bargain stores are also great places to stock up ball ornaments, ribbon, and tissue paper for a crafting night.

PHOTOS: ANDREY CHERKASOV & GPOINTSTUDIO / ADOBE STOCK

5. KEEP IT SIMPLE Nothing saves money like buying less. The holidays don’t have to be overdone. Getting a few things like tea lights and cutting some greenery will easily give your home a cozy, holiday feel, and you can spend less than $10 on one room.

28 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

REALTORS

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 29

HOME & FAMILY

Festive WORKING WITH THE WOODBURYS: THE FAMILY BEHIND THE FARM

BY MARISSA DONOVAN

Farming T

he family of Walter and Elaine Carpenter, the original owners of Carpenter Christmas Tree Farm located in Old Town, passed their legacy to Jeffrey Woodbury and Jillian Marcho Woodbury in 2016. Since then, the couple and their children, Nora and Clayton, have taken on the responsibility of operating the farm and family business. To get a greater sense of the festive operation, Jillian shared a little bit about what goes into running a Christmas tree farm.

HOW HAS CARPENTER CHRISTMAS TREE FARM EVOLVED SINCE WALTER AND ELAINE CARPENTER FIRST PLANTED SEEDLINGS IN THE LATE 1970S? JILLIAN WOODBURY: I actually grew up next door and shopped here as a kid for our Christmas trees. As [the Carpenters] slowed down and wanted to do a little less, their daughter Susan and her husband Paul stepped in and assisted with the business.

I don’t recall if it was because my husband and I were looking to move back to the area [to] be closer to my family, or maybe if we saw a for sale sign on the property itself. It was one of the two. We said, “Oh, wouldn’t this be nice to farm instead of (raising) livestock?” like we had over the years. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have an easier farming job? Where it was a little more leisurely. Wouldn’t that be great for our retirement as we grow older and less able and to have something like this to play with.” That’s when we stepped in.

30 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

WHAT IS THE TIMEFRAME FOR GETTING A CHRISTMAS TREE READY FOR FAMILIES TO PUT IN THEIR HOMES? We take January and February to kind of breathe, and then we plan. We take a look at what has been harvested over the past couple months, having already ordered trees back in November, expected numbers and anticipated numbers, but we start planning it out and walking the property. In April, most of our seedlings are delivered and we put them in the ground. As soon as the weather permits, we mow the rows and clean up. Mid- to late summer and toward the end of fall, we’re shearing, which is shaping the tree into the cone shape. This is so you don’t get such wild arms like the trees from Dr. Seuss. We trim them down so they look more traditional and triangular. About late October, early November, again if the weather is cold enough, we start tipping to get wreaths made up, so we have wreaths ready to sell the weekend before Thanksgiving.

There are some people [who] will even tag their tree and claim it early, knowing they’ll come back before Christmas to cut it.

HAS THIS YEAR’S WEATHER AFFECTED THE TIMELINE? Yes, because it’s hard to mow when it is wet. The mowing and the shearing is a little behind schedule. The tree growth is good. I won’t complain there. We just change our clothes often when we’re out there working on wet days.

HOW ELSE DO YOU PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAYS? I am known for walking up and down the road on our stretch ... picking up pine cones for decorating. I am always scavenging for those. It’s really easy to do in the summer, when it’s nice and dry, because the pine cones are wide open, and it’s easy to find the good ones. And then there’s bow making, all season long. If there’s a holiday sale at a department store offering Christmas ribbons, I pick up the materials to make bows.

DOES YOUR FAMILY HAVE ANY SPECIAL TRADITIONS WHEN GROWING YOUR TREES? I wouldn’t say it’s a tradition yet, but we are known for spotting our Christmas tree a bit early. We really start looking about June and July for which one is going to be ours for our home. It’s always a little bit Christmassy here with the decor in the house.

DO YOUR KIDS HELP OUT AT THE FARM? Very much so. It started in the beginning, when I was pregnant with my second child (Clayton). Nora enjoyed greeting customers and offering complimentary drinks and treats. She learned some of her math skills on the cash register in the shop. She helps with tipping and getting the materials to make the wreaths. The wreaths that she makes typically go to family members. My son, he is now 6, and for the past couple of years he’s followed in his Dad’s footsteps, which is typically outside greeting the customers as they come through, and when the customer comes back with their tree, he offers to bail it up.

On occasion, if he really knows the person, he likes to play tour guide and help point out the best tree.

(Top) Jillian Marcho Woodbury at work making wreaths.

(Above) Clayton Woodbury picks up bows and Jeffrey and Nora Woodbury walk the farm.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE WOODBURY FAMILY (Below) Woodbury family photo. PHOTO BY MAMA MEDIA

In addition to Christmas trees, Carpenter Christmas Tree Farm offers holiday decorations such as wreaths, garland, kissing balls, centerpieces, and crafts made by Jeff’s mother in their gift shop.

Complimentary cookies and cider are also available for families visiting the farm. For operating hours and fun updates from the farm, follow Carpenter Christmas Tree Farm on Facebook. www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 31

PERSONAL FINANCE

Saving for the Big Stuff LEARN HOW TO BUDGET AND SAVE FOR BIG-TICKET ITEMS

hen faced with making a significant purchase, or even financing an unexpected emergency, consumers are often tempted turn to credit. While credit utilization maintains an important place in building a strong financial reputation, it can quickly put a person underwater, and interest fees can increase the price of big-ticket items by a significant amount.

The financial resource The Motley Fool says American households carried a total of $17.1 trillion in debt as of the second quarter of 2023. Substantial consumer debt can limit financial flexibility, so individuals who are looking ahead to new vehicles or vacations or even home renovations can first try to save for such expenses in lieu of borrowing. Budgeting and saving may not lead to immediate gratification, but it can help consumers avoid debt and ultimately create more financial flexibility down the road.

· KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE. Too often people take a casual approach to their finances, not knowing whether they can cover all of their bills and how much money, if any, is left over. Spend a few months cataloguing all credits and debits to your accounts. Pay attention to times of year when income or spending is higher. · KNOW YOUR GOAL AND PRICE. Identify exactly how much you’ll need for a purchase. Estimate on the high side of expenses so as not to go over budget. Treat a big-ticket item just like a utility bill.

32 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

· CREATE A SEPARATE EXPENSE ACCOUNT. When all of your funds are together in one bank account, it is easier to spend the money on other purchases rather than the larger one in mind. Open a separate account and move your “extra” earnings into that account to save for your large expense. Automating the savings by setting up an automatic deduction deposited into this account on payday can make savings even easier. · REVIEW YOUR BUDGET PERIODICALLY. Figure out if there are areas where you can cut back and allocate more money to your overall savings or the special savings for the big-ticket item. For example, you may be able to downgrade to a more manageable mobile phone plan or dine out less frequently. · TIME THE PURCHASE RIGHT. In addition to only buying when you have the money saved, you can look at the calendar to figure out the best time to make that purchase. Does your state or province offer a sales tax holiday? Some times of year you may get a bonus, tax refund, or birthday gifts that can be earmarked for bigticket items. Avoid purchasing big items during times when you must pay for other significant expenses, such as tuition, summer camp fees, and insurance payments.

Some simple financial planning can help people save and budget for big-ticket items more readily.

PHOTO: KOSTIKOVANATA/ADOBE STOCK

W

COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE

FEATURE

Baking the Season

BRIGHT KEEPING A TASTY HOLIDAY TRADITION ALIVE

or more than half her life, Katja (Kat) Suletzki has made it her mission to keep a family holiday tradition alive, baking and sharing thousands of authentic German cookies each Christmas.

Sharing the tasty treats has been a family affair for more than 70 years.

“I participated when my grandfather and mother were the primary bakers, but it’s been 21 years now since it’s been all mine,” Suletzki said. “Last year I baked 9,411 Christmas cookies. Yes, I obsessively counted each one!”

Suletzki cooks up recipes for 25 varieties of cookies, one for each day of December leading to Christmas. And she bakes at least 300 of each kind, eating only the first one of the oven for each type of cookie.

“I give away every last one of the remaining,” she said.

Suletzki is a dual citizen of Germany and the United States, living primarily between Massachusetts and Orono, while also spending a month or two in the Munich area.

“German was my first language,” she said. “And culturally, I am very German.”

It was the aviation industry that brought her parents to Maine in the 1970s to work at Bangor International Airport.

When Suletzki is not working as a linguistic engineer in the legal, computer, and cyber security field, she is busy at work with her delicious hobby: all things food.

34 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

“I love learning about food, making food, sharing food, and eating food,” she said.

Online, Suletzki shares recipes of all kinds on her website at cupofsugarpinchofsalt.com.

The website has never been intended to make a profit, she said. It’s just a means of sharing her love.

“I don’t ever want Cup of Sugar Pinch of Salt to be my ‘job,’ because I fear that if it was a ‘requirement,’ then I wouldn’t see it as my creative outlet,” Suletzki said.

“I started baking very young,” Suletzki said from her kitchen in the midst of cookie madness. “My maternal grandfather was a Master Baker (Bäkermeister), and when I was a child, I caught on to his skills. My mom is also a great baker.”

Today, Suletzki’s mother helps with decorating and with the mounds of dishes to be tackled with every baking session.

In Germany, Christmas cookies (called Weihnachtsgebäck) have significance for the Advent and Christmas seasons, Suletzki said.

“The four weeks leading up to Christmas are very important for meeting up with friends.”

This sweet sharing Santa is not only car-

(Above) Kat received her first rolling pin from her grandparents, Oma and Opa Weihnchten. Photo taken in December 1975.

(Right) Kat playing Santa with thousands of cookies ready for delivery.

rying on the baking tradition but the spirit of giving as well.

“My grandfather would bake all these cookies and give them away to people in our little town. After he passed, my mom carried on the tradition and then passed it on to me.”

There is a longstanding “Cookie List” — approximately 250 people are on Suletzki’s Cookie List in more than 20 states and 11 countries.

PHOTOS: (PLATE OF COOKIES & KAT SULETZKI) COURTESY OF KAT SULETZKI; (OTHERS) ADOBE STOCK

F

BY ANNE GABBIANELLI

VANILLEKIPFERL (VANILLA CRESCENTS) INGREDIENTS

2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1 large egg and 3 egg yolks 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt 4 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup almond flour/meal 2/3 cup hazelnut flour/meal

FOR THE COATING

1/2 cup (10 packets) vanilla-sugar (available in some grocery stores and online) 2 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

Separate the eggs into a small bowl, disca

rding three whites or save for another purp ose.

In the work bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together unsalted butter, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, egg and egg yolks until light and fluffy. Mix in flour and the nut flour, until smooth and well combined. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator 2-3 hour s or until firm enough to be rolled.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Line baking shee ts with parchment paper. Pinch 2 table spoon size balls of dough from the mass and shape into crescents (roll into little snakes and then bend into halfmoons). Place on cookie sheets. Bake 12-14 minutes or until golden brown at the edge s. Cool on wire rack until completely cooled.

Mix together the vanilla-sugar and powd ered sugar. Once the cookies are completely cooled, roll each one in the vanilla sugar mixture. Note : the cookies must be 100% cool otherwise the sugar will melt and they will have clumpy powd er as a coating. Store in an airtight conta iner for up to 3 weeks (they taste a little better after they sit for a week or two).

TERRASSENPLÄTZCHEN (LEMON PYRAMIDS) INGREDIENTS 2 cups unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 2 cups granulated white sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup orange juice 5 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups lemon jam or lemon curd 1 cup powdered sugar

YOU WILL ALSO NEED: 3 same-shaped cookie cutters of different sizes (I used three ovals, but three triangles, circles, etc. would also work). ...CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 35

FEATURE ...CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out a piece of the dough on a well-floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness (be careful to get the surface even, otherwise you will have oddly-browned cookies. Also, do not roll the dough too thin, otherwise you will have hard cookies when they come out of the oven). Cut with cookie cutters, cut one third of the dough in each size (essentially, so you want to have an even number of each size cookie; I usually cut 20 large, 20 medium, and 20 small, then repeat).

Place on prepared baking sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown at the edges.

Cool completely on wire racks.

To assemble, stir the jam until very smooth and silky. Spoon a little bit onto the largest of the three cookie sizes, sandwich with the medium cookie, add on a little more jam on the top of the medium cookie, and add on the final, smallest cookie. You will then have a triple-layer cookie.

Dust cookies with powdered sugar. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks.

BUTTERZIMTSCHNECKEN (CINNAMON SWIRL COOKIES) INGREDIENTS 3 cups (6 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 1 cup vanilla yogurt 1/4 teaspoon salt 8 cups flour 6 egg whites 11/2 cup tablespoons sugar 1/3 cup ground cinnamon 11/2 cups pearl sugar (also called hagelzucker / “hail sugar”; available in some grocery stores, IKEA and online)

DIRECTIONS Separate the eggs into a small bowl, discarding the yolks or save for another purpose. In a small bowl, mix together the sugar and cinnamon; set both aside.

In the work bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together butter, yogurt and salt until light and fluffy. Mix in flour. The dough will be very elastic. Note: if you are thinking of tasting it, it won't taste very good at this point as there is only the little bit of sugar from the yogurt. Divide into 4 equal pieces and set 4 aside.

Roll out the piece of dough on a well-floured surface to 1/4 inch (2/3 cm) thickness, approximately a 9 x 11 inch rectangle. Whisk the egg whites to loosen (they do not need to be stiff). Brush rolled out surface with egg whites and sprinkle liberally with the sugarcinnamon mixture. Roll dough into one long snake (this is how you will get the swirl effect). Wrap in aluminum foil and chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Repeat with other 3 pieces of dough. Keep remaining egg whites.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Unwrap chilled dough and slice with sharp knife into 1/4 inch (2/3 cm) thick slices. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each cookie with a very light layer of egg white and sprinkle with a bit of pearl sugar. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown at the edges. Cool on wire rack.

36 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

PHOTO: (TRAY) COURTESY OF KAT SULETZKI

In the work bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together unsalted butter, sugar and eggs until light and fluffy. Add orange juice, salt and vanilla extract. Finally, mix in flour and baking powder until smooth and well combined. Chill in refrigerator for 2-3 hours or until firm enough to be rolled.

November and December find this baker-by-night finishing her workday and living in her kitchen, averaging about 175 hours per season.

“Most cookie recipes have three steps: making the dough, baking, and decorating the cookies. And there are different levels of complexities within that. The checkerboards (called Schwarzweißgebäck) are definitely the most hands-on and time consuming.”

When asked to pick her favorite cookie recipe, it didn’t come easy.

“I love them all,” Suletzki said.

“However, my favorite three are Spitzbuben (almond Linzer cookies with raspberry jam), Vanillekipferl (vanilla crescents), and Spekulatius (Dutch spice cookies). Giving away these Christmas cookies every year is a sign of endearment for the recipients and a form of respect and homage to my grandfather and the family tradition.

People think that I am crazy, but I would have it no other way.”

For more recipes, visit her website at cupofsugarpinchofsalt.com.

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 37

FEATURE

A Town By Any

OTHER NAME FROM WINTERPORT TO CHRISTMAS COVE, VISIT THESE MAINE LANDMARKS WITH NAMES THAT RESONATE WITH THE SEASON

BY RICHARD SHAW

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness,”

L

JOHN STEINBECK WROTE IN “TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY: IN SEARCH OF AMERICA.”

ove it or loathe it, winter has probably inspired more books, poems, songs, and Maine place names than any other season. There was something about snow, ice, Christmas, and the mere mention of the season that moved our ancestors to brand towns, coves, mountains, even streets, with this most chronicled time of the year.

Nearly every Maine city, including Bangor, Portland, Presque Isle, and Calais, has a Winter Street. Kingfield, nestled in western Maine’s ski country, boasts a Winter Hill Road, complete with a majestic 15-room inn. Winter was probably a family name, not a season, but who noticed?

Intersections named Snow’s Corner, located in Orrington and Hermon, were also inspired by families, not the white gold that falls from the sky. But few people passing through them would know that fact. Orrington features a Snow’s Corner Wash and Shine laundromat and car wash, a Snow’s Corner shopping center, and a Snow’s Corner Freshies store. Hermon has a Snow’s Corner Cemetery. A name is a name, and most in the Pine Tree State have withstood the test of time.

Snowbanks along Route 1 in Cyr Plantation, circa 1950.

PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOGLER LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

38 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

(Above) Chirstmas Cove and the Holly Inn, circa 1912.

COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOGLER LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Left) Schoodic Point near Winter Harbor.

COURTESY OF PAGE EASTMAN (Lower left) Winterport Commercial House, circa 1915, COURTESY ANN RONCO, OLD WINTERPORT COMMERCIAL HOUSE (Below) Snow’s Corner Cemetery sign on Fuller Road in Hermon. COURTESY RICHARD SHAW

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 39

FEATURE

(Above) Turtle Rock at Christmas Cove, circa 1950.

COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOGLER LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Winter Harbor Lighthouse on Mark Island. COURTESY OF PAGE EASTMAN Winterport’s Main Street, circa 1945.

COURTESY OF ANN RONCO, OLD WINTERPORT COMMERCIAL HOUSE

40 / BANGOR METRO Winter 2023

Residents of Whitefield, located in Lincoln County, would never claim it was named for its undulating, snowy pastures, when, in fact, it owes its name to the British evangelist George Whitefield, who according to Wikipedia, “inspired the colonists before the town was settled in 1770. … They remembered him when incorporation came in 1809.”

A possible long-held canard is that the White Mountains, which encompass part of a national forest in western Maine [and New Hampshire], were named for their wintry hue. In fact, they may have been so described for their glistening mica, visible from out to sea in all four seasons.

Just to remind residents of where in the nation they were living, the towns of Northport in Waldo County, established in 1849, and Northfield in Washington County, incorporated in 1838, left no doubt. Neither did the owners of the New England Music Camp on Messalonskee Lake, now popularly called Snow Pond Center for the Arts. In truth, Philip Snow, the pond’s namesake, was an early settler.

“Over in my home town of Stow in Oxford County, the Cold River flows right through town,” David Crouse, a historian and writer from Bangor, said. “It really is cold, especially in winter, when it freezes over, since it comes out of the mountains before ending in a pond in Fryeburg.”

In 1993, Crouse founded the historyrich Cold River Chronicle, published three times a year. The name must have resonated, he said, since he noticed a proliferation of businesses and other enterprises after its inception. Before Stow was incorporated as a town in 1833, he commented, there was talk of naming it Cold River, but for unknown reasons, the plan was scuttled.

The name “cold,” however foreboding it must have been to early settlers, survives in many state place names.

Possibly the most festive winterthemed Maine name is South Bristol’s Christmas Cove, a postcard-perfect tourist town and fishing village located on Rutherford Island. In 2016, Paul Mills, a Farmington attorney, historian, and brother of Gov. Janet Mills, wrote in the Daily Bulldog that the state actually has three coves bearing that name, shattering some historical myths.

“Maine’s Christmas Coves are on Monhegan Island, South Bristol, and Southport,” he wrote. “Legend has it that Monhegan’s derives its name

from 1614 when British explorer John Smith supposedly spent Christmas Day there; South Bristol’s from the perhaps apocryphal notion that Norsemen spent Christmas there about 1014. The origin of Southport’s much smaller Christmas Cove isn’t really known, though it is sometimes called ‘Little’ Christmas Cove to set it apart from South Bristol’s, which is only a few miles away.”

The final words about Maine’s coldweather-themed towns belong to a trio of villages located in three separate counties many miles apart. All have the word “winter” in their names, although each for somewhat different reasons.

Winterport in Waldo County was incorporated in 1860 from a portion of Frankfort. Seven years later, the town grew when it annexed more land from Frankfort.

As Teddy Weston, the town’s late historian, would relate, its name derives from its early days as a shipping center on the Penobscot River, when the waterway would freeze in winter north of the town to Bangor, the head of navigation. Winterport thus became “Bangor’s winter port,” with wagons traveling between the two communities to meet ships that were often laden with lumber.

Winterville Plantation in Aroostook County was settled in 1846 and organized in 1884. According to “Maine, an Encyclopedia,” it is “located about 25 miles south of Fort Kent on Maine Route 11 … an attraction for fishermen and hunters.”

The 2000 census listed 196 residents living there. Its primary landmark is Hedgehog Mountain, which affords hikers a panoramic view of Portage and St. Froid lakes. Why the town is named for Maine’s coldest season is not known.

Winter Harbor in Hancock County is a much-photographed fishing village, tourist mecca, and home to an annual lobster festival. It is named for its muchenvied reputation as having a harbor that does not freeze over in winter. In 1895, it became a separate town after separating from Gouldsboro. The 2020 census listed its year-round population at 461.

Artist Andrew Wyeth, who loved to paint Maine places and its people, may have captured our long, cold season in the fewest, most insightful words.

“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape,” he said. “Something waits beneath it. The whole story doesn’t show.”

KARASTAN, SHAW, MOHAWK & GODFREY HIRST

WALL TO WALL CARPET www.salibas.com

183 Robertson Blvd.

BREWER, ME 942-4029 • 800-559-4029 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Family owned & operated since 1950

www.bangormetro.com BANGOR METRO / 41

j zTHE Maine OF MY Childhood p

Z

THE VIEW FROM HERE

BY EMILY MORRISON

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Apparently, there have only been three major storms to make landfall here since 1851, so a few times over 70-something years doesn’t seem that significant, but it bothers me. What’s next? The locusts? The four horsemen? Zombies? Is there a larger pattern here, greater than the weather, that we’re supposed to see?

I’m not much on prepping my pantry like the end times are coming, so I’ll leave all that out. What I am big on is noticing that if we keep burning fossil fuels like they’re going out of style, then we’ll probably keep producing all those heat-trapping gasses that wrap around the Earth like a solar blanket.

What can anybody do to stop all this madness? The internet tells you: Reduce your carbon footprint. Change how you participate in activities that produce greenhouse gasses.

Honestly, I’m not doing so hot. I drive an SUV and eat meat and dairy on a daily basis. Do I really need to forgo hamburgers and milk? Should I stop buying those Poland Spring water bottles?

Aren’t they made here in Maine?

I frequently forget to turn off the lights when I’m leaving, and I don’t always unplug my devices when they’re not in use. I wash my clothes with hot water and keep the heat pump at 75 degrees during the winter months, but I suppose the fact that it’s a heap pump I’m cranking instead of a furnace helps a bit.

I donate items I no longer use to Goodwill instead of a landfill, and once a week I carpool with my husband, so maybe I’m not totally destroying the planet.

My point is, I wish it didn’t have to come to this. I wish that humanity cared enough about the cosmos to do something about saving it before life as we know it changes completely. I want to return to warm, hot, cool, and cold again. I want my kids and my kids’ kids to grow up with snow on Christmas and sunny days in June.

I want the Maine of my childhood back.

PHOTO: SAM/ADOBE STOCK

WITH THE EXCEPTION of college and those first few years out of it, I’ve spent all of my life in Maine. As a native Mainer, I grew up loving the changing of the seasons, how the trees gradually turned green in the spring and the lazy summer days gave way to crisp, autumn afternoons. In the winter, I lived for the first snowfall and the inaugural sled run at the park up the street.

The seasons always felt magical, as if all of life could be condensed into four distinct times of the year: warm, hot, cool, and cold.

Now, I won’t pretend to know much about global warming or climate change because I never paid that much attention in science class. Luckily, my lab partner was a close friend and future science teacher, so I didn’t have to know a lot, but even I have noticed that over the past 20 years, there has been a drastic change in the weather here in Maine.

To put it simply, it’s warmer nearly every season. I suppose that’s why they call it global warming. It’s also wetter. In fact, over the last century, Maine’s annual precipitation has increased by about 6 inches. This means that flooding is likely to be worse during winter and spring and that droughts are worse during summer and fall.

Sadly, living in Maine isn’t what it used to be.

Now listen, I’m not turning into a snowbird or anything. I’m in my mid-40s. It’s too soon for me to retire and move to Florida. I’m just saying that I don’t love how it rained all of last June. And I’m not crazy about how, sometimes, there’s no snow on Christmas, and you can still go outside in a T-shirt in late December.

That’s weird to me.

And while I’m on this weather kick, it’s crazy that we have to put more caulk around our chimney when there’s a hurricane coming to make sure that the wind doesn’t blow the rain sideways into our living room. It’s not a great time, weatherproofing our home. And since when did we have to worry about hurricanes hitting Maine?

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