Lake Living vol. 14, no. 4 by Laurie LaMountain

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winter 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ vol. 14, no. 4

The Perfect Glide time for everything

bigfooting it around

high-tech treasure hunt

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editor’s note

I’m always a little surprised when people who have lived here all their lives tell me they hate winter. I can appreciate that it’s not an easy thing to pull up stakes and move, but neither can it be easy to live in a place where it’s winter roughly half the year and not like it. If I didn’t have a way to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of winter, I might be one of those people who unhappily wait it out. Fortunately, my brother bought me a pair of cross-country skis many years ago and I proceeded to wear them out. Without my skis, I never would have witnessed the herd of deer strung across a ridge line like paper cutouts, or the immature bald eagles playing tag along the shore of Beaver Pond, or the great horned owl I nearly collided with one moonlit night. I know my woods best, if not most, in winter. This year, because our dogs just haven’t gotten the hang of my makeshift attempt at skijoring with a leash, I asked Santa for a pair of snowshoes. The boys’ frequent and erratic sniff stops will be safer for everyone involved if I’m not on skis behind them. If you recognize yourself as someone who merely endures winter, perhaps this issue will inspire you to tune up an old pair of skis or invest in a pair of snowshoes and a GPS so that you can discover the beauty of our longest season. Barring that, there’s nothing wrong with cooking or reading your way through winter. After all, life is too short to spend half of it waiting for the other half to begin. —Laurie LaMountain Editor & Publisher Laurie LaMountain Contributing Writers Leigh Macmillen Hayes, Joe Zentner, Justin Ward, Pam Ward Contributing Photographers Ethan McNerney, Leigh Macmillen Hayes, Karen Grover Graphic Designer Dianne Lewis Proofreader/Copy Editor Leigh Macmillen Hayes Lake Living is published quarterly by Almanac Graphics, Inc., 625 Rocky Knoll Rd, Denmark, ME 04022 207-452-8005. lakeliving@fairpoint. net www.lakelivingmaine.com ©2011. All rights reserved. Contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in any manner without written consent from the publisher. Annual subscriptions are available by sending check or money order for $20 to the above address.

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winter 2011 • vol. 14, no. 4

6 6

6 the perfect glide

by leigh macmillen hayes

9 time for everything

by laurie lamountain

13 one-pot winter wanders

by laurie lamountain

14 bigfooting it around

by joe zentner

16 once upon a winter

Book reviews from Bridgton Books

18 high-tech hide ‘n seek

by leigh macmillen hayes

cover photo by leigh macmillen hayes

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the

perfect glide by leigh macmillen hayes

y first stop to learn more about getting the perfect glide was at Sportshaus in West Bridgton. Sportshaus is owned by Marlise and Phil Libby. Back in 1979, after realizing they’d had enough of city life in New York, the Libbys headed north to their vacation home and purchased the ski shop from Hedi and Monell Needham. It didn’t snow their first year in town. Marlise says Pleasant Mountain Ski Area was open for seven days only. Their second year the mountain was open for 26 days. Fortunately for the Libbys, snow-making

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Every skier knows that bogged-in-the-mud feeling. It’s like an invisible moose is sitting on the back of your skis as you poke along down the trail. Whatever kind of skiing you do—alpine, telemark, or cross-country—when your skis feel sluggish or your sharp turns are more like controlled slides, the odds are your boards need some reconditioning. By heading into a local ski shop for a tune-up, you’ll kick that moose off your tail and enjoy the perfect glide.

equipment was installed in the fall of ’81. As it turned out, the winter of ’82 was one of the snowiest winters on record according to Scott Andrews, curator and research director at the Ski Museum of Maine. About that time Brian Fox joined the Sportshaus team as a ski technician. Interesting to note, Brian is the son-in-law of Hedi and Moe Needham. Brian remembers those early years of Alpine ski tune-ups. “The machinery was different,” he says. “All we had was a glorified giant belt sander.” “And a file,” adds Scott Hendricks, who

joined the Sportshaus team twelve years ago. In the early days, skis were tuned with what was essentially a three-foot belt sander. It was all done by hand—‑the guys put pressure on the ski and controlled it. Today, they use a Grindite 2100 stonegrinding machine to give skis a factory finish. To leave your Alpine skis for a tune-up, you must complete a form that simply asks for your name, address, phone number, height, weight and level of skiing expertise. It sounds easy enough, but ski tuning is a science. The ski techs begin by looking at the

ski, how it’s used and diagnosing its problems. They always start with the edges, sharpening for a 90° angle. Next they bevel those edges, ranging from zero to five degrees or more. Recreational skiers don’t need as much of a bevel as racers or better skiers who are more aggressive. A chart helps the techs determine the right angle according to ability. For base work on the structure of the ski, the techs turn to their $50,000 Grindrite machine. Grooves or gouges are typical on most skis. In many cases, light grooves will not adversely affect performance. The Grindite exposes fresh base material and removes fine scratches that may inhibit performance. Brian notes that like everything else, this equipment is becoming greener. “Years ago emulsion in the water—the cutting agent, coolant and lubricant— should have come with a skull and crossbones symbol.” Today, he says, it is all biodegradable. Even the cleaners used before waxing are citrus based. After the grinding step, deep gouges need to be repaired. If tuning one or two skis, the candle method is used. Skis are placed in a vise, base up. A plastic P-Tex candle is warmed with a lighter until it drips. Scott carefully fills each deep gouge with the melted plastic, taking care to make sure that the flame is blue. A yellow flame means it’s emitting carbon, a contaminant. By the time he’s done, the base of the ski looks like a road surface with sealant over the cracks. Once the P-Tex cools to room temperature, he holds a metal scraper at 45° to the base and scrapes the ski from tip to tail. Satisfied that it has a flat, smooth surface, he sends it back through the belt grinder to grind off any excess plastic. “Ninety-five percent of what is put on is ground off,” explains Scott. When doing a batch of skis, the techs fire up the Wintersteiger base extruder, which lays down a layer of base material, but is internally heated and eliminates the problem of carbon contamination. Next, the base edge and material on it are checked for flatness. If anything is above the edge, Brian says, “You’ll get a squirrely, wobbly feeling.” As skis become wider, it’s more difficult to get a truly flat base edge, but that’s what these ski techs strive for. They polish the skis for a smoother running surface and make sure that edges are sharp.

Grooves or gouges are typical on most skis. In many cases, light grooves will not adversely affect performance. The Grindite exposes fresh base material and removes fine scratches that may inhibit performance. Finally, the skis are ready for the stone grinding machine, which can bring new life into them. “This is where the money happens,” says Brian. Stone grinding allows the fine tuning of the base structure for specific snow conditions. Infinite patterns can be laid on by the stone. This results in a ski that feels more solid, absorbs wax better and glides more consistently. Some customers request certain patterns and this diamond cut machine does work the techs couldn’t do in the past. The final step is hot waxing, which protects against damage. Wax is what enables the ski to glide better, slide better and it makes lateral movements easier. Preparing skis for racers is much more involved. Finishing touches are done by hand edging and hand waxing. Once racing skis are waxed, they must sit for 24 hours to ideally allow the wax to permeate into the base. After the first coat, nine additional coats of wax are added. Following each coat, excess wax is scraped off since glide comes from wax that’s been absorbed and isn’t sitting on the base. Then brushes are used—from aggressive nylon or bronze down to softer horse-hair--to remove excess wax. It’s a skiers rendition of sandpaper. Finally the skis are buffed to further work in the wax. At Sportshaus, they offer four different

tune-up packages ranging from a basic sharpener/wax job for $20 to a full tuneup, which gets you as close to a factory finish as possible at $35. y second stop in learning how to achieve the perfect glide is at Carter’s X-Country Ski Center in Oxford, where David and Anne Carter have offered groomed trails since 1984. What began as a club because of David’s long-time skiing passion evolved into a business that includes renting and selling Nordic ski equipment. On farm land they already owned in Bethel, they later created a second ski center, offering more diverse terrain. Over the years their three daughters have been involved with the business and their sonin-law, Jesse works with them full time. Since their Oxford Ski Center serves as a farm stand in the summer months, Anne took me to the attached greenhouse to demonstrate waxing techniques for Nordic skis. Proper waxing is important for superb versatility in a variety of settings. The wax comes in two types: glide and kick (or grip). Glide wax is used on the tips and tails of classic skis and on the entire length of skating skis. Kick wax is used for grip in the classic technique. Both stick wax and klister are common varieties of kick wax. Anne begins with waxless skis, which

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have a grip pattern carved or molded into the base material. This texture bites into the snow to provide grip for the kick portion of the classic ski stride. Because waxless skis have a built-in kick there is no need for a grip/kick wax. There are times, however, when the snow is wet and sticky and can clump or ice up on the base of the ski. That’s when you know that the proverbial moose is riding on your tails. It’s time to wax. Anne uses a sponge applicator to spread Maxiglide, a liquid paste, onto the base of the waxless skis. “Wipe down and don’t wipe it all off,” she says as she demonstrates the movement from top to bottom. “Maxiglide refurbishes the base. It’s like a piece of furniture that needs oil.” This is a do-it-yourself project that seasoned skiers should perform at least every other week. Swix also makes a product called F4 Liquid Wax that helps prevent snow clumps and icing. Racers take waxing to a whole different level. It’s a science of creating just the right mix of waxes to make the ski go faster. Kick wax is a sticky wax lightly applied to either side of the center groove in the kick-zone of waxable classical skis. It’s labeled for varying temperature ranges— the warmer the temp, the stickier the wax you will use. A wax that is too sticky will slow your glide, thus making skiing more

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difficult. (Moose alert) A wax that isn’t sticky enough will make your kick slip, also make skiing harder. A bar of hot wax looks like a brick and comes in different colors for different uses. For skating skis, ski techs and DIYers always begin with yellow, which is a warm wax. Warmer waxes fill in the pores better, especially with the help of an iron. To apply, the wax is scraped on to the entire base by rubbing it firmly down the length of the ski, again from tip to tail. Anne says that some people apply with a wax iron, letting the heat warm up the wax and drip it on—similar to how Scott applied the P-tex at Sportshaus. Once the wax is applied, Anne then runs a ski iron along the entire base, connecting and smoothing the wax until an even coat is achieved. If you’re doing this at home, don’t use your

household iron as you’ll ruin it and may ruin your skis. While one ski cools, the same procedure is followed for the second ski. Returning to the first ski, she gives it a second coat by simply running the iron over the wax that is already there. Any excess wax is scraped off with a plexiglass scraper held at a 45° angle. Sometimes the skis need to be scraped a second time because skiers don’t want to be racing on wax. The third coat is the wax of the day, depending on the day’s temperature and snow condition. Generally speaking, blue is for 10-20°, purple for 20-30° and green for 4-15°. Again, the third coat is dripped or rubbed on, ironed and scraped. Finally, the techs take a brush to the skis and remove whatever excess didn’t come off with the scraper. Similar to the Alpine approach, multiple brushes are used depending on the desired texture the skier wants. Classic skis require grip wax in the kick zone or wax pocket, which extends from the heel of your boot to a foot above the top of the binding. Grip wax produces traction by allowing the rough edges of snow crystals to penetrate the wax layer just enough to grab hold of the ski when it is stationary and weighted. It doesn’t prevent the ski from gliding smoothly when already in motion. Hard wax, aka grip or kick wax, is applied in four to five thin layers by lightly “crayoning” it onto the kick zone. Between layers, the wax is buffed in with either a synthetic or natural cork. The friction of the cork warms the wax so it adheres to the ski base, thus keeping the wax on the ski longer. All reconditioning work is carefully done by hand at Carter’s X-Country Ski Center. The cost for a complete hot wax reconditioning is $35. And for the DIYers, they offer a variety of products and recommendations. d

ethan mcnerney

he cycle of seasons is nothing new, but this winter seems pride in it. After all, if you are fiscally challenged as a matter of particularly poignant. I can’t imagine any one who course, you find creative ways to improvise and fill in the gaps. hasn’t discussed or read about or simply felt the shift The lion’s share of Landmark’s funding comes from MaineCare and struggle that has marked this year. Whether on the superfiand federal coffers. For every two dollars kicked in by the state, cial level of economics, or on a deeper, more personal level, so the federal government puts in one. Unfortunately, the total dolmany people are caught up in a scenario of loss or being lost. lar amount allocated by the state has gone down in recent years My coping mechanism for dealing with this climate of uncerand along with it federal funds, resulting in cuts in the number tainty, is to step back from it—out of myself on some level—and of hours allowed for both staff and clients. Donations account become the curious observer for a small portion of the who sees nothing as accidenoverall budget, but Mary tal or random. So when I was Beth points out that the running along the East River communities Landmark in Manhattan one day in Ocserves are not wealthy. tober, the everyday stuff of life Additionally, many of the revealed a more significant subformerly free programs text. Two fishermen engaged in and activities Landmark conversation were interrupted clients participate in are by the tug on one of their lines. now forced to charge a I was close enough to see this nominal fee to cover their and the automatic reflex of rising costs. Some of these reeling and pulling, reeling and increases have to be passed pulling, until a perfect, silveron to parents and guardsided bass seemingly flew to ians; some of them have the top of one man’s fishing to be absorbed. That’s pole. And just as he reached where creativity and imout to grab it, the fish someprovisation come into play. how writhed free and returned Mary Beth is a great to its watery home below. The believer in pooling efforts two men looked at one another with other non-profits, and laughed. It made me smile. especially those engaged And it made me think that in similar endeavors. there is almost always someThe Bridgton Commuthing gained when something’s nity Center is one such by laurie lamountain lost. There certainly was for organization, and Mary the fish, and on some level for the fishermen as well. Beth works with their executive director, Carmen Lone, on When I look back on this year, other events that stand out a number of events; the Annual Landmark Fine Art Show, are quietly significant. They include twice hearing “A Time for Community Gardens, Halloween Party, and Children’s Everything” from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; once at the end of a yoga Hands-On Arts Festival among them. “It makes sense to class and the other at the end of a life. Both times I was charged work together and split the proceeds proportionately. It also by the message concerning the duality of life. “A time to get, eases administrative and organization efforts,” notes Mary Beth. and a time to lose . . .” It’s not always easy to see the opportuPerhaps the most creative means of addressing tight budnity in loss, but it is there. I would even go one step further by gets, though, lies within Landmark’s intention toward its 30+ saying that sometimes it takes the experience of loss to bring clients. No one is marginalized and it’s assumed everyone an awareness of gain. As Joni Mitchell put it, “you don’t know has something valuable to offer their culture and community. what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” The thing is, we’re a resilient With that philosophy, one of the things they have done as an bunch. And once we’ve suffered the initial grief inherent in organization is to find opportunities for the clients to volloss, we often find something we couldn’t have had without it. unteer. This creates a win-win situation in which clients are So despite all the talk of what we’ve lost, here are some examples actively engaged in activities that give them a sense of value of people and organizations who have turned their losses into gains. and purpose as well as benefit the greater community. “When “Even before the recession we were poor,” says Mary the clients volunteered to sing at an annual Veteran’s dinner Elizabeth Sullivan, executive director of Landmark Human this year, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” says Mary Beth. Resources serving Cumberland and Oxford Counties. IncorThanks to her political activism, Landmark clients are also acporated in 1975, Landmark Human Resources is a small, tive in Rock the Vote efforts. She chose 2008 as the year to particicommunity-based provider of services to adults with physical pate as a charter member of the Maine Association of Nonprofit’s and developmental disabilities. Mary Beth has served as their “Nonprofit Voter Engagement Project” because of the excitement executive director for the past fourteen years. Her statement is generated by the presidential election. Since then, Landmark staff not made as a complaint; there is humor and a even a point of and clients have run several voter registration drives, registering

Time for Everything

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school students and Bridgton Hospital staff who are pursuing education in the field of healthcare,” says Sandra. The Guild is a not-for-profit organization that relies almost exclusively on volunteer staff and donations. Funds raised this year will be used to purchase new equipment for the expanded and renovated rehabilitation space for Swing Bed patients on the hospital inpatient unit. Even though our region and the entire country continues to struggle with a lagging economy, this was the largestever annual gift from the Guild. Despite or perhaps due to the fact that it currently stands at 45th in the nation for GDP, Maine ranked 16th for volunteer rate. According to the Corporation for National & Community Excellence, Maine has an average annual volunteer rate of 32.8%, with 350,000 volunteers servicing 49.9 million total hours per year. Way to go Maine! Landmark Human Resources and Bridgton Hospital Guild are just two of thousands of organizations across Maine that rely on the largesse of volunteers, and VolunteerMaine.Org is a statewide virtual volunteer center that links volunteers with agencies or organizations in need of them. The Maine Commission for Community Service, United Way of Maine and the Maine Emergency Management Agency comprise the VolunteerMaine Partnership responsible for launching the Web-based volunteer database. Searches can be refined or broadened according to zip code, area of interest, skills and availability. The service is free and requires no special software and any non-profit organization, state or local government agency or committee may post opportunities on the site once they have registered. Any resident of Maine is welcome to visit the site for the purpose of finding a volunteer opportunity, making an in-kind donation, applying for a board of directors position or seeking training and/or participation in emergency response. “When one door closes, another door opens” is a saying that pertains to so many things—years, lives, and even loss. So as 2011 comes to a close, instead of bidding it good riddance, you might want to reflect on what it has given you. You may have to review your losses to realize your gains, but you will hopefully close the books with a positive yield. d karen grover

staff, clients and community members. They have also arranged field trips for clients to visit municipal officials to educate them about the rights of the disabled to vote in Maine prior to Election Day, as well as hosted debate viewing parties. On Election Day, Landmark offers rides to the polls to clients, staff and community members. Shawnee Peak’s Adaptive Ski Program, directed by Ross Graham and Assistant Director Charlie Scribner, has provided yet another way for Landmark clients to give back to the community. Most Tuesday mornings from January through March, Landmark clients go to Shawnee Peak where volunteers give them ski, snowboard and snowshoe instruction. In return, Landmark clients volunteer as ambassadors for the Camp Sunshine adaptive ski program. Landmark clients also volunteer their time to deliver meals to Meals on Wheels recipients. Mary Beth explains that it’s a wonderful way for community members to experience people with disabilities in another light. In one instance clients actually saved a woman’s life simply by showing up. When federal funding for community services is cut, it’s heartening to see how communities step up in support of their members in need. It seems there’s a different level of caring when it’s close to home. Sue Ellen Richardson, Development Officer at Western Maine Community Action (WMCA), doesn’t sugarcoat the effect that federal funding cuts have had on the 10 community action agencies across Maine, but she points out that neighbor-toneighbor community response has helped ease the pain of those cuts. Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are non-profit private and public organizations dedicated to the principle that poverty should not be a permanent condition of people’s lives. Providing health, nutrition, heating, housing and education assistance to low-to-moderate income recipients has become even more challenging as the number of households grows and federal funding shrinks, and Richardson notes that non-profit organizations are responding creatively and cooperatively to lessen the gap. Harvest for Hunger, a University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service program, is one example of this cooperative spirit. Launched in 2000 as a volunteer opportunity for University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, the program is now active in 15 counties. This past year nearly 500 volunteer gardeners in about a dozen counties donated close to 90 tons of vegetables and fruit to 114 food pantries, shelters or charitable organizations around the state, according to Extension educator Barbara Murphy in the Oxford County office. The number of participants more than doubled from 200 in 2010 and the number of organizations benefiting from the gardeners’ generosity more than tripled. Murphy calculated that farmers and gardeners collectively logged 5,890 hours in this year’s Harvest for Hunger effort. At the Bridgton Hospital Guild’s Annual Meeting and Luncheon this past October, Guild President Sandra Weygandt presented a Guild gift of $42,000 to Bridgton Hospital. “We also provide annual scholarships to local high

Volunteers are vital to these organizations through augmenting their many events and serving on the board of directors. To learn more about Landmark Human Resources and perhaps volunteering your time or donating money, you can reach Mary Beth at 207-647-8396 or at landmark1@lhrmaine.com. Ross Graham would be delighted to tell you about the intrinsic benefits of volunteering with the Shawnee Peak Adaptive Ski Program, including free lift tickets. You can reach Ross Graham at coastie1@fairpoint.net. If you are interested in enrolling in the Harvest for Hunger program, go to: http://umaine.edu/harvest-for-hunger/get-involved/ If you are interested in volunteering your time to the Bridgton Hospital Guild, you can reach them at 207-647-6212. Donations of good, used clothing can be made at the thrift shop located at 173 Main Street in Bridgton.

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winter calendar december ‘11 17

Shawnee Peak Learn to Ski or Snowboard FREE! (pre-registration required) Free Lesson, lift ticket and rental equipment! FMI: call 207-647-8444 or visit www. shawneepeak.com Limited supply of times—call early!

Ullr Fest 2010 at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Welcome winter with a torchlight parade, live entertainment and giveaways. Free! www. shawneepeak.com

New Year’s Eve Bash in Blizzard’s Pub at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Live music, dancing, champagne toast! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www. shawneepeak.com

january ‘12 4-5

Racing with the Moon Series Begins The kick-off to another 9-week race series at Shawnee Peak! All abilities are welcome to join this weekly racing league. FMI: 207-647-8444 or www.shawneepeak.com

Red Cross Blood Drive at Shawnee Peak Give a Pint, Get a Free Ticket! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www. shawneepeak.com

21&22

Mushers Bowl & Winter Carnival A weekend of fun-filled family activities including dogsled and skijoring races, Carnival dance, polar bear dunk, ice fishing derby and lots of great food! FMI: www.mushersbowl.com or call 207-647-3472.

february ‘12 4

22nd Annual Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort The largest family ski racing series in America! Open to all abilities. Product sampling all day plus a huge apres-ski party on the patio. www.shawneepeak.com

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18&19

Sebago Lake Rotary Club’s “Derbyfest 2007” FMI: 888-ICE-FLAG or www.icefishingderby.com

Shawnee Peak’s 24th Annual Family Fest Celebrating outdoor winter family fun! Poker Run, Snow Volleyball Tournament, Pie-Eating Contest, and Ugliest Ski Sweater contest. It’s all about free family fun! FMI: 207-647-8444

march ‘12 3

KISS-FM Winter Games at Shawnee Peak Ski Area FMI: 207-647-8444 or www.shawneepeak.com

98.5FM The River, Green Alliance day at Shawnee Peak FMI: 207-6478444 or www.shawneepeak.com

Disney Day at Shawnee Peak Join your favorite Disney characters on the slopes. FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www.shawneepeak.com

Red Cross Blood Drive at Shawnee Peak Give a Pint, Get a Free Ticket! FMI: 207-647-8444 or visit www. shawneepeak.com

St. Patrick’s Day at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Get your Irish on and celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with Shawnee Peak. FMI: 207-647-8444 or www. shawneepeak.com

WAKA Tournament at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Shawnee Peak hosts the World Adult Kickball Associations first ever on-slope tournament! FMI: 207-647-8444 or www.shawneepeak.com

27th Annual Spring Fling Beach Party at Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Say goodbye to the 2011 season with BBQ, live entertainment and the slush cup—Shawnee Peak’s 200-foot pond! FMI: visit www.shawneepeak.com

wood to keep the fire burning at a moderate, steady rate that ne of my most memorable cross-country ski excursions won’t flare up or die out while you’re away. The other (probably was a nine-mile loop through woods and across ponds more sensible) option is to use a conventional oven and set the that was preceded by placing a cassoulet on top of the temperature slightly lower, say 325˚, to give you more time to play. wood stove before heading out at noon, and then savoring it at In some cases, as with the panday’s end with a bottle of Côtes roasted lamb shanks below, you du Rhône. I don’t think I have can place a dutch oven over a ever enjoyed a day of skiing or low flame on the stove top. With a cassoulet more and am sure this option, I’d opt for placing a their success depended on each diffuser on the burner. There is a other. Cold weather and exerby laurie lamountain slight leap of faith with this kind cise are the perfect complement of un-tended cooking, but it’s to hearty one-pot meals. The quickly behind you once you’ve recipe can be assembled in the savored the results. morning and then pretty much Another important piece of forgotten until it’s time to eat. advice if you want to use this Over the years I’ve amassed method of cooking is to invest a selection of tried-and-true in a good quality enameled recipes for meals that can accast iron casserole, or as it’s commodate a winter outing. also known, une cocotte. Santa They are the well-earned reward brought me a 5-quart oval Staub at the end of the day and are for Christmas last year, and it guaranteed to satisfy even the has literally changed my life. heartiest of appetites. It’s non-stick cooking surface If, like me, you employ your just keeps getting better with wood stove as an occasional every use. d “oven,” be sure there is ample

One-Pot Winter Wanders

Pan-Roasted Lamb Shanks with SunDried Tomatoes and Savoy Cabbage

Marcella Hazan has been and probably always will be my favorite chef. Her recipes are always delicious and are relatively easy to prepare. I also love that she combines ingredients in a most unusual way. This and the following recipe for pan-roasted pork ribs are taken from “Marcella Says.” 4 to 5 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 3 1-1/2-lb. lamb shanks 4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced very thin 8 to 10 sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped fine sea salt freshly ground black pepper 5 c Savoy cabbage, cored and shredded very fine 3/4 c dry white wine

Choose a pan large enough to accommodate all the shanks without overlapping. Pour the olive oil into the pan and turn heat to high. When the oil is hot, brown the lamb shanks on both sides. Add the sliced garlic and turn the heat down to medium. Stir the garlic for a few seconds until it turns fragrant and deep gold, then add the sun-dried tomatoes. Stir a few seconds more and add salt, a few grindings of pepper and the shredded cabbage. Turn the cabbage until it is well coated, and cook until it has wilted down. Pour in the white wine, turn the contents of the pan, cover, and turn the heat down

to low. Cook for one to two hours or until the meat falls easily off the bone. Remove the bones, transfer to a warmed platter and serve at once.

Pan-Roasted Pork Ribs with Caramelized Onions, White Wine, and Chili Pepper

3 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 4 lb. baby back ribs 1/2 c dry white wine 2 very large onions, sliced very thin, about 6 c fine sea salt 3/4 tbsp. dried red chili pepper, chopped

Heat olive oil over high heat and add ribs to pan. Turn them two or three times until well browned. If necessary, do one batch at a time to avoid crowding the ribs, then return them all to the pan. Pour in the wine and turn the ribs once or twice until the wine bubbles completely away. Add the sliced onions, salt, and chili pepper. Cover and turn the heat to low. Cook for 2 to 3 hours, until the meaty part of the ribs is fork tender and the onions have cooked down to a light brown, creamy consistency. Serve at once.

Gratin Dauphinois

Another recipe that I associate with a winter outing, this one a day of hiking in the French Alps. We retreated to the refuge for this dish accompanied by wine and good bread. Who needs meat? I should add that there are probably as

many versions of this recipe as there are varieties of potatoes. Opinions vary as to waxy or starchy, cheese or no cheese, less or more garlic, but this is the version I prefer on a winter night. 1 to 2 tbsp. butter 3 lb. waxy potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced 3/4 pint heavy cream fine sea salt freshly ground black pepper 2 to 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed freshly ground nutmeg 6 ounces gruyere cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 300˚. Take a heavy-bottomed dish or an ovenproof gratin dish and grease it well with some of the butter. Thinly slice the peeled potatoes with a sharp knife or mandoline. Do NOT wash the potatoes before combining them in a large saucepan with the heavy cream, crushed garlic, a grating or two of fresh nutmeg, salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove potatoes from cream and set aside. Arrange half of them in an overlapping layer on the bottom of the buttered gratin dish. Pour half of the hot cream mixture over them and repeat for a second layer. Sprinkle cheese over the top and bake for about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs, or until the potatoes are soft, and the top is crispy and golden brown. Serve bubbling hot as a main meal or as an accompaniment to either of the other recipes. lakelivingmaine.com

Bigfooting it Around

by joe zentner

hange has been called the essence of life, yet a person occasionally finds some ancient implement so well conceived and constructed that it defies time and progress. Among such rarities is the snowshoe, an aid to winter travel that dates back to antiquity. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, which recently reported there are over four million snowshoers in this country, snowshoeing is ranked today among the top five outdoor participation sports and the fastest-growing cold-weather activity, second only to snowboarding. In recent times, snowshoes have come out of the backwoods and into the spotlight as people of all ages discover their versatility, aerobic value and the fact that they’re just plain fun. “The sport has really grown over the last five years,” notes Henry Pitchford, co-owner of Backcountry Outfitters in Portland. “We’ve seen a steady increase in sales—and last year we witnessed a 50 percent increase over two years ago.” Ed Kiniry, former president of the Stowe Canoe and Snowshoe Company (maker of

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Tubbs Snowshoes) has observed: “Snowshoeing’s popularity is growing by leaps and bounds due to the fact that the activity is easy to learn, offers an excellent low-impact workout, enables young and old alike to explore all types of terrain together, and is available at relatively low cost.” History Snowshoes were in use throughout northern Europe and parts of Asia 6,000 years ago, but the actual time of “invention,” or series of parallel inventions, may have occurred much earlier. Being constructed of plant and animal material, nothing of the original ‘shoes remains for positive dating. Snowshoes may have found their way to America via the Bering Strait Land Bridge, because we know that early Native Americans used them around that time. To ancient peoples of the northern latitudes, the snowshoe was serious business, because hunting and trapping depended on them. This dependence is still true today among persons in Maine who hunt and trap for a living. By making the northern regions more ac-

cessible to human occupation, the snowshoe contributed to cultural development. According to University of Maine anthropologist Raymond Blanco, “by allowing greater contact among peoples, snowshoes encouraged an exchange of ideas, thereby adding to the complexity of northern culture.” Some snowshoes of the North, made by aborigines, are a delight to inspect because of the fine weaving together of delicate patterns in the webbing, especially so when woven with caribou hide, which was almost transparent, giving a bright look to the ‘shoe. Years ago, such snowshoes, really works of art, could be seen hanging on walls in offices of the Hudson’s Bay Company, specimens that had been made by Indian women as gifts to company managers. During the great westward expansion of this country, snowshoes were as indispensable as the axe and flintlock rifle. Traders, hunters, explorers and surveyors all depended upon the snowshoe to carry out their work. The sport of snowshoeing was a social mainstay of winter recreation in this country up until the 1930s, when alpine skiing’s glamour and speed made the sport passe. Outdoor clubs often organized group snowshoeing “tramps” for men and women. In the 1970s, this sport experienced a resurgence after the Sherpa Snowshoe Company introduced a compact synthetic ‘shoe, thereby forever changing the snowshoe’s scope of usefulness. Wearers could now leave flatlands behind to climb above the tree-line in mountainous areas. Purchasing snowshoes The essential parts of a snowshoe are a solid decking, a lightweight frame, and teeth to provide grip on both ice and snow. Categories of snowshoe buyers include fitness-oriented users, who use snowshoes for winter workouts, hiking/mountaineering enthusiasts, and recreational users, who can be easily prompted to head out the door for a stroll. When selecting a style of snowshoes, keep the following in mind: (1) the topography of the region you intend to traverse, (2) the condition of the snow you will be walking in, and (3) the object of your wanderings. Although individual taste and ability, as well as snow conditions will determine one’s choice of snowshoes, certain rules of thumb should nonetheless be considered. Persons weighing 150 pounds or less get adequate flotation from snowshoes 24 to 30 inches long, those weighing 150 to 200

pounds need ‘shoes around 36 inches long, and those over 200 pounds may require 46-inch snowshoes. Learning How “There is a popular misconception that it is difficult to walk with snowshoes,” notes Ray Authement, a Maine backcountry guide. Supposedly, snowshoes drag heavily on the feet and make a person straddle the legs awkwardly to keep the ‘shoes from hitting one another. On the contrary, the weight of the snowshoes is scarcely felt— they are not lifted clear off the ground when walking. The toe only is raised to clear the surface of the snow. The action has nothing of a straddle in it either, since the snowshoe that is raised passes over, not around, the other one. Even on a hard-packed trail, such as some of those found in well-travelled areas, it is as easy to walk with the ‘shoes as without them. Do keep in mind, however: although snowshoes are designed to keep a person on top of the snow, they are not magical. You will sink somewhat—generally about eight inches if you’re in waist-deep, newly fallen snow. Where to Snowshoe A great thing about snowshoeing in southwestern Maine is, you’ll never run out of places to do it. Just about anywhere you can hike or mountain bike in summer, you can snowshoe in winter. The state parks, national forests and private wooded areas you enjoy when it’s warm offer delightful winter experiences as well. Many Alpine and Nordic ski areas open their ungroomed trails to snowshoers. Park rangers, chambers of commerce and collegiate outdoor clubs are excellent sources of information about areas to explore. Snowshoe trails and paths are found throughout Maine, many near major cross-country ski areas and in state parks. Commercial cross-country ski venues rent snowshoes and provide lessons on how to use them properly. Locally, you’ll find many places to explore, including Holt Pond and Bald Pate in South Bridgton, Douglas Mountain in Sebago, Mayberry Hill and Rattlesnake Mountain in Casco, Pondicherry Park and the Bridgton Highlands Golf Club in Bridgton, Pleasant Mountain in West Bridgton and Denmark, the Greater Lovell Land Trust properties and so many more. Several cross-country ski resorts in Maine have gotten into the snowshoeing act. Five Fields Farm XC Ski Center in

Bridgton (207.647.2425) offers 27 kilometers of groomed trails with spectacular views. Snowshoe rental equipment is available. Carter’s XC Ski Centers in Oxford (207.539.4848) and Bethel (207.824.3880) offer a combined total of 85 kilometers of groomed trails, some of which in Bethel feature challenging terrain for the adventurous. Both locations offer snowshoe rentals. The Bethel Inn Resort (207.824.2175) in Bethel has 9.5 kilometers of snowshoe trails, 1.5 of which are dog-friendly. Snowshoe rental equipment is available. Pineland Farms (207.688.4185) in New Gloucester has many groomed trails and rents snowshoes. Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth (207.781.2330) is located along the Presumpscot River five minutes from Portland and features 65-acres of gentle terrain. Snowshoe rental equipment is available. Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal (207.688.4712) is situated on Route 9, halfway between Portland and Lewiston-Auburn, and offers 32 kilometers of snowshoe trails plus rentals. A gold mine of snowshoeing opportunity is snowmobile trails. These are usually well packed and easy to navigate. Be sure to yield

the right-of-way to approaching snowmobiles by stepping off the track. Not only is this polite, it’s smart; who wants to get run over by a thousand-pound machine? Fun, easy, exciting and the perfect way to enjoy a winter’s day is the imagery expressed by today’s snowshoeing enthusiasts. As author Bill Osmond points out in The Snowshoe Book: “There is something in its simplicity and closeness to nature that speaks directly to an increasing number of people who seek to live with nature rather than subdue it.” Snowshoers can go virtually anywhere. And that, snowshoers agree, is the real beauty of their sport. As outfitter Henry Pitchford observes: “It’s the best way there is to enjoy winter. There’s no expensive equipment, no groomed trails—a person just goes out and bushwhacks.” The study of countless small tracks is an interesting part of the winter scene. The chance acquaintance you may make with winter birds and animals will prove a delightful accompaniment to a day’s outing. Through it all is the timeless beauty of the great white winter woods and the endless thrill of snowshoe wandering. Enjoy. d

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Once Upon a Winter Book Reviews from the Owners of Bridgton Books

justin’s list In the spirit of the season, I want to first give thanks to all the loyal customers who have supported us over the last eighteen years. Thank you for making the extra effort to visit us instead of ordering online, for buying real books instead of downloads, and most of all, for your friendship. The book business is changing rapidly with the advent of eBooks and the demise of Borders, and many question whether there will be role for independent book stores in the future. I believe there will be, and it really comes down to the consumer and the choices they make. We will continue to serve our community as long as people have a need for our services. Robert Rogers was one of Colonial America’s greatest heroes, and yet his is not a household name like Washington or Franklin. In War On The Run: The Epic Story of Robert Rogers and the Conquest of America’s First Frontier, author John F. Ross explains what Rogers accomplished and why he has been largely forgotten. During the final French and Indian War, the British army and supporting colonists took heavy losses, continuing to fight Europeanstyle, while their French adversaries waged terror on the colonies using warfare learned from their Indian brethren. It wasn’t until Rogers recruited and established his Rangers Corps and began practicing his own methods of wilderness fighting against the French that the colonists had any success. The Battle of the Snowshoes and The Saint Francois Raid were epic engagements, and are still studied today by military cadets. But Roberts had enemies and detractors on his own side, and that combined with poor decisions would prove to be his undoing and change his life path, all of which makes for a fascinating read. On the Maine Bookshelf, I enjoyed Melissa Coleman’s memoir This Life Is In Your Hands. The daughter of gardening guru Eliot Coleman, Melissa grew up in a communal, back-to-land environment with Helen and Scott Nearing (Living The Good Life) as her neighbors. For a while, they do “live the good life,” growing and

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selling their own food and teaching others, until an accident changes everything. Coleman recreates the joys and sorrows of her childhood brilliantly, all written with the remarkable clarity of an accomplished writer, yet still colored with the purity and innocence of youth. We have also sold many copies of the new novel entitled Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. The sexy woman sunbathing on the front cover of the book jacket gives the false impression that the book is going to read like a Jackie Collins novel, but it is more of a serious, (dysfunctional) family drama. The Kellehers vacation in southern Maine every summer, and are overseen by Alice, the matriarch, who is a wicked witch even on her best day. Through various family members’ stories and remembrances, a picture soon develops of the clan, which is not the most becoming, but who wants to read about The Brady Bunch? If you didn’t like Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, then you probably shouldn’t read The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides. By the same token, if you enjoyed Franzen, as I did, you will most certainly cherish and appreciate Eugenides’ new novel. Both were painstakingly written over a period of many years, with advanced character development, multiple themes, love triangles, and a good helping of comedy. Although The Marriage Plot can be a little pretentious at times, it is still a quality novel, which will captivate you, dragging you in by your twisted rubber arm. Madeline has just finished her senior year at Brown University where she has written her thesis on the “Marriage Plot’ of the great English Victorian writers. Together with her suitors, Leonard and Mitchell, they evolve the old, standard formula into a contemporary masterwork.

The 2008 tragedy on K2 in which 11 climbers perished was reported in bits and pieces by the media, with vague and often contradicting stories. New Hampshire outdoor writer Freddie Wilkinson decided to set the record straight, interviewing almost all of the living participants including the sherpas, to see what really happened and why. He delivers an interesting, wellbalanced account of the mistakes made, the untold heroics, and an overall assessment of Himalayan mountaineering in general. One Mountain Thousand Summits is alpine writing at its best. From the other side of the world, another excellent armchair adventure I enjoyed was River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana’s Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon by Buddy Levy. In 1541, the brutal conquistador Gonzalo Pizarro and his lieutenant Orellana led an expedition over the Andes and down into the jungle, in search of El Dorado, the famed city of gold. It wasn’t long before everyone was either sick and/or starving. Two boats were built for Orellana and some of his men so they could go down a small river in search of food. Read this riveting historical account of their epic journey to find out what happens next. The summary on the back of the novel, Father of the Rain by Lily King, failed to generate my interest for months . . . A girl with an alcoholic father . . . A messy divorce . . . So what else is new? But other booksellers and customers were raving about it, so I relented and was blown away. What a powerful book! King’s vivid descriptions of Gardiner, the WASPy, bigoted father, will strike a chord with many New Englanders who have grown up knowing someone just like him. King rightfully won the New England Book Award for this gem.

pam’s pic ks for kids & young adults The Circus Ship By Chris Van Dusen Maine Author and Illustrator Ages 3+ A ship carrying a mean circus owner, a compassionate captain and fifteen circus animals unexpectedly crashes on a ledge five miles off the coast of Maine. While the owner bullies the captain to rescue and row him to safety, the animals frantically swim through the night and arrive by dawn at a small island. The islanders are frightened and protest their presence, but then tragedy strikes and the bravery of one of the animals proves to them that they can peacefully coexist. Soon the greedy circus boss returns to retrieve his animals, but the witty islanders and animals have hatched a plan to divert him. Readers will enjoy the brightly colored illustrations that represent the early nineteenth century. Though The Circus Ship is a work of fiction, the story was inspired by a steamer called “The Royal Tar,” which sailed to Portland, Maine, in 1836, carrying passengers and animals. The steamer sank when a series of unfortunate events occurred. Not everyone survived, but some believe an elephant made it to a nearby island. Grandpa Green Lane Smith Ages 3+ Although Grandpa Green’s failing memory keeps him from telling his greatgrandson about his life’s journey, the meticulously shaped and manicured topiaries he created in his garden recreate his forgotten memories for the boy. Grandpa Green was raised on a farm and dreamed of studying horticulture. World War II changed his path, but he then met his wife, worked hard and had children. Grandpa Green’s life reflects the lives of so many people that grandparents reading this book could easily replace their last name with Mr. Green’s. Take a journey back in time when memories were created and shared without the use of electronics.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer By John Grisham Ages 8+ Judge Gantry’s gavel swiftly pounds the bench as court resumes. Theo and his eighth-grade Government class witness day one of a local murder trial. Theo’s fascination with the legal system stems from both parents being lawyers. His dream is to become the next powerful, criminal lawyer. Theo meticulously follows the case throughout the week. Frustration mounts in the court room with no circumstantial evidence or witnesses that can place the suspect at the crime scene. With closing statements and deliberation only a day away, Theo discovers the truth and only he can make sure justice is served.

Before I Fall By Lauren Oliver Ages 16+ Samantha Kingston, a popular yet mean high school student, can’t seem to shake off Friday, February 12th. Screams are followed by bright lights, deafening metal slamming against metal and then nothing. Samantha now knows her fate on the snowy night she left Ken’s party with her best friends, but she can’t figure out why when she wakes up each day it is still Friday, February 12th. Not sure if she is dreaming, dead or if it’s reality, Samantha “lives” to regret being mean to so many people and wonders if she can change events throughout the day that will make things right.

Racing in the Rain My Life as a Dog By Garth Stein Ages 10+ In the past few years, many popular authors have transformed their New York Times best selling books into children’s versions so families can read and share these stories together. Some examples are Nathaniel Philbrick’s retelling of his nonfiction accounts of Mayflower and Why Read Moby-Dick?, and Carl Hiaasen, who shares his distinctive brand of Floridian eco-humor in his children’s stories Hoot and Flush. Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein is the next successful book to be adapted for children, and anyone who has read The Art of Racing in the Rain will remember what a wonderful story this is. Enzo, the family dog, is the narrator, and his loyalty and determination to help his family is at turns heart-wrenching and funny. With minor inconveniences, such as having paws instead of hands and not being able to speak, Enzo does what he can to keep the family together.

Nefertiti: a Novel By Michelle Moran Reviewed by Margaret Meserve Ages 14+ Nefertiti: a Novel is a piece of historical fiction about the famous queen who ruled during one of the most controversial periods in Egyptian history. Her sister, Mutnodjmet, joins her to live in the palace at Thebes. Nefertiti is going to be married off to an unstable prince named Amunhotep. Encourged by her family, the queen hopes she will be able to control the prince and become a good influence. When it becomes obvious that Amunhotep has heretical ideas and will go to any length to complete them, Nefertiti no longer follows the advice of her father and grandmother, but helps her husband instead. Now it is up to Mutnodjmet to save her family’s reputation, but this might put those she loves in grave danger. I recommend this book to anyone, especially those who like romance, historical fiction and action stories combined. d lakelivingmaine.com

High Tech Hide ‘n Seek

text and photos by leigh macmillen hayes

Like many, I’m hooked on The Amazing Race— especially from the comfort of my own couch.

Each Sunday night those nerve-racking rides and bungie-jumping challenges call out to me. My husband hears the call as well. We harbor fantasies about which of us would complete each challenge. And, of course, we’d win each leg of the race, including the million dollar prize. Piece of cake. The only catch . . . we’d have to apply and be accepted. Since I know we won’t do that, we’ll never actually be contestants on the show, but I’ve discovered a non-competitive way for us to harness our adventuresome spirit right here in the lakes region. It’s called geocaching—a high-tech version of hide ‘n seek. Originating in 2000, geocaching is a web-based, real world treasure hunt game played with a hand-held GPS device. “Contestants” or participants use www. geocaching.com to source coordinates that will lead them to caches or containers hidden in various places. The containers hold log books, a pencil and trinkets for trade. Not knowing too much about this type of treasure hunt, I asked Bridgton’s GPS go-to guy Phil Blaney to help me get started. Yes, his name is Phil, just like the globetrotting, Emmy Award-winning host of The Amazing Race, Phil Keoghan. And he has a warm smile too!

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A former teacher, Phil also has the patience of Job. Good thing, because I tend to be tech-challenged at times. After I log on and register as a basic player, I learn that I can plug in a zip code or address and find geocaches within 10-100+ miles. They’re rated by terrain and difficulty. I also get coordinates to download to my GPS, a cryptic clue (I’m feeling like a real contestant now) and comments from others who have located the cache. Of course, Phil reminds me that it takes more than just the GPS device. Extra batteries ✓ Trail map ✓ Compass ✓ Layers of clothing ✓ Snowshoes or skis ✓ handwarmers ✓ water ✓ snack ✓ pencil ✓. And most important of all—the coordinates jotted down, just in case ✓. We head into the field, where he instructs me to enter a waypoint at our starting spot—on the first leg of this race. Oh, it’s not a race, per se, though I’ve since discovered

that some people do plan “Amazing Race” type events featuring geocaching adventures. Finally, we’re on our way. Another tip from Phil—the GPS will send us in a straight line to our destination, but the trail doesn’t follow a straight line. As we approach our target, I feel like we’re playing the childhood game of Hot and Cold. The GPS lets us know if we are getting closer or moving farther away. I have to remember that the accuracy depends on the satellite readings. It’s important to make sure that the distance stated is decreasing as we go. And even when the device thinks we’ve reached the destination, we may still be off by any number of feet. The canopy of trees or other factors may affect the accuracy of the GPS reading. Then it becomes a real treasure hunt. We should be in the right locale, but our challenge is to find the exact spot where the cache is hiding. Says Phil, “Look for an unnatural pile of rocks or a pile of bark. The cache will be hidden, but not buried.” Sometimes winter caches are in bags tucked among tree branches. Phil first began geocaching with his grandson who is a good hiker and into electronics. They hiked up a local mountain and hid a cache at the top. You need to be

registered online before hiding a cache. It doesn’t go public until a local pro approves it. Unfortunately, they’d hidden their first cache on Nature Conservancy property, which isn’t allowed. They contacted the Conservancy to ask permission and were denied. The next day they retrieved the cache. Caches are intentionally not left on trails so people don’t find them accidentally. If someone does find one by accident, upon opening it they’ll discover the “GEOCACHE SITE - PLEASE READ” paper, explaining the rules of the game and asking for their cooperation.

Descriptions like this aren’t meant for winter jaunts: “Bring a boat, your bathing suit, your camera and your courage. The cache is ~5’ high rock which you must take a picture of yourself jumping off of and post here.” The intention is that once you locate a cache, you’ll write a brief note, including your geocache nickname, the date and a comment, e.g. “Took a little airplane and left a matchbox car,” or “Left a few bandaids—never know when you may need one in the woods.” If you take a trinket, then you need to leave a trinket. The biggest problem with containers in

As we approach our target, I feel like we’re playing the childhood game of Hot and Cold. The GPS lets us know if we are getting closer or moving farther away. That’s the thing about playing this game in the winter—you don’t want anyone to see you finding the cache or leave any trace that leads directly to it. That would take away all the fun. And it’s hard to blot out snowshoe tracks, so remember to walk around the area and make it look like you were exploring more than that one spot. The other thing with winter geocaching—when you look at the Web site, pay attention to those caches that are accessible in winter. The description might include the following: “The cache is available in winter, but snowshoes are recommended.”

the winter is that most are made of hard plastic, which tends to shatter in real cold temps. To prevent this, try using handwarmers to heat it up before opening. Like The Amazing Race, blunders can cost. You might not find the cache your first time out. That’s OK—if you’re like me, you’ll take it as a challenge to return and search again. Unlike The Amazing Race, there is no million dollar prize. Nor are there vacations in the southern hemisphere to be won for finishing a leg first. Instead, there’s the reward of getting outside in the winter . . . Priceless. d lakelivingmaine.com

Scenic Flights Starting at $99!

FLIGHT TRAINING

• Several aircraft readily available— Cessna 172 on wheels Piper Super Cruiser on wheels and skis • Call for details on current ground school • “Like” us on Facebook to keep up to date on current activities

SCENIC FLIGHTS

• See the Lakes Region and White Mountains like you’ve never seen them before! • Scenic flights available year round • It’s the trip of a lifetime. “The best thing we did all vacation!” www.westernmaineaviation.com

at Eastern Slopes Regional Airport, Fryeburg, ME 04037 and 5ME Brandy Pond Seaplane Base, 58 Seaplane Cove, Naples, Maine 04055

207-935-4711

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Bridgton Books

Over 20,000 different titles, plus books on tape for rent or sale, cards, magazines, used books, bargain books, music and more. 140 Main Street Bridgton, ME 04009 207-647-2122 justinatbridgtonbooks@ myfairpoint.net

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Now Ope n! Bridgton Urgent Care Because you can be sure her earache won’t be during regular doctor hours.

Bridgton Urgent Care for minor emergencies. Bridgton Urgent Care for walk-in medical care. Including: Colds, flu-like symptoms, hay fever, minor allergies, bruises, bumps, skin lumps, bronchitis, coughs, cuts and lacerations, earache or ear pain, muscle aches, blisters, sinusitis, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, insect bites and stings, muscle aches, sore throat, sports injuries, sunburn, eye irritation, joint pain. It’s always best to call your doctor when you need medical care, but when your doctor isn’t available Bridgton Urgent Care is for walk in care today. Our team of healthcare professionals will care for you as quickly as possibly and follow up with a record to your regular provider.

Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 5PM-9PM Saturday 8AM to 1PM 207-647-6166 Located in the Specialty Clinic Wing of Bridgton Hospital, 10 Hospital Drive (off South HIgh Street)

Learn more about our new

Urgent Care at www.bridgtonhospital.org

For Major Emergencies please use the Bridgton Hospital Emergency Department. Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. lakelivingmaine.com