Lewiston Auburn Film Festival - April 13-15, 2012

The Lewiston Auburn Film Festival will be held on April 13-15, 2012 in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine.  The second annual Lewiston Auburn Film Festival (LAFF) is going to be a three-day extravaganza complete with opening night festivities, a full day of films in downtown L/A, top-notch awards show, brunch, and filmmaker panels.

Based on the success of last year’s event, where more than 1,000 festival goers attended screenings of 100+ films from all over the world, the staff at LAFF has been working hard to make LAFF 2012 bigger, better and on par with festivals found in larger, more well-known cities.

Learn more at www.lafilmfestival.org.

Maine Maple Syrup Producers Tapping Trees Early

Maine maple syrup producers are tapping trees early this year due to the mild winter.  Maine is the third highest maple syrup producing state - behind Vermont and New York. The maple tree sap can be made into maple syrup, maple butter, maple candy, and maple cream.  Read more in "Maine maple producers able to tap trees with early spring", NECN.com, March 8, 2012.

Maple Sugar Tapping at Blaine House by Governor LePage

AUGUSTA – In an effort to promote Maine maple syrup, Governor Paul LePage today joined Commissioner Walt Whitcomb, Commissioner Bill Beardsley, Legislators and Maine Maple Producers for an annual tradition – the tapping of a maple tree on the Blaine House lawn.

Maine Maple Sunday is fast approaching. The event, held annually on the fourth Sunday of March, takes place March 25 this year. As part of this year’s celebration of maple syrup production, more than 125 sugarhouses will be open around the State. Sugarhouses welcome visitors to participate in syrup and candy sampling, demonstrations of making syrup, sugarbush tours and a variety of other activities. “The potential for job creation in the maple industry is huge,” said Governor LePage. “The Maine maple syrup industry represents a great opportunity for Maine to promote its natural resource-based economy, a major part of our economic engine,” added the Governor.

Currently, Maine has 1.47 million taps and produced 360,000 gallons of maple syrup last season, a 14% increase from 2010. The latest yearly figures show that Maine generated nearly $13 million in revenue from the maple industry.

“We are pleased that Governor LePage will once again be kicking off the maple syrup season with the tapping of the tree on the Blaine House lawn,” said Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb. “This industry is a great example of Maine’s multiple uses of its natural resources and how a wood lot has an array of benefits – maple syrup, wood production, recreation and open space.

“Maine’s maple sugar industry provides a tremendous opportunity for growth in Maine’s natural resource sector,” said Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley. “This is an example of how agriculture and forestry are intertwined. In 2011, Maine was third in the nation producing 13 percent of maple syrup in the U.S.,” Beardsley stated.

Info above from "Governor LePage Promotes Maple Sugar Season at Blaine House", Maine.gov, March 7, 2012.  Learn more about Maine Maple Sugar.

Maple Syrup May Flow Early in Maine

Maple sugar sap may flow early this year.  The warm weather and lack of snow cover has pushed the date up for the start of the maple sugar season by a few weeks.  In fact, the sap may not be running by the time that Maple Sunday arrives on March 25th here in Maine.  For a good maple syrup season there is a need for cold nights and warm days.  Read more in "Early sap? Go with the flow", The Portland Press Herald, February 27, 2012.

Bethel, Maine WinterFest 2012

The Bethel, Maine WinterFest will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 24 and 25, 2012. Events include the sliding hill, bonfire, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing events, alpine skiing events, rail jam, snow groomer rides, and more. There is winter fun for everyone!

www.bethelwinterfest.com

Light Snowfall in Maine

Although we do have some snow on the ground right now this year has been a bit light in the snow department.  That affects the winter sports here in Maine - especially those that like to downhill ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile.  A Bangor snow plow firm reports that business is not what was expected this year with the light snowfall; but we still have the remainder of January and February to look forward to.

"Trouble Is My Business" on Portland Stage (Portland, Maine, Jan 24 - Feb 19, 2012)

The famous Los Angeles detective Philip Marlowe is presented by the Portland Stage in Portland, Maine from January 24 to February 19, 2012 in Trouble is My Business. Set in the 1930s the detective works to solve crimes with a variety of charaters. Find out more at the link below:

http://www.portlandstage.org/Event-65.html

Taking Care of Ice Fishing Gear

Read one ice fisherman's story on how he failed to take care of his ice fishing equipment at the end of the season last year.  See "Digging out neglected ice fishing gear leads to moldy discovery", Bangor Daily News, December 14, 2011.  (Originally published in the Grand Forks Herald).  Click here to learn more about ice fishing in Maine.

Historic Photos of Portland, Maine

A recent news article provides information on a three-year project to digitize historical photos of over 10,000 Portland, Maine buildings.  The project will be finished in the summer of 2012. Some of the photos are already online and can be found at the following website:

www.mainememory.net/search/ptr

The photos were taken in 1924 for tax purposes.  The collection provides a good look at how Portland, Maine appeared in the 1920s.  Read more about this story in "Picturing Portland in the digital age", The Portland Press Herald, December 28, 2011.

Best Maine Ice Fishing Shack Contest (Nov 2011)

Back in November (2011) the Associated Builders and Contractors of Maine put on the "Best Ice Fishing Shack" contest as a way to showcase the work of some of its members.  The builders were given six hours to construct an ice fishing shack.  Read more (and see the video) in "Construction industry takes on the Super Shack", WCSH 6 News, November 18, 2011. The judges selected the construction firm Cianbro as the winner - see "This perfect ice shack could be yours!", GeorgeSmithMaine.com, December 5, 2011.

Celebrate New Year's Day in Maine with "First Day Hike"

"AUGUSTA, Maine – New Year’s revelers will get the chance this year to welcome in 2012 in a new way, with four guided “First Day Hikes” sponsored by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL), under the Maine Department of Conservation. Maine state parks are joining a nationwide initiative among all 50 states to offer “First Day Hikes” as way for individuals and families to connect with great outdoor fun and to create special, holiday memories. The Jan. 1 hikes mark the first time all U.S. state park systems have joined together to sponsor the event. As part of the initiative, four easy and fun “First Day Hikes,” led by park staff at four different Maine state parks, will take place on Sunday, Jan. 1. All the hikes are free – in fact, no admission will be charged at any open Maine state park on New Year’s Day."

  Read the rest of the article in "Maine State Parks Offer New Year's Fun with Four First Day Hikes", Maine.gov, December 22, 2011. Learn more about hiking in Maine.

Clamming in Maine in December (Brrrrrrrr)

There is lots to enjoy in Maine in the winter - this includes activities usually done in warmer weather.  Read an article about one man's enjoyment in Maine's state parks while he collects steamers in the winter.  See "State parks offer events for season", Kennebec Journal, December 11, 2011.

Maine Snowmobilers Prepare for Winter Season

Maine snowmobilers are preparing for the winter season.  Read more in "Warm December might imperil snowmobiling season", Maine Outdoors Bangor Daily News, December 19, 2011.

Listing of Maine Ice Fishing Derbies for 2012

A recent article on Seacoastonline.com has listed scheduled ice fishing derbies in the state of Maine.  See "February will be ice fishing heaven, we hope", Seacoastonline.com, December 19, 2011.

"Hardwater" - a film about Ice Fishing in Maine

A couple of guys have made a film called "Hardwater".  The film is about ice fishing in Maine. It is a feature-length documentary film about Maine's tribal, oft-misunderstood ice fishing sub-culture. The two filmmakers spent three winters visiting ten Maine counties compiling a documentary about the joys and frustrations of ice fishing.  Learn more at the two links below:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/534839598/hardwater

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hardwater/117360401707093

Maine Snowmobile Clubs Get Ready for the Winter Sled Season

Despite the lack of December snow Maine snowmobile clubs are readying for the upcoming snowmobile season.  Read more in "Club gatherings bring good cheer, with or without snow", The Portland Press Herald, December 17, 2011.

Ice Fishing - Pond and Lake Ice Strength Chart

If you are getting ready for some winter ice fishing in Maine you may want to get familiar with how much ice thickness is safe.  There are a couple of sources of information for this info.  One is an "Estimated Lake and Pond Ice Strength Chart" offered by Maine Nature News.  Another is a "Blue-ice strength chart" provided by bangorinfo.com. The US Army Corps of Engineers has their chart and an explanation of ice thickness at "Ice Thickness and Strength for Various Loading Conditions".  The wikiHow website provides an article on "How to Know When Ice is Safe".

At the far end of the ice fishing season you have the "ice out" dates. So what is an "ice out" date?  According to the Maine Department of Conservation an "ice out" date is ". . . when you can navigate unimpeded from one end of the water body to the other.  There may still be ice in coves or along the shoreline but when a person can traverse the entire water body without being stopped by ice flows . . ." the ice is considered to be "out".  The Maine Department of Conservation provides charts depicting "Historic Lake Ice Out Data" on their website.

Maine Sports in January

A Maine sportswriter writes about ice fishing, snowmobiling and other winter sports activities in January.  Read "January Is Dark All Right", The Maine Sportsman, December 13, 2011.

Pineland Farms in Maine Making Snow for Cross Country Skiers

Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine is not waiting for mother nature to put snow on the ground for cross country skiers.  The Nordic ski area is making its own snow.  See "Making snow for cross country skiers", WLBZ Bangor, December 18, 2011.

Ice Fishing Season to Start Soon in Maine

The ice fishing season will open in Maine on January 1st; however, there isn't much ice forming right now so the season will have a slow start.  Read more in "Lack of ice on Maine waters hurting bait and tackle sellers", Sun Journal, December 18, 2011.  Learn more about ice fishing in Maine.

Origins of the Civic Christmas Tree

For a little history about the display of community Christmas trees read the following article.  "The secret origins of the civic Christmas tree", The Boston Globe, December 18, 2011.

Who Has the Best Lobster Christmas Tree?

Seacoast towns in Maine construct Christmas trees made of lobster traps and buoys.  Read more in "New England Asks: Who Has Fairest Lobster Trap Tree of All?", The New York Times, December 17, 2011.

The Snow Queen at the Portland Stage (Maine) until December 24, 2011

The Portland Stage is providing a production of The Snow Queen - a fairy tale in the land of winter with magical characters.  This is a story that warms the hearts of children and adults.  Playing December 2 to December 24, 2011.  A story for the young at heart.  Learn more at the Portland Stage website for this event.

http://www.portlandstage.org/Event-64.html

Amtrak's Downeaster Now 10 Years Old

"PORTLAND, Maine–Amtrak's Downeaster is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this week, capping off a year in which annual ridership surpassed half a million passengers, Amtrak launched its eTicketing pilot program and workers made progress on an expansion of service north to Freeport and Brunswick that's to begin in the new year."

 
Read more in the news posting below:

"Amtrak's Downeaster celebrates 10-year anniversary", USA Today Travel, December 17, 2011.

Shawnee Peak Ski Resort in Bridgton, Maine Opens December 17, 2011

The Shawnee Peak Ski Resort located in Bridgton, Maine opens today on December 17, 2011.  Read more about the opening in "Shawnee Peak Ski Resort Opens December 17; Celebrating 74 Years in Operation", Digital Journal, December 17, 2011.  Click here for more information on Maine Alpine Skiing.

Holidays Past in Maine

The December issue of Down East magazine has a delightful article on what people remember about Christmas in Maine.  Certainly heartwarming to know that people have such rich holiday memories.  Read "Flavors of Holidays Past", Down East, December 2011.

Lobstering in Stonington, Maine

A superb article on the life of lobstermen in Maine has been published in the Virginia Quarterly Review.  It was posted on the website of the VQR in the summer of 2011.  The author of the article, entitled Consider the Lobstermen, is Jesse Dukes.  A good read that reveals how lobstermen live, how hard their work is, and the outside influences that threaten their livelihood and way of life.  To read the article click on the link below.  To learn more about Maine lobsters and lobstermen click on the second link.

Consider the Lobstermen

Lobsters in Maine

Penobscot Marine Museum Photo Collection Online

The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport, Maine has placed thousands of its photographs in a virtual museum online for viewing. A recent news article in the Bangor Daily News entitled "Penobscot Marine Museum's new virtual museum places collections online" (Dec 16, 2011) alerted me to this online museum. The museum has over 100,000 photos and at this time there are about 30,000 viewable online. Some of the photos currently online include images from the Atlantic Fisherman (a New England-based publication), photos taken by the families of shop captains, and photos from a variety of sources about maritime Maine. To visit the online marine museum click on the link below"

http://www.penobscotmarinemuseum.org/Search-Database-Landing.html

Click here for a listing of Maine Museums.

How to Care for Your Christmas Tree

The Maine Christmas Tree Association offers advice and tips on how to care for your Christmas tree.  It also provides information on how the growing of Christmas trees has a favorable effect on the environment and provides a comparison of natural and artificial Christmas trees.

www.mainechristmastree.com/tree_information.cfm

Bangor, Maine Selected as 7th Top Winter City

Bangor, Maine has been selected as one of the Top 10 Winter Cities by www.livability.com. In fact, it ranked as number 7 of the top ten. The website considers the natural beauty of Maine to include the mountains and coastline, the thriving downtown, the annual snowfall, and abundance of winter sports. Learn more about Bangor at the link below:

http://livability.com/top-10/top-10-winter-cities/bangor/me

Maine Christmas Tree Association

Looking for a Maine Christmas tree? The Maine Christmas Tree Association can help you find one. You can search for a Christmas tree farm by name or town on their website. Visit the Maine Christmas Tree Association website at the link below.

www.mainechristmastree.com

Windham, Maine Trail Runners - ATV Club

The Windham Trail Runners are a new ATV Club based in Windham, Maine.  As with all ATV riders they are faced with limits on where they can ride their ATVs legally.  The club hopes to expand the network of ATV trails in Windham, Maine and the surrounding area by developing good relations with landowners.  Read more about the Windham Trail Runners ATV Club and how they plan to improve ATV trails in southern Maine in the KeepMeCurrent.com news posting entitled "New Windham ATV club on search for happy trails" dated November 23, 2011.

Maine Cranberries for Thanksgiving

A local farmer in Turner, Maine is growing cranberries and selling them to local grocery stores.  Turner's Ricker Hill Orchards has been steadily increasing its yearly yield of cranberries that will find their way on Thanksgiving Day tables.  Read more in "Turner orchard diversifying with cranberries", Sun Journal, November 21, 2011.

Southern Maine Woodturners Fighting Hunger

This Thanksgiving weekend, November 26 and 27, skilled artisans from the Southern Maine Woodturners Association will be handcrafting wooden utility bowls all day long at Rockler Woodworking and Hardware Store in South Portland. You’ll see the entire bowlmaking process . . . from tree to bowl. You can even purchase these beautiful one-of-a-kind bowls for yourself or as Holiday gifts. Most sell for under $30! And all your money goes to Maine’s Good Shepherd Food Bank. Here’s your chance to meet some friendly woodturners, ask them questions, and maybe even see your own bowl being made. Come to Rockler, on Gorham Road, South Portland, near the Olive Garden, this Saturday, Nov. 26, 9-5 and Sunday, Nov. 27, 11-4.

Halloween in Maine

The Portland Press Herald has a comprehensive listing of Halloween events in Maine. See the posting here.  In addition, check out our listing of Halloween events in Maine as well. 

Maine Breweries and Brew Pubs

There are a lot of Mainers who are brewing beer here in Maine. These specialty beers are very good and deserve a look (taste). Check out the many brew pubs and breweries here in Maine.

Maine Breweries and Brew Pubs

Apple Picking in Maine

It is not to late for some late season apple picking in Maine. Many of the orchards are still open. This is a great way to spend some family time in the out-of-doors enjoying the fall foliage and fresh.  Click on the link below to find out where Maine apple orchards are located. Many of these apple orchards provide the opportunity to "pick apples yourself".

Maine Apple Orchards and Apple Picking

Goat Island Lighthouse in Kennebunk, Maine now Restored

The Goat Island Lighthouse in Kennebunk, Maine is now restored. The lighthouse, located off of Cape Porpoise, has been in existance for many years but it has just received a facelift with a reconstructed bell tower and other improvements. Read more in "It's like a walk back in time", The Portland Press Herald, October 13, 2011. Learn more about lighthouses in Maine.

Listing of Halloween Activities in Maine (2011)

Halloween is upon us and parents are looking for opportunities to provide some safe fun for their kids. Check out a recent news article by Amy Calder that helps you with this task. See "Celebrating things that go BUMP in the night", Kennebec Journal, October 16, 2011.

Hunting Guides in Maine

Hunting season is fast approaching in Maine.  If you are coming to Maine and you need a hunting guide then the link below will be helpful to you.

Hunting Guides in Maine

October Bike Rides in Maine

A Maine biker, Karen Beaudoin, offers two suggested bike rides for great exercise and the opportunity to enjoy some fine Maine October weather. One is a ride to and around Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, Maine and the other is Camden, Maine. Read the suggested routes in her article "Two rides that are sure to thrill, even if the colors don't", The Portland Press Herald, October 16, 2011. Learn more about biking in Maine.

Harvest on the Harbor - Portland, Maine (October 20-22, 2011)

Portland, Maine's premier food and wine experience - referred to as "Harvest on the Harbor" will take place on 14 Ocean Gateway Pier on October 20-22, 2011. Learn more at:

http://www.harvestontheharbor.com/

4th Annual Craft Show (USM at Gorham Nov 12-13, 2011)

The 4th Annual Craft Show will be held at the University of Maine in Gorham on November 12-13, 2011.  Artisans from around Maine and New England will be on hand to sell handcrafted products.  There will be arts, crafts, raffles, door prizes and more.  The works will include wood products, photography, fabric art, hand-crafted jewelry, knit items, garden art, pottery, and specialty food items.

http://www.southernmainehuskies.com/fundraising/CraftShow

Halloween Overnight with Myrtle - Newscastle, Maine

Are you interested in spending a night at a haunted house with a history of paranormal activity? Are you brave enough to spend the night in the same bedroom where the source of that activity passed from her mortal life?  And would you like to do it on Halloween night? While there you can join in on the adventure and use specialized equipment to document paranormal activity. Mysterious Destinations offers you this opportunity at the Tipsy Butler B&B and the Newcastle Publick House - both haunted by Myrtle!  This adventure is by reservation only. 

Contact Sally at 207-380-4677 or www.mysteriousdestinations.com
The Tipsy Butler Bed and Breakfast and Newcastle Publick House
Newcastle, Maine

Windy, Rainy Days Great for Birding in Maine in Fall

A Maine birder (Herb Wilson) has written an article that tells why windy, rainy days in the fall are great for birding along the coast of Maine. It seems this is related to the nature of the autumnal migration of birds. Learn more in "Windy, rainy days often make for best birding", The Portland Press Herald, October 16, 2011.

Halloween Event in Parsonsfield, Maine - The Haunting at Parsonsfield Seminary

The 5th Annual "The Haunting" event is being held in the Seminary Hotel in Parsonsfield, Maine in the 42-room building and campus. The Parsonsfield Seminary holds this event to raise funds and provide some entertainment.  Read a news article on a visitors recent experience there at "Seminary makes good spot for haunting", The Portland Press Herald, October 16, 2011.  Check out their Halloween event at the link below.

www.parsonsfieldseminary.org

Click here for other Halloween events in Maine

Guided Fall Foliage Hike of Shackford Head State Park (Oct 23, 2011)

The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands in conjunction with the Maine Forest Service will be conducting a guided fall foliage hike of the Shackford Head State Park on October 23, 2011 at 10 a.m. The complete hike will take two hours. Click on the link below to learn more about this fall hike in Eastport, Maine.

Guided Fall Foliage Hike of Shackford Head State Park
(Adobe Acrobat PDF file)

Mid October Trip to Western Maine

My wife and I are having a weekend away in Western Maine - actually attending a family wedding. The weather started out cloudy and raining on Friday (Oct 14, 2011) but we woke up to a cool but nice day on Saturday morning. It is partly cloudy and we have a good view of the Western Maine mountains from our hotel room. We are staying at the Jordan Grand Hotel which is part of the Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine.  The fall foliage here is pretty - not as nice as some years past - (due to a wet August and September and Hurricane Irene) but nice enough. I don't know if it has "peaked" or not but it is pretty near or just past "peaked". 

Guided Fall Foliage Hike of Sebago Lake State Park (Oct 16, 2011)

The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands and the Maine Forest Service will be co-sponsoring a Guided Fall Foliage Hike of Sebago Lake State Park on October 16, 2011 at 10 a.m. This 3-mile walk will offer pleasing views of a wooded forest with great autumn colors. The park is located in Casco, Maine. Learn more at the link below.

Guided Fall Foliage Hike of Sebago Lake State Park
(Adobe Acrobat PDF file)

Maine Fall Foliage Not Up to Standard in 2011

It looks like the fall of 2011 will go down as a sub-standard fall foliage season. The leaves are turning color late, some leaves have already fallen, and the colors are not the usual variety and brightness that we normally see. It is still a pretty view and worth coming to visit Maine. Read more in "Fall missing its true colors", The Portland Press Herald, October 11, 2011.