Archive for March, 2011
Wonders of the Kennebunk Plains and Waterboro Barrens in Maine
March 31st, 2011 categories: Sanford Lakes Region
Northern Blazing Star at Kennebunk Plains
Own lakefront property in the York County/Sanford Lakes Region of Maine and you can easily enjoy the open grasslands and pitch pine woodland barrens in the area. The Nature Conservancy owns and/or monitors the Kennebunk Plains and Waterboro Barrens.
Kennebunk Plains is noted for its grasslands and is considered to be one of the rarest and most threatened natural communities in New England. Located off Route 99, this 1,100-acre protected habitat consists of four natural communities: sand plain grasslands, which is a mix of native bunch grasses and shrubs including lowbush blueberries; pitch pine-scrub oak barrens, which occur in patches around the margin of the grasslands; pitch pine-heath barrens, where the absence of tall shrubs gives this area a park-like appearance; and a red maple alluvial swamp forest.
This habitat is known for a variety of rare or endangered species of vegetation and wildlife. The grasslands hosts the state’s only valuable population of Northern Blazing Star, a showy perennial with its tall spike-like stem of blazing purple-pink flowerheads. In fact, ninety percent of the world’s Northern Blazing Star population is found here. Visit in August-September to take in the beauty of this wildflower. Other rarities include White-Topped Aster, Upright Bindweed, Grasshopper Sparrows, Upland Sandpipers, Vesper Sparrows, Eastern Meadowlarks, Broad Sallow Moths, Trembling Sallow Moths, Black Racer Snakes, Ribbon Snakes and Wood Turtles. The latter two are both listed by the state as species of special concern.
The flat to gently rolling topography of the Kennebunk Plains also makes it a fabulous recreational space for walkers, blueberry pickers and hunters. The Nature Conservancy and Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife use the ancient method of prescribed burning as a management tool here.
Consider owning lakefront property nearby since the beauty of the undeveloped plains raises local property values.
Own lakefront property on Lake Sherburne and other lakes in Waterboro and enjoy daily jaunts into this boreal pine barren.
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Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine March 31-April 6
March 30th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
Authors to speak at Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center
Thursday, March 31, 12:30 pm, Landscaping Course, this is one of four courses offered by Barbara Murphy and the Oxford County Extension on landscaping, free, Hobbs Library, 227 Main Street, Lovell. FMI: 207-925-3177, http://lovellmaine.us/calendar/.
Friday, April 1, 5:00-8:00pm, Bridgton Art Work, Includes EFG Books &Gallery, Corn Shop Trading Co., Winterford Galleries, Antiques &Things, Bridgton Books, Bridgton Public Library and Pleasant Mountain Pottery, child care provided by Bridgton Recreation at the Town Hall, $2/child care, Main Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-8786,http://www.mainelakeschamber.com.
Friday, April 1, 8pm, “A Celebration of the Music of Liszt 200 Years After His Birth,” Anastasia Antonacos performs on the piano a wide variety of Liszt originals as well as a selection of his transcriptions, $15/general public, $10/seniors, $5/students and children, Corthell Concert Hall, USM, 37 College Ave, Gorham. FMI: 207-780-5555,http://www.usm.maine.edu/music/events/.
Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2, 10:30am, Bust ‘n’ Burn Mogul Competition, come join the party as Sunday River’s legendary mogul competition returns, and watch top bump skiers from across New England go head-to-head for the bragging rights of winning the biggest, best amateur spring mogul competition around, free, Sunday River, 15 South Ridge Road, Newry. FMI: 207-824-3000, http://www.sundayriver.com.
Saturday, April 2, 6:30pm, WHS Spring Cabaret, Windham High School students will perform, appetizers and dessert will be served in a cabaret setting, $10/adults, $8/seniors and students, Windham Primary School, 404 Gray Road, Windham. FMI: 207-893-0455, http://www.sebagolakeschamber.com.
Saturday, April 2, 8:00pm, “Run for Your Wife,” a taxi driver’s life gets complicated as he tries to get away with having two wives in different areas of London, $10/aduts, $8/children and seniors, Norway Grange, 15 Whitman Street, Norway. AMI: 207-739-6200, http://www.norwaydowntown.org.
Monday, April 4, 7:00pm, FA Lecture Series: David Rohde and Kristen Mulvihill, authors share their new book, “A Rope and a Prayer,” come and hear the details of David’s kidnapping by the Taliban and Kristen’s trials to help bring him home, $15, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, 26 Bradley Street, Fryeburg. FMI: 207-935-9232,http://www.fryeburgacademy.org.
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Out and About for the York County/Sanford Lakes Region of Maine March 31-April 6
March 30th, 2011 categories: Sanford Lakes Region
Kennebunk High School Student Production
Thursday, March 31, 6:30pm, Gym Dandies Children’s Circus, performance to benefit the unicyclists and jugglers; $5, free for children with an adult, Scarborough High School, Gorham Road, Scarborough. FMI: 207-730-5000, http://www.mainetoday.com.
Thursday, March 31, 7:30pm, “Into the Woods,” student production, $9, Kennebunk High School, Route 35, Kennebunk. FMI: 207-967-0849,http://www.rsu21.net/khs.shtml.
Friday, April 1, 7:00pm, George Hamm Comedy Showcase, $15, 2 for $25, Old Orchard Beach High School, 40 E Emerson Cummings Blvd, Old Orchard. FMI: 207-934-4461, http://www.mainetoday.com.
Friday, April 1, 8:00pm, Peppino D’Agostino, guitarist, composer, arranger, singer, what he does on the guitar makes the difference between simply playing and truly making music apparent in the most wonderful ways, $25/day of show, $22.50/advanced sale, Jonathan’s Restaurant, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit. FMI: 207-646-4777,http://www.jonathansrestaurant.com.
Monday, April 4, 6:30pm, Introduction to Preservation Techniques: Jams and Jellies, learn how to make a batch of jam/jelly using the water bath canning method, $10, Scarborough High School, Gorham Road, Scarborough. FMI: 207-730-5040, http://www.scarborough.k12.me.us/high/.
Tuesday, April 5, 6:00pm, “Vernal Pools Alive! Night Hike,” on spring nights the murky waters of a vernal pool come alive with frog song and swimming salamanders, venture out at dusk to explore the vernal pools searching for amphibian eggs and awesome insects, $7, Wells Reserve, 342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells. FMI: 207-646-1555,http://www.wellsreserve.org.
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Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Regions of Maine March 31-April 6
March 30th, 2011 categories: Belgrade Lakes Region
Colby College Chorale to perform
Friday, April 1, 8:30am-noon, 12th Annual Maine Milfoil Summit, brings together people across the state who are working to control invasive aquatic plants, free, Olin Arts Center, 75 Russell Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207-647-8580, http://www.mainelakes.org/MilfoilSummit.htm. Saturday, April 2, 7:00pm/bar, 8:00pm/show, “An April Fool’s Folly,” inimitable entertainer Omar Ricardo returns for a cabaret-style show of song and comedy, cash bar with salty snack, silent auction and dessert and coffee are served, $28/food and show, Johnson Hall, 280 Water Street, Gardiner. FMI: 207-582-7144, Saturday, April 2, 7:30pm, “Old Chestnuts, New Fire,” Colby College Chorale explores the rich ecclesiastical tradition and centuries-old, multiethnic culture of Spain’s southern region and that delves into Spanish and American folk traditions, free, Lorimer Chapel, Colby, 4735 Mayflower Hill, Waterville. FMI: 207-859-4735, http://www.colby.edu. Monday, April 4, 8:15pm, Po’Girl with Peter Mulvey, distinct voices with incredible harmonies, multiple instrumentalists who bring the perfect sound to each song, $20, Slates Restaurant, 169 Water Street, Hallowell. FMI: 207-622-9575, http://www.slatesrestaurant.com. Tuesday, April 5, 2:00pm, Writing Lewiston-Auburn History with Douglas Hodgkin, the author discusses his books and what he’s learned writing them, free, Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring Street, Auburn. FMI: 207-333-6640, http://www.auburnpubliclibrary.org. Tuesday, April 5, 7:30pm, “Ah, Raza! The Making of an American Artist,” set against the backdrop of Brownsville, Texas, this performance with Gustavo Aguilar and Gaelyn Aguilar presents an intertwining of various sonic environments with and intersection of a multiplicity of gazes, free, UMF Alumni Theater, 111 South Street, Farmington. FMI: 207-778-7896, http://www.farmington.edu. Wednesday, April 6, 7:00pm, Bates College Jazz Band, big-band and small-combo arrangements in styles ranging from funk to standards, free, Bates College, Olin Arts Center, 75 Russell Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207-786-6135, http://laitshappeninghere.com.
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Fabled Ski Runs Dot the Landscape in the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine
March 24th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
Skiers heading to Jockey Cap in Fryeburg, Maine, circa 1940
When folks consider skiing in the Lakes Regions of Maine, areas like Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Sunday River and Shawnee Peak and others come to mind. According to the New England Lost Ski Area Project, at least 76 other ski areas once dotted Maine’s landscape.
How can a ski area disappear? Blame it on low-snow winters of the past, small size, insurance rates, lack of interest, the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973-74, and the fact that the sport became more upscale in the late ‘70s-early ‘80s. The small rope tow to mid-sized facilities couldn’t keep up with the big boys. And yet, these places were conceived because skiing had the potential to drive the winter economy in our small towns where farming and industry were becoming a thing of the past. These were the places were locals learned the sport of skiing in the ‘50s and ‘60s and made wonderful memories. Today many of these ski areas are overgrown or being developed but in most places hikers still enjoy the space once carved out for schussing down the hill.
In the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine, these are a few of the now abandoned ski areas:
Jockey Cap, Fryeburg: Sporting the first rope tow in Maine, the Jockey Cap Ski Area was built in 1936. A snow train brought skiers from Portland to Fryeburg where farmers would meet the train and transport the skiers to the hill via hay wagons. Today, Jockey Cap is a popular rock climbing spot and an easy climb up the backside for family hikes.
Starks Hill, Fryeburg: Fryeburg Academy students used a rope tow installed on this hill owned by John Weston. In 1972, Mr. Weston sold the rights to the mountain to Keith Hodsdon and his stepsons. Adding a T-bar and lodge, they renamed the place Ski-W (apparently the W stood for Weston) and opened the ski area in 1974. After two successful years a devastating fire destroyed the lodge and the ski area closed. This space is not entirely abandoned, however, as the Fryeburg Academy Nordic Ski team still trains and hosts races here.
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Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine March 24-30
March 23rd, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
Windham Center Stage Theater presentation
Mar. 24, Thursday, 3-6:00pm, Wine Tasting, a complimentary tasting of select wines from South America, a region with a rich history of winemaking dating back to 1500’s, free, The Market, Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester. FMI: 207-688-4539, http://www.pinelandfarms.org.
Mar. 25-27, Friday and Saturday – 7:00pm, Saturday and Sunday – 2:30pm, “Pinocchio,” performed by Windham Center Stage Theater, $10/adults, $8/students and seniors, $5/children 5 and under, Windham Center Stage Theater, 8 School Road, Windham. FMI: 207-893-2098, http://www.sebagolakeschamber.com.
Mar. 25, Friday, 8:00pm, Ruthie Foster, this singer was recently referred to as a “blues powerhouse” in O Magazine, $34/includes handling fee, see “by the ways” on website, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dug Way Road, Brownfield. FMI: 207-935-7292, http://www.stonemountainartscenter.com.
Mar. 26, Saturday, 7:30pm, Phil Keaggy and Randy Stonehill Concert, Phil Keaggy is widely recognized as one of the greatest guitarists in the world. Long time friend and enthusiastic member of the Christian music community Randy Stonehill joins him, $25/adults, $20/seniors, $15/students, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, 26 Bradley Street, Fryeburg. FMI: 207-935-9232, http://www.fryeburgacademy.org.
Mar. 27, Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm, Maine Maple Sunday at Balsam Ridge, observe the process of sweet sap being made into golden delicious syrup. Samples of maple products will be offered for your enjoyment, free, Balsam Ridge, 140 Egypt Road, Raymond. FMI: 207-655-4474, http://www.mainemapleproducers.com.
Mar. 27, Sunday, events begin at 10:00am, Chili Cookoff and Firefighters Race, a day of activities including firefighters from around New England racing, live entertainment from the band, The Sin, a chili cookoff and chili-dog eating contest, Sunday River, 15 South Ridge Road, Newry. FMI: 207-824-3000,http://www.sundayriver.com.
Mar. 29, Tuesday, 7:00pm, Navy Sea Chanters, the ensemble performs a variety of music ranging from traditional choral music, including the sea chantey, to Broadway
musicals, free, Bingham Auditorium, 45 Church Street, Bethel. FMI: 207-824-3575, http://www.bethelmaine.com.
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Out and About for the York County/Sanford Lakes Region of Maine March 24-30
March 23rd, 2011 categories: Sanford Lakes Region
“Landscaping at the Water’s Edge” Workshop
Mar. 25, Friday, 7:00pm, “All Together Now Beatles Tribute Band,” a Beatles’ sound-alike band, celebrating Beatles music in an interactive way that gets everyone –whether they are 8 or 88 –singing, dancing, clapping and having a great time, $15, Nasson Community Center, 457 Main Street, Springvale. FMI: 207-324-5657,http://www.nassoncc.org.
Mar. 25 and 26, Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm, “The Terminal Bar,” set in the 1920’s, a down-and-out Irish immigrant running from the law has a transforming encounter, finding love and himself in a very unlikely place and an even more unlikely way, $10, River Tree Arts, 35 Western Avenue, Kennebunk. FMI: 207-967-9120,http://www.rivertreearts.org.
Mar. 25, Friday, 8:00pm, Leon Redbone, performs tunes from the turn-of-the-century, flapper-era radio ditties, Depression-spawned ragtime and World War II folk-jazz, $32.50/advanced tickets, $35/day of show, see website for dinner reservation information, Jonathan’s Restaurant, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit. FMI: 207-646-4526,http://www.jonathansrestaurant.com.
Mar. 26, Saturday, 7:30pm, “A Beautiful Game,” Lewiston resident, Michel Parent presents his hilarious and poignant vision of growing up playing hockey in Maine, free, City Theater, 205 Main Street, Biddeford. FMI: 207-282-0849, http://citytheater.org.
Mar. 26 and 27, 7:30am-1:00pm, Maine Maple Sunday, High Acres Sugarhouse hosts a two-day pancake breakfast in their heated barn, High Acres Sugarhouse, 14 Husky Haven, South Hiram. FMI: 207-625-7151, http://www.cornish-maine.org.
Mar. 29, Tuesday, 7:00pm, “Understanding Perennials-The Botany of Design,” the Sweetser Series and Saco Bay Garden Club invite you to hear the author and horticulturist William Cullina give a talk on perennials, $5, Dyer Library, 371 Main Street, Saco. FMI: 207-283-3861, http://www.sacomuseum.org.
Mar.30, Wednesday, 8:30am-3: 30pm, Landscaping at the Water’s Edge, this workshop is intended for people who are policy makers or are in the business of developing, maintaining, or preserving shoreland properties, and others who are concerned about impacts of landscaping on water quality, $99, Kittery Trading Post, 301 US Route 1, Kittery. FMI: 207-862-3200, http://www.wellsreserve.org.
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Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Regions of Maine March 24-30
March 23rd, 2011 categories: Belgrade Lakes Region
Dozier Bell’s Works at Colby
Mar. 24, Thursday, 7:30pm, Alexander Chee, author of “Edinburgh” I a winner of the Michener Copernicus Prize, the AAWW Lit Award and the Lambda Editor’s Choice Prize, and was a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book Of the Year and a Booksense 76 selection, part of the UMF Visiting Writers Series, free, Olsen Student Center, 111 South Street, Farmington. FMI: 207-778-7454, http://www.umf.maine.edu.
Mar. 24, Thursday, 7:30pm, Shoebox Tour 2011, some of the most amazing juggling you will ever see, gold medal jugglers’ Jay Gilligan and Wes Peden team up to present a show full of unique, funny, experimental and contemporary juggling, $11, Oddfellow Theater, Route 117, Buckfield. FMI: 207-336-3306, http://www.oddfellow.com.
Mar. 25, Friday, 12:00-2:00pm, “Most Happy: A Story of Anne Boleyn,” professional actors currently appearing in the play “Humble Boy” present an informal reading of a new full-length play by George Tynan Crowley, free, Auburn Public Library, 46 Spring Street, Auburn. FMI: 207-333-6640, http://www.auburnpubliclibrary.org.
Mar. 25, Friday, 7:00, “Sleeping Beauty,” National Marionette Theatre production, $7/adults, $5/kids and seniors, Lewiston Middle School, 75 Central Avenue, Lewiston. FMI: 207-782-7228, http://www.laarts.org.
Mar. 26, Saturday, 7:30pm, Maine Music Society Production, features the Androscoggin Chorale in a performance of music by Johann Sebastian Bach, titled “My Favorite Bach,” see site for ticket details, Franco American Heritage Center, 221 Lisbon Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207-782-7228, http://www.francoamericanheritage.org.
Mar. 27, Sunday, 9:00am-3:00pm, Maine Maple Sunday, meals served: crepes and bacon, baked beans, hot dogs, coleslaw, door prize drawing of a quart of maple syrup to four winners, farm tours, $5/adult’s meal, $2/kid’s meal, Maple Valley Farms, 1304 Franklin Road, Jay. FMI: 207-645-9549, http://www.mainemapleproducers.com.
Mar. 29, Tuesday, 4:40pm, Paintings of Dozier Bell, the images in Dozier Bell’s paintings is a world very far removed from any sun-filled pastoral idyll. In them, we are introduced to a world of shadows. They are astonishing and visually delicate, free, Olin 1, Colby, 4000 Mayflower Hill, Waterville. FMI: 207-859-4000, http://www.colby.edu.
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Schuss Through Breathtaking White Pines at Lost Valley and Mt. Abram Ski Areas in the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine
March 17th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
Riding the lift to ski at Lost Valley in Auburn, Maine
Owning lakefront property near small ski areas in the Sebago Lake Region of Maine is perfect if you are thinking about a four-season retreat. Two of the smaller ski areas in Maine are places where you can let your kids loose. It’s at these resorts that you’ll receive a warm welcome and enjoy shorter lift lines.
A classic ski area that’s been a family tradition for over four decades is Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn, Maine. Named for a hidden clearing on a hillside that was frequented by local children, Lost Valley Ski Area got its official start in 1961 when a base lodge was built and 1,700-foot rope tow was installed. That same year Lost Valley became the first ski area in Maine to make their own snow.
Six more trails were cut out of the woods and a T-bar and chair lift were added by the mid-60s. In the late ‘60s, under the direction of Fern Pondbriand, Lost Valley was open year round for skiers in the winter and weddings and conferences the rest of the year. Since then, additional snowmaking, lights and a few more trails were added and the lodge expanded to accommodate retail and rental space plus offices.
Today 15 trails served by two chairlifts curve through breathtaking white pines. Skiers and snowboarders enjoy an updated terrain park. The PSIA Certified Ski School is one of the largest and finest in New England. Since 1991, Lost Valley is home to the Central Maine Adaptive Sports program, teaching persons with disabilities how to enjoy snow sports.
The cozy lounge with a fieldstone fireplace is still the perfect place to take a break or unwind at the end of the day. And during the summer months, the resort provides a premiere paintball facility and hosts weddings and banquets.
According to local legend, during lunch one a day that they were logging on Mt. Abram’s northwest side, one of their loggers, Ronald Snyder, suggested that they create a ski slope. A day or more later, the brothers agreed that that was a good idea. They’d grown up next the Vernon Street Ski Area in Bethel, so all were skiers. The brothers purchased additional land from neighbors and created parking space plus trails.In December of 1960 Mt. Abram Ski Area opened.
Today skiers of all abilities ride the five lifts to ski 44 runs and the terrain park. It’s strong on intermediate cruisers, but the collection includes a several easy green runs as well as double black diamond trails. The Flying Squirrel Tube Park, Nordic ski trails and night skiing add to the reason why folks love snowsports at Mt. Abram.
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Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine March 17-23
March 16th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” The Fiddlehead Players, Gray
Mar. 17, Thursday, 8:00pm, “Cherish the Ladies,” Irish traditional music, $69/ includes handling fee, see “by the ways,” Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dug Way Road, Brownfield. FMI: 207-935- 7292, http://www.stonemountainartscenter.com/ArtsCenter/Cherish-the-Ladies.html.
Mar. 18 and 19, Friday and Saturday, 7:30pm, “My Mother, My Father and My Mother,” a one-man show with Mike Harris, $5/donation, Schoolhouse Arts Center, 16 Richville Road, Standish. FMI: 207-642-3743, http://www.schoolhousearts.org/.
Mar. 19, Saturday, 5-7:00pm, Turkey Dinner, turkey dinner with all the trimmings, Masonic Hall, 27 Burnham Road, Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-2521, http://www.mainelakeschamber.com/calendar_visitors.html.
Mar. 19 and 20, Saturday and Sunday, 7:00pm Saturday, 2:00pm Sunday, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” Youth Theater Production by the Fiddlehead Players, $9/adults, $6/children, Gray-New Gloucester High School, 31 Libby Road, Gray. FMI: 207-657-2244, http://www.fiddleheadcenter.org/openings-events/.
Mar. 20, Sunday, 2:00pm, USM Chamber Singers, USM’s premier choral group in an a cappella evening featuring motets from the European sacred tradition, love songs, African-American spirituals, and Eric Whitacre’s monumental setting “Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine,” $5/person, $10/family, United Methodist Church, 67 Cressey Road, Gorham. FMI: 207-780-5555, http://usm.maine.edu/music/events/.
Mar. 20, Sunday, 6-8:00am, Sunrise Hike, moderate 2 hour hike at Bald Pate Mountain, bring appropriate winter clothing, water, snacks, flashlight and snowshoes, meet in the Bald Pate parking lot at 6:00am, Route 107, Bridgton. FMI: 207-647-4325, http://loonecholandtrust.org/.
Mar. 22, Tuesday, 7:30pm, Fryeburg Academy’s Jazz Cabaret, come hear Fryeburg Academy’s talented Music Department jazz students, $10/adults, $5/seniors and students, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, 26 Bradley Street, Fryeburg. FMI: 207-935-9232, http://www.fryeburgacademy.org/podium/default.aspx?t=121373.
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Tom - MrLakefront
