Family Christmas gift: A new TV & DIY lesson

I finally agreed with Fino and the girls that it was time for a new TV. Huddling around the computer monitor for the three of them was taking it's toll. They wanted a bit more elbow room - and creature comforts (i.e. tired of the computer chairs) - while watching their movies online.

I have been all about simply buying a bigger computer monitor rather than a new TV but when looking at the costs, the TV was a better deal. Life is all about timing and the girls wore me down just in time for a fabulous sale on a small flat screen TV before Christmas.

The other deciding factor was that there would not need to be an additional Roku/BluRay/whatever kinda box to watch movies online with the TV. A simple, but specific, cord that can run from the back of my computer to an input on the new TV was all I needed to purchase to have a dual screen movie watching experience in our living room.

I was explaining to a friend how this worked and she suggested I write a blog about it because she was sure there were plenty of moms out there who wouldn't know about this nifty - and very inexpensive - workaround.

So here's how it done...

Our new small flat screen TV has an HDMI/DVI port. I believe most, if not all, flat screens made within the last year or so have them.

My computer, which is about three years old, also has an HDMI port.

The port in orange

I bought a 6-foot HDMI cable from Amazon for about $8. I do need to note that the HDMI cables are not typically longer than 15 feet because the quality of the image on the screen decreases... or so I've learned. Anyhow, you need to have a computer that is set up pretty close to your TV for this set-up to work because they don't sell long HDMI cords. (If you have a laptop with a wireless connection and an HDMI input you have more flexible options in your TV watching room.)

Unfortunately you can not just plug in the cord to the computer and TV because it's not exactly "plug and play." You have to set up your TV to "mirror" your computer monitor.

I know, this sounds complicated but really, it's not too hard. I got these directions from ehow.com and it worked just fine for me.

1. Choose the "Control Panel" from the "Start" Menu. I have VISTA on my computer so I double-clicked the "Adjust Screen Resolution" link in my "Appearance" icon menu.

For other operating systems it might be slightly different menu options but the bottom line is you're looking for a monitor/screen adjustment menu. 2. I chose the "multiple monitors" option because that's how my computer's video card works. Even if you don't have that exact option, most cards have a "clone" or "mirror" mode, where both screens display the same thing.

3. Reboot your PC to apply the changes. This is KEY! I did everything above but the TV wasn't displaying my desktop until I actually restarted.

This really is a nice, inexpensive way for the kids to lounge on the couch and have a lot more elbow room while watching their (usually free) online movies. The downside is not having an operational TV remote unless you have a wireless mouse/keyboard on your computer (remember, your computer is running the show on your TV, not your TV controls). But for less than $10 to set up, it's a great deal to have this dual screen watching option.

For Christmas the kids received a small gift card for Amazon's Video on Demand feature and we have totally been enjoying our TV this week.

We loved the heart-warming tale of "How to Train Your Dragon."



We then moved on to some romance and adventure with the vampires and werewolves in Eclipse. None of us loved the first two movies but we decided we were already invested in two of the Hollywood renditions of the books so we might as well see the third. It actually was the best of the movies so far we thought.



But by far our favorite movie this week has been "Mamma Mia." It's sort of the modern day John Waters musical (imo). A kind of cult-following sort of film that isn't quite for everyone. At the beginning of the movie I was wondering what to make of the whole thing since Meryl Streep breaks in to song. And then later Pierce Bronson who I honestly could not have imagined could actually sing. But by the end I was totally sold on the whole musical package. It was such a funny movie I didn't even mind having to explain to the girls about the how and why of the mom in the movie not knowing which guy was the father of her baby...



Watch any good rental movies lately? We're looking for suggestions since we're xc skiing during the day and enjoying our wind down time at night on the couch this week.

XC skiing a windy challenge, but still fun

The girls and I were excited to go cross country skiing after the blizzard/nor'easter on Monday. We know how to dress for the elements and some gusty wind on a bright sunny winter day didn't overly concern us.

After discussing our options, the girls decided on skiing at Twin Brooks in Cumberland. I wasn't sure it was groomed for the season yet but the girls didn't overly care much. They like the small hills and twists of the forest loop trail as well as the big open track there.

We realized once we arrived that the open field skiing wasn't going to be much fun. It was a serious gusty snow squall of a place. G. equated the situation to a movie scene and suggested we make a beeline for the woods. So we did.

Once in the protection of the trees we did a couple of loops and had a great time. By the second loop we were starting to get our ski legs back in shape. Although skiing is a lot like riding a bike, it uses some muscles that get sadly out of shape during the non-snow months.

As is our tradition with our visits to this trail system, we parked ourselves on a picnic bench among a few trees near the open field to have our lunch. Winter picnics are a favorite in our family and generally soup in a thermos is on the menu.

But our lunch was cut short but gusts of wind so strong they blew L.'s backpack about 15 feet away from it's resting place while she ducked for cover in her lunch pack on a particularly nasty gust. 

I was actually taking a bit of video when L.'s backpack flew away. 



Our trip back to the car was a motivated - and fast moving - one to get out of the wind, which had picked up quite a bit from when we had first started. 

It might not have been an ideal day to cross country ski but the girls and I agreed it was soooo nice to get back out on our skis in the snow. A couple of chapped cheeks was OK as the price of the adventure.

And just for the record, there were several skiers (adults and kids) skiing at Twin Brooks yesterday. Not a lot but enough for us to believe we weren't the only ones excited about getting out on our cross country skis.

In case you're interested in getting out on this trail later this winter (when the wind isn't quite so strong), here are a few things to note...

Trail: Twin Brooks, Cumberland
Length: approx. 10 kilometers of looping trails
Getting there: There are two trail heads for Twin Brooks trails, one on Tuttle Road and the other on Greeley Road
Grooming: Yes
Parking: Yes
Fee: $2 suggested donation (drop box is at trail head kiosk)
Equipment Rentals: None
Bathroom: None
Ski Level: All
Dog-friendly: Dogs not permitted on Tuttle Road trails to keep competition trails open for skiers but dogs are welcome on Greeley Road side trails.
Kid-friendly factor: GOOD

Photos from the trail in January 2009:
On the trail at Twin Brooks

Directions to Tuttle Road trail head:

View Larger Map

Preview: Winter solstice at planetarium

There are many ways to welcome the winter solstice, and the Southworth Planetarium is planning a trio of celebratory events -- involving history, science and writing -- to recognize the gradual return of longer days.

On the historical front, a virtual tour of Stonehenge, one of the most famous ancient structures, will take place at 7 p.m. Monday. The evening's tour guide is Patrick Peoples, a planetarium volunteer and lab instructor at the University of Southern Maine, who grew up near the ruins.

"Some people believe it was an astronomical observatory, others a ritualistic center. I think it was a combination of both," Peoples said. "I grew up near Stonehenge. As a teen I used to ride my bike there."

The idea for this program arose a few years ago. Peoples first gave a presentation combining images and a depiction of the night sky at the time Stonehenge was built to a local astronomy group. Last year, he brought the program to the public through the planetarium's summer solstice celebration.

"The reaction of people (attending this program) is amazing," Peoples said. "Parents bring their kids to enjoy the show. A lot of grandparents come, too, and they seem to be the ones asking all the questions. It's a good mix of people in the audience."

On the scientific front, this year's winter solstice is particularly noteworthy as it happens on the same day as a lunar eclipse.

For the eclipse, the planetarium will re-open its doors a few hours after the Stonehenge event for a special telescope viewing of the moon.

The planetarium doors will open at 12:45 a.m., just after the moon enters penumbra. In layman's terms, that is the official start of the lunar eclipse.

"When you can actually see the eclipse happening is at 1:32 a.m., when the moon enters umbra," explained Edward Gleason, the planetarium's manager.

The umbra phase is when observers can see the curved dark shadow slowly moving across the moon's face.

Members of the Greater Portland Astronomical Society and the Southern Maine Astronomers, both cosponsors of the program, as well as planetarium staff members will be on hand to answer questions until the facility closes at 4 a.m.

The viewing program is free and open to all.

"We are closing when totality (when the moon is fully eclipsed by the earth) ends at 3:53 a.m.," Gleason said. Although observers will see the moon in the earth's shadow until 5:01 a.m., Gleason believes most attendees will be ready to leave by 4 a.m.

"We're anticipating people's bedtime after totality," he said.

On the creative writing front, there will be an evening of celestial poetry with the "Solstice Dawning" event at 7 p.m. tonight at Southworth.

Local writers will recite their poetry about the cosmos and nature under the theme of the evening, "Light and Dark." Admission is by donation.

"What excites us most is that we are able to approach this season from many angles," Gleason said. "From poetry to a scientific event to a historic program, we utilize our facility so there is something here for everybody at this time of year. It's a confluence of all these events happening around us. We're delighted to be part of it."

MIDWINTER'S EVE AT STONEHENGE AND LUNAR ECLIPSE VIEWING
WHEN: Monday and Tuesday. "Stonehenge" begins at 7 p.m. Monday. The planetarium will then close and re-open for eclipse viewing at 12:45 a.m. Tuesday (yes, that's after midnight).
WHERE: Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St., University of Southern Maine, Portland
HOW MUCH: Stonehenge admission is by donation; eclipse viewing is free.
FOOD OPTIONS: None
PARKING: On street
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Good for "Stonehenge" and the eclipse if they're old enough to stay up.
BENEFITS: Donations benefit Southworth Planetarium programs.
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Call the planetarium at 780-4249 if weather is stormy or cloudy.
MORE INFO: usm.maine.edu/planet

Show offers celestial perspective on season

This month's "Season of Light" show in the star dome at Southworth Planetarium explores the history of the holiday season -- from a celestial perspective.

A celebration of light is part of many cultures. No matter your beliefs -- from the candles on the menorah to the lights on the Christmas tree to the winter solstice and the star guiding the Magi to their new king -- there are many references and metaphors related to light wrapped up in holiday celebrations.

December is a sun-deprived month, and today astronomers know the loss of sunlight is because the Earth tilts away from the sun (on the winter solstice, it tilts 23.5 degrees away).

But people in ancient times didn't understand what was happening as they watched the sun descend, so they created celebrations in November and December to influence the sun to return.

"This program is one of my favorites because it incorporates facets of astronomy, history and archeology," said planetarium manager Edward Gleason. "It lends audiences a perspective onto the origins of our holiday traditions and, to me, this vantage point enhances my appreciation of them."

"Season of Light" attendees will learn that the Hopi in the American Southwest calculated the time of the winter solstice and spent 16 days performing rituals and ceremonies to encourage the sun to return for another growing season. The ancient Romans honored their god of agriculture, Saturn, with a weeklong celebration, called Saturnalia, around the winter solstice.

A brief history of a variety of other world celebrations is also included in the hourlong show, offering insight into the evolutions of the Christmas tree, decking the halls, mistletoe (evergreens were considered a symbol of eternal life by the Romans, Egyptians and northern Europeans), Santa Claus and many other familiar secular traditions.

After the prerecorded "Season of Light" show, the planetarium's mechanical star projector will be fired up in the dome to help novice stargazers identify stars, constellations and planets that you can view in the night sky this month.

"SEASON OF LIGHT"
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday; 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
WHERE: Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St., University of Southern Maine, Portland
HOW MUCH: $6 ($5 for children) Friday; $5 ($4 for children) Saturday and Sunday
INFO: usm.maine.edu/planet
 

Originally published in the Press Herald's Go Entertainment Guide Thursday, December 16, 2010

Gingerbread houses, fun tradition

I buy each of the girls a gingerbread house kit every year to make themselves. I buy the kind that has the pre-made gingerbread but the girls need to mix the icing and assemble the house themselves. Sometimes they can get their houses to stand up, sometimes they have a cave-in and require some assistance (and thicker icing) from mom.

The girls have been doing these kits for several years and this year's kit has become their new favorite one. It was made by Wilton and was actually one of the cheapest options I found (without a doorbuster sale) this year.

L. made this one and G. opted to make the mini village kit, also by Wilton.

So it was with much entertainment that I watched my co-worker, Meredith Goad, build her gingerbread houses at the office for a story published in today's paper with a review of which gingerbread house kit she liked best.

A gingerbread house kit review: Soup to Nuts: Kitting around

After she was done building them all I told her my kids built the Wilton's kit this year and declared it their favorite. It seems she and several of my other co-workers liked that kit best too.

(Check out the video and the comments from the 'judges.' The whole story is a great review if you're thinking about giving a kit a-go this year with your family.)

Even though we do kits every year, I very much appreciate the creativity - and time - people spend making their own gingerbread to make these houses. My kids attended a program at the Museums of Old York to learn about the history of the architecture in the village, which included a walking tour. Then all the kids were given a gingerbread house in one of the architectural styles to decorate. The girls thought the whole program at the museum was great fun.

Both girls opted for the colonial style homes.

All the gingerbread houses the girls have made this year are now sitting on a table at home awaiting some additional decorations (we are decorating-challenged this year, primarily due to concerns about the foster dog and cats as well as being time-challenged). But I have to say that those colonial gingerbread houses from Old York, which I know were homemade, smell wonderful. The store bought kits really don't have the strong spiced smells the homemade variety does. And since we don't have any evergreen scent around the house (yet), it's feeling a lot more like Christmas is coming now.

And just in case you were wondering, yes, the chickens will be getting their feast of gingerbread after Christmas like they do every year.

Hot cocoa & marshmallows, a seasonal favorite

I really like to drink hot cocoa in the morning at the office at this time of year. My co-worker Stephanie and I keep each other supplied with cocoa mix because neither of us are coffee drinkers.

We are also of the same mind that hot cocoa is best served with marshmallows... or whipped cream or french vanilla creamer.

Marshmallows are the most practical to keep stocked in our desks at the office so that's why we buy the generic hot cocoa mix with the mini marshmallows.

A few weeks ago I found french vanilla marshmallows shaped liked snowmen at WalMart and I had to buy them. I brought the bag in to the office to share with Stephanie and we agreed that hint of vanilla really comes through in the cocoa. We made our way through the marshmallow bag in short order.

I went back to the store and bought three more bags. We're working our way through a bag this week.

This morning though Stephanie commented that she's been looking for flavored marshmallows and can't find any vanilla types (nor the snowmen themselves) at the stores she frequents. That got me to thinking... I need to stock up on these snowmen marshmallows because now that we've had them we don't want to drink our hot cocoa without them!

Some people have their coffee and their caffeine. We have our french vanilla marshmallow crack addiction. And really the little snowmen marshmallows are a lot more fun and uplifting than a cup of java anyway. They never fail to provoke a smile from other co-workers.

Do you have a favorite seasonal food item you stock up on so you can enjoy it when it disappears from the store shelves until next year?

A sewing month mom hadn't planned on

My girls started taking formal ice skating lessons this year at Portland Ice Arena. They're on their second session of classes and are having a lot of fun with it even though they stand more than a foot taller than most of their beginner counterparts. Yet when an opportunity to participate in PIA's annual holiday skating show came up my girls decided they wanted to participate. Their coach assured them the Victorian skating scene incorporated kids of all levels so everyone can be in the show.

I think the main reason my kids wanted to participate in the skating show was because of the Victorian theme. They have always loved clothing from different time periods and I think the prospect of being in a reenactment (a Deering Oaks Park skating scene from the Victorian era was how the coach explained the number) I think this was the true motivating factor for them.

And because of this interest in clothing, they decided they wanted to make their own costumes for the skating show.

Which meant we had about two weeks to do it.

In December.

Then I realized that if they made these costumes, they could also use them in the annual 4H Fashion Revue sewing contest they do every year in March. We could cover two activities with one project.

So off we went to buy patterns and fabric. There was much ado about the do-ability of a limited number of pattern options (not so many Victorian-era costumes in the do-able range) but each of the girls picked out a different pattern (no convincing them to do the same one) and figured they'd wing it.

We had a sewing marathon (a 12-hour-ish event that left us all brain dead by the end) last Saturday with a couple of machines set up at the kitchen table and each of the girls working through their patterns. I had never made a fancy coat myself, let alone assist the girls make one, so it was a learning curve for all. Basically I stood by the ironing board to flatten seams and help the girls read the pattern. I left it all up to them to figure things out and sew the pieces together... and hoped for the best.

Yeah, there were some frustrating moments but several additional hours beyond the marathon day, a little hand-sewing tuck here and there and some modifications with each pattern and the girls were able to make Victorian-era coats for their skating show that happened last night.

They said they really enjoyed wearing their costumes and had fun being in the show. We all also enjoyed watching all the other very talented skaters perform.

I would have thought that the girls would be tired of sewing after making these costumes. But nope, L. has caught the sewing bug and has been inspired by a new project so I think the sewing machine is going to be parked at the kitchen table for at least another week or more while L. makes her latest pattern idea.

And I have had to have a good sense of humor about all of this 'extra' stuff because it's not like we don't have a ton of other things going on this month related to the holidays in addition to school and regular activities.

My house is a disaster, truly! And I don't anticipate it will be cleaned in any way until Christmas school vacation week when I have a couple of days off from the office. I would bet I'm not the only mom with that assessment of things (crazy family calendar or messy abode) this month.

Looking to sky for answers & seasonal fun

No matter your beliefs, the month of December is all about celebrating light -- from the candles on the Menorah to the lights on the Christmas tree to the winter solstice and the star guiding the Magi to their new king.

The "Season of Light" show at the Southworth Planetarium offers an interesting perspective about light -- celestial and otherwise -- and is a great way to add a little education to holiday-season family activities.

We all are aware that December is a sun-deprived month. On the winter solstice (Dec. 21), the sun is at its lowest in the sky. And because of this, the producers of the "Season of Light" show explore the reasons so many cultures have notable events to celebrate life and light at this time of year.

Today astronomers know the loss of sunlight is because the earth tilts away from the sun (on the winter solstice, it tilts 23.5 degrees away). But people in ancient times watching the sun descend, and not understanding what was happening, felt they needed to do something to ensure the sunlight would return.

So these early cultures created celebrations in November and December to influence the sun.

The planetarium show at the University of Southern Maine in Portland offered examples of the many ways humans have celebrated the winter solstice.

The Hopi in the American Southwest calculated the time of the winter solstice and spent 16 days performing rituals and ceremonies to encourage the sun to return for another growing season. The ancient Romans honored their god of agriculture, Saturn, with a week-long celebration, called Saturnalia, around the winter solstice.

"Oooh, I heard about Saturnalia in my 'Roman Mysteries' books," whispered my 14-year-old, who was thrilled to know this historic holiday reference.

A brief history of a variety of other world celebrations also offered some insight into the evolutions of the Christmas tree, decking the halls, mistletoe (evergreens were considered a symbol of eternal life by the Romans, Egyptians and northern Europeans), Santa Claus and many other familiar secular traditions.

After the prerecorded "Light" show, a planetarium staff member fired up the mechanical star projector in the dome to help novice stargazers identify stars, constellations and planets we can see in the night sky this month. The whole show ran about an hour.

My kids enjoy stargazing, but have a limited repertoire of things they can accurately identify (same goes for me). But each time we visit the planetarium we pick up something new, and the combination of the "Season of Light" show with the indoor stargazing was no exception.

"I learned that solstice actually means 'sun still' and I didn't know that. I thought that was really interesting," my 14-year-old said as we walked out of the planetarium.

Notable stargazing nights added to our family calendar this month include the Geminid meteor showers that will peak Monday and Tuesday, and the total lunar eclipse on Dec. 21, which coincides with the winter solstice.

The Southworth Planetarium is hosting a lunar eclipse viewing from 12:45 a.m. (yes, it's just after midnight) until 4 a.m. Dec. 21.

My 13-year-old was feeling a bit smug about her knowledge of the night sky after this particular show.

"People from way back when coaxed the sun to come back up again, but people nowadays don't do that because they know it's always going to come back up. We know a lot more about this stuff than people used to."

The Southworth Planetarium has several more showings of the "Season of Light," along with other star shows and events sure to spark an interest in your family to view the night sky together this month.

DECEMBER EVENTS AT SOUTHWORTH PLANETARIUM
* "Season of Light" shows are at 3 p.m. today, Dec. 18 and 19 and at 7 p.m. Dec. 17.
* "Solstice Dawning" Celestial Poetry Evening, 7 p.m. Dec. 19.
* "Mid-Winter's Eve at Stonehenge" with professor Patrick Peoples, 7 p.m. Dec. 20.
* Lunar eclipse viewing, 12:45 a.m. Dec. 21.
* School vacation week special showings, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dec. 27 through Dec. 30.
* New Year's Planetarium event, 7 p.m. Dec. 31.

FOR MORE information, go online to usm.maine.edu/planet or call 780-4249.

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram December 12, 2010

Our Christmas card photo session adventures

Kids and animals sometimes dressed in holiday garb (kids and/or animals) are part of our Christmas card greetings to family and friends. Every year the kids and I try to come up with a new and different idea for our annual picture. More often than not we aim for silly.

Before I get to sharing this year's card - which is a little out-there even for us - you need a few highlights on the history about our card pictures.

There was the year I crocheted Christmas cat sweaters per the girls' request. The photo involved our three cats dressed in those sweaters along with our flock of chickens mulling about... well, at least that had been the plan.
The 2008 Christmas Card

A couple of years before that it was the homemade Santa hats with matching hat for the cat and scarf for the chicken. Yeah really, we dressed up a chicken too.
2006 Christmas card

But the Almeida girls aren't only in our immediate family's card photo. Nope, grandpa likes to include them in his annual card... along with his hot rods (classic cars he builds).
Grandpa's Christmas cards through the years and then last year's card with a new car in-process

And we can't forget the year of the cat-that-got-locked-in-the-car debacle after a Christmas card shoot at grandpa's house. 
That was 2006

I share this history because we have never managed to get more than two species of animals in our annual photo. But this year L. has lambs in the backyard (they are wintering with us - a blog for another time) and G. is currently fostering a dog. This is in addition to the three cats and a flock of poultry (about 25 now) also living with us. And then L. reminded me of her beloved  pigs that lived with us for six months this past year. And while on the livestock subject, G. takes care of a cow at a local farm and is as much a part of the family as the rest of the critters. 

So needless to say, we have had a lot of animals in of our lives this past year. And if you have met my girls in-person you'll know that they love(d) each and every one of them. So this prompted a brainstorming session to come up with ideas for getting at least each species represented in our annual card. 

This was no easy feat until G. took on an assignment in her photography class at school using PhotoShop.

Ahhhh yes, I do love me some PhotoShop software, especially when my 14-year-old knows how to use the magic wand tool, has a good eye for visual details and here's the real key - she has the time and creative energy to tweak an image for hours to make it just right.

So a set up shot with a cat, a chicken, a dog and a lamb got us this far...

Yes, it was a little tricky because the foster pup is a high energy kinda guy, the blind cat doesn't like being outside and the lamb would rather eat grass then be on a halter. The chicken was the only cooperative one in the menagerie.

Then a background shot was chosen from one G. took during our hike on Mt. Will.

And a little PhotoShop magic by the teen and she got the school assignment (a mock magazine cover) completed....

The horse is one of several G. grooms and feeds at a local horse farm... she's a kid who is all about large animals

But this image didn't seem quite festive enough for our Christmas greetings so a couple of tweaks were made. Santa hats were added. The horse was swapped out for Groovy Smoothie the pig. And voila, our Christmas card was done.

And I'm happy to say that grandpa's card photo shoot was quick and easy this year. There were no cats (with or without sweaters) to contend with, just some creative chalk work thanks to the girls, a ladder for the photographer (me) to climb and a couple of hot rods.

I have absolutely no idea what my family will come up with for ideas for our card next year but I can say one thing... it's always an interesting and creative process!

Anyone else get a little crazy with their annual holiday greeting cards?

Preview: Candy Cane Train in Bath

Jump aboard the Candy Cane Train at the Bath Train Station on Saturday and Sunday and support the Tri-County Literacy program. But reserve your tickets early because this is a popular holiday tradition.

Passengers have a chance to meet and chat with Santa while his elves -- local high school cheerleaders volunteering their time with the jolly old guy -- pass out cookies and hot cocoa. The ride travels from Bath to Wiscasset and back, and lasts about 90 minutes.

"The Maine Eastern Railroad donates their trains and decorates them with all kinds of holiday decorations. It always looks wonderful," said Suzanne Gastaldo, the Adult Literacy Program director at Tri-County Literacy.

The train ride also includes storytellers and live musical entertainment by the Nor'easters Barbershop Chorus.

There are four trips on both Saturday and Sunday. Departure times for both days are at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. Each train ride can accommodate 250 people but Gastaldo stressed that people wanting to ride should not delay in getting tickets.

"People need to get their tickets prior to the ride day because we do not sell tickets at the train station," she said. "We try to let people know we sell out so get your tickets early."

Gastaldo said the train has a lot of volunteers from the Elks Lodge in Bath as well as the local high school's cheerleading teams. But there are many others who help out, too.

"The volunteers are amazing. Everyone does a little and it's great," she said.

The Maine 3-Railers model train club will be on hand at the train station to keep the kids -- and adults -- entertained before boarding.

"The Maine 3-Railers come every year to run displays of their (model) trains for the kids. Come early to the station to see the demonstrations. Mrs. Claus will be in the train station to read stories before the ride as well," Gastaldo said.

All the fun planned for the event supports adult and family literacy in Lincoln, Sagadahoc and northern Cumberland counties. The train ticket sales represent a substantial percentage of the program's annual budget, which supports basic literacy for adults and families; reading groups for developmentally disabled adults; Fun With Words at the local homeless shelter, and the Read With Me Family Literacy Project offered through local Head Start programs and Bath elementary schools.

And Gastaldo wanted to clarify that this train ride is not just for kids.

"Some people are embarrassed when they call to reserve tickets because they don't have any kids. But they want to come because they love it so much. Older people get together and enjoy the trip as much as the families with younger children," she said.

"We've been doing this for five years and we sell out every year."

CANDY CANE TRAIN
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 12
WHERE: Bath Train Station, 15 Commercial St., Bath
HOW MUCH: $17/person (adults and children)
FOOD OPTIONS: Hot cocoa and cookies are given out during train ride.
PARKING: At the train station
DON'T MISS: Santa, of course
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Tri-County Literacy
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Rain or shine
MORE INFO: candycanetrain.com

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, December 5, 2010

It's a bug eat tree world kinda learning

Because my family spends a lot of time outside with our various hiking, biking and xc skiing adventures, we like to be able to identify the things we come across on the trails. You know, trees and leaves, animal tracks, geological features, etc.

We learn from guides and books but we also really appreciate the in-person lessons when we can get them. So it was in the spirit of meeting and chatting with some experts in bug identification that we signed up for a workshop to learn more about the creepy crawly types. The Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) specifically.

The thing about this beetle that might seem like a non sequitur for us is that it is not in Maine. And no one wants to see it in Maine. But everyone should know about this bug because it would be devastating to the several species of trees (and forestry-based businesses) in Maine if it gets here.

The class we took was taught by a couple of Department of Agriculture folks who received a grant to do an Invasive Forest Pest Outreach and Survey about the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB). The girls and I spent an interesting day learning about the history, behavior and identification of this beetle as well as other non-native species.

Here's a few interesting tidbits we learned...

* The ALB (not native to the US) first arrived in solid wood packing material used to import goods from Asian countries about 20 years ago.

* The first infestation of these beetles was actually in Jersey City, a busy US shipping port.

* Current infestations being eradicated are in New York, New Jersey, Illinois and Massachusetts. It's the Massachusetts arrival that has everyone in Maine concerned because MA lost 25,000 trees in Worcester that changed that area's neighborhood landscapes.

* Firewood is a big threat because it's likely going to be the way this beetle will come to Maine. Many uninformed people from Massachusetts (and other states) bringing a few logs of firewood to their campsites here is all it would take.

* The Maine State Legislature passed a law earlier this year making it illegal to bring wood over the state's border in hopes of preventing (or at the very least, slowing down) the ALB, as well as some other bugs and tree diseases, from coming here.

* The only way experts have found to manage an ALB infestation it total eradication. That means cutting down (and chipping to 1/2" small) every single tree affected (and some that aren't to cover the bases). So the earlier an ID of an infestation is made, the faster experts can contain the problem so it limits how many trees are lost.

* The introduction of the ALB in Maine could have major financial implications to any businesses related to hardwood trees (lumber, paper, etc.).

* Tree identification without leaves so you have to rely only on the bark as an indicator of species is darn hard!

It's the larvae stage that causes the most damage (and inevitable death) to a tree. The mama beetle burrows a small hole to lay her eggs and then the larvae burrow in deeper to eat (the wood). Then as it grows (it takes about 2 years to mature), it makes tunnels in the trunk. If there are enough larvae, it can kill a tree by the time the beetle is mature.

There are some beetles native to Maine that look like the Asian Longhorn Beetle. And although you look at the picture below and think they look pretty different, I have learned - along with my kids - that identifying something in a classroom with an expert is *very* different than being out in the field on your own.

The ALB is on the left, the white-spotted sawyer is on the right. Photos from maine.gov ALB Look alikes page

One of the ways the outreach educators taught us to identify these buggers is to look at a trees for a tell-tale sign of their life in or around it. They make a perfectly round hole in the trunk when they are mature (and no longer larvae but their actual black beetle self) to exit.

IDing the adult beetles is tricky because their Maine look-alike, the white-backed sawyer, makes the same kind of holes.

During our tree identification activity outside someone from the class pointed out some little round holes in a fallen trunk and wanted to know if they were in fact the damage from the ALB or the white-spotted sawyer. The instructor said it was definitely the work of the sawyer because there were rectangle entry holes next to the round exit holes. If it were actually an ALB, we would have found only round holes.

This is a very specific difference but again, when you're on your own in the field it can be a little trickier to make a call. And that's why the educators reiterated all day long to simply call the ALB hotline so they can send an expert out to access the situation. (You can make a report here if you find tree damage you think is caused by this beetle - www.maine.gov/agriculture/pi/pestsurvey/pestinfo/ALB/ALB.htm)

CLARIFICATION: Our instructor for this class, Anne Bills the Invasive Forest Insect Outreach Coordinator from the Maine Department of Agriculture, offered a clarification for the above holes you might see in a tree in Maine and I wanted to make sure I posted it. "The holes in the photos really do look just like ALB damage, and the reason we can rule out ALB is that it is softwood (coniferous), which ALB doesn’t attack. If the logs were hardwood that type of damage is exactly what we would like people to report, even though it does not necessarily mean the damage would have been from ALB (could be from native hardwood borer). I did not hear the comment about the rectangular holes, but I really do think it would take an expert to tell the difference." So people should report holes like this if they see them in Maine!

It was a really interesting day of learning about these bugs, tree ID and just a general explanation of the work done by the Department of Agriculture (I have been sadly uninformed about the diversity of work this particular government office really does).

And less you think my girls like bugs and that I am fortunate to have girls who would attend a class such as this, let me assure you they can be typical females with the jumping and screaming on occasion about the creepy crawlies (particularly flying buzzing insects, which is understandable since none of us will ever likely get over our yellow jacket swarming incident). I feel the same as they do. But the girls, like me, care about their natural environment more than their creature comfort and the reason we decided to attend this class.

And I will admit, we all left excited to find look-alike indicators so now we can look at holes in a tree and actually know the cause/culprit of some of them.

If you're interested in attending a training yourself (or with your older tween or teen) check out their website and look for the - Invasive Forest Insect outreach training program.

Winter great time for nature watching

Once a little snow falls on the ground most people aren’t thinking about spending the day hiking in the woods.  But actually, it’s the best time of year for novice naturalists to discover all sorts of wonderful things that can’t be as easily found at other times of year.

Animal tracking. Right after newly fallen snow, head out to a hiking trail and look to the sides of the trail. Usually you’ll spot some sort of animal track. My kids have found a variety of large and small tracks in the snow that they haven’t been able to spot in the warmer months. The side-by-side tracks of a rabbit hopping along were one of the more exciting discoveries for the girls one year. And even if you don’t spot any wild animal tracks, identifying dog prints and having the kids guess at the size and breed of the dog that made them can be a lot of fun as well.

Winter Birding. For birding fans, the lack of leaves on the trees offers some great views of our winter bird residents. For kids interested in nature photography – even those with inexpensive cameras with minimal zoom - can usually catch a nice birding shot at this time of year.

Christmas Bird Count in December. Audubon’s Christmas bird count is a good way to get connected to a fun, one-day commitment service project with your family. There are locations around the state for the general public to assist in this count. And despite its name, it’s not actually held on Christmas day. Participants agree to cover a certain area on a particular day in December and count the birds they find during their time in the area. For more information go to Maine Audubon’s website - www.maineaudubon.org/explore/event/count.shtml

Great Backyard Bird Count in February. This is a super simple weekend project for families and even little ones can help with daily observations. And although we love being outside during the winter, I have friends that like this bird count because it’s a good way to teach their kids about the outdoors without actually having to be out in the cold. This year’s count is February 18-21, 2011. The basic idea of this count is to simply set up a chair by a window in your house and watch your backyard (or front yard in our case) to see what birds stop by. Then you record the time, type and number of birds you see and submit your report at the end of each day to the GBBC’s website - www.birdsource.org/gbbc

Night Sky Watching. Families can take advantage of shorter days and much longer nights by learning about the night sky. Winter nights offer some awesomely clear nights to view the stars and planets. Southworth Planetarium at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus offers classes and group shows to help novice sky watchers learn how to identify the stars. Visit their website for a schedule of programs - http://usm.maine.edu/planet

Full Moon Hike. A winter full moon is bright and a great time to break out the snowshoes - or simply your winter boots if the snow isn’t too deep - and discover a local trail in a whole new light. Headlamps are not usually needed on a clear full moon evening and viewing the trail at night is a totally different kind of experience.

Winter Fireworks. This is a man-made outdoor experience but if you have a chance to see a winter fireworks show on a frozen lake this winter, do it. The fireworks reflect on the snow and ice around the frozen lake for a spectacular colorful experience that is very different from the summer shows. Many of the ski mountains sponsor fireworks during the winter as well as many winter community events.

Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, December 2010

Preview: Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport

Take a step back in time to celebrate the holiday season in Kennebunkport and surrounding towns during Christmas Prelude.

Tree lightings, caroling by candlelight, a hat parade, trolley rides and hundreds of locally crafted items for sale are just a few of the many events happening in Kennebunkport over the next two weekends.

Organized by the Kennebunkport Business Association and community volunteers, Christmas Prelude attracts people from all over the country to celebrate part of their holiday season in southern Maine.

"The (town) venues are steeped in history and are reminiscent of a different time and history," said Jim Fitzgerald, interim executive director of the Kennebunk/Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce. "People come here year after year because it doesn't change."

The event has a 29-year tradition and begins with the tree lighting and Christmas caroling led by the Kennebunk High School chamber choir at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Dock Square in Kennebunkport.

The Cape Porpoise lobster-trap tree lighting is at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by a bonfire and more caroling.

The holiday-themed hat parade is scheduled for Saturday.

"The hat parade is a lot of fun. The first year we had it there were 30 to 40 people, which was a lot for our first year. Last year, we had 150 people in the parade. It doesn't matter if you wear reindeer antlers or go all out. Anyone can be in the parade," explained Sheila Matthews-Bull, chairman of Christmas Prelude.

Hat wearers gather behind Dock Square by 2:45 p.m. to march over the bridge from the square.

Kennebunk's Lower Village holds its tree lighting and caroling at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, and the evening includes a candlelight stroll to the Franciscan Monastery for more caroling and roasting chestnuts over an open fire.

"The whole crowd strolls to the monastery singing. It's really beautiful because by that time it's dark and everyone is carrying a candle," said Matthews-Bull.

At 2 p.m. Sunday, Santa arrives by lobster boat at the Landing Restaurant.

Another notable guest -- former first lady Laura Bush -- will be in town during Christmas Prelude. Bush will be signing her new book, "Spoken from the Heart," at H.B. Provisions in the Lower Village at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. At 2 p.m., her daughters will join her for another book signing and Q&A session at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport.

Kennebooks in the Lower Village will also host book signings by Maine authors both weekends.

The second weekend of Prelude includes the Fire & Ice Bar, a new event, at the Nonantum. Hors d'oeuvres from area restaurants, live entertainment, indoor and outdoor fireside seating and an ice bar and sculpture will be featured from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 11. A portion of the proceeds from the ice bar will be donated to the WinterKids program.

Musical entertainment will be featured day and night during both weekends with a new addition, Christmas Karaoke at Alisson's Restaurant and the Starfish Grille & Tavern.

Special eating events sponsored by community groups are favorite traditions for many visitors. There is the Blueberry Pancake Breakfast at the Washington Hose Fire Company from 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday.

The Nonantum Resort features Breakfast with Mrs. Claus from 8 to 11 a.m. on both Dec. 5 and 12.

The First Congregational Church hosts a lobster roll and chowder luncheon from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. And the Firehouse Lobster Bake at Washington Hose Fire Station is from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

The hand-crafted gifts sold at the dozen or so craft fairs around town help support many local charitable organizations.

"The uniqueness of Christmas Prelude features the hand-crafted and emphasizes the traditional and non-commercial side of the Christmas holidays," said Fitzgerald.

Matthews-Bull explained how special this event is to many families.

"This is our 29th year and it gets bigger and better every year. We get a lot of new people each year, but now we have the grandchildren of people who started coming to Christmas Prelude 20 years ago. It's so heartwarming that so many make it a family tradition."

CHRISTMAS PRELUDE
WHEN: Thursday through Dec. 12
WHERE: Kennebunkport and surrounding towns
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: A couple of pancake breakfasts, lobster roll and chowder luncheon and a lobster bake sponsored by community groups as well as a variety of restaurants.
PARKING: Follow signs to the fire station's free parking lot. There is also free public parking behind Alisson's Restaurant in Kennebunkport.
DON'T MISS: The hat parade at 3 p.m. Saturday
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Community groups
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Rain or shine event
MORE INFO: www.christmasprelude.com


Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram, November 28, 2010

Chickens like cake too

A couple of years ago we had a bit of ice cream cake from a birthday party and the kids wanted to see if the chickens would eat ice cream. Yup, they do.



A perennial activity for the girls every holiday season is making and decorating a gingerbread house. And every year after Christmas the house is given to the chickens who happily eat it up.



So when cake is offered to us and the humans in the house have had their fill of it, we turn it over to our feathered friends in the backyard.

Cake does not need to go to waist waste at our house with the chickens around.

Preview: L.L. Bean’s Northern Lights

Adding to the reason for the season by collecting winter coats for seniors is just one aspect of L.L. Bean’s Northern Lights celebration, which kicks off Saturday.

The annual 6:30 p.m. tree-lighting event at Discovery Park includes a request that attendees help Maine’s elderly by bringing a gently used coat to donate.

“People come to the tree lighting with coats, and it’s become a really popular aspect of the event. We’ve collected close to 3,000 coats over the past couple of years,” said Kathy Whitney, senior public relations representative at L.L. Bean.

The community coat-collecting partnership started in 2008 and includes the Maine Triad chapters and support from the Maine Area Agencies on Aging. Drop boxes for donations will be in the flagship store’s Discovery Lobby (at the giant boot’s entrance) on Saturday and Nov. 21.

“We want to get coats to seniors early so that they have them when they need them,” said Whitney.

L.L. Bean matches every coat donated with a $5 contribution to the Keep ME Warm Campaign.

Local artist Pandora LaCasse creates a different theme for the Christmas tree lighting each year. She did the original installation of the light displays in the park in 2005 and continues to add to the design every holiday season. LaCasse plans to incorporate L.L. Bean Slope Slider Sleds on this year’s tree.

During the tree-lighting ceremony, the Boy Singers of Maine and the Musica de Filia Girls Choir will provide the music. Characters from the holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” will also make a special appearance as emcees.

But it’s not all about tree lightings at Discovery Park on Saturday. A campfire will warm you up while you enjoy some company during the afternoon.

“There’s a winter campfire all day, and L.L. Bean Outdoor Discover School experts will be on hand to answer questions about trips, listen to stories and anything else people want to know about the outdoors,” said Whitney. A variety of demonstrations, including camp cooking, as well as ski, snowshoe and sled selection tips, will be part of the campfire experience.

Horse-drawn carriage rides will give visitors a breather from shopping to explore Freeport village.

Riders will be picked up for these free rides on Main Street in front of the flagship store.

“The carriage ride is a great way for families to look at the lights around the village,” says Whitney.

There will be an imaginative playhouse experience for kids in the Enchanted Forest area every day with the award-winning wooden playhouses set up in Discovery Park.

The Northern Lights celebration continues through November and December. Storytelling and a variety of crafting opportunities for kids will be featured on weekends through December, as well as the Kids Night New Year’s Eve celebration featuring fireworks.

Whitney is looking forward to celebrating the event’s fifth year. “Northern Lights makes holiday shopping a memorable and enjoyable experience for the whole family,” she said.

L.L. BEAN NORTHERN LIGHTS
WHEN: Saturday to Jan. 1
WHERE: L.L. Bean's Discovery Park, L.L. Bean flagship store, Freeport
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: In Freeport village
PARKING: Freeport's downtown parking lots and garage
DON'T MISS: Tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Donation of gently used coats benefits Maine Area Agencies on Aging and Keep ME Warm Campaign
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Rain or shine event
MORE INFO: www.llbean.com

Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram November 14, 2010

Corn Mazes: Maine vs. Florida

During our visit to central Florida we discovered a corn maze. It became a *must do* for us simply to find out if it would be like the ones in Maine.

The short answer is mostly yes, but there were a few key differences.

Before we could enter the maze we were herded with a bunch of other people in to a large barn area to watch a "safety" video. The kids and I wondered what the heck would be the reason for this except to ensure people understood that the corn stalks should not be damaged and the corn not to be picked.

And then I wondered about snakes. I am aware that the snake population is encouraged in many orange groves to keep them clear of critters and insects that damage the crop. We have visited and done the pick-your-own citrus fruit in an organic-practicing farm (they're still working on their official organic designation) in the area and know to keep a close eye out for movement on the ground.

But I was wrong. That was not what the safety video was about. It was about signal flags in the maze.

Every group is given a long pole flag to wave in the air in the case they are feeling ill or simply need assistance. There is a flag look-out on the top of the bridge inside the maze to offer assistance if needed. The video assured visitors would be on the way in a matter of minutes and to make sure they stayed in one place once they waved the flag.

All this seemed a bit strange to us because the maze isn't any bigger than the ones we've been to in Maine.

But there are two key differences with Florida and Maine.

The Heat.

The Sun.

We realized at that point our visit on an 85+ degree day with nary a cloud in the sky was unlikely ideal conditions for this particular activity.

Comparing our distance and time-spent in the Florida maze, it was *exactly* the same (1.3 miles) as our Maine corn maze visit last month.

But unlike our Maine maze adventure, we were absolutely exhausted by the time we returned back to the car!

Long & Scott Farms Corn Maze at EveryTrail


The girls and I felt the dust was hard to take (it had been a dry month for Florida and the sand/dust was really heavy - the you-can-taste-it-after-a-minute kind) and the 85+ degrees in direct sun was just too much for our Maine blood.

But we got lost as promised and had a great time (and had no need to wave the flag that L. carried for us).

A few non-weather related differences from our usual maze experience included the game kiosks. These were Florida's agricultural-specific and it was great to learn more about the local economy and agriculture of the state.

There were handouts for all the kids that included boxes for the pencil rubbing stations...

...questions to answer on our handout with the trivia station kiosks as well as a word scramble to complete based on those answers...

...and red de-coders at various stations to help re-orientate us in the maze.

The red de-coder was tough to see with the bright Florida sun though.

The bridge had employee lookouts but we didn't see any flags waving the day we visited. There were employees pimping cold water for $1 on the bridge. You can actually hear the sales pitch in the video below.

A few open spots in the maze were especially dusty... but also very cool to see open spaces in the middle of the corn stalks.

At the end of the maze there was a farm-made wind tunnel to catch a breeze (there was none the day we visited) to cool off a bit.

To enter the maze area you could walk through the tunnel or go down the pipe slide. The girls opted to walk the tunnel BUT Fino and I went down the slide. It was really fun and Fino and I laughed all the way down. We told the girls they really missed out walking instead of sliding. They're "too old" now so have no need for these little kids thrills. I told them when they were really old they'd think it was fun again.

Hiking Mt. Will in Bethel

Mount Will in Bethel is a beautiful -- and educational -- trail system to explore with older kids, especially during the fall when the temperatures are cool and seasonal colors cover the landscape.

The trailhead for Mount Will is directly across the street from the Bethel Recycling and Transfer Station. There is a small sign indicating the trail name in the parking area with a blue-green blaze on the post.

There is a box for trail maps but the day we visited there were no copies available. It's best to go to the Bethel Conservation Commission website -- www.thebetheljournals.info/Trails/Bethel_trails.htm -- to print one out before you head out. Or pick up the "Maine Mountain Guide" from the Appalachian Mountain Club for a trail description and map.

The Mount Will Trail is a looping trail with blue-green blazes. There are other trails on the mountain so unless you're familiar with the area, pay close attention to the blue-green blazes to be sure you stay on the Mount Will Trail. According to my GPS track from our hike, the trail is approximately three miles with about a 1,200-foot elevation gain.

We decided to start our loop up the mountain via the North Ledges section of the trail. There were quite a few informational panels at various places on our way up the mountain to educate visitors about the trees, plants and geological history of the area.

This included the historical uses of various trees identified as well as explaining other features about the mountain -- such as the streambed, glen, small pole stand, slope and stone ledges.

There was even a panel to identify bear claw marks on a tree. The kids were particularly excited about this since now they know what to look for on future trail adventures.

The panels were not only informative but they also offered a nice break during our climb up the mountain. The North Ledges portion of the trail was a steep elevation gain and I used the moment it took to read the panel to also catch my breath.

We enjoyed a snack from a viewing spot on the North Ledges and decided, after we'd hiked the entire loop, that it was our favorite spot on the mountain. It featured views of the Androscoggin River and Bear River valleys.

After the North Ledges we climbed a little higher while heading over to the South Cliffs portion of the trail.

There was a lot of tree cover and we found the best views on this trail system were not at the actual summit but rather at the ledges on both the north and south sides of the mountains.

The South Cliffs offer nice open views to the south and east that include the village of Bethel.

We visited this trail system on a beautiful fall day and can confirm it's a great place to take in the colors of the season.

MOUNT WILL HIKING TRAIL
WHERE: Bethel
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: Moderate-difficult for teens with an average fitness level, difficult for children under 8 years old.
DOG-FRIENDLY: Yes
TRAIL MAP: www.thebetheljournals.info/Trails/Bethel_trails.htm


Hiking Mt. Will in Bethel at EveryTrail


Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram November 14, 2010