Four days of great live music and entertainment make Bath Heritage Days the destination to help your family celebrate the 4th of July holiday weekend.
"Our parade and fireworks are big and better than anyone else's," says Jennifer Geiger, director of Main Street Bath. "We invest a fair amount of money in the fireworks to make sure it really is a great show."
But the parade and fireworks on July 4 are only one piece of this major downtown Bath tradition.
Events for the four-day weekend kick off on Friday.
They include Brown Dog Studio's "Barn Cats" at 6:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park, followed by the eight-piece blues-rock band Blues Buzzards at 8:30 p.m.
At Library Park, the second venue for musical entertainment, things start on Friday night at 6 p.m. with the traditional sounds of the Bath Municipal Band during the Rotary's chicken barbecue.
The music is one of the don't-miss features of the weekend with a variety of styles and tunes.
Saturday's lineup at Waterfront Park includes Robert Washington's Elvis tribute tunes, the rock-country sounds of Marshall Marquis and Jimmy Buffett tribute band Changes in Latitude.
Other musical performances at Waterfront Park include Anni Clark, Christian Cuff, Sundog, Fifth Freedom, Pat Colwell & The Soul Sensations and the reggae sounds of Mystic Bowie. The Apple Scruffs Beatles tribute band, the Cajun sounds of Jimmy Jo and the Jumbolayuhs and many other bands will perform in Library Park Friday through Monday as well.
"I think we've got a great music lineup and I'm excited about all the bands this year," said Geiger. "We try to provide a platform for the best regional music and many of the bands this year are from the area."
Music won't be the only fun in town. Smokey's Greatest Show and Carnival will be running rides starting at 5 p.m. on Friday and continuing from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
On Saturday, the fireman's muster is an annual event not to be missed, according to Geiger.
"The fireman's muster is extremely entertaining. These muscled guys get so excited and are energetic to pump the water. They parade their hand-tubs through the middle of town to where the muster is held."
The hand-tub parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the muster officially starting at 11 a.m. at the north end of Front Street, between Summer and Linden streets.
Saturday will also feature a farmers market from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the waterfront. The Art in the Park show as well as the Craft Show will be at Library Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Patten Free Library's annual book sale fundraiser will offer a way for patrons to help support the library. Proceeds from the Chili Chowder Fest, starting at 3 p.m. Saturday, will benefit the town skate park.
Sunday's highlight will be the inaugural keel laying at 1 p.m. Area high school students will spend their summer building a replica of the Virginia, the first English-built ship built in the early 1600s in Maine.
"It's really quite exciting to have the keel laying happen at Heritage Days this year," said Geiger.
Sunday will also feature the Front Street Shuffle Antique Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday starts with the road race and fun run at 7:45 a.m., followed by the parade at 11 a.m. There should be about 100 entries.
"The parade route is a couple of miles long so while people are waiting for the parade we try to keep them happy," explained Geiger. There will be musicians loitering on street corners along the route before the parade begins. These performers will start their pre-parade wandering at 10 a.m.
The event will wrap up Monday night with the Bath Municipal Band pre-fireworks concert at 8 p.m. at Library Park and the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
"Bath is a tight-knit community but we're very welcoming," said Geiger. "Heritage Days is just a great party."
BATH HERITAGE DAYS
WHEN: July 1-4
WHERE: Bath
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: Local businesses and booths around town
PARKING: Downtown as well as a paid lot at the waterfront across from the Hampton Inn.
DON'T MISS: Musical entertainment, parade and fireworks
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Chili Chowder Fest to benefit the skate park, Strawberry Shortcake Festival to benefit the Cosmopolitan Club and book sale to benefit the Patten Free Library.
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: Rain or shine event
MORE INFO: www.bathheritagedays.com
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram June 26, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Product Review: Play & Freeze Ice Cream Maker
I was contacted by icecreamrevolution.com to review their Play & Freeze ice cream maker. The Play & Freeze is marketed for use outdoors. The suggestion was for my family to try it while camping and see how well it worked. I checked in with my girls and they were happy to be product testers during our camping trip.
Unfortunately, the camping trip last weekend was a wash-out with heavy rain and 50-degree weather (camping in June in Maine is always tricky business) so the kids were more about hot cocoa and soup than making a frozen treat. But we've made several batches of ice cream in the Play & Freeze in our backyard in warmer weather and it really does work great.
G. was our family's primary tester. She used a quart-sized "Mega" Play & Freeze (the company makes a smaller pint size as well) and followed the basic vanilla ice cream recipe. The recipe calls for light cream or half and half but highlights that the more fat content, the more success you'll have with a thicker final product. We happened to have light cream in the house so she filled the metal tube in the ball with that along with some sugar and vanilla. She filled the other end of the ball with ice cubes and kosher salt (we didn't have rock salt on-hand as suggested but found the coarse kosher salt worked OK). Once both ends of the ball were twisted securely shut she took to the ball outside and started kicking it around the yard.
After some time kicking in her flip flops, she had the brainstorm to roll it down a small hill. It really was a genius idea because within 10 minutes the ice cream inside was getting firm after all the fast rolling hill action.
The directions indicate this to be a two-step process. After 10 minutes of rolling/agitation, she opened the ice end and drained some of the water from melted ice cubes, added a few more ice cubes and salt. She also opened the cream end and stirred the mixture. Then she resumed kicking the ball around for another 10 minutes (for a total of 20 minutes).
And voila! The ice cream was done.
The vanilla ice cream recipe. Note that the cream tends to stick to the sides of the aluminum cylinder because that's the coldest area. There is a softer center but the sides are very firm and take a minute to scrape off. That's where you'll see the most commercial-like ice cream consistency. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the ice cream off the sides. A metal spoon will leave scratches in the cylinder.
Another day G. tried to make an orange juice-flavored ice cream. She used a 1/2 pint of orange juice and a 1/2 pint of half and half. After 25 minutes of kicking the ball around the mixture was still only slush-like. She said that was OK because it made a tasty, creamsicle slush.
Another attempt using half and half with the basic vanilla recipe offered a bit softer ice cream than G. preferred. She said light cream definitely made the best consistency in the shortest amount of time.
My husband very much enjoyed being the taste tester for G. and commented that we've had an electric ice cream maker that doesn't work as well as the Play & Freeze (truth be told, our electric maker is more than a decade old). We've made more than a half dozen batches of ice cream in the Play & Freeze so far with great success when using light cream.
The Play & Freeze came with a booklet of recipes as well as a link with more suggestions online. Our favorites were the vanilla and the cinnamon recipes. The cinnamon flavored ice cream reminded us of horchata, a traditional Mexican rice milk drink we love. G. has plans to try an apple pie ice cream sometime soon. She hasn't tried any chocolate chips or other mix-ins so a few small apple chunks will be her first addition. But she wants to try the pie spices of cinnamon and nutmeg to see how they taste in her ice cream.
I realized that not only did this ice cream maker work well outdoors, but it ensures my kids eat an all-natural (albeit high fat) ice cream with only a few simple ingredients this summer. I also love the fact that it requires some running around to complete the ice cream making task so the kids are burning some calories before they indulge in their higher fat ice cream treat.
The ball is made of a durable copolyester (hard plastic) but all of my kids' rolling of the Play & Freeze has been on grass. I thought grass a good surface to prolong the use of the Play & Freeze and avoid damage. The ball seems like a durable shell but I would guess a few hard drops on a paved or packed gravel surface would likely cause a crack or two. I have seen that happen with a similar product.
Things We Liked
* Using light cream works best for getting the harder ice cream consistency for your final product.
* The instructions with the ball said it could take 25-35 minutes to get the ice cream consistency. But G. found when she rolled it down a small grassy hill and kept it in motion using light cream, she got the desired results in about 20 minutes.
* Kids get some good exercise making their ice cream as well as some silly fun kicking the ball around. In years past we've made ice cream by shaking containers with our arms. Kicking and rolling it was a far better way to agitate and pass the time in a fun way. Our legs didn't get nearly as tired as our arms used to.
* I highly recommend the QUART size Play & Freeze (you can buy a variety of colors on Amazon). That size was perfect for satisfying my family of four with a generous portion of ice cream when it was done. The pint size would have been too small for us.
Things To Watch
* You need to use a higher fat ingredient to get the ice cream consistency. I felt this was OK when I considered the exercise the kids get while making their ice cream.
* The ball has a hard shell and is quite heavy when filled with ice and your cream recipe. For younger kids I'd suggest a parent carry the ball to a grassy location and place it on the ground for rolling.
* Kids need to be careful kicking the ball. I suggested my teenage daughter wear sneakers when kicking the hard ball around but she insisted her flip flops were fine. She stubbed her toe a couple of times before she came up with the hill rolling option.
* Wipe the screw cover casing each time you open it. There was a bit of leakage with one of the half dozen batches of ice cream we made. G. believes she didn't fully dry off the screw casing before closing and kicking the Play & Freeze to finish off the process. Have a clean towel outside for that job to ensure a dry, clean closing after checking your ice cream's progress.
G. looking quite pleased with her homemade ice cream.
The cinnamon flavored ice cream - known as Horchata ice cream to my family - was one of our favorite recipes.
Anyone else ever tried this product, or one similar to it? Care to share your thoughts... or recipes?
Unfortunately, the camping trip last weekend was a wash-out with heavy rain and 50-degree weather (camping in June in Maine is always tricky business) so the kids were more about hot cocoa and soup than making a frozen treat. But we've made several batches of ice cream in the Play & Freeze in our backyard in warmer weather and it really does work great.
G. was our family's primary tester. She used a quart-sized "Mega" Play & Freeze (the company makes a smaller pint size as well) and followed the basic vanilla ice cream recipe. The recipe calls for light cream or half and half but highlights that the more fat content, the more success you'll have with a thicker final product. We happened to have light cream in the house so she filled the metal tube in the ball with that along with some sugar and vanilla. She filled the other end of the ball with ice cubes and kosher salt (we didn't have rock salt on-hand as suggested but found the coarse kosher salt worked OK). Once both ends of the ball were twisted securely shut she took to the ball outside and started kicking it around the yard.
After some time kicking in her flip flops, she had the brainstorm to roll it down a small hill. It really was a genius idea because within 10 minutes the ice cream inside was getting firm after all the fast rolling hill action.
The directions indicate this to be a two-step process. After 10 minutes of rolling/agitation, she opened the ice end and drained some of the water from melted ice cubes, added a few more ice cubes and salt. She also opened the cream end and stirred the mixture. Then she resumed kicking the ball around for another 10 minutes (for a total of 20 minutes).
And voila! The ice cream was done.
The vanilla ice cream recipe. Note that the cream tends to stick to the sides of the aluminum cylinder because that's the coldest area. There is a softer center but the sides are very firm and take a minute to scrape off. That's where you'll see the most commercial-like ice cream consistency. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the ice cream off the sides. A metal spoon will leave scratches in the cylinder.
Another day G. tried to make an orange juice-flavored ice cream. She used a 1/2 pint of orange juice and a 1/2 pint of half and half. After 25 minutes of kicking the ball around the mixture was still only slush-like. She said that was OK because it made a tasty, creamsicle slush.
Another attempt using half and half with the basic vanilla recipe offered a bit softer ice cream than G. preferred. She said light cream definitely made the best consistency in the shortest amount of time.
My husband very much enjoyed being the taste tester for G. and commented that we've had an electric ice cream maker that doesn't work as well as the Play & Freeze (truth be told, our electric maker is more than a decade old). We've made more than a half dozen batches of ice cream in the Play & Freeze so far with great success when using light cream.
The Play & Freeze came with a booklet of recipes as well as a link with more suggestions online. Our favorites were the vanilla and the cinnamon recipes. The cinnamon flavored ice cream reminded us of horchata, a traditional Mexican rice milk drink we love. G. has plans to try an apple pie ice cream sometime soon. She hasn't tried any chocolate chips or other mix-ins so a few small apple chunks will be her first addition. But she wants to try the pie spices of cinnamon and nutmeg to see how they taste in her ice cream.
I realized that not only did this ice cream maker work well outdoors, but it ensures my kids eat an all-natural (albeit high fat) ice cream with only a few simple ingredients this summer. I also love the fact that it requires some running around to complete the ice cream making task so the kids are burning some calories before they indulge in their higher fat ice cream treat.
The ball is made of a durable copolyester (hard plastic) but all of my kids' rolling of the Play & Freeze has been on grass. I thought grass a good surface to prolong the use of the Play & Freeze and avoid damage. The ball seems like a durable shell but I would guess a few hard drops on a paved or packed gravel surface would likely cause a crack or two. I have seen that happen with a similar product.
Things We Liked
* Using light cream works best for getting the harder ice cream consistency for your final product.
* The instructions with the ball said it could take 25-35 minutes to get the ice cream consistency. But G. found when she rolled it down a small grassy hill and kept it in motion using light cream, she got the desired results in about 20 minutes.
* Kids get some good exercise making their ice cream as well as some silly fun kicking the ball around. In years past we've made ice cream by shaking containers with our arms. Kicking and rolling it was a far better way to agitate and pass the time in a fun way. Our legs didn't get nearly as tired as our arms used to.
* I highly recommend the QUART size Play & Freeze (you can buy a variety of colors on Amazon). That size was perfect for satisfying my family of four with a generous portion of ice cream when it was done. The pint size would have been too small for us.
Things To Watch
* You need to use a higher fat ingredient to get the ice cream consistency. I felt this was OK when I considered the exercise the kids get while making their ice cream.
* The ball has a hard shell and is quite heavy when filled with ice and your cream recipe. For younger kids I'd suggest a parent carry the ball to a grassy location and place it on the ground for rolling.
* Kids need to be careful kicking the ball. I suggested my teenage daughter wear sneakers when kicking the hard ball around but she insisted her flip flops were fine. She stubbed her toe a couple of times before she came up with the hill rolling option.
* Wipe the screw cover casing each time you open it. There was a bit of leakage with one of the half dozen batches of ice cream we made. G. believes she didn't fully dry off the screw casing before closing and kicking the Play & Freeze to finish off the process. Have a clean towel outside for that job to ensure a dry, clean closing after checking your ice cream's progress.
Anyone else ever tried this product, or one similar to it? Care to share your thoughts... or recipes?
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Camping in the rain, we all have our limits
We went camping this past weekend. You know, the weekend of torrential downpours and barely 50-degree temperatures? It was a weekend of stories to reflect on the glass half (over)full thoughts with our friends. I believe each one of us would rather believe our stories were tall tales than the reality of our weekend of seriously wet weather. But we left laughing about it all – from the flooding tents to the Ramen noodle dinners.
The truth is, my family has bad luck in the weather department when planning a camping trip. Three years ago, the first year we attended Maine 4-H Days at Windsor Fairgrounds, we had hail and tornado warnings and sought shelter in the pulling arena for the night. No tornadoes actually passed through our area (although we did get some hail) and we laughed about the craziness of it all.
Last year a few thunderstorms rolled through town. The rain moved quickly and we had periods of sun that dried things up between storm clouds. The lack of tornado warnings and hail kept our glass half full attitude alive and well for that weekend.
But this year was a testament to our resolve.
In anticipation of wet weather (I’ve learned a thing or two about camping in the rain these past few years), I decided to spray a new coat of water repellent on the fly of our tent as well as an extra fly we had as a backup. I also made sure our tent had a correctly sized tarp to serve as a ‘footprint’ to prevent water from seeping through the bottom. I also purchased a couple of extra foam mats to put under our sleeping bags. I was excited to add to our packing line-up our as-yet-unused Christmas gift from my mom - an EZ-Up shelter with the tarp side attachments.
I was ready for some rain, or so I thought.
This was the forecast I thought we were in for but it was oh so much more intense rain-wise.
In watching the weather reports we decided to leave Thursday night because it wasn’t forecast to rain in Windsor until after midnight. We arrived at midnight and got our gear set up in a nick of time. An hour later it started to rain and pretty much didn’t stop until we left.
The deal with Maine 4-H Days is that the kids sign up to take a variety of classes over the course of three days. G. was jazzed about all her crafty-type classes, which included making wooden roses, friendship bracelets, flower pounding and making seed paper. And L. was really excited about learning how to make goat milk cheese as well as making strawberry jam, doing decorative painting as well as the rollerski biathlon workshop. We also had a 15-year-old friend accompany us and she was all about her all-day ‘tech wizards’ class to make her own movie from start to finish.
Needless to say, we were motivated to take the weather in stride so the kids could attend all their workshops.
It rained, hard at times, on Friday with only an hour or two of light drizzle. The EZ-Up shelter was a lifesaver for not only my crew, but another family as well. I had my large hot water pot going pretty much the whole time in the shelter to make tea, hot cocoa and what turned out to be the popular dinner item of the trip, Ramen noodles. The hot meal went a long way to keeping my crew, and their friends, warm. We had packed some good rain gear but it just doesn’t keep dry for an entire day – or two - in the rain, especially our footwear (sneakers get soggy, sandals in 50-degree weather just keeps you cold).
Around 10 p.m. Friday we got some perspective on what heavy rain really is. That’s when the true torrential rain started. Both of our tents, set up on the down-slope of a small hill, stayed relatively dry. There was a small wet spot on the floor of my tent and a small puddle in the kids’ tent the next morning and I thought that was great considering the amazing amount of rain that fell all night.
Our friends didn’t fair so well. One of my friends with three children woke up soaked from leaks from the top of her family’s tent as well as the bottom. But they were on the same small down-slope we were so didn’t have any big puddles of water inside their tent. Our other friends were not so lucky. They were on leveler ground and ended up with about 6-inches of rain at the bottom of their entire tent. In the middle of the night my friend, her husband and their four kids made a dash to their SUV and slept in it for the rest of the night.
On Saturday my mom (and dad) friends and I compared notes on how many inches of rain we had (2-3” was the conservative guess) and how much of it ended up in our tents. All of the families had a good sense of humor about it.
“The things we do for our kids!”
“What were we thinking!?”
“At least we don’t need bug spray. The rain is keeping all the bugs away.”
“Wendy, it always rains when you camp? Then we aren’t planning any more camping trips with you!” (This was said in jest, I think.)
But the sentiment that me and two of my tent-dwelling friends uttered more than once to confirm that we were all leaving Saturday night (a day early) was…
It’s been an incredibly wet two nights and two days in the tents but it has offered some amusing stories to share in years to come. Every year there is some crazy weather event during Maine 4-H Days. But if we stay a third night it just won’t be funny anymore. We’re leaving, tonight.
I checked in with my girls and their friend to see how they felt about leaving a night early and they all concurred they were tired of being wet and cold.
Despite the wet conditions, the kids had fun and my friends and I shared some laughs.
So less you think I’m a hard-core outdoors-y type, I do have my limits.
I didn't take many pictures (for obvious reasons) but I did manage a few.
L. at her goat cheese making workshop. It was very tasty!
G.'s wooden roses were really cool.
L's biathlon workshop with the Maine Winter Sports Center was also a highlight for her.
G. hung out reading her book rather than brave the downpour in our EZ-Up shelter. Those tarp sides are worth the investment when you know you'll be dealing with rain. Also note the hot water pot. It was a $3 investment from Goodwill I am so happy we brought it along. Hot cocoa and Ramen noodles are now a staple for future camping trips.
Fino also brought along his espresso maker. He's not a serious coffee drinker but his espresso machine has entertainment value to my kids and their friends.
I posted a Twitter update on Saturday afternoon that G. and Fino ran from the EZ-Up shelter to the tent and back - about 25 feet total - and got soaked.
But this is the picture of our little 5-year-old friend is the one I think sums up how much rain we were dealing with during our camping weekend.
We did find some drier fun in Windsor at Hussey's General Store. It's the quirky place that sells all sorts of things. Note the wedding gown display in the upper right corner window.
But this was the item we laughed most about on the ride home.
The truth is, my family has bad luck in the weather department when planning a camping trip. Three years ago, the first year we attended Maine 4-H Days at Windsor Fairgrounds, we had hail and tornado warnings and sought shelter in the pulling arena for the night. No tornadoes actually passed through our area (although we did get some hail) and we laughed about the craziness of it all.
Last year a few thunderstorms rolled through town. The rain moved quickly and we had periods of sun that dried things up between storm clouds. The lack of tornado warnings and hail kept our glass half full attitude alive and well for that weekend.
But this year was a testament to our resolve.
In anticipation of wet weather (I’ve learned a thing or two about camping in the rain these past few years), I decided to spray a new coat of water repellent on the fly of our tent as well as an extra fly we had as a backup. I also made sure our tent had a correctly sized tarp to serve as a ‘footprint’ to prevent water from seeping through the bottom. I also purchased a couple of extra foam mats to put under our sleeping bags. I was excited to add to our packing line-up our as-yet-unused Christmas gift from my mom - an EZ-Up shelter with the tarp side attachments.
I was ready for some rain, or so I thought.
This was the forecast I thought we were in for but it was oh so much more intense rain-wise.In watching the weather reports we decided to leave Thursday night because it wasn’t forecast to rain in Windsor until after midnight. We arrived at midnight and got our gear set up in a nick of time. An hour later it started to rain and pretty much didn’t stop until we left.
The deal with Maine 4-H Days is that the kids sign up to take a variety of classes over the course of three days. G. was jazzed about all her crafty-type classes, which included making wooden roses, friendship bracelets, flower pounding and making seed paper. And L. was really excited about learning how to make goat milk cheese as well as making strawberry jam, doing decorative painting as well as the rollerski biathlon workshop. We also had a 15-year-old friend accompany us and she was all about her all-day ‘tech wizards’ class to make her own movie from start to finish.
Needless to say, we were motivated to take the weather in stride so the kids could attend all their workshops.
It rained, hard at times, on Friday with only an hour or two of light drizzle. The EZ-Up shelter was a lifesaver for not only my crew, but another family as well. I had my large hot water pot going pretty much the whole time in the shelter to make tea, hot cocoa and what turned out to be the popular dinner item of the trip, Ramen noodles. The hot meal went a long way to keeping my crew, and their friends, warm. We had packed some good rain gear but it just doesn’t keep dry for an entire day – or two - in the rain, especially our footwear (sneakers get soggy, sandals in 50-degree weather just keeps you cold).
Around 10 p.m. Friday we got some perspective on what heavy rain really is. That’s when the true torrential rain started. Both of our tents, set up on the down-slope of a small hill, stayed relatively dry. There was a small wet spot on the floor of my tent and a small puddle in the kids’ tent the next morning and I thought that was great considering the amazing amount of rain that fell all night.
Our friends didn’t fair so well. One of my friends with three children woke up soaked from leaks from the top of her family’s tent as well as the bottom. But they were on the same small down-slope we were so didn’t have any big puddles of water inside their tent. Our other friends were not so lucky. They were on leveler ground and ended up with about 6-inches of rain at the bottom of their entire tent. In the middle of the night my friend, her husband and their four kids made a dash to their SUV and slept in it for the rest of the night.
On Saturday my mom (and dad) friends and I compared notes on how many inches of rain we had (2-3” was the conservative guess) and how much of it ended up in our tents. All of the families had a good sense of humor about it.
“The things we do for our kids!”
“What were we thinking!?”
“At least we don’t need bug spray. The rain is keeping all the bugs away.”
“Wendy, it always rains when you camp? Then we aren’t planning any more camping trips with you!” (This was said in jest, I think.)
But the sentiment that me and two of my tent-dwelling friends uttered more than once to confirm that we were all leaving Saturday night (a day early) was…
It’s been an incredibly wet two nights and two days in the tents but it has offered some amusing stories to share in years to come. Every year there is some crazy weather event during Maine 4-H Days. But if we stay a third night it just won’t be funny anymore. We’re leaving, tonight.
I checked in with my girls and their friend to see how they felt about leaving a night early and they all concurred they were tired of being wet and cold.
Despite the wet conditions, the kids had fun and my friends and I shared some laughs.
So less you think I’m a hard-core outdoors-y type, I do have my limits.
I didn't take many pictures (for obvious reasons) but I did manage a few.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Preview: Kittery Block Party
The town known as York County's home for retail outlets is gearing up for what organizers hope will be a signature event in the community for years to come: Saturday's Kittery Block Party.
There will be live entertainment throughout the day, along with a children's area. There also will be demonstrations and educational exhibits with artisans, artists, nonprofit groups and farmers that will add a truly local flair.
"This is just a really good intergenerational family event that is involving so many aspects of the community, from businesses to nonprofits and the town all working together to really create a nice event," said Janice Grady, director of the Kittery Recreation Department.
The master of ceremonies, comedian Tom Clark, will get the party started at 10 a.m. Magician Peter Boie is the first act, followed at 11 a.m. by Shapleigh School's Little Amps and Flute Choir. The Stairwells take the stage at noon.
The music will then turn country with Hank and Dixie and The Knotty Pine Boys fronted by Harvey Reed. Jazz and bluegrass are next with Sea Smoke at 2 p.m. The Dance Hall, the West African Ballet Kakande and the Unofficial Buoy Ensemble are also in the afternoon lineup.
In the children's area, entertainers begin strolling the street at noon. Kids will be enthralled with Rick Adam's stilt walking and one-man band, as well as balloon animals and strolling magic by other performers. Local favorite Gary Sredzienski also will be playing the accordion.
"We will have a fabulous children's area with a bouncy house, carnival-like games, sand and spin art, face painting and more," Grady said. "There will be something for everybody. And this event isn't going to cost people money except to eat."
It might cost a few dollars but you won't want to pass up the opportunity to treat your taste buds to the local food options.
"We have such great restaurants in Kittery," said Michael Landgarten, a member of the planning committee and owner of lead sponsor Bob's Clam Hut. "There are going to be a lot of good bargains and great-tasting food. The lineup is going to be hard to beat.
"We focused on not doing fair food. You're going to get a high-end food that is delicious."
Landgarten has been pleased with how quickly the idea of a block party took off.
"It was great how this event emerged," he said. "Initially, Bob's Clam Hut wanted to do something to give back to the town and community. We spoke with the town and decided to bring back the block party, an event that has not happened for over 10 years. All the people we approached said 'yes' in a big way."
Plans to block off streets for the party for walking and biking also included making sure there is parking for visitors. Organizers have worked hard to ensure that there is plenty of parking within walking distance of the festivities. There also will be a shuttle service to and from all of the parking areas.
"It's been a lovely surprise the way different sectors in town have come together to plan this event," Landgarten said.
Organizers are also hoping to make the event as green as possible with the help of Eco Movement. The company will sponsor a recycling station with bins for recycling, composting and the landfill. A little trash sorting will go a long way to meet the zero-waste goal set by event organizers.
Landgarten said he's looking forward to celebrating a renewed signature event for Kittery.
"It's a vibrant community and is due some appreciation," he said. "It has its own special qualities as the oldest town in Maine. This is our chance to introduce folks to our great town and to celebrate with our neighbors."
KITTERY BLOCK PARTY
WHEN: Saturday, June 18
WHERE: Government Street through Wallingford Square and up Walker Street
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: A variety of local vendors and restaurants
PARKING: York Hospital parking lot off Walker Street, Rogers Road and Route 236. Shuttles will be running from lots.
DON'T MISS: The food
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Proceeds go to Fair Tide, a Kittery transitional housing nonprofit, as well as the Kittery Recreation Department, to benefit youth and elderly programs in town.
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: There is no rain date. Entertainment is under a tent and music will go on rain or shine.
MORE INFO: www.kitteryblockparty.org
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram June 12, 2011
There will be live entertainment throughout the day, along with a children's area. There also will be demonstrations and educational exhibits with artisans, artists, nonprofit groups and farmers that will add a truly local flair.
"This is just a really good intergenerational family event that is involving so many aspects of the community, from businesses to nonprofits and the town all working together to really create a nice event," said Janice Grady, director of the Kittery Recreation Department.
The master of ceremonies, comedian Tom Clark, will get the party started at 10 a.m. Magician Peter Boie is the first act, followed at 11 a.m. by Shapleigh School's Little Amps and Flute Choir. The Stairwells take the stage at noon.
The music will then turn country with Hank and Dixie and The Knotty Pine Boys fronted by Harvey Reed. Jazz and bluegrass are next with Sea Smoke at 2 p.m. The Dance Hall, the West African Ballet Kakande and the Unofficial Buoy Ensemble are also in the afternoon lineup.
In the children's area, entertainers begin strolling the street at noon. Kids will be enthralled with Rick Adam's stilt walking and one-man band, as well as balloon animals and strolling magic by other performers. Local favorite Gary Sredzienski also will be playing the accordion.
"We will have a fabulous children's area with a bouncy house, carnival-like games, sand and spin art, face painting and more," Grady said. "There will be something for everybody. And this event isn't going to cost people money except to eat."
It might cost a few dollars but you won't want to pass up the opportunity to treat your taste buds to the local food options.
"We have such great restaurants in Kittery," said Michael Landgarten, a member of the planning committee and owner of lead sponsor Bob's Clam Hut. "There are going to be a lot of good bargains and great-tasting food. The lineup is going to be hard to beat.
"We focused on not doing fair food. You're going to get a high-end food that is delicious."
Landgarten has been pleased with how quickly the idea of a block party took off.
"It was great how this event emerged," he said. "Initially, Bob's Clam Hut wanted to do something to give back to the town and community. We spoke with the town and decided to bring back the block party, an event that has not happened for over 10 years. All the people we approached said 'yes' in a big way."
Plans to block off streets for the party for walking and biking also included making sure there is parking for visitors. Organizers have worked hard to ensure that there is plenty of parking within walking distance of the festivities. There also will be a shuttle service to and from all of the parking areas.
"It's been a lovely surprise the way different sectors in town have come together to plan this event," Landgarten said.
Organizers are also hoping to make the event as green as possible with the help of Eco Movement. The company will sponsor a recycling station with bins for recycling, composting and the landfill. A little trash sorting will go a long way to meet the zero-waste goal set by event organizers.
Landgarten said he's looking forward to celebrating a renewed signature event for Kittery.
"It's a vibrant community and is due some appreciation," he said. "It has its own special qualities as the oldest town in Maine. This is our chance to introduce folks to our great town and to celebrate with our neighbors."
KITTERY BLOCK PARTY
WHEN: Saturday, June 18
WHERE: Government Street through Wallingford Square and up Walker Street
HOW MUCH: Free
FOOD OPTIONS: A variety of local vendors and restaurants
PARKING: York Hospital parking lot off Walker Street, Rogers Road and Route 236. Shuttles will be running from lots.
DON'T MISS: The food
KID-FRIENDLY FACTOR: Great
BENEFITS: Proceeds go to Fair Tide, a Kittery transitional housing nonprofit, as well as the Kittery Recreation Department, to benefit youth and elderly programs in town.
IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER: There is no rain date. Entertainment is under a tent and music will go on rain or shine.
MORE INFO: www.kitteryblockparty.org
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram June 12, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Outdoor apps to entice tweens on family hikes
I know that outdoor adventures should not include cellphones, because the whole point is to focus on nature, not on the latest technology.
But for those parents who have not done much hiking with their tween/teen (or even if you have), this might be just the ticket to get them (more) excited about an outdoor adventure with the family.
Here are a few outdoor-oriented smart-phone applications that I have used with my kids and found to be fun and/or educational for all of us.
* Star Walk from Vito Technology: This app is a family favorite that allows us to identify stars, planets and constellations in the night sky. This real-time application uses a digital compass that is activated when the phone is tilted skyward.
The compass tracks movement so that when you change direction it re-orients to show on the phone's screen exactly what you are looking at in the sky.
It has a serious awe factor for both kids and adults. And the bonus is that everyone will learn something while using it. This app is dependent on a cell tower connection.
Currently available only on iPhone. Cost: $2.99.
* Geocache Navigator from Groundspeak Inc.: Geocache Navigator makes geocaching easier than ever.
For those unfamiliar, geocaching is a game that uses GPS coordinates to find a hidden box filled with inexpensive trinkets and a log book. Players, called geocachers, download the coordinates to their GPS units -- in this case to their mobile phone -- and then navigate their way to the hidden box.
The downside to using this app is that it requires a cell tower connection, which isn't so great in dense tree cover. It's best used on more urban/suburban hiking trails.
Available on iPhone and Android. Cost: $9.99; intro version with limited capabilities available for free on iPhone only.
* MyNature Animal Tracks from MyNature Inc.: You can identify tracks you see in the woods with this very user-friendly app.
There is a searchable database that helps narrow down track ID options. For instance, if you find a track with four toes, choose that category. Then you'll be prompted to determine if the toes are rounded or oblong, until the app narrows things down to a couple of species.
From that point, you can view a track image to identify gait as well as a real-life example to confirm your ID.
The app works on the process of elimination and is very easy to use. You'll feel confident you made the right identification.
Also included are scat ID options, animal sounds, the ability to keep a "life list" and a social networking component to share your discoveries.
This app is self-contained, so no cell tower connection is needed unless you choose to post your find online.
Currently available on iPhone and Android. Cost: $6.99; a less comprehensive version called Mammal Tracks is available for 99 cents.
* Wildflower Guide from Audubon: Audubon has turned several of its field guides into apps and this particular guide has been an enjoyable one for my kids. It allows novice wildflower admirers to identify a variety of species with Audubon's comprehensive resource list.
Users can search by flower shape, color, parts, size, leaf arrangement and several other factors to narrow down the ID search.
Once you choose a species you can zoom the photo for details, see the range map of where it typically grows and get an in-depth description. Users with a basic understanding of wildflowers can do more advanced searches based on species family or name.
There is also a built-in photo option so you can store an image in the app's "life list" folder. This app is self-contained, so no cell tower connection is needed.
Currently available on iPhone and Android. Cost: $4.99; a bundle of four Audubon guides (wildflowers, birds, mammals and trees) is available for $29.99.
* EveryTrail from GlobalMotion Media Inc.: This app from Everytrail.com offers a way to remember -- and share -- outdoor adventures by creating your own interactive trip map.
Everytrail allows you to plot pictures and add notes and commentary about the trail as well as record the distance traveled, speed and elevation gain.
It's an easy interface that prompts you to "start tracking" and doesn't require any GPS know-how.
The application has a built-in camera, so while you're out on the trail you can snap some photos and they will be automatically plotted on your final map based on the GPS coordinates at the time you snapped it. You can also follow other people's trail maps.
You need an active cell tower signal for the free version of this app. The upgrade to "Pro" allows you to save trail maps to the phone for use offline, as well as upload video to plot on maps you create.
Currently available on iPhone and Android. Cost: Free for basic version, $3.99 for Pro.
* WildLab Bird from Mediated Spaces Inc.: Schools use this app, designed with the citizen scientist in mind, as an educational tool.
WildLab Bird allows users to collect scientific data -- location, time and bird species -- and save a report of each sighting.
The guide begins with asking what kind of area you are in -- woodland, coastal, wetland or grassland -- and then a roundup of birds you might see in that environment is offered. For instance, in the coastal environment the bird options include "warbler-like," "gull-like," etc.
Once a species type is narrowed down, individual bird pages include audio bird calls, range map and the option to save your notes about the sighting.
This app is a basic birding guide that offers an educational experience as kids collect scientific data and share with others through social networking. No cell tower connection is required to use the guide. Logged sightings can be stored in the app until a connection can be made.
Currently available for free on iPhone only.
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram June 12, 2011
But for those parents who have not done much hiking with their tween/teen (or even if you have), this might be just the ticket to get them (more) excited about an outdoor adventure with the family.
Here are a few outdoor-oriented smart-phone applications that I have used with my kids and found to be fun and/or educational for all of us.
* Star Walk from Vito Technology: This app is a family favorite that allows us to identify stars, planets and constellations in the night sky. This real-time application uses a digital compass that is activated when the phone is tilted skyward.
The compass tracks movement so that when you change direction it re-orients to show on the phone's screen exactly what you are looking at in the sky.
It has a serious awe factor for both kids and adults. And the bonus is that everyone will learn something while using it. This app is dependent on a cell tower connection.
Currently available only on iPhone. Cost: $2.99.
* Geocache Navigator from Groundspeak Inc.: Geocache Navigator makes geocaching easier than ever.
For those unfamiliar, geocaching is a game that uses GPS coordinates to find a hidden box filled with inexpensive trinkets and a log book. Players, called geocachers, download the coordinates to their GPS units -- in this case to their mobile phone -- and then navigate their way to the hidden box.
The downside to using this app is that it requires a cell tower connection, which isn't so great in dense tree cover. It's best used on more urban/suburban hiking trails.
Available on iPhone and Android. Cost: $9.99; intro version with limited capabilities available for free on iPhone only.
* MyNature Animal Tracks from MyNature Inc.: You can identify tracks you see in the woods with this very user-friendly app.
There is a searchable database that helps narrow down track ID options. For instance, if you find a track with four toes, choose that category. Then you'll be prompted to determine if the toes are rounded or oblong, until the app narrows things down to a couple of species.
From that point, you can view a track image to identify gait as well as a real-life example to confirm your ID.
The app works on the process of elimination and is very easy to use. You'll feel confident you made the right identification.
Also included are scat ID options, animal sounds, the ability to keep a "life list" and a social networking component to share your discoveries.
This app is self-contained, so no cell tower connection is needed unless you choose to post your find online.
Currently available on iPhone and Android. Cost: $6.99; a less comprehensive version called Mammal Tracks is available for 99 cents.
* Wildflower Guide from Audubon: Audubon has turned several of its field guides into apps and this particular guide has been an enjoyable one for my kids. It allows novice wildflower admirers to identify a variety of species with Audubon's comprehensive resource list.
Users can search by flower shape, color, parts, size, leaf arrangement and several other factors to narrow down the ID search.
Once you choose a species you can zoom the photo for details, see the range map of where it typically grows and get an in-depth description. Users with a basic understanding of wildflowers can do more advanced searches based on species family or name.
There is also a built-in photo option so you can store an image in the app's "life list" folder. This app is self-contained, so no cell tower connection is needed.
Currently available on iPhone and Android. Cost: $4.99; a bundle of four Audubon guides (wildflowers, birds, mammals and trees) is available for $29.99.
* EveryTrail from GlobalMotion Media Inc.: This app from Everytrail.com offers a way to remember -- and share -- outdoor adventures by creating your own interactive trip map.
Everytrail allows you to plot pictures and add notes and commentary about the trail as well as record the distance traveled, speed and elevation gain.
It's an easy interface that prompts you to "start tracking" and doesn't require any GPS know-how.
The application has a built-in camera, so while you're out on the trail you can snap some photos and they will be automatically plotted on your final map based on the GPS coordinates at the time you snapped it. You can also follow other people's trail maps.
You need an active cell tower signal for the free version of this app. The upgrade to "Pro" allows you to save trail maps to the phone for use offline, as well as upload video to plot on maps you create.
Currently available on iPhone and Android. Cost: Free for basic version, $3.99 for Pro.
* WildLab Bird from Mediated Spaces Inc.: Schools use this app, designed with the citizen scientist in mind, as an educational tool.
WildLab Bird allows users to collect scientific data -- location, time and bird species -- and save a report of each sighting.
The guide begins with asking what kind of area you are in -- woodland, coastal, wetland or grassland -- and then a roundup of birds you might see in that environment is offered. For instance, in the coastal environment the bird options include "warbler-like," "gull-like," etc.
Once a species type is narrowed down, individual bird pages include audio bird calls, range map and the option to save your notes about the sighting.
This app is a basic birding guide that offers an educational experience as kids collect scientific data and share with others through social networking. No cell tower connection is required to use the guide. Logged sightings can be stored in the app until a connection can be made.
Currently available for free on iPhone only.
Originally published in the Maine Sunday Telegram June 12, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Livestock toiletries for sunburns, sore feet
This is L's third year raising pigs and her second with sheep. I can say without a doubt that this year has been the strangest with diagnosing, and treating, health issues.
First there was Yuki the white pig. Within a week of her arriving at our house we observed her hind legs giving out randomly. Before we made a phone call to the farm she purchased her from, I suggested L. do some research. L. scoured her resource books for the symptom while I consulted the web. I ran across a couple of message boards from the mid-west and found a reference to "dipping" legs.
The cause? Sunburn.
I kept on looking for other diagnosis but L. and I kept coming back to references to sunburn. And since L. has never raised an all-white pig, it stood to reason we might not fully understand the implications of a white pig's skin sensitivity.
After another gander at Yuki, we agreed she did look a lot more pink than she did the first day we brought her home (but thankfully, no sores of a serious sunburn). We also had the realization that Yuki spent the first five weeks of her life inside a barn. She'd spent every day with us happily rooting (digging) in our outdoor pen. I think there was maybe two days of sun in all of May but Yuki seemed to have soaked that sunlight right up on those rare occasions.
The treatment for a pig's sunburn is like a human's because our skin is so similar (this is actually a good article that explains how to treat pig's sunburn).
We smeared Yuki with lots of aloe, mud and on the sunny days (which were not many this past month), some sunblock.
Less than a week later Yuki was looking more white than pink and her legs stopped dipping.
Yuki, the white, turned pink, now back to white pig who is in hog heaven when outside rooting.
An interesting learning but L. was pleased to have diagnosed and successfully resolved the issue.
Then Pearl, the white lamb, started limping.
There are a variety of hoof-related problems with sheep, including "scald" due to prolonged muddy conditions. Anyone who had a lamb/sheep this spring was likely treating some of their herd for this because of all our wet weather. It's common and not a big issue if you catch it early.
L. has been diligent in checking and clipping hooves this past month to avoid any more serious hoof issues. She didn't find any problems but Pearl continued to favor one leg.
Then yesterday a farm friend took a look at Pearl's hoof and noticed a small puncture wound under her wool just above the hoof. L. (nor I) thought to look above the hoof, assuming the issue was on the underside because that is the more common problem area.
The wound was small and likely caused by a twig or something equally benign. Regardless of the cause, the wound created a small puss pocket and that hoof was warmer to the touch than the others.
The treatment suggestion from our farm friend? Epsom salt in very warm water.
The plan suggested was to soak Pearl's wound in Epsom salt to draw out the infection and pour a Betadine solution on afterward to disinfect it.
L. did Pearl's second afternoon of soaking today and not only does the puss appear to be gone but her hoof is cooler to the touch after only these couple of treatments.
Pearl doesn't mind the foot soak as long as the bucket doesn't get in the way of her grazing.
If you ever plan to raise livestock, be ready for anything... and know that you might not have to look any further than your own bathroom cabinet for treatment options. We've also learned it is a heck of a lot cheaper too.
First there was Yuki the white pig. Within a week of her arriving at our house we observed her hind legs giving out randomly. Before we made a phone call to the farm she purchased her from, I suggested L. do some research. L. scoured her resource books for the symptom while I consulted the web. I ran across a couple of message boards from the mid-west and found a reference to "dipping" legs.
The cause? Sunburn.
I kept on looking for other diagnosis but L. and I kept coming back to references to sunburn. And since L. has never raised an all-white pig, it stood to reason we might not fully understand the implications of a white pig's skin sensitivity.
After another gander at Yuki, we agreed she did look a lot more pink than she did the first day we brought her home (but thankfully, no sores of a serious sunburn). We also had the realization that Yuki spent the first five weeks of her life inside a barn. She'd spent every day with us happily rooting (digging) in our outdoor pen. I think there was maybe two days of sun in all of May but Yuki seemed to have soaked that sunlight right up on those rare occasions.
The treatment for a pig's sunburn is like a human's because our skin is so similar (this is actually a good article that explains how to treat pig's sunburn).
We smeared Yuki with lots of aloe, mud and on the sunny days (which were not many this past month), some sunblock.
Less than a week later Yuki was looking more white than pink and her legs stopped dipping.
An interesting learning but L. was pleased to have diagnosed and successfully resolved the issue.
Then Pearl, the white lamb, started limping.
There are a variety of hoof-related problems with sheep, including "scald" due to prolonged muddy conditions. Anyone who had a lamb/sheep this spring was likely treating some of their herd for this because of all our wet weather. It's common and not a big issue if you catch it early.
L. has been diligent in checking and clipping hooves this past month to avoid any more serious hoof issues. She didn't find any problems but Pearl continued to favor one leg.
Then yesterday a farm friend took a look at Pearl's hoof and noticed a small puncture wound under her wool just above the hoof. L. (nor I) thought to look above the hoof, assuming the issue was on the underside because that is the more common problem area.
The wound was small and likely caused by a twig or something equally benign. Regardless of the cause, the wound created a small puss pocket and that hoof was warmer to the touch than the others.
The treatment suggestion from our farm friend? Epsom salt in very warm water.
The plan suggested was to soak Pearl's wound in Epsom salt to draw out the infection and pour a Betadine solution on afterward to disinfect it.
L. did Pearl's second afternoon of soaking today and not only does the puss appear to be gone but her hoof is cooler to the touch after only these couple of treatments.
If you ever plan to raise livestock, be ready for anything... and know that you might not have to look any further than your own bathroom cabinet for treatment options. We've also learned it is a heck of a lot cheaper too.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Kid Tracks Column: Explore the trail on a set of 4-wheels
My family spent a day on wheels – of the inline skating variety – and we were reminded again why we like this activity. There was no rack to attach to the car, nor any heavy lifting to load up a family of bicycles. To have fun on skates you only need to find a paved trail with level terrain.
For our first inline skating adventure of the season, my family decided to check out the new Bayside Trail in Portland. It connects to the Eastern Prom trail and since we've skated that trail, we figured the Bayside Trail would give us a bit more mileage to explore while appealing to our desire to skate along the waterfront.
Because we have never been on the Bayside Trail, we brought along backpacks that not only fit our sneakers but also our skates on the chance that the trail was better suited to walking rather than skating. We are not all that adventurous with hilly terrain on our skates so I wanted to make sure we had a back-up plan.
The Bayside Trail begins just behind Trader Joe's on Marginal Way. There is a large patio area with benches that we found helpful to sit down on and put on our skates. We hadn't thought about the bricks in the patio being an issue until we tried to skate on them for the first time.
My 13-year-old thought it was quite comical to talk in her warbled voice while skating across the patio bricks. Although she did declare that her ears were itchy from the vibration before she reached the trail's blacktop.
There are several street crossings on the Bayside Trail and the studded rumble strips at those crossings caused a little uneasy rolling. Because of the slight downhill slope of the sidewalk ramps, I made sure we stopped well before the sidewalk ended to ensure there wasn't any traffic on the street.
This worked just fine for us until we were faced with crossing Franklin Arterial. If you're unfamiliar with Portland, it's a very busy, two-lane (in each direction) roadway leading to the I-295 on-ramp.
Thinking about safety first, we decided to remove our inline skates to make that road crossing in sneakers. I felt it was absolutely the right decision for us since we aren't regular inline skaters and our ability to stop is more by chance than on purpose.
That was the only road crossing I had any concern about on this trail. Next time we visit, we may start this trail just after Franklin Arterial to avoid a footwear swap.
We continued down the trail, skating parallel with part of I-295 before going under a bridge and intersecting with the Eastern Prom Trail. At that intersection we turned right and continued up a small incline to the waste management plant.
We have biked along the Eastern Prom previously so a stop to look at the graffiti wall and bubbling brown water of the waste plant has always been a required stop for my kids. I agree with them, they are interesting sites.
There is a large hill just after the East End Beach and I wasn't confident we could handle the downhill speed on our skates. So we took off our wheels again, donned sneakers, and walked down the hill. We watched the Narrow Gauge Railroad train pass by while we put our skates back on.
The rest of the trail was smooth skating until we reached the sidewalk of Commercial Street at the ferry terminal.
It might sound like taking on and off skates was a lot of work but it wasn't all that much of a hassle. We played it safe on the trail, and in the end, we had a stress-free experience. Plus, we had a destination in mind that was going to require walking shoes anyway – Becky's Diner on Commercial Street for a slice of pie a la mode. That was more than enough incentive to cover the mileage we did on this trail system.
We covered five miles total; about three-and-a-half were on inline skates, according to my GPS unit. The rest of the distance was walking down Commercial Street to the diner and then cutting through the Old Port back to our car.
For families interested in giving inline skating a whirl, I'd highly recommend bringing along a backpack with sneakers. Inline skating is great fun on a smooth, level surface. But sometimes there is a small part of the trail that offers a terrain challenge and having the option to remove skates is a good one, especially when you and/or the kids are new to the sport. Even the smallest hill can be intimidating to a young, inexperienced inline skater and having options ensures a good time for everyone. Offering a special treat at the end of the skate is always a good plan, too.
INLINE SKATING-FRIENDLY TRAILS
There are several trails that offer paved, level terrain to skate on. Some might require a footwear swap for major street crossings and/or a hill.
Eastern Prom Trail in Portland
Street Crossings: No, but a large hill just after the East End Beach might prompt a novice skater to walk down without wheels
Distance: 2.1 miles one way
Other: You can add an additional mile by starting on the Bayside Trail off Marginal Way.
Trail Map: www.trails.org
Androscoggin River Bike Path in Brunswick, Topsham
Street Crossings: No
Distance: 2.63 miles one way
More info: www.brunswickme.org
Greenbelt Walkway in South Portland
Street Crossings: Yes, a couple of major ones.
Distance: 5.7 miles one way
Other: Bug Light Park offers a nice option for novice skaters with a looping trail around the park without continuing down the Greenbelt trail.
More info: www.trails.org
Deering Oaks Park in Portland
Street Crossings: No
Distance: looping trails through the park
More info: www.portlandmaine.gov
Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, June 2011
For our first inline skating adventure of the season, my family decided to check out the new Bayside Trail in Portland. It connects to the Eastern Prom trail and since we've skated that trail, we figured the Bayside Trail would give us a bit more mileage to explore while appealing to our desire to skate along the waterfront.
Because we have never been on the Bayside Trail, we brought along backpacks that not only fit our sneakers but also our skates on the chance that the trail was better suited to walking rather than skating. We are not all that adventurous with hilly terrain on our skates so I wanted to make sure we had a back-up plan.
The Bayside Trail begins just behind Trader Joe's on Marginal Way. There is a large patio area with benches that we found helpful to sit down on and put on our skates. We hadn't thought about the bricks in the patio being an issue until we tried to skate on them for the first time.
My 13-year-old thought it was quite comical to talk in her warbled voice while skating across the patio bricks. Although she did declare that her ears were itchy from the vibration before she reached the trail's blacktop.
There are several street crossings on the Bayside Trail and the studded rumble strips at those crossings caused a little uneasy rolling. Because of the slight downhill slope of the sidewalk ramps, I made sure we stopped well before the sidewalk ended to ensure there wasn't any traffic on the street.
This worked just fine for us until we were faced with crossing Franklin Arterial. If you're unfamiliar with Portland, it's a very busy, two-lane (in each direction) roadway leading to the I-295 on-ramp.
Thinking about safety first, we decided to remove our inline skates to make that road crossing in sneakers. I felt it was absolutely the right decision for us since we aren't regular inline skaters and our ability to stop is more by chance than on purpose.
That was the only road crossing I had any concern about on this trail. Next time we visit, we may start this trail just after Franklin Arterial to avoid a footwear swap.
We continued down the trail, skating parallel with part of I-295 before going under a bridge and intersecting with the Eastern Prom Trail. At that intersection we turned right and continued up a small incline to the waste management plant.
We have biked along the Eastern Prom previously so a stop to look at the graffiti wall and bubbling brown water of the waste plant has always been a required stop for my kids. I agree with them, they are interesting sites.
There is a large hill just after the East End Beach and I wasn't confident we could handle the downhill speed on our skates. So we took off our wheels again, donned sneakers, and walked down the hill. We watched the Narrow Gauge Railroad train pass by while we put our skates back on.
The rest of the trail was smooth skating until we reached the sidewalk of Commercial Street at the ferry terminal.
It might sound like taking on and off skates was a lot of work but it wasn't all that much of a hassle. We played it safe on the trail, and in the end, we had a stress-free experience. Plus, we had a destination in mind that was going to require walking shoes anyway – Becky's Diner on Commercial Street for a slice of pie a la mode. That was more than enough incentive to cover the mileage we did on this trail system.
We covered five miles total; about three-and-a-half were on inline skates, according to my GPS unit. The rest of the distance was walking down Commercial Street to the diner and then cutting through the Old Port back to our car.
For families interested in giving inline skating a whirl, I'd highly recommend bringing along a backpack with sneakers. Inline skating is great fun on a smooth, level surface. But sometimes there is a small part of the trail that offers a terrain challenge and having the option to remove skates is a good one, especially when you and/or the kids are new to the sport. Even the smallest hill can be intimidating to a young, inexperienced inline skater and having options ensures a good time for everyone. Offering a special treat at the end of the skate is always a good plan, too.
Inline Skating on Back Bay & Eastern Prom
INLINE SKATING-FRIENDLY TRAILS
There are several trails that offer paved, level terrain to skate on. Some might require a footwear swap for major street crossings and/or a hill.
Eastern Prom Trail in Portland
Street Crossings: No, but a large hill just after the East End Beach might prompt a novice skater to walk down without wheels
Distance: 2.1 miles one way
Other: You can add an additional mile by starting on the Bayside Trail off Marginal Way.
Trail Map: www.trails.org
Androscoggin River Bike Path in Brunswick, Topsham
Street Crossings: No
Distance: 2.63 miles one way
More info: www.brunswickme.org
Greenbelt Walkway in South Portland
Street Crossings: Yes, a couple of major ones.
Distance: 5.7 miles one way
Other: Bug Light Park offers a nice option for novice skaters with a looping trail around the park without continuing down the Greenbelt trail.
More info: www.trails.org
Deering Oaks Park in Portland
Street Crossings: No
Distance: looping trails through the park
More info: www.portlandmaine.gov
Originally published in Raising Maine Magazine, June 2011
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