Spring,Summer,Fall & Winter: Lewiston/Auburn better known as the “Twin Cities” of Maine has a lot to offer visitors and has been recognized as having one of the best art scenes for its size on the east coast. L/A Arts is the center for a wide variety of visual and performance art programs, family, student and individual learning workshops and community and business related art displays. There is an on-going and ever changing calendar of events that L/A Arts host. If you find yourself in Lewiston, be sure and stop in at Gritty’s for a bite to eat you can enjoy their Arts & Ale display sponsored by the L/A Arts program. During my last visit there was a great photography display lining the walls of Gritty’s but, it is ever changing so be sure to stop in to see what is new. Another great program is L/A Arts sponsored performances held at the Franco-American Heritage Center. From plays to musical events this community center offers a wide variety of entertainment for all ages. If you are trying to come up with some fun, interesting and educational things to do for your kids this summer you should look into their summer workshop programs. These programs vary based on the age with a very popular summer theater program. Lewiston/Auburn has a lot more to offer than what meets the eye and with a program like L/A Arts you could stay busy while immersed one of the best on-going community arts programs in Maine.
Tag: Fall
Hallowell Eateries: Find Great Eats In This Small Town
Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring: Hallowell is a small town outside of Maine’s capital, Augusta but, has some great places to eat. One of the most creative restaurants in town which just re-opened after a devastating fire is Slates. Slates offers an eclectic menu with the freshest produce and bake goods around. In addition, it is a fun, artsy atmosphere and is a great meeting place for Sunday brunch. Another great stop in town is Hattie’s Chowder House. Hatties makes some of the best seafood chowder north of Portland and they have a huge seafood menu from fried to stuffed to baked, it’s all good. The Liberal Cup is the local hangout with a wonderful old pub atmosphere and it’s own line of brewed beers on tap. The food is delicious pub fare and I highly recommend the Beer Cheddar Cheese soup and the fish n’ chips. Lucky Garden has a mainstay in Hallowell for years and for good reason, they have some of the best Chinese cuisine in the area. I love the General Tao’s chicken a perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Perhaps you just want something simple and are craving some good grease! A stop in at Boley’s is just what the doctor ordered. They have some of the best hot dogs in town and homemade French fries around! Boley’s has been a popular place to eat since opening it’s doors over 30 years ago. Hallowell may be small but, offers some great choices to dine and if you are in the area make sure to stop in and enjoy yourself!
Craft Fairs: Handmade Furniture To Quilts, You Can Find It All!
Fall: One of my favorite to dos as we approach the holiday season is to plan my annual trips to the many craft fairs that happen during this time of year. There is something to be said for giving gifts of handmade items crafted in Maine. They make wonderful gifts for anyone on your holiday shopping list. I always make plans to attend one of the largest shows in the state, The Maine Made Craft Fair, which is held at the Augusta Armory during the last week of October. This show is well attended so, I suggest you plan on getting there early so you can have your pick of merchandise. If you are in Northern Maine area, the Caribou Fall Arts and Crafts Fair is another very large and well attended fair that is held at Caribou High School. With over 100 crafters displaying their goods from handmade furniture to quilts, it is a great craft fair to check out. In the Southern half of the state, you will find the annual Christmas Craft Show held at the Stevens Avenue Armory in Portland. All of these shows happen during the month of October so start making your plans now. If you can’t handle thinking about holiday shopping in October, don’t despair, there are still some great craft fairs that happen during the month of November as well. One thing you could do is plan on spending your long Thanksgiving holiday weekend attending the 21st annual Christmas In New England craft show which is held at the Augusta Civic Center. The Bangor area also has their 8th Annual Christmas Craft Show going on in November being held at the Bangor Civic Center. So get busy putting together your holiday gift list and plan on attending one of these craft fairs, they’re a fun thing to do!
Thoreau’s Maine Woods: Retrace His Path
Fall,Winter,Spring & Summer: Henry David Thoreau came to Maine in search of a deeper wilderness and a deeper understanding and he found it Why not retrace his steps by visiting your local library and reading his book, The Maine Woods. It just could inspire you to take a trip or two around the state in search of what he found. The book describes trips over an eleven year period in Thoreau’s lifetime. His works included visits to the northwoods and Moosehead Lakes Region, Mt Katahdin, The Allagash and East Branch. Some of his pathways have been retraced by the curious. Climbing Katahdin is a defining moment for Thoreau. He saw what real wilderness was and that’s in part why people want to go there after reading his book. What Thoreau wrote is as relevant today as it was 150 years ago. He had it right…”you see nature there in its full aspect, and it’s overwhelmingly beautiful”.
Gingerbread Cookies: A Christmas Tradition
Fall, Winter: Gingerbread cookies, just the sound of it makes my mouth water. The smell of ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon brings me back to the days of making them with my grandma. This was a fun tradition that involved little work and a lot of love. The best part of making gingerbread “people” is the decorating. You can use royal icing for the clothes and just about any small candy for the details. Why not spend some time with the family and bake a batch for the family Christmas party, office party or as hostess gifts. The exciting part is the shape and design is only limited to your imagination. If you are not into making people then any cookie cutter shape will work. Stars, angels, candy canes, the sky is the limit and the memories will be treasured for years to come.