Eastport, Maine: An Artist Colony

Eastport, Maine has become an artist colony of sorts. While it is at the very end of a long drive along the coast it is a wonderful spot for artists of all types (and tourists as well). The town boast a number of art galleries and shops to visit. Read an online article on this topic in "Eastport artist establishes bronze foundry", Bangor Daily News, November 14, 2009.

Appalachian Mountain Club and Land Purchase

The Appalachian Mountain Club recently purchased 29,500 acres of forest land and donated it to the state of Maine. The purchase facilitates the creation of a 63-mile-long corridor of conservation land in Maine. Read more in an AMC news release.

Safe Thanksgiving Day

The state of Maine offers numerous Thanksgiving packages for those wanting their turkey day prepared by someone else. Here are some helpful safety hints for enjoying Thanksgiving. Learn how to travel safe, eat safe, and cook safe on Thanksgiving.

York Maine Business Directory

If you are visiting York, Maine and are in the mood for some shopping then consult the York, Maine Business Directory. It will list lodging, dining, recreation, and shops in York, York Beach, and York Harbor, Maine.

Thanksgiving - How a Woman from Maine Help Spread the Tradition

A New Englander was partially responsible for the spread of the Thanksgiving holiday in the mid-1800s. Read how Sarah Joseph Hale - remembering her fond memories of Thanksgiving in Maine - helped with the spread of celebrating Thanksgiving.

"The Thanksgiving menu was spread around the country in the 1850s partly by homesick New Englanders bringing their party with them wherever they moved and partly through the efforts of Sarah Joseph Hale, editor of the most influential publication in the country, Godey's Lady's Book. She started using her position to promote the idea of Thanksgiving in the 1840s, and by 1860, the custom had spread to nearly all the states. During the Civil War, she persuaded President Lincoln to declare a national Thanksgiving Day, and the date he chose for it is basically the one we use today.

Hale had fond memories of her family's bountiful Thanksgivings in Maine, and the holiday menu she publicized is still the norm in New England. One thing that may strike people from other parts of the country is the prominence of plain boiled vegetables: boiled turnips, boiled cabbage, boiled onions."

Read the rest of the article in "Thanksgiving, an American meal", The Los Angeles Times, November 18, 2009.

Click here to learn how to enjoy Thanksgiving in Maine.

Maine Hunting Jokes

At the link below are some humorous hunting and fishing jokes provided by the Maine Hunting Camps website. Enjoy!

http://maine-hunting-camp.com/huntfishjokes.html

News about Maine Ski Areas

A recent post by nj.com has described some of the new looks that Maine ski areas and resorts are providing us. Among the changes are news from Mt. Abram, Saddleback, Shawnee Peak, Sugarloaf, and other Maine ski areas. See "Here's what 's new this season at Maine ski areas".

Maine Brewers Fest Draws Beer Fans

Portland, Maine was the host of the recent Maine Brewers Festival a few days back in early November. The event was held in the Portland Expo and featured 17 different breweries and 60 different brews. Read more in "Maine Brewers Fest draws thirsty crowd", Morning Sentinel, November 8, 2009. Click here for a listing of Maine breweries and pubs.

Portland, Maine Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show (Nov 27-29, 2009)

The 35th Annual Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show will take place November 27-29, 2009 in Portland, Maine. The location will be the Brewer Auditorium on State Street. Admission is $1.00. The event is sponsored by the United Maine Craftsmen. The show is especially suited for Christmas shoppers.

Turkey Day in Maine

The White Barn Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine has a Thanksgiving package for those who want to enjoy a Maine Thanksgiving.

Paddling in Maine in November on Damariscotta Lake

If you are looking for a spot to paddle your canoe or kayak one more time this year then consider Damariscotta Lake. A paddling enthusiast describes his recent voyage on this lake in an online article. See "November a fine time for a paddle", Maine Outdoor Journal, November 8, 2009.

York, Maine and Thanksgiving

There are a number of restaurants in the York, Maine area that offer dinner on Thanksgiving. The Greater York Chamber of Commerce has listed them with their phone numbers.

When is the Best Time to Hunt Deer in Maine?

Many folks are wondering when is the best time to hunt deer in Maine? A registered Maine Guide who lives in Pownal, Maine has published an online article that explores the science and conjecture on the best time to hunt deer. Read his article in "Best time to go hunting? Deer know", Maine Outdoor Journal, November 8, 2009.

Land Acquisitions Preserves Maine Land as Wilderness

Two large parcels of Maine land have been acquired by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Nature Conservancy. Maine now has 16% of its land in preservation plots; much higher than the national average. Read more in "Land Acquisitions a Landmark Achievement", MPBN, November 9, 2009.

Augusta Arts & Crafts Show (Nov 14-15, 2009)

The 28th Annual Arts & Crafts Show is presented by the United Maine Craftsmen on November 14-15, 2009. It will be held at the Augusta Civic Center, in Augusta, Maine. For more info click on http://www.unitedmainecraftsmen.com/.

Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine

Yesterday my wife and I visited the Nubble Lighthouse in York, Maine. It is every bit as nice as the photos and paintings that I have seen of it. We stayed overnight at the Anchorage Inn right on Long Sands Beach in York, Maine. The Inn was nice and even though it was mid-November it was still doing some good business. There are lots of lighthouses in Maine; however, Nubble Lighthouse is one of the more scenic ones.

Hints for Cooking Turkeys for Thanksgiving

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has provided some helpful hints on handling Turkeys for Thanksgiving. The information provided includes suggestions on how to buy a turkey, whether to get one frozen or fresh, how to thaw the bird, how to stuff a turkey, cooking a turkey in a microwave oven, and serving the turkey. Read all about it in handling turkeys for Thanksgiving. If you decide you don't want to cook a Thanksgiving meal then consider a Thanksgiving getaway in Maine where the turkey is cooked for you!

Getting Lost in Maine Woods: Or How Not To

The Maine Outdoor Journal has posted an article entitled "Don't get lost in the first place" on the Internet. The post offers some sound advice on how not to get lost while hiking in the Maine woods. Learning how to use a map, compass, and GPS is a start. Putting fresh batteries in your GPS is a good second step. Planning your hiking route is also a good measure.

Some Fall Foliage in Maine Still Around

Maine still has some fall foliage to view. Most trees have turned to a rust brown and many trees are leaveless. Still beautiful to look at just the same. There was snow on the ground this morning - wonder if it will stick?

Thanksgiving in Ogunquit, Maine

Spend your Thanksgiving by the ocean in Ogunquit, Maine! The Cliff House Resort & Spa offers a 4-day Thanksgiving package with a full breakfast each morning. Learn more at The Cliff House. Click here for a listing of other inns and resorts offering Thanksgiving packages in Maine.

Wild Rice Stuffing for Thanksgiving (Seasonal Vegan Recipe)

A Mainer has posted her wild rice stuffing recipe for vegans for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Learn her secrets at her blog "Mitten Machen" - on the Maine Food & Lifestyle Blog.

Bethel, Maine Thanksgiving Getaway

The Bethel Inn Resort in Bethel, Maine offers its "Thanksgiving Weekend at the Inn". Located in the mountains of western Maine this small town offers a traditional New England setting. There are many family attractions to explore in this area. Click here for a listing of other inns, hotels, and resorts offering Thanksgiving packages in Maine.

Augusta, Maine Arts & Crafts Show

The 28th Augusta, Maine Arts and Craft Show will take place on November 14-15, 2009 at the Augusta Civic Center. Admission is $2.00. The event is sponsored by the United Maine Craftsmen.

Hunters Breakfast - North Pownal General Store in Maine

The North Pownal General Store in Pownal, Maine offers a "hunters breakfast" on Saturdays during the fall hunting season. Come by for your early morning provisions for your day in the woods.

Click here for a map to the North Pownal General Store.

Bike Trails for the Family in Maine

Are you looking for some off-street bike trails to bring your family on in Maine? A outdoor writer has posted a blog post on just that. Learn about the Mountain Division Trail in Standish, the Greenbelt Trail in South Portland, and the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Augusta. See "Off-street trails keep family bike trips stress-free", MaineToday.com, November 1, 2009. Click here to learn more about biking in Maine.

Maine's Deer Hunting Season Starts

Maine's deer hunting season has started. The season started on Saturday and ends on November 28, 2009. The deer herd has been thinned the last two years because of heavy winter snow and low temperatures.

The Maine Beer Company: New Brewery in Portland

The newest Maine brewery is called the Maine Beer Company. It is a very small micro brewery located in Portland, Maine. Their first ale offered was the Spring Peeper Ale. Their beer can be found in a number of taverns and groceries throughout Maine. Tours are by appointment. Read an online blog post about their beer. Click here to learn more about beer companies and breweries in Maine.

Portland, Maine Map: Places to Play

The City of Portland has a map of playgrounds, recreation areas, basketball courts, dog parks, beaches, swimming pools, and more. It is called the "Places to Play" map. It is available online as an Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF file where you can view it of download it. The map is accessed at:

http://www.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/placestoplay.pdf

Click here to learn more about the City of Portland or maps available for Maine.

Maps of Maine Lighthouses

Are you looking for some info on Maine lighthouses? Perhaps an illustrated map of Maine lighthouses is what you need. These are available either folded or laminated (makes a great poster). Maine Lighthouses Illustrated Map & Guide

How to Cook Maine Lobster

Are you interested in the different ways to cook Maine lobster? The Maine Lobster Council offers a number of recipes and helpful hints for how to cook a lobster.

Portland Fire Museum

The Portland, Maine Fire Museum is open the first Friday of every month from 6-8 pm. It is located at 157 Spring Street in Portland. Read a recent news article - "All fired up about museum's look at past", Portland Press Herald, October 11, 2009. Click here to learn more about museums in Maine.

A Book Reader's Map and Guide to Maine

Are you interested in books that are about Maine, how stories that take place in Maine, or books that are authored by Maine writers? Then the blog post entitled "A Reader's Guide to Maine" (White Cedar Inn Blog, July 18, 2009) will provide you with a Google map depicting all these places. View the map by clicking here - "A Book Lover's Tour of Maine" by Google Maps. Click here for a listing of maps about Maine.

Maine Fiber Arts

The Maine Fiber Arts organization provides a print and online map depicting the locations of many artists who work with basketry, beadwork, clothing, crochet, embroidery, knitting, needlework, quilting, sewing, spinning and weaving. Click here to learn more about the Maine Fiber Arts Tour Map.

Hiking Evans Notch in Maine

A recent online posting talks about hiking Evans Notch in Western Maine. Evans Notch is located north of Fryeburg, Maine. The author describes her favorite hiking trails for her family (with kids). See "Variety of terrain makes Evans Notch tops with family", Maine Outdoor Journal, September 27, 2009. Click here for more info on hiking in Maine.

A Weekend in Portland, Maine

The Old Port section of Portland, Maine has become a destination for those looking for an interesting weekend in the city. Not that Portland is that big of a city. But it offers boutique shopping, a waterfront experience, restaurants, and drinking establishments. Read an online post about Portland's places to see, eat, and drink in "Portland is a destination for walkers, eaters, and sailors", Argus.com, August 2, 2009.

Halloween with Motor Booty Affair in Eliot, Maine

The Motor Booty Affair will be playing in Eliot, Maine on October 31st, 2009 for Halloween. Click here to learn more about the event.

Beaver Park, Lisbon, Maine

Beaver Park is a little-known 337-acre preserve located in Lisbon, Maine. It has forest, fields, and ponds. The park is owned by the town of Lisbon and is managed by the Lisbon Parks Department. There are 10 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, baseball fields, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Read a recent news article on the park, visit http://www.lisbonme.org/ for a down-loadable map, or click here for more information about hiking in Maine.

Kittery, Maine Tourist Welcome Center

Read an article about the employees at the Kittery, Maine Welcome Center. Find out some interesting facts about their job in "To work at welcome center, you just need all the answers", MaineBusiness.com, October 19, 2009.

Portland, Maine One of Ten Healthiest Places to Live for Women

The website MSN Health & Fitness has designated Portland, Maine one of the ten healthiest cities for women to live in. In fact, it placed number three on the list. See "The 10 Healthiest Cities for Women".

Hudson Museum at University of Maine in Orono

The Hudson Museum at the University of Maine at Orono has gone through a transformation. Many "Maine" items are now on display. Read more in "Talk about transformational", Bangor Daily News, October 3, 2009. Click here to learn more about museums in Maine.

Late Season Biking in Maine

There is still some pedaling time left in Maine this year. A columnist for Maine Outdoor Journal (Melissa Kim) has wrote an article about biking in Maine during the late fall season. She describes a trip to take in York County. See "A York County ride offers Maine's late-season charm" (October 18, 2009).

Maine Lobster Boat Tours

For a listing of boats in Maine that offer lobster boat tours visit the web page of the Maine Lobster Council. They list a number of boats that will take people out to experience the lobster life for a few hours.

Fall Foliage Tips by Yankee Magazine

Read an online article by USA Today (9/9/2009) about how the Yankee Magazine website has posted tips for fall foliage. The Yankee fall foliage web site is listed below.

http://www.yankeefoliage.com/

An additional resource is:

http://www.travel-maine.info/maine_fall_foliage.htm

3rd Annual Yarmouth, Maine Pumpkin Run

The 3rd Annual Yarmouth Pumpkin Run will take place in Yarmouth, Maine on Saturday, October 31, 2009. The starting place is the Yarmouth High School. Read more in "Get Your Costumes Ready for the 3rd Annual Yarmouth Pumpkin Run!", Maine Business.com, October 2, 2009. Halloween costumes are encouraged.

Thanksgiving Get-Away Package in Maine

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and now is the time to make plans for your holiday. Why not spend it here in Maine where you can enjoy time away from home, have a nice country atmosphere, enjoy the remnants of the fall foliage, visit some quaint fishing villages, enjoy our Thanksgiving meal and not do the dishes? The many B&Bs, inns, and hotels in Maine are prepared to cater to your every need. Click here to learn more about Thanksgiving Vacation Packages in Maine.

Maine Fall Foliage Reports via Email

Sign up to receive weekly fall foliage reports by email from the Maine Dept of Conservation:

"Maine's Department of Conservation provides weekly foliage reports during foliage season (mid-September to mid-October). Forest Rangers assess the amount of color change and leaf drop when they are on assignment in the field. These reports represent the official word on foliage conditions in the state of Maine and are provided to the public and media."

http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/report/email.html?subject=subscribe

Click here to learn more about Maine fall foliage and leaf peeping.

Photographs of Maine Fall Foliage

Can't make it to Maine to enjoy the fall foliage season? Don't despair. A local Maine TV station has uploaded almost 100 photos showing fantastic scenery for you. Click here to view the photos.

How Maine's Forest Rangers use High-Tech to Track Maine's Fall Foliage

Maine forest rangers are using personal data assistants (PDAs) to help track data that is inputted into the Maine fall foliage reports issued on a weekly basis. Read more in "Foliage reports go high-tech in Maine", Boston.com, October 12, 2009.

Fall Foliage in Acadia National Park (Maine)

Do you want to know more about Acadia National Park in Maine? This online article will provide some info on this favorite vacation spot. Read "Discover Acadia National Park in the Fall".

Maine's Fall Colors

A recent online article in The Christian Science Monitor discusses the fall colors to be found in Maine. Read "Fall foliage - Maine's fall colors look spectacular" (September 25, 2009).