Bangor area Beer & Wine Tastings for May 2019

Tiller & Rye- Brewer, Maine

May 3rd 5pm-7pm

Stompers Wine & Beverage Superstore

May 9 4pm-8pm

Bangor Wine and Cheese Company
May 16 5pm-7pm

B.A.R.N. Addiction in the Family Monthly Support Group

Put a dozen or so humans that all have a story to share together around a table & see what kind of magic happens. Last night I found myself in this situation at Bangor Area Recovery Network -- or B.A.R.N. On the first Wednesday of each month BARN hosts the Addiction in the Family Support Group. They typically feature a guest speaker that shares in their own recovery story. Others are encouraged to share, ask questions, make statements. It is a safe, non-judgmental space.

The guest speaker last night really inspired me to be more forthright. I have a really hard time doing that. I am a people-pleaser. Even this blog is on the safe side. Just writing about going to a support group is kind of out of my usual line of content.

Katy and her wife Juliette were the guest speakers. Katy runs a program called One More Day, focusing on suicide prevention. Jim LaPierre was also in attendance. He is the author of Recovery Rocks and also a Licensed Clinician for Higher Ground Services LLC.

Recovery doesn't just about to be about drugs. It can be about healing from whatever cracked your personal foundation. There is strength in sharing your truth.

Robyville Covered Bridge

If you're looking for a nice day trip outside of Bangor, the Robyville Covered Bridge in Corinth is a great spot to visit not too far from home. Built in 1876, this truss bridge is one of the state's few surviving 19th-century covered bridges. It crosses over Kenduskeag Stream and there is a cute picnic spot near the water's edge. These are my photos from fall 2018. I recently visited the bridge this Spring and the water was much higher. Before or after visiting the bridge I recommend stopping to eat a meal at the Countryside Restaurant for delicious homemade food and salad bar.

Things to do in Bangor Maine....For Free!

1. Climb 100 steps to the top of the Thomas Hill Standpipe for one of the best views of Bangor. Four times a year the Water Department opens up the Standpipe for tours free to the public (unfortunately there is not handicapped accessibility).

My photo from 2018

2. Go to a live taping of The Nite Show with Danny Cashman. The show is filmed from Husson University's Gracie Theater and is produced before a live studio audience. If you have never seen how live TV is produced, it is a really fun experience. The students from the New England School of Communications were running the cameras and working on the set. Pictured here is Erin Ovalle, host of the show MaineLife.

Erin Ovalle from Maine Life

3. Spend some time exploring the University of Maine Museum of Art. Thanks to a selection of donors, the museum is free to the public and open from 10 am to 5 pm Tues-Sat. Throughout the year the museum has four featured series that change with the seasons. The museum also has a permanent installation of over 7,000 art pieces focusing primarily on contemporary art. Some artists you may recognize: Andrew Wyeth, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.

4. Bangor's Public Library is a beautiful piece of history with tons of resources available, and memberships are free! Books are not the only thing that you can check out. The library has an equipment and lending program where you can borrow CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, musical instruments, telescopes, microscopes and maker's kits. You can also reserve a family pass to the Planetarium, Maine Discovery Museum, and a Maine State Park Parking Pass! For more information check out their website.

5. Get some fresh air and take a stroll through the Bangor City Forest and check out the mile long Bog Boardwalk. The loop trail begins at the edge in the Bangor City Forest, and after 800 feet crosses the Orono town line into the portion of the Orono Bog owned by the University of Maine. The bog is currently closed for the season, and they are working on restoring the boards on the walk with more durable, weatherproof boards. They anticipate opening in mid May. A couple of my photos from 2013:

There is a lot of charm in and around Bangor, Maine. Explore and let me know what you find!

Provender Kitchen & Bar | Ellsworth, ME

It's been a long winter. Sunday I decided to fuel up the gas tank and head out on a day trip while the sun was shining. I headed off toward the coast.

My first stop: Provender Kitchen + Bar

I found a spot at the bar and ordered a Bloody Mary. When the bartender asked me if it was okay to garnish with a piece of candied bacon, I knew we were off to a good start.

✓

Quick, friendly service

✓ Cool vibes, nice atmosphere
✓ Delicious Food
✓ Unique

I kind of lived out a life long dream of ordering dessert first. I started off with a piece of chocolate toast, followed by the Pork Belly Benedict (too much food but so worth it.)

I am going to be dreaming about the chocolate toast for years to come: a thick piece of toast, Valrhona (a French premium chocolate), EVOO, Maldon Sea Salt, aleppo chili & hazelnut

Pork Belly Benedict

The best bloody mary

After leaving Provender (or PKB as the cool people call it) I stopped into the Ellsworth Rock & Art Shop. I'm a big fan of the Bangor location, and was excited to realize I had parked my car right in front of their Ellsworth store. I was happy to pick up a few new stones for my collection and also a silly lip balm that ended up being absolutely delicious! I picked up the balm, labeled "Unicorn Farts" and giggled. To my surprise, the girl working told me that they are SUPER popular, and they can't keep them in stock and they only had 3 left- and that they smell like cotton candy and peppermint. SOLD.

Someone buy me this $650 quartz lamp

Bought an Orange Calcite

This amethyst was going for over $2,000

Once I got done shopping I figured I would continue my adventure onto Bar Harbor. I really wanted to drive up Cadillac Mountain, but it is still closed for the season until mid April. I did find a small section of the Carriage trails that I was able to hike. I parked my car near Duck Brook Road by the big stone bridge. This trail lead me to Witch Hole Pond.

Once again I'm back in the car and at this point I decide to head back to Bangor. I couldn't help but stop at this cool antique shop that I had passed on my way to town. I puttered around the shop and rummaged through all kinds of old stuff before heading home.

It was a rejuvenating Spring day after a very long winter- just what my soul needed. Get out there & explore 

☮

Spose at Bangor Arts Exchange

I finally made it to a show at the Bangor Art's Exchange (BAE for short..) Spose, Maine's rapper from Well's Maine, sold out a show on March 2nd. It was the perfect venue for a Spose show. It was very intimate. I even got to slide all the way to the front of the crowd to get this shot! If you get a chance to see a show at BAE I highly recommend.

I noticed a balcony that wasn't being used. Fingers crossed that the venue opens it up. I think it would be so cool to see a show from up there. It's kind of like we have our own mini State Theater in Bangor.

The show was all ages and it was fun to see kids rocking out in the front row.

I've been walking around the office all week humming Spose and J. Spin. I love it when live music leaves a lasting impression on my life.

Bear with me as I try this again

Bear with me here people. It has been a long time since my last post on this dusty old blog. A lot has happened in my life and I'm almost an entirely new person since I last wrote! For the sake of privacy and not spilling my entire life on the internet, I'll take it slow and see where this might go. So...what's new in my life? I turned 30! I became an aunt to the most beautiful baby boy. I moved. I traveled to Florida, Illinois, and Texas last year. I'm coming up on the 3 year anniversary in my career. I have been focusing on taking a more minimalist approach to life. Perhaps I'll share some of the journey here on my blog. I really hope to post more, even if it's not much.

peace & love