The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay is a hidden treasure. This excursion is easily worth half a day and mucho kid-friendly. Also a great place to take summer visitors. The existing gardens, which occupy 248 waterfront acres, have been in place for just over 10 years. In 2006, a beautiful visitor’s center was built, including a cafe for lunching. There is ample evidence that there are plans for continued growth. Earth movers are currently making way for a ‘Garden of the 5 Senses’ area, and an enormous Children’s Garden has been designed. Until these projects come to be, you can stroll around the grounds taking in the amazing perennial beds, the meditation garden, ponds, art installations and waterfall. For the kids there is an installation of about a dozen individually-designed hands-on garden plots and a vast fairy house village. If you have an inkling to make this trip, do it before August 15 so you can see George Sherwood’s breathtaking kinetic sculptures. You have to see these babies in person. They are mesmerizing as they dance in the breeze and the movements change moment to moment. The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens also offer special events and educational programs. On August 1, there is a Flash in the Pans Steel Drum Band Concert and Picnic and the weekend of August 8 features a Maine Fairy House Festival. The hours of operation for the are: Daily from 9-5. Cafe is open 10-3 through October 19.
My New Religion July 27, 2008
Or maybe it’s my new church: the Farmer’s Market. What I thought would be a quick visit with my friend Barak turned into a full morning feast of the spirit at the Crystal Spring Farmer’s Market in Brunswick. Gorgeous weather was a wonderful backdrop for this community scene with kids & dogs wandering around happily. This market is surprisingly eclectic, featuring much more than produce and seedlings. There are several bakers, including Barak from the wood-fired Zu Bakery (get there early to score one of his cinnamon rolls). You can buy Samosas, dahl and naan from Latifa, a beautiful Afghani woman with a melodic disposition. Kristin’s ‘Cocina del Mundo’ booth is like a spin around the globe. I sampled her Empanadas, Malaysian Coconut Spread and some unbelievable coffee which she pours through an organic brown sugar filter (hello Common Ground Fair people!). Several vendors sell meat: whole chickens, pieces-parts, sausages, ground veal. I highly recommend the lamb sausage made on-site at Crystal Spring Farm. Someone was taking orders for ‘fresh pigs.’ Another was selling fresh mussels; he’ll even steam them for you on-site. There was a guy who builds neat tables & adirondack chairs out of reclaimed wood, a couple who farm with horses, a knitting circle and even a booth run by the local food bank. Oh, and for the kids: The Fudge Lady! No kidding, this little Sabattus honey makes 20 different kinds of fudge. I’m certain her food coloring isn’t all-natural, but she’s a treat. All morning long you can sample morsels, talk to your farmer, baker, cheese-maker, bump into your neighbors, make a contribution to the hungry. The cool thing about this experience is that you have to experience it–”in real life” as the kids say. Do yourself a favor & go. I plan to make it my weekly ritual.
The Farmer’s Market at Crystal Spring Farm is open on Saturdays from 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
