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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Summer 2009: The Reward
by Esther J. Perne Swimming, picnics, sunsets Sure, the summer of 2009 was a discovery process — where all the indoor children's activities were, how to dress for a dry dash from the car to the camp, why all the fuss about diverting erosion runoff makes sense, what to look for in a calendar of events. (Rain dates, maybe.) But it all worked out ok, this strange season of slow arrival. The shops sold lots of gifts, restaurants were very popular, visitors were happy, and all the great hallmarks of the season happened. Now, amid back-to-school planning — too early for a state where tourism pays a lot of bills — and projects there's still more to come. Let's take a look. 
Fairs: How Maine can an experience be? People from all walks of life, crowds having fun, perusing exhibits, admiring livestock, eating absolutely unhealthy food, and allowing themselves a day of relaxation. Fairs are microcosms of the state — home baking, homegrown produce, crafts of all kinds, history exhibits, farmers preparing for their next competition, kids scrambling around glad to have a day off from school, midway machines clanging, businesses selling their goods — and over it all a sense of appreciation that fall can be felt but doesn't need to be taken seriously Farmers' Markets: It's harvest time. Booths are loaded with displays of the season, with fresh produce, with final gleanings from the summer's gardens, with preserved goods — so much easier to buy than struggle with at home. Farmers' Markets are wondrous in their range of products and in the knowledge and advice that these skilled entrepreneurs can pass along. Don't know what to do with something that's begging to be bought? The seller will make suggestions. That's the beauty of the simple one-on-one farm to you. There's beauty, too, in where these markets are located and in the scenic drives for getting there. Craft Fairs: Year round these treasure troves are, but better in the fall when everyone knows the holidays are approaching. Locally-made is a double gift — great for the person who gets it, and great for the person who shopped and bought. Craft fairs are sociable, brimming with ideas, rich in small items. Stocking stuffers? It's never too soon. Expensive to mail? Not these handcrafts. Making that list to check twice? Don't forget you. 
Hiking, Biking, Swimming, Golf: All those great outdoor activities don't end with the summer. Grab a sweater and go. Up for a view, along a trail for exercise, in the water for a swim Adult Ed: Put a little learning in your life. Sign up for something enriching, challenging, sociable, or whimsical. Take a course you've always wanted to try but were afraid to ask about. Now's the time when the driving's good to seek your fortune. Weekends: There's a loophole in the good old school days. It's called the weekend and it works pretty well for enjoying those last great days of warmth and, hopefully, sunshine. The ebb of summer is upon the region, but it is not the end. Regular events of the season end slowly, music concerts, museum activities, public suppers, recreation. That's the reward. | ||