Your Weekly Guide to Life in Midcoast Maine

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YOUR GUIDE TO TO LIFE IN MIDCOAST MAINE

Out and About

Help us find those special places.

Welcome to the inaugural issue of “Steppin’ Out,” the region’s complete weekly guide to what’s going on. Each week, “Steppin Out” will detail the myriad activities that will be taking place from Searsport to Waldoboro, everywhere in between, and maybe even some far flung options.
“Steppin Out” also will be posted each week in its entirety on the web and will be found at: www.steppinoutmaine.com
This column will offer weekly tips for undertaking things you might not stop to consider when trying to answer the question: “What’s to do?” The more off the beaten path the better.
We’ll be offering plenty of our suggestions but would like to pass along tips from you, the readers. What’s your favorite place, and why? Discovered any great getaways?
Getting into this weekly column is as simple as sending an e-mail to: kelly@steppinoutmaine.com

* * * * *

It’s barely begun to warm but already the boardwalk that extends from Rockland’s Public Landing to Sandy Beach in the South End is drawing plenty of people.
Built by MBNA, the boardwalk offers a beautiful view of Rockland Harbor. Plantings guarantee that the grounds will be busting out in color once summer sets in. There are benches on which to rest or meditate while enjoying the harbor view. The benches also draw plenty of people for their lunch breaks.
Take a walk, run or jog, or simply find a bench for a seat along this walkway and drink in some of the best scenery Rockland has to offer.
Exploring Sandy Beach is something to consider after wiling away some time along the boardwalk.
As the city makes progress in cleaning the harbor and better containing stormwater runoff, places like Sandy Beach move closer to their return to allowing swimming. But this neat little beach immediately adjacent the boardwalk is still a fun place along which to get lost for an hour or two — longer if you’ve got the children with you.
Dig down into the sand of Sandy Beach and you will discover sea glass; quite a lot of it actually. There are also old pottery shards to be found.
Granted, the volume of old glass (it takes a long, long time for all the sharp edges to disappear) calls for shoes or sneakers but it is a good pastime for children to begin their own collection.
If you’re going in the other direction, head to downtown Rockland after your boardwalk stroll. There are plenty of great shops and an impressive diversity of eating places as well.

* * * * *

Opera in Camden. That’s right, opera; and most fitting that it is being staged at the venerable Camden Opera House.
It’s “HANSEL AND GRETEL,” performed by the Maine Grand Opera Company, 7:30 p.m., on Friday, May 24 and again at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 26. Call 230-1200.
When the show is over, stretch your legs with a walk around town. Memorial Day weekend is when things start warming up on the tourist front but the shops and eateries will still have plenty of room.

* * * * *

You want to be around town on Saturday, June 1 for the Rockland Kiwanis Community Day, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Buoy Park and Harbor Park, Rockland.
To gain admission, simply bring a nonperishable food item for Knox County food banks, or pet food for local animal shelter.
Day-long activities will include a lobster bake and Kiwanis food wagon. A motorcycle stunt performance by Vertical Outlaws is on tap as well as live music by Blind Albert, Murder of Crows and the WallBangers.
The day will be capped by the Harley Davidson V-Rod raffle winner drawing at 5 p.m.

* * * * *

Buzz on the street about this year’s North Atlantic Blues Festival is starting to get louder and louder.
Hitting the stage at Rockland’s Harbor Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21, this year’s jam-packed lineup of performers includes the legendary Bo Diddly on Sunday. Also, Jimmie Vaughan, brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, will perform on Saturday.
It’s not too early to set aside time for both day-long sets of music as well as the Saturday night club crawl across downtown Rockland.

* * * * *

Check us out next week. We’ll have a new collection of ideas about places and events to explore. For now, though, it’s time to had out.
Send us your favorites. E-mail “Steppin’ Out” at: kelly@steppinoutmaine.com

HOME • FEATURES • CALENDAR OF EVENTS • GUIDES • ABOUT US

	For advertising information, call (207) 594-4401 or (800) 559-4401


YOUR GUIDE TO TO LIFE IN MIDCOAST MAINE
Out and About Help us find those special places. Welcome to the inaugural issue of “Steppin’ Out,” the region’s complete weekly guide to what’s going on. Each week, “Steppin Out” will detail the myriad activities that will be taking place from Searsport to Waldoboro, everywhere in between, and maybe even some far flung options. “Steppin Out” also will be posted each week in its entirety on the web and will be found at: www.steppinoutmaine.com This column will offer weekly tips for undertaking things you might not stop to consider when trying to answer the question: “What’s to do?” The more off the beaten path the better. We’ll be offering plenty of our suggestions but would like to pass along tips from you, the readers. What’s your favorite place, and why? Discovered any great getaways? Getting into this weekly column is as simple as sending an e-mail to: kelly@steppinoutmaine.com * * * * * It’s barely begun to warm but already the boardwalk that extends from Rockland’s Public Landing to Sandy Beach in the South End is drawing plenty of people. Built by MBNA, the boardwalk offers a beautiful view of Rockland Harbor. Plantings guarantee that the grounds will be busting out in color once summer sets in. There are benches on which to rest or meditate while enjoying the harbor view. The benches also draw plenty of people for their lunch breaks. Take a walk, run or jog, or simply find a bench for a seat along this walkway and drink in some of the best scenery Rockland has to offer. Exploring Sandy Beach is something to consider after wiling away some time along the boardwalk. As the city makes progress in cleaning the harbor and better containing stormwater runoff, places like Sandy Beach move closer to their return to allowing swimming. But this neat little beach immediately adjacent the boardwalk is still a fun place along which to get lost for an hour or two — longer if you’ve got the children with you. Dig down into the sand of Sandy Beach and you will discover sea glass; quite a lot of it actually. There are also old pottery shards to be found. Granted, the volume of old glass (it takes a long, long time for all the sharp edges to disappear) calls for shoes or sneakers but it is a good pastime for children to begin their own collection. If you’re going in the other direction, head to downtown Rockland after your boardwalk stroll. There are plenty of great shops and an impressive diversity of eating places as well. * * * * * Opera in Camden. That’s right, opera; and most fitting that it is being staged at the venerable Camden Opera House. It’s “HANSEL AND GRETEL,” performed by the Maine Grand Opera Company, 7:30 p.m., on Friday, May 24 and again at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 26. Call 230-1200. When the show is over, stretch your legs with a walk around town. Memorial Day weekend is when things start warming up on the tourist front but the shops and eateries will still have plenty of room. * * * * * You want to be around town on Saturday, June 1 for the Rockland Kiwanis Community Day, from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Buoy Park and Harbor Park, Rockland. To gain admission, simply bring a nonperishable food item for Knox County food banks, or pet food for local animal shelter. Day-long activities will include a lobster bake and Kiwanis food wagon. A motorcycle stunt performance by Vertical Outlaws is on tap as well as live music by Blind Albert, Murder of Crows and the WallBangers. The day will be capped by the Harley Davidson V-Rod raffle winner drawing at 5 p.m. * * * * * Buzz on the street about this year’s North Atlantic Blues Festival is starting to get louder and louder. Hitting the stage at Rockland’s Harbor Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 20, 21, this year’s jam-packed lineup of performers includes the legendary Bo Diddly on Sunday. Also, Jimmie Vaughan, brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan, will perform on Saturday. It’s not too early to set aside time for both day-long sets of music as well as the Saturday night club crawl across downtown Rockland. * * * * * Check us out next week. We’ll have a new collection of ideas about places and events to explore. For now, though, it’s time to had out. Send us your favorites. E-mail “Steppin’ Out” at: kelly@steppinoutmaine.com
HOME • FEATURES • CALENDAR OF EVENTS • GUIDES • ABOUT US