Monthly Archives: July 2010

Suspect in triple slaying indicted by Aroostook County grand jury | Bangor Daily News

Suspect in triple slaying indicted by Aroostook County grand jury – Bangor Daily News.

Autopsy shows veteran died of gunshot to neck | Bangor Daily News

Autopsy shows veteran died of gunshot to neck – Bangor Daily News.

Potato blossoms are out early in Maine

 

A tractor and hay roll sit in a field in Aroostook County, Maine. Photo by Kelly McInnis

Potatoes are big in Maine, especially in Aroostook County where I grew up.

And when I say big, I mean BIG. After all, they even have a Potato Blossom Festival and there’s a festival queen and everything, so it has to be pretty big.

Potatoes are big for the economy and the cultural experience of Maine. For some farming families and communities, potatoes are king.

A fellow member of the Ashland Community High School Class of 1980 Kelly McInnis takes photos that I’ve shared here before. Here are two of potato blossoms and a nice rural image of a tractor and hay. The photos were taken Wednesday in record temperatures for Aroostook County — 93 degrees.

“The potato fields are in Mapleton just as you hit that turn headed to Ashland, Willard Doyen’s Farm,” Kelly wrote of the photos. “I just wanted to get a shot because the blossoms are beautiful. They are a few weeks early this year due to the mild winter and (farmers’) ability to plant early.”

“The tractor was out … somewhere,” Kelly added. “My boyfriend is a photographer and likes to just ride and see what he may come across, so I tag along and bring my camera, too.

“I’ve always had an interest in photography, but it really takes a commitment to get anything good. I’m getting back into it.”

The photos are shared here with Kelly’s permission. Enjoy!

Potato blossoms were out early this year. Here is a field near Mapleton, Maine, in Aroostook County. Photos by Kelly McInnis

Here's another shot of the potato blossoms.

 

Dispensary applicants competing for licenses | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Dispensary applicants competing for licenses | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Whales’ return could boost coastal tourism industry | Bangor Daily News

Whales’ return could boost coastal tourism industry – Bangor Daily News

To locate a whale watching business near you, visit http://www.visitmaine.com/attractions/nature/whale_watching/.

Wind power draft hits regulation snag | Bangor Daily News

Wind power draft hits regulation snag – Bangor Daily News.

Whitehouse, Snowe propose national ocean endowment | Bangor Daily News

Whitehouse, Snowe propose national ocean endowment – Bangor Daily News.

Medway man killed in Togus standoff | Bangor Daily News

Medway man killed in Togus standoff – Bangor Daily News.

Maine Stuff in My California Apartment No. 7: Maine crafted beers

 

Shipyard Brewing Company is based in Portland. This evening I went with the IPA, which I do not find as tasty as the brewer’s regular Export Ale. But it was not bad, either. The Shipyard glasses were purchased a year or two ago at BevMo in Stockton. Yes, that is a lobster bottle opener in the foreground. It is also Maine stuff.

A Maine native living “away” is required by his or her nature to have around him or her things that conjure up images of Maine.

And from time to time that comes in the form of chilled adult beverages. Fortunately, BevMo, the beverage warehouse store, carries several Maine brews, including Allagash, Shipyard, and Sea Dog products.

Today’s photo of “Maine Stuff in My California Apartment” includes glasses and brew from Maine. Be assured that no beer was wasted in the making of this blog entry.

Oh, and, yes, that is a lobster bottle opener. That also falls under the category of Maine stuff.

I also included a photo of a couple of Fenway American Pale Ale pint glasses. I don’t recall ever enjoying a Fenway American Pale Ale, but I figured I’d include it because it is a New England beer and I am a Boston Red Sox fan.

Recently had a bit of the Allagash Dubbel Reserve poured in an Allagash glass. Nice beverage. Allagash is based in Portland, Maine, nowhere near the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. The glasses were purchased a couple of years ago.

Nice head on the Allagash Dubbel Reserve. I have tried several of the Allagash offerings and have liked each of them.

Gotta love a beer that is corked.

OK, so this is a photo of beer pint glasses for a beer made in Boston. But I am a Red Sox fan so I thought I would add this photo of Fenway American Pale Ale glasses along with Maine stuff related to beer.

This is an occasional multipart series of photos of things related to Maine that can be found in Keith Michaud’s California apartment. All photos in this series are shot by and are the property of Keith Michaud.

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How to take part in Maine’s war against invasive species |DownEast.com

How to take part in Maine’s war against invasive species |DownEast.com

Flags to be lowered for Shaw | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

Flags to be lowered for Shaw | The Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME

Memorial contributions to assist the Shaw family may be made to Maine Education Credit Union, P.O. Box 1096, Augusta 04330.

Mailers blast plan to raise postal rates | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Mailers blast plan to raise postal rates | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Bath Iron Works wins destroyer contract | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Bath Iron Works wins destroyer contract | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

‘Nice kid’ or ‘walking monster’? | Bangor Daily News

‘Nice kid’ or ‘walking monster’? – Bangor Daily News.

The science of crime: UMaine professor’s forensics course far cry from TV investigation drama | Bangor Daily News

The science of crime – Bangor Daily News.

No bail for Maine triple slaying suspect | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

No bail for Maine triple slaying suspect | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Heat breaks record in Portland | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Heat breaks record in Portland | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Heating oil prices take 2-cent dip | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

Heating oil prices take 2-cent dip | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

FEMA’s new flood plain mapping could cost coastal Mainers dearly | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram

FEMA’s new flood plain mapping could cost coastal Mainers dearly | The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram.

Red tide closes some Down East shellfish beds | Bangor Daily News

Red tide closes some Down East shellfish beds – Bangor Daily News.