A few years back, I spent a few days in Seattle, a fabulous city that’s legendary for its wet weather. Or so I thought. After a pint or two in a friendly local establishment, a waiter who grew up in Alaska told us he had learned that the whole “rainy Seattle” thing was a scam.
“Here’s what it is,” he told us on a bright, sunny day during which we had enjoyed (supposedly rare) unfettered views of Mount Rainier. “They tell everybody it’s always rainy so all the people from California don’t move up here. It’s crowded enough already.”
I can’t vouch for the veracity of his assessment. But I can say that our recent spate of wet weather has nearly prompted me to book a flight to Seattle (where, as far as I could tell, it’s sunny nearly every day, you’re truly never more than 20 steps from a fresh cup of coffee and vendors delight crowds at the Public Market by throwing fish to them, at them and over their heads).
Rest assured, the weather will change eventually. Come Monday (or sometime in June), the sun will shine on Bangor again. (For the record, it’ll be sunny in Seattle again today — and tomorrow). And when we here in the Queen City actually get the chance to enjoy some — let’s call it “Seattle-ish” weather, we’ll be ready to stretch our legs and get outside.
Luckily, a couple of local groups have activities on tap that will provide just the opportunities we’ll be looking for. To be on the safe side, I figure it’d be prudent to highlight a couple of events that won’t take place until the grass dries out a bit — like early in June.
First up: Outdoor Family Fun Day, a June 4 production that will be hosted by the Penobscot County Conservation Association at their Brewer clubhouse.
The day is designed to introduce families to all kinds of outdoor activities. Admission is free but children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Family Fun Day will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and activities will stop for an hour at noon for a lunch break; participants are asked to bring their own picnic lunch.
Among the activities: Trailblazer Adventure Day, offered by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance; rides in a 28-foot canoe with the Penobscot Riverkeepers; “What’s in the pond water?” with Maine Science Lady Ruth Perry; fly casting and tying with the Penobscot Fly Fishers; making wood block prints with the Penobscot River Restoration Project; geocaching; air rifle basics; archery for beginners with the Maine Bowhunters Association; and a display from the Maine Trappers Association.
The PCCA clubhouse is located at 570 North Main St., Brewer. For more information call Lois-Ann Holmes at 825-3688 or email Woody Higgins at woody_higgins@yahoo.com.
Also on tap on June 4 is a youth fishing event at Ayer Park in Union that will be held in memory of Mike Sabins.
Ayer Park is on the shores of Seven Tree Pond, a mile south from Union Common on Route 235. The site is used because of its easy access and suitability for a children’s event.
Sanctioned by the Hooked on Fishing program, the public is welcome to attend — no pre-registration is necessary — and try their hand at fishing. Equipment and bait will be provided, as will refreshments. Children are encouraged to attend with an adult.
In response to the death of their son, Mike, Scot and Mary Sabins decided to organize a group focused on teaching Maine school children about the state’s outdoor heritage. The Sabins schedule fishing events each winter and spring or early summer. This marks the seventh annual spring event.
Typically more than 100 people show up for the event, according to an event press release.
For more information, call Scot or Mary Sabins at 785-4076.
Still looking for turkey tales
Over the weekend I told you we’re looking to share a few good tales from local turkey hunters. We’re still waiting.
A couple of hunters have checked in, but we’ve yet to hear a knock-your-socks-off story about this year’s turkey season. Therefore, we’ll hold off for a few more days and wait for the doozies to start rolling in.
A quick reminder: Photos are always welcome as well. And a footnote to that: If you’re going to be the subject of a photo, try to make sure the background is as uncluttered as possible. Posing in front of three trucks and a pair of wandering dogs moves the focus from you (and your turkey) to, well, any number of other things that we don’t need to be focusing on.
So get out there. Have fun. And send your story along to us.
990-8214
