October 31, 2011
Happy Halloween!
Halloween is finally here! While you’re getting dressed up to go trick or treating or getting the candy bowls set up why not take a second to learn why we celebrate the way we do. Halloween is a holiday that is mysterious to most. No one really knows why we dress up and go trick or treating, or why we carve pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns we just know that we look forward to it every year. Halloween is a very old holiday that has more than a few origins. The holiday that we celebrate today is a mixed pot of all these different backgrounds. Dressing in costumes is an old Celtic tradition. They believed that on Halloween the dead could return to Earth. To ward off these roaming ghosts the Celts would dress in costume and light huge bonfires. Carving Jack-O-Lanterns stems from an old Irish myth. The myth was 
about “Stingy Jack” who tricked the devil a couple times. Heaven would not have a man such as Jack and the devil had made a deal with him to never claim his soul. Jack was from then on doomed to walk to the Earth with only a piece of coal to light his way. He put the coal in a carved out turnip. People in Ireland and Scotland began carving pumpkins into scary faces to ward off Stingy Jack and other evil spirits. Halloween really started to blend together as people immigrated to America. Different beliefs and traditions slowly started to mesh together and Halloween started to become what we know today, a mixed bunch of traditions.
Love fun events? Or just getting out with the kids and having a little fun? Why not swing by Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St in Portland. View a quick 120 minute presentation and learn how much fun you can have with Festiva. Festiva Adventure Club has been around for over 10 years and knows how to provide you and your family with the best vacation year after year for less. Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
October 30, 2011
Don’t miss the Haunted Hayrides!
It’s the day before Hallow
een. Pretty soon we will be putting our decorations away until this time next year! So hurry up, bundle up the kids, and make the most of the haunted times that are left! Make sure to have a guaranteed FANTASTIC time at the Haunted Hayrides in Scarborough, Maine at Scarborough Downs.
Halfway through the terrifying ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you and your family will be served deadly donuts and free spider cider, handed to you by the ugliest witches you have ever seen! There are group discounts available and regular prices are $13 for adults and $9 for children. You won’t see what is going to come out and grab you at any dark and twisted corner along the hayride so be prepared to scream and get terrified!
And something to keep you wanting to come back for more as well is one of Festiva Adventure Club’s 120 minute presentations on how you can vacation better and cheaper! You can also learn how you can get plane tickets and cruise prices cut just by becoming part of the Festiva Family! Our location in Portland will be more than happy to present you with dinner certificates, visa gift cards, sailing tickets and more just for sitting through one of our presentations here at Festiva Resorts.
October 29, 2011
Paper Plate Jack-O’-Lantern
Little kids will love this crafts they can do on their own or with mommy an daddy. They may not be able to carve their own Jack-O-Lanterns with the big kids but now they can still decorate one. One made out of a paper plate!
This cute pumpkin is really easy to make and is a great decoration for your door or window. Make several with different faces and hang all over the entrance to greet trick or treaters!
What you’ll need:
- Mini paper plate
- Orange acrylic craft paint
- Yellow craft foam
- Green craft foam
- Brown craft foam
- Scissors
- Glue
How to make it:
- Place the paper plate upside down on your work surface and paint it orange. Set aside to dry and repeat with a second coat if needed.
- Cut out facial shapes (triangles for eyes and a mouth with a few missing teeth) and glue to the plate.
- Use scissors to trim the plate into a pumpkin-like shape. Do this by cutting a dip in the top where the stem would be and trim the bottom to flatten it a bit.
- Cut two simple oval-shaped leaves from green craft foam and glue to back of the plate at the top of the pumpkin.
- Cut a simple rectangular stem from brown craft foam and glue to the back of the plate, between the leaves.
Festiva Resorts is paying attention to what makes people happy this fall and every season. That’s why Festiva Resorts wants you to make an appointment and come visit our Portland office today so you can learn more about what we already know regarding fantastic vacation getaways right here in Maine and all over the world. For more information call us at 888-695-0200.
October 28, 2011
Juice Box Mummy
What’s any holiday without arts and crafts?!
Here is a fun craft you can do with your little one to celebrate Halloween and you can use up all of those juice boxes instead of throwing them out. It is a Juice Box Mummy. It is recommended for ages 5 and up, but if mommy or daddy helps with the hard parts, this craft could be fun for younger kids too.
What you’ll need:
- Empty cardboard juice box container
- 2 tablespoons rice
- Fold top sandwich bag
- Tape
- Black and white construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- 2 medium wiggle eyes
- White craft glue
How to make it:
- Cut open the top of the juice box container, rinse and dry thoroughly. (See photo.)
- Place rice inside sandwich bag. Roll up the bag and secure with tape. Place bag of rice inside juice box and tape the top closed.
- Cut a piece of black construction paper, large enough to cover the top half of the front of the juice box. Glue it in place. (See photo.)
- Tear white construction paper into strips and glue them around the box, leaving a small section of the black paper visible for the eyes. (See photo.)
- Use white craft glue to attach two wiggle eyes to the black paper. (See photo.)
Tips:
- Instead of rice, use sand or pebbles, enough to add some weight to the box so that it does not fall over.
- Construction paper is available in large packages at your local discount department store.
- A glue stick works better than white craft glue for a smooth, flat finish.
This craft was brought to you by Amanda Formaro at kaboose.com
October 27, 2011
Halloween Happenings
Halloween is only days away and there is so much to do!
Well, so much to go do. We hunted around to find all the coolest parties, movies and events that are happening for Halloween this year and there were so many, we didn’t have enough blog days to tell you about them all! So here we have an abbreviated preview of a few that will be happening.
Hopefully you can make it to at least one and have a spook-tacular good time! Have fun and be safe!
“The Raven, Ghouls and Renewal: Pagan Poems and Stories for Halloween” | Oct. 27
Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland
7:30 p.m., $7/$4 students, mayostreetarts.org
Traditional Halloween stories are recounted by storyteller Deena Weinstein, dramatic performances of eerie poetic classics by Edgar Allan Poe, Helen Adams, and Christina Rossetti, and a ritual poem by Poets Theater of Maine co-founder Annie Finch.
Southworth Planetarium’s Halloween Party and Ghost Hour | Oct. 28
Southworth Planetarium, USM Portland Campus
6 to 8 p.m. (party) 8 p.m. (ghost tour), $5/$1 if you wear a costume, 207-780-4249 or usm.maine.edu/planet
Celebrate Halloween in Portland’s darkest place: the underground star dome theatre. Tour the frightening gallery. Eat free delicious food. See the traditional “Moon Witch” show at 6:15 p.m, 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. At 8 p.m., stick around for ghost stories and spooky tales in the dark star dome.
“Phantom of the Opera” silent film with the Kotzshmar Organ | Oct. 28
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
7:30 p.m., $18, https://tickets.porttix.com
The Friends of the Kotzschmar organ present the 1925 silent horror film, Phantom of the Opera, for their annual Halloween show. Critically acclaimed and sought after as theatre organist and silent film accompanist, Scott Foppaino, returns to the Ktozschmar bench to accompany this silent classic. The Portland Ballet will perform Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens prior to the film.
Nosferatu and The Symphony of Horrors | Oct. 28
Community House, 6 Temple St. in Dock Square, Kennebunkport 7 to 8:30 p.m., $5, www.rivertreearts.org
This classic silent film is considered to be the first horror movie ever made and continues to haunt 80 years later. The Symphony of Horrors ensemble will perform live music narration. RTA musicians will get a little help from the audience, providing a live soundtrack guaranteed to spook and entertain. Not intended for children under 10.
Mayo Street Arts haunted house and costume ball | Oct. 29
Mayo Street Arts, Portland
7 to 10 p.m. (haunted house) 10 p.m. (costume ball)
“Sci-Fi experiments gone wrong” haunted house followed by a costume ball with music from The Cramps.
PortSports Presents: Three Ring Nightmare, A Halloween Party | Oct. 29
Geno’s Rock Club, 625 Congress St., Portland
9 p.m., $10, portsports.leagueapps.com
The PortSports Three Ring Nightmare will feature the PortSports debut of our very own DJ Mitch from Never Quiet Entertainment, Costume Contests, Games, Prizes, and much more.
Symphony Spooktacular | Oct. 30
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
2:30 p.m., $10, https://tickets.porttix.com
Discover a Halloween experience filled with symphonic thrills and chills for the whole family! Maestro Robert Moody leads the ghouls and goblins of the PSO in some of the greatest “spooktacular” music ever written for orchestra. Dancers from Portland Ballet will join in “Bella’s Lullaby” from Twilight and lead the entire audience in the zombie dance stylings of Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Zombie Night at the State Theatre | Oct. 31
State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland
7 p.m. (doors at 6 p.m.), $8, www.statetheatreportland.com
A double feature of George Romero’s classic zombie film “Dawn of the Dead” (1978), followed by the frightening and hilarious “Shaun of the Dead” (2004). Whet your appetite for brains with a “Zombie Walk” starting at Monument Square at 6 p.m. and leading to the doors of the State Theatre.
Love experiencing new, fun things? Why not swing by Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St in Portland. View a short 120 minute presentation and find out how much Festiva can save your family on vacations. Festiva Adventure Club can help you have more fun for less money. With over 10 years of experience you know you’ll have a great time! Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
October 26, 2011
Halloween Harvest at Raitt Farm Museum
Come to Halloween Harvest on the Farm at Raitt Farm Museum in Eliot, ME.
There will be costume contests, a scarecrow contest( kits available), lots of games including the fun filled and challenging bean hole toss, one free barrel tractor ride with paid entry, hay wagon rides, yummy food and more. Bring your own pumpkin for the decorating contest!
Get dressed up in your costumes and bring the family for an evening of fun and games. Prizes for the best costume, scarecrow and pumpkin decorating contests, trick or treat game booths, kids donut contest, yummy treats, homemade chicken corn soup and pies, and more.
The Raitt Homestead Farm was built in 1896 by Charles A. Raitt on State Road in Eliot, Maine. When Charles passed away, his son Roland took over the farm. When the apple orchard was destroyed by winter kill, Roland turned to dairy farming. The milk was sold to Badger Farms Dairy of Portsmouth, NH. Roland passed away in 1962 and his son Gerald took over the farm. He purchased the adjacent Anderson Apple Orchard in 1967 to restore the apple business to the farm. The farm was truly a family business; Gerald’s brothers worked at the farm and even nieces and nephews helped with the apple orchards and sold the apples at his farm stand on the front lawn. Gerald retired from the dairy business in 1983 but he continued to raise chickens and sell eggs until 2004.
Price is $3 for entry, children age one and under get in free. One free barrel tractor ride with each paid entry. Event happens October 29th from 4pm to 7pm
Volunteers are needed to help during the event. Please email eatea@comcast.net if you are interested in helping during the Halloween Harvest fundraiser for the Farm Museum.
Love affordable family events? Come down to Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St in Portland. View a short 120 minute presentation and learn how much fun you can have for less money. Festiva Adventure Club has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can trust. Festiva knows how to provide your family with more, better vacations for less. Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
October 25, 2011
Malcolm Holcombe
Want a stress-free night to relax and hear some great music? Why not come down to One Long Fellow Square and check out Malcolm Holcombe. The show will start at 8pm on Thursday October 27th. Tickets to the show are 15$ per person. Not familiar with Holcombe? If you’re looking for a laid back acoustic blues show. This is the one to attend. Malcolm Holcombe is nationally recognized as a great songwriter and performer. Steve Earle once said “Malcolm Holcombe is the best songwriter I ever threw out of my recording studio.” Come to not only hear great music but to hear great story telling. Holcombe’s stories will haunt you long after the show is over. He sings about his experiences, about a simpler and harder time. He also preforms stories of his own addictions and demons. Malcolm Holcombe is not for everyone, it may be a show where you want to leave the kids at home. If you love music with real soul this is the show for you.
Love going to great events, getting out and having fun? Why not stop by Festiva Adventure Club while you’re in Portland and find out how much fun you can have, and for how little. View a short 120 minute presentation and learn how cheap it is to have more fun. Festiva Adventure Club is located at 190 Riverside St in Portland. Festiva has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can trust! Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today.
October 24, 2011
Ghost Train Rides
Looking for something frightfully fun? Why not bring the whole crew on a ghost train ride? Admission is reasonably priced for the event at only $7 per person. Love getting dressed up in costumes? Why not put on your scariest costumes and try to be scarier than the other ghosts and ghouls that will be trying to frighten you! Why not take the steam train instead of the other scary rides available this season. At least the kids will get to see and experience an old time train in action! It will be terrifying and educational, a great experience for all! If you’ve never been on one of the old coal powered steam engine trains now is the perfect opportunity! Come ride the train, learn a little and get super scared all for a reasonable price! The train rides will be taking place on Friday October 28th and Saturday October 29th. The train rides will be taking place at The Boothbay Railway Village located at 586 Wiscassett Rd in Boothbay.
Love fun family activities? Why not swing down to Portland and visit Festiva Adventure Club. Festiva know how to provide your family with the very best vacations for less. Festiva Hospitality Group has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can count on. Come down to 190 Riverside St and view a short 120 minute presentation and learn just how much your family can save on extraordinary vacations. Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
October 23, 2011
Kennebunk chef wins Maine Lobster Chef of the Year
Looking for real Maine lobster? Go to this guy, he’s Lobster Chef of the Year!
Thomas Reagan, a personal chef from Kennebunk, prepares Slow Poached Maine Lobster Tail Nipponese during the Lobster Chef of the Year competition at Ocean Gateway in Portland yesterday.
///Taken from the Portland Press Herald. Story written by Meredith Goad mgoad@mainetoday.com///
Reagan won the competition at Ocean Gateway in front of an audience of 200 with his Slow poached Lobster Tail Nipponese, a dish he said could easily be made at home.
“I think it looks like fireworks on the plate, and I hope it tastes like a celebration in your mouth,” Reagan told the audience, who got to taste each of the three finalists’ dishes and vote on their favorite.
The winning dish: Tom Reagan's Slow Poached Maine Lobster Tail Nipponese
The other chefs vying for the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year title were Kristian Burrin of The Seasons of Stonington Restaurant, who prepared a trio of Maine lobster rolls, and Ryan Campbell of the Lake Parlin Lodge and Cabins, who made a Maine Lobster “Menage a Trois.”
Mary Stocher of Scarborough, who attended the contest with her mother, Cynthia Chase, cast her vote for Reagan. “All three were excellent,” Stocher said. “I liked the fact that I could sit down and have a whole meal of (Reagan’s dish) and I wouldn’t get tired of it. It was just amazing.” Her mother voted for Campbell’s dish.
Reagan won a $1,000 grand prize; the other chefs took home $500 each. “I’m so pleased,” Reagan said after his name was announced. “Thank you all very much. I hope you liked my meal. Make it and home (and) email me if you need help.” Reagan, who is a Mason, was sponsored in the competition by Arundel Lodge No. 76, which counts among its members many local lobstermen.
The Maine Lobster Chef of the Year event is part of Harvest on the Harbor, a three-day food-and-wine festival that began Thursday.
Photo credts: Thomas Reagan photo by Gregory Rec(Staff Photographer) and Winning Dish photo by Meredith Goad(Staff Writer)
October 22, 2011
Kids Open Studios: Record Art!
Bring the kids and paint records!
Space Gallery’s current gallery artist Gideon Bok’s stilllife paintings of record covers set the stage for this installment of Kids Open Studios. From Neil Young to The Stooges to The Dandy Warhols and Funkadelic, they are using music as their inspiration. Come get groovy and choose from their stock of vintage records to paint on, collage over or alter to create a unique piece of art!
Suggested age is 3 and up. This open studios is geared for kids, but all ages are welcome to come and create!
Saturday 11.05.2011, Starts at 12:30PM, Ends at 3:30 PM, $5 studio fee/free for SPACE members, All Ages
Love affordable family events? Come down to Festiva Adventure Club located at 190 Riverside St in Portland. View a short 120 minute presentation and learn how much fun you can have for less money. Festiva Adventure Club has been around for over 10 years and has the experience you can trust. Festiva knows how to provide your family with more, better vacations for less. Call 1(888)695-0200 to set up a reservation today!
