Tourney Week

Last week was February vacation for the kids.

Which means it was tourney week.

Tourney week is big.  Teams travel to Bangor and Augusta to play for the High School Championships.  If you can't make it to the Auditoriums, our local public broadcasting station runs the semis and the finals.  It can be exciting.

I got my daughter, Maddie to take some pictures of the Class C Semi-Final game.

She was so wrapped up in the game, she did not take many pictures.

Our Penquis Patriots did very well in the tourney this year.  We got to the semi-finals where we lost to Lee in double overtime. 

Lee is a tough competitor.  We won one and lost one to them in regular season play.  So you might say this game was personal. 

The boys played hard and did us proud.  

Be seeing you.

The Obligatory Bangor Picture

Okay, let's get this over with.

This, my dear friends and followers, is Stephen King's house.

He lives in Bangor.  His house is on a road full of huge Victorian Era houses.  It is a benefit of Bangor's logging past.  For the most part, he lives a fairly normal life.  People in town just let him live.

Although, I heard him speak at the Bangor Auditorium once.  He related the story how a bus full of Canadians were flashing pictures of him taking out his dog.  He was amazed at how many pictures were being taken of his dog taking a dump. 

Here is the thing.  Love him or hate him.  Love his work or reject it.  Stephen King has been very, very good for Bangor. 

He and his wife Tabitha have put their money where their mouths are when it comes to the city.  They donated money and did fundraisers (the talk at the Auditorium was one of those) for the Bangor Public Library  He donated money to build a ballfield in town.  Both projects were successful.

He also owns a radio station in town. 

I am sure there are other endevors.  Those are just the ones I know offhand.

Let's face it, Bangor has benefitted from having Stephen King reside there.

And you gotta love the detailing on his gate.

Be seeing you.

Reminds Me of My Childhood

 

I had errands to do in Bangor, and we were hungry, so we ducked into Massimos Bakery on Hammond Street.

 

 

It is in downtown Bangor.  Downtown Bangor full of older buildings and nooks and crannies.  Most downtowns are a street or two.  But downtown Bangor encompasses streets both great and small.  Hammond is one of the greater ones. 

 

 

They also have a restaurant which is what we were looking for, but it was closed for the week.  No big, the bakery was welcoming enough.

 

 

We got our lunch and ate in the car.  My husband got a panini.  I got red pepper and onion pizza.  No cheeze on it, but it was delicious. 

 

For dessert, crostatines (little crostata).  They are jam filled pies with a cookie-like crust.  I have had plenty of bad crostata with flavorless, dry crusts.  This was sublime.  The crust was buttery with a hint of almond.

See, I have a confession to make.  I am Italian-American.  I grew up in Southern Connecticut where good Italian food is easy to find.  I don't miss the crunch and hustle of Connecticut, but I miss good Italian food.

I found the Holy Grail.

Real, bubbly, crusty Italian bread.  You bet I brought a loaf home. 

It was just like when I was growing up.

Be seeing you.

 

The Blessed Cookie

I am taking a break from my drive because my husband brought home another treat from Bangor.  He bought cookies from the Friars Bakehouse.  As the name suggests, Franciscan Friars run this gem downtown.  They bake all sorts of goods: breads, scones, cookies.  Once Lent starts, you can get excellent hot cross buns.  They use dried, not candied, fruit, and it makes a world of difference.

But there is more.  They make a nice lunch.  I love walking in when they are making Minestrone.  The whole place smells of vegetables and Italian herbs.  You can buy and eat a hearty bowl of soup that warms the soul. 

Speaking of soul food, there is a chapel onsite.  It truly can feed you body and soul.

I love the Franciscans and what they stand for.  I was really glad my husband gave them some business today.  And I was glad my five year old granddaughter got to see the Friars.  I don't think she was sure what to make of them, but that is okay. 

At least she was exposed to the humble order.

Be seeing you.

A nice surprise

I got home from Houlton today to find a nice surprise.  My husband and son hit Bagel Central when they went to Bangor yesterday.  They brought home blueberry bagels and knotted rolls.  Of course, I grabbed a knotted roll and ate it with butter.

Bagel Central is an authentic jewish deli in Downtown Bangor.  It is a nice place to hang out and get a good lunch.  It is open and airy with solid wood tables and chairs.  They bake their own breads and supply a few businesses, including Eastern Maine Medical Center, the larger of the two hospitals in Bangor.  They have soups and sandwiches and latkes (potato pancakes) and bagels and fun desserts.  My children love their bagels and knotted rolls.  It is a great treat when we bring some home.

The knotted roll is made from challah, a jewish egg bread.  The egg provides flavor, moisture, and stability to the bread.   Loaves of challah are made by braiding three ropes of dough, so it is an ideal bread to make these rolls. 

These are great for sandwiches, and the bread toasts well.  My kids love to eat them plain or with a little butter.  I agree.

Bagel Central is a thriving business and institution in Bangor.  If your travels bring you to Bangor and you like Jewish delis (or if you just like to people watch) this is a great stop. 

Be seeing you.