Walking is a good exercise; it promotes good conversations with fellow walkers and the opportunity to observe one's surroundings. So, for those with some free time, I'm organizing a couple of “rambles” a month - starting in September and ending in March. Most 'rambles' will be in rural areas with a few in urban settings. All will be within a 40 miles radius of Skowhegan. While most 'rambles' will take place in the afternoon, some will start earlier in the day. At times, we may want to carpool to a starting point. Good walking shoes, warm comfortable clothing, in winter - snowshoes and or ice creepers, and the yen to explore are the only essential elements needed.

First Meeting will be held at SAHS at 4:30pm on October 8, 2019

Every second and fourth of each Month

Let’s find out what Rockland and Camden have to offer in the off-season, just in time for the holidays!

To view complete trip description and to register, visit www.freeport.maineadulted.org or call 207-865-6171

Trip Leader: Kelli Park

Let’s find out what Rockland and Camden have to offer in the off-season, just in time for the holidays! We’ll start the day off right with a tour of Rock City Coffee Roasters, where we’ll learn about the process from bean to mug. Let’s follow that up with a tour and tasting at Bixby & Co., Maine’s First Bean to Bar Chocolate Factory! Coffee and chocolate - it doesn’t get any better! Or does it. . .We’ll spend some time exploring Rockland and then make our way to Blue Barren Distillery in Camden! Blue Barren uses traditional European farm distilling methods with local Maine ingredients to create a variety of liquors, including their specialty (Maine!) blueberry brandy. After warming up with a tour and tasting at the distillery, we’ll check out downtown Camden and then start our return journey, with a surprise stop or two along the way! There’s plenty to do in the off-season in Maine, so mark your calendars for this flavorful adventure! Included in cost: tours and tastings at Rock City Coffee Roasters, Bixby & Co., and Blue Barren Distillery. Lunch not included in cost. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring extra layers, comfortable walking shoes, water and snacks, if you choose. We will be using a coach bus for transportation, equipped with a restroom. This trip is family-friendly (no tastings at the distillery for anyone under age 21, however!). Bring your sense of adventure! 

Welcome to Tom and Olive Plant’s mountaintop estate, Lucknow, built in 1913-1914 high in the Ossipee Mountain Range. Known as Castle in the Clouds since its opening to the public in 1959, the house is an unusual example of Arts and Crafts architecture in New England, expressing that aesthetic movement’s philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Designed by the architectural firm of J. Williams Beal & Sons of Boston, the house not only exhibits skilled hand craftsmanship in every aspect of its interior and exterior, but also features a number of technological innovations of the early 20th century.

Groups will enjoy a self-guided tour of the Estate, visit the Gift Shop, Carriage House and Art Gallery. An Artisan Fair featuring local, handmade wares will take place in the Carriage House where guests can get a jump start on their holiday shopping. Lunch service is available as walk in from 11:00am to 3:00pm also in the Carriage House.

Biddeford
Bus:

• leaves from Park & Ride at Exit 32 at 8:30am
• leaves the Castle at 3:00pm
• returns to Park & Ride at Exit 32 at approximately 4:30pm

Groups of 4 or more $52 per person use Promo Code "Castle".

This class will provide resources and information for anyone who wants to find the best deals for hotels, cruises, RV travel, Airbnb, escorted tours and more. We will answer questions about RV driving to Alaska and the western US, how to get the lowest prices for escorted tours to almost anywhere, and getting great deals on hotels while traveling at home and abroad. Information will be presented on river cruises for less, as well as airfare tips. In addition, you will go home with valuable online resources.

Instructor: Becky Ranks

Tuesday, December 3 , 2019

Time: 6-8:30 pm

Location: MCHS

Registration: $20

Join us as we make our way back in time to the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island! If you’ve never visited the Newport Mansions before, this is your chance to see them in all their glory!

To view complete trip description and to register, visit www.freeport.maineadulted.org or call 207-865-6171

Trip Leader: Kelli Park

Join us as we make our way back in time to the Gilded Age in Newport, Rhode Island! If you’ve never visited the Newport Mansions before, this is your chance to see them in all their glory! Our first stop will be The Elms, which was modeled after the mid-18th century French Chateau d’Asnieres. Next stop: The Breakers! The Breakers was constructed for the Vanderbilt family in 1895, with 70 rooms and 125,000 square feet; it was designed in the architectural style of the Italian Renaissance and is considered the archetype of the Gilded Age. The Breakers will be decorated for a traditional High Victorian Christmas and will also feature a 15-foot tall red poinsettia tree composed of 150 individual plants, 9-foot tall Christmas trees, and hundreds of live flowers, including poinsettias, lilies, azaleas, paperwhites, amaryllis, and mini-evergreens, just to name a few. Each mansion will be decorated with historical accuracy and will be sure to get you in the holiday spirit, to say the least! You haven’t seen mansions until you’ve seen the Newport Mansions, so get ready to experience the Christmas season like you’ve never experienced it before! Included in cost: guided tours of the mansions, a unique keepsake from the mansions, and lunch at a local pub in Newport. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring extra layers, comfortable walking shoes, water and snacks, if you choose. We will be using a coach bus for transportation, equipped with a restroom. This trip is family-friendly. Bring your sense of adventure! 

Gather your friends and get some holiday shopping done in the Old Port section of Portland. You’ll have several hours of free time to shop for those unique gifts you need for your unique family members and friends. Have lunch on your own. Enjoy tea at a local tea house. And then we’ll make a stop at the ever-popular Victoria Mansion, decorated in style for Christmas. The cost of this trip includes: travel by Charter Coach, Ticket to Victoria Mansion, and driver gratuity. Meals not included. No refunds after 11/25. Due to space restrictions at Victoria Mansion, REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 35 - SIGN UP EARLY!