Relatively few people will ever notice the numbers painted beneath some bridges that cross rivers and streams throughout Maine. But when the ice begins to melt and the water levels rise, those spray-painted numbers become a good indicator of when the spring whitewater boating season has begun. “People probably think that other people who paddle […]

For the culinary expert or cooking enthusiast, there exist certain indispensable items. Whisks, spatulas and mixing bowls may spring to mind, but one often-overlooked yet invaluable kitchen item is the cast-iron skillet. There was a time, before the proliferation of inexpensive Teflon and aluminum pans in the 1950s, when nearly everyone used cast-iron for cooking. […]

In the movie “Waitress,” an oppressed, small-town character played by Kerri Russell infuses the pies she bakes for the local diner with metaphorical ingredients. Naming her confections for the deep sources of frustration in her life, such as “I Hate My Husband Pie” made with bittersweet chocolate you neglect to sweeten, Russell wields ingredients like […]

Music has always been a part of Darren Avery’s life. Church choir and piano gave him the skills as a little boy, Billy Joel gave him the motivation to perform. But teaching music? That he came to all on his own. Name: Darren Avery Age: 38 Town: Auburn Married/single/relationship? I have been married to my […]

Leaving Arizona I was pleased and somewhat disturbed by the number of people (three) who wrote to complain about the absence of Talk of the Town during the weeks that I was traveling, yak-like, in the desert of Phoenix. Pleased because it’s nice to be missed. Disturbed because if you long for meaningless babble, it […]

The picked-over turkey carcass lay abandoned on the cutting board, awaiting action from me, a thrifty cook who lets no food go to waste. “I think I’ll make soup,” I declared to no one in particular, but my son responded nonetheless. “Make egg noodles,” he said hopefully. “Like you always used to.” Such are the […]

Not all inspections stations are honest. A person can bring in a car to be inspected. In my case, my older car, I was told, the emergency brake would not hold on a hill. I went on Bartlett hill in Lewiston, set the emergency brake on. With the car running and in drive, it did […]

My latest recipe discovery came the day before Maine Maple Sunday. With my father-in-law in town, we were planning on taking him to one of the local farms to enjoy a pancake breakfast. As the evening came to a close, my sticky note was staring me in the face. It read, “Make Maddie her special […]