Here is Chef Kevin Long fourth Summer BBQ tip…

BBQ Tip #4:

Chef Long’s summer marinade:

Combine 3 oz. of Dijon Mustard, 1 oz. extra virgin olive oil. 1 lemon, a crumble of fresh or dry lavender and a pinch of crushed chili flake.

You can find Chef Long BBQ #1 here and Chef Long BBQ #2 here and Chef Long BBQ #3 here.

Chef Kevin Long is Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at MGM Foxwoods.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. And you’ll not want to miss next Friday’s tip for Chef Long’s authentic Tare Sauce and how you can use it to serve up an unforgettable BBQ meal.

Be sure to bookmark our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

Here is Chef Kevin Long third Summer BBQ tip…

BBQ Tip #3:

Chef Long’s recipe for a quick and easy brine for pork, beef, or chicken.
Brining the meat  24–48 hours in advance will ensure it cooks as plump and juicy as possible

Combine 4oz natural sugar, 3oz of Kosher Salt, 1 slice of sweet onion, 40 oz cold water

You can find Chef Long BBQ #1 here and Chef Long BBQ #2 here.

Chef Kevin Long is Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at MGM Foxwoods.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. Be sure to bookmark our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

The Mount Washington Hotel Resort is hosting a jam-packed big activities weekend to celebrate the nation’s birthday July 3-5, 2009. Here’s what to expect.

If a weekend of activities including tennis, fun runs, chalk drawing, military dramatizations, riveting storytelling and lectures, with evening movies and musical performances in the scenic beauty of the White Mountains, then don’t think twice but head for the Mount Washington Hotel Resort this July 4^th Independence weekend.

The distinct resort in the heart of the Presidential Range is preparing to make this July 4^th an unforgettable experience for its guests and you’re invited.

Words on Lodging:

And the words are “Great Packages.” Packages are available for July 3-5, 2009 special weekend starting at $239 per person based on double occupancy and two night minimum stay. For more information on the Independence Day packages, contact their reservation department at 800.258.0330.

Friday, July 3, 2009:

9:00am - 12:00pm Just for fun Tennis Round Robin at the clay courts.

4:00pm - 5:00pm Evening Lecture with Dr. John Resch: The American Revolution

5:00pm - 6:00pm Beer Tasting: Grab a pint of organic amber ale by Peak Organic.

6:30pm - 7:30pm Dinner with a Special Guest

7:30pm - 9:30pm Storytelling and Sing-A-Long by Campfire

8:00pm - 10:00pm Family Evening Movie - Johnny Tremain

9:00pm - 10:45pm Musical Performance - Program of Civil War Era music.

Saturday, July 4, 2009:

8:00am - 9:00am Independence 5k Run - Put on your joggers for a trip around the hotel.

9:00am - 10:00am Mount Rushmore Photo Shoot - A once in a lifetime photo op.

10:00am - 11:00am A Soldier’s Mother Tells her Story - Civil War through a Mother’s Eyes.

10:00am - 8:00pm The Crossing - Dramatization of George Washington’s attack in 1776.

10:00am - 11:00am Dance Lesson with Joel Silvestro - Two left feet are welcome.

10:30am - 11:00am Patriotic Chalk Drawing - You bring the imagination everything else is supplied.

11:0am Call to Arms - Demonstrations and reenactments by historical organization.

11:00am - 12:00pm Family Challenges - sack races, tug of war, obstacle course and more.

12:00pm - 1:00pm Waffle Ball

12:00pm - 4:00pm The Finest BBQ - A traditional BBQ with all the fixings you’d expect.

1:00pm - 2:00pm Family B-I-N-G-O - You now how to play and we’ll provide the fun.

2:30pm - 3:00pm Battle of the Balloons - You will get wet with this water balloon fight.

3:30pm - 4:00pm Duck Race - Decorate and duck and race it against all competitors.

4:00pm - 5:00pm Meet Teddy Roosevelt - See Ted Zalewski brings Teddy back to life.

6:00pm - 9:00pm North Meets the South - A dinner of two cuisines joined in harmony.

8:00pm - 10:00pm Family Evening Movie - On the Town: Franky, Gene and Jules delight.

9:00am - 11:00pm American Celebration Dance - Plan for some great music and dance the night away!

Sunday, July 5, 2009:

7:00am - 9:00am Breakfast with Abe, Teddy and Betsy Phelps

Enjoy the rest of your stay at the resort with its first-class facilities and activities. No rush to leave.

For more details on this special event and information on the resort check out their official web site at: www.MountWashingtonResort.com

The White Mountains of New Hampshire is a popular destination for four-season vacationers and for more ideas and suggestions for attractions check out our special White Mountains Vacations page here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Yankee Traveler
Staff Writer
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

Here is Chef Kevin Long second Summer BBQ  tip…

BBQ Tip #2:

Brazilian Trick: Re-season the food with salt and pepper while grilling to ensure that the flavor is not lost in the grilling process.

You can find Chef Long BBQ #1 here.

Chef Kevin Long is Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at MGM Foxwoods.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. Be sure to bookmark our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

The Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield, Massachusetts has released its event schedule for 2009, and as always it has an ambitious program for the summer and fall. Here is just a selection of events scheduled for this year.

The season at Hancock Shaker Village runs from Saturday, May 23 through Sunday, October 18, 2009. Situated on an expanse of farm, field, and woodland, the restored Village includes 20 historic buildings, heirloom medicinal and vegetable gardens, 22,000 examples of Shaker furniture, crafts, tools, and clothes that depict daily life at the Shakers’ City of Peace through its 225 years.

Events also include heritage breed farm animals and gardens and hiking trails.

There are daily tours, craft and cooking demonstrations, lectures, and a variety of activities for children and families, as well as a Museum Store and Shaker-inspired cuisine at the Village Harvest Café. The Discovery Room offers hands-on opportunities for kids of all ages to try their hand at chair seat weaving, working at a loom, trying on Shaker-style clothing, or milking a life-sized replica of a cow.

Currently exhibited in the Chace Gallery of the Center for Shaker Studies through Labor Day is Gather Up the Fragments. This is the last season to see Gather Up the Fragments in the Berkshires, as the exhibit will travel nationally in 2010.

New This Year:

Chef Michael Roller, formerly of the luxury resort Blantyre in Lenox, MA, has revamped the Village Harvest Café with inspired interpretations of rustic Shaker cuisine utilizing fresh produce grown on sight.

The Museum Store now features an expanded section of hiking books and walking sticks for visitors to take advantage of on Village trails, as well as in the adjoining Pittsfield State Forest. Hikers are welcome to park for free at the Village; maps to the Pittsfield State Forest are available at the front desk. Beginning in July, the Village will introduce a new audio tour that will be available free with admission, details about which will be announced later this summer.

Mt. Sinai Guided Hikes:

On June 20, August 22, September 19, and October 10, 2009 hike into history on a three-mile trek to the site of the most intense spiritual activities of the Hancock Shakers. During the 1840s, the Shakers established a “feast ground” atop a holy hill they dubbed Mount Sinai.

Here they received spirit messages, dances, visions, and songs. This hike retraces their pilgrimage, pausing to see the Shaker reservoir and North Family mill sites, with reenactments of songs and testimonials from the “mountain meetings” in the Shakers’ own words.

This is recommended for experienced hikers, and each hike will begin at 9:30am and conclude with a picnic lunch. Admission to the Village grounds is included, and advance registration is required. Rates: Members $28/Non-Members $35

“Mr. Lincoln’s Chair: The Shakers and Their Quest for Peace”:

On July 11^th, 2009 at 2:00pm there will be a lecture and book signing with author Anita Sanchez. “Mr. Lincoln’s Chair” presents the Shakers against the backdrop of the Civil War, contrasting their peaceful lives with the carnage of America’s bloodiest battles. The Shakers’ struggle to obtain conscientious objector status led them all the way to the White House for an audience with President Abraham Lincoln.

This lecture is for anyone interested in the Shakers and their unique way of life, as well as for those fascinated by the life of Lincoln. It takes a look at Lincoln from a different point of view: the Commander-in-Chief of the Civil War as seen through the eyes of America’s early conscientious objectors.

This event is free with regular admission and is part of Lincoln Trail in the Berkshires, a collaboration of 14 historic sights and museums organized by Chesterwood. See www.lincolntrailintheberkshires.com for more details.

Oval Box Workshop:

Students will make a nest of four boxes and learn about carving swallow tails, bending the box, and installing tops and bottoms. Students will also have the opportunity to examine some samples of fine Shaker craftsmanship from the HSV collection.

This is a chance for woodworking beginnings to get a great start, and for more experienced woodworkers to develop a new skill. No previous experience required. Rates: Members $190/Non-Members $210 on August 8 and 9, 2009, 9am to 4pm.

16th Annual Age of Iron Weekend:

Make a date on August 15 and 16, 2009 to attend a session with iron men and women from throughout New England who’ll demonstrate the art of blacksmithing and metalwork.

Craftsmanship techniques dating from the 17th through the 21st centuries, Japanese hardware, tool making, engraving, and Viking and Shaker forging will be on display.

Hand-wrought creations from participating blacksmiths will be for sale and those who make custom ironwork for the home will be available to discuss specific commissions.

Many participants will be dressed in period costumes. Forges and workshops will be set up around the historic Village for family activities, demonstrations, and opportunities for visitors to try their hand at being the Village “smithy.”

Co-sponsored with the Berkshire Blacksmith’s Association. This event is free with regular admission.

Timberframing Workshop:

Participants will learn September 23-27, 2009 the craft of timber frame construction using 18th and 19th century tools and techniques, completing the parts and assembling the frame of a small building.

Instructional demonstrations and discussions supplement the hands-on learning activities. Tools and materials provided. Rates: Members $430/Non-Members $475. Register directly with the instructors, Jack Sobon (413.684.3223) or Dave Carlon (413.684.3612).

Hancock Shaker Village Country Fair - 12th Annual:

Fall is finely in the Berkshires when the 12^th annual Hancock Shaker Village Country Fair is celebrated this year on September 26 and 27. There will be a kid’s tent filled with Shaker-inspired games, a farmers’ market with samples of heirloom vegetables to taste, vendors and demonstrations of old-time farm-related crafts and trades, wagon rides, and more.

This year’s pie contest will be judged by New Yorker writer Susan Orlean and Berkshire Living editor Lesley Ann Beck.

The farmers’ market will be judged by WAMC President Alan Chartock and MCLA professor Roselle Chartock. The crafts will be judged by Red Lion Inn owner Nancy Fitzpatrick and photographer Lincoln Russell. This event is free with regular admission.

Spinning and Weaving Week:

As part of National Spinning and Weaving Week, Hancock Shaker Village highlights Shaker textiles October 4-10, 2009. Visitors will see historic demonstrations and have opportunities to try a hand at tasks that would have been accomplished by Shaker Sisters at Hancock.

Fiber artists from the Village and local guilds will bring traditional cloth-making to life-flax processing, spinning, dying, and weaving. Shaker textiles from the Village collection will also be on display. This event is free with regular admission.

Renewable Energy at the City of Peace: Shaker Water Power Archeology Tour:

There is a two-hour tour of the history of the Hancock Shakers’ 19th century water power technology on October 4, 2009, 3pm to 5pm. The tour includes a demonstration of the 1858 water turbine in the Laundry and Machine Shop, a tour of other history renewable energy sites and topics within the Village (hydro, solar, wind, biomass, architectural features, sustainable/green town planning), and an easy to moderate level hike up Shaker Brook to view archaeological sites of Shaker mills and dams.

Co-sponsored by the Upper Housatonic Valley Heritage Area and Massachusetts Historical Commission Archaeology Month. Tour included with regular admission. Free for Housatonic Heritage Walks participants.

These events are in addition to all the exhibits and artifacts on display every day with admission. For more details on each event and on visiting the Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, check out the official web site at: www.hancockshakervillage.org

Massachusetts offers the visitor and resident a rich assortment of museums and outdoor adventures and for more ideas and suggestions of things to see and do in the state check out our special Massachusetts Vacation section here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

The warmer weather has arrived in New England and we all have thoughts of vacations and BBQ with special friends. And our blog welcomes a special friend this summer…

Chef Kevin Long.

Kevin Long is highly regarded as one of the Boston area’s most promising young chefs, and all this summer he’ll be providing you with tips and recipes to make your cookouts sizzle.

After working in the kitchens of several family-owned restaurants on the South Shore, Kevin joined the cooking line at Tosca in 1995, where he was quickly appointed Sous Chef of the award-winning restaurant.

Kevin joined forces with restaurateur Seth Woods for the opening of Aquitaine, one of the Boston South End’s most celebrated restaurants where he worked as Chef.

After honing his skills in the city for a year, Kevin returned to his roots to take the reins as Executive Chef at Tosca. In July of 2005, Kevin expanded his role and took on the role of Executive Chef at Caffé Tosca, Tosca’s sister restaurant.  Kevin has also cooked at the James Beard house numerous times and has participated in Boston’s Spinazzola Gala for over ten years.

In his new role as Executive Chef of Shrine Restaurant, Lounge and Nightclub at the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut, Kevin is taking his passion for using only the finest quality product and is creating high quality, creative cuisine with Chinese, Thai, Japanese and Pacific Rim influences.

Here is Chef’s Long summer season opener…

BBQ Tip #1:

1. Continually baste food with vegetable oil or 10% blended oil.  This enhances superior browning over dry cooking on the grill and prevents sticking.

Next BBQ tip in one weeks time. Be sure to bookmark  our site or subscribe to our RSS Feed here

About Shrine Asian Kitchen, Lounge and Nightclub

Owned and operated by Big Night Entertainment, the company behind some of Boston’s hottest nightlife venues including The Estate, Suite and Marina Bay Beach Club (formerly WaterWorks), the 21,000-square-foot nightclub, lounge and stylized dining venue offers a Las Vegas-style nightlife experience with an Asian flair.

The space is a powerful blend of Asian inspiration and style with a touch of smoldering decadence. The 21,000 square-foot, two-story venue accommodates up to 1,200 guests and features two outdoor fire-pit terrace spaces overlooking MGM Grand’s luxurious, fan-shaped pool.

Shrine also boasts an open kitchen, a 225-seat restaurant and two private dining rooms, which can accommodate groups as large as 12 to 40 people. Shrine also boasts the only state-of-the art custom Funktion One Sound System and DJ booth in New England, 40 VIP bottle service tables, 2 full-service bars and a frozen vodka and champagne bar.

We’ll be posting BBQ tips from Chef Kevin Long throughout the season so let us know how you enjoy them in the comments section below, and tell your friends to stop by and pick up the recipes themselves.

And why not take a trip to MGM Grand at Foxwoods and sample the Shrine Restaurant first hand.

The Mystic Country region of Connecticut has many places of interest and to discover them check out our special East Connecticut destinations page here.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

New England is known for its love affair with sports, and the summer months puts the spotlight on baseball in the region. Whether you’re talking Major or Minor League, professional baseball is usually within striking distance wherever you visit for a New England Vacation.

While visitors on a Boston Vacation will want to check out a Red Sox game if the team is in town, but outside the Boston region there’s a better chance for available seats at most of the minor league ball parks and you get to see rising stars at a great price.

Here’s our 2009 Guide to Summer Vacation Baseball Fun in New England.

Boston Red Sox, Boston, Massachusetts:

The Boston Red Sox home at Fenway Park is the oldest park in major league and remains a baseball field with real grass in a real neighborhood in Boston.

Tickets are not cheap or easy to come by, and the franks and peanuts - not to mention beer - are not the most memorable element of game day, but nonetheless there is something extraordinary about seeing a major league baseball game in this park which makes it all worthwhile.

And if the Red Sox are not in town when you visit then don’t despair you can take the Boston Red Sox Fenway Tour and get to know all about the Green Monster and Pesky Poll without somebody spilling beer or peanuts on your shoes.

More >>> http://boston.redsox.mlb.com

Cape Cod Summer League, Cape Cod, Massachusetts:

The boys - and gals - of summer visit Cape Cod each year in more ways than you may think. While college students swarm the beaches of Cape Cod in the warmer months, this is also the same time that many college baseball players take the opportunity of a lifetime to break onto the professional scene - or at least get noticed by the scouts.

Many of the towns on Cape Cod have teams and during June through August you can find a game every night being played at one of the venues. One in seven of all MLB players played in the Cape Cod Baseball League and it is the premier amateur baseball league in the country.

This is also serious and excellent baseball. These college players are the best in the country and they have everything to prove. For most this is their only chance to make it into the major leagues.  For more details on schedule and general information check out the official site of the Cape Cod Baseball League here.

More >>> http://www.capecodbaseball.org

Lowell Spinners, Lowell, Massachusetts:

The Lowell Spinners are the Class-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox and in the past this New Hampshire team has fueled the parent with the likes of Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Clay Buchholz and Kevin Youkilis.

The Spinners play at LeLacheur Park along the Merrimack River, and are entering their 14^th season in Lowell. Like its bigger brother who keeps racking up sell-out after sell-out crowds, the Spinners are also enjoying their own record streak of sell-out attendance. For the season’s 2000-2008 every single ticket was sold!

The Spinners are know for their family-entertainment promotions, contest, and giveaways, particularly bobblehead dolls such as Jack Kerouac, Stephen King, and media stars like Peter Gammons and Mike O’Malley. Whichever way you cut it this team is hot.

More >>> http://www.lowellspinners.com

New Britain Rock Cats, New Britain, Connecticut:

The Double-A Rock Cats is affiliated with the Minnesota Twins - well they are just a hop across the road at 1,200-miles. It’s a long story though with the club ending a long affiliation with the Boston Red Sox in 1995 and signing a player development contract with the Minnesota Twins, and as they say they’ve never looked back.

It’s proved fruitful for the town of New Britain, with the parent ensuring there is plenty of talent on board to draw huge crowds for a successful minor league team. In the past the likes of Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, Joe Mauer, Roger Clemens, and Jeff Bagwell have all passed through this Connecticut haven for great baseball.

And 2009 is shaping up to be every bit as good as previous seasons for the Rock Cats… but if you want to watch them then you’d better get your tickets early because this team is looking to pump out the future MVP and Rookie of the year for its parent, and it’s a lot easier to see them here in Connecticut than in Minnesota.

More >>> http://www.rockcats.com/

Pawtucket Red Sox, Pawtucket, Rhode Island:

The Pawsox operate out of Pawtucket in Rhode Island. This is the Boston Red Sox Triple A farm team and the player’s on this roster are one step away from hitting a grand slam or pitching a perfect game at Fenway Park.

The Pawsox is where the Red Sox go when they need a replacement or fill-in, or if a player is going through rehab. A trip to McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket is not only a cheaper day out than Fenway Park; you also get to see excellent minor league baseball, and the chance to catch the next David Ortiz, Jacoby Ellsbury or Dustin Pedroia.

McCoy Stadium also has its own history.

In 1981 the longest game in professional baseball went 33 innings and over 8 hours before the Pawtucket Red Sox prevailed over the Rochester Red Wings.

More >>> http://www.pawsox.com

Portland Sea Dogs, Portland, Maine:

The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox since the 2003 season. Previously they were a farm team for the Florida Marlins another local team - just kidding!

The team plays at Hadlock Field which was once a High School field but now renovated to a 7,368-seating stadium. Located in southern Maine along a popular coastal section, during the summer months the game attracts a large crowd of vacationers. Red Sox fans should feel right at home as the stadium has its own version of the Green Monster complete with Coke bottle and Citgo sign.

The Sea Dogs have had a successful affiliation with their Boston parent reaching the Eastern League championship series in 2005 and 2006 and winning in 2006. Famous alumni of the Portland Sea Dogs include: Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson.

More >>> http://www.portlandseadogs.com

Vermont Lake Monsters, Burlington, Vermont:

The Vermont Lake Monsters are the Class-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals team, and play their home baseball out of Centennial Field on the grounds of the University of Vermont campus in Burlington.

Burlington is the largest city in Vermont and located on the shores of Lake Champlain - a popular and scenic vacation spot in Vermont, and only 100-miles from the team’s previous affiliation with the Montreal Expos who moved to Washington after the 2004 season.

The name Lake Monsters was chosen in a poll after the end of the 2005 season and is after the legendary sea creature called “Champ” said to roam Lake Champlain. But today the monster is cuddly and a mascot for the team that is doing very nicely thank you. The Vermont Lake Monsters play in the short-season New York Penn League.

This farm system has churned out players such as: Orlando Cabrera, Jason Bay, and Darrell Rasner, and makes a great stop on a fun-filled Green Mountains vacation.

More >>> http://www.vermontlakemonsters.com

Let us know how you enjoyed this New England Baseball round-up by leaving a comment below.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

New England Birdhouse specializes in custom birdhouses and each masterpiece wooden birdhouse is built with quality craftsmanship using the finest materials.

The idea for New England Birdhouse began in 2001 with the creation of a wooden birdhouse replica of Bill Askenburg’s colonial home as an anniversary present to his wife. Soon custom birdhouses were built for the neighbors and his wife’s coworkers. The reaction to the birdhouses was terrific and New England Birdhouse was opened for business!

The company’s custom bird houses are in great demand, with orders from across the United States as well as abroad. The birdhouses are frequently commissioned as gifts, and Askenburg takes great pride in crafting each custom wooden birdhouse, always mindful of how special it will be to the recipient.

Askenburg uses client submitted photos to create CAD plans for each replica bird house.  The plans are reviewed by the client to ensure accuracy before construction begins.  The custom bird houses are built from milled Eastern White Pine.  To maximize weather resistance, exterior grade paint, fasteners and joinery are used to construct the bird houses.

The custom bird houses are both decorative and functional, with “bird friendly” features including ventilation, drainage, easy clean-out access and unfinished interior nest boxes. The birdhouses can be built to accommodate any of their post displays or can be mounted using flange or post mounting hardware.

Entry holes are sized for common nest cavity dwellers including wrens, chickadees, nuthatches and titmice.  The bird house details are painstakingly carved, burned and painted into the bird house using a number of different artistic techniques.  Each custom replica bird house takes approximately a month to complete, with the average price being $1,200 - $1,600.

Their web site also offers a wide selection of backyard birding supplies including bird feeders and premium wild bird food, and green birding supplies from brands such as Audubon, Scott’s and Droll Yankees. More recently, they have begun to offer select garden and patio décor to provide one-stop shopping for your outdoor birding and garden requirements.

For more information about ordering a unique custom wooden birdhouse check out their website at http://www.NewEnglandBirdhouse.com

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

In May of 2008 we wrote about the Coastal Wine Trail of Southeastern New England and we were reminded by a few readers about the Connecticut Wine Trail just further along the coast. Today I’ll make amends by covering this wonderful way of seeing Connecticut if you’re a wine lover - and I am!

Commercial vineyards have been legal in Connecticut since 1978 and since then wineries have sprung up around the state and currently total nineteen.

The vineyards are split between western Connecticut with a number clustered around the Housatonic Valley and the rolling hills of the Litchfield region, and the remainder in the Connecticut River Valley and coastal region in eastern Connecticut.

While wine making has become serious business in Connecticut, nonetheless a number of these wineries are on agricultural farms that have been in families for generations and offer seasonal vegetables and fruits for picking and selecting as well.

This map provides more details on the locations of the vineyards as of May 2009; use it as a guide for planning your Connecticut Wine Trail trip…

The climate of Connecticut is more temperate than other areas in New England. The winters are not as harsh and spring comes earlier providing a longer growing season for the grapes. For example the climate of coastal Connecticut on Long Island Sound is similar to Central France or the Burgundy region.

The Connecticut Wine Trail itself is marked by blue signs and it is a free and open tour you can organize and spread out over a number of weekends, or group some together and spend just one weekend. While you can see all the wineries in a whirlwind 2/3 days it is suggested you schedule no more than four wineries in one day so you can sample the many facets each winery offers such as walking trails and special events during the season.

Most of the wineries offer tours and wine tasting but you should call ahead to reserve and to get exact times. There may be a small charge for wine tasting sessions.

In addition to visiting the vineyards the trail takes you through historic Connecticut villages and regions, scenic roads with rolling hills and open meadows, and the states famous coastal and river areas. The Connecticut Wine Trail offers a wonderful getaway opportunity for couples with no kids to entertain, and the chance to sample great wines and stay and dine at Connecticut’s finest lodging and restaurants.

Once you have planned out your trip use our where to stay in Connecticut resource here for searching good deals.

For more information on each of the vineyards together with directions, hours of operation and contact information download the Connecticut Wine Trail brochure at the official web site here.

Connecticut has many outstanding destinations and attractions and for more suggestions check out our special Connecticut Getaways section here.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Yankee Traveler
Staff Writer
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below:

Over the years I’ve answered a number of questions from people planning to visit New England for a vacation.

The region is rich in both history and scenic beauty and when people start to plan their own vacation they quickly become overwhelmed and seek out guidance and help. Unfortunately most web sites confuse people even more and people like the opportunity to ask a “real” person questions.

So these questions are the most common ones asked when people need help planning their New England trip, and hopefully they’ll provide you some options for your visit.

We are visiting New England in July (or pick your own month) for a week and want to see as much of the region as possible can you offer me some suggestions for what to see and where to stay?

This is the nightmare question I get in one form or another at least a few times every month so I thought I’d start with it.

First, you can’t see all of New England in one week. I know New England looks small on a map especially when compared with some of the states out west, but the reality is, it is not small, and it has a wide diversity of destinations. So unless you want to spend the whole week in the car and see everything whiz by and not experience anything - you’re going to have to be selective.

Pick a theme such as coastal, mountains, or lakes, or maybe revolutionary history, or museums, or an activity such as hiking, biking, antiquing, and let that drive the destinations you visit and where you stay.

Here’s a basic sample itinerary and further resources covering popular New England destinations:

Boston, Massachusetts - 2 days of sightseeing of historical Boston and includes side-trip to Plimoth Plantation and Mayflower II.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts - 2 days includes visit to Cape Cod National Seashore, cycling bike paths and a whale watch cruise.
Mystic, Connecticut - 1 day includes Mystic Seaport and coastal Connecticut.
Newport, Rhode Island - 1 day includes mansions and harbor cruise.
Lake Champlain, Vermont - 2 days includes Burlington and Lake Champlain Islands and scenic mountain town of Stowe.
North Conway, New Hampshire - 2 days includes the Presidential Range and Mount Washington and Flume Gorge.
Bar Harbor, Maine - 2 days includes Acadia National Park and lobster dinner.
New England Lodging - Accommodation options and deals broken down by states.

This is a 12-14 day trip and is really a sampler package as I’ve spent a whole week in each of these areas and still only scratched the surface of everything on offer in these areas. As regards staying somewhere central, there really isn’t such a location for this tour. You’ll need to move “house” six times for this trip, which is a lot of moving for one vacation. And this is why I suggest choosing a theme. But if you want to see a lot in a small amount of time and you can take the driving, then this is your tour.

We want to stay in one place but also want to visit and see as much as possible - where should we pick for a base?

Similar advice as before - pick an area to focus on. This could be coastal Maine where you can see a lot of what Maine has to offer on day trips, or Lakes Region of New Hampshire, where you can also make visits to the White Mountains and make a few excursions across to Vermont. For Maine consider Bar Harbor or Boothbay Harbor for your lodging base or one of the Lake Winnipesaukee towns such as Meredith or Wolfeboro for a New Hampshire Lakes Region base.

Boston also makes an excellent base as apart from soaking up revolutionary history and monuments in the city and nearby towns of Lexington and Concord, you can visit Plymouth and Cape Cod, and even Newport, Rhode Island. While staying in downtown hotels can be expensive, there are much better deals if you’re willing to use public transportation for getting around - most people use the “T” subway system to get around… or walk. Keep the car for day trip excursions only. Where to stay in Boston deals here.

For Vermont vacations I like Stowe for a base or a nearby town such as Waterbury. Stowe is central for Burlington and Lake Champlain, and day trips into the Northeast Kingdom or south to the Green Mountains National Forest and the Woodstock region.

What do you recommend as the best destination for family vacations in the summer?

If you’re a beach-loving family, then Cape Cod remains the primary choice for New Englanders, with the towns of Yarmouth, Dennis and Harwich packing in a lot of the cottage rentals and attractions during the summer for young families. Older families may prefer the lower Cape with the National Seashore beaches which are less protected and cooler ocean temperatures. The Bay side beaches of the Cape are best for very young families as the water is warmer and safest for swimming.

Also high on the list are the Islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket for older family vacations. The beaches are plentiful and if you have a bike you can usually cycle to a beach that is not crowded even during the summer months.

Rhode Island has some outstanding beaches in South County along Rhode Island Sound and near to Westerly - head out to Misquamicut or Watch Hill for not only the beaches but the entertainment and restaurants. And for older families check out Block Island. Beaches north of Boston with plenty of things to do for a family include Hampton Beach in New Hampshire and York and Ogunquit beaches in southern Maine.

If you prefer your beaches and water to be on a lake then New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee is one of New England’s popular family destinations, especially where water sports is preferred - the lake activities cater for all family age groups. There are also boat cruises and railroad trips leaving from Weirs Beach every day to keep the kids from getting too bored or too tanned.

Also in New Hampshire are the White Mountains National Forest and a number of destinations and attractions in the forest such as Mount Washington, Flume Gorge in Franconia Notch Park. These are all doable day trips from the towns in the Lakes Region. The White Mountains also has Storyland and Santa’s Village for a young family with themed rides and attractions.

Becoming popular with families for a vacation is staying on a Vermont farm, and the state has a network of working farms where you can lodge just like a bed and breakfast and become engrossed in the workings of the farm and/or tour attractions of surrounding area. Just be sure your children will find this sort of vacation exciting enough.

And by far the most popular question I get asked is…

When are the best dates to visit to see the New England fall foliage?

This really is one of the toughest questions to answer as there is no one best date or dates to visit to catch brilliant fall foliage in New England.But its not a good enough answer for the trip of a lifetime.

You know people have to book well in advance (sometimes a year) to get the accommodation they want, so you want to ensure they get to see good color.

What most people mean by best dates is usually peak foliage. However, peak foliage is just a point in time and the colors are spectacular two weeks before and for two weeks after the actual peak date. Also, the peak date varies every year and can be impacted by weather events in the late summer months and other factors. The change of colors progresses from northern New England down to its southern tip sometimes taking a month to complete the journey.

Traditionally, Columbus Day - the second Monday in October - usually provides superb fall foliage viewing in New England, but you’ll need to be prepared to drive around to flush it out from wherever you’re staying. For example, one side of a mountain may just be turning color, while driving a few miles to the other side will provide the best peak foliage pictures of a lifetime.

My personal favorite spots for viewing fall foliage in New England are:

• Almost anywhere in Vermont, especially in the Green Mountain National Forest in central Vermont.
• White Mountains National Forest in New Hampshire.
• The Berkshires in western Massachusetts.

Because I get asked this question so much I have put together what I humbly submit is the best New England fall foliage resource on the web - and it’s free. You can find it at http://www.squidoo.com/fallfoliage. I update it every year to keep it current and I’m always adding new resources to it. So if your question is around fall foliage now you know where to go.

Look out for other state specific vacations planning information in future posts.

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

If you enjoyed this article please share with others at your favorite sites below: