New England Compass

The New England Compass | January 2011 | 3

Blazin’ trails: Where to hike/atv/sled CaBin feva: Fun stuff to do with the whole family

GoBBle Guide: Where to chow down around town

compass Your guide to everything outdoors in New England

New England

adventurous animal friends Meet Bear... the 4 wheelin’ ready-for-anything best friend

In every issue:

Winter Camping • Snowshoeing • Ice Fishing & More!

February 2011

A | The New England Compass | January 2011

fin and feather

Live Bait • Fishing Tackle • Kayaks • Canoes • Row Boats Pedal Boats • Archery Equipment • Guns & Ammo

Kayaks & Canoe Rentals and Lessons

Get a rush.

Route 140 Upton, MA • 508-529-3901 • www.finandfeathersports.com


Get a rush.

Welcome

compass Your guide to everything outdoors in New England

New England

Editor’s Note:Are you sick of the snow yet? Everyone in New England is dealing with it. This issue is about what’s cool to do in New England with yours and other adventurous animal friends. You can still manage to get outside with your pets and enjoy the winter wildlife among us. You find the results and back-ground of Ground Hog Day, Animal Tracks you can identify, cold weather tips for our fuzzy friends and all the other favorites you enjoy each month.

Winter is nature’s way of saying, up yours — give it back — get out, have fun and grab nature by the snowflake!

Please join us on facebook at facebook.com/newenglandcompass.

Owner/Publisher | Wendy Thibodeau

Contributing Editor | Robert Thibodeau

Art Director/Graphic Design | Wendy Thibodeau

Writer | Whitney Butler

Illustrator | Sara Sullivan

Main Office:PO Box 288, Douglas, MA 01516.

Phone: 508-476-5477Email: [email protected]

To place an ad:Email: [email protected]

Input/Reader Submissions:Email: [email protected]

Happy Shoveling! Wendy Thibodeau, Publisher

Rock the boat.

Now accepting 2011 memberships!We Want You! We are in need of folks (with or even without canoes and kayaks)

who would like to explore the beautiful waters of Southern New England.

For those that are just learning to paddle, we can provide instruction on paddling and safety before we go on the water. Learn from some avid paddlers

and join in and learn with our group of beginners.

Call 508-529-3901 or click www.mysite.verizon.net/bizeb69b/thebaystatepaddlers


7 12

Out In thE GrEAt WIDE OPEn — FEBruArY COvEr stOrIEs + FEAturEs

7 ADvENTuROuS ANIMAl FRIENDS: Meet Bear... the 4 wheelin’ ready-for-anything best friend

11 HAND MADE: Meet local acoustic guitar maker Richard Young

EvErY IssuE

9 PET FRIENDlY GOBBlE GuIDE: Where to chow down around town

11 BlAzIN’ TRAIlS: Where to hike/atv/sled

21 cABIN FEvA: Getting you out of the house

22 clASSIFIEDS: Buy. Sell. Trade.

The New England Compass | February 2011 | 5

thE tABlE | February 2011

All participants will need to bring supplies for being in the outdoors, in addition to: Lunch, snack and water, a back pack with: Winter weather gear, hat, gloves, good winter boots and a change of clothes. Live bait and equipment supplied, Hot chocolate daily and hot lunch (pizza) on Friday included. For Ages 6 and Over. Weekly Fee (Tues - Fri) $200 per child. This program has a minimum participant requirement of 24 (MAX 50). Enjoy this one week Clinic this Winter for the Grafton recreation Department at the Grafton Lions Club — Register at the town Recreation Office*(2nd floor of the Grafton Municipal Center)

Sponsored By: FIN AND FEATHER SPORTS OF UPTON, MA

Winter Outdoor Adventure ClinicHave you ever wondered what winter survival is?

What about camp fire building & cooking?Want to learn more about tracking, map & compass?

Have you ever ice fished?

Kids o

nly!

Spend some time with nature this Winter. Join the “Fun and Recreation” with Fin and Feather Sports at this four day Winter Outdoor Adventure Program.

Ice Fishing f Snow shoeing f Hiking f Winter Survival f Fire BuildingCooking over an open fire f Tracking f Map and Compass & more!

Feb 22nd - Feb 25th (Tuesday - Friday) TIME: 9 am - 3 pmFEBRUARy sCHool VACATion WEEK

For more information: Fin & Feather Sports, (508) 529-3901 finandfeathersports.com • Email [email protected]

6 | The New England Compass | February 2011


Have you ever wondered what winter survival is?What about camp fire building & cooking?

Want to learn more about tracking, map & compass?Have you ever ice fished?

For more information: Fin & Feather Sports, (508) 529-3901 finandfeathersports.com • Email [email protected]

ADvEnturOus AnIMAls:Meet Bear... the 4 wheelin’ ready-for-anything best friend

thE GrEAt WIDE OPEn | cover stories

For most of us, we love them. We consider them part of the family. We pamper, adore and keep them safe. What do they offer in return? Love—Just love.

Do you take your pet out with you places? Do you treat them like the family member they are? Meet Bear.... he is a seven year old mixed breed. He is pit and Rottie and has been riding on quads for the past three years.

The Lewis family was about to go on vacation, and their neighbor was kind enough to make a box for Bear to ride in on the four wheeler.

They had Bear get in it several times and took him for rides around their large yard. He wasn’t a big fan at first and they thought their hope that he would ride would be crushed. When they arrived at Nicatous Lodge and Cabins, the Lewis Family started to unload things. They have to bring everything in with them since there wasn’t any power and the nearest grocery store is 45 or more minutes away.

Bear’s dad Dave unloaded the quads, parked them, and they went about getting everything else off the trailer and truck. As they came out of the cabin to get more stuff, they saw Bear sitting in the box on the back of their quad. He got in on his own and was sitting up looking like he was ready to go. That evening was his first ride and he loved it. Bear’s mom Kate always puts goggles on him to protect his eyes, he no longer uses the harness. He has gone with them on several rides, the longest is over 80 miles in one day.

He has no problem napping when we they to take a break. The family makes sure to bring a collapsible dog bowl, water and his rain coat.

When they go up to Maine, they also bring three of the plastic adarondack chairs. One for mom, dad, and yes, one for Bear. He will sit in his chair for hours with them when they are all hanging out around the fire at night. What a life!

8 | facebook.com/newenglandcompass

thE GrEAt WIDE OPEn | Adventurous Animals

his first ride and he loved it

“ ”

BArrOWs hOusE INN Fine dining and overnight stays Route 30 Dorset, vermont | 1-800-639-162

www.barrowshouse.com |

COuntrY Inn Lodging, fine dining, spa 8 country Inn Way ~ Rt. 1, Rockport, Maine 04856 | 888-707-3945

www.countryinnmaine.com |

lAMB AnD lIOn Inn: Lodging, bed and breakfast 2504 Route 6A, Barnstable, MA 02630 | 800-909-6923 www.lambandlion.com |

Key: $10-20 $20-30 $30+up

Gobble Guide WhErE tO ChOWDOWn ArOunD tOWn


”

pet

friendly

pla

ces in ne

no shadow, spring is near!




1. Punxsutawney Phil is the only true weather forecasting groundhog. The others are just impostors.

2. How often is Phil’s prediction correct? 100% of the time, of course!

3. How many “Phils” have there been over the years? There has only been one Punxsutawney Phil. He has been making predictions for over 125 years!

4. Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking the “elixir of life,” a secret recipe. Phil takes one sip every summer at the Groundhog Picnic and it magically gives him seven more years of life.

5. On February 2, Phil comes out of his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob - in front of thousands of followers from all over the world - to predict the weather for the rest of winter.

6 . According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

7 . No! Phil’s forecasts are not made in advance by the Inner Circle. After Phil emerges from his burrow on February 2, he speaks to the Groundhog Club president in “Groundhogese”(a language only understood by the current president of the Inner Circle). His proclamation is then translated for the world. The celebration of Groundhog Day began with Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers. They brought with them the legend of Candlemas Day, which states, “For as the sun shines on Candlemas Day, so far will the snow swirl in May...”

8. Punxsutawney held its first Ground-hog Day in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob was made on February 2, 1887.

9. So the story goes, Punxsutawney Phil was named after King Phillip. Prior to being called Phil, he was called Br’er Groundhog.

“Just who are these guys in the top hats?” Well, these gentlemen are known as the Groundhog Club’s Inner Circle. They’re a group of local dignitaries responsible for carrying on the tradition of Groundhog Day every year. They’re the ones who are not only responsible for planning the events every year, but they’re also re-sponsible for the feeding and care of Phil himself!

k

GrOunD hOG DAY:Fun Phil Facts


Meet Richard Young, a life-long profes-sional woodworker who began making and repairing classical guitars in 1998.

His father, Richard A. Young, was his first influence in the use of tools. The earliest skill Richard learned was metal art. He’d get a picture he liked from a coloring book, glue it to a piece of metal, and hammer it out with different sized punches and metal hammers. He remembers this really spark-ing his creative interests.

When Richard’s father performed home repairs or renovations, he always took the time to explain what he was doing, and showed him how to properly use his tools in each project. Some of his fondest early memories were going to the lumberyard with his dad; the odor of fresh-cut oak and

pine boards; and all the beautiful moldings and cool machinery. At the time he didn’t realize that he was hooked. Richard was destined to make woodworking his life. His dad taught him how to cut wood with his Simonds handsaw, and he still uses it today.

After 22 years as a finish carpenter/cabi-net maker, he providentially met his luthier master in 1998 through a classical guitar music instructor in Boston. He knew he was a wood craftsman, and knew Richard’s pas-sion for classical guitar. He asked him if he’d like to begin an apprenticeship with Georgy Konstantinovich Babichev, a master luthier visiting from St. Petersburg, Russia.

Georgy accepted Richard as his appren-tice, and trained with him for about three

hand Made Meet local acoustic guitar maker richard Young


MAstEr CrAFstMAn | Richard Young

(Left) Cedar top This is Richard’s Western Red Cedar

top, with Madagascar Rosewood back and sides. It produces a well-balanced

sound, with powerful projection, warmth and superb sustain. It truly delivers a “sensuous

flavor” for both player and audience.

(Top) les sampou Holding her Mandolin

Ian Murray: photographer

(Middle) richard working in his shop

Building a guitar


MAstEr CrAFstMAn | Richard Young

Desiree Bassett with her custom built

guitar by Richard Young


years cumulatively in Richard’s shop in Medway, MA. He elevated Rich-ard from a skilled cabinet-maker and finish carpenter, to a master craftsman possessing old world skills such as the humbling discipline of hand-sharpening tools. For weeks Georgy never let him touch a piece of wood as he practiced the labor-intensive task of sharpening hand planes, chisels and furniture scrap-ers to his specifications. When he finally allowed Rich to attempt hand-ripping a slab of Padouk guitar back, he was happy to finally be working with wood.

Slowly and carefully hand-sawing the thin slice of wood lengthwise, Rich saw the first glint of acceptance in Georgy’s eye. He informed Rich that no other ap-prentice had successfully hand-ripped a guitar back their first time. As he progressed, Rich had to learn the proper use of each hand tool, I had to sharpened in order to free himself from reliance on power tools.

Next, Georgy taught him the fine art of hand-craftsmanship. At this point, Rich had 22 years of professional carpentry experience behind him, but the transi-tion was mentally and physically drain-ing. Rich was humbled by how little he really knew about wood, even with his extensive carpentry background. He worked hard to learn how to build guitars—alone when Georgy was back in Saint Petersburg—and under his su-pervision when he was here. Georgy was a tough and demanding teacher, expect-ing nothing less than excellence and to-tal dedication from Richard. If he didn’t make him re-do something or negatively comment upon it, he took it as praise.

Outside the demands of training, Geor-gy and Rich were best friends. Rich has many fond memories of drinking co-gnac, cooking over an open fire, and sharing many delicious meals together. They hosted amazing musical jam ses-sions, and a parade of musicians came through his small shop from virtuoso classical geniuses to enthusiastic musi-cians with limited skill. It was always fun.

Richard Young was Georgy’s ninth and final apprentice, and he offered this ap-prenticeship freely, asking only one thing in return: That he pass on his luthier school to the next generation of builders.

nEC: Where do you do your work?RY: In my climate controlled barn.

nEC: What inspires you? RY: Looking forward to hearing my guitars played live in concert...the love of wood working and the fact that guitar making challenges my wood working skills everyday.

nEC: I bet you meet a lot of interesting people... who might you say would be the most famous?RY: Les Sampou is a good friend and also CT’s own Deserie Bassett.

nEC: You are clearly talented in building guitars, what else do you build? RY: Let’s see...I made a Mandolin for Les, I am a cabinet maker, furniture maker, gui-tar builder and repairer and I also build and restore hardwood staircases. Ah yes, and the cover dog “Bear”, I built his seat.

nEC: Where can we find your work? stillriverguitars.com

Please visit stillriverguitars.com | www.dbassett.com | www.lessampou.com



COlD WEAthEr tIPs Keeping your pets warm and comfortable1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are ex-posed to infectious diseases, including ra-bies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

2. During the winter, outdoor cats some-times sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a

refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to house-break during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.

9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more informa-tion.

10. Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is purrrrrrfect.

leonardio De Catrio snuggled up in bed


Just Get Dirty is more than an apparel company – it’s a way of life!

JGD offers clothing, bags and gear for those who are not afraid of a little dirt – from campers to construction workers, from

soccer teams and race teams, and everyone in between. If you can get dirty doing it, we’ve got you covered! Founded on the

philosophy of old-fashioned fun, Just Get Dirty reminds everyone that good times are waiting just outside your door!

remember – if you didn’t get dirty, you didn’t have fun!


BlAzIn’ trAIls | Atv/Sledding/Hiking trails

{PICK OF thE MOnth}

BAxtEr stAtE PArK, ME Winter Hiking • SnowmobilingWIntEr sEAsOn: Dec 1 - March 31.

Winter in the Park is often a beautiful and peaceful time, the size and wildness of the Park’s landscape also make winter a time for special concern and careful use of the Park. For those that enjoy the winter environment and are prepared for it’s extremes, the Park is a favorite destination. The Park provides lots of information and advice on how to use the Park successfully. Behind all of this advice we have a competent and professional ranger staff - please contact if you have any addi-tional questions.

WINter campers oN BasIN poNd Day users are encouraged to check in at Park Headquarters in Millinocket to find out the latest information on trails, access, weather, and avalanche conditions. Roads in and near the Park are not plowed during the winter months and the nearest access points are lo-cated outside the Park and are several miles from major trailheads.

Below Treeline: Individual day users should sign in and out at Park Headquarters or at the self-registration boxes located at Park entrances.

Skiing and snowshoeing: You can find excel-lent ski touring and snowshoeing near the major trailheads, but it is very difficult to reach any of the summits in a single day.

Snowmobiling: Snowmobiling is permit-ted only on the Park Tote Road, which is not groomed. There are no warming huts, fuel sources, or other facilities along the route. The speed limit is 20 mph. Please use caution as the Park Tote Road is a multiple use area and there may be skiers/snowshoers travel-ing throughout the Park.

Above Treeline: Winter mountain hiking/climbing: Parties planning to winter moun-tain hike or climb (travel above treeline or off marked trails, including ice or snow climbing) in a single day are subject to the same regis-tration process as winter campers. Please read the Policies & Procedures for Winter for more information. Permission for winter mountain hiking or climbing can not be granted over the telephone. Very fit skiers traveling in ideal conditions may be able to ascend Katahdin via the Abol Trail in a single day, but this is generally impractical because day users ex-pecting to travel above treeline are required to register with the Park two weeks prior to the date of their climb. There are few if any ice climbs that can conveniently be done on a day-use basis, although there are a few moderate ice climbs near the Park Tote Road, such as those on the southeast side of Dou-bletop Mountain. (However, these routes also require crossing Nesowadnehunk Stream.)

For information on safety and park hours, please visit www.baxterstateparkauthority.comPArK lOCAtIOn: 64 Balsam Drive Millinocket, ME 04462

BlAzIn’ trAIls | Tracking wildlife

{FInDInG YOur FOOtInG}

AnIMAl trACKInG Speaking of adventurous animals....It’s exciting to find the trail of a wild crea-ture. And, you don’t have to be an expert to have fun tracking. Knowing what wildlife is likely prowling nearby and having a basic understanding of their survival needs is all that’s necessary to begin reading the stories they’ve left you in the snow.

Taking a walk on a cold winter morning when a dusting of snow has coated the world, and you see criss-crossed over the ground the tracks of animals whom only hours before-had gone about their nightly rituals. Looking overthese fragile signs makes you wonder

what animal was here and what was it doing? Did it stop to listen for danger, or was it stalk-ing prey? And why did the tracks suddenly disappear?

Footprints are one of the easiest tracks to spot by the novice, but they’re also subject to the most misinterpretation. Footprint size can vary greatly depending on whether the animal was running or walking. The type of surface it’s on also determines the size of a print. For example, a fox running across sand will leave a much larger print than the same fox walking on hard-packed ground.



CABIn FEvA | Getting you out of the house

{PICK OF thE MOnth}

tAKE A rIDE On A slEIGh(Gentle Giants Sleigh & carriage Ride Stowe, vT)

Open daily 11:00-3:30 for our day rides Early evening rides start at 4:00

Snuggle under warm blankets and prepare to be whisked back in time with the vision of steaming breath and the sound of jingling sleigh bells. The magic of Vermont will be ob-vious as your sleigh glides through open hills and meadows with fantastic views of the Ver-mont countryside.

New Englands most scenic and Romantic ride, our Percheron and Belgian draft horses Justin, Tom, Donny, Mack, or Jack will pull you in a one or two horse (open) santa style sleigh with a curly dash. Enjoy a ride in our lovely new romantic sleigh for couples. We will begin our journey through a covered bridge along an open brook on a winding wooded trail in the woods. Sleighs are all beautifully lit with enchanting lights for our early evening rides. Warm blankets welcome you. Families and groups are welcome. Try a ride in our new candy apple red santa 11 passenger sleigh with green velvet seats.

Our season begins the third weekend in May till the end of October.

Open daily 11:00am - 5:00pm (Well behaved dogs on a leash are welcome)

On a warm summer day, take a romantic ride in one of our antique Victorian Carriages.

We will begin our journey through a charm-ing covered bridge on a winding wooded trail in the woods. Spectacular views of Mt. Mansfield, Vermonts highest peak. Let our gentle Percheron and Belgian draft horses Justin, Mack, Jack, Donny, and Tom pull your choice of five vehicles. We offer three Elegant Carriages. Our new Victorian or old fashioned surrey both for romantic couples rides. A four passenger Vis-A-Vis carriage with luxurious seats. Great for Weddings! Two lovely candy apple red wagons, a six passenger and our new twelve passenger for large families and groups. All these vehicles have beautiful spindled wheels for a classic feeling carriage or wagon ride. Carriages all have convertible tops in case of rain showers.


For more information please call (802) 253-2216

www.gentlegiantsrides.com

BAR AND GRILL

60 Specialty Shots16 Draft BeersHomemade Pub Food

OPEN YEAR ROUND

Voted Lakes Regions’

www.LooneyBinBar.com

2010Best Hot Wings

Served ‘Til Last Call

Pig RoastsCharity Bike Runs

BIKE WEEKHOT SPOT554 Endicott St. NorthLaconia, NH603-366-2300

LIVE MUSIC OUTDOORS


rEADEr suBMIssIOns | The snow

“Cabin Fever” By Sara Sullivan

{YOur PhOtOs}

lOCAl nEW EnGlAnDErs

“Dude, where’s my car?”

By New England ATV Motocross, Inc. ·

“snowball Fight” By Dan Wheeler


“Got it” By Andrew DeCarton

“Giganticle” By Wendy Thibdoeau

“More snow” By the Knight Family

“Dude, where’s my car?”

By New England ATV Motocross, Inc. ·


autos for sale

rentals

1998 toyota corolla WagoN. great FamIly car! 4 cyl, 4dr, auto, ac, ps, pw, am/fm stereo, recent oil change, great inspection, excellent condition. Economy car. Reliable, KBB Valued at $4,475. $1900 or B/o. call 401-450-900

babY/kids stuffthomas the traIN taBle. Good Condition, 2 under drawers. $50, call 508-476-5255.

graphc design

ClAssIFIEDs | sell.trade.buy.

hoMe iMproveMents

hardwood Flooring at great prices. excellent references. Call Tim at Southern New England Hardwood today. 508-451-1243.

home ImprovemeNts. Roofing, Siding, Decks, Handyman services, Doors and Windows, Log Stairs and Railings, Custom Finish carpentry, Remodeling. call mike 508-943-1255.

ClAssIFIEDs | Buy. Sell. Trade.

Just Get Dirty is more than an apparel company – it’s a way of life!

JGD offers clothing, bags and gear for those who are not afraid of a little dirt – from campers to construction workers, from

soccer teams and race teams, and everyone in between. If you can get dirty doing it, we’ve got you covered! Founded on the

philosophy of old-fashioned fun, Just Get Dirty reminds everyone that good times are waiting just outside your door!

remember – if you didn’t get dirty, you didn’t have fun!

A | The New England Compass | January 2011

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