Author: Marlissa Briggett

January 31, 2018

8 Great Things! February on the South Coast

Put January behind you! We’re chugging toward spring and we’ve got 8 Great Things to keep you busy in February. March will be here before you know it!

Nature Valentines

The perfect way to get the whole family into the Valentine’s Day spirit! The Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Saturday at the Sawmill series is hosting a Nature Valentine making program, including a short walk around the Sawmill to find natural materials to create the valentines. The program is free, bring your little ones and learn about wildlife around the Sawmill while getting an early start on your valentines! The Sawmill, 32 Mill Road, Acushnet. February 3, starting at 11 am (the Hawes Family Learning center is open 10am-1pm). Learn more here.

Frederick Douglass Read-a-thon

You know how much we love a good community read-a-thon (see our January pick for the Moby Dick Read-a-thon). If you missed January’s event, you’ve got a second chance! 2018 is the bicentennial of Frederick Douglass’ birth, and the New Bedford Historical Society is celebrating with its 18^th Annual Frederick Douglass Community Read-a-thon. Celebrate Douglass’ life (and his connections to New Bedford!) by reading along to excerpts from his Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. Sunday, February 11, 2-6pm at the First Unitarian Church, 71 Eighth Street, New Bedford. See here for more information. If you’re interested in being a reader, contact the New Bedford Historical Society by emailing [email protected]

Snowshoe the Shoreline!

BYOSS (bring your own snow shoes or rent them here)!! Hike along the beach loop trail of Allens Pond Sanctuary with Mass Audubon. The walk is approximately 2 miles long and promises views of winter wildlife and the channel that feeds Allens Pond. Along the way, you’ll look for migrating snowy owls and waterfowl and track the signs of animal activity. The walk will continue even without snow, in that case, just bring hiking boots! February 11, 10 am – 2 pm. Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport ($10 for members, $12 for non-members). Learn more here.

It’s Fat Tuesday!

Brass Bands and jambalaya buffets and auctions, oh my! Come out and celebrate Mardi Gras in style with the South Coast Brass Band at the Greasy Luck Brewery. The event benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford and has a jambalaya buffet and dancing, as well as an auction to benefit the club. So get moving for a good cause! Tickets range from $50-$60 and can be purchased here. February 13, 7-11pm, Greasy Luck Brewpub, 791 Purchase Street, New Bedford.

Catch Some Magic!

As winter trudges on, we all need a little extra magic. Join the Masters of Illusion (the nation’s number one touring magic show!) to get your fill and experience a modern twist on the traditional magic show. Check out this video below for a sneak peek of what to expect! February 15, 8 pm. The Zeiteron, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford. For more information and to buy tickets, go here.

Get Cookin’!

We love Farm & Coast Market, and we love that they strive to be the front porch, kitchen, and family room of Padanaram. This month, you can get cooking with them and learn how to whip up a French Bistro style menu (including a roast chicken!). The timing of the class is perfect for a late Valentine’s Day date — and we’re sure you’ll continue impressing your friends and family with all your new skills. February 15, 6:30 -8:30pm. Reservations are required, call or email Farm & Coast to make yours (774-992-7092 or [email protected]). 7 Bridge Street, Dartmouth.

24 Hour Theater Project

Scripts written, scenes rehearsed, lines learned, shows performed; all in 24 hours!

The Collective New Bedford is hosting their 2018 Kickoff, featuring original 10 minute plays and performances that are completely created and performed in just 24 hours. You don’t have to be an actor (or a writer, or a director) to get in on the fun (although check out their Facebook page if you want to audition. Auditions are coming up this week!) The day’s creations will be performed twice, admission is $10 and you can reserve seats by emailing [email protected]. February 17, performances at 7 and 9 pm at Gallery X, 169 Williams Street, New Bedford.

A Little Fiddlin’

Every fourth Saturday, fiddlers gather on the South Coast for food, dancing, and jamming. There’s good music, great pizza, and it’s open to all. If you’re a musician, bring your instrument (it doesn’t have to be a fiddle! Guitars, banjos, cellos, and all other string instruments are welcome). Otherwise, come prepared to listen and dance. Check out this video of December’s session (and keep your eyes peeled for the cutest young fiddler jamming along, around 30 seconds in!). This month’s session is February 24 at 4:30 pm at Brick, 213 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven. See the their Facebook page for more information on Old Time Fiddle Session.

That’s all — enjoy this short month!

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January 25, 2018

I Want a Firkin Beer! Fridays at Moby Dick Brewing

It was the name that got me.

I was looking at the Moby Dick Brewing Co. website to check out the lunch menu and there was an intriguing phrase highlighted: Firkin Fridays. What did it mean?

Turns out it’s kind of British and kind of old school. If you’ve been binging The Crown and you’re thirsty, you might want to check it out. If you could care less about The Crown, you should still check it out.

Every Friday, Brewmaster Scott Brunelle makes a limited quality of a specialty cask-conditioned ale, called firkin beer. He draws off some ale from one of their larger stainless steel tanks, puts it into a small cask and adds some flavor (the week we were there, he threw in lemon peel; another week, he may throw in toasted coconut) and malt extract. Over the next week in the cask, the beer is brought up to room temperature. As it warms, the yeast in the beer wakes up and starts eating the sugar, creating a natural carbon dioxide in the cask.

The result is a small batch of flavorful beer.

The following Friday, Scott will tap the keg at the end of the bar in a tap designed especially for this unique cask. Because there is no carbon dioxide pushing the beer out of the tap, the cask is placed horizontally with the back slightly higher than the front for a gravity assist. A hand pump, called the beer engine, pushes the beer out. It’s the way people have been drinking beer in Britain for centuries.

Moby Dick Brewing Co. likes to say, “Each Friday, we get to drink beer the way Herman Melville would have.”

But why is it called firkin beer? It’s the cask itself that’s called a firkin and it’s based on a unit of measurement. A standard firkin is ¼ of a British standard 36 Imperial gallon barrel (the equivalent of 10.8 US gallons). Scott uses a version that is half that size – or just 5.4 gallons. I tell you that because you have to get there soon after he taps it to be able to try it because when they say it’s small batch, they mean it. It’s a small quantity. Show up on Sunday afternoon and you’ll surely be out of luck.

And you’ll want to try it. It tastes more flavorful for a couple of reasons. First, there’s no carbon dioxide crowding out the beer flavor. Also, it’s served at cellar temperature rather than the 36 degrees of most of the other beers. The temperature allows you to taste flavor elements that are normally masked by the cold factor.

It’s a treat to hear him talk about his craft. Even if you’re not thirsty, even if you’re not binging The Crown, even if you don’t like beer, go down and meet Scott.

There’s a lot more to the science of firkin beer. Scott told us all about what makes it work. He’s been brewing beer since 1996 after attending Boston University and majoring in political science (New Bedford’s own Sam Adams?). If he sees folks looking in from the viewing room window onto the floor, he’ll generally invite them in and give them what he calls “the 10 cent tour.” It’s a treat to hear him talk about his craft. Even if you’re not thirsty, even if you’re not binging The Crown, even if you don’t like beer, go down and meet Scott. And remember, each week’s batch of firkin beer is only good until it’s gone. Moby Dick Brewing, 16 S. Water Street, New Bedford, 774.202. 6961.

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January 2, 2018

8 Great Things: January on the South Coast

The goal for our 8 Great Things list this month is simple: create community and warmth to get us through the long, cold month ahead.

“Call Me, Ishmael”

There are very few cities in the world that gather annually to read a piece of literature they’re proud to lay claim to. New Bedford is one of those special cities. The Whaling Museum puts together a wonderful party celebrating Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, always held on the first weekend of January when community members, Melville afficionados and people who are simply intrigued show up to read the book, straight through for 25 hours (though there’s no shame in sticking around for 10 minutes if that’s more your thing). Click here for the full line-up of events and activities. New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. 508.997.0046.

Snap, Crackle & Pop

The Onset Bay Association is holding a good, old community bonfire at Shell Point. Warmth, light, hot chocolate, old friends and new friends.What can be better? Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food for Damien’s Food Pantry. Saturday, January 6, 5-7 p.m. at Shell Point, Onset. Rain date is January 7. For more information, contact the Onset Bay Association at 508-295-7072. UPDATE: The bonfire is being postponed because of expected blustery weather and low temperatures. Stay tuned to the Onset Bay Association facebook page for updates.

Singin’ the Blues

January seems a pretty good time for the blues and the Narrows Center in Fall River is indulging us with a two night winter blues festival. Check out some of the performers’ music beforehand to get yourself excited: Carolyn Wonderland and Anthony Gomes are here, the Delta Generators are here, Scott Sharrard (of the Gregg Allman band) is here, Black Cadillac Trio is here, Damon Fowler is here, Lois Greco is here, the Neal McCarthy band is here.

You can get tickets for either night but you get a generous discount if you buy both nights. See here for more information about pricing and buying tickets. Doors open at 5:00 on January 12 and 13th. Shows start at 6 p.m. Narrows Center for the Performing Arts, 16 Anawan St #1, Fall River. 508.324.1926

Scales & Tales

Throughout 2017, Eating with the Ecosystem presented a series of educational dining experiences at local restaurants to promote its mission of creating a place based approach to sustaining New England’s wild seafood. Their first event of 2018 will be at Padanaram’s Little Moss Restaurant. Guests enjoy a multi-course experience, focusing on seasonal and abundant local seafood produced by our marine ecosystems (the “scales” part of the evening), paired with drinks. The “tales” portion is an educational component, with fishermen and scientists sharing stories and digging deeper into Eating with the Ecosystem’s mission with a focus on what’s being served. Each dinner is $90 per guest, all inclusive, and begins at 6pm with a welcome cocktail reception, followed by a seated dinner with drinks. A portion ($30) of each ticket is fully tax deductible and supports the nonprofit Eating with the Ecosystem’s work to promote a place-based approach to sustaining New England’s wild seafood. Click here for tickets. January 24 at 6 p.m. (snow date is January 25). Little Moss Restaurant, 6 Bridge Street, Dartmouth.

Shoot for the Moon

We love how the Buzzards Bay Coalition always gets us to more fully appreciate our beautiful surroundings. Even when it’s cold and wintry. This month, the Coalition is leading a full moon hike in partnership with the Trustees of Reservations at Wareham’s Lyman Preserve. Join them to pay homage to the moon and it’s steady progress and presence in our lives. Make wishes on the full moon. Make new resolutions on it. Make instagram posts with it. January 31 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The hike is free and open to the public but you must register for it. Click here to register.

All Month Long —

Why Knot?

If you haven’t seen the knot exhibit at the Whaling Museum, put it on your list this month. It’s an impressive array of knots that are mind-blowing in their intricacy and artistry. We wouldn’t have thought an exhibit on knots would be a Must See activity, but the Whaling Museum makes it so. See more about the exhibit here. New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. 508.997.0046.

It’s Not Exercise, It’s Fun & Games

Remember how dodge ball never felt like exercise? It was just a game you played with a bunch of other kids, perhaps under the guidance of a gym teacher. Rowing classes at New Bedford’s Track + Channel feels a little like that so we’re adding this to this month’s mix (the running classes may also feel that way, we just haven’t tried them yet). It doesn’t matter if you’ve never rowed before, you’ll quickly get the hang of it at one of the many beginner classes held each week. Then, when you graduate to the next level, you may find yourself on a team competing against another team. On my second class, I found myself cheering on my teammates who had been strangers before the class. It was fun AND I was able to enjoy a guilt-free pear and ginger scone from the New Bedford Baker the next morning. Check out more about Track + Channel here and their schedule here. 12 North 6th Street, New Bedford. 774.202.6936.

Support Our Artists

You’ve got a trio of wonderful galleries right next to one another in New Bedford so you barely have to brave the cold to get from one to the other. Check them out in the dark days of January when art is especially important in transporting us to other worlds. The New Bedford Art Museum is featuring its annual juried members’ exhibition. Around the corner, Alison Wells (featured in our May 2017 issue) and Ryan McFee have gallery shops featuring their talent. Their galleries also double as studio space for them so you may be lucky enough to see them working. New Bedford Art Museum, 608 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, 508.961.3072. The Museum is open Wednesday – Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. Alison Wells Fine Art Studio & Gallery, 106 William Street, New Bedford, 774.526.6550. Paradise McFee Studio, 104 William Street, New Bedford.

That’s it – our 8 Great Things for the month. Good luck keeping warm & connected this month!

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December 11, 2017

10 Things Amazon Won’t Do For You

Yes, it may sometimes seem easier to shop online. You can shop in your pajamas. You can do it at 3 in the morning if you’re having insomnia. You don’t have to wait in line.

But consider a world where there are no cute little local shops to wander and browse in, to chat with the folks inside, to sponsor little league teams and offer you cookies and cider while you shop.

It’d be dreadful.

Plenty of folks have offered reasons why you should shop small (see Forbes’ 43 Reasons You Should Support Small and Independent Businesses). This is our own take on it. Shop small, y’all. Because there are lots of things Amazon won’t do for you that our South Coast independent businesses will.

10 Things Amazon (and its CEO, Jeff Bezos) Won’t Do For You:

Sit down with you and figure out what to get those “tough-to-buy-for” folks on your list. Madeleine Whitley at Beautiful Things in Westport does this. Customers come to her year after year with the toughest folks on their list (think co-workers and most men) and she sits down with them to figure it all out. No extra charge. 772 Main Road, Westport, 508.636.3300.
Read thousands of greeting cards to present you with only the best of the best. Shelley Cardoos at Hippo in downtown New Bedford reads and agonizes over which cards to pick from literally thousands of greeting cards. And you know what? When I need a greeting card, I’ll drive out of my way to go there. Because I know it’ll be worth it. There’ll be 100 carefully selected cards for me to choose from. I’ll find a winner easily. 741 Purchase Street, New Bedford, 774.202.1347.
Wear an elf costume for you. At TL6 the Gallery, Arianna and Jen will jump into the holiday season with cheer and goodwill. They’ll wear elf costumes, offer samples of jam, teas and hot cocoas while you’re shopping and sponsor live demonstrations of artisans (check that out December 16th) to make your holiday shopping more fun. 100 William Street, 508.992.8100.
Custom wrap your presents at no extra charge. They’ll do that at most of our local shops. At Flora-Style, they’ll even make sure to coordinate the wrapping with things you buy at their other stores (Flora-Home & Flora-Etc.) down the street. 324 and 368 Elm Street and 9 Bridge Street, S. Dartmouth.
Buy unique clothing made by small manufacturers that you won’t find everywhere. Frank Fletcher at the Marion Sports Shop says simply “you’re not going to find our stuff on Amazon. We are like a personal shopper. We pick the best of the best.” Working with artisans and tiny manufacturers geared to small stores, Marion Sport Shop carries things you’ll find in New England only in a handful of other shops. 290 Front Street, Marion, 508.748.1318.
Pick out the perfect accessory. Last year, Jeffrey at Calico suggested my daughter try a choker to go with a great jumpsuit she was wearing to a holiday party. We were both quietly thinking, “naahh, that won’t work” because we didn’t like chokers. But she politely tried it on. It MADE the outfit. I guess we do like chokers. And we’re grateful Jeffrey was there to suggest it. 173 Union Street, New Bedford, 508.999.4147.
Convert their living space into storage to make sure they have enough overstock so they don’t run out of what you might need. Chris and Vince at Town Wharf General Store happily do this. (Jeff Bezos has five homes but I’m pretty sure he’s not storing anything for you there. If you’re interested, see his five giant homes here.) 10 Water Street, Mattapoisett, 508.758.4615.
Give you a heads up about what someone on your list has been secretly eyeing. The other day, I ran into Lisa of West End General Store in Buzzards Bay and she mentioned that my mother really liked the Fraser Fir candle in her shop. I went in and bought it that very day. (Thanks, Lisa.) 25 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, 508.759.7040.
Run down the street to make sure your toddler gets his teddy bear back. Cecily Balboni at Serendipity by the Sea will. She laughs and says there are a hundred things she’ll do for her customers that Amazon won’t. “I know all my customers,” she says. “I can run up the street if they forgot their bag. I can return their kids’ favorite teddy bears if they left them behind by mistake. Older people who can’t get out? I can deliver their stuff to them.” Amazon might be able to deliver but really, it’s not the same. You’d rather have Cecily’s friendly visit than a box left at your door. 160 Front Street, Marion, 508.748.1800.
Our local shop owners are on the front line of giving back to their local communities. Ben Rogers at Mattapoisett’s Surroundings says an important part of their business is supporting non-profits that service the local community, like Child & Family Services and Nativity Prep (both in New Bedford). Country Woolens in Westport regularly gives to the Westport Land Conservation Trust, as well as to the town’s school, fire, and police departments. Word on the street is that Amazon is a little stingy in the hometown philanthropy department (see this and this). Surroundings is at 81 1/2 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett, 508.758.9933. Country Woolens is at 842 Main Road, Westport, 508.636.5661.

Jeff Bezos and Amazon don’t really care about you or me. The people down the street, the ones who chose our community to open a business, those people do care about us and the community. In this last stretch of holiday shopping, show them you appreciate them too!

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November 30, 2017

8 Great Things: December on the South Coast

We’re back with another of our 8 Great Lists. Here, we bring you 8 special South Coast happenings in December. There’s SO much going on this month that it was very hard to keep it to eight (but we did, because we’re creatures of habit and because 55 doesn’t rhyme with “great”).

1. We Love a Parade

Fall River knows how to throw a great holiday parade: giant parade balloons; Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving by helicopter; Clydesdale Horses; 30 parade floats; 29 marching groups; 17 bands; children participating from every school in the city; and more!

The 33rd annual event is on Saturday, December 2. Santa arrives at 12:45. Parade begins at 1:00 from Kennedy Park down South Main Street, ending at the corner of Central and Bedford Streets. See here for more information.

2. Be Starry-Eyed

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” Stephen Hawking

UMass Dartmouth, in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of Southern New England (ASSNE), makes it easier for us to follow Stephen Hawking’s advice this weekend. On Saturday, the UMass Dartmouth Observatory throws its doors open to the general public for a FREE night-sky viewing session. The event depends on a clear sky. Check here for more information, including how to find out if there is a weather cancellation. Saturday, December 2 at 7 p.m. The Observatory is located in the field to the right of the main campus entrance off Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth.

3. It’s a Wonderful Movie

After the City of New Bedford tree lighting ceremony, Mayor Mitchell is inviting folks back to the Zeiterion Theater for a FREE showing of the holiday classic. If you haven’t seen it, you must. If you’ve seen it 99 times already, you should see it again. Zeiterion Theater, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford. No tickets or reservations needed. More info here.

4. Make Room for Cookies

There’s a lot of things to do in December. But you know what’s most important? Completing a 5K in a Santa suit! Because you’ll be surrounded by a lot of fun people who don’t take running entirely seriously. And because you’ll burn some calories for a season of eggnog, hot chocolate and cookies. “But I don’t have a Santa suit,” some of you are saying right now. No worries (and no excuses) — the suit is included with registration! Participants are encouraged to bring a wrapped toy for those in need. Saturday, December 9, 2017.With a 1:00 p.m. start time (12:30 for those under 14 years old).Corner of MacArthur Drive and Union Street in New Bedford. Click here for more information and to register.

5. Snooping in Other People’s Houses

The only thing better than snooping around other people’s houses is doing it when the houses are decorated to the nines. You can do this in Fairhaven, Marion, and New Bedford on the weekend of December 9-10. Enjoy the architecture, the interiors, the festive airs and the community spirit (the New Bedford and Fairhaven tours support historic preservation; the Marion tours support community scholarships).

The New Bedford House Preservation Society hosts the New Bedford tours. Candlelight tours (from 4 to 8 pm) are on December 9 and an afternoon tour (from 1 to 5 pm) is on December 10. More info here.

The Sippican Woman’s Club hosts the Marion tour on Saturday, December 9 from 10 am to 4 pm. Start from Handy’s Tavern, 152 Front Street, Marion and end with Tea at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church from 2 to 4 pm. More info here.

The Fairhaven Historical Society hosts the Fairhaven tour on Sunday, December 10 from 1 to 4 pm. Start from Fairhaven Academy, 141 Main Street, Fairhaven. More info here.

6. It’s for the Birds

Photo courtesy of Nasketucket Bird Club

The National Audubon Society organizes the nation’s longest-running citizen science bird project. You can be part of its annual Christmas bird count this year with the Nasketucket Bird Club. The club hosts the count, followed by a potluck. Contact Justin at [email protected] or 774-207-8515 for more information. December 16. Meet at Park & Ride, 87 North Street, Mattapoisett at around 8 am (call or email Justin for an exact time). See more about Nasketucket Bird Club here.

7. Make Hay While the Sun Shines

Photo courtesy of Buzzards Bay Coalition

We have less than 9 hours and 10 minutes of daylight here on the South Coast on the winter solstice. Make the most of that daylight by joining the Buzzards Bay Coalition to enjoy a spectacular sunrise walk on West Island. 613 Fir Street, Fairhaven. Thursday, December 21, 2017 from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. For more information and to register, click here.

8. All Month Long

Photo courtesy of Fall River Historical Society

The annual open house at the Fall River Historical Society features spectacular holiday trees in each of the historic Victorian mansion’s rooms. The trees are decorated with different themes and in unexpected ways and have been featured in Victorian Homes magazine, the Boston Globe and WCVB’s Chronicle. Follow the visit with high tea at the Historical Society’s Easton Tea Room. The open house runs from November 18 to December 30 and admission is free. (holiday hours: weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; weekends 1 to 4:30 p.m.). For information about the tea room, read more here.

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November 21, 2017

Over the River & Through the Woods: Post-Thanksgiving Walks

You may be prepping for Thanksgiving right now, knee deep in peeling apples or wrestling the bird into some sort of brine-y package. Take a break for a moment and look at our 6 suggestions for post-Thanksgiving walks. Think of it as our holiday gift to you. It’s a reminder to all of us that (i) we live in a beautiful area and (ii) we should probably walk off some of that pecan pie. Perhaps most importantly, it encourages us to hop into sweatpants (elastic waistbands, folks!) as soon as possible after that big meal (yes, you’re welcome).

We actually reached out to get suggestions from the experts, the staff and volunteers of our active land conservation organizations. Some of these organizations have even gone to the trouble of helping us off the couch by organizing walks that we can join. Showing your gratitude for these wonderful organizations and folks is as simple as just showing up!

Pick a place (or 2, or 3 – it’s a long weekend!) and get outside.

Carleen Loper, Wareham Land Trust Volunteer

Westgate Preserve. Photo courtesy of Wareham Land Trust.

Carleen suggests the town’s Westgate Preserve because it’s “an excellent choice for Thanksgiving weekend because it’s literally over the river and through the woods!” Featuring a retired cranberry bog and the Weweantic River, Westgate Preserve exudes holiday spirit. Leashed dogs are allowed there as well. More here.

Jim Bride, Sippican Lands Trust

Sippican Lands Trust Post-Thanksgiving Dog Walk

Jim tells us that Sippican Lands Trust is hosting its fifth annual Post-Thanksgiving Dog Walk at White Eagle Parcel in Marion at 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 26th. Just take a look at that picture — how great does that look? Find out more here.

Deb Hood, Events Manager, Buzzards Bay Coalition

Deb says, “for my walk, I’d have to go with The Sawmill, the Buzzards Bay Coalition-owned public park on the edge of Acushnet and New Bedford’s North End.” She says the trails at the front of the park are wide, flat and accessible so the whole family – from strollers to wheelchairs (and everyone in between) – can journey to several scenic river overlooks at the former home of the Acushnet Saw Mill Company. See details here.

Kendra Murray, Development & Outreach Specialist, Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust

Ridge Hill Rainbow. Photo courtesy of DNRT.

Kendra says, “Ridge Hill Reserve is a great place for post Turkey Day walk! This 175 acre property abuts the Southeastern MA Bioreserve. There are several trails, whether you’d like to take a quick 1 mile stroll along the blue trail, or a longer hike on the red and green trails. The Green Trail runs to the top of Ridge Hill, one of the highest points in Dartmouth. There are several beech groves along this trail, and as of last weekend, the foliage was a beautiful rich orange. The red trail is a bit flatter and easier. On the western most portion of that trail you can get a great view of the Copicut Reservoir. We just put in a new set of stairs on a fairly eroded portion of the blue trail, as well.” See more about Ridge Hill Reserve here.

Kendra also mentioned that DNRT is hosting a guided walk on Saturday, the 25th at 9 am at the Destruction Brook Woods (see more about that here).

Jennifer Escher, Board member, Tiverton Land Trust

Pardon Gray Reserve. Photo courtesy of Tiverton Land Trust.

Jennifer suggests joining the Tiverton Land Trust at one of its post-Thanksgiving group hikes at the Pocasset Ridge Conservation Area or Pardon Gray Preserve. For more ambitious hikers, Garry Plunkett will lead hikers on some moderate slopes at the Pocasset Ridge Conservation Area. The newly opened trails will allow those in good physical to experience an amazing forest ecosystem. For the less ruggedly inclined and for families with young children, Wayne Browning will lead a 45 minute trail loop at Pardon Gray Preserve.

Both hikes take place on Saturday, November 25 (Pocasset Ridge starts at 1, Radon Gray Preserve starts at 2). Sturdy shoes, fluorescent orange vest/hats are recommended (orange vests will be provided on-site). See here for more details.

Brendan Buckless, Outreach & Stewardship Coordinator, Westport Land Conservation Trust

Herb Hadfield Conservation Area. Photo by Greg Stone.

Brendan suggests the Herb Hadfield Conservation Area one of the Westport Land Conservation Trust’s most visited spots. With 158 acres and 2.5 miles of hiking trails, the property features the pristine Angeline Brook, one of Westport’s finest coldwater streams. Trailheads are located at 364 Adamsville Road or 255 Cornell Road. See directions and more here.

Make your nature plans and mark the calendars now before your mind is foggy with tryptophan!

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November 1, 2017

8 Great Things: November on the South Coast

We’re back with another of our monthly 8 Great Lists. Here, we bring you 8 special South Coast happenings in November. Put that Halloween candy down and check out our top picks for the month right now.

1. Full Moon Owl Prowl

Did you know a full moon is 250,000 times brighter than the brightest star in the sky (we just learned that from the Farmer’s Almanac)? This Saturday, you’ll get a chance to ponder that while enjoying November’s full moon. While you’re at it, Mass Audubon is hosting an owl prowl at its Stone Barn Farm property as the full moon rises, to explore and identify noctural wildlife as it awakens! Enjoy a guided walk and listen to calls of multiple species of owls.

Where & When: November 4, 6 – 8 pm. Stone Barn Farm, 786 Horseneck Road, Dartmouth. $10 members/$12 non-members. Advance registration is required. Register online or call 508-636-2437.

2. Run, Walk, Eat Pizza, Drink Beer

There’s something for everyone at the third annual Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust trail run. Come out and support the DNRT’s 35+ mile trail network and 5,000+ acrecs of protected open space! The 3.3. mile running course and 2.4 mile walking course wind through fields and forests at Destruction Brook Woods. What’s the carrot? Your entry fee supports the important work of the DNRT. Also, post-race music, pizza and beer.

When & Where: Saturday, November 4, starting at 11 am. Slade’s Corner Road, Dartmouth. More details here.

3. Cycling & Wine Tasting

We order the Backroads catalogue just to stare longingly at the itineraries of France and Italy biking trips. If you do the same, here’s a wonderful alternative. Spend the day biking through Westport and Tiverton (a 25-30 mile trip, averaging between 12-15 mph) and end up with a private wine tasting at Westport Rivers Winery. It’s just $10 (which covers the wine tasting) and is sponsored by the Appalachian Trail Club.

When & Where: You have to reserve a space with the trip leader — click here to get the information. Saturday, November 11, 10 am to 5 pm.

4. Go Whole Hog

Marc Swierkowski of Ella’s Wood Burning Oven Restaurant in Wareham is collaborating with Brandon and Laura Higgins-Baltzley, the chefs from the pop-up restaurant Buffalo Jump, along with other well known chefs Dan Amighi and Claudette Zepeda Wilkins (who will be featured on America’s Top Chef next month). The group will cook a variety of pork-focused canapes, side dishes like clam jagacida, and a very large, whole roasted pig (or two). All proceeds go to the Sonoma County Resilience Fund because Laura Higgins-Baltzley went to culinary school there.

When & Where: It’s a little off the South Coast but we’d follow Chef Marc Swierkowski anywhere, especially when it’s for a good cause. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling (508)361-2361. $45.00 per person (BYOB). November 11 at 2 p.m. until the sun sets at Coonamessett Farm, 277 Hatchville Road, East Falmouth.

5. Document History

Waterfront Strike of 1985-86. Courtesy of Spinner Publications.

Every month, the Fishing Heritage Center sponsors a monthly Dock-U-Mentary focusing on the commercial fishing industry (Dock-U-Mentary! we love that!). This month, they’re serving it up with a twist. As part of its effort to document the history of organized labor in the Fairhaven and New Bedford waterfront, the Center presents “Remembering the Strike of 1985-86.” They will create a sensory experience through images and sounds with clips of television coverage of the strike, slides of archival images and even audio clips from a riot outside the auction house. Following the presentation, they’ll invite community members to add their own memories and create a community conversation about the strike from the not-too-distant past. How many times do we get to see history documented before our very eyes?

When & Where: November 17, 7 pm. Corson Maritime Learning Center, 33 William Street, New Bedford, 508-993-8894. Presented with the New Bedford Whaling National Park. More information here.

6. Ignore Etiquette

We all know it’s considered bad form to go to the theater and sing along with the show (see 13 Rules For Going to the Theater). But sometimes, don’t you just want to belt it out? The Zeiterion is giving us this chance by presenting the sing along version of Disney’s Frozen where the audience is actually encouraged, with subtitles, to get in on the action. So, let it go, let it go, can’t hold it back anymore!

When & Where: Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase Street, November 19 at 2 pm. Tickets are going fast, order them here or call the box office at 508-994-2900.

7. Meet Some Texas Gentlemen

The Texas Gentlemen don’t take themselves too seriously (watch the armadillo races in one song’s video here) but they do take their music seriously. They released their first album, TX Jelly, in September and they’re bringing it to us at the Narrows Center. Moving between “contemplative and raucous,…the music touches on blues, soul, folk, country, rock and gospel.” We want to have as much fun as they seem to be having.

When & Where: November 20, Narrows Center for the Arts, 16 Anawan Street, Fall River, 508-324-1926. Doors, 7 pm, Show, 8 pm. Tickets are $22 in advance, $25 at the door. Order here.

8. Rock Meets Classical

We love the New Bedford Symphony even when – no, especially when — they go outside the box to reach ALL music fans, not just classical music fans. This month, they’re bringing in Lauri Porra, the great grandson of famed Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. He’ll dazzle in the U.S. premiere of his own Concerto for Electric Bass and Orchestra, combining rock and classical music. The New Bedford Symphony will follow with the First Symphony of Porra’s great-grandfather, written when he was just 33 years old.

Yes, that’s right — they’ll be marrying rock and classical right before us. We can’t wait!!

Even better news — we’re giving away a pair of tickets to this season’s symphony and you can use them for this concert (or any other one). Enter here to win.

When & Where: November 26 at 3 pm. The Zeiterion, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford. Call the Z’s box office at 508-994-2900 or buy them online here.

We’re lucky to live in such a vibrant place! Get out there and love where you live.

And if you want to stay in the know about other cool things to do, as well as stories about the people, places, food and other things that make the South Coast special, sign up for our free emails right here.

Maybe you have other suggestions for the month…feel free to add them in the comment section.

October 27, 2017

Trick-or-Treat: The Best Neighborhoods & Traditions!

We’re well into the countdown to Halloween and we wanted to give you the inside scoop on great neighborhoods for trick-or-treating and other Halloween adventures. We asked six of our favorite realtors to give us the lowdown for their neck of the woods.

Will Milbury, Milbury & Co.

Will Milbury said that Padanaram Village in South Dartmouth is a network of close-knit neighborhoods that teems with children and young families and is a great spot for trick-or-treating. He also mentioned Boo at the Zoo, hosted by the Buttonwood Zoo in New Bedford on October weekends, as a fun family event that isn’t too scary. Boo at the Zoo is still running this year from October 27 – October 30th, 6 to 9 p.m. Find out more here.

Will is the owner and principal broker of Milbury & Co which has purposefully remained a small, competitive independent firm. He lives in South Dartmouth and is an active member of the community. You can find him at the Milbury office at 304 Elm Street, Dartmouth where there’s always a candy basket out front (thank you!) but they’ll have extra Halloween treats thrown in on Tuesday.

Howe Allen
Howe Allen Realty

Howe Allen called out Fairhaven Center (between Green, Middle, Washington and South Streets) for Halloween magic. He said, “Many of the homes open up to the beautiful green spaces in the Center and people tend to do it up.” According to Howe, Fort Street from the Fort Phoenix area to Cedar and then back up Green is great because parents can park at Fort Phoenix and walk the circle with their trick or treaters. Finally, he mentioned Oxford Village between Pilgrim Ave and North Street, west of Main Street as having “lots of home with character and characters! Oldest part of Fairhaven, these homes lend themselves to the Halloween holiday.”

Howe is the owner of Howe Allen Realty with offices in Fairhaven and New Bedford. He is also a renovation fanatic. Not a year goes by when renovation projects don’t fill his days (and nights). You can see some of his projects on the Howe Allen Realty FaceBook page. In addition to rehabbing homes, he enjoys traveling and experiencing new cultures. Howe shares his life with his husband, Tim Evans, and two Jack Russell Terriers, Cheer and Dutch. Howe Allen Realty, Center Street, Fairhaven, (888) 491-9993.

Cecile Callahan, Robert Paul Properties

Mattapoisett’s Cecile Callahan said, “growing up in town the place to be on Halloween was, and still is, the village. The homes in the village all welcome trick-or-treaters. After you score big trick-or-treating, get to the annual Mattapoisett Police Halloween Parade which begins at 6 pm at Center School on Barstow Street.” She promises candy and costume prizes for all ages, preschool to senior citizen.

Cecile is a realtor with Robert Paul Properties in its Marion office and is also the owner of the popular website and blog Mattapoisett Living. Cecile is a Mattapoisett native who is always on the look out for the best sunrises and sunsets. She loves the outdoors, photography and is a big cheerleader for the South Coast. Check her out at Mattapoisett Living and at Robert Paul Properties, Front Street, Marion, (508) 395-6391.

Cassy West
Robert Paul Properties

Cassy West said the place to be on Halloween is the village of Marion where the Marion Art Center’s volunteer witches, together with the Sippican Elementary School band, lead a costume parade around the village before the kids scatter for trick-or-treating. She says the annual event draws hundreds of children and it’s great fun. The parade begins at the Marion Music Hall (corner of Front and Cottage Streets) at 4 p.m. on Halloween night.

Cassy is a realtor with Robert Paul Properties in its Marion office and the owner of Wellness by Dezign where she offers holistic design services for home and office. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she is a certified LEED V4 Green Associate and brings a keen aesthetic to her work every day. She spent her summers as a child in Marion and now lives in Mattapoisett. Find her at Robert Paul Properties, Front Street, Marion, (508) 395-6391 and at Wellness by Dezign.

Cindy Parola Laforce Realty

Cindy Parola said, “back when I was younger, we all went to Cromesett in Wareham– lots of kids, lots of houses close together – it’s still a hot spot. I have a friend there that gives out comic books! Isn’t that awesome?” She also loves Parkwood Beach neighborhood because it’s a friendly neighborhood with lots of folks hanging out in their front yards, greeting people, with fire pits going. Finally, she reminded us that Wareham Crossing has its big Boo Bash this Saturday from 10-1 (and that the merchants on Main Street will be giving out treats on Halloween itself).

Cindy lives in Bourne now with her husband Mike and six adorable, patience-testing kitties (her favorite candy: “Kit Kats, of course”). LaForce Realty is a boutique real estate brokerage with four offices: Lakeville, Bourne and two in Wareham. Laforce Realty, Tyler Avenue, Wareham, (508) 958-5376.

Sue Ann Murley, DiVito Realty

Sue Ann Murley said that Onset Foursquare Church sponsors Trunk-or-Treat at Lopes Field where cars line up with their trunks open and filled with candy. Instead of going to houses, children visit the cars. The free event features theme-decorated trunks, games, bounce houses, refreshments, a DJ and some unusual characters. Lopes Field is off Onset Avenue. For more information, call 508-291-1595.

Sue Ann is a realtor with DiVito Realty with offices in Onset and Hull. She lives in Onset with her partner, Jeff Gorman, and their Maltese Poodle Henry. In years past, Henry has entered into the Halloween spirit by dressing as a hot dog and a devil but Sue Ann says “he hated every minute of it.” So he may just be a Maltese Poodle this Halloween. DiVito Realty, 247 Onset Avenue, Onset, (508) 295-0213.

We would love to know where the favorite spots are in your town. Tiverton, Westport, Little Compton, Rochester, Lakeville, etc…whatcha got for us? Please comment below!

STAY IN THE LOOP: If you’d like to keep up with South Coast Almanac updates, news and events, sign up for our updates here.

October 24, 2017

The Buzziest of Buzzes: Nitro Coffee on the South Coast

It’s 11:00 am on a weekday (and workday) morning and I’m sitting with what looks like a Guiness draft in front of me. What’s going on?

At Dog Days Cafe in Onset, Lexie just poured me a glass of nitro brew, the newest coffee trend and it may be the best so far. It’s cold brew coffee, poured straight from a keg and, although Lexie swears there’s nothing but coffee in it, it looks suspiciously creamy.

What is it?

Nitro brew is coffee with nitrogen gas percolated into it. Its resemblance to Guiness Stout is no surprise. Many light beers use carbon dioxide for the fizz, but Irish brewers have long been adding nitrogen gas to the darker stouts and ales, creating a smoother, thicker taste. It was only a matter of time before hipster coffeemakers decided to try it. Though it’s unclear where the trend started (some say in Portland, Oregon, others say Austin, Texas or Astoria, New York), it’s made its way to the South Coast.

The result: a smooth, sweet brew that looks (and tastes) like you’ve already added some sugar and cream. Lexie says that while she generally likes her coffee “light and sweet” she doesn’t add anything to her nitro coffee. (Bonus! You’ve saved those 90 or so calories for something else.)

Scientists are trying to figure out why it tastes better (I love the headline in the otherwise pretty staid Chemical & Engineering News: What’s nitro cold brew, and why is it so damn delicious?). But if you’re more a humanities major, don’t worry about it and just try it.

At Dog Days, they start with kegs of their cold-brew which have been saturated with their signature Scandinavian coffee beans for 72 hours. Lexi pours a glass from a tap that combines the cold-brew with a canister of nitrogen which sits besides the keg. She’s right. It tastes smooth and creamy, delicious.

Who’s drinking it?

Lots of people! At Dog Days, it’s outselling cold brew by almost 4 to 1. Many people are willing to go with the higher price tag ($5 for a small) because it tastes so smooth (and maybe because it delivers more of a caffeine kick). People on the night shift love it. Lexie says that police officers swear by it. They come in before their 16 hour shifts to buy growlers filled with the stuff.

Where can you find nitro brew?

Dog Days Coffee, obviously. 2W West Central Avenue, Onset, (508) 295-2328.

Cup2Cafe, 3175 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, (508) 743-0410.

Onset Bay Cafe, 1B West Central Avenue, Onset, (508) 273-0178.

Simmons Cafe & Market, 78 Crandall Road, Little Compton, (401) 635-2420.

Flour Girls Bakery, 230 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven, (774) 202-5884.

Charred Oak Tavern, 57 Center Street, Middleboro, (508) 923-9034 (note: for diners only, Charred Oak Tavern does not serve coffee for takeout).

Are there other local places serving nitro coffee? Let us know…

To keep up with this and other trends on the South Coast, sign up here for updates on what we’re up to…And shoot us an email at [email protected] if you have suggestions for us.

October 16, 2017

Good Eats: Breakfast at Coffee Milano in Middleboro

As you might expect, from time to time we meet with our advertisers, usually at their offices. We’ve decided to make these meetings even more efficient (and fun) than they were before. The idea: meet them for breakfast, at a favorite place of their choosing, and review the place for this blog.

Today, Kristi Cornuet from T.M. Ryder took us around the corner from her Middleboro office to Coffee Milano. Kristi says her office orders either breakfast or lunch from there nearly every day. The restaurant staff will see the Caller ID on the phone, know that it’s her and answer: “What’ll it be today?” Then, they’ll ask after others in the office “How about for your Dad? Your sister?”

Here’s the lowdown on our meal:

Coffee Milano is a no-frills place where you order at the counter and they bring your food to the dining area when it’s ready. Kristi told me she usually gets the Breakfast Sandwich (sausage, egg & cheese) on a croissant with a side of spicy jam. That sounded so good to me that I ordered it too. Side note of apology: sorry we didn’t order different dishes so we could give you a sense of the variety but, honestly, that order just sounded so good.

Kristi says she orders the breakfast sandwich about 90% of the time. But she sometimes chooses the Cali Burrito. At lunch, she often has the turkey and brie sandwich but there’s even more variety for lunch here than there is for breakfast. Kristi loves the flatbreads and quesadillas. Her father gave a shout out for “The Steak Bomb.” And her sister Kira says, “the Big & Juicy Cheeseburger is amazing.”

But back to our meal! Kristi ordered an iced green acai tea, made to order. I got a plain coffee, nothing added, because although there is an extensive menu of coffee drinks, I felt like I needed something simple to justify my leap into the hedonism of a fully loaded breakfast sandwich on a croissant.

The sandwich was everything I hoped for –and I’m grateful for Kristi’s insider trick of ordering the spicy jam on the side. It put the sandwich over the top. Hours later, my stomach is still happy.

You Can Ring My Bell

While we were eating, we heard a bell clang cheerfully. We found the bell by the door as we were leaving, and got the scoop on it. If you feel you’ve gotten good service, you can ring it on the way out. Kristi rang it. She smiled. I smiled. I saw an older man drinking his coffee smile.

It was a great way to start the week.

The verdict: 2 thumbs up!

Where to find them: Coffee Milano, 58 Center Street, Middleboro. 508-946-4006. Open for breakfast and lunch daily.

Kristi & Kira of T.M. Ryder Insurance

This review has been brought to you by T.M. Ryder Insurance Agency. After breakfast, Kristi and I walked just around the corner to her office. Over breakfast, she had told me that T.M. Ryder has been invested in the Middleboro community for over 100 years (started in 1877 by Mr. Ryder, Kristi’s great grandfather took over one hundred years ago in 1917). But when I looked at the photos and old equipment prominently displayed in their offices, I got a more tangible sense of how much time (and experience) that really means.

I snapped pictures of an antique adding machine:

vintage filing cabinets;

and old photographs of the business:

More than that, I experienced a business actively engaged in its community. In the short time I was there, two gentleman separately came in to make inquiries about their policies. You sure don’t see that personal service with the giant insurance companies.

If there were a bell at the door of T.M. Ryder, I would have rung it loudly. T.M. Ryder Insurance Agency, 8 Thatchers Row, Middleboro. 508-947-7600.

If you want to stay in the know about other cool breakfast spots, as well as stories about the people, places, food and other things that make the South Coast special, sign up for our free emails right here.

Look for more in our series coming soon. And feel free to tell us your favorite breakfast nooks by commenting below or emailing us at [email protected]

Maybe we’ll see you there sometime soon.