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October 2, 2018

Oh, Sweet October! 8 Great Things for the Month Ahead

“This tree must be falling for me, as soon as I sat under it, it dropped its leaves.
Oh sweet October!”  – Charmaine J Forde

Our monthly list of 8 reasons to love life on the South Coast this month!  You know what else is happening in October? Our first ever Fall/Holiday print issue gets delivered to mailboxes and newsstands all over the South Coast. You want one? Order an annual subscription (4 issues) right here!!

South Coast things to do1. “Come On Down!”

 The Price is Right will be filming a live show at the Zeiterion, making it the perfect time for South Coasters to enjoy their 15 minutes of fame.  So start studying up on prices, because some lucky contestants are going to have the shot to walk away with big money! Tickets for the event range from $37.50 to $150, and are still available for sale. October 5, 8pm, The Zeiterion Theater, 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford. More here. 

2. Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off

Giant pumpkins?! Ok, we really don’t feel like this one needs any selling. Last year’s winner weighed in at 1914l pounds (almost a ton)! Need we say more? If you aren’t convinced by the prospect of insanely oversized vegetation, the food trucks, free corn maze, pumpkin painting (although we imagine not of the giant variety) and scarecrow creations should do the trick. Admission to the event is free, parking is available for $5, and some crafts have an additional fee (check their website for specifics). October 6, 9 – 5. Frerichs Farm, Warren, RI, (rain dates: October 7 or 8). More here. 

3. Cycling and Wine

We’re still pretty geared up from our September Buzzards Bay Coalition Watershed Ride, and ready to hit the road again (with maybe just a little different motivation). Westport is already a beautiful place for a bike ride, but throw in early fall foliage and some wine at the end and we’ve got ourselves a day! The Appalachian Mountain Club is leading the 20-25 mile ride that ends at Westport Rivers Winery and Vineyard, ending with a private tour and wine tasting. The event is $15, and pre registration is required. If biking isn’t your thing, skip the ride and join the group at the finish line. October 6, 1:30 ride, 4:00 tasting. To register, call Jeannine at 508-493-8221.  More information and registration is here. 

South Coast things to do4.  Berry Exciting!

One of our favorite annual traditions, the Cranberry Harvest Celebration is the perfect way to welcome fall on the South Coast. Located on the beautiful grounds of A.D. Makepeace, the event allows guests to walk in a farmer’s shoes for the day (no really, pull on a pair of waders and walk on into the bog). The views are insanely beautiful and can be enjoyed from the ground or aboard a scenic helicopter tour. The event has something for the whole family, from paddle boat and pony rides, to cooking demonstrations and a craft fair. This is a must do event. October 6-7, AD Makepeace, 158 Tihonet Road, Wareham. $10 for adults, $5 for seniors/military, free for kids under 7 (helicopter tours are extra). More here. 

South Coast things to do5. Don’t Miss It! Last Chance for the Grand Panoroma!

If you’ve not seen the world’s largest painting, then get down to Kilburn Mill where the New Bedford Whaling Museum has it on display for free until October 8 when it gets packed away again. Multiple media outlets from near and far recommended this exhibit (even the Wall Street Journal), and for good reason — how often do you get to see a work of art that is over 1200 feet long? Kilburn Mill, 127 Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford. Free

There are a couple of special events this week to celebrate the Panorama. On October 6, Tom O’Leary and Simon Xerxes White perform a musical finale to accompany the whalemen’s journey depicted in the painting with a special 22-minute video of the Panorama in motion forming the backdrop for the performance. 3-5 pm.

Or join the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra on October 7 which will perform next to the painting. Reception begins at 7:00 and the concert begins at 8:00. Tickets are $85. See more here. 

6. Oktoberfest!

Craft beer fan? Local entertainment enthusiast? Big South Coast community lover? This event is for you. The South Coast Business Alliance is throwing down to celebrate fall, and you won’t want to miss out! Not only does the event benefit local charities, it also features food trucks, a signature brew by Moby Dick Brewing Co., and live music. Reserve your ticket soon to snag a stein (available to first 200 ticket holders). October 13, 3 – 11:30 pm. $15 in advance, $20 at door, 21+. Pier 3, New Bedford. More here. 

South Coast things to do7. Oh When the Saints, Go Marching In…

If you were at our launch party last May, you had the pleasure of hearing the South Coast Brass Band and watching Gilda (one of our profiles in the summer print issue), sing and dance along. If you missed it, no worries! You can view the band in October at Gilda’s very own club, Gilda’s Stone Rooster. Join them for their second to last Mardi Gras Monday of the year for good jazz and good company (trust us, we can attest to both!). October 15, 8pm, reservations recommended, Gilda’s Stone Rooster, 27 Wareham Road, Marion. More here. 

South Coast things to do

8. Fairhaven Harvest Fun Day

Fairhaven Fall Family Fun (say that 5 times fast!) is back again! Face painting, games, bouncy houses, craft and food vendors, and fun make the perfect recipe to celebrate a Saturday in October. October 13th, 10-4. 141 Main Street, Fairhaven. More here. 

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August 30, 2018

Hello September, We Love Ya! 8 Great Things To Do This Month

Here comes September — back to school, back to work, back to reality. Lucky for us we live on the South Coast and our reality is pretty darn sweet. Here are our 8 Great Things for the month ahead.

  1. Annual Onset Bay Illumination

Onset Bay Illumination NightOne of our all-time summer favorites (postponed by rain earlier this year which makes the start of September that much better!), Illumination Night is truly magical. After dark settles in, a horn sounds and volunteers run the beaches and two islands, lighting thousands of flares as they go. The result of their efforts: fire lining all of Onset Harbor. Stroll along the flares and enjoy the spectacle. Beforehand, spend the day in Onset enjoying its annual kite festival from 10 – 4 and the El Caribe steel drum band performing at 7:30 pm. September 1, Onset Beach (free parking available at Hynes Field, a 5 minute walk from the beach). Free. See more here. 

Allens Pond Butterfly Census2. Butterfly Census

Help members of the Massachusetts Butterfly Club find and identify different types of butterflies in Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary. The butterfly club guides will lead teams into parts of the Sanctuary and provide their knowledge about butterflies native to the South Coast. The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Wear long pants, sunscreen, and bring water and a snack — butterfly watching can work up an appetite! September 8, Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport, 10 -2. Sign up here. 

Photo: Narrows Center for the Arts

The Iguanas are headlining

3. Narrows Festival of the Arts

What better way to spend an early September Sunday than outside, enjoying a variety of live music, perusing selections of work from art vendors, enjoying food truck food and lemonade, and maybe even saying hi to some exotic animals? The Narrows Festival of the Arts promises all this along Fall River’s historic waterfront. The festival is free and has fun for all ages, between the Children’s Museum tent and the indoor and outdoor stages of live music, there’s sure to be something to please everyone in the family. September 9, 16 Anawan St. Fall River. More here. 

Fort Phoenix 5K4. Ready. Set, Run!

Cooler temps means all the more reason to get outside and run the South Coast! There is no better way to start than with a fun 5k, through the gorgeous Fort Phoenix State Beach and Reservation. The 5k benefits a variety of local charities, and registration is $15 prior to the race (and includes a t-shirt) or $20 the day of. So hit the ground running and embrace the start of fall in Fairhaven. September 9, 10 am, Fort Phoenix State Beach and Reserve, Fairhaven.  More here. 

5. Get your dancing shoes on!

What do celtic music, French Canada and New Bedford have in common? Genticorum! Genticorum is coming to the James Arnold Mansion this September, and bringing with them their jubilant Celtic-based music all the way from French Canada. Join the band to experience music influenced by jazz and Québec folk music with fiddle and flute (seems fun to us!).  Tickets at $20 in advance (available online) or $25 at the door. September 14, 7:30 pm-9:30 pm, Wamsutta Club, 427 County St, New Bedford, Get tickets here. 

6. Time to get spooky!

What better way to jump start some Halloween spirit than with a day touring cemeteries?! Little Compton Historical Society is opening up all town cemeteries for an afternoon. So get out and explore the beautiful historic grounds (including many which are normally not open to the public!). Volunteers at each site will be available to answer questions and share information. Tickets are $10 for Society members, $15 for non-members, and free for kids 12 and under. September 22,  11-4. Wilbor House Museum, 548 West Main Rd, Little Compton. See more here. 

7. Lakeville Arts and Music Festival

September is the month of music and art! If you missed the Narrows Festival (or if one just wasn’t enough), head to Lakeville for its Arts and Music Festival. The festival celebrates local artists and musicians from the South Coast. Rain or shine, the day is filled with fun and entertainment for the whole community and, guess what, it’s free. September 29, 10-4. Lining the intersection of Routes 105, 18 and Precinct Street. More here. 

 

Buzzards Bay Coalition Watershed Ride

South Coast Almanac Avengers

8. Bike on!

We love Buzzards Bay, South Coast early fall views, biking, clean water, and a good party. That’s why this September, the South Coast Almanac team is biking the Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride for the third year straight! The route has 100, 75, and 35 mile options, so there’s something for everyone. Cyclists each raise $300 (or more!) to support the great work of the Buzzards Bay Coalition. You’ll have access to five water stops, a yummy food truck lunch, and dinner with beer and wine at the party (which features live music and award presentations!). The SCA team is always looking for new riders (and trust us, we have A LOT of fun, see photos of our award winning costumes from last year), email us at [email protected] if you’re interested in joining our team! In the past, our publisher, editor, and advertising director along with board members and friends of the ‘Nac have ridden. We want you to join us!! September 30, start time depends on which route you choose. See more here. 

Wanna keep up with the coolest happenings each month on the South Coast?! Sign up for our free newsletter right here!

OR subscribe to our print magazine which has even more activities and events to keep you busy all summer. You can buy a copy of our current issue right here for just $8.95 delivered to your door. An annual subscription is right here.

 

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August 16, 2018

A Tour of Lebanon and At the Beach By 3:00…

From time to time, we take our advertisers out to breakfast to review a local breakfast place for our readers. We recently invited Pete Covill of Humphrey, Covill & Coleman to join us for breakfast and he instantly said, “Why not lunch?” 

Pete wanted us to check out the re-opened Lebanese Kitchen. But shhhh, it’s kind of an open secret…it’s not officially open yet. There’s been no grand opening. Although you wouldn’t know it from the crowds already heading there. The Lebanese Kitchen relocated to Mattapoisett after a fire 4 years ago decimated the family’s New Bedford location and their home. They’ve got super fans all over the South Coast going back over 35 years who have been waiting patiently for the last four years for the Moujabber family to reopen their restaurant.

It’s a family affair. Nabih and Nouhad Moujabber own the restaurant and their son Gary helps run it. Gary says,”My mom is the back of the house, I’m the front of the house. My dad is the whole house!”  Nouhad  arrives each day by 8:00 to start making all the staples homemade from scratch: tabbouli, hummus, babaganoush. She’ll be there until after midnight many nights.

It’s a big change from their small 35 seat place on Purchase Street in New Bedford. The Mattapoisett location has seating for 250 and includes a large bar area. Gary says they’re still in the soft opening phase because they want to make sure they iron out the kinks for this much bigger operation. He wants everyone to be patient while they do this. Based on the crowds, I’d say they’re doing a great job of smoothing out the kinks.

We settled in and ordered the Maza, billed as a “tour and taste of Lebanon with our chef’s exotic Lebanese specialties served family style.” It is like a tasting menu, a smorgasbord of everything, in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. It seemed the perfect introduction to the Lebanese Kitchen and to Lebanese food in general.

It arrived and could probably have fed a small family: falafel, hummus, baba, tabbouli, chicken and kafta kebabs, mjadra (a thick lentil stew) and loubieh (string beans, tomatoes, onions and garlic sauteed in olive oil – so yummy!). Despite the abundance of food, we quickly made short order of it because you have to sample everything and one thing is better than the next. A special shout out for their special garlic paste which looked a little like mayonnaise but is actually almost entirely garlic emulsified in the blender to become a thick and creamy spread that makes everything taste even better: kebabs, pita, french fries. Gary jokes, “I brush my teeth with that stuff!”

As full as we were, we tried the baklava for dessert, homemade of course. Flaky pastry with sweet honey, pistachios and just a hint of rose water. I’m thinking next time I go, I may have my dessert first before I get too filled up.

We peeked into the kitchen to say goodbye to Nouhad who had overseen all this deliciousness. She was far younger than I thought. Her food made me think she was an ancient woman because her skill in the kitchen seems based on ages and ages of experience.

Pete Covill was a regular at their Purchase Street location, just a short jaunt from his insurance agency. Pete can fully appreciate the art in Nouhad’s cooking because he is an avid home cook. He knows good food. Follow Pete’s lead and become a regular at the Lebanese Kitchen. (We’re thinking of following his lead on all things culinary!)

When the Moujabber’s original place burned up, Pete was there helping to carry things out. He cried with the family. His clients become his family. He does all sorts of things for them: he bought a tuxedo and waited tables for one client, he gets up in the middle of the night when their pipes burst, he even helped pick out the wines for the Lebanese Kitchen. His father Raymond instilled in him this conscientiousness. He remembers an elderly woman coming in with her car which had graffiti all over it. It was an older car and she had no coverage for this kind of damage. Raymond and Pete went out to the parking lot, got some polish from Raymond’s car and they polished the graffiti right off her car. Pete proudly notes, “My cell phone number is on the front door.” His clients know how to reach him and he picks up the phone. No matter where or when it rings.

Pete is pretty passionate about insurance. It’s not put-on, it’s really genuine. Over lunch, he told me with enthusiasm that there’s never been a better time to be in insurance than right now because with the de-regulation of the coastal flooding programs, he can get significant deals for homeowners who need flood insurance. It makes him almost giddy when he’s able to reduce homeowners’ insurance sometimes by thousands and thousands of dollars. He’s the guy that real estate agents call when their clients are having trouble getting a mortgage because they’ve been told that a coastal home is uninsurable. If you want to check in with him, give him a call. His number is plastered on the door of his agency so he said it’s okay to plaster it here: 508-264-0130.

Find Lebanese Kitchen at 79 Fairhaven Road, Mattapoisett. Find Pete at Humphrey, Covill & Coleman Insurance Agency at 195 Kempton Street, New Bedford.

And, finally, to keep up with South Coast Almanac’s restaurant hopping and lots more going on in the area, sign up here.

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August 1, 2018

Summer Revelry: 8 Great Things for August!

When we turn the calendar page to August, we get a little frantic — gotta make that list of all those summer things we haven’t done yet: dig for quahogs, cheer on the Wareham Gatemen and New Bedford Bay Sox, learn to sail (ha, that one’s on a longer list!). We’ve put together 8 Great Things that should be on  your 2018 summer bucket list that will create memories to reflect fondly upon come February.

Photo by James Mahaney

1. South Coast’s Best Walking Tour

Featured in our current issue, the Henry H. Rogers Walking Tour is lauded as one of the best in the Northeast by the Huff Post. The tour explores the life of Standard Oil Co. executive Henry Rogers and the many extravagant buildings that he donated to Fairhaven, his home town. The tour is a perfect way to celebrate the exceptional architecture of Fairhaven. Plus, it’s free (!!) and begins outside the Town Hall. Tuesday and Thursday mornings through September, 10am (weather permitting). See more here.

2. Historic House Tours at Martin House Farm

The Martin House Farm in North Swansea is a lovely 18th century farm house and barn on 50 acres of farm and wood lands. The land features the beautiful original stone walls, as well as the farm house steeped with rich history. Members of the Martin Family lived in the house for over 200 years, before it was donated to the National Society of the Colonial Dames in 1930. Learn all about the Farm’s past on the guided tours, every Sunday in August. 1-4 pm, $5. See more here.

3. Did Someone Say Grateful Dead?

We’ve heard that the Toe Jam Puppet Band is like the Grateful Dead for toddlers. Even if you don’t have a toddler, aren’t you kind of intrigued? Sing, dance, and play for the whole hour with these local superstars. The Band performs weekly at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, so there is plenty of time to see them before summer ends. Mondays, 10am or 11:30am. 425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford. See more here. 

4. Wishing on Many Stars

The Perseid Meteor Shower boasts meteors at rates of up to one per minute. Getting cozy in the fields at Stone Barn to watch seems like the perfect way to spend an August night. Be sure to pack your snacks and water, insect repellent, layers, and maybe even binoculars or a telescope if you’d like. August 11, 8 pm. Allen’s Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Stone Barn Farm, 1280 Horseneck Road, Westport. $10 for Mass Audubon members, $12 non-members, pre registration required. For more information and to register, go here.

5. Fishing for Wine

Don’t you love the eclectic mixing of a fishing boat and a wine tasting? Onset’s Neat Lady thought so too and is transforming itself into a wine tasting and learning experience for a sunset cruise. Their wine expert says it will feature “wines sourced from vineyards along water, we’ll make this a focal point for understanding how the water plays a role in why the wine tastes the way it does, inviting folks to think of their local surroundings of having more potential for growing grapes and complicate their understanding of local vineyards in a delicious way.” Sounds like a recipe for a perfect night to us and includes cheese and charcuterie, along with the wine (and learning). August 12, 7 – 9 pm, $38. See more here. 

6. Lovely Local Spaces Filled with Music

Music from Land’s End brings chamber music concerts with internationally acclaimed artists to the South Coast. Artistic Director Ariadne Daskalakis has worked hard to bring two wonderful concert series to us this summer, wrapping up in August with the String Quartet Program. To learn more about the program and the featured artists, check out their website! August 18th, 7pm at Marion Music Hall, 164 Front Street, Marion. August 19th, 5 pm at Church of the Good Shepherd, 74 High Street, Wareham. Open to the public, by donation (recommended donation is $25).

7. Eco-Herbal Medicine Interactive Walk and Talk

Join herbalist Brendan Kelly on a foraging walk to learn about the identifications, tastes, and uses of local medicinals and edibles. The interactive walk and talk is co-sponsored by the Sippican Lands Trust and the Marion Institute and explores the beautiful trails at Brainard Marsh. August 25, 9am-10:30am
$5 for Sippican Lands Trust members, $10 non-members; pre-registration required. See more here. 

8. Onset Chalk-Full-O-Fun Festival

This annual festival truly lives up to its name. There’s nothing better (or more summer-y!) than getting your hands dirty in the chalk, and this festival celebrates just that. Enter the fun yourself and join the competition as an individual or as a group. Your entry comes with chalk and a sidewalk square to create your masterpiece. To get your creative juices flowing, featured chalk artists create breath-taking works and local artists really step up their game for the competition. There’s also live music from noon to 4 and vendors throughout the day. August 25, registration begins at 9 am. Festival is free but if you want to register, $5 gets you your own square and a box of vibrantly colored chalk. Lillian Gergerman Bandshell, Onset Avenue, Onset. See more here.

Wanna keep up with the coolest happenings each month on the South Coast?! Sign up for our free newsletter right here!

OR subscribe to our print magazine which has even more activities and events to keep you busy all summer. You can buy a copy of our current issue right here for just $8.95 delivered to your door. An annual subscription is right here.

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July 17, 2018

19 Healthy Things to Do this Week (and Every Week This Summer!)

Remember how much fun it was when your teachers took the class outside? Sitting on the grass talking about Steinbeck’s The Pearl or Gregor Mendel’s pea plant research was just so much better than talking about it inside the classroom. We’ve found the same thing happens when your gym instructor takes the class outdoors. Exercise becomes a whole lot more rewarding!

We’ve put together a list of classes you can take outside every day of the week on the South Coast this summer. Go take advantage of the good weather and get your heart pumping and/or your muscles stretching! As always, we suggest checking in before you go to make sure the class is still on – and we tried to give you the right places to go to check — particularly when the weather is iffy.

Monday

Well & Fit offers strength and conditioning exercises for a total body workout at Cushman Park in Fairhaven. Taught by Sarah Bates, owner of Well & Fit Personal Training & Cycling, the class is free thanks to generous sponsors. Mondays, 8:30-9:30 am through August 20 (in case of rain, the class moves inside the Carousel Fun Center, 4 David Drown Boulevard, Fairhaven — weather determination is posted on the Fitness in Cushman Park Facebook page. Bring a mat.

Sunset Yoga at Fort Phoenix Park. Yoga + sunset = total zen. All levels. Every Monday from 6-7 p.m. $5/drop in. Contact [email protected] with questions or check the Facebook page for more details. Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven.

Tuesday

Boot Camp with Cherie Blier. Cherie is an experienced trainer who makes it easy to wake up for her 6 a.m. boot camp classes which involve a little of everything (TRX, kettle bells, resistance bands, etc). She makes it inviting for all fitness levels which may be why her classes often have ages ranging from 19 to 52. Watching the morning fog burn off to reveal the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge just makes it all the sweeter. $12/drop in fee (discounts for 5-pack and 10-pack) (also Thursday, Saturday). 6 – 7 a.m. Buzzards Bay Park (at the adult outdoor fitness park behind Krua Thai) on Main Street, Buzzards Bay. Contact Cherie at 774-454-8451 or [email protected] and check out her other offerings here. Bring water and a mat.

Yoga at Cushman Park, Jeff Costa, a Yoga Alliance Nationally Certified Instructor and a graduate of the Kripalu School of Yoga and Health, presents a gentle yoga series for all levels, designed to introduce newcomers to the basics of stretching and mindfulness and challenge yoga enthusiasts with a focus on compassion for the body.  Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 am through August 21 (in case of rain, the class moves inside the Carousel Fun Center, 4 David Drown Boulevard, Fairhaven — weather determination is posted on the Fitness in Cushman Park Facebook page.) Free. Bring a mat.

Sunset Yoga at Fort Taber. South Coast Yoga offers a class for all levels with movement, meditation, balance, strength and a killer view. 6:30 pm, $5 drop in fee. Contact South Coast Yoga at [email protected] with questions or check the Facebook page for more details. 1000 Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford. Bring a mat, towel and water. 

Wednesday

Slocum’s River Reserve (Photo courtesy of Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust)

Yoga at Slocum’s River Reserve. Jeff Costa (see above!) leads weekly yoga classes in the idyllic setting of Slocum River’s Reserve thanks to the generosity of the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust and Hawthorn Medical Associates. 8:30 – 9:30 am, July 11 – August 8, with a meditation walk on August 15. Donation based but at least $5 is suggested. Notification of cancellations can be found on DNRT’s facebook page and website. Bring water and a yoga mat. 320 Horseneck Road, Dartmouth.

Paddle Boarding! Divine Power Yoga’s intro class to stand up paddleboards, every week from Apponagansett Park. 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Apponagansett Park & Beach, Gulf Road, S, Dartmouth,  $45 includes paddle rental. Sign up here.

SUP Yoga. Paddleboard Yoga? It’s easier than you think! Try it and enjoy the Wednesday night music series at Apponagansett Park. 7:30 p.m. Apponagansett Park & Beach, Gulf Road, S, Dartmouth. $35 includes paddleboard rental; $20 BYOB. Sign up here. 

Thursday

Cherie Blier’s Summer Boot Camp, 6 am (see under Tuesday for more information), Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street, Buzzards Bay.

Summer Boot Camp. Wayne Goulart leads participants through various exercises that build functional strength and core stability with circuits utilizing light dumbbells and body weight exercises. Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 am through August 23 (in case of rain, the class moves inside the Carousel Fun Center, 4 David Drown Boulevard, Fairhaven — weather determination is posted on the Fitness in Cushman Park Facebook page.) Free. Bring a mat and a set of weights.

Yoga on the lawn. Bayside Restaurant, 1253 Horseneck Road, Westport. $10. Sign up here. Bring a mat.

Sunset Yoga at Fort Taber. A community yoga practice for all levels at Fort Taber (see under Tuesday for more information).

SUP Yoga. Divine Yoga leads a SUP yoga class at Fogland Beach. Fogland Road, Tiverton, 6 p.m. $35 includes paddleboard rental; $20 BYOB. Sign up here.

Friday

Sunrise Paddle. A morning group paddle board ride followed by coffee at Farm & Coast. 7 – 8 am from Farm & Coast parking lot, 7 Bridge Street, Dartmouth. $25 for paddle board rental.Sign up here.

Saturday

Cherie’s Summer Boot Camp (see Tuesday for more details). Cherie lets us sleep in (!!) until 8 am for her fun Saturday version of Summer Boot Camp. Buzzards Bay Park, Main Street, Buzzards Bay.

Slow Run Saturdays. Molly McCarthy from Track + Channel leads all levels at Buttonwood Park. Run as many laps (or just 1) around the park as you’d like (1.8 mile loops) at whatever pace you’re comfortable and the group leader stays behind with the last runner. 6:45 am warm up, 7 am run. Meet at the Buttonwood Park Warming House, 1 Oneida Street, New Bedford.

Yoga at Fort Phoenix Park. A community practice for all levels. Contact [email protected] with questions or check the Facebook page for more details. 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven. Bring a mat.

Weekly Wellness Walks. Join local physicians for a walk around Buttonwood Park. Meet at the entrance to Buttonwood Park Zoo, 425 Hawthorn Street, New Bedford. Spearheaded by the New Bedford Wellness Initiative.

Sunday

Beachside Yoga. Natanya Silverman, owner of The Clearing Yoga, offers an invigorating, Sunday morning beach side yoga practice at Onset Beach every Sunday throughout the summer from 9:30 – 10:30 am. Across from The Inn at Onset Bay, 181 Onset Avenue, Onset. The class is by donation. If there’s weather, this class will meet at the studio: The Clearing, 43 Main St. Buzzards Bay. Bring water and sunscreen.

There you go — something outside and healthy for you every day of the week! Mark your calendars now!

Want to make sure you keep up with EVERYTHING on the South Coast? Sign up for our free email newsletter right here!

You can also subscribe to our print magazine which has even more activities and events to keep you busy all year. You can buy a copy of our current issue right here for just $8.95 delivered to your door. An annual subscription is right here.

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July 3, 2018

Own the Night like the Fourth of July

Onset Children's Parade (Photo by Ella Necheles)

Around about now, Katy Perry gets stuck on repeat in our head. We watched her Firework video again and start getting excited for the Fourth. To keep the soundtrack in our head relevant, we’ve put together a list of Fourth of July activities — not just fireworks, but parades, fleet blessings and more. It’ll keep you humming all week long.

Boom, boom, boom.

Fireworks

All events are listed from East to West (or a rough approximation of that!)

Onset-Wareham Fireworks, July 7, 9ish (we love a good when a schedule officially uses “ish”), Onset Beach. See more here.

Middleboro Fireworks, July 6, 10:00, Pierce Playground. See more here. 

New Bedford Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular 2018, July 4, 9:00, State Pier, Downtown New Bedford. Viewing from lower Union Street. See more here.

Freetown Fireworks Festival, July 3, 6-10 pm, Hathaway Park, Water Street, Assonet (near the former The Assonet Inn). See more here. 

Fall River Fireworks, July 4, 9:30, Fall River Heritage State Park, Davol Street at the waterfront.

Parades

Bourne on the Fourth, July 4, 10:00, Main Street, Buzzards Bay. See more here. This parade gets a prize for best named patriotic parade.

Marion Fourth of July Parade, July 4, 9:00,  Spring Street, Marion. See more here. 

Fourth of July Car Cruise and Parade, July 4, 9:00, starts at Fairhaven High School, 12 Huttleston Avenue, Fairhaven. Floats and marchers join at Cushman Park. See more here. 

Freetown Annual Parade, July 4, 10:00,  South Main and Water Streets.

Westport Annual Parade, July 4, 10:00 (road closure at 9:00), Main Road north of Hix Bridge Road. See more here. 

Other Fun Stuff

Onset Blessing of the Fleet, Pet Parade, Bike Parade & Doll Carriage Parade, July 7, Onset Pier, Onset Avenue. Participating boaters parade their vessel on a route that will form between the islands near red nun 14, then proceed inbound to the face of the Onset Pier where vessels will be cheered by spectators and blessed by a local priest. Boaters are encouraged to decorate their boats and prizes are given. At 10 a.m., just before the vessel parade, children of all ages are invited to participate in the Pet, Bike & Doll Carriage Parades. See more here. 

Middleboro Carnival, July 3 – July 7, evenings. Pierce Playground. See more here. 

Mattapoisett 5 Mile Road Race, July 4, 9:00, Shipyard Park, 13 Water Street, Mattapoisett. $25 on July 3 or $30 if registering on July 4 (includes t-shirt) . See more here. 

Fort Phoenix Independence Day Ceremony and Cannon Salute, July 4, 10:00, Fort Phoenix, Fort Street, Fairhaven. Following the Car Cruise and Parade, there will be a patriotic program at the Fort featuring a reading of the Declaration of Independence, Emma Lazarus’ poem “The New Colossus,” and the firing of the fort’s five 24-pound Seacoast Defense cannons by the Fairhaven Village Militia. See more here. 

4th of July with Frederick Douglas, July 4, 10-2,  Customs House Square, Barkers Lane, New Bedford. Meet Frederick Douglass and other people who lived in New Bedford during the 1800s. At 12:00 Frederick Douglass will give a speech in which he discusses slavery, independence, justice, and what it means to be an American. Hear the Declaration of Independence read aloud. In addition you will be able to meet Douglass, the 1850s Ladies, Civil War soldiers, local leaders, and park rangers. See more here.

Want to make sure you keep up with EVERYTHING on the South Coast? Sign up here for our free email newsletter right here!

You can also subscribe to our print magazine which has even more activities and events to keep you busy all year. You can buy a copy of our current issue right here for just $8.95 delivered to your door. An annual subscription is right here.

 

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July 2, 2018

What’s hotter than today? Our 8 Great Things List for July!

When July arrives here, it really arrives. We’re a day late getting this blog post up because we were in a heat coma yesterday. But we’re back with our 8 Great Things list. Not to be confused with our Fourth of July holiday happenings list which will be up tomorrow so that you can plan your patriotic activities.

New Bedford Folk Fest1. Get Folksy

100 artists, 8 stages, and 2 days of folk music at annual favorite, the New Bedford Folk Festival! One weekend every July, folk artists congregate in downtown New Bedford, playing 10 hours of continuous music each day. The festival takes over the Historic Whaling district, filling the Zeiterion and spilling out into the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park. The event features craft and food vendors and a family area on top of the non-stop music. July 7 -8,$30 for one day, $40 for two day pass, New Bedford Historic District.  See here for more. 

July on South Coast2. Wild-avore

South Coast fun fact of the month: Westport is home to over 70 (that’s right SEVENTY!) species of wild edible plants. Move over farm-to-table, we’re doing field to mouth! Join the Westport Land Conservation Trust and expert foragers on this two hour walk through Westport Town Farm, learning how to identify 18 species of edible wild plant along the way. The walk will teach you how to become the truest local eater, with information on how to find and prepare edible plants in a safe and environmentally friendly way. The event requires pre-registration, email [email protected] July 10, 2:00. Suggested donation of $10. See more here. 

Quinn Sullivan3. Block-a-Palooza

Free live music and thousands of your closest friends, family, and neighbors? What could be better! It’s block-a-palooza, the biggest block party in Fall River. Musical headliners this year include Kat Wright and local favorite Quinn Sullivan (check out this video of Quinn wowing Ellen Degeneris when he was just 6 years old). This July, take it to the streets and jam out to some rock and roll (for free!). July 12, 6:00. South Main Street, Fall River. In case of rain, the party moves indoors to the Narrows Center for the Arts. See more here.

July on South Coast4. Tunes & Brews with Down the Road Beer Co.

Summer dream: sitting by the water, beer in hand, serenaded by live music, watching the sunset. The South Wharf Yacht Yard and Marina, partnering with Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT), is making the dream come true. Join them for their “Tunes & Brews” series event on July 20th, featuring tunes by Ken Richards and brews by Down the Road Beer Co. Best of all, donations from this event will go to DNRT and help them protect more than 5,000 acres of land. July 20, 5 – 8 p.m. South Wharf Yacht Yard and Marina,  218 Elm Street, Dartmouth. See more here. 

New Bedford Festival Theater5. Maria, I Just Met A Girl Named Maria….

Every summer, the New Bedford Festival Theatre brings the excitement of Broadway theater to the South Coast! This July, the theatre presents West Side Story for 7 nights, bringing the drama, love, and tragedy of the classic musical to the Zeiterion. July 20-22, 26-29. Tickets $39-$59. 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford. Find out more here.

July on South Coast6. Outdoor Movies!

We don’t have drive-ins anymore but we DO have outdoor movies. Onset and Fairhaven are keeping the family entertained this summer. Every Thursday through August 9, the Onset Bay Association shows a movie feature at the bandshell. Storks (July 5), Power Rangers (July 12), Little Pony (July 19), Rock Dog (July 26), Leap! (August 2) and Black Panther (August 9). Check out the OBA website for more info. 

Fairhaven invites everyone to bring their beach chairs and picnic blankets for the screening of Disney’s Coco projected on the big screen in Livesy Park. Before the movie, enjoy face-painting, food, ice cream, games and activities. The event is free. July 21 (rain date: July 22). 6 – 11 p.m. (movie begins at 8:15).  See more here. 

Harbor Days in Mattapoisett7. Harbor Days 2018

The Mattapoisett Harbor Days are jam packed with fun, starting with the triathlon on July 15th and culminate in the weekend events. Festivities take place in Shipyard Park and feature live music, strawberry shortcake, a fish fry, crafters, vendors and good food, as well as a lobsterfest on Sunday. The proceeds allow the Lion’s clubs to support sponsored charities and the Mattapoisett community. July 21-22. See more here. 

July on the South Coast8. Moonlight Kayak Tour

Experience the magic of sunset (and moonrise) on the water thanks to the Lloyd Center for the Environment. After some brief kayaking instruction, head out on the water for a leisurely paddle and sight seeing adventure in the Westport River. Kayakers of any level are welcome to participate, registration required by July 25th. July 27, 6:30-9pm, $65 members, $80 members. See more here. 

Battleship CoveAND ONE EXTRA TIP FOR JULY:

What’s better than Battleship Cove? Battleship Cove for free!! Experience all of the magic at Battleship Cove with no charge on July 6, including their maritime museum and Fall River Carousel and the experience of a maritime sailor.  With thanks to the Highland Street Foundation. 5 Water Street, Fall River. See more here.

Wanna keep up with the coolest happenings each month on the South Coast?! Sign up for our free newsletter right here!

OR subscribe to our print magazine which has even more activities and events to keep you busy all summer. You can buy a copy of our current issue right here for just $8.95 delivered to your door. An annual subscription is right here.

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June 1, 2018

8 Great Things: June on the South Coast

Is there anything better than June? We think not. Feel free to do nothing at all and just soak in this wonderful month. Or take a look at these 8 things to make June even better!

1. Gone Fishin’

At 6:00 am, a horn will sound on Tihonet Pond, signaling for competitors to begin furiously fishing. Although the early schedule may seem made for serious fishermen, the Tihonet Pond Fishing Derby is open to all levels of fishermen, from the serious pros to those just wanting to join the fun. The Wankinquoah Rod & Gun Club puts on the event with free pancake breakfast (making the early wake-up worth it), bait and lunch available for purchase, and some prizes for adults and juniors. Competitors can fish from shore or bring their boat or kayak (or rent a kayak for the day on site!).

June 3. The registration fee is $12 for adults and $3 for children 14 and under. Registration begins at 4 am, official start at 6 am and official end at 2 pm. For more information and to pre-register, see here.  150 Tihonet Road, Wareham.

2. Open Studios

With three floors of art (paintings, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture, woodworking, and more), the talented artists of Hatch Studios will open their workshops to the public as part of their “Second Saturday” series. Don’t miss out on the chance to explore the studios and meet the artists. The event is free of charge and features a raffle for several pieces of art (pictured) donated by the artists! The raffle is open to all; just visit the participating artist’s studio to fill out a ticket and get a chance to take home a wonderful piece of art. June 9, 12-5 pm.  88 Hatch Street, New Bedford. See more here. 

3. Trés Jazzy

Ready to get dancing? On June 9th, the annual New Bedford JazzFest is moving onto the pier! The evening features art, food, and drink with two stages of non-stop live jazz. JazzFest founder Eric Paradis promises “This is jazz that will make you move!” Head down to New Bedford’s historic waterfront under the tent on Pier 3 for this vibrant event to be held rain-or-shine and featuring a diverse line-up of jazz musicians, as well as local food trucks, a full bar, and the “artist’s colony,”a section highlighting the work of local artists. Tickets are $25 at the door and can be reserved here. June 9. 2-7 pm.  Pier 3, Downtown New Bedford. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.F

4. Farmer Coffee in the Dell

There’s nothing better than spending spring outside. Adding coffee and donuts to the mix just sweetens the deal. Friends of Buttonwood Park is sponsoring Coffee in the Dell, featuring free coffee and donuts (while supplies last) and guided tours of Buttonwood Park’s arboretum. Buttonwood is the largest and most visited public park in New Bedford, planned by Frederick Law Olmstead in 1895. If you haven’t yet visited, June is the perfect time to go. If you have visited already, now is the perfect time to go back! Enjoy a beautiful spring day outside, meeting other like minded South Coasters, reading the paper, and enjoying some coffee. June 10th, 10 am -12 pm (rain date: June 24). Coffee will take place across the road from the warming house, west of the Greenhouse. Oneida Street, New Bedford.

5. Season Opener

Pull out your mini-vans and SUVs and start piling in because the Westport Vineyards Sunset Music Series is $10 per CAR! The event features great music, and local beer and wine can be purchased by the glass. For the season opener, Rebecca Correia (featured in this summer’s print issue!) will be performing a mix of her own originals and covers. Bring your picnic and non-alcoholic drinks or purchase food from a selection of local chefs! Price per car goes up the week of the event, so organize your friends and buy your pass now right here! June 15, 6 pm.  417 Hixbridge Road, Westport.

6. Put Yourself Out to Pasture

A beautiful walk at dusk? Yes, please. Join Weatherlow Farms Land and Livestock Manager Brent on an evening walk through the gorgeous fields of the farm (we were just there for our launch party last month, so we can promise that the landscape is gorgeous! Check out pictures from our party here). The walk promises much more than pretty views, as participants will learn about Weatherlow’s approach to raising livestock and building healthy soils that contribute to sustainable agricultural practices! The event is free, but it is requested that you reserve a ticket as to manage numbers. June 28, 5:30 -7 pm. 845 Sodom Road, Westport. Register here.

7. Homecoming!

Nearly two hundred vendor booths, live entertainment, an outdoor art exhibition, and free fire engine rides for kids all play a part in Fairhaven’s largest annual event, Homecoming Days! Fairhaven’s picturesque town center, filled with European-style architecture, adds to the charm of the day. The Unitarian Memorial Church (showcasing English Perpendicular Gothic style architecture) will be open for tours all day. There is no entrance fee to the fair, and a free shuttle will operate between the Northeast Maritime Institute and Fairhaven High School. June 30, 10 am to 4 pm. Center Street, from William to Green Streets. See here for more information.

8. Get Out There & Swim!

Swimming 1.2 miles through the New Bedford Harbor? No problem! With the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard and local safety patrol, swimmers will pass through the channel by the Butler Flats Lighthouse and New Bedford Hurricane Barrier before reaching the finish at the Fort Phoenix State Reservation. The beach party finish includes a live steel drum band, cooked to order pancakes, coffee, free massages, and local beer! With a $25 registration fee and $150 fundraising minimum (with a special rate for youth teams), the fundraiser supports the Buzzards Bay Coalition, whose events are often featured in our monthly blog post and whose work is essential in conservation of the Bay.

If the Coalition signs up 60 more swimmers, they’ll earn a $50,000 challenge grant to benefit clean water. If the Buzzards Bay Swim has been on your bucket list, make this the year to do it! June 30, 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Register here. 

For occasional free email updates from us on things that make the South Coast the best place to be any month of the year, go right here.

 

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May 30, 2018

The Best Homefries We’ve Ever Had

From time to time, we take our advertisers out to breakfast to review a local breakfast place for our readers. Because, really, who doesn’t love breakfast? Most recently, we had breakfast with Cindy Parola of LaForce Realty…..

Cindy Parola is a local’s local and she really knows her stuff, whether that is real estate or home fries. I knew she’d be a good person to ask about breakfast spots. When I asked her to pick a place to review, she chose the Riverside Cafe on Wareham’s Main Street.

I got there a few minutes early and took a look at the menu. I had settled on the Green Pig (spinach, sausage and mozzarella cheese omelet) before Cindy arrived and the waitress came over to give us the specials. There were a half dozen specials but one stood out and made me forget the Green Pig: morning glory pancakes. Like a morning glory muffin, but in a pancake form. With coconut too. I know people have strong opinions about coconut. Me, I love it. Put it in any dish and I want that dish. (“Coconut infused fried kidney livers?” Sure! Sign me up!)

So I put away the menu and ordered the morning glory pancakes. Cindy chose the Main Street Special. She told me she picked Riverside because the hash is amazing. Then she realized she hadn’t even ordered the hash. “Yeah,” she said, “the problem is that it’s all good.” She also likes that everything in Riverside is mismatched, like our coffee cups were. She took a second glance at one of them, “I think this is my Black Dog mug.”

homefriesWhen her order arrived, she told me Riverside makes the best home fries she’s ever had and she let me try them. She’s right. They are stupendous. Crispy like no others I’ve ever had. They are seriously worth a trip, even if you hail from the other end of the South Coast. Even if you’re coming from Boston.

While we happily ate our breakfast, we talked about Cindy’s work and life here.

Her family story reads like the American dream. Her grandfather came to the United States from Greece. He started working as a shoeshiner, then got a pushcart in downtown New Bedford selling produce before purchasing a wholesale route and opening a storefront on Wareham’s Main Street (where Mumma Marys is now). Then he started buying bogs at Mary’s Pond in Rochester and started farming cranberries. Real estate was important to him and Cindy absorbed his lessons (“always buy corner properties” and “you can always make more money but you can’t make more land.”)

Cindy inherited his worth ethic. “I don’t do anything half-assed,” she says frankly. “I was taught that an A- wasn’t good enough. The bar was set high. I was also told I had to participate.” At Old Rochester Regional High School, she participated in theater, track, volleyball, band and chorus. She took the late bus home every day which set her up for the grueling schedule she’s maintained throughout her life. In many ways, she has carried on her grandfather’s legacy of land and cranberries — she’s been president of Decas Cranberries for 20 years and she’s also a real estate broker affiliate at LaForce Realty. But she’s done so many other things: she owned a liquor store in Wareham when she was just 17 [before she was legally of drinking age!]; she finished college in 3 years; she served on the Wareham School Committee and Board of Selectman; she’s hosted two dozen Cape Cod League baseball players.

She’s got a sharp wit and is full of surprises. She seems tenacious and tough but I thought I detected something else under all toughness. I’ve noticed that she’s the first to support the members in our 6 Degrees Networking group. I told her I thought I had cracked her secret. That underneath it all, she is kind. She laughed. “I’m not kind,” she said, definitively. “No,” she repeated for emphasis. “I’m not.”

I was a little surprised because who doesn’t want to be seen as kind? I tried a different approach. “Well, you’re loyal then.”

“Nope,” she countered. “I’m not loyal.”

“But you’re such a great supporter of all the small businesses in our group,” I argue back. “I go to sign up for a yoga class and you’ve written the testimonial on the website.”

She was having none of it. “I’m fiercely protective of my reputation,” she said. “I want to try people out before recommending them. I’m not going to recommend people who I don’t use myself.” Fair enough. She knows a lot of people and a lot of people know her. “If you own a liquor store when you’re 17, trust me you know everyone,” she says. It makes sense that she is fierce about her reputation. (Still, I think there’s at least a little kindness mixed in there too.)

So here are the takeaways from breakfast with Cindy Parola.

  • The Riverside Cafe is amazing. We both give it an A.
  • The home fries are the best we’ve ever ate.
  • Morning Glory Pancakes with warm syrup should be a regular part of anyone’s life.
  • Cindy is supposedly neither kind, nor loyal.
  • She is a connector.
  • I should go back to Riverside for the hash.

Check out the homefries yourself at Riverside Cafe, 189 Main Street, Wareham, 508-295-2050. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, 6 am to 1 pm.

To find out more about Cindy’s real estate practice (commercial, residential, you name it — she knows it all), go here.

And, finally, to keep up with breakfast place reviews and lots more going on in the area, sign up here.

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May 1, 2018

8 Great Things: May on the South Coast

“All things seem possible in May.” Edwin Way Teale

It’s true. All things do seem possible in May. Know what’s nearly impossible? Narrowing the choices down to just 8 great things to do! But we did it. Once again, we present you with 8 great things to do on the South Coast this wonderful month!

Things to do1. Story Walk

Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust is taking a page out of Anne Ferguson’s StoryWalk Project. What could be better on a warm May day than wandering down a nature trail as you happen upon the pages of a beloved book! You can read Over in The Meadow by Paul Caldone, a nursery poem about animals, along the trail of Ridge Hill Reserve or Sheep Take A Hike by Nancy Shaw, a book about sheep wandering through the woods and finding their way home, in Paskamansett Woods. The laminated book pages will be placed along the trail on May 1st and can be enjoyed throughout the month. Starting May 1. See here for more information.

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