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Maine Visits 2014

Paul & Anne have had a few visits up to Maine this summer (2014). The first was in June, when Ted and Chuchang came up for vacation. We didn't make the larger gathering on Saturday, but went up on Thursday for a visit. Ted and Chuchang were scheduled to arrive Wednesday night, but as often happens with traveling they actually only got to Lewiston at around 1 AM Thursday. Chuchang was still recovering from her time zone whirlwind changes with her return from China and Taiwan. But she was a trooper and joined us for lunch. We went to our favorite lunch spot, Gritty's.

Family seated together at an outdoor table at Gritty's beside the Androscoggin River

Anne sitting beside Gerry at the outdoor table at Gritty's while Mom rests nearby

After lunch, and dropping Chuchang off so she could take a nap, we went on a tour of Baxter Brewing. They are a can-only small brewery that is located in one of the old mill buildings downtown.

Paul standing on the steps outside the Bates Mill Complex before the Baxter Brewing tour

Mom, Gerry, and Paul waiting for our tour to start:

Mom, Gerry, and Paul waiting inside Baxter Brewing before the tour starts

On the tour:

Brewing tanks and equipment inside Baxter Brewing with the mash tun, kettle, whirlpool, and brite beer tank labeled

They had everything nicely labeled for us:

Large shining metal tanks with labels for various steps in the brewing process

Afterwards, Paul and Anne stopped by the Veterans Park that is on the edge of the Androscoggin River. For Gerry's birthday this year, Mom had his name added to a stone.

Veterans Park in Lewiston with memorial stones, flags, and a cannon overlooking the river

Close view of Gerry's name engraved on the Lewiston veterans memorial wall

Our next visit was in early August, where we went up for a weekend. We wanted to visit, and Paul wanted to repair a couple of window sashes. Anne got to see someone practicing for the following weekend's Balloon Festival.

Hot air balloon drifting low above the trees near Nichols Street

While Paul worked on windows, Anne, Mom. & Gerry went to Wallingford Apple Orchard.

Wallingford's orchard grounds with farm-themed painted fence panels and the backyard entrance sign

Wallingford's orchard backyard area with painted barnyard fence panels and a small wooden booth

Here are Paul, Mom, and Gerry after Paul's successful venture on the windows.

Paul, Mom, and Gerry seated together in a restaurant booth at supper

The discussion included wondering how many of these hot sauces Ted has tried:

Large framed display of hot sauce bottles hanging on the wall in the restaurant

Our 3rd summer visit was at the end of August.

Our arrival was on Saturday, and we went out to dinner with Mom and Gerry. After supper, we detoured over to the Auburn Mall; Mom wanted to show us a window display of carousel 'horses'. They had some cute various animals

Carousel-style rabbit and goat figures in a mall window display

but the great one was the cat with the captured bird

Carousel-style cat figure holding a blue bird in its mouth in the mall window display

Sunday was Jenn's birthday celebration, which was at Camp Kaufman. Here are Alma, Claire, and Tony, then Frank and Paul:

Alma, Claire, and Tony seated together at the dining table at Camp Kaufman after the birthday meal

Frank and Paul seated together at the dining table with the deck and lake visible behind them

Deena and Jenn went swimming, and Deena made certain to go around the boat.

Deena and Jenn standing in the lake during Jenn's birthday swim

One of the swimmers circling around the boat at Camp Kaufman

Jenn made many desserts. Actually, the blueberry Cake was a joint effort of Jenn, Deena, Anne, and Paul. (It is being extremely generous to state that Anne & Paul had much to do with it; we were basically the cheering squad.) The blueberry pie, the strawberry-rhubarb pie, and the cake were all delicious.

Plates of Jenn's birthday desserts with blueberry pie, strawberry-rhubarb pie, cake, and vanilla ice cream

Jenn had some gifts to open

Jenn opening a birthday gift in the living room at Camp Kaufman

One was a duplicate, and looked so good on Alma that it was transferred to her.

Alma seated in a chair and smiling after receiving one of Jenn's duplicate gifts

The fancy necklace from the Met:

Jenn showing off the fancy necklace from the Met during the birthday celebration

On to

Updated April 2026