Off Beat: Mattress Races at Shawnee Peak

America’s Mattress Race at Shawnee Peak is one competition that’s OK to take lying down.

Trail & Error: Curling (and ice you do it on) surprisingly hard

People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. People in brick houses who have neighbors with a lot of expensive windows probably shouldn’t throw stones either. And while that sage advice can help guide a noble life, it doesn’t translate well down at the curling club, where throwing stones at houses is not only an acceptable […]

Burlesque is really taking off

The sexy shows win a whole new generation of fans, including here in Portland, where the scene is — pun intended — really hot.

Next Maine Event: Skiers embrace Spring Fling at Shawnee Peak

A ski mountain celebrating the return of spring sounds a little counterintuitive — like a tree wishing for drought. But spring optimism compels people to make merry, even if it means the snow under their skis is about to melt. During the annual Spring Fling Beach Party at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton on Saturday, snow […]

Off Beat: Mission Possible

You needn’t be 007 or schooled in the espionage arts to enter a team in Saturday’s race to find a missing secret agent. Join the fun — it’ll leave you spy high.

Off Beat: Turn out the lights, the party’s starting

You can mini golf in the dark or enjoy an indoor rock climb or a pell-mell battle of extreme laser tag at a couple of cool new spots at the Mall.

Next Maine Event: Revelry till reveille at Hallowell Mardi Gras

Starting on Ash Wednesday, some folks will forgo the chocolate, the soda, the yam fries or some other favorite during the 40-day period of Lent leading up to Easter. Plenty of others would be more than happy to give up the snow, too, if they had a say in the matter. The annual Mardi Gras […]

With hometown advantage,Hebert advances on ‘Bachelor’

Ashley Hebert, the 26-year-old Madawaska native appearing on the current season of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” had a chance to introduce Brad Womack to her family and show him around her hometown during Monday night’s episode.

She also survived the episode’s rose ceremony, meaning she’s one of three women out of 30 remaining on the show since it began airing Jan. 3.

Trail & Error: Fishing with a little down time built in

Ice fishermen had me fooled. I had once imagined lone anglers on the ice, bracing themselves against the wind and blowing into their cupped hands for warmth on one of Maine’s isolated lakes, maybe even singing sad songs in low, solemn voices to pass the time. Ice fishing reality doesn’t really look like that. There […]

Off Beat: Toast with jammies

JJ’s Eatery Too brings back its popular pajama breakfast.