2024 Maine Apple Sunday Weekend

Have you watched American Ninja Warrior and seen contestants flying through the air and leaping from one object to another? Their courage and strength are no longer realities that are far away from Central Mainers. That’s right! Jesse “Flex” Labreck, a Central Maine native and “Ninja Warrior” herself, has partnered with the Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC) to bring everyone the joy and thrill of competing on a Ninja Course themselves. Jesse Labreck is one of American Ninja Warrior’s top women champions. She grew up in Oakland, Maine, graduated from Messalonskee High School in 2008, and the University of Maine Orono in 2012. She continues to hold several high school and college track and field records to this day! After graduating college, Jesse was looking for a way to continue her athletic training and competitive drive. She met Maine native, Jon Alexis Jr. known as “Jon the Giant,” who encouraged her to try out for American Ninja Warrior competitions. After trying it for herself, she fell in love, and found her success. Jesse met her husband, Chris DiGangi, and together they became coaches. Over the years Chris had built his own “Ninja Sport Network” business. In 2024 while living in the Chicago area, they welcomed their son, Luca, and yearned to be closer to home. All the while back home, the AYCC was breaking ground on how to bring the foundation of “Personal Fitness Achievement” for all to the forefront of their growing brand. That’s when the AYCC began looking at new ways to add a ninja adventure zone for kids of all ages. This was achievable with a two-story climbing wall and ninja obstacle course that was designed to build strength in fun ways. It was Patrick Guerette’s (COO) keen eye for detail that started the expansion at 126 North Street. In August 2024, the AYCC held their grand opening for the NinjAdventure Zone. In attendance were Maine native Jonathan Alexis Sr., also from American Ninja Warrior, along with Jesse, who had been cheering the project all along. Shortly after attending, she received a phone call and was offered the opportunity to move back home while continuing to reach her goal of training the next generation of ninja kids! The whole AYCC family welcomed her leadership in the NinjAdventure Zone experience! She has used her creative skills to design programs for all age groups, including the first pre-school ninja class. AYCC after school youth participants have embraced their time in the gym and some have continued to take extra classes. There is a ninja gym in Portland, though sadly not run by an American Ninja Warrior. This has drawn families from the greater Portland and Bangor areas, as well as across Central Maine, to enjoy the AYCC’s NinjAdventure Zone classes. Jesse conducts ninja classes each week and is enjoying getting to know her students. She helps them develop the skills needed to compete at higher levels and problem solve life’s “in the moment” challenges! Classes are offered to different age groups including teen time and adult open gym. She is hoping to offer competitions outside of the AYCC family of athletes in the future. The ninja gym is also available for birthday parties, family fun afternoons, business retreats, and schools for team building skills. The AYCC NinjAdventure Zone experience will create uplifting positive effects for anyone willing to give it a try. Whether you go there for business, athletic training, or leisure, the AYCC has grown over the past few years. The AYCC now offers pickleball, a fantastic fitness center, and an indoor walking track. New enhancements to their basketball courts, programs, gyms, and teen center are allowing community members to experience positive effects on their physical and mental skill building. Whatever you and your family choose to do, AYCC is there to help! Come on down to Central Maine’s premier fitness facility and see how they can make your day a little better. Call (207) 873-0684, email info@clubaycc.org, or stop by the AYCC at 126 North Street in Waterville for a personalized tour.

Do you need an electrician? Tired of waiting for an estimate and comprehensive plan? Look no more – Tesla Electric Company is here to help! Tesla Electric Company is locally owned by a Madison, Maine native, Jacob Bailey. He has been all amped up since his childhood. His dad was a master electrician so Jacob learned safety as a priority at an early age. Tesla Electric Company opened in 2024. They are a fully licensed and insured company, and offer free estimates and honest communication with their customers. They enjoy the ever-changing variety of the many services they offer. No job is too small, difficult or quirky – they are up for the challenge! Tesla Electric Company offers maintenance and repair on commercial equipment, electrical panel upgrades, generator installation and maintenance, outside lighting and in-home new construction wiring, just to name a few. After graduation from Madison High School, Jacob moved to Colorado for a few years. There he decided to formally study the trade. He and his young family were called home to help out with a family member’s illness. They currently reside on the family homestead in Madison, along with a few free-range chickens and ducks. Jacob says it’s the perfect location to cover all areas of the state. Jacob receives many positive reviews on Yelp. Here are a couple: “Jacob was terrific! He did a mix of indoor and outdoor upgrades. He installed a GenerLink for our generator connection. Perfect communications before and during the job. I highly recommend him.” – Terry A., Portland, ME “Jacob showed up on time, gave me options and saved me money. I couldn’t be happier with his craftsmanship and attention to detail. These guys go above and beyond!” – Kristopher V. If you are looking for an electrician, Jacob Bailey and Tesla Electric Company could put you on the path to home and business electric security. Give them a call at (207) 855-8824 or email jacob@teslaelectricmaine.com. You can also find them on Facebook and on their website www.teslaelectricmaine.com .

October 2025 marks another amazing year for What About Maine? We are celebrating 14 years of publishing this labor of love! Our owner and publisher, Marty Allen, has guided our journey through the ongoing difficulties in publishing a printed magazine. Currently we print our magazines at Lincoln Press located in Damariscotta, Maine, thus fulfilling our goal of making this magazine completely produced in Maine. We are shining a light on everything Maine! We distribute our magazines from Gardiner to Bingham, China to Winthrop, covering the Kennebec Valley each month. Our small crew of Marty, Duane, Clare and Samantha fan out and hand deliver the latest issue all across the valley. We have upgraded our website WhatAboutMaine.com so you can browse the entire magazine online from wherever you might be. You can answer the trivia questions and enter to win one of our monthly prizes. Thanks to our designer, Kristina, with Imagine Design Company, for keeping our website fresh! We have been on a mission to increase our viewership for the past couple of years. We have added Samantha Turner as our social media manager. She has developed our Facebook presence and created a monthly calendar to highlight each page and story. Monthly favorites like our community events calendar and “Food for You & Me?” receive some of our highest view counts. All of our advertisers are also featured throughout the month. Samantha has put her social media skills to use by developing our online contests. They have received amazing results! We partnered with Snow Pond’s Bowl in the Pines to bring their summer concerts tickets to our What About Maine? readers. They gave us pairs of tickets and a parking pass to all of their top shows this season. Those contests received over 11,098 views. Samantha was able to boost the posts and Snow Pond gave us extra tickets close to the concerts, delighting our Facebook fans. No matter the challenge she has created opportunities for our readers! In the past year, we have had over 481,600 views of posts that readers have seen. The top content in the past year was the Windsor Fair tickets give-away with 29,500 views, 322 entries, all for 10 pairs of day passes. The Goldsmith’s Landscaping & Maple Street Moving story in “What About You?” had over 9,000 views. North Country Rivers White Water Rafting Company story over 5,100 views. Blistered Fingers received over 4,500 views. Prize winners let us know how much they enjoyed their prizes and feedback was positive. Honorable mentions from outside the past year include Bolley’s Famous Franks video topped 10,000 views in one day. The Maine Maple Producers video for Maine Maple Sunday brought in hundreds of new customers that weekend. We have also challenged ourselves to include some advertiser requests. Greg from Fairfield Laundromat asked us to sell his business. I said “ WHAT?! WAM sell a commercial property? We’ve never tried that! We are not real estate brokers.” He said, “Let’s try!” He received ten viable offers. He received offers from California and the Midwest. He wanted the new owners to be a family willing to work hard and build a nest egg for their future. I’m happy to tell you there is an offer in process right now! Who thunk it? A little Maine trivia magazine could help sell a business? Do you have a challenge for us? Give us a call at (207) 242-5998 or email trivia@whataboutmaine.com. We are up for the challenge! 2026 will bring you more trivia, more stories, and more exciting prizes. Thank you, What About Maine? fans! Marty, Duane, Clare and Samantha welcome your suggestions, while traveling through Maine to make each issue truly What About Maine?!

mailto:shawn@redclawmedia.com When people think of Waterville, they might picture the Kennebec River, Colby College, or the historic downtown. But tucked away on Common Street is a new creative force that’s changing the way local businesses and organizations tell their stories: Red Claw Media, owned and operated by filmmaker and multimedia producer Shawn Packard. Shawn’s journey into storytelling started long before opening his studio. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Digital Cinematography from Full Sail University, he dove headfirst into the world of video production, working on everything from community sports highlights to political campaigns. That passion came full circle in 2023 when his documentary “Warriors of the East” earned four first-place awards from Full Sail University. Then in 2024 during the 48hr Film Project earning “Best Editing” and earning the 1st place for the Maine Association of Broadcasters (MAB) Award for his film “A Mothers Legacy,” a milestone that confirmed the impact of his creative vision. But Shawn isn’t just making films for the big screen – he’s helping local businesses and organizations across Central Maine share their stories in powerful ways. Red Claw Media offers cinematic video production, social media content creation, logo design, website hosting and customization, as well as podcast production. For businesses looking for a streamlined way to manage their marketing, Shawn and his collaborator Jon Irwin developed W!N powered by Red Claw Media, an all-in-one platform designed to simplify social media and digital outreach. Beyond the studio, Shawn is deeply rooted in his community. He currently serves on the board of Discover Waterville, is the Vice Chair of the Founders Club for the Alfond Youth & Community Center (AYCC), and is a member of the Community Outreach Media Board for MMTC. These efforts amplify his ability to be part of the region’s growth - not just by producing media, but by being directly involved and connected to the community he serves. Outside of his work, Shawn’s greatest joy comes from time spent with his family – his wife Marigold and their two daughters, Elina and Ikora. That grounding keeps him inspired to create meaningful work that balances professional passion with personal purpose. The mission behind Red Claw Media is simple: to capture authentic stories and give Maine businesses the creative tools they need to stand out. Whether it’s a small business looking for fresh promotional videos, a local organization launching a campaign, or a family wanting to capture a wedding or special event, Shawn brings his cinematic eye and collaborative spirit to every project. This fall, Red Claw Media is opening its new studio at 18 Common St., Suite 207 B, in downtown Waterville, providing a dedicated space for video production, business training, and even podcast recording. It’s a step toward Shawn’s larger vision- building a lasting creative hub in Central Maine that helps organizations grow while telling stories that matter. For Shawn, every project is about more than just video. It’s about connection. “When I work with a client, I’m not just filming a commercial or an event - I’m helping them share who they are with the world,” he explains. To learn more about Red Claw Media, explore the services, or to connect with Shawn, visit RedClawMedia.com, email shawn@redclawmedia.com , or call 207-431-8012.

September’s warm days and cool nights usher in one of Mainers’ favorite activities! 2025 is going on record as a banner year to enjoy the taste of fresh picked Maine Apples at their peak of their deliciousness! After a rainy spring, the weather over the summer has cooperated to plump up the juiciest of early Macintosh, Cortland, Honey Crisp, and a variety of heirloom varieties. Apple trees across Maine are getting ready to showcase their bounty and treat us to the sweetest pies, cobbler, apple crisp, applesauce and of course freshly mulled apple cider. Maine orchards offer a range of apple picking experiences. Visit many local orchards to enjoy corn mazes, direct in orchard picking, cornhole, pumpkin picking, or strolling through the sunflower gardens. Having an afternoon adventure in one of Maine’s scenic orchards, results in bushels of delicious apples to take home. Apples are always a favorite in kids’ lunch boxes and desserts. Apple pies, apple crisp, baked apples, or homemade applesauce will bring joy to everyone! Be sure to check out our “What About Maine? Food for You & ME?” feature in our September issue for some yummy apple recipes! Maine Apple season ushers us into fall. We’re ready once again to wear our favorite sweaters or flannel shirts, comfy jeans and enjoy the crisp Fall air. Maine Apple Sunday Weekend is September 13–14, a time to celebrate everything apples and Maine’s bountiful harvest. Go to www.maineapplesunday.com for a list of Maine apple orchards.

The 63rd Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass Festival is Maine’s Premier Bluegrass Event of the Year! It is located at the Litchfield Fairgrounds in Litchfield Maine. This twice a year festival brings traditional Bluegrass music with the down home flavor. They welcome visitors and musicians alike to this family friendly atmosphere that enriches all who step onto the Blistered Fingers festival grounds. This year, Greg and Sandy Cormier, the founders and producers of Blistered Fingers Productions, Inc. and members of the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame, worked their magic to bring you Grand Ole Opry stars, and top nationally known artists from throughout New England and across the country. Each day brings a variety of fan-favorite bluegrass musicians, including Maine’s own The Katahdin Valley Boys, Back Woods Road and of course, the host band Blistered Fingers. Rhonda Vincent & The Rage are members of The Grand Ole Opry. They are highlighting Friday night’s main event along with the Dave Adkins Band from Kentucky and the Seth Sawyer Band from Vermont. This secure venue offers musicians, and fans alike the opportunity to share on-site camping and evening musical impromptu jamming sessions. The festival grounds are handicap accessible and offer indoor bathroom facilities and free hot showers. A large event tent allows the music to flow rain or shine. Also a large variety of vendors are on site. It’s the perfect venue to come for a day or enjoy the whole week of music, friends and family. Early bird camping opens Sunday, August 17 at 8am for a small fee of $10 a day Sunday till Wednesday. A one-time electrical hook-up fee of $35 covers your entire stay which is a first come basis. The four-day $100/person weekend pass covers camping and music starting Thursday till Sunday. Children 16 and under are FREE with an accompanying paying adult ticket. Day passes are available as well. Thursday evening 4pm till 9 pm – $25 per person. Friday and Saturday 10 am till 9pm – $40 per person each day. Blistered Fingers Family Bluegrass festival offers a free Sunday morning gospel sing-a-long and jam to end the festival weekend. Dogs are welcome, but they are not allowed in the concert are. There is a $10 per dog fee for the entire stay. See their website www.blisteredfingers.com for more details or you can also call (207) 873-6539 or email them at blist-f@blisteredfingers.com. The FREE Kids Academy holds a three-day workshop hosted by Mama Beth Revels and her helpers. They instruct youngsters with musical ambitions and a wide variety of skills by working together to perform their won concert on Saturday afternoon. Beginners are welcomed and encouraged to join in. Every child will receive a FREE Blistered Fingers Kids Academy T-Shirt. Sandy and Greg Cormier and the family say, “Don’t just hear about it – COME EXPERIENCE IT!” Don’t forget your chairs. What About Maine? and Blistered Fingers Productions, Inc. are offering a chance to win a pair of 1 day passes on our Facebook page. Sign up and follow us for a chance to win!

The 2025 Windsor Fair Begins A Day Early! Enjoy an extra day of fun! Saturday, August 23rd, the Windsor Fair opens with a full day of activities. Now showcasing ten spectacular days of down home farm and family hospitality. Mainers have enjoyed the Windsor Fair experience since1889! Back in the early years, farm families brought their prize crops, cattle, sheep, horses, hand made quilts,and home-made pies to this nine day celebration. They arrived by horse and buggy. Today farmers and families enjoy many of the same aspects of the fair with the 21st century conveniences. The Windsor Fair’s “Historical Village” showcases working cooper and blacksmith shops, saw mill, and sugar house. You can learn how Maine maple syrup is made. It is well worth the walk down memory lane. The grandkids will be amazed! The Windsor Fair is Maine’s second largest agricultural fair. They proudly showcase all things summer! You will find youth horse and cattle judging the first weekend, plus a variety of oxen and horse pulls, prize-winning steers, lambs, goats, donkeys, chickens, and everyone’s favorite pig scrambles. Each day presents a variety of choices to satisfy everyone ‘s interests. You can spend the afternoon in the grandstands watching harness racing, playing beano in the beano hall, or strolling down the giant midway enjoying fair food and rides. Every evening brings a variety of Maine’s premium entertainment options. Saturday’s opening night highlights Runnin’ Down A Dream – The Tom Petty Tribute Band in the grandstand from 7:30–9:00 pm. Sunday brings fair favorite demolition derby #1 at 7pm and derby #2 on Thursday evening. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday’s offerings are Maine State truck and tractor pulls at 6:30 each night. Labor Day weekend begins with a bang. It features the Hurricane Mountain Band on Friday 7:30–9pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. Saturday evening highlights Lexi James & the Wildheart Band at 7:30 in the grandstand. Sunday offers the Black Cat Hell Drivers Stunt Auto Thrill Show at 7:30 in the Grandstand. Other Maine bands and entertainment will be scattered throughout the fairgrounds in different venues and times. Please check the daily schedule for all of the many different events across the venue. Tom Foster, President of the Windsor Fair for the past 32 years, has retired. In December 2024, the Windsor Fair Board of Trustees met and elected Dan Foster the new Windsor Fair President. Fair organizers feel adding an extra day is one way to increase fair goers pleasure. They love everything agricultural and encourage Maine youth to showcase the love and care of their animals. Their hard work will create confidence and teamwork skills that Maine youngsters will need for future life projects! In 2023, the first Miss Windsor Fair Apple Queen was crowned. Aaliyah Wright is the 2024 Apple Queen. She has enjoyed her reign with the opportunity to visit other state fairs. She and other members of her court have encouraged new applicants to participate in this year’s contest. The new Apple Queen will be crowned on Thursday, August 28th at 6:00pm on the entertainment stage. This year’s fair offers fun for everyone in the family! Enjoy the Kora Clowns or the Down East Brass Band as they stroll through the fairgrounds bringing smiles to fair goers. Before summer is over, enjoy a day or 10 days of a truly Maine fair experience. Bring the family, meet old friends and support Maine businesses. Parents can watch the horses run and let the kids enjoy the midway. The Windsor Fair 2025 offers a vision of “Maine: The Way Life is Today!” www.windsorfair.com

This story starts in the summer of 2011 in Fairfield, Maine. Two young friends, Isaiah and Parker, spent their childhood riding bikes, fishing, and exploring the neighborhood. At just 7 or 8 years old, they were inseparable, until Parker had to move away. Isaiah helped Parker’s family pack and rode his bike alongside their moving truck, all the way to the highway. It was a tough goodbye. Years passed and life got busy. But in the summer of 2022, fate brought them back together. They took a road trip from Maine to Florida, then Dallas, reigniting their friendship for good. By then, Isaiah had started Goldsmith’s Landscaping in Fairfield. Known for attention to detail and creative outdoor designs, he and his team are among the youngest in the business, delivering high-quality results on every project. From cozy homes to large commercial properties, their work speaks for itself. At the same time, Parker was gaining valuable experience that led him to launch Maple Street Moving Company, offering efficient and affordable moving services. Whether across town or across the country, Parker and his team rent U-Hauls, handle all the logistics, and cater to both residential and commercial customers. They’ve also launched a popular new service: JUNK REMOVAL, helping customers clear garages, basements, or old appliances with ease. Parker has also worked closely with contractors, developers, and landlords—moving entire households and managing site cleanups quickly and efficiently. No matter the job size, he brings a calm and capable presence to every challenge. Together, Isaiah and Parker have teamed up once again—this time to transform outdoor spaces. With big plans for 2026, they’re combining landscaping and moving services to support growing families, seniors, and businesses with practical, beautiful solutions. Giveaway Alert! To celebrate, What About Maine? and Maple Street Moving Company are giving away five $100 gift cards for any junk removal project you may need. Enter both contests for a chance to win! 2 Gift Cards for Our Magazine Readers 3 Gift Cards for Our Facebook followers Isaiah and Parker are “two twenty-somethings on a mission”—working hard and giving back to their community every month. If you’re looking to upgrade your garden, or design a patio or walkway, Goldsmith’s Landscaping offers free consultations and top-tier service. Follow their journeys and see more on their Facebook pages and websites! FB.com/GoldsmithsLandscaping • goldsmithlandscaping@gmail.com • 207-313-2164 MapleStreetMoving.com • maplestreetmoving@gmail.com • 207-450-0712

Looking to make memories with friends and family or to cross items off your bucket list? North Country Rivers has what you are looking for! Offering experiences from fly-fishing and moose watching tours to rafting and ATV-ing coupled with on-site camping and lodging and a full service restaurant and pub there is something for everyone in your party. Located in Bingham, North Country Rivers, offers three different rafting trips. From May 3rd-October 12th you can raft the Kennebec River; no experience needed. From June 1st-October 12th the “world-class” Penobscot River can be run for 6-hours. And on only 8 days out of the year folks can raft the Dead River which flows from Flagstaff Lake. All raft trips are guided, with one guide per boat. Rafters are transported by bus to the drop-off sites while staff make jokes, point out beautiful views, and talk about local history (you may or may not learn about hidden treasure still yet to be found). While on the river your guide will instruct you on how to best maneuver the river, give you tips and tricks for class 4 or 5 rapids, stop to offer photo-ops at waterfalls, and offer for you to float once the river calms. Once back in Bingham, you might notice that their 60-Acres are located right “on” the Maine ATV trail system. Riders may opt to ride toward The Forks, Shirley Mills, Kingsbury, Brighton, or Harmony. Others might choose to visit Moxie Falls, Moxie Pond, Kingsbury Pond, Wentworth Pond, or cross the lower portion of Wyman Lake. Not sure which route to take? Want to explore all the great spots? All while not feeling crunched for time? North Country Rivers’ lodging and camping options will allow you and your party to slow down, relax, and take it all in. They offer 7 different forms of lodging/camping ranging in size based on your needs and preferences. The Bigelow, Kennebec, and Flagstaff cabins are fully furnished with kitchens and bathrooms, and offer Wi-Fi; respectively ranging in size from 600 square feet (2-8 guests) to 2300 square feet (8-36 guests). The Cabin Tents house 4-8 guests while offering electricity, running water, air conditioning, and firepits. The Bunkhouse Cabins hold up to 8 guests with air conditioning. Tent style camping is based on your party size and located in the trees along the south side of their resort. Both the Bunkhouse and Tent campers have walking access to showers, bathrooms, and changing rooms. RV Campers can access water, electricity, cable, and Wi-Fi as well as washrooms and other amenities. Want something a little more low-key than rafting or ATV-ing? North Country Rivers offers guided Moose and Wildlife Watching tours from May 12th-September 21st (excluding Fridays and Saturdays). Inflatable kayak (Funyak) trips are also offered and are an easy to master activity for those looking for some fun on the water without all the rapids. Looking to dust off your tackle box? The Kennebec River is full of Rainbow Trout, Landlocked Atlantic Salmon, Chain Pickerel, Smallmouth Bass, and Largemouth Bass. Looking to fill time while your friends and family are out adventuring? North Country Rivers has a 9-hole Disc Golf course on site (FREE for guests with on-site packages). North Country Rivers has a number of activities to excite your whole party this summer, but they are open all year round. Come winter they simply shift from focusing on rafting and camping to accommodating snowmobilers with rentals, lodging, and food available every day. Whether you plan to visit this summer or wait for the temps to drop, North Country Rivers is ready to meet you and your guests. Give their friendly team a call today at 1-800-348-8871 or visit their website NorthCountryRivers.com for more information!