Author Archives | Olivia Ridenour

Horoscopes for the week of September 25 to 29 , 2023

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

You may be lacking confidence at the moment. While you still strive to get things done, you may not have had the initial impact you wanted and now are shaken. Trust in yourself. Trust in what you need done.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

Right now, you need to change something in your life. You can get stuck in your own ways while still wondering why you can’t get anywhere. Don’t look out to solve problems but instead look inward and ask yourself what you can do to change.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

Now is a good time to get people to listen to what you have to say. Communication may be one of your strong suits and now’s the time to play into that. If something needs to be said, be the one to act.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

Think about your emotional needs. Try to connect with yourself and ask what you need to address. Don’t keep everything bottled up and instead make a plan to deal with the negative stuff.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

You may be having trouble being yourself in relationships. Once you’re in a place of not wanting to be open, it can be hard to change that. Trust that your friends and loved ones want to see the real you and don’t be afraid to reach out to them.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

Now is the time to create plans and set them into action. You have everything you need to get stuff done, including the brainpower. Don’t let life get past you and jump on the opportunity to get ahead.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

While you may feel a vote of self-confidence, don’t let this distract you from seeing outside of yourself. Embrace good internal feelings but don’t blind yourself to others and those who might not feel the same.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

You may be running headfirst into something you aren’t entirely sure about. This doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing, just that you should take a second to stop and consider what you want. Change can be scary whether it’s good or not.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

Now is a time to proceed with caution. Give yourself some leeway and don’t save assignments for the last second. You never know when something might crop up, so be prepared.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

You may be having trouble connecting with your emotions right now. Don’t try to force yourself into feeling a certain way. That’s not going to end well in the long run. Know when you need to move on from something that isn’t working.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb.19)

While you may want to consider yourself inflexible and unphased, this mindset may lead you to being blindsided by your own feelings. Emotions have a way of catching up when you least expect – or want – them.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

Your heart may be outweighing your ability to act right now. There’s a lot you want to do for the world, and for others, but you might not have time for it all. Do what good you can and let that be enough.

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Horoscopes for the week of September 18 to 22 , 2023

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Something may have struck your confidence lately. As everything around you seems to move backwards, try and keep your head held high and power through. Don’t forget what drives you.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

You may be finding it hard to be yourself and that you are not being appreciated by those around you. Don’t put too much power in others’ opinions. Pamper yourself and do what you need to feel good about yourself.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

While your head is clear and the path may be laid out for you, it’s up to you to choose what to do. Nothing is going to push you forward, nor will it hold you back. If you want something, choose it.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

You may find your mood falling during the coming week. While it may seem easy to fixate on these negative emotions, try not to let them rule you. Talk to someone, or do what makes you happy.

Leo (July 22 to Aug.23)

Enjoy when things are going well. It can be hard when things don’t want to work out, especially when you have to adapt to it, so don’t take the peace for granted.

Virgo (Aug.24 to Sept.23)

This is a great time to try and get your thoughts out there, especially when it’s something personal. Don’t be afraid to open up and communicate. Things can’t be left unsaid forever.

Libra (Sept.24 to Oct.23)

Keep your head held high and say what needs to be said. Don’t let people walk over you. Even if you think it may cause some strife, some things need to be put out there.

Scorpio (Oct.24 to Nov.22)

Things may not feel great right now. You may feel like your progress is being undone or that your confidence is wavering. Try to power through, it will all even out eventually.

Sagittarius (Nov.23 to Dec.21)

You may feel like things are happening without you right now. While you’re ready to do things, you may not be involved as much as you wish to be. Sometimes you need to wait for those around you to take notice.

Capricorn (Dec.21 to Jan.20)

You may be putting restrictions on yourself, even if you aren’t aware you’re doing it. Reassess what you’re capable of. It may not be comfortable for you to push yourself but you can’t grow if you don’t first step out of your comfort zone.

Aquarius (Jan.21 to Feb.19)

You may feel like you’re just blending into the crowd right now, with nothing to make you stand out. This can be both good and bad, as you have found a comfort zone with those around you, but you aren’t willing to truly be yourself. Embrace what makes you different.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

You may find yourself in a questioning state, unsure if your choices are correct or not. Understand that you can’t know everything. No one expects you to have all the answers. Try your best to be true to your ideals, even if they get thrown into question.

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Horoscopes for the week of September 10 to 15, 2023

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Look for a sense of inner balance in the coming weeks. While you may have jumped headfirst into the new semester, now it is time to settle into a routine and find some stability. Remember to stop and think and not just work off instinct.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

Remember to be yourself when dealing with others. Don’t try to bend to what others want you to be. Show off what makes you you, and good things are sure to follow. Be bold if you have to.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

You may be having trouble balancing practicality and reason with your emotions. It can be hard to be tugged in these two opposite directions. While you may want to adapt and please everyone, don’t forget to be true to yourself.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

You may find yourself fluctuating between wanting to close yourself off and open up to others. It can be hard to open up, especially when you’ve been hurt by others in the past. Don’t let your past define you though. Be ready to push yourself.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

You may be stuck in a particular line of thinking. While it’s good to stick to your beliefs, don’t blind yourself to the facts or other possibilities. Be ready to admit when you’re wrong, even when it may hurt to do so.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

You may find yourself having a mental block. You might become frustrated when you try to talk to others or think a problem through, as you come up to a mental brick wall. Don’t try and force your way through but find ways around it. Explain things in a different way. Sleep on a problem. Remember it doesn’t all have to make sense right this second.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

Put your best foot forward. Now is the time to try and get involved with others. Have confidence in yourself and what you bring to the table. You may find yourself brimming with the desire to get out there, and you shouldn’t be afraid to do so.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

You may find yourself feeling frustrated. While you want to move forward with a project or improve yourself, something always seems to get in the way. Don’t let yourself get swept up in things not going your way. Have patience.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

Be ready to find alternate solutions. Sometimes it’s plain old bad luck that will get in your way. Try not to be so stuck on one path and be willing to seek out a new one when yours gets tough. There’s no harm in switching gears.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

Be ready to go with the flow. While you may want to be the one in control, things won’t always work that way. Sometimes you’re going to get swept up. Listen to your emotions and go easy on yourself.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

You may find yourself feeling lost. While you try to stay true to yourself, something might have shaken your view. It’s time to look inward and take the time to assess who it is you want to be.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

While you pride yourself on being able to help others, you may have reached a limit. You don’t always have to have the solution for others, or be the one to help out. Know when it’s okay to say no or when something is above you. Put yourself first.

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Horoscopes for the week of April 24 to 28, 2023

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Even as things feel rough, try to push through. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you and keep a clear head. Things will go well for you, so just try to quell your anxieties.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

You may find yourself being more self-centered than is best for you. While it is good to think of oneself and well-being, you may find your ego in the way and are unable to communicate with others because of this. Take a step back and reflect.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

You may find your relationships with others to be dependent on your moods. As your emotions change, your opinions on others might too, and this can cause strife. Try to reach out so others know what you’re thinking. 

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

Be confident in the things you feel. Follow your gut and try to stand your ground against other’s thoughts. Bring energy and others will follow you.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

Try to indulge yourself and your own needs. Now is a good time to treat yourself and make sure you’re in a good headspace for the coming times. 

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

It may be hard to feel in control at times. While there may be chaos in your life, try to compensate by doing what you can. Give yourself room for error and plan ahead. Now isn’t the time to procrastinate.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

You may find yourself busy in the coming times and this can cause you to have trouble with others. Being busy can disrupt your ability to hang out with friends. Try to find a balance between your work and social life. Don’t trap yourself in isolation.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

Try to keep yourself in an optimistic mindset. As you go about your life, try not to get in your own way. Don’t isolate yourself in your emotions and try to put yourself out there, even when it’s hard.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

Be bold in yourself and your energy. Don’t stress hard about the little things and try to look at a bigger picture. Be assertive about things you like and want, without feeling like you have to change for others.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

Try not to take too much onto your plate. As things get busy, look for time to yourself. Don’t get bogged down and lose your energy. Know when enough is enough.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

Now is the time to be independent and self-expressing. Be empowered in what you feel and let it show. While it can be easy to reflect those around you, try to keep hold of your true self.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

Give everything your all in the coming weeks. Show your creative side and don’t be afraid to push your own boundaries. While you do have limitations, don’t let yourself be confined; test them.

 

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Horoscopes for the week of April 17 to 21, 2023

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Push yourself to grow emotionally in the coming times. If you feel that you’re in a decent spot materially, take this time to self-reflect and check in with yourself. Mental health is important.

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

You may find yourself getting busy in the coming time. Torn between responsibilities involving others and personal goals, speak up when you need a break. It’s okay to set boundaries.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

Now is a great time to practice self-love. Things may get hectic and stressful; be sure to balance that out with me-time and mental check-ins. Go with the flow but don’t get caught up in everything.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

You may encounter a burst of energy and passion in the coming time. Don’t fight it and go with whatever you want to do in the moment. It’s okay to let go once in a while and it may end up being productive.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

Things may be going steady for you. You may feel good with who you are right now and are able to act as a source of stability for others. While there’s always room for growth, it can be nice to be the one people rely on.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

You may need to be a voice of reason when talking or planning with others. While it’s easy to go with a group and be flexible, make sure things are still practical. If you’re the organized one in the group, don’t be afraid to embrace that.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

Try to take the initiative when talking with others. If things aren’t feeling right or if you just feel like checking in on someone, be the one to text first. Don’t be afraid to show others you care or make changes where needed.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

You may be a bit stubborn in your ways. Try to think things through and reflect on where you should change, for both yourself and others. Be yourself, but know when you’re just causing yourself harm.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

While you may want to go full speed ahead, limitations and other parts of your life may get in the way. Take a second to slow down and breathe. Think things over and try an emotional lens if needed.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

You may be feeling empowered in your ideas and want to push yourself. Try new things and experiment. Not everything needs to be a saferoute and you may just find things going even better than you expected.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

You may find that your strongest power is the one to keep stable and calm even in stressful situations. Keep an even head and think things through, acting as a stable presence for others. Don’t let yourself get too caught up in things.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

You may find yourself in a situation where your emotions fluctuate. While others form strong thoughts, you may be closer to the middle. While it’s good to be able to see and understand both sides, be ready when you have to make a decision.

 

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Horoscopes for the week of April 3 to 7, 2023

Aries (March 21 to April 20)

Put your best foot forward in the coming week. Think about how you can drive those you work with and be the best leader you can be. 

Taurus (April 21 to May 20)

As you go into group efforts, try to balance your own creativity and ideas with the need to get along with others. Try to keep things balanced and calm, not just for yourself but for those around you.

Gemini (May 21 to June 22)

You may find that things are going to calm down soon. While things have been fierce and hectic, you are approaching a time of calm. Try to push through.

Cancer (June 23 to July 21)

You may find you have a lot of energy. Try to keep things looking up and go with the flow. Don’t get brought down by the little things.

Leo (July 22 to Aug. 23)

Embrace your feelings in the time to come. Allow yourself to react emotionally and try to drive yourself to create change where it is needed. It’s okay to put yourself first so long as you aren’t needlessly harming others.

Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept. 23)

You may find your mental state starting to balance out. Try to do things for your own well-being. Treat yourself. While you may try to rationalize everything, know that some things need an emotional approach.

Libra (Sept. 24 to Oct. 23)

Try to channel your inner balance in the time to come. Even if life throws stressful things your way, breathe through it and do what you need to keep your cool.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 to Nov. 22)

You may find yourself acting as a rock, even if things are chaotic around you. While your emotions may start to get the best of you later on, do what you can to help others along the way. You may need to think outside the box, so be ready to innovate with your thinking.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 to Dec. 21)

Try to keep your emotions in check in the times to come. While you may feel passions pulling you in a million different directions, try to think through things and follow a single path.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 to Jan. 20)

While you’re usually a rational person, sometimes you might get fired up about something. This isn’t a bad thing, but know when you’re taking it too far. Don’t get caught up in the moment

Aquarius (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)

Once you’ve put your mind to something, you will go for it. Look for ways to apply this to your mental health and self-betterment. You deserve to enjoy the things around you. You may feel drawn to help others, but it’s important to help yourself too.

Pisces (Feb. 20 to March 20)

You may find yourself put between a rock and a hard place. Don’t overbook yourself. While you may want to do everything and help everyone who needs it, know when it’s too much. Be realistic about what you’re able to do and prioritize what is most important to you.

 

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YOUMaine: Hannah Dodson’s creates PuppAR web app

Hannah Dodson is a fourth year at the University of Maine. She is a new media and graphic design student.

“I was originally looking for graphic design but we only have a minor so I was looking for something to fit with that. New media sounded interesting,” Dodson said.

Dodson is originally from Virginia and came to Maine after she graduated high school. She attended Kennebec Valley Community College before transferring to UMaine in 2019. 

For her capstone project, she has been developing a web app called PuppAR. The app is meant to be a virtual pet dog. In the app, users are given a virtual dog they can move around and change the size of. Using augmented reality, the dog will appear in the view given by a phone camera. There’s a button that has the dog cycle through a number of animations. In addition, there are four interactive images that can be accessed through the paper flyers Dodson printed out. There is a water bowl, a food bowl, a rope to play with, and a bed. When hovering the camera over the target images, they appear as AR images for the dog to use. Dodson recognizes that her project is far from perfect.

“I’m trying to upgrade it right now to have more interactions, outside of just hitting the button,” Dodson said.

Dodson is also working to add an editable name display, as well as new color patterns for the dog. It will be the same model, however she can add different color fur as well as pattern to the colors. Different breeds of dogs is a goal that is too far for her to reach at the moment. 

Dodson’s flyers, which include instructions, the QR code for the web app and the QR code for the feedback survey, can be found on tables in the IMRC building. She is working on spreading it around more.

In working on the project, Dodson went through many iterations of what she thought she would like to do for a project. Originally, Dodson had wanted to create a social media for dogs.

“Trying to maintain a social media for dogs was way too complicated,” Dodson said.

Her second idea was a step-tracking app with Pokemon Go-like AR features. She realized holding your phone out while trying to walk would be inconvenient. 

Dodson has a background with mobile design and thus wanted to try something involving a web app, which is what she’s working on now. According to Dodson, it’s best when a senior capstone is also a passion project.

In designing the app, Dodson has spread posters that contain a QR code to visit the web app. There is also a google form where people can give feedback on the web app.

“A really big part of this deployment phase is getting feedback. So far I’ve gotten around 20 responses,” said Dodson.

Dodson’s deployment phase will be going until around the second week of April. 

“We’ve extended the date so originally it was supposed to be done like now but now we have more time,” Dodson said. “The model now is one I’ve purchased. I tried to make my own but it was very hard.”

Dodson noted that she wanted a model with the familiarity of someone’s own dog. She emphasized that one reason for the app is as a replacement pet for people who can’t take care of one.

“Just sort of the idea of having a pet that you can take with you and not have the restraints of a real one,” Dodson said.

Dodson plans to reach out to senior living and assisted living centers to see what they think of the app. The QR Code can be found here.

 

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How-to sign up for classes

It’s that time of year again: time to sign up for next semester’s classes. For those who may not have this down to a T yet, here’s some advice on getting your schedule lined up.

  1. Get yourself over to your MaineStreet Student Center. For the new Student Center, click on enrollment and then Shopping Cart. In classic MaineStreet this was the wishlist. 
  2. Get to the right semester and go to class search. It can be daunting to have the entire University of Maine catalog of classes to sort through. Remember that UMaine has a catalog of majors and minors, which will tell you exactly what courses you need to take. It also has a recommended timeline of when you should take what classes, broken down by semester. If you’re not sure what credits you have to have, this can be a helpful tool. It also lets you click on each course and get a description of it. 
  3. In addition to required courses, your schedule may have room for electives. This catalog can be a good place to find classes in your major that look interesting or a place to see other department’s offerings to add in something different. If you don’t know what your minor will be, maybe try taking things out of your wheelhouse. Try an art class. Sign on for intro to creative writing. You might find something that piques your interest, even if it isn’t directly related to your plans.
  4. Look at your required courses before fun ones. Not all courses are offered every semester, or every year, so you don’t want to miss your chance. The catalog description of courses can tell you when it’s offered if you want to double check.
  5. Remember that your advisor is there to help you. Don’t blow off that email asking you to schedule a meeting. You will need your advisor to approve your schedule before you can officially register. When making your meeting, remember that your advisor typically wants you to have some idea of your schedule going in. Don’t go to the meeting with nothing in your Shopping Cart. Even if you still need a few credits added in, try and make your advisor’s life easier and be prepared.
  6. As you get to higher level classes, some courses have prerequisites. This can be previously taken classes or permission of the department. If a class you want requires permission, send an email to the professor. They may need a portfolio of work. Once they’ve given you the okay, you should be able to add the class, if you aren’t added in automatically.
  7. Outside of these classes, there’s also the age-old problem of time management. Should you take those 8 a.m.s? Can you get Fridays off? Is fifteen minutes enough time to get across campus? Know yourself. If you aren’t a morning person, maybe don’t have 8 a.m. classes every day. If you really need lunch, try and fit in a break to grab a bite. Sometimes these things can’t be avoided but do your best to plan around what will help you be productive. Some classes will have multiple time slots so use those to your advantage. And if you’re going to have classes back-to-back, make sure you have time to get from one to the other. 
  8. Check the syllabus. If you want to know more about a class before signing on, email the professor and ask for the syllabus. While it’s not guaranteed they’ll send it to you, many will and that can give you a layout of the workload. Sometimes it’s good to ask your friends or classmates about classes. If you need a science credit and your friend said introduction to astronomy is harder than you would think, maybe don’t go in expecting an easy A. At the very least, they might be able to get you some notes or advice on what professors should be avoided.

Picking new classes can be stressful, especially as you’re still in the midst of the current semester. Remember that what you chose right now isn’t set in stone. You can change them later if something isn’t going to work.

 

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Students suggest how to celebrate women in March

Over the course of March, The University of Maine’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion is celebrating Women’s History Month with a series of programs regarding the intersectionality of women and diversity.

Anila Karunakar is the director of Diversity and Inclusion at UMaine. She emphasizes the role the student staff has in what goes on.

“This is why we have student staff. They put in proposals, what they wanna do,” Karunakar said. “It comes from the little geniuses I surround myself with.”

The ODI student lead is a semesterly position, for which anyone can apply.

The programs are open to everybody, regardless of what they identify as.

“When I say women, I mean anyone who calls themselves a woman,” Karunakar said. “It’s for anyone. I don’t think there’s a women’s-only anything right now. Because all of it is informational, all of it is an opportunity to learn.”

The ODI strives to have informational programs for all of the university, even if only small groups come.

“People who showed were mostly people who show up to all our things,” Karunakar said. “I’d love to see the staff and faculty. These programs are for all UMaine people. Students say oh, we don’t do anything, UMaine doesn’t do anything. Here’s all these people doing all this work.”

Coming back from break, the ODI has four more events for the remainder of Women’s History Month.

On March 22 is the “Call me Crazy: Identity and Emotional Invalidation” program. This program partners with Title IX and discusses how women are spoken to and how they can be invalidated by their peers. Karuknar expanded on the program.

“[It’s about] seeing how women are talked down to. When they’re really passionate and people just say oh, you’re so crazy, don’t talk about that,” Karuknar said.

On March 24 is the Black hair culture program. Titled “HAIRitage: Exploring Black Hair Culture,” the program deals with education and discussion about Black hair and the culture around it. Karuknar brought up the difficulties those with Black hair may have, even something as simple as getting hair products, that others may not understand.

On March 25 is a self-care program for students with children. The program will have space for children to have fun while parents can have time to relax, pick up a self-care kit and socialise with other parents.

The final event is “The PWI Experience with Isatu Bah” on March 31. This program is a talk about being a Black female at a Predominantly White Institution. While the ODI has a full month for Women’s History Month, Karunakar expressed the wish for more to be done for everyone.

“Ideally I would like to work myself out of a job. I would want equity in every system,” Karunakar said.

In addition to programs that are already being planned, the ODI is looking to find new ways to help students. The ODI listens to what students’ needs are and hopes to offer solutions. For instance, one of the most pressing issues on campus is students not having access to menstrual products.

The ODI is a student-led organization and does not run at the university level. It includes the Rainbow Resource Center, the Multicultural Student Center and the Intersectional Feminist Resource Center. The purpose of these centers is to provide safe spaces to minority groups on campus.

You can find the ODI on instagram @umaineodi and on their website.

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Experience the beauty of Maine’s parks

Maine features a variety of beaches and other interesting sites, many of which are open year round. Acadia National Park is a popular day trip for students. While it is relatively close to the University of Maine, it is only one of many parks located in the state.

Maine’s Popham Beach State Park is located in southern Maine. Labeled “Maine’s busiest state park beach” by Maine.gov, the park is open year round for people to come and enjoy. It features a long sand beach, although the geography of the beach often changes due to the tides. While the water is cold this time of year, the beach is open for swimming, paddling, surfing, hunting and picnicking. 

Until April 1, the beach is available for all pets so long as they are leashed. Horses are included in this, although a permit is needed. 

A number of islands are within view of the beach, making it popular for sight-seeing. One of these, Fox Island, can be walked to at low-tide. Trying to reach the island at high tide, or trying to come back after the tide comes in, is highly discouraged. If you want to walk out to the island, be aware of the time. 

In addition to Fox island, the Pond Island Lighthouse is often visible from the beach.

The park is open 9 a.m. to sunset and has a $6 entry fee for resident adults, $8 for non-residents. 

If you want more adventure, continuing on past the beach will take you to Fort Popham. The old fort is available to walk around in, and is considered a historic sight. 

Fort Popham dates back to the Civil War. Construction began on the site in 1861 and finished in 1869, leaving the structure permanently unfinished. Parking at the fort is somewhat limited, although this does not tend to be a problem in the winter months.

The park is a little over two hours south of UMaine. It is about an hour away from Portland. The park is listed as being in Phillipsburg, just south of Bath, which is also home to the Maine Maritime Museum.

Popham beach is located at the point where the Kennebec river meets the Atlantic. While the river doesn’t reach Orono, the name may be recognized from Kennebec Hall.

Popham itself lies on an outer portion of land, being a far distance from most things. If heading out for a day trip, bringing your own food is recommended. There are a few scattered restaurants about 15 minutes away and most everything else requires the 20 to 30-minute drive back towards Bath. Once in Bath, all sorts of options are available. There is a large quantity of local seafood restaurants for those interested in Maine’s specialties. 

If you want something other than seafood, Byrnes Irish Pub is a great place to grab a bite. The pub has two locations: one in Bath and the other in Brunswick. As the name suggests, their specialty lies in sandwiches and other pub favorites like poutine or bangers and mash. Fitting to their Irish heritage and themes, Byrnes is a popular place to visit on the upcoming Saint Patrick’s Day. 

Taking a different route out of Bath leads to another popular beach, Reid State Park. 

Reid State Park is temporarily closed due to construction on a new bridge. Maine.gov listed the park being closed through February at the least and gives no exact date for its reopening. 

Unlike Popham, Reid states that it allows cross-country skiing, giving an incentive to visit in the winter season once it reopens. The park has a 1.5-mile beach, allowing for a large quantity of visitors at one time.

These two state parks offer basic amenities like bathrooms and changing rooms, although they do not have any sort of food for sale. Those going should not expect to be able to get anything other than what they brought. 

While visiting in the off-season makes for an interesting and uniquely pretty sight, keep in mind that it is no warmer on the beach than it is anywhere else. The beach is often colder and windier than inland areas so remember to dress warm.

 

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