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Foliage Report for October 2, 2019: Peak Conditions Occurring in Northern Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine - This week's fall foliage report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry reports low-to-moderate conditions throughout many parts of Maine. Portions of the western mountains are experiencing high color, with peak conditions occurring in northern Maine.
Typically, northern Maine (zones 6 and 7) reaches peak conditions the last week of September into the first week of October. The rest of the states progression of color will start occurring from north to south in mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak conditions mid-to-late October.
"While we are seeing peak conditions in northern Maine and high color in portions of the western mountains, colors are still emerging on a daily basis in central and coastal regions of the state," noted Gale Ross, fall foliage coordinator. Weather going forward includes seasonal day and cooler nighttime temperatures, which brings about the brilliant autumn colors that we all longingly wait for this time of year, noted Ross.
Capture the growing foliage by partaking in one of the many activities taking place this weekend, including Maine Craft Weekend, a statewide tour of Maine craft studios, breweries and businesses and a number of special events.
On the coast, the 21st Annual Freeport Fall Festival is taking place October 5-7. Sample and vote for Freeports best chowder, enjoy a juried art show and listen to live music. Inland, the Maine Forest and Logging Museum will host their most popular event of the year, Living History Days, this Saturday and Sunday at Leonards Mills in Bradley. Participants will witness re-enactors with livestock, a restored steam powered Lombard log hauler and historic demonstrations, and enjoy refreshments including fresh-pressed cider and bean-hole beans.
Looking ahead to the long Columbus Day weekend, make plans for the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta or Acadias Oktoberfest.
Based on the current high-color foliage reported, this weeks touring suggestion features Maines Lakes and Mountains, the western region of the state. Make your way to Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway following Routes 17 and 4 for mountainous vistas and lake views. This 52-mile drive wraps around Rangeley Lake and follows the ridgeline of the Appalachian Mountains before dropping into rolling hills and valleys. Plan a stop at the Height of Land, a scenic lookout on Route 17 with views of Mooselookmeguntic and Upper Richardson lakes. For outdoor lovers looking for a moderate hike, try the two-mile trail up Bald Mountain in Oquossoc. Pack a picnic for the top where you will be greeted by 360-degree views of the region.
Autumn enthusiasts can visit the state's official foliage website at www.mainefoliage.com to sign up to receive weekly reports by email, and can share their photos from throughout the state as the progression of color begins. Our Facebook page will include statewide events taking place throughout the foliage season, and our Instagram account (@mainefoliage) will also feature colorful fall shots. For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com.
Take Precautions Against Browntail Moth Hairs When Working Outdoors
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Maine Forest Service (MFS), and 211 Maine remind the public that browntail moth hairs remain in the environment and can get stirred up during fall yardwork. Tiny hairs shed by the caterpillars can cause a skin reaction similar to poison ivy. They can also cause trouble breathing and other respiratory problems.
The caterpillars are active from April to late June/early July.
"While browntail moth caterpillars might not be as noticeable at this time of the year, their hairs remain toxic and in the environment for one to three years," said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. "It is important that Mainers take the proper prevention measures when working outside this fall."
The hairs can lose toxicity over time. Hairs blow around in the air and fall onto leaves and brush. Mowing, raking, sweeping, and other activities can cause the hairs to become airborne and result in skin and breathing problems.
To protect yourself from browntail moth hairs while working outdoors:
- Wear:
- A long-sleeve shirt
- Long pants
- Goggles
- A dust mask/respirator
- A hat
- A disposable coverall
- Rake or mow when the ground is wet to prevent hairs from becoming airborne.
- Cover your face and tightly secure clothing around the neck, wrists, and ankles.
- Do not rake, mow the lawn, or use leaf blowers on dry days.
- Use pre-contact poison ivy wipes to help reduce hairs sticking into exposed skin.
- Take extra care when working under decks or in other areas that are sheltered from rain.
- Take cool showers and change clothes after outdoor activities to wash off any loose hairs.
- Use caution with firewood stored in areas with browntail moths, especially when bringing it indoors.
Most people affected by the hairs develop a localized rash that lasts for a few hours up to several days. In more sensitive people, the rash can be severe and last for weeks. Hairs can also cause trouble breathing, and respiratory distress from inhaling the hairs can be serious. The rash and difficulty breathing result from both a chemical reaction to a toxin in the hairs and a physical irritation as the barbed hairs become stuck in the skin and airways.
There is no specific treatment for the rash or breathing problems caused by browntail moth hairs. Treatment is focused on relieving symptoms.
For more information:
Maine Forest Service's browntail moth exposure risk map (PDF)
Join us for Votes for Women : A Collaborative Encounters Series
Join the Maine State Archives, The Maine State Library, and the Maine State Museum for a Collaborative Encounters event. Several events, most to be held at the Maine State Library, mark the anniversary of women's right to vote and the museum's exhibition Women's Long Road - 100 Years to the Vote. All events are free and open to the public.
- LECTURE: Thursday, October 3, at 5:30 p.m. A Woman's Place is in the House and in the Senate: The Life and Legacy of Margaret Chase Smith Margaret Chase Smith Library Director David Richards provides insights on the trailblazing work of Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith.
- FAMILY EVENT: Saturday, October 5 at 11:00 a.m. STAND UP & SPEAK UP: A Portland Stage PLAY Program. Actors teach K-5 children and their adults to use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to build understanding, encourage literacy, and bring stories to life. Honoring the fight for women's suffrage this series will explore how every person can make a difference in the world by standing up and speaking up for what they believe in, from small acts of kindness to big acts of activism.
- LECTURE: Thursday, November 7 at 5:30 p.m. Rose Schneiderman Author Annie Valliere presents a lecture about her great-aunt, labor activist and suffragist Rose Schneiderman, one of the few non-native-born, working-class women traveling the country to speak about women's suffrage.
- DRAMATIC READING: Thursday, November 14, at 5:30 p.m. Perseverance Portland Stage presents a special preview and reading of scenes from a new suffrage-themed play by Maine playwright Callie Kimball.
Each Collaborative Encounters event will begin with an opportunity to visit and view the museum's exhibition Women's Long Road 100 Years to the Vote. For Questions about Collaborative Encounters Programming, please contact 207.287.2301
The Maine State Museum is open Tuesday through Friday 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for senior adults over age 62 and children 6-18 years of age; children under 6 free. Maximum charge for families is $10. For more information please call 207-287-2301, or visit the Maine State Museum website: www.mainestatemuseum.org
Over $10 million Dollars Left on the Table by Maine College Students in 2018!
FAME plans outreach efforts to help students apply for financial aid that doesn't have to be repaid!
According to Nerdwallet.com, 2,595 Maine students left $10,017,502 in Pell Grants (federal student loans that don’t need to be paid back) on the table for the 2018-2019 academic year because they did not complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Only 63% of Maine high school seniors completed the FAFSA, the federal application that college, universities, and trade schools use to determine student eligibility for federal financial aid, according to the Finance of Authority (FAME).
“Unfortunately, many families mistakenly believe they won’t be eligible for federal financial aid, so they don’t fill out the FAFSA, leaving potentially significant grant money on the table or missing out on financial aid all together,” said Martha Johnston, FAME Director of Education.
In addition to the FAFSA being the application for federal aid, the FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for the Maine State Grant, and most schools also use the FAFSA to determine eligibility for their own financial aid funds. “We want to encourage every Maine family sending a child off to college, trade or technical school to complete the FAFSA. Any amount of financial aid can make a big difference and applying for financial aid is one of the best ways to reduce student loan debt,” added Johnston.
The average student debt in Maine is $31,000 per student, and 56 percent of Maine students graduate with debt.
On Tuesday, October 1, 2019, the FAFSA for the 2020-2021 school year will become available to families at FAFSA.gov.
“We encourage Maine families to complete the FAFSA as soon as they can – in fact we like to tell families to do it in October when it becomes available – because aid eligibility is different for every school and financial aid may disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis,” noted Johnston.
Statewide Help Sessions
Over the last fifteen years, FAME has hosted free statewide in-person help sessions for families. At those events, families can sit with an experienced FAME representative and fill out the FAFSA together. This year, fourteen sessions are scheduled throughout the state from October 10 to October 29. A complete list of dates and locations is available here: https://www.famemaine.com/events/categories/fafsa/
If families are not able to attend the in-person help sessions, FAME also offers online support at FAMEmaine.com. Families can also call 1-800-228-3734 with questions.
For those families attending the in-person help sessions, FAME recommends bringing the following information:
- FSA ID – this user name and password is needed to access all Federal Student Aid websites, including the FAFSA. We recommend the student and one parent create it ahead of time at fsaid.ed.gov.
- Social Security numbers (SSN) for student and parents
- 2018 Federal Income Tax Returns, including all schedules and W2s
- Current asset information for student and parents
Facebook Live Sessions
Mila Tappan, manager of FAME’s CAFE (College Access and Financial Aid) Team, returns to Facebook Live to talk about filing the FAFSA. Mila was joined by Mary Dyer, Financial Education Officer at FAME on September 16th. On October 7th, Mila and Nikki Vachon, College Access Counselor at FAME will be back with some more tips and tools. These Facebook Live sessions will help parents and students with the various stages of completing the FAFSA and answer questions in real-time.
The Don’t Fear the FAFSA Facebook Live events will air on the following Mondays at 7 PM. Dates and themes for each event are:
Monday, September 16th at 7PM – What is the FAFSA & How to Get Prepared
Monday, October 7th at 7PM – Filling out the FAFSA: Tips and Tools
The session recordings can be found at https://www.facebook.com/FAME.Education/
About the Finance Authority of Maine [FAME]:
FAME is a quasi-independent state agency that provides innovative financial solutions to help Maine citizens pursue business and educational opportunities. FAME helps to lead the creation of good paying jobs for Maine citizens by working at the nexus between economic and workforce development. To learn more about FAME, please visit FAMEmaine.com.
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