Heather Flowers-Forhan’s Contributor Profile – Associated Content

Read More

New Hampshire AMC: ‘It’s the Climb’

‘Live Free or Die’ is the New Hampshire state slogan, but it could also be ‘Life is Good’ . On any given day of the year , intrepid enthusiasts  brave the elements, moose, bear, and cougar(unsubstantiated by the state, but they’re there) to travail undistinguishable paths, vertical peaks, and  ice bridges ~ mainly because they can, but also because  the views are spectacular.

Mt. Washington is home to the worst weather on Earth (Just ask the Discovery Channel)with its peaks really only traversable in July and August. Even without reaching the peak, it would still require snowshoes and crampons to trudge through feet of snow.  To quote Hannah Montana, ‘it’s not about what’s on the other side~it’s the climb.’

AMC  is an acronym for Appalachian Mountain club.  The Main office is on Joy street in Boston.  Their main objective is to educate people not only about the dangers of the trails, but the imporance of equipment and gear. Having the gear and knowing how to use it are two different things. If you don’t know how to use your gear, you put yourself and others unnecessarily at risk.  

They also participate in bicycling, kayaking, and have recently expanded to ski trips and a ski resort to the BAMFF in Canada.

Safety in the mountains is strongly encouraged; there are paid trail guide as well as volunteer leaders who are trained in various camps and lodges throughout the year in the Spring and Winter. Each chapter emphasizes different points of safety depending on the terrain and weather condiitons of the state.

Winter trips are taken through the ‘major excursions committee ‘year round to  to Mt. Kilimanjaro (Japan), Mt. Blanc (France/Italy), and Mt. McKinley in Alaska.

 The winter mentor program takes place in the White Mountains of NH. Winter leader- officially mentored (hikes with a current class I.)  Class II leader is a 3 season – not encounter winter conditinos – June, July, August. Snow @ 3500 feet.

Class III leader – lower elevation mounains- restricted to mountains they can lead on.

One of the most underestimated trails in New Hampshire are those that traverse the Presidentials. (One person just went missing.) 48 4,000 footers in New Hampshire and the Presidentials are the eight highest peaks. They are : Madison, Adams, Washington, Eisenhower, Jackson, Pierce, Jefferson, and Monroe.

Breezy Hill Waterslides and Picnic Grounds

http://www.breezysummer.com

520 Northwest Main Street

Douglas, Massachusetts

(508)476-2664

There’s nothing like waterslides to make you feel like a kid again~weeeeeee!It is called ‘Breezy Hill’ because the breeze is constant and blows off the large lake ; perfect to cool you off on a hot day if you don’t want to get wet.  The water is pristine, the lawn full and cushiony.      
The location is immaculate and idyllic, with views of the water from all sides. There are 3 300′ ft waterslides, and one of them features a black tunnel with a dizzying drop! There is an overrall incline climb to get to the top but  the climb is worth it, as there are spectacular views; I witnessed a Great Blue Heron glide over the clear lake.

Serious speed and momentum is a factor for the bigger kids and adults, and it is an adrenalin rush that is unmatched.  Photo opportunities are not to be missed as visitors can watch outside the fenced-in area of the not-so graceful exits as you land into the water. The water is recycled from the 3″ pool at the bottom of the slides, and there is a strong current that you have to fight to get out of the pool area.

For the less young at heart that still want to enjoy sun, sand, and waves, there is a roped off area inside the lake to keep swimmers from being assaulted by Pontoon boats and ski-doos. as well as a snack and ice cream bar, game room, certified lifeguards , clean restrooms and changing facilities.

What a great place to take your family and it’s so close to Worcester!!!My only complaint is the rate to get into the park, even just to picnic, is $8.00.

Rates:

Waterslides $17.50 ($14.00 after 5 pm)

Picnic Grounds and Swimming only $8.00
 

Egg Rolls and Jazz in the heart of the Blackstone Valley

http://www.chanseggrollsandjazz.com/index.php?a=restaurant

Chan’s Oriental Restaurant

267 Main Street

Woonsocket, RI

(401)765-1900

For over 100 years, Chan’s has brought diversity to Blackstone Valley. Not your typical Chinese restaurant, eating  here is an exceptional experience. Chan’s prides itself on it’s ‘fine oriental dining’ , and it is not an exaggeration. We had the Meal for two (A) which was brought out as a 3 course sumptous Oriental feast. The appetizers of terikyaki, crab rangoon, breaded boneless chicken,  wings, and exotic sauces, were brought out first followed by three seperate silver dishes of rice, chicken with brown gravy,  and Lo Mein; for dessert we had pineapple and coffee. (Pineapple is used as a digestive , and we definitely needed it after that meal.)

I appreciated the ambience here that was distinctly Szechuan, but also surrounded by colorful paintings of famous Jazz musicians . We even were greeted by the owner, Mr. Chan himself.

The Vestibule featured autographed movie posters of Farrelly brother’s films as well as framed local and national jazz , blues, and R&B act reviews. Reservations are recommended for the plethora of lineups in June, July, August and September.

Nick’s Uber Alles!

Nick’s is a Renaissance  gem in the heart of urban Worcester. Who Knew? The entire experience is here ~ a gleaming steel coat of arms, bronze chalices,  authentic fine art reproductions, a gilded tin roof, red velvet curtains  and a grand piano.  Fresh flower bouquets  adorn the hearth and  bathrooms. For dinner, drinks, and dessert, you have your pick of authentic German cuisine. A great appetizer is  the buttery, moist homemade soft pretzel  with  chive cream cheese dip and mustard; the chives and cream cheese cool the palette from the spiciness of the mustard. The homemade German macaroni and cheese is a steamy, flavorful concoction garnished with thick Emmentaler that is creamy on the tongue ; the four cheese melts with a complex aftertaste. For a drink Pairing, try an Afflinger Blonde – Anno 1674. Also on the menu for sampling are Black Forest Noodles - fat German noodles in sweet butter with crispy bacon, carmelized onions, mushrooms and  cheese; Goulasch Mit Pilzen (Goulash with Mushrooms) slow-simmered with tomatoes, spices and Lager beer in a rich and hearty stew  over egg noodles. Sandwiches are not necessarily a lighter choice:  Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Liverwurst on light or dary rye and  Black Forest Ham / Turkey Reubens  grilled with cheese,and red onion. All sandwiches are served with side options of Sauerkraut or warmed potato salad. Don’t forget the  German Chocolate Cake for dessert.

 The ambience here is unmatched; with triangular stained glass windows, red votive candles,  and dining booths that resemble church pews, it is a spiritual experience as well.  Be sure to check out the cocktail menu ~ it’s not just the wormwood-laced Absinthe that makes it one-of-a kind.  There is non-alcoholic Sherwood Forest tea and Strongbow Cider; the Chalkboard  features Weihenstephaner Hefe Dunkel or Kristal Wussbier, and the rich German Chocolate Stout, among others.  You’ll feel like King Midas when your entree is delivered on a golden platter by servers wearing white shirts with black ties.

For a truly authentic Old Europe experience,  enjoy the Schwanze Schafe German Band featuring Ludwig and Hilda. Swig beer from Munchen and sing ‘Ein Prosit’ while your belly contracts to its normal size.

Props to Punky

http://www.punkystyle.com

http://twitter.com/TheHaberdash

In case you’ve been living under a rock lately, there is a sort of local fashion legend around the Central New England area we fondly call ‘The Haberdash’.  Hailing from Worcester and invented by Amylynn Chase(founder of punkystyle.com) ,the Haberdash is a 1954 restored Bellwood Aloha Trailer turned traveling vintage clothing store. Punky adorned the beloved Haberdash with  new hardwood floors, tile ceiling, metal fashion shoe racks, and a whole lot more folks….

Did someone say vintage? If you’re lucky, you can score your own ‘haberdash’ pin. Time to go shopping…ooh ooh ooh!Look over there!I think I saw some Sam & Libby shoes….yep.

The Blue Elephant

http://blueelephantprovidence.com/

312 Wickenden Street (Fox Point)

Providence

Question of the Day: What were the Seven greasers in the novel/movie ‘The Outsiders? Win a free DVD or graphic novel. Ah, that’s a dilemma; should I admit I don’t know the answer, or use my crackberry to cheat?

Open Mon – Sat 7-9:30; Sun 7-3

We sat by the window on a perfect day as sunshine streamed in, and watched a RIPTA trolley as it meandered by. It was an  idyllic diner setting….but this is Providence; and we were in no ordinary diner.  I asked about their ‘outrageous tattoo promotion’ ; apparently if you get a blue elephant tattooed on you, no matter how big or small, you get free coffee indefinitely. There’s a tattoo shop next door to boot;although I don’t like coffee….This is definitely my kind of greasy spoon. There are two rooms for indoor dining; one has a lending library and features framed posters of John Wayne, Howard the Duck, and Elvis Costello. Tables are lacquered in retro music, film , and comic book strips. Ambient music ranged from Dirk Dale’s ‘Misirlou’ to Black Sabbath’s ‘Hole in the Sky’ to ‘I overlooked an Orchid’ by Carl Smith. There is also an impressive collection of beatnik jewelry for sale on the walls.

A great idea that is underrated is the after hours tea party ; the space can be reserved for an adult or kid-friendly tea party complete with finger sandwiches. With gallery night the third Thursday of the month on Wickenden, this would be a great place to meetup and have a gnosh.

 The menu boasted breakfast served all day, so I tried the Calabrese  egg sandwich. With fresh basil leaves, mozzarella cheese, and a tomato the width of a portobella mushroom, I couldn’t finish the homemade onion and chive hashbrowns.  

“The Blue Elephant? Why not The Pink Elephant?” I asked…apparently the owner’s son’s favorite childhood toy was a plush blue elephant. The theme is not overly done, although there is a stained glass window of a blue elephant,and a cute collection of stuffed blue elephants on top of the cooler. They even had a blue elephant coloring contest.

Abbey Road

Armsby Abbey

144 Main Street

Worcester, MA 01608

http://www.armsbyabbey.com

I take  soup with my rainy days; Armsby Abbey’s ham and black bean soup had the consistency of chili. It was prepared with Anderson Valley Summer Solstice beer,which is a righteous ale rye IPA. 

Served with warm, crusty baguette bread,  it complemented my Weihenstapher Hefe Dunkel perfectly.

For the next course I  tried the Chimay Board ; it featured soft Chimay Bier Cheese (Belgium), artisan salami, Dr. Gonzo’s Black Fly mustard, and three little pigs cornichorns with  generous triangles of the Abbey’s own homemade baguette bread. The recommended beer was T Smis Wostyntje , but decisions are vexing here as ‘the  Abbey’ features over 130 bottled selectons w/80+ Belgian beers; they have a bottled beer with 15% alcohol. See the chalkboard for the draught list – 22 rotating craft draughts with 6 dedicated belgian draughts.  

Menu items are prepared as is, unless you have a dietary restriction or allergy. On the menu :Sandwiches, Pizza, Soup, Cheeseboards, tidbits, and dessert. Meat  is locally raised and guilt free; the chicken is free range. Everything is locally sourced from farms and co-ops in the area, and the menu will vary as the growing season progresses.

 The wine list showcases local New England wineries. The cocktail menu is dedicated to righteous ’spring’ cocktails, twisted classics, abbey faves, handcrafted microspirits, and American Wines. There is plenty of vegetarian fare, fruit and wildflower honey to go around as you sip the sweet.

I felt like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, as the seat I selected lent a view to the bell tower of a local church outside. I also witnessed a short-lived rainbow over the skyline of Worcester.

Armsby Abbey won 13 awards from Worcester magazine recently proving  itself as a  great place to have a drink after work right downtown on Main Street. The Abbey’s clientele is unpretentious and sophisticated ; ages range from college to working adults. Stop by and have a listen to Jon Short’s Mississippi Delta Blues on Tuesday night.

The Spiceman Cometh – Dr. Gonzo’s UnCommon Condiments of Worcester MA

http://www.drgonzos.com/

 North Main Street

Worcester, MA -

 There’s an  uncommon experience waiting for you at Dr. Gonzo’s Comestible Spicy Emporium ~ and it’s good fer what ails ya!

Gonzo is gifted in the art of spicy, yet palatable mustards, relishes, and hot sauces. The ‘uncommon condiments’ as they are called,  have deviant names; some are sexually suggestive.For example:  The wicked weiner wonder relish and the One Hump Dry Rub (sweet heat to rub your meat)~try it on pizza, eggs, popcorn, pasta, or  sour cream chip dip.

What began as a plot of land between two triple deckers has erupted into a successful  mad scientist experiment that is Dr. Gonzo’s. “If you had told me a year ago I would have my own business, I wouldn’t have believed you’ he said. The Dr. is in , as they say. Everything is all natural and grown here in Worcester.  The Black Fly Mustard is a favorite on Armsbey Abbey’s Chimay cheeseboard; it features a warm baguette, soft brie, and tender cornichorns – the mustard was the ‘lubricant’ to an orgasmic food experience. If you can’t make it in (I highly recommend at least one personal visit),you can order any of the products on the internet. Forgo the Harry & David gift basket for the workplace - make your own Dr. Gonzo’s gift basket instead. (Most products are an affordable $5.95)Trust me on this one: your boss will appreciate your creativity so much you’ll be skipped over during the next round of layoffs.

During the six month anniversary soiree celebration,  we were treated to free samples of the products. Everyone was welcome to BYOD – Bring your own dip, and there was plenty of experimentation. Dr. Gonzo himself crooned  ’Dead Flowers’ and played the side piano by the Rolling Stones ;party people brought their own floor bongos and maracas. It was  not unlike the hippie jam session the garlic mash was doing in my mouth.  Try the Blackfly Mustard(marketed as ‘it’s great once you get past the fly’ – ewwww) with hot dogs. The peppermash started sweet and ended with an enticing bite; the Kamehamehamash (get your tiki on) , the first experiment with fruit, was as much pineapple as jalapeno.  The mustard plaster was a honey mustard concoction that was sweet with just enough spice;  they call it plaster for a reason. It had the consistency and color of dark rubber cement. Once my palate cooled from the mashes and mustards (the mustard plaster had a cooling effect, which also helped;) I went to the hot sauces. Yeah, I’m a glutton for punishment. My favorite was the Yellow Isle elixir; I call it mellow yellow. It would be perfect for summertime potato salad, tuna fish, and macaroni and cheese.

Try the big jerky and Raptor Eggs (Dr. Gonzo’s version of giant pickled eggs).

Also not to be missed : Cayenne pepper gummy bites – give to your children when they’ve been very naughty!

Summer is a satisfying season for food with barbecues, graduation parties, and weddings. Don’t forget to bring Dr. Gonzo’s uncommon condiments to your next occasion; not only will you be invited back, but you’ll be the ’spice’ – of the party.

Brave New Bistro: Bocado in Worcester, MA

http://www.bocadotapasbar.com/

Worcester, Ma

 With the drink specials displayed  on a giant chalkboard, they had me at ‘cointreau’.

  I had a Sangriatini, a Cointreau concoction with a splash of sangria and an absolut citrus Vodka. My dinner companion sipped a Pomatini, with Skyy Berry Vodka, Soho Lychel liqueur pear puree and Monin’s fresh pomegranate.

Interesting to drink Cosmopolitan style martinins when you are surrounded by Spanish Wines.

Well received with hospitable welcomes and warm smiles, I was educated on the ‘Tapas Experience’ by our olive skinned bartender. Dining here  requires a stack of three menus; one for  specials,  one for  wines  and another for the tapas.  Openning the wine menu was pleasantly unnerving ~ it had six pages. Predominately featured are wine flights, which are small samples of  Spanish wine, with entire pages devoted to rosees and sparkling varieties.

A typical Tapas experience would take hours; this is culturally diverse slow food where decisions are vexing.  It includes a  wine flight, meat, cheese, tapas, palle, and dessert, and comes out a little at a time.  A great venue for a group as there are a lot of choices to pick from and everyone is sure to find something they enjoy. There is  hot and cold tapas, which refers to temperature and not spice. Cold tapas is more of the salad varieties.

I could have perused the menu for hours. It was Spanish with English subtitles, and I wished I had more light.  I sampled two sparkling whites ; the first was too dry , the second; eh : palatable. In the world of wine snobs, Dry is considered the most sophisticated. However, most people only talk dry, and  prefer to drink sweet. All of their wines here are Spanish, there are no Chilean wines here.

We gnoshed on  tapas specials: the braised pork shoulder with lentil puree and bacon was my favorite. We also tried a  chicken dish with olives and onions served with a side of cheese and bread served on a kidney shaped wooden board. I wasn’t impressed with the chicken, the bread tasted stale. Even the pepper and fruit spreads were disappointing. I can make better at home (for less expense) with Dr. Gonzo’s uncommon condiments. Apparently exotic bistro style dining is NOT my forte.

Bocado is a Brave New Bistro in the heart of Worcester. There are three rooms: the Cava Room, the Bodega Room, and the Bar. The Cava Room holds up to 40 people and is divided by a red velvet curtain. The Bodega Room holds up to 75 people and features a projector to give presentations, perfect for graduation parties or Biotech companies.

The ambience is Minimalist, upscale, and artistic. The paintings and sketches on the walls are the works of a local artist that works in the restaurant. Patrons relax in candlelit leather with a splash of red in all the right places that is stimulating but not overwhelming.

Worcester needs more contemporary, upscale dining and Bocado definitely brings sophistiphication.