Merrimack Valley Magazine

City of Newburyport Provides Update on Plum Island Erosion

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By: Jordan Mayblum

Mayor Donna Holaday reports that the City of Newburyport is responding to acute erosion issues on Plum Island today.

Due to ongoing erosion caused by recent high tides and severe storms, Reservation Terrace has suffered adverse impacts that have compromised the integrity of the roadway and water lines. City officials have been in communication with affected residents about temporary measures now underway to ensure continued water service in the area.

The City of Newburyport is also undertaking additional emergency mitigation measures to prevent further issues that leaders anticipate due to higher-than-usual high tides in the coming days.

“Erosion has long been a concern on Plum Island and today we face an exigent threat to the delivery of public services and the safety of our residents,” Mayor Holaday said. “We are actively working to reduce the immediate challenges posed by expected tides and are eager to begin work to conduct long-overdue dredging that will hopefully serve as a longer-term solution.”

Hampton Beach to Host 32nd Annual Seafood Festival

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This weekend, Hampton Beach is hosting the 32nd annual Seafood Festival. The festival, which typically draws tens of thousands — if not hundreds of thousands — of people each year, was cancelled last September due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to over 50 seacoast restaurants are participating and serving seafood delicacies, the weekend-long event will feature more than 80 craft vendors selling locally-made products, hundreds of local merchants “offering end-of-the-season sidewalk sales,” chef demonstrations with the Wicked Bites television show, and live music from over 15 bands and orchestras. That’s not all, the weekend itinerary also boasts a fireworks show, a lobster roll eating contest, a 9/11 remembrance ceremony, a Seafood Fest 5k and more.

The festival will take place beginning Friday, Sept. 10, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Visit here to learn more about this year’s event.

Living Madly – The Chairs of Summer

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Rob and I have spent several weekends at Eagle Mountain House in Jackson, New Hampshire. We began staying at the hotel because it’s close to many places we like to go hiking. One of the best things about the hotel, built in 1916, is its enormous wraparound porch lined with wooden rocking chairs.

As we sipped coffee on the hotel’s porch recently, I started thinking about these chairs: the generations of summer visitors who have sat in them; the conversations they’ve had; the marriage proposals; the breaking of bad news; the cocktails people have enjoyed while taking in the mountain view.

Eagle Mountain’s sturdy rockers reminded me of similar chairs on the porch of the historic Oceanic Hotel on Star Island, located off the coast of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I spent several summers hanging out in those chairs while growing up. As much as my life changed over those years, the chairs, solid and hard-worn, were always the same.

At the house where I lived as a kid, we had a set of heavy wooden outdoor chairs with removable vinyl cushions. Hand-me-downs from a family member who no longer wanted them, these chairs were monstrosities. It took two adults to move one. The cushions soaked up rainwater like sponges, and if you happened to stub a toe on one of the chairs’ legs, you’d be hopping around for 10 minutes, howling. When my friends came over, we usually sat on the lawn.

The first summer I lived on my own, after graduating from college, I bought two green plastic chairs at a hardware store. I lived in Boston and didn’t have a car, so I carried them the three blocks back to my apartment. My roommate and I put the chairs on our miniature back porch, which overlooked the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant. We spent much of that summer sitting in them while grilling burgers on our rickety hibachi and drinking gin and tonics out of plastic cups.

 

Rob bought me a foldable canvas sand chair with a Rolling Rock beer logo — a promotional item he’d found at a liquor store — when I was pregnant with Madelaine. It’s one of the most comfortable beach chairs I’ve owned, but as that summer wore on and my belly grew bigger, I frequently needed his help to get out of it and into a standing position.

When Madelaine was a toddler, we got her a pint-size white resin chair, just the right size for a 2-year-old. She liked to sit in it outside and eat lunch, a 5-gallon bucket serving as her dining table. We were living in our first house at the time. When we sold it, we got rid of most of our outdoor furniture, but not that chair. Madelaine will be 23 this year, and that little seat is still stored up in the rafters of our garage.

For a number of summers, Rob complained that it was nearly impossible to find the old-fashioned aluminum-frame chairs — the foldable kind with the backs and seats woven from vinyl straps — that his parents had when he was growing up. Several years ago, quite by accident, Madelaine and I spotted these chairs at a department store and bought one for Rob for Father’s Day. As a surprise, we put a fancy bow on the chair and set it up in the middle of the garage so he’d find it when he took out the trash. Its metal frame digs into the back of your legs after you’ve been sitting in it for a while, but it’s still the only chair Rob uses when we host a barbecue.

We’ve whiled away many pleasant summer afternoons in the four red plastic Adirondack chairs we bought when we moved into our current house. But they only seem to last a season or two before they have to be replaced. We’re down to two of these chairs now — both sure to break soon. We’re not home a lot on weekends anymore, so we still haven’t decided how we’ll replace them.

Weighing a mere 2 pounds each and folding neatly into custom carrying cases, our newest summer chairs are stored in the back of our car. Made of polyester mesh and steel, these two comfy high-tech seats are ideal for relaxing and enjoying drinks and snacks after a long hike. They weren’t inexpensive, but they were worth every penny.    

Contact Emilie at eprovost@mvmag.net

Your Summer Guide to the Merrimack Valley and Beyond

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For those who aren’t sticking strictly to the Merrimack Valley this summer, here are a few suggestions on some light activities to get you off the couch and out of the house.

Scenic Railriders, located in Concord, N.H., offers one of the most unique activities in the Merrimack Valley. Riding their custom rail-bikes is an activity everyone can do — it’s a 6.4-mile trip around an abandoned rail track. Each tour takes about two hours from start to finish. During this time, riders get a short safety and operational briefing and two brief breaks in the middle as they turn the rail-bikes around for the return trip.

All ages are allowed to ride the rail-bikes, although children must be accompanied by a rider of at least 16. No person heavier than 300 pounds can ride. The tours will run rain or shine unless the conditions are going to be dangerous. Decisions to cancel a tour due to dangerous conditions will be made by the tour guides. Scenic Railriders also allows for cancellations or rescheduling within 48 hours of a tour for no extra charge. Cancellations of tours within 48 hours are nonrefundable, and rescheduling tours within 24 hours require a 20% rebooking fee.

 

Photo by Glenn Prezzano.

Friendship Park in Chelmsford, Mass., offers some fun, light-hearted activities that cater to families. The playground features a tall structure with multiple types of slides, a climbing net, swings, sandbox, shaded seating and a natural play area. The park is free to attend.

For those who are traveling just outside of the Merrimack Valley for smaller day trips, the Saco River is the perfect place to spend a day leisurely on a kayak or canoe. 

Don’t have a canoe? Saco River Canoe & Kayak in Fryeburg, Maine, rents out kayaks, canoes, tubes and other rafts starting at $45 during the weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), and the price drops to $33 during midweek and the offseason. The offseason runs from the end of the summer until Columbus Day, and then they close for the winter and reopen midspring, depending on weather. Canoes and kayaks are meant for three adults at most, and trips on the river can be canceled at any time if conditions on the river are deemed unsafe. Life jackets are mandatory, and excessive disruption may cause groups to be removed from the river. For reservations and more information, call (207) 935-2369. 

For inexperienced hikers or those looking for a quick day trip, Mount Monadnock on the Jaffrey, N.H., line is a quick four to 4 1/2 hour hike (two to 2 1/2 hours up, 1 1/2 to two hours down) that offers a tremendous view. The mountain offers a few more challenging routes, which are off the main paths. These paths are meant for either slightly more experienced hikers, or those who are searching for a quieter hike. Parking is $15 for the day and $5 per adult. Parking passes can be purchased in advance to guarantee a parking spot.

In the past, Groundswell Surf Cafe in Salisbury, Mass., has offered SUPing, or stand up paddleboarding. It’s exactly what it sounds like: The rider stands up on a long board, much like one used in surfing, and uses a paddle to push themselves through the water.

It’s not clear yet if Groundswell will offer SUP this year, although you can check out their beach yoga program as an alternative. If you don’t mind making a trip, check out Kite N Paddle, in St. Albans Bay, Vt. The helpful team provides newcomers with lessons and tips for SUPing, and also explains the therapeutic qualities that SUPing can have to strengthen your back and core muscles. The SUP boards range from $20-$30 an hour, and tour guides for SUPing are $25 an hour. Tours include Woods Island, Burton Island, Mosquito Island and Kill Kare State Park, and all are within 45 minutes from Kite N Paddle.

Kite N Paddle also offers kiteboarding, an activity for the slightly more adventurous. A combination of wakeboarding, windsurfing, paragliding and sailing, kiteboarding harnesses the wind with a large controllable kite. The sport has seen a recent surge in popularity as it is relatively inexpensive and another activity that utilizes muscles that might not have been stretched in quite some time. The courses allow first-time users to learn how to fly the power kites and learn proper technique, and they allow experienced kiteboarders to get on the water and ride freely.  Rates are $55 per hour per person in groups of two or more, $70 per hour for private lessons and $100 per hour with the use of a jet ski or boat.

©Oleg – stock.adobe.com

Outdoor experiences are endless at Hampton Beach. Walk, swim and dine in or around the beachfront and enjoy the beautiful view, as outdoor seating becomes available around the area. 

Looking to get out of the house? Health experts advise us that there is no better way to keep your mind and body healthy than to walk, cycle or jog the great outdoors. Visit the Bruce Freeman Rail, which cuts through Lowell, Chelmsford, Westford, Carlisle, Acton, Concord, Sudbury and Framingham. This scenic route gives families an outing experience to gain a new perspective on the Merrimack Valley. 

Open from sunrise to sunset, Great Brook Farm, located in Carlisle, Mass., features over 20 miles of trails and outdoor space, providing outdoor fanatics and families to partake in anything from a relaxing stroll to a hiking adventure. This 1,000-acre land is notable for its Native American sites and remains of cellar holes left by English settlers.  If you’re looking to learn more about the farm and have a look behind the scenes, take a free guided tour of their working dairy farm. The dairy farm is the first in Massachusetts to have a robotic milking system. Once your tour has concluded, show yourself the way to the farm’s ice cream stand, which offers over 60 flavors of ice cream, sherbet, sorbet and frozen yogurt. There are a range of farm animals to feed. For 25 cents, you get a handful of grain and can feed alpacas, sheep, lambs, goats, chickens and pigs. 

For those who want to go out but take things more leisurely yet still be a little quirky, Above Reality Hot Air Balloons in Essex Junction, Vt., provides fliers with a stunning view of the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain. Watch out for bears, moose and other critters below! Balloons can seat up to 14, and tickets are $285 per person, or $199 for children between the ages of 8 and 17.

If you aren’t willing to go all the way to Vermont for the experience, try High 5 Ballooning, located in Derry, N.H. Guaranteeing the lowest fare in New England, and with no increase since 1999, a rate of $200 per person includes a delicious complimentary picnic and post-flight champagne celebration. It’s a sightseer’s dream as you embark over the White Mountains, Atlantic Ocean, Boston’s skyline and the Merrimack River Valley.

With one of the finest systems in the world, their balloon envelopes are constructed from more than 1,000 square yards of rip-stop nylon fabric and over three miles of thread. More than that, the balloon envelopes stand between 75 and 83 feet tall. You can ride in a balloon where the envelopes are appropriately named Smile High and Horizon High.  To assure passengers safety, their balloon systems are meticulously maintained to ensure a safe and beautiful ride. This scenic hot air balloon ride will be an adventure of a lifetime, as you get a new outlook on New England. 

Great Freedom Adventures offers numerous outdoor cycling, hiking and walking active tours to embrace and be a part of New England’s beauty. No matter what tour you choose, the scenic experience is well worth it for nature lovers. The Great Freedom tour guides are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and fun-loving. They look forward to sharing the experience with you and showing you what you won’t want to miss, as you take on hidden backroads and find treasures right within their backyards.  With a variety of different tours, destinations and adventure trips around New England, there is always going to be a new challenge, adventure and experience nothing like the one before. 

Looking to watch a movie under the stars? A part of Nashua N.H. Summer Fun 2020, enjoy an outdoor movie night with friends and family. On Jul. 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 11, gather your blankets and your snacks while enjoying whatever cinematic film there is to offer. 

File photo – Meghan Moore.

The Milford Drive-In is another great outing where you can change up the cinematic screening experience. It’s the only remaining drive-in movie theatre in southern New Hampshire. This old-fashioned, two-screen drive-in movie theater is equipped with a snack bar and a remote-controlled car track.

Movie lovers should also check out the Mendon Twin Drive-In theatre in Mendon, Mass. With the summer air drifting in, and the late-night snacks a must, this drive-in experience is one for the summer bucket list, as a variety of different showtimes and screenings cater to all different ages and genres. Both drive-in movie locations rate at $30 per car, with a range of one to six people per car.

Celebrating 74 years of fishing and fun, Eastman’s Docks in Seabrook, N.H., offers many boating tours for an engaging day of excitement and relaxation as you embark on the water. Their wide variety of tours are available and catered for you and offer something for novice and pro fishermen, wildlife enthusiasts and sightseers.     

Beyond the Clam Shack – Fun Summer Foods

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Summertime, and the eating is easy: backyard barbecues and cookouts on the beach; fresh berries, chilled watermelon and corn on the cob. Just as warm summer days invite us to follow a different daily rhythm, our taste buds search for something new and different. 

Everyone has their favorite farm stand for ice cream and go-to sandwich shop, but here are some local options that might tempt you. Grab a bite after a beach day or plan an outing to a part of the Merrimack Valley you rarely visit. You might find a new summertime favorite.

[Please note that at the time of publication, the restaurants noted in this article were offering special services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please call or visit their websites for updates before heading out to any location.]

 

The Beach Plum
Route 1A
North Hampton, N.H.
(603) 964-7451
www.TheBeachPlum.net

Across the street from North Hampton State Beach, The Beach Plum is known for its “amazing lobster rolls.” New Hampshire Magazine said it’s “the best lobster roll in New Hampshire.” This locally-owned, beach-style restaurant with brightly colored hanging baskets was voted “Best of” by Taste of the Seacoast Magazine in 2011 and “Best of the Festival” at the 2011 Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. The restaurant, recently featured on the TV show “Phantom Gourmet,” has also won an award in the festival’s “chowder, stew or bisque” category.

Although seafood is its specialty, The Beach Plum also offers a wide variety of sandwiches and salads. Vegetarians will enjoy their egg salad, veggie patty sandwiches, corn chowder and soy hot dogs. Employee Jan Tsoronis says people become return customers “because of the quality of food. We’re next to the ocean, and it’s a friendly environment.”

Mad Martha’s Island Café
51 Northern Blvd.
Plum Island, Mass.
(978) 462-7707
www.MadMarthasIslandCafe.com

Casual beachside dining near popular Plum Island Beach makes Mad Martha’s a great addition to a beach day outing. Locals Kendall Bowie and Kyree Gerson have owned this cottage café since last September, and they offer a creative menu of “Sweets, Folds, Scrams, Egg Sammies, Must Haves and Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’s.” Customers rave about their caramelized banana French toast, and the lighthouse sammie on bolo levedo with egg, cheese, tomato, turkey bacon and avocado is a
best-seller. Continuing in the tradition of previous owners, Bowie and Gerson offer Portuguese sweet breads from a Fall River bakery. Gluten-free pancakes and waffles are available.

On Thursday nights, Mad Martha’s offers a four-course dinner from 6 to 8:30 p.m. (BYOB). How about a bloody mary bucket? They supply tomato juice, celery, lemon, lime, horseradish, clam juice, banana peppers and more for you to mix with your own alcohol.

“We made Mad Martha’s our own, but also honored traditions,” Bowie says. “We kept everything that made this place tick.”

Rhythm Café
12 School St.
Merrimac, Mass.
(978) 346-0444
www.RhythmCafe.net

Sisters Sharon Wimmer, Cathy Wimmer Chouinard and Leslie Wimmer Fowler opened the Rhythm Café in 2007 in a building that had served, in the past, as a bank and as a doughnut shop, but had stood vacant until the sisters renovated the space. Their seasonal menu features locally grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible, and they grow their own mint for mojitos.
The customer favorite on their varied menu is “chopped salad with couscous, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, corn, avocado, cukes, pine nuts, asiago and basil buttermilk dressing.” They make all their soups and salad dressings from scratch.

Fowler is the chief chef and creates the menu items. Wimmer is the wine expert, and Chouinard bakes all the desserts in-house. Her triple layer chocolate stout cake, made with a can of Guinness and ganache frosting, is “the most decadent chocolate cake you’ll ever taste,” she says. “It is always gone within 24 hours.”

The Rhythm Café displays the work of local artists and hosts occasional fun events, such as Kentucky Derby day this May, when guests sipped mint juleps and wore hats as they watched the race on television. 

 

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