NHDTTD/Holly Fraumeni Portsmouth’s is a working harbor with a stylish artsy edge.

 Pristine water views, rolling green hills, classic New England charm and more lobster than you can imagine – this is Waldo County, Maine.
 My husband and I took a side-trip to this slower-paced part of the state on our way back from Bar Harbor – not realizing we actually could have made it our main destination.
 From Belfast to Searsport, Stockton Springs, Bucksport and Winterport (and 20 other towns) – Waldo County offers a true variety.
 About an hour and a half’s drive south from Bar Harbor brings us to Belfast – a growing artist community with lots of one-of-a-kind boutiques and mom-and-pop businesses like Colburn Shoe Store – the oldest in America.
 We acquaint ourselves with the impressive architecture of Belfast by picking up a walking tour brochure at the Belfast Historical Society & Museum. Settled in 1770 by Scottish-Irish families, the city made its fortune in shipbuilding and maritime commerce.
 Local shipyards built hundreds of wooden sailing ships during the 19th century and almost 30 percent of the male population was employed in the maritime trades.
 Prosperous shipbuilders and merchants built the restored Federal and early Victorian houses that dominate the historical district, placing it on the National Register of Historic Places.
 We grab a cup of chowder and a fresh lobster roll at Young’s Lobster Pound
() – an authentic lobster pound overlooking Penobscot Bay – before checking into our room at the Penobscot Bay Inn (). The quaint inn sits on five beautiful acres overlooking the bay and served as our base for the area’s other attractions.
An afternoon spent strolling the art galleries, boutiques and shops in downtown Belfast makes us thirsty. We enjoy a drink by the outdoor fireplace at Three Tides – a hip little restaurant serving a tapas-style menu featuring fresh local seasonal shellfish and beer brewed next door at Marshall Wharf Brewing Co.
At night, we catch the latest film at the Colonial Theatre, an old-fashioned movie theater open since 1912.
 Nearby, in Searsport, an important seafaring hub, we get a sense of the area’s rich maritime heritage at the Penobscot Marine Museum. The main exhibits focus on the industry of Penobscot Bay in the 19th century and illustrate what it was like to live and work on one of the great square-rigged ships.
 The museum is known for its collection of fine 19th-century marine art, featuring one of the largest collections of Thomas and James Buttersworth paintings and several by Robert Salmon. Scrimshaw, figureheads, art and artifacts date from the “Great Age of Sail,” when Searsport’s sea captains visited ports around the world.
 Spread among 12 historic buildings, the museum includes a replica of a late 19th-century sea captain’s home to show the material world enjoyed by these families. Personal treasures from around the world tell the stories of their travels.
 Keeping with the maritime theme of Searsport, BlueJacket Ship Crafters is the oldest ship-model company in the United States. They have been building scale models and developing wood model kits since 1905, and their kits are sought after worldwide. Their showroom displays more than 75 completed models.
 Dinner at Angler’s Restaurant, also in Searsport, included more lobster and a lobster-eating lesson by owner Buddy Hall. We couldn’t resist the homemade Hot Fudge Ice Cream Puff for dessert.
 A five-minute elevator ride to the top of the Narrows Bridge and Observatory (42 stories above the river) gave us a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside, including the Penobscot River and the picturesque town of Bucksport.
 Next to the bridge is Fort Knox. The famous 19th-century fortress features extensive dark passageways and cannons built to protect the valley from Naval attack.
 Though enemy ships never appeared on the Penobscot or threatened its towns, the fort saw two periods of military activity. Between 20 and 54 troops were positioned here during the Civil War while the fort was still under construction.
 The troops lived in temporary wood buildings behind the granite fort. Also, 575 troops from Connecticut lived at the fort for a month during the Spanish-American war.
 We made sure to save enough time to take in the natural surroundings of Waldo County and enjoyed a sail aboard the white-steamed-oak-and-mahogany yacht “Fedele” with Captain Roy Reed of Searsport Charters.
 Cruising past landmarks like Fort Point Lighthouse and Sears Island, Captain Roy gives us a wealth of local history.
 It’s as if time overlooked this quiet corner of the state, and we feel rested and relaxed as we make our way home.

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Captain Roy Reed offers a wealth of local history.

 Pristine water views, rolling green hills, classic New England charm and more lobster than you can imagine – this is Waldo County, Maine.
 My husband and I took a side-trip to this slower-paced part of the state on our way back from Bar Harbor – not realizing we actually could have made it our main destination.
 From Belfast to Searsport, Stockton Springs, Bucksport and Winterport (and 20 other towns) – Waldo County offers a true variety.
 About an hour and a half’s drive south from Bar Harbor brings us to Belfast – a growing artist community with lots of one-of-a-kind boutiques and mom-and-pop businesses like Colburn Shoe Store – the oldest in America.
 We acquaint ourselves with the impressive architecture of Belfast by picking up a walking tour brochure at the Belfast Historical Society & Museum. Settled in 1770 by Scottish-Irish families, the city made its fortune in shipbuilding and maritime commerce.
 Local shipyards built hundreds of wooden sailing ships during the 19th century and almost 30 percent of the male population was employed in the maritime trades.
 Prosperous shipbuilders and merchants built the restored Federal and early Victorian houses that dominate the historical district, placing it on the National Register of Historic Places.
 We grab a cup of chowder and a fresh lobster roll at Young’s Lobster Pound
() – an authentic lobster pound overlooking Penobscot Bay – before checking into our room at the Penobscot Bay Inn (). The quaint inn sits on five beautiful acres overlooking the bay and served as our base for the area’s other attractions.
An afternoon spent strolling the art galleries, boutiques and shops in downtown Belfast makes us thirsty. We enjoy a drink by the outdoor fireplace at Three Tides – a hip little restaurant serving a tapas-style menu featuring fresh local seasonal shellfish and beer brewed next door at Marshall Wharf Brewing Co.
At night, we catch the latest film at the Colonial Theatre, an old-fashioned movie theater open since 1912.
 Nearby, in Searsport, an important seafaring hub, we get a sense of the area’s rich maritime heritage at the Penobscot Marine Museum. The main exhibits focus on the industry of Penobscot Bay in the 19th century and illustrate what it was like to live and work on one of the great square-rigged ships.
 The museum is known for its collection of fine 19th-century marine art, featuring one of the largest collections of Thomas and James Buttersworth paintings and several by Robert Salmon. Scrimshaw, figureheads, art and artifacts date from the “Great Age of Sail,” when Searsport’s sea captains visited ports around the world.
 Spread among 12 historic buildings, the museum includes a replica of a late 19th-century sea captain’s home to show the material world enjoyed by these families. Personal treasures from around the world tell the stories of their travels.
 Keeping with the maritime theme of Searsport, BlueJacket Ship Crafters is the oldest ship-model company in the United States. They have been building scale models and developing wood model kits since 1905, and their kits are sought after worldwide. Their showroom displays more than 75 completed models.
 Dinner at Angler’s Restaurant, also in Searsport, included more lobster and a lobster-eating lesson by owner Buddy Hall. We couldn’t resist the homemade Hot Fudge Ice Cream Puff for dessert.
 A five-minute elevator ride to the top of the Narrows Bridge and Observatory (42 stories above the river) gave us a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside, including the Penobscot River and the picturesque town of Bucksport.
 Next to the bridge is Fort Knox. The famous 19th-century fortress features extensive dark passageways and cannons built to protect the valley from Naval attack.
 Though enemy ships never appeared on the Penobscot or threatened its towns, the fort saw two periods of military activity. Between 20 and 54 troops were positioned here during the Civil War while the fort was still under construction.
 The troops lived in temporary wood buildings behind the granite fort. Also, 575 troops from Connecticut lived at the fort for a month during the Spanish-American war.
 We made sure to save enough time to take in the natural surroundings of Waldo County and enjoyed a sail aboard the white-steamed-oak-and-mahogany yacht “Fedele” with Captain Roy Reed of Searsport Charters.
 Cruising past landmarks like Fort Point Lighthouse and Sears Island, Captain Roy gives us a wealth of local history.
 It’s as if time overlooked this quiet corner of the state, and we feel rested and relaxed as we make our way home.

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Enjoy great music under the stars in Lowell this summer.

 The Lowell Summer Music Series is the place to be for live blues, folk, roots and classic rock.
The series offers diverse music at reasonable prices in Lowell’s historic Boarding House Park.
 “On a summer’s night this is a great place to savor the nice weather and enjoy some wonderful music,” Program Director Peter Aucella said.
 This year’s performers include Blues Traveler, Dar Williams, Livingston Taylor, Hot Tuna — and Dylan and Baez. Jakob Dylan, Bob Dylan’s son, will be performing with the Wallflowers on Aug. 14, and Joan Baez is on her 50th Anniversary tour.
 “This is one of Baez’ two northeast stops,” Mr. Aucella said. “She very rarely plays outdoor concerts so this will be a classic.”
In addition to the headliners, the Free Fun For Kids Series features children’s concerts on Wednesday and Thursday mornings in July and August.   Performances include jugglers, a Cambodian dance group, a hands-on reptile show and sing-a-longs. At 10, the Art Ship Enterprise arrives with fun, hands-on activities followed by the show at 11. At noon, families can ride around town on trolleys courtesy of the Lowell National Historical Park.
 Boarding House Park, the site of the music series, won a federal design award from the National Endowment for the Arts. In the heart of historic downtown Lowell, the concerts are presented in a beautiful and intimate outdoor amphitheater.
 Ticket prices range from $23 to $38, and concerts generally are held at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Children under 12 are admitted free.
 All tickets are general admission and seating is on the lawn, so bring a blanket or chair and arrive early. Advance tickets are available at the Lowell Summer Music Series Web site www.lowell summermusic.org.

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Gardeners from near and far come to the lavender farm.

 What’s not to love about lavender? Its purple-soft spikes are delicate and understated. Crush the buds, and a summery-scent rises. Lavender adds a romantic touch to tea, soothing the drinker off to sleep. In ancient days it accompanied the dead, perfumed Roman bath waters, warded off the Plague, cured headaches. Modern hostesses might toss a sprig into a flute of champagne.
 “That’s the beauty of it,” Cynthia Sutphin, owner of the Cape Cod Lavender Farm in Harwich, said. “It appeals to all the senses. It looks beautiful, smells beautiful, and if the bees are busy in it, it makes a beautiful noise.”
 When Ms. Sutphin opened her farm 15 years ago, she chose to focus on lavender because it was unique and, at the time, fairly overlooked. Now, it’s a rare Cape garden that doesn’t have at least one gigantic example of this sand-loving, easy-care plant. From May to October, gardeners from near and far drive down Ms. Sutphin’s wagon-wheel dirt road, lured by her extensive variety of plants for sale. Brides put in orders for fresh bouquets. Customers snap up jars of lavender marmalade, bars of lavender soap or chocolate, pillows and lemonade, made by Cape crafters.
 Others arrive during the blooming season (mid-June to July) to walk the huge lavender field, a sloping meadow drenched with sunshine. Thousands of lavender plants, spikes standing tall, create a knee-high carpet of purples and pale pinks. Here’s where Ms. Sutphin harvests her crop, while children hunt for fairies in the nearby shade garden (complete with miniature stone castle), and nature-lovers seek out trails that wind through neighboring conservation land.
 It all started from Ms. Sutphin’s desire to find a business that let her spend time with her four children, and a gift of 10,000 baby plants from her husband. Some of those originals are still growing and blooming. That’s another good thing about lavender — time is its friend.
 “When you dry the flowers, the scent stays strong for hundreds of years,” she said. “See this little sachet? That lavender will outlast us all.”
Visit capecodlavenderfarm.com.

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 The South County Hot Air Balloon Festival will take to the skies July 17 to 19.
 The Flying Wallendas, the famous high-wire family, are returning with their act up to three times a day at the URI Athletic Fields on Route 138, South Kingstown.
 About 15 balloonists will show off their balloons starting Friday evening with the Balloon Glow. That night, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band will perform.
 On Saturday, 93.3 Coast FM will host a Kidz ‘N Family time from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Throughout the weekend will be magic shows, fishing in a catch-and-release pond, pony rides, petting zoos, juggling and more.
 Fireworks on Saturday set to music will cap the night at 9:30. The Firefighters Muster and the TriBoro Corvette Club show will be held Sunday afternoon.
Admission is $10, and $3 for children 14 and under. Families (mom, dad and kids) are $25. Parking is free. Proceeds are donated to charities by the Rotary Club of Wakefield.
 Visit www.southcountybal loonfest.com.

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The Walk to the Sea highlights historic sites like the 19th-century Custom House, the tall building with the clock.

 It’s easy to see Joe Kunkle loves growing things. The ma­naging director of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s garden center strolls amid acres of flowering splendor — peonies and petunias, hostas and daylillies, impatiens and roses — and what does he rave about? The dandelion.
 “I mean, look at it!” he says. “Somehow we have been convinced that they are evil, but look at it! We would die for that color in a garden. It’s gorgeous.”
 Flower gardeners, vegetable gardeners or anyone who appreciates the beauty of a well-tended patch of soil can satisfy their souls at the society’s Elm Bank Horticultural Center. In summer, these 36 acres surrounded by the winding Charles River come ablaze with color, a candy shop of floral delights.
Children splash in the fish pond or climb the rattan tower in Weezie’s Garden.    Never-before-seen varieties vie for attention in the official All-American Selections test garden. Strollers enjoy the visual expanse of the 1929-era Olmsted-designed Italian garden, complete with majestic fountain, or rest beneath the same limbs that filter sunlight from the shade garden.
 The society, a private nonprofit founded 180 years ago and famous for introducing the Concord grape, holds strong to its mission of “education and inspiration.“ Plants are identified by tags, seminars and classes are ongoing, and the numerous volunteers who keep up the property are happy to answer questions or discuss greenery issues.
 Weekends can be jam-packed, as the property hosts plant sales, marketplace events, car cruises, concerts, weddings — even the occasional celebrity sighting. (This spring’s flick, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” filmed scenes at the 1907 Manor House.)
 On most weekdays, though, this pastoral setting is just that. An artist sits and paints. An elderly couple holds hands on a bench. Flowers sigh in the breeze. “Boston is only 16 miles away in that direction,” Mr. Kunkel says, pointing, “but here you pass over our little bridge, and you are in a whole other world.”
 The Massachusetts Horticultural Society Horticultural Center, 900 Washington St., Wellesley, is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Visit www.masshort.org.

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Children love to splash in the fish pond.

 It’s easy to see Joe Kunkle loves growing things. The ma­naging director of the Massachusetts Horticultural So­ci­ety’s garden center strolls amid acres of flowering splendor — peonies and petunias, hostas and daylillies, impatiens and roses — and what does he rave about? The dandelion.
 “I mean, look at it!” he says. “Somehow we have been convinced that they are evil, but look at it! We would die for that color in a garden. It’s gorgeous.”
 Flower gardeners, vegetable gardeners or anyone who appreciates the beauty of a well-tended patch of soil can satisfy their souls at the society’s Elm Bank Horticultural Center. In summer, these 36 acres surrounded by the winding Charles River come ablaze with color, a candy shop of floral delights.
Children splash in the fish pond or climb the rattan tower in Weezie’s Garden. Never-before-seen varieties vie for attention in the official All-American Selections test garden. Strollers enjoy the visual expanse of the 1929-era Olmsted-designed Italian garden, complete with majestic fountain, or rest beneath the same limbs that filter sunlight from the shade garden.
 The society, a private nonprofit founded 180 years ago and famous for introducing the Concord grape, holds strong to its mission of “education and inspiration.“ Plants are identified by tags, seminars and classes are ongoing, and the numerous volunteers who keep up the property are happy to answer questions or discuss greenery issues.
 Weekends can be jam-packed, as the property hosts plant sales, marketplace events, car cruises, concerts, weddings — even the occasional celebrity sighting. (This spring’s flick, “Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” filmed scenes at the 1907 Manor House.)
 On most weekdays, though, this pastoral setting is just that. An artist sits and paints. An elderly couple holds hands on a bench. Flowers sigh in the breeze. “Boston is only 16 miles away in that direction,” Mr. Kunkel says, pointing, “but here you pass over our little bridge, and you are in a whole other world.”
 The Massachusetts Horticultural Society Horticultural Center, 900 Washington St., Wellesley, is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. Visit www.masshort.org.

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Unwind on a kayak trip down the still Nashua River.

 When the summer turns splendid, many like to heed the call of a lazy paddle down a river, with the lush green foliage cooling even the most blistering day.
 On the banks of the Nashua River, Nashoba Paddler offers canoe and kayak rentals to individuals, families and groups eager to unwind on the river’s still waters. Paddlers are likely to be treated to sightings of blue herons, osprey, turtles and beavers as they travel hours in either direction.
 “The river, especially where we are, is friendly and easy even for novices,” said Diane Carson, who owns Nashoba Paddler with her husband, Pete. “The river is forest-lined, and you almost feel like you are out in the wilderness.”
If you are unsure of your paddling skills, the Nashoba Paddler staff will offer tips to get (and keep) you going, or you can sign up for one of their classes to learn paddling techniques.
 The Nashua River winds for 46 miles through central Massachusetts and into southern New Hampshire, offering breathtaking views, peaceful waters and great fishing for anyone who travels along its banks and waterways. The river has a storied past: It was once among the most polluted waterways in the state and now is home to clean waters and a healthy ecosystem.
 Ms. Carson encourages pad­dlers to bring a lunch. The experienced staff knows nearly every inch of the river and can point out areas where you can pull out to eat and relax. Reservations are not necessary, but Ms. Carson advises them for kayak rentals during peak times.
 Nashoba offers “mini-getaways,” including Full Moon Canoeing, Morning Wild­life on the Nashua or Family Paddling with Turtles.
 Either spontaneous or planned, your time on the river offers the best of summer.
 Nashoba Paddler is on Route 225, Groton. Visit www.nashobapaddler.com.

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Visitors can meet Molly the baby giraffe and soar above animals on the Skyfari.

 This February, an unusual bundle of joy was delivered at Southwick’s Zoo. Standing over 4 feet tall at birth, Molly the giraffe quickly has become a favorite among visitors at the Mendon zoo.
 Molly isn’t the only new arrival at Southwick’s this year. New England’s largest zoo experienced a mini “baby boom” over the past few months, welcoming a barbary sheep, a chimpanzee and several monkeys into its growing brood. With the warm summer weather now here, these infant animals are beginning to make their debut, delighting fans young and old.
 For a unique view of the zoo’s wide variety of animals, go for a spin on the new Skyfari Sky Ride. This chairlift gives riders a 15-minute bird’s eye view of the zoo as they soar above camels, cattle and more. The ride also takes guests up close to the Chimp Exhibit, home to the only zoo chimpanzees in New England.
 If you’d prefer an on-the-ground animal encounter, go for a walk through Deer Forest, a 35-acre woodlands area with two visitor paths. Guests can explore the forest, feed deer and see a variety of turtles, frogs and birds along this tranquil trail. You may even see a red-tailed hawk soar.
 Saturday, June 13, is AAA Member Appreciation Day at Southwick’s Zoo. Show your valid AAA membership card, and receive one child general admission free with the purchase of a full-priced adult general admission. AAA members also save 20 percent at the zoo’s Purple Peacock gift shop on that day.
 Can’t make it June 13? Don’t worry: AAA members enjoy everyday savings of $2 off the price of regular admission for up to six people in their party when they show their AAA cards at the zoo’s ticket office.
 Southwick’s Zoo, 2 Southwick St., Mendon: (800) 258-9182, www.southwickszoo.com.

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Bradley Palmer State Park offers a range of activities.

 Featuring forested paths, rolling hills and old carriage roads, Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield is particularly welcoming in June.
 “The bugs aren’t out yet, and the rhododendrons along the old carriage paths are in beautiful bloom,” said Forest and Parks Supervisor Peter Carlson.
 The park is the 721-acre former estate of Bradley Palmer, a noted attorney of the early 1900s who represented Sinclair Oil in the Teapot Dome Scandal and President Woodrow Wilson at the Versailles Peace Conference after World War I.
 It offers 40 miles of trails, some winding along and across the picturesque Ipswich River.  Canoeing and fishing are permitted, and visitors can rent canoes from a vendor on the property.
 Most trails are easy walks. “We have one very accessible trail that meanders through pine trees and follows the river,” Mr. Carlson said. “It’s wide and firmly packed, and there are benches along the way. The trail terminates at a footbridge over the river, a very pretty, contemplative spot.”
 On an interpretive trail, visitors can pick up a brochure that guides them through the flora, fauna and history of the area. Hikers learn about local birds, mammals and trees and the history of the Bradley Palmer estate and the Native Americans who originally lived on the land.
 “Moon Hill is a highlight of the park,” Mr. Carlson added. “You walk through pine knolls to reach an open field and nice views at the summit. The whole park is quite serene and peaceful.”
 A popular summer feature is the children’s wading pool. Families can park at the pool entrance for $5 a day and enjoy the afternoon. Nearby are a picnicking area and easy hikes. Paved areas provide a nice way to explore by bike.
Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield: (978) 887-5931, www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/brad.htm.
 For more information, visit www.fortadams.org or call (401) 841-0707.

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Kids can check out a Coast Guard boat as part of the March of Dimes Touch a Truck event at Family Day.

 If you’re looking for some inexpensive, kid-friendly fun, check out the 5th annual Family Day at historic Fort Adams in Newport. The June 6 event will feature a variety of music and entertainment.
 The country’s largest coastal fortification, Fort Adams is rich in history — it dates back to 1799 — and offers rewarding opportunities for exploration. Children and adults alike will love exploring the barracks and tunnel system and climbing the bastions to take in the stunning views of Narragansett Bay.
 The Family Day event is held on the North Lawn. Renowned children’s musician Al Lowe will be performing on stage, along with local artists. The Sidewalk Stompers also will be putting on a show. There will be face-painting and balloon animals with Robo and Tails the Clowns and field games with the Newport YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club. The Fort Adams staff will offer abbreviated guided tours of the fort at a reduced fee ($5 adult, $2.50 for ages 6-17).
 For those who want a bit of seafaring adventure, the M/V Gansett will depart the courtesy dock at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (fee is not included in the admission price); this is a chance to see Fort Adams and the Bay from a whole new perspective.
 The March of Dimes will be on hand with its Touch a Truck event; vehicles will include fire trucks, a dump truck, an ambulance, a U.S. Coast Guard boat and more.
 Family Day is also a great opportunity to learn about recycling. ETM Green will collect old electronics, and talk about how they can be reused and recycled to protect our planet. (Please note: a small fee applies to recycling services.) Half of all fees will be donated to the Fort Adams Trust.
 The RI Blood Center will hold a blood drive and marrow donor registration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
 For more information, visit www.fortadams.org or call (401) 841-0707.

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Thursday Night Cruisin’ showcases 200 to 250 cars at The Hebert Candy Mansion.

 Many car enthusiasts eagerly await the glory days of summer when they can drive their meticulously cared-for vehicles with nary a thought to snow or ice mucking them up.
 Summer also offers well-deserved show-off time for owners who flaunt their prized possessions at events like Cruisin’ at the Mansion – Thursday Night Cruisin’ at the Hebert Candy Mansion, in Shrewsbury.
 Known as the biggest show of its kind in Central Massachusetts, Thursday Night Cruisin’ is sponsored by Cruzzin’ Dreams, a local nonprofit organization.
 The weekly event showcases between 200 and 250 cars with owners who relish displaying their hard work to people who appreciate it.
 Now entering its 11th year, the event attracts owners and observers alike. At 5 p.m. Thursdays, through Oct. 15, Corvettes and Model Ts share field space with Mustangs and Chevys.
 While attendees wander from car to car, hoods are popped, engines are inspected and admired, and bodies are spit-shined to virtual perfection. The wide sea of color and horsepower is impressive, and the sheer automotive variety is fun to see.
 Mike Merzigian of Cruzzin’ Dreams said weekly “Top Picks” awards are not necessarily given to the nicest car — although that happens — but also to an interesting car, like the Chevy Caprice that was transformed into an Impala SS or even to a teen who has worked diligently on a car and shown great strides.
 Thursday Night Cruisin’ is free to attend; those interested in showing cars pay a small entrance fee.
 Adding to the festive atmosphere are the food vendors, Hebert’s ice cream sundae bar where you can build your own ice-cream dream, and candies and chocolates made on the premises.
 If one night a week isn’t enough to get your fill of hot rods, Hebert’s also hosts various car-themed weekend events throughout the summer.
 Hebert Candy Mansion, 575 Hartford Turnpike, Shrewsbury: (508) 845-8051, www.hebertcandies.com.

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Courses consist of platforms connected by rope bridges.

Imagine climbing, swinging and zipping from tree to tree in your own woodland playground. At the new Catamount Adventure Park, guests can experience the beauty of a mountainside forest through a fun, engaging ropes course.
 Located on the Massachusetts-New York border along Route 23, Catamount is the first large-scale aerial forest adventure park in North America.
 Swiss Alpine Mountaineers designed the park, modeling it after the popular ropes courses in France, Germany and Switzerland. The result is an authentic European adventure park experience, simply substituting the Berkshires for the Alps.
 Each of the eight courses at Catamount Adventure Park consists of platforms high in the trees and connected by rope bridges. Climbers maneuver through the courses by walking over bridges and gliding across zip-lines. There are 115 crossing challenges throughout the park.
 Catamount’s courses vary in difficulty from novice to advanced, similar to ski-trail designations. Participants are fully secured by harnesses and safety lanyards at all times, providing a safe adventure for everyone.
 “It’s a great outdoor activity for the whole family,” said Catamount Adventure Park Partner Ralph Selvaggi. “There’s a fitness element, as well. You need to do some work while you’re up there: climbing ladders, crossing bridges and going over obstacles.”
 Mr. Selvaggi noted the courses are especially beneficial for children ages 8 and up.
 “Kids learn about physical fitness and build confidence,” he said.
Summer is the perfect time to get outside and get active at Catamount Adventure Park. The park operates Friday through Sunday until June 12, and daily starting June 15.
 Park tickets are valid for three hours of climbing. Special group packages, birthday party rentals and scouting events are also available.
 Catamount Adventure Park, 3200 State Highway 23, Hillsdale, N.Y.: (518) 325-3200, www.catamounttrees.com.

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Truro Vineyards boasts five acres of twirling vines.

Kristen Roberts will tell you there are two ways to make wine. Some winemakers trust science, testing pHs and sugar contents to determine when it’s ready. Others trust their own taste.
 That’s how it’s done at Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod. Not only do the vineyard’s two winemakers trust their own knowledge and instincts to create their signature chardonnays, sauvignon blancs and merlots, but the entire Roberts family took a leap of faith two years ago when they purchased this 1830s farmstead and its five acres of twirling vines.
 “We had several big family meetings. If even one person didn’t want to do it, we felt it would be less worthwhile,” said Ms. Roberts, who grew up summers in Truro visiting her grandparents. “My father was a liquor distributor, and my brother made beer in Atlanta, but I didn’t know anything about wine. We all left other jobs, and we’ve never looked back.”
 Under the family’s enthusiastic ownership, Truro Vineyards has blossomed. A new winery barn building with a gorgeous barrel room – soaring beamed ceilings and hand-painted murals, oak barrels stacked to the sky – went up last year, with a permanent outdoor wine-tasting pavilion ready to greet guests this summer. They’ve added two wines to the vineyard’s repertoire, stocked a lovely gift shop, and created a “take-out” menu of breads and cheeses to be enjoyed picnic-style on the front lawn.
 June is Ms. Roberts’ favorite month. The vines are greening up; the sea air is warm. There’s plenty of elbow room at the tastings and daily tours that showcase the process from vine to wine. And all kinds of interesting people stop in – from wine connoisseurs who want to debate intimate details or chat about years and vintages, to people who just enjoy a nice wine with dinner.
 Tastings, held every half-hour, are great for “expanding your horizons” and trying something new, like the vineyard’s popular Cranberry Red or the estate chardonnay – rich and buttery, with hints of oak and vanilla.
 Ms. Roberts herself is learning something new about wine every day. “We’re a small winery, but I love the outdoor feel to it,” she said. “I never thought I’d be in a family business, but we meet great people and have this great place. We’re pretty happy.”
 Truro Vineyards, 11 Shore Road, North Truro: www.trurovineyardsofcapecod.com.

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National and local entertainers will perform at the 30th annual festival.

 Cambridge is renowned for its thinkers and entrepreneurs, but it also has a long history as a vibrant hub for the creative and industrial arts.
 Today hundreds of artists and craftspeople live and work in the city, and they will be out in force on Saturday, June 13 for the 30th annual Cambridge River Festival, an eclectic, fun-filled celebration of the arts.
 Artists are often thought of as bohemian dreamers, but in reality they tend to be hard-working people who are passionate about their work.
 According to a 2008 National Endowment for the Arts study, almost two million Americans list their primary profession as artist — more than the total number of medical doctors or members of the legal profession.
 Artists contribute to the economy and their communities in myriad ways, and it is these real-world contributions of the arts that the Cambridge River Festival will showcase this year.
 This free event sponsored by the Cambridge Arts Council will feature national and local performers on five stages devoted to jazz, folk, theater, dance and family art-making activities.
 Throughout the afternoon, local arts organizations and artists of all varieties will offer interactive workshops and demonstrations of the creative process in action, and more than 100 craftspeople and specialty- food purveyors will sell their wares along a mile-long stretch of the Charles River embankment.
 The arts enrich our lives — but they also enliven our communities and contribute to their economic prosperity.
 So come out and celebrate the creative economy — and maybe even create some art yourself — while enjoying a springtime stroll along the Charles during the Cambridge River Festival.
 The festival will take place rain or shine on Saturday, June 13 from noon to 6 p.m. on Memorial Drive between Harvard and Central Squares.

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A sketch from “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.”

 The Cape at 8 Strawberry Lane appears to be a captain’s house — but beware. Inside lurk strange and delightful creatures, their fangs and wings and macabre adventures, the product of the original (and odd) imagination of the late Edward Gorey.
 People find their way to the Edward Gorey House because they’re great fans of this writer/illustrator, the not-so-mad mind whose detailed Victorian-themed stylings influenced Tim Burton and gave birth to Lemony Snicket.  Other visitors recall that Gorey created the stunning Broadway set design for Frank Langella’s Dracula and those stark, chilling images of Edwardian nursemaids and black-clad detectives and insane asylums that accompanied the credits of PBS’s “Mystery.”
 Yet others wander in unsuspecting, in the mood, perhaps, for a nice tour of a pleasant 19th-century homestead. Those are the visitors, curator and director Rick Jones said, who are, at first, perplexed at the endless pen and ink drawings of bats and cats and dragons tied in knots, or alphabet books where all the children meet unpleasant ends. But then, the chuckles begin.
 For beneath the tales of horror and mayhem, of evil guinea pigs (so “awful” it was never published) and penguins that come to call and never leave, runs a delightful shiver. For Gorey understood that what is implied but not seen can be the scariest thing of all.
 “I was his friend for the last 15 years,” Mr. Jones says of Gorey, who died in 2000 after living in the Yarmouthport house for almost two decades. “He was a delight; a brilliant man with an incredible sense of humor.”
 The museum is a tribute to his genius, stocked with unfinished illustrations and original designs, children’s books and stuffed bean bags and inspirational knickknacks, from dissertations on his creative process to Dracula-inspired kid’s sheets, all set betwixt and between the original “Mystery” set pieces.
 And throughout – horror with a wink. The home’s docents have carefully recreated Gorey’s “Gashlycrumb Tinies” for visitors to find – from “A is for Amy who fell down the stairs” (a really easy one) to “R is for Rhoda consumed by a fire” (more challenging – keep an eye out for an ashtray).
 Edward Gorey House, 8 Strawberry Lane, Yarmouthport: (508) 362-3909, www.edwardgoreyhouse.org.

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A camera monitored by a local volunteer task force captures a fisher passing through one of the tunnels.

 Critter crossings. Green bridges. Ecoducts.
   Call them what you will, these semi-natural corridors are designed to provide safe passage to wildlife trying to cross busy thoroughfares.
Long used in Europe – the first cited appeared in France during the 1950s – these wildlife crossings have become increasingly common in Canada and the United States.
   Over the past 30 years, these culverts, bridges, overpasses and tunnels have been built to protect mountain goats in Montana, bighorn sheep in Colorado, spotted salamanders in western Massachusetts and any number of species closer to home, near Route 2 in Concord.
   “Just recently, we have a photo of a gray fox using them,” said Lydia Rogers, co-chair of the volunteer task force that monitors the four Concord tunnels for their success. “I was frustrated before – I knew they were right there on either side of the highway, but they tend to be shyer than the red fox, and we didn’t know if they were using the tunnels.”
   There are at least 600 wildlife tunnels nationwide – more than 12 of them in Massachusetts, including the four the Massachusetts Highway Department installed as part of its work to improve two sections of Route 2 in Concord.
The busy four-lane road sees about 50,000 vehicles travel it each day, and Mass Highway built the tunnels – the first in the more densely populated eastern Massachusetts – to reduce animal-car crashes and reconnect wildlife habitats dissected by the busy road.
   “Even if one animal makes it through and breeds, you’ve increased the genetic biodiversity of a population and decreased the fragmentation of habitat,” she said. “Roads are killers in subtle and dramatic ways – most people see the road kill, but even without that, we are killing off animals as we cut their habitats into smaller and smaller areas.”
   The shortest of the concrete culverts – between Crosby Corner and the Sudbury River – is about 82.5 feet.
   The longest is 96 feet by 6 feet by 9 feet. And the smallest is 3 feet high by 5 feet wide, Ms. Rogers said.
   She and others monitoring the tunnels have documented 32 different species through photographs taken by nearby cameras and animal markings left in a tracking bed in one tunnel.
   Those using the tunnels range from creatures great to small – a veritable zoo of coyotes, deer, mice, raccoons, snapping turtles, voles, weasels, a feisty looking woodchuck and others.
   One repeat user since the tunnels opened in July 2005 is a fisher, Ms. Rogers said.
   “It was most likely a female: It was consistently taking possum, squirrel, skunk or rabbit from the north side back to the south side,” she said. “We felt it was likely to be a mother fisher feeding her young with the pattern of food going one way – the grocery store was on the other side.”
One surprise is the number of deer using the tunnels.
   “This is scary for deer because it’s a confined area, and they’re a prey species,” Ms. Rogers said.
   One picture the task force has is of a deer swimming through one of the tunnels, which – located near wetlands, vernal pools, streams and ponds – flood often.
   But most often, the deer take the tunnels in groups, or a doe with a fawn will use them.
   “We put in these tunnels where they fit, and here the animals have found and use them over and over again,” Ms. Rogers said. “It’s clear they’ve made these tunnels a part of their regular life routine, and if we can do more to support this action, it’s something positive we can do for wildlife.”

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Paulo Veronese’s 1562 “Virgin and Child with Angels” is on loan from Virginia’s Chrysler Museum of Art.

  Amid high drama and intense rivalry, a great triumvirate dominated the landscape of Venetian painting in the 16th century for almost four decades.
This dynamic relationship has been recreated in “Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese: Rivals in Renaissance Venice,” the first major exhibition dedicated to the competition among these renowned masters and the emergence of their signature styles.
The exhibition will be on display at the Museum of Fine Arts through Aug. 16, before moving across the Atlantic to Paris’ Louvre.
   Juxtapositions of related works contribute new scholarship to the discussion of these artists and the influence they had upon one another. The exhibition also looks at the critical transformation of the art world in early 16th-century Venice that occurred with the introduction of oil paint on canvas support and the new format of the canvas easel painting.
   “Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese created a ‘Venetian style,’ inspired by the counterpoint that arose as one artist responded on canvas to another,” said Malcolm Rogers, Ann and Graham Gund Director of the MFA. “Fueled by the constant vying for patronage, prestige and financial rewards, theirs was a highly charged, personal relationship that resulted in some of the greatest paintings of the Italian Renaissance.”
   The exhibition features 56 notable works, lent by major museums in Europe and the United States and, significantly, several churches in Venice. A number of paintings have been specially restored.
   Only a handful of the paintings on exhibit are actually signed: As Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese became Venice’s greatest painters, each developed a “signature style” so distinctive that it made the practice of signing a picture redundant.
   Admission to the exhibition, which includes general admission and a return visit to the MFA’s collection within 10 days, is by ticket only for a reserved date and time of entry at half-hour intervals. Advance reservations are recommended.
   Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 465 Huntington Ave.: (617) 267-9300, www.mfa.org.

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Jaunty Hornbeam is one of the Tree Figures in an outdoor sculpture exhibit.

  Fruitlands lasted as a Utopian community for just seven months back in the 1840s, but its rich legacy has carried forward in a museum that highlights the diverse history of the area.
   Set on scenic Prospect Hill Road in Harvard, Fruitlands Museum is a sensory feast. The sweeping views, visible from the surrounding walking trails or even the parking lot, offer a glimpse of what Bronson Alcott and his cohorts must have envisioned when, seeking a perfect community, they moved to this spectacular land.
   Founded by Clara Endicott Sears, Fruitlands houses four galleries in several buildings and offers a chance to examine Shaker, Native American and American art and artifacts. The collection reflects the rich local Shaker history with the first Shaker museum in the nation, now housed in a 1796 building.
   To celebrate the museum’s 95th season, the exhibit “The Nature of Apples – Art and Memory” just opened. In addition to being familiar American symbols, apples are entwined in the history and legacies of this land, from Johnny Appleseed to Harvard’s agricultural roots. The fruit is presented with paintings from artists including Currier and Ives and Karl Knaths, a Provincetown painter. The exhibit runs through Oct. 31.
   Fruitlands also has an outdoor sculpture exhibit of Joseph Wheelwright’s Tree Figures running through November. Towering over visitors, the sculptures, with names like Pine Man and Jaunty Hornbeam, bend and twist into figures that inspire reflections of the links between nature and art. Placed at various points on the 210-acre property, the sculptures are a delight to discover in the outdoors.
   Fruitlands offers a museum store and a seasonal restaurant, but visitors are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. The museum hosts various concerts and events throughout the year.
   Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard: (978) 456-3924, www.fruitlands.org.

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The South County Museum’s farm is home to Rhode Island Reds, sheep and other animals.

  Jefferson Davis’ shaving mirror, an original Christian Dior ladies’ hat and a piece of the very first transatlantic cable.
They’re all part of “Unique, Unusual, Unforgettable,” this year’s theme at the South County Museum.
  Set on 174 acres that were once the estate of 19th-century Rhode Island Governor Col. William Sprague, the museum is dedicated to the preservation of Rhode Island’s pre-suburban way of life.
  “We have something for everyone, including young children,” Museum Director Jim Crothers said. “Kids especially love the Living History Farm.”
  The farm, home to sheep, goats, Narragansett turkeys and Rhode Island Reds, gives visitors a glimpse of southern Rhode Island’s agricultural past.
Other attractions include a print shop, carpentry shop, blacksmith’s shop, one-room schoolhouse and early transportation exhibit. The Metz Building serves as the main exhibit hall.
  “Our exhibits change all the time,” Mr. Crothers said. “This year we’re featuring items we’ve acquired over the years which don’t fall into any particular category and which we haven’t been able to incorporate into any exhibit.”
Other offerings include a monthly lecture series, which runs throughout the season.
  On May 23, Linda Beaulieu — celebrated local food writer and author of “The Providence and Rhode Island Cookbook”—will be on site to share recipes and cooking tips. Local restaurateurs will be there to share samples of their fares.
  The museum begins its season May 2 and welcomes visitors that day as part of Tour Rhode Island’s “South County Treasures and Keepsakes” tour. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays, with expanded hours in July and August.
  South County Museum, Strathmore Street, Narragansett: (401) 783-5400, www.southcountymuseum.org.

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