Rangeley Lakes Region

Pursuit of the fabled wild brook trout has for generations attracted anglers to the western mountains of Maine. This phenomenon has, over the course of two hundred years, transformed the town of Rangeley from a settlement of farmers and woodsmen to a popular outdoor sporting destination where the names of Carrie Stevens, Herb Welch, and Fly Rod Crosby still echo along the streams and lakes. Rangeley Lakes Region examines the region's rich heritage and provides an intimate glimpse of the past, people, and places that make Rangeley special.

Rangeley, Maine, was settled in 1817 when Luther Hoar brought his family from Madrid to a log cabin he had built on the shore of Rangeley Lake. Several others families soon arrived, cleared land, and began farming. It was a small farming community only until the 1850s though. Lumber barons had arrived in the late 1840s, built dams, and started logging the vast timberlands. Soon after, fishermen from Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington arrived to fish the multitude of lakes, ponds, and streams. By 1900, Rangeley was a bustling town with several hotels and two railroad lines. The big hotel era ended after World War II, and secondary residences began to dominate the scene. Today, thousands of visitors come to Rangeley annually to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and crystal clear waters and participate in numerous outdoor activities.

This book encompasses the region’s six major lakes — Aziscohos, Kennebago, Mooselookmeguntic, Rangeley, Richardson, and Parmachenee — as well as the mountains, ponds, and rivers that surround them. It is presented one lake at a time, interspersed with side trips to the sights and activities you find, or do, around a Rangeley region lake, mountain, or stream. It’s an eclectic journey, taking things as they come, expected or unexpected, which is the best way to explore the Rangeleys.

American folklife is steeped in world cultures, or invented as new culture, always evolving, yet often practiced as it was created many years or even centuries ago. This fascinating encyclopedia explores the rich and varied cultural traditions of folklife in America - from barn raisings to the Internet, tattoos, and Zydeco - through expressions that include ritual, custom, crafts, architecture, food, clothing, and art. Featuring more than 350 A-Z entries, "Encyclopedia of American Folklife" is wide-ranging and inclusive. Entries cover major cities and urban centers; new and established immigrant groups as well as native Americans; American territories, such as Guam and Samoa; major issues, such as education and intellectual property; and expressions of material culture, such as homes, dress, food, and crafts. This encyclopedia covers notable folklife areas as well as general regional categories. It addresses religious groups (reflecting diversity within groups such as the Amish and the Jews), age groups (both old age and youth gangs), and contemporary folk groups (skateboarders and psychobillies) - placing all of them in the vivid tapestry of folklife in America. In addition, this resource offers useful insights on folklife concepts through entries such as "community and group" and "tradition and culture." The set also features complete indexes in each volume, as well as a bibliography for further research.

The Swiss Army knife of guidebooks and the standard by which all other Maine travel guides are judged. This book is the standard that all other Maine travel guides are judged by. Now in its 17th edition, this bestseller just gets better and better! With expanded coverage and thousands of selective, up-to-date listings of the best lodging places, dining spots, recreation options, attractions and events, shopping, and lots more.