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September 2015 
Greetings!
It's been a perfect Maine summer, and cooler weather and changing
colors are just around the corner. It's a great time of year to take in Maine's beautiful scenery, from a trail, a river or a bike path. Whatever means you choose, September is best spent outside.

In this issue: Apple picking, fairs and festivals, and lots of ideas for enjoying late summer in Maine. 
Orchard glad it's apple season?
As summer simmers to an end, our minds wander to thoughts of fall's natural bounty and fun traditions. Apples are synonymous with the start of the season. And with crops reportedly plentiful this year, there's no better time to get out there! Here's a list of low-spray and organic U-Pick orchards. And mark your calendar - Maine Apple Sunday is September 13th, click the link for more info about participating orchards and events across the state.
The 39th annual Common Ground Country Fair...
MOFGA's Common Ground Country Fair takes place in Unity September 25th-27th. Stop by our booth to say hi, and pre-order your 10th anniversary SunriseGuide! And remember to bring your 2015 SunriseGuide coupons for $2 off  adult admission to the fair.
 
Join hundreds of vendors and tens of thousands of fair-goers who gather to share knowledge about sustainable living; eat delicious, organic, Maine-grown food; buy and sell beautiful Maine crafts and agricultural products; compete in various activities; dance; sing; and have a great time. There are several ecological ways to get to the fair - you can carpool, bike and ride the train to Unity. Come celebrate the rural agricultural traditions of Maine!

Volunteer at the SunriseGuide booth! We're looking for a few passionate SunriseGuide readers to help out at our booth. In exchange for three hours of your time, you'll get free admission to the fair, a free copy of the brand new 2016 SunriseGuide and our overflowing appreciation! Email us to learn more.
2ndAnnual Portland Greenfest September 12th!
The SunriseGuide is proud to sponsor southern Maine's largest environmental festival, Greenfest! Over 60 exhibitors demonstrating  solar energy, clean water, local foods, green household products, and lots more. Art, kids' activities, films, and locally sourced food trucks. Workshops on energy, green living, sustainable food, habitat protection and more! Plus  music from Dave Grant & the Reveals, Jenny Van West, Truth About Daisies, Jacob Cuff, Maisha Mustafa & AKIWACU, and local teen phenom Liam Swift! Admission is free. 10 am - 4 pm in Portland's Monument Square. We hope to see you there! www.portlandgreenfest.org.
We are hiring! 
We have an exciting opening for a graphic design and marketing professional to join the SunriseGuide team in Portland. Are you creative, organized and interested in an eco-friendly lifestyle that promotes health and wellness? You must be an expert in InDesign, have experience managing social media accounts, email marketing campaigns and websites. Click here to learn more, and apply. 
Sign up early and earn more!  
With school busses back on the roads, and a new season approaching, it's the perfect time to schedule a fundraiser with The SunriseGuide! SunriseGuide Fundraisers produce high returns AND provide a valuable Maine-made product that you and your supporters can feel good about. We can help you raise money for a non-profit, Class of '16, sports teams, arts groups, Project Graduation, boosters, environmental clubs, special trips, projects, and more! This fall, we'll release our 10th anniversary edition. And if you sign up before September 25th, you will earn $10 per book - regardless of how many you  sell! Learn more here. 
What's left on your summer "to-do list"?
Ready or not, the autumnal equinox is almost here. September 23rd marks the first day of fall. How will you spend the last weeks of your summer? Here is some inspiration to help you take advantage of the remainder of our great Maine summer with your SunriseGuide. 
  • Paddle the Presumpscot or the Sebago Lake Region with a 2 for 1 recreational kayak rental from Sebago Trails in Windham.
  • Enjoy $2 off a sunrise cruise with Casco Bay Lines and experience our Nation's first morning rays.
  • Retreat into a birch grove with a neighboring stream in your very own yurt, at Frost Mountain Yurts in Brownfield. You'll save $15 off your  stay with your SunriseGuide coupon.
  • Schedule a yoga retreat at the Snow Squall Inn and get a free yoga class at Wicked Good Yoga each night you stay with your SunriseGuide coupon.
Leafpeep from your bike seat with AppleCycle
We are thrilled to be a sponsor of the second annual
AppleCycle orchard hop. The event supports the great work of the Community Bicycle Center. U-Pick from three distance options: 62, 30 or 17 miles.  AppleCycle is a chance to take advantage of Maine's leaf-peeping season from the seat of your bike, not the seat of a car, while supporting CBC's youth development programs. Enjoy fall-inspired snacks at each rest stop as well as back at the finish where you'll be rewarded for your orchard-hopping trip with a lakeside lunch!
SunriseGuide Partner News

Videoport has closed its doors after 28 years. They will be missed! 
  

METRO has expanded their service on four Holidays and Sundays, and added new routes! Check it out!  
      

The Farm Stand in South Portland celebrated their first anniversary! 
   

Women of Substance celebrates 20 years!

     

Jan Robinson of EcoHome Studio has been named one of the top 15 best Interior Designers in Cumberland County!
Sustainable Living Events
This list is just a sampling of the many events happening around Maine. Please visit the Local Events section of our website for even more events.

Sep. 5-7. 9:30am-4:30pm. With Skillins at Maine Wildlife Park. 

Sep. 8. 5:30-8pm. For details on location and beneficiary, check out the Greendrinks website. 

Sep. 9. 5:30pm-8pm. MaineShare's 25th Anniversary celebration Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Portland. 
 
Sep. 9. 7:15am-11am. Rockland Community Library. Hannaford Hall, Abromson Center, USM 
 
2nd Annual Portland Greenfest
 
Sep. 12. 10am-4pm. Southern Maine's premiere eco-event. Monument Square, Portland. 
  
Sep. 12. 10am-4pm. Wells, ME    
Sep. 13. All day event. Orchards participating statewide. 
 
Sep. 13. 12pm-4pm. Are you interested in Electric Vehicles? Come meet other who are too! South Portland Community Center, South Portland.  
 
Sep. 17. 6pm-8pm. ReVision Energy, Portland, Maine.

Portland Trail to Ale Race/Walk
Sep. 20. Proceeds to benefit Portland Trails.

Climate Ride to Common Ground
Sep. 22. Ride to the 2015 Common Ground Country Fair in Unity.

Maine's Biggest Environmental Issues with Lisa Pohlman
Sep. 22. 12pm-1pm. At Merryspring Nature Center in Camden.

Climate Stewards: The Science of When Climate Science Doesn't Matter
Sep. 23. 6pm-7:30pm Wells Reserve at Laudholm in Wells.

Great Maine Outdoor Weekend
Sep. 25-27. All day. Outdoor events across the state!

Common Ground Country Fair
Sep. 25-27. 9am-5pm. Celebrate the rural and agricultural traditions of Maine in Unity.

Acadia National Park Car Free Morning
Sep. 26th. 1am-12pm. Enjoy a car free morning on the park look road in Acadia.

Punkinfiddle Family Festival and National Estuaries Day Celebration
Sep. 26th. 10am-4pm. Wells Reserve at Laudholm in Wells.

For a complete list of events, please visit the Local Events section on our website.
Save the Date
Mark your calendars for these upcoming sustainable living events!

Oct. 2. Learn the latest methods and techniques for food preservation in Tenants Harbor

28th Annual Apple Day Celebration
Oct. 3. 10am-2pm. At Gilsland Farm Audubon Center in Falmouth.

Oct. 4 Community Bicycle Center's annual U-pick orchard bicycle ride.

Fall Festival
Oct. 10. 10am-3pm. At Wolfe's Neck Farm in Freeport. 
 
Have an event we can help you promote? Please email us the info.