Hurricane Sandy is set to hit the United States as a category 1 hurricane later today, but already there is flooding across the Northeast. How exactly it will impact Maine is unclear, but we want to encourage everyone to take every precaution necessary for what may be tropical storm strength winds across the state. 

One can find information for how to prepare for such storms at official Web site for FEMA ready.gov and everyone should keep on eye on your local weather forecasts to follow the track of this storm as it moves towards Maine. 

Here are five loops where the foliage is so stunning that the price at the pump seems like an inexpensive ticket to the greatest show in the state.

The Portland Masonic Temple Grand Lodge and the Abyssinian Meeting House have made Greater Portland Landmarks' first Places in Peril List.  The list calls attention to prominent and historically-significant properties in greater Portland that are in danger of being permanently lost or diminished.

The Yankee Crafty B*tch shares with us how to make the beautiful tiled tabletops created for a summer wedding, but would be a great addition to any New England home.


What you’ll need:

The Yankee Crafty B*tch teaches you how to make fish-designed notebooks

The Yankee Crafty B*tch teaches you how to put together a Maine-inspired planter.

Late summer and fall weddings are such a wonderful time with family and friends. From the picturesque coastline to the Great North Woods, Maine is a major destination spot for weddings. The warm breezes of the afternoons are wonderful for the ceremony and the cooler nights allow dancing to continue until sunrise.

In the December 2011 Down East article "Chez Renee" Susan Derector said she completed "Le Tour De Renys," meaning she stopped at every single Renys store across Maine. That's sixteen in all, and they stretch across the state from Wells to Ellsworth to Dexter to Bridgton.

If you're expecting a repeat of Maine's 2011-2012 winter of unseasonable warmth, the Farmer's Almanac says to cool your jets. According to mysterious forecaster Caleb Weatherbee, the North East is in store for a cold and snowy winter in 2013. Last year was the fourth warmest winter since records started being kept in 1895. The Almanac, which has been published out of Lewiston, Maine since 1955, says:

The Yankee Crafty B*tch tells you how to dress up your baby for an upcoming wedding.

It's the last weekend of August, and there's a ton going on in Maine. Here are seven things to do on the weekend before Labor Day.

American Folk Festival: August 24–26, Bangor Waterfront, $10, americanfolkfestival.com
Enjoy this three-day event in downtown Bangor with music and dance from many cultures that make up America today.