Fantastic Fungi, the long awaited documentary film by Louie Schwartzberg, is scheduled to play at Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville starting Friday 18 October 2019. This film has been getting a lot of positive buzz on Facebook.  See the trailer and track showtimes on their website:

http://www.railroadsquarecinema.com/fantastic-fungi/

“FANTASTIC FUNGI is a consciousness-shifting film that takes us on an immersive journey through time and scale into the magical earth beneath our feet, an underground network that can heal and save our planet. Through the eyes of renowned scientists and mycologists like Paul Stamets, best-selling authors Michael Pollan, Eugenia Bone, Andrew Weil and others, we become aware of the beauty, intelligence and solutions the fungi kingdom offers us in response to some of our most pressing medical, therapeutic, and environmental challenges. (USA, 2019) Director: Louie Schwartzberg”

Apologies for the late start posting the foray schedule…..

Please note:  Forays are for MMA members.  You are welcome to check one out if you’ve never been.  You can become a member at a foray.  It’s just $10.

Please refer to your latest member newsletter for driving directions.

August 10, Saturday, 9 am. Butler Head Preserve, Butler Head Road, Bath.
Host: Cheryl St. Pierre 725-4875 or 607-9226
This 133 acre preserve along Merrymeeting Bay is heavily wooded with pine, hemlock, birch, oak and beech of varying ages. It has some steep and marsh areas and good trails.

August 25, Sunday, 10 am. Trails at Reeds Brook Middle School, Hampden.
Host: Mary Yurlina 404-6430
There are several miles of trails that pass through wet lowlands along Reeds Brook, as well as uplands, traversing a variety of habitats including meadow, young woodlands and mature forest. Go to htts://google.com/reedsbrooktrails/trails-map for a map. The trail is adjacent to the west side of Reeds Brook Middle School. We will meet at the information sign near the trail which is in sight of and down slope from the access road to the school. After the foray, you can head over to Bangor for an afternoon of wonderful music and food at the American Folk Festival.

September 7, Saturday, 9:00, Rines Forest, 352-362 Range Road, Cumberland.
Host: Jeanne Farrell 860-307-0796.
Rines Forest is a 216 acre woodland comprised of hemlock, pine, oak, birch, maple and poplar. There are miles of moderate trails along streams and waterfalls with some wetlands and steep slopes. Parking is limited along Range Rd., more parking along Idlewood Dr.

September 22, Sunday, 9:30 am. Parker Pond, 30 Grant’s Point Road, Mount Vernon.
Host: Leonid Tsvetkov 585-330-4312
We will be at a camp on Parker Pond and will be foraying on Kennebec Land Trust property. Its forest consists of hemlock, pine, ash, and a few varieties of birches. There are boggy areas with cedar and birch. Leonid will have microscopes set up and available for use. Also kayaks!

October 5, Saturday, 10 am. Demeritt Forest, College Ave., Old Town/Orono.
Host: Seanna Annis 725-8412, sannis@maine.edu
This is an easy walking trail in a mixed forest with mostly hardwoods. Some streams run across the path providing wet areas.

October 19, Saturday, 10:00am, Greener Days Farm, 286 Miller Road, Waldoboro.
Hosts: Laura and Craig Martel, 449-7214.
A working farm with pigs and electric fence. Mixed forest with lots of new growth and some clearings. There are a lot of mid-age oaks, large birches, and large pines left as seed trees and an area along the brook that has not been cut. There is glacial till and ledge. Several seasonal streams and seeps and wetlands. If there has been any rain, mud boots are recommended. There is a mile long figure eight trail and lots of log roads.

Members met at the Morris Farm in Wiscasset on Sunday 28 April 2019 to play with pots of mushroom and lichen dyes. Colorful fun was had by all. Special thanks goes to Michaeline Mulvey for gathering all the materials, equipment, books, and instructions for the activity AND being on duty for hours to guide us and answer all our questions.

 

Greg Marley

Regional Mushroom Poisoning Update with a Few Unexpected Sickenings and Puzzles

March 31, Sunday 2 pm, Camden Public Library, 55 Main Street, Camden

Greg Marley has been consulting as a volunteer with Poison Centers across New England for the past 15 years.  Combined with his decided interest in eating a delicious range of mushrooms, he brings an unique perspective to balance the excitement of edible mushrooms with the concern over risk of poisoning. Greg will review the increasing numbers of toxic mushroom exposures seen across the region as more people engage in foraging for edible mushrooms and mistakes are made.  He will also focus on 2 significant cases and the questions they raise. 

Directions to the Camden Library: Take Rte. 1 into Camden from the North or South. The library is across from the intersection of Rte. 1 and Rte. 52 on the North edge of the village.