As the weather cools, the leaves color and the days grow shorter, many of us are trying to make the most of the outdoors before the leaves leave. October will soon bring colorful trees and crisp sights to enjoy. Want to enjoy the fresh air and scenic views while keeping warm?  Why not head out on a bicycle for some exercise, stress relief while taking in the vibrant landscape.  Lowell offers a 6.8 mile bike path that follows along the old New Haven Railroad Framingham & Lowell Line through the communities of Lowell, Chelmsford, and Westford. Just recently completed, the Bruce Freeman trail …

September brings the change of seasons, when students head back to school to learn new subjects, advance their understanding of familiar ones, and try their hand at something new.  Now is a great opportunity for adults to follow this age old tradition as well. Want to learn basic first aid and CPR?  Enroll in a class to receive a 2 year certification from American Heart Association.  Are you always on the go, but would love to try your hand at piano?  Perhaps a course titled Instant Piano (for Hopelessly Busy people) is just up your alley.  Need a reason to make exercise happen?  Take up golf…

Looking for an adventure but trying to decide between a peaceful ocean getaway and a day in the city?  Why not do both without a lot of unnecessary travel.   Boston is close by and can accommodate a tranquil day spent hiking, boating, and swimming as well as an evening of great food and night life. Within Boston Harbor, there are several islands that are open to the public, with the two most popular being Spectacle Island and Georges Island. Managed by Massachusetts Conservation and Recreation, these islands are host to easy walking trails and fabulous vistas of the Boston skyline and the …

Nothing says summer in New England like a tasty lobster. Though once a poor man’s food (and often pig fodder in New England in a time when codfish was considered a delicacy), it is anything but in modern times.  Today, lobster is one, if not the most, tasty and famous of seafoods. Lobster is truly versatile and is often prepared in such elaborate ways as baked, stuffed, grilled, or in a salad.  However, the savory taste of this world famous crustacean is most enjoyed by New Englanders boiled.  This way of cooking lobster is also the easiest, making it a great way to enjoy the company of …

“Stand in front of the (Mico Kaufman’s Wamesit) Indian statue and stare him in the eye. Now Turn around 180 degrees – facing the traffic lights and gas stations – with the Indian statue to your back. Walk 44 paces. As you walk you will see many large boulders lining the park and the road. As you hit your 44th pace, you will see two side by side “flat” boulders. Hidden in between, is your surprise!” As a child, did you ever enjoy the challenges of a scavenger hunt?  The fun and excitement associated with finding clues and solving riddles still exists for children and adults alike through …

      This time of year, there is nothing better than being near the water. Take the love of water one step further and enjoy a kayak or canoe day trip on a lake, river or ocean. Whether you own your own or rent one from a variety of relatively local places, consider a gentle paddle down a scenic river or enjoy the challenge of negotiating white water rapids as a wonderful way to spend the day either alone, with a partner, or together as a group of family and friends. Kayak rental places cater to both seasoned paddlers as well as first timers. With many rental outfits, a modest fee will equip…

Living in New England, there are not too many days in the year where sitting outside, or better yet, eating outside, can be considered an enjoyable event.  That time though is currently here.  What better way is there to enjoy the season than enjoying a meal outside under the stars while listening to music? Outdoor concert options abound.  Many recreation centers offer shows on the green, a free event open to the public.  Both Billerica and Burlington hold concerts on Tuesday nights and feature many of the same performers which range from blues, country, pop and a Beatles cover band.  Reading…

Invariably, Bruin game nights results in many Facebook posts regarding comments on score, a critical play or an individual’s feelings related to the game.  Such postings suggest a desire to connect with others to share in the joy of the game.  Instead of watching the game at home alone or with a few family members, wouldn’t it be exciting to watch the game surrounded by others that feel the same level of excitement? Although Skybox is always an option for game viewing, the atmosphere is not what everyone desires.  If you are looking for a more family friendly venue, consider Chunky’s cinema …

 Looking for a special gift for a wedding, graduation or birthday?  Why not combine the need for finding that perfect gift with a fun night out with friends.  Many local pottery painting places (think Magic Brush here in town) has evenings set aside for ladies night where food and drink can be brought into the studio for an evening of creativity, conversation and fun. You are able to choose from various pottery pieces including bowls, mugs, picture frames, banks, etc.  There are stamps, stencils and displays of ideas and painting tips to help you get started on your creation. Beyond being a …

The nice weather is pretty much here and us women all love to have pretty toes when we wear our flip flops.  And who doesn’t love a fun cocktail?  I have a great escape for you and your friends to enjoy.  My girlfriends and I call it, “Mani’s, Pedi’s & Tini’s”. Your first stop on this great escape is at Garden Nails & Spa located at 81 Main Street in Stoneham.  This facility is very roomy and clean.  When you walk in there is a great selection of nail polishes to choose from.  Pick your favorite and then head over to the manicure stations or to the wonderful pedicure station room.  They have …

I am sure that I don’t have to sell you on the benefits of hiking.  This inexpensive and non-competitive sport can be practiced anywhere by anyone regardless of gender, age, fitness level or other limitations.  Beyond increasing your current fitness level, hiking is an aerobic, weight bearing activity capable of improving bone density, and controlling diabetes. Beyond physical health benefits, hiking allows for time to clear your thoughts, work through a dilemma, interact with family or friends, and offers a sense of peace and solitude. Thankfully, Tewksbury has the Harold Parker State Forest…

When someone says May, what do you think about?  Did you jump to thoughts of flowers, spring and Mother’s Day?  For me, May also conjures up thoughts of Art in Bloom, a collection of these May highlights as the combination of art and flower exhibit was a way for my mother and me to celebrate an early Mother ’s Day together. At the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, from April 30-May 2, flower arrangers from various local gardening clubs and florists are challenged to create an arrangement that compliments an assigned piece of artwork, be it a statue, painting, piece of furniture, or architecture …

When was the last time you went to the movies?  I’m sure it was a while ago.  With admission costing over $20 for two people to see a show at night, you probably don’t go as often as you would like.  Well, mark your calendar for a Tuesday night because you’re going to the movies! Showcase Cinemas offers some really wonderful programs from Kidtoons to Silver Screens.  One great program is called Bargain Tuesdays.  Every Tuesday (in participating theaters), admission for all shows, all seating, is only $6.00 per person!  The average admission price for a nighttime movie is $10.50 per person.  …

People are often encouraged to think beyond their current set of circumstances and to look towards the future.  Are you set for retirement?  Perhaps you should think about investing in your future with a golf lesson or two! The game of golf has so many benefits – it is a form of exercise, can be played with friends or alone and allows you to compete against yourself.  Golf knows no age limits and can be enjoyed by all.  The game of golf seems simple enough; the goal is to use a club to hit a small ball through hazards in an attempt to use the fewest amount of strokes possible.   However, the …

"Where are you going this summer?" "What are you going to do for vacation?" This is about the time of year friends and co-workers start asking those questions of each other. Sometimes it can be fun to speculate. But in a challenging economy it can also be a lot of pressure. The best way I've found to deal with that pressure is the Great One-Day Vacation. Take a day and drive to the your favorite spot on the coast or the mountains or wherever you enjoy spending vacation week. Spend the day. Have lunch, go for a walk, do some shopping. But the most fun part? Stop in at one or two cottage rental…

Looking for ideas to do with other couples?  Have you ever thought about playing pool?  Pool, or billiards, is a sport that nearly anyone can play. It does not take a tremendous amount of physical activity; any fitness level can play. Add in the need for strategy play and a level of excitement that comes when balls start falling into the pockets, and you have the makings for some fun bantering, friendly games, and joking that will last long past the evening. Not sure how to play pool?  As with many games, there are many different takes on the traditional rules which allow for various numbers …

If you are like most people, you have many photographs of wonderful vacations, major milestones in your children’s lives, and times you want to remember and treasure.  So often though, those pictures remain hidden from view, whether on a memory card or printed out and stashed away.  Why not feature them?  Scrapbooking has become a great escape for many busy moms and a creative way to document their family life. Scrapbooking is a fun, rewarding hobby to have.  There are no strict rules on how to preserve your cherished postcards, pictures, notes and other treasures and there is no need to …

Looking to relax and let your mind drift away for an hour or so?  Yes?  Then I have the perfect idea for you! Balance Spa is offering some wonderful Winter Spa Specials through the month of March.  If you have never been to Balance Spa before then this is the perfect opportunity to go and treat yourself.  As soon as you step through the front door, you instantly feel like you have crossed over into some sort of relaxation zone.  The atmosphere is so beautiful and peaceful.  The staff is very friendly and they all seem to have this calming aura about them.  Your job?  Just sit back, relax and …

Sometimes the best place to get away to are in your mind. Book clubs are a terrific way to step out of your day-day-day life, if only for a few hours. The benefits of a book club or book discussion group are two-fold. First, you get a chance to gather with other people who share similar interests. Discussions are a great way to gain insight and make new friends. but don't forget about the book itself. That time letting yourself go into the world crafted by the author can be priceless. Book clubs and discussion groups aren't hard to find. Stop by the Tewksbury Public Library or log onto their …

The main ingredients to a successful night with friends always involve good conversations, laughs, and secrets, but do not have to include a large price tag. Why not create a gourmet experience in the comfort of your home?  A chocolate fondue party is a fabulous way to catch up with friends in a relaxing setting. With very little work and a simple fondue pot, an evening can be enjoyed while dipping fruit and other treats in melted chocolate (recipes abound on-line, but a simple recipe involves warming 1 cup heavy cream then stirring 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate and 1 teaspoon vanilla). Feel…