Julia Bayly

Fort Kent

Mushing, cycling, traveling or writing - for Bangor Daily News reporter Julia Bayly, it often depends on which way the wind is blowing.

Articles

How to treat a painful rash caused by the browntail moth caterpillar

6 days ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in June 2021. Browntail moth caterpillars have poisonous, irritating hairs that can cause a blistery rash similar to poison ivy when people come into contact with them and can cause respiratory distress if people breathe them in. The moth has been declared a public health nuisance in the state by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. “We have had people coming in looking for remedies,” said Christine Cattan, a pharmacist at Bangor Drug Company.
Plant these 5 herbs once and enjoy them for years

1 week ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in June 2023. It would be hard to find a recipe that’s not improved by adding fresh herbs. Running to the grocery store or farmers market every time you need some takes time and can be costly. One way to make sure you always have your favorite herbs on hand is planting your own that you can harvest anytime you need them. Many of these herbs are perennial, meaning they spread or reseed on their own year after year.
Everything you need to know about Maine fiddleheads

2 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in May 2023. As the snow melts around Maine and temperatures begin to warm, it’s natural to start thinking about heading to your favorite woodland spot in search of fiddleheads. The young, coiled leaves of the ostrich fern are one of the earliest wild edibles to poke their heads up in the spring. From late April into June, foragers armed with empty bags, buckets, baskets or totes collect as many of the tasty ferns as they can.
When you need to clear the snow off your barn roof

2 months ago | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

Your donation, in any amount, can help sustain the BDN’s civic news mission. Learn more about why we are asking for reader support. This story was originally published on Dec. 5, 2023. Kami Rivera kept a close eye on her 250-year-old barn as Monday’s storm piled several inches of snow on its roof. She did not have to shovel it off this time, but she knows never to take snow loads for granted on any of her buildings — especially the ones housing animals.
How to combat ‘winter depression’ in Maine

Feb 7, 2025 | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in January 2019. Medical science has shown that the short days and lack of sunlight in northern latitudes can have negative physical and emotional effects on some people. In fact, seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is treated by doctors and therapists as a real and potentially life-threatening condition.
Is it a falling bowling ball? Is it an exploding car? No, it's a frost quake.

Jan 27, 2025 | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in February 2022. There’s a lot of underground activity in Maine. Geologically speaking, that is. Every year the state records at least one earthquake between magnitude 3 and 3.9, which is enough to swing a hanging lamp or rattle some dishes. In between there are a handful of lesser quakes. In Maine, there are also seasonal seismic events called cryoseisms or, more commonly, frost quakes. These happen when heavily saturated ground rapidly freezes.
Here’s how to work out at home with resistance bands

Jan 15, 2025 | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in February 2021. Resistance bands are perfect examples of a small, lightweight exercise tool capable of giving you a full body workout. The bands are versatile, easy to use and exercises using them can be modified to match your level of fitness. Here’s what you need to know to incorporate resistance bands into your home workout. What are resistance bands? Resistance bands are basically giant rubber bands that force your muscles to work against tension.
Meet the venomous Maine spider that comes out in the winter

Dec 25, 2024 | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in March 2024. Arachnophobes may have thought snow- or ice-covered terrain in the state were safe spaces away from spiders. They are wrong. Turns out there is a rather large spider native to Maine that hangs out next to water and is not above taking a stroll across the ice or snow in the winter when temperatures rise above freezing. This is the fishing spider, also known as eight-legged anglers.
How to protect your mailbox from being wiped out by a snowplow

Dec 24, 2024 | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in March 2021. There’s a lot to deal with during a Maine winter, from snow to bone-chilling temperatures to short days and beyond. But for some Mainers, the most frustrating part of a Maine winter can be defending their mailbox against snowplows. Not long after it starts snowing in Maine, municipal snow plows are rumbling along major roads and side streets. Lowered blades push mounds of snow off to the sides, clearing the way for drivers.
Missing an essential baking ingredient? Try these substitutions.

Dec 22, 2024 | bangordailynews.com | Julia Bayly

This story was originally published in March 2020. There are few things more frustrating than being in the middle of a cooking or baking project and being out of an ingredient. Knowing a few kitchen ingredient substitutions can come in very handy. From brownies to breads, many baking recipes call for some amount of cooking oil. If you run out of oil — or are running low — unsweetened applesauce is a good substitute.