At Norway Savings Asset Management Group, it’s not necessarily the size of your nest egg we care about — it’s the story behind it. Your planning decisions are a reflection of your values and your future. They’re about the choices you’ve made to get here, and your vision for what comes next. We take the responsibility of protecting your financial future incredibly seriously. We make sure your story lives on.
JUNE 3 - 20
JUNE 24 - JULY 11
JULY 15 - AUGUST 1 AUGUST 5 - 22
13 FROM THE EDITOR
“Which ‘Witch Way?’” Has the media forgotten that Bette Davis’s Cape Elizabeth house was torn down? By Colin W. Sargent
15 LETTERS 16 CHOWDER
A tasty blend of the Fabulous, the Eyebrow-Raising, and the Just Plain Wrong.
23 THE MAINE OUTSIDE OF MAINE?
The Maine 100TM From Staff & Wire Reports
39 “HEAR YOURSELF THINK” Ten Magic Places. By Nancy English
47 “THE RAKE’S PROGRESS” By Judson Vail
57 MAINE LIVE
95 FICTION
“Conversations” Get your ghost on. By Brigitte Emmons-Touchette
43 FINE LIVING BUZZ ABOUT THE BUZZ Creating with Cannabis. By Clif
Travers
33 PRETTY IN PINK
Be a connoisseur of vodka sauce. By Briana Bononcini
51 CORNER TABLE
“Meet-Up at Mabel’s” By Colin W. Sargent
53 SELECT AREA RESTAURANTS
80 TALKING WALLS
“The Long View” The secrets of K-Port’s Mills Road By Colin W. Sargent
89 NEW ENGLAND HOMES AND LIVING CRUSHES 18 MADE IN MAINE Gifts & Events.
65 HOLIDAY GUIDE
102 Baxter Blvd, Portland, ME 04101
COLIN W. SARGENT
Founding Editor & Publisher
Art Director NANCY SARGENT
Associate Publisher JESSE STENBAK
Graphic Design MEAGHAN MAURICE
Design MERCEDES VILLENEUVE
Advertising Executive ANDIE EWING
Advertising Executive PER LOFVING
Publisher's Assistant & New Media LIZ NABER
Contributing Editor GWEN THOMPSON
Proofreader KATHERINE MILLER
Contributor CLIF TRAVERS
Special Features & Archives COLIN S. SARGENT
Special Projects JASON HJORT
Distribution NICK O'MALLEY
Controller JENNIFER LORD
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscribe online at www.portlandmagazine.com.
Portland Magazine, aka Portland Monthly Magazine, is published by Sargent Publishing, Inc. Repeat Internet rights are understood to be purchased with all stories and artwork. For questions regarding advertising, invoicing, and payments, call Jennifer Lord at 775-0101.
October 2025, Volume 40, No. 7 (ISSN: 1073-1857). Letters to the editor are welcome and will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and as subject to Portland Magazine’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Responsible only for that portion of any advertisement which is printed incorrectly. Advertisers are responsible for copyrights of materials they submit. Nothing in this issue may be reprinted in whole or in part without written permission from the publishers. Submissions welcome, but we take no responsibility for unsolicited materials. All photography has been enhanced for your enjoyment.
Portland Magazine is proudly printed in the USA by Cummings Printing.
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST recently published a story suggesting Bette Davis and Gary Merrill’s original Witch Way house in Cape Elizabeth is still extant, as the history bu s would say, and was available for sale for $15M: “ e main house, which the couple dubbed ‘Witch Way’ during their residence, spans 7,600 square feet. Beside it is a 2,000-squarefoot guesthouse built in 2002.”
Well, actually… e AD writer never once explains that the actual house the movie stars lived in was demolished long ago, including the coveted pickled wood library. I was there. We covered it. at’s how historical erasure works, smoothly hiding what really happened in order to make way for modern marketing. Some might consider this sly. We consider it unfortunate.
A bit of research would have revealed the truth. Many Mainers were crushed when the actual residence where the movie stars lived and loved was torn down in 2001. e Cape Elizabeth re department used Witch Way for re ghting practice before the bulldozers came. Talk about a burnout. e famous shelter magazine digs in: “ e couple would later part ways with the residence following their divorce in 1960. Property records show that the famous abode was listed in 2013 before closing in 2016 for $3.75M.” Impossible.
is is why Portland Magazine exists. is is why we still hang in here. Please see our stories on the real Witch Way house. To see the original home: bit.ly/OriginalWitch. It was a gorgeous Colonial Revival that doesn’t look at all like the shimmering counterfeit being touted today.
See “Witch Way Revisited,” September 2014 bit.ly/PMSept2014 and “Bette’s Maine Interlude,” April 2002 bit.ly/PMApril2002
ARRIVISTES! the Me Cute: & ’TINIS BURGERS
Judson is just scratching the surface of how green crabs [“Going Green,” by Judson Vail, September 2025] might be transformed from trash to treasure. Whether as a low-cost, wild-caught, and nutritious seafood; or a value-added product like St. Ours dried green crab broth; or Khmer Maine’s interest in developing a fermented green crab product; to the interest Tydra Labs has in manufacturing medical-grade chitosan, Maine is still very early in market development and utilization of one of the world’s worst invasive species. John Painter, mainegreencrabs.com
Loved them as a kid! Mom would treat us once in a while and buy them from our Cushman [“Mainecore,” October 2022] bread man, Eddie. Sharon Taylor, Windham
See Chowder in this issue for news about these local favorites.-Ed
Guests at breakfast told us they booked their stay a er seeing our ad in Portland Monthly’s July/ August issue.
e Tipsy Butler via Instagram
WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED
I am absolutely thrilled with my shot on the Summerguide [2025] cover! And so happy to be in touch with you and the magazine!
Cynthia Farr Weinfeld, Portland
by Alden x DW
Just how long is Larry the Lobster, since 2018 draped over the roof of Taste of Maine to celebrate the restaurant’s 40th year? Think of JFK’s eighty-foot PT-109: Larry is just ten feet shy.
We all know director Alfred Hitchcock had a thing for blondes. But maybe that wasn’t the only reason native Portlander Phyllis Thaxter starred in no fewer than 11 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents or The Alfred Hitchcock Hour on the CBS network. Um, Phyllis’s frst husband (1944 to 1962) was CBS president James T. Aubrey. See our exclusive interview with Phyllis, aka Superman’s mom: November 1998.
Two Fat Cats Bakery make you a batch of classic Cookies from the original recipe. Fun fact: their location is in the same bakery where Cushman to make them!
“In fact, we’re running a special on them this week. The taste is similar to a ginger molasses,” says Jules Cunzlin of Two Fat Cats. But with a very cool twist.
We’ve checked. Maine’s monarch butterfies are expected in their winter home in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains late this month and in early November. Safe travels, guys!
Maine’s sea roses, which some say reached our shores through the China Trade, are called invasives at garden shops like Estabrook’s because they thrive even on sand dunes. Hey, don’t hate me because I’m beautiful!
unique
unique
Seven Arctic explorers, one Snowy Owl— what could possibly go wrong? Join Arcturus and his pals Lena, Captain Donald MacMillan, and a crew of friendly research sailors aboard the lovely schooner Bowdoin in 1934. The wounded snowy owl gets a lift from Portland, Maine, to his Arctic homeland. On the way, everyone learns something new in this children’s story inspired by a true adventure. $12.95
Suggested for ages 3 to 9.
From a sunlit office in Italy, Marco Tamponi contemplates the mythical allure of a place he has never called home. As Global Brand Manager for Sebago, the heritage footwear label long synonymous with handstitched Docksides and the crisp salt air of coastal New England, Tamponi has made it his métier to bottle the ine able quality of “Maine”—and export it.
Sebago’s head o ce, it bears noting, is not perched on the edge of Sebago Lake but nestled somewhere closer to Milan, Italy, than Naples, Maine. e company has not oper-
BY COLIN W. SARGENT
ated a single brick-and-mortar store stateside in years. Instead, it has bet on Europe and won. Since assuming ownership of the brand in 2017, Tamponi’s rm has opened 14 Sebago boutiques, all on the continent: Milan, Rome, Genoa, and Turin, with further outposts in France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, the Philippines, and even South Africa.
Still, the question lingers—can a brand so inextricably tied to the Maine mystique thrive without a domestic anchor? Or more pointedly: Shouldn’t there be a Sebago store in Portland?
We reach out just before press time. Like a lead character from a
Lina Wertmüller lm in his seductive visions, Tamponi responds with a ourish worthy of the dreamers who once mapped imaginary continents.
“Of course, it would be great to reconnect the brand with Maine… opening a nice boutique in Portland—that’s a dream I have on the desk waiting for the right time and right opportunity.”
He adds, with the casual charm of a man prepared to act on a whim, “We don’t have any B&M [brickand-mortar] stores in the U.S. at the moment. Portland is for sure the place to start from. Do you have any connection/business with retail in Portland?”
Do we ever.
Tamponi’s vision for the brand is nothing if not operatic in its ambition. Under his direction, Sebago has released a downloadable “Yearbook”—a lush artifact of marketing imagination, replete with lyric invocations of blueberry pie and the sensory balm of a “warm cup of Maine.”
ere’s even a stylized map inviting readers on an “exploratory voyage through Maine’s rich lighthouse heritage.” One can picture a group of Italian copywriters huddled in Milan, deliberating over the semiotics of the perfect chowder.
It is tempting to sco at the theatricality. Yet, Tamponi’s approach carries a certain Renaissance earnestness—he has, as they say in Italy, “taken the trouble to make up a good lie.” If Maine exists as much in the imagination as on the map, then perhaps it
need not be geographically xed. Maybe the spirit of Sebago—the archetype of New England nonchalance rendered in stitched leather—can live comfortably in Turin, or Berlin, or Barcelona.
After all, there was once a bar in Berlin named “Kennebunkport,” complete with waiters wearing button-down shirts tucked into khakis and—wait for it—Docksides.
Here is this year’s list, by total revenues, of the top 100 for-pro t rms headquartered in Maine. As always, our partner in developing this list is Dun & Bradstreet. Fun fact: As a young man, Abraham Lincoln was an information gatherer for D&B—before he got mixed up in politics.
1. $3.9B* IDEXX LABORATORIES, Westbrook
2. $2.55B* WEX INC., Portland
3. $1.15B* CIANBRO CORPORATION, Pittsfield
4. $486M L.L. BEAN, Freeport
5. $362.43M VIP TIRES & SERVICE, Auburn
6. $350.72M BANGOR SAVINGS BANK, Bangor
7. $330.24M DEAD RIVER COMPANY, South Portland
8. $299.83M* NORTHEAST BANK, Lewiston
9. $294.09M* CAMDEN NATIONAL BANK, Camden
10. $292.48M* WOODARD & CURRAN, Portland
11. $225.61M* BAR HARBOR BANK & TRUST, Bar Harbor
12. $193.53M* MEMIC, Portland
13. $165.18M* FIRST NATIONAL BANK, Damariscotta
e: Where Business Growth Meets Natural Beauty – Find it Here west of Portland, is poised to become a premier destination for businesses and tourists seeking the perfect ity, accessibility, and outdoor charm With major i recreation economy, Windham offers a compell r eking an authentic Maine experience.
Positioned as the commercial heart of the Sebago Lakes Region, Windham serves a regional population of over 85,000 with a full range of amenities from national big-box retailers to independent boutiques and farm-to-table dining. With more than 935 new apartments and condos under development, with over 600 planned for downtown, Windham offers both a growing workforce and a thriving customer base.
For businesses, Windham’s location offers the best of both worlds: the proximity to Portland's metropolitan assets, abundant open space, and a welcoming community
Windham is investing boldly in the future. The $47.5 million North Windham Sewer Project featuring Maine’s first large-scale membrane bioreactor system—will support clean, sustainable growth and open the door for new commercial and mixed-use developments Completion is expected in 2026, dramatically increasing the town’s development capacity while preserving its pristine waterways.
Complementing this, the $31 million Windham Moves transforming Route 302 into a modern, walkable corrid
Supported by a $25 million federal RAISE grant, this initiat includes smart tr raised medians, bike lanes sidewalks, and three connector roads The result: smoother flow, greater accessibility, and a more attractive environment businesses and customers alike
A Destination for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism
ndham is more than a commercial center—it’s a gate
000 acres of parkland and on space, and more than 20 miles of scenic trails, the town is fast becoming a regional recreation hub. From family onnabeth Lippman Park to backcountry biking in the East Windham Conservation Area, Windham offers mething for every nature lover Combined with lake access, local shops, and a vibrant food scene, Windham is positioned me a must-visit destination in southern Maine.
wing, Welcoming Community
’ s population has grown nearly 20% over the last decade—and is projected to surpass 20,000 by 2030. This owth is powered by quality schools, strong home values, and a lifestyle that balances work, play, and community ighborhoods spring up and town planning prioritizes both residential and commercial needs, Windham is ng an environment where businesses can thrive, and employees can live well
ose Windham?
Proximity: Easy access to Portland, the Lakes Region, and major transportation corridors rastructure: Forward-thinking investments in sewer, roads, and mobility to support long-term growth. r Appeal: A destination for hiking, biking, boating, and relaxation in nature mmunity Growth: A rising population with increasing demand for retail, services, and entertainment
14. $156.54M EVERETT J. PRESCOTT, Gardiner
15. $140.11M SARGENT, Stillwater
16. $132M MARDEN’S, Winslow
17. $104.67M HUSSEY SEATING, North Berwick
18. $93.22M CROSS INSURANCE, Bangor
19. $91.69M MAINE DRILLING AND BLASTING, Gardiner
20. $85.7M NORWAY SAVINGS BANK, Norway
21. $79M HANCOCK LUMBER, Casco
22. $77.73M ELMET TECHNOLOGIES, Lewiston
23. $74.89M* ROBBINS LUMBER, Searsmont
24. $72.01M* BATH SAVINGS INSTITUTION, Bath
25. $68.96M C.N. BROWN COMPANY, South Paris
26. $60.54M TILSON, Portland
27. $52.26M ALCOM TRAILERS, Winslow
28. $51.58M JOHNSON & JORDAN, Scarborough
29. $51.22M KATAHDIN BANK, Patten
30. $48.32M NORTH COUNTRY ASSOCIATES, Lewiston
31. $48.13M SOUTHWORTH PRODUCTS CORP., Falmouth
32. $47.11M NRF DISTRIBUTORS, Augusta
33. $46.82M THE DINGLEY PRESS, Lisbon
34. $46.12M W. D. MATTHEWS MACHINERY, Auburn
35. $45.02M PLEASANT RIVER LUMBER, Dover-Foxcroft
36. $44.10M GEIGER, Lewiston
37. $43.52M HAMMOND LUMBER COMPANY, Belgrade
38. $42.47M R.H. FOSTER ENERGY, Hampden
39. $40.16M R.C. MOORE, Scarborough
40. $39.16M REVISION ENERGY, Portland
41. $37.46M FREIGHTLINER OF MAINE, Bangor
42. $35.10M PINE STATE TRADING, Gardiner
43. $34.83M* SYNERGY, Westbrook
44. $33.5M MAINE OXY, Auburn
45. $32.25M BERRYDUNN, Portland
46. $31.52M DARLING’S AGENCY, Brewer
47. $30.14M BUTLER BROS., Lewiston
48. $28M PURITAN MEDICAL PRODUCTS, Guilford
49. $27.34M BANCROFT CONTRACTING, South Paris
50. $26.98M SHERIDAN CORP., Fairfield
51. $26.36M TIDESMART GLOBAL, Falmouth
52. $25.97M ANANIA & ASSOCIATES INVESTMENT COMPANY, Portland
53. $25.76M LUCAS TREE, Falmouth
54. $24.93M (TIE) MECHANICAL SERVICES, Portland
55. $24.93M (TIE) SHP MANAGEMENT, Cumberland Foreside
56. $24.71M BISSON TRANSPORTATION, Westbrook
57. $24.31M MATHEWS BROS, Belfast
58. $24.19M (TIE) LANCO INTEGRATED, Westbrook
59. $24.19M (TIE) WITHAM, Bar Harbor
60. $24.18M FUTUREGAURD, Auburn
61. $24.11M A.E. ROBINSON, Dover-Foxcroft
62. $23.56M BAKER, Sanford
63. $23.53M WYMAN’S, Milbridge
64.$23.15M CHAMBERS, Manchester
65. $23.14M C & L AVIATION GROUP, Bangor
66. $22.81M (TIE) KENNEBEC LUMBER, Solon
67. $22.81M (TIE) REED & REED, Woolwich
68. $22.16M HALEY WARD, Bangor
69. $22M BEAUREGARD EQUIPMENT, Scarborough
70. $21.95M QUIRK AUTO GROUP, Bangor
71. $21.90M VOLK PACKAGING, Biddeford
72. $21.89M J.S. MCCARTHY, Augusta
73. $21.69M AAA ENERGY SERVICE, Scarborough
74. $21.52 PORT HARBOR MARINE, South Portland
75. $21.06M K.L. JACK, Portland
76. $20.86M O’CONNOR, Augusta
77. $20.78M VIKING LUMBER, Belfast
78. $20.34M KLEINSCHMIDT, Pittsfield
79. $20.33M VARNEY, Bangor
80. $19.72M FABIAN OIL, Oakland
81. $19.37M FIRST ATLANTIC CORPORATION, South Portland
82. $19.12M O’HARA, Rockland
83. $19.07M VULCAN ELECTRIC, Porter
84. $18.41M MAINE BUILDING SPECIALITIES, Portland
85. $18.25M PAUL WHITE, Portland
24 School Street
Little River Way | $1,950,000
KENNEBUNKPORT
Kennebunkport, ME 04046 • 5 Beds, 3 Baths • MLS #1499123
Discover the charm of coastal living in this peaceful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home just a short walk from Turbats Creek. Open-concept frst foor w/ updated kitchen and a sun-flled living room, woodburning freplace. MREIS #1635904 $945,000
11 Mellen St. #4
PORTLAND
In the Heart of Kennebunkport! Elegance and comfort. A large attic space in the attached barn/familyroom provides excellent storage or potential for expansion. Spacious deck and a side yard. Walk to downtown Kennebunkport. MLS#: 1635903 $1,100,000
New to the market in Kennebunkport, just under 2 miles to Goose Rocks Beach! Relax and unwind at this picture-perfect oasis.
Located at the end of a private road sits this modern farmhouse with beautiful tidal views of marshlands and open ocean. Features a 'post and beam' style, this exquisite property offers an open floor plan, ideal for family gatherings and endless entertaining.
Rare fnd in this carriage house which blends charm with modern luxury. Soaring ceilings, antique details and open layout. Steps from the energy of Portland’s shops, dining & art scene.
MLS#1624251 | $719,000
Turbats Creek 86 Summer Street 4 Kings Lane
Little River Way | $1,950,000
Little River Way | $1,950,000
Antique home with all the charm and warmth in a historic home. Detached garage, separate guest cottage, lovely gardens and yard space. Located between Kennebunk/Kennebunkport.
Kennebunkport, ME 04046 • 5 Beds, 3 Baths • MLS #1499123
MLS#1634389 | $625,000
Kennebunkport, ME 04046 • 5 Beds, 3 Baths • MLS #1499123
Lane
Sun-drenched beach house with 3 levels of living space, exposed wood beams and expansive decks with river views. Private peaceful location with river access and short stroll to beach.
MLS#1634472 | $1,899,000
Immaculate, fully renovated home with river views and stroll to beach. Property offers superior workmanship, details and luxury for you to enjoy the comforts and charm of beach life in style.
MLS# 1627456 | $1,875,000
New to the market in Kennebunkport, just under 2 miles to Goose Rocks Beach! Relax and unwind at this picture-perfect oasis.
Located at the end of a private road sits this modern farmhouse with beautiful tidal views of marshlands and open ocean. Features a 'post and beam' style, this exquisite property offers an open floor plan, ideal for family gatherings and endless entertaining.
New to the market in Kennebunkport, just under 2 miles to Goose Rocks Beach! Relax and unwind at this picture-perfect oasis. Located at the end of a private road sits this modern farmhouse with beautiful tidal views of marshlands and open ocean. Features a 'post and beam' style, this exquisite property offers an open floor plan, ideal for family gatherings and endless entertaining.
86. $17.12M CHENMARK CAPITAL, Portland
87. $16.89M PORTLAND AIR FREIGHT, Scarborough
88. $16.8M WRIGHT-PIERCE, Topsham
89. $16.5M DAIGLE OIL COMPANY, Fort Kent
90. $16.33M ENEFCO INTERNATIONAL, Auburn
91. $16.12M* ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING, Falmouth
92. $15.97M LAPOINT INDUSTIRES, Auburn
93. $15.83 CONNECTIVITY POINT, Auburn
94. $15.77M LANDRY/FRENCH, Scarborough
95. $15.48M ELDREDGE LUMBER & HARDWARE, York
96. $14.61M HAMILTON MARINE, Searsport
97. $14.24M (TIE) COZY HARBOR, Portland
98. $14.24M (TIE) RENYS, Newcastle
99. $14.16M WHITED FORD TRUCK CENTER, Bangor
100. $13.66M LYNCO, Bangor n
* Indicates reported sales. All figures from Dun & Bradstreet.
To ask for the best Italian restaurant in Portland is to ask the wrong question. e right question is: what kind of Italian do you need tonight? Because two temples of pasta, Benny’s and Bruno’s, o er two profoundly
BY BRIANA BONONCINI
di erent, equally correct answers. ey are not competitors; they are complements, two sides of the same glorious, saucestained coin.
And to judge what these two places have to o er, you could do worse than to use two dishes as your barometer: vodka rigatoni and garlic bread. is simple pairing is
a canvas, revealing a restaurant’s very soul in shades of crimson and gold. Benny’s and Bruno’s o er masterclasses in the form. ey don’t compete; they present two di erent, equally valid paths to carby, tomato-tinged enlightenment.
A bowl of vodka rigatoni from Benny’s arrives with the joyous, gravitational pull of a small planet. It’s a dish of pure, unadulterated abundance. e rigatoni,
cooked to a perfect al dente, are submerged in a creamy, sunset-orange sauce so voluptuous it seems to absorb the soft light of the dining room.
ere’s no fussy garnish, no pretense, just a profound depth of avor, a perfect marriage of sweet tomato, rich cream, and a gentle warmth from the vodka that blossoms at the back of your throat.
And the garlic bread? Its singular purpose is to serve as the vehicle for the glorious, nal swiping of the bowl, ensuring not a single drop of that magni cent sauce is left behind.
It’s a meal of overwhelming comfort, a culinary embrace from a place that knows exactly what you need.
en, you cross town to Bruno’s, where the same order yields a dissertation on comfort and nostalgia.
e rigatoni arrives in a thoughtfully shallow bowl, the noodles’ ridges capturing a silken, coral-hued gloss of a sauce. It’s an emulsion, not a tide, vibrant and alive, with the bright sweetness of tomato artfully balanced by a clean, creamy nish and the faintest thrum of chili. It feels like home.
e garlic bread here is a hug from an old friend; something you want to share with everyone around you. You don’t use it to sop; you listen to its resounding crunch. It’s a partner to the pasta, not its servant.
e choice is not about which is better, but what you hunger for. Do you need the unabashed, symphonic pleasure of Benny’s, a feast of glorious excess? Or do you crave the taut, brilliant clarity of Bruno’s?
Portland’s great gift is that it doesn’t make you choose. It simply asks, “Tonight, what kind of perfect do
Transforming People & Cultures for Over 100 Years
Dale Carnegie has helped millions worldwide improve how they communicate, lead, and work together—and we’re proud to bring that global legacy to Maine.
What We Do:
We deliver high-impact training that is:
→ Interactive, Practical & Customizable
→ Available on-site, virtually, or at our training centers
• Leadership Development
Our Most Popular Programs: Proven. Personal. Powerful.
• Effective Communication & Presentations
• Sales & Customer Service Excellence
• Team Engagement & Culture Building
Our programs are trusted by local businesses, nonpro ts, & government organizations across the state.
Ask us how your organization may be eligible for: Maine workforce development grants Training May be Funded
Let’s Talk About Your Team
Schedule a discovery call to explore training solutions that t your goals and budget.
207-518-8085
natalie.pierce.bennett@dalecarnegie.com
maine.dalecarnegie.com Serving Businesses Across Maine
you want?”
To pit one against the other is to miss the point entirely. Benny’s plays a thrilling, complex arpeggio of the moment. Bruno’s o deep, resonant chord of nostalgia. e real magic is knowing that on any given night, whether your soul needs the comfort of the past or the thrill of the present, the perfect plate of pasta is waiting. n
A deliberator’s guide.
BY NANCY ENGLISH
No. 1 Tuck yourself into the walled Longfellow Garden beside Maine Historical Society and behind the Wadsworth-Longfellow House to slow your breathing and think “long, long thoughts.” This is the spot that inspired Longfellow to write “The Rainy Day” poem. Visit in the rain, sit under your umbrella, shiver along with the jostling leaves, and breathe in the washed air.
No. 2 Longfellow regained his lost youth when he walked into the “shadows of Deering’s Woods,” several blocks downhill in what is known today as Deering Oaks Park. Both places hold ancient lilacs with spiraling trunks reaching for all the light in the sky.
Lincoln Park was created in 1866 as a fre break after the Great Fire leveled city blocks around it. Near its center is a Parisian fountain restored by sculpture conservator Jonathan Taggart. The four tiers of the fountain drip water musically. Just think: the sound erases the sporadic shrieks of the surrounding city. Make it your nonverbal mantra.
Depart the land of the living and seek silent communion at Western Cemetery, a symphony of silence. Step outside yourself to encounter the Deacon in the Witch’s Grave, who died at 33. This spot has been Ground Zero in Portland for a séance since 1871. Don’t trouble yourself with the recently dripped candle wax burned to the stone. Some things just aren’t your business.
On the third foor of the Cumberland County Courthouse is the Nathan & Henry B. Cleaves Law Library, a refuge for lawyers and others of us who might like to gather our thoughts. Presided over for 37 years by librarian and legal research genius Nancy Rabasca, till her death this past summer, the library is now in search of a new guardian to care for its law books and volumes of statutes that govern our local lives.
Think of Abraham Schecter as the emperor of The Portland Room in Portland Public Library, where silence is long and loud. He rescued the photographic archives of the Portland Press Herald from destruction. He maintains paper archives that resurrect different eras and a small card catalogue, a mostly defunct system that all by itself can set some of us adrift in exploration. Lose yourself fipping backward through the decades. You know you are searching for something. When you forget what time it is, you are there.
Yes, I planted this tree in
Oaks.
It’s a Dawn Redwood, also known as a Metasequoia. Deciduous conifers are unique, with Eastern Larch our only native example. Check out the unique history: bit.ly/metasequoia —Jeff Tarling
Find shelter from the storm in the loud below-deck cabin of the Machigonne II, the Peaks Island Ferry, moving through choppy water on its repeated loop from the Casco Bay Lines Terminal to the island dock. Somehow the engine vibrates like deafening rock music to suspend you in a long moment, nothing to do, time stopped.
Whisk yourself to the crest of the Canopy by Hilton Portland Waterfront hotel, doorway to the dark magic of the Luna Rooftop Bar, six stories high. In order to think clearly, order just the one bourbon, sip slowly, sit at the edge of the sheltered open terrace, and watch the light fade. Things come to an end. The day, the season, our lives.
Emmanuel Chapel in St. Luke’s, an octagon with rich acoustics made of carved, cognac-brown wood, stands at the rear of the cathedral’s sanctuary. The gold and brown inlaid coffered ceiling soars above like a mandala organizing aspirations. This local pantheon holds the blessing of Jesus in his earnest, forthright child’s body, illustrated by John La Farge. The child is ushered toward us by Mary, in this study for La Farge’s fnal painting, The American Madonna, in whose arms there is rest, where we can fnd time to think.
As a teen, Edna St. Vincent Millay was inspired to write “Renascence” by the unfathomable silence atop Mount Battie in Camden. In her later life, she wrote “Ragged Island” in similar solitude, where “thought unbraids itself, and the mind becomes single.” n
I highly recommend DIRFY Generators and Heat Pumps. If I had to rate them on a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate them a 10 without question. If I had to rate the individual phases (consultation thru installation), each phase would be a 10. The consultation was well explained with di erent options, which allowed me to easily make my choices. The installation was very organized and professional. The team was very polite, explained things to me, and was very neat. I didn’t have to clean anything. And to the o ce sta , I can’t say enough from the rst phone call through the whole process.
I discovered through the process the money that I would be adding to my monthly budget. We are retired and on a xed income. We didn’t have the funds available to proceed with this without their help. That helped us to be able install the heat pump system with no upfront money, which was a huge help to us. Not only that, but it also removed the need to pay for our propane to heat for our house. The cost di erence was substantial. We actually save so much, that between the monthly nance payment, and the cost of the electric bill, we actually had more money for the month. We will be saving about $110 a month (Over $1,300/yr). On a xed income, that is substantial. It was almost like we were being paid $1,300/yr to put in the heat pumps. Again, a lot of money for xed income.
And the best part, from the time we signed the contract to installation, less than a week. They had a good sized crew here.
We were so impressed, we decided to put in a Heat Pump hot water heater. Again, no money upfront. The savings after the nance payment and the power bill amounted to about $97/mo ($1,164/yr). That was a total savings of about $2,500 a year for the heat pumps to heat and cool as well as the hot water heater. It was like getting paid $2,500 a year to install these. (p.s., I veri ed the gures from the E ciency Maine website.)
I am recommending to everyone I know to contact DIRFY Generators and Heat Pumps so that they can increase their spending money.
This company is awesome. No wonder they are number one in New England R&L W.
Medicinal Plant Sciences -DE
Bachelor of Science Degree (B S ) Length: 34 months
Cannabis Sciences -DE
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.) Length: 18/36 months
Cannabis Business Administration -DE
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A A S ) Length: 20/40 months
Cannabis Business Operations -DE | Diploma Length: 10/20 months
Artists have been hitting the hemp for centuries. e list of those who will admit to it is long. It seems that even the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare, found pleasure in smoking the herb. In an excavation of his garden in 2001, several of his 400-year-old clay pipes still held traces of cannabis residue. ere’s no proof that he used the herb for inspiration, but it could help to explain the origins of Puck, Ariel, and the cannibalistic ghost of Hamlet’s father, to name a few of the playwright’s imaginative characters.
And therein lies the question: Does cannabis help in the creative process? In Maya Angelou’s memoir, Gather Together in My Name, the author credits the “superior herb” for helping her to relax and access her deeper creativity. In a 1971 essay, Carl Sagan credited cannabis for his ability to think deeply in order to create his “intellectual works.” Even Louis Armstrong had a relationship with the bud. He wrote, “It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics…dope and all that crap. It’s a thousand times better than whiskey—it’s an assistant—a friend.” e list goes on with musicians such as Willie
And therein lies the question: Does cannabis help in the creative process?
But could it be that the weed is getting too much credit for the work? A 2022 study of cannabis and its e ect on creativity was published in the October issue of the Harvard Business Review. eir ndings suggest that the imaginative e ects of the plant are more likely in the heads of the creators: “… cannabis doesn’t impact your actual creativity one way or the other… but it does boost joviality, making you think that both your own ideas and other people’s ideas are more creative than they really are.”
Well, that’s a bummer! en again, a deeper read of the study shows that the tests are not as conclusive as they initially seem. e evaluations were not done on artists. It’s the Harvard Business Review, after all. ey were studying the e ects within the workplace, where creativity is an entirely di erent animal. e test subjects were more along the lines of inventors and designers.
BY CLIF TRAVERS
Nelson and Bob Dylan, writers Joyce Carol Oates and Hunter S. ompson, and actors Seth Rogen and Morgan Freeman.
But what about the painters, sculptors, and creative writers? A more personal study might be done by those who sell the product directly to the creators. “From what we’ve seen, artists of all kinds—visual creators, writers, musicians—use cannabis to spark ideas, get into a ow, or simply relax into their process,” says Jamie
(Continued on page 96)
Can ya dig it?
BY JUDSON VAIL
It ’ s low tide at the mouth of the Harraseeket River, and the mud ats are pocked with tiny holes. Four of us gaze out from the rocky shoreline, armed with a couple of short-handled rakes and several buckets, and shod in
rubber boots up to our knees. “ ose are from the clams.”
George Cabot points to the hundreds of little round openings. “ ey dig down six or eight inches and feed through the holes.”
George grew up clamming in these
parts, mentored by a late friend of his father’s, whose ancient clam rake he now holds in his hand. It’s a prized heirloom, full of history and utility. He points out the long tines worn to half their original thickness over the decades, and the nger-sized grooves
eroded into the wooden handle from countless hours scraping the mud. “He held the record for most quahogs dug in a single tide,” George tells us with pride.
Other members of our crew include Paul Croatti, native New Englander and clam steaming specialist, and my brother Jonathan, renowned wildlife photographer and saltwater enthusiast. We are out here for the soft-shell clam (Mya arenaria), digging for our dinner just as people have done in this region for millennia. A 2017 study by Arthur E. Speiss published in the Journal of the North Atlantic reports that “shell sh (clam, mussel, oyster) have played a part in coastal Maine subsistence for at least 9,000 years.” e paper goes on to argue that “the soft-shell clam was of primary importance...not just a bad-weather, last-resort food.” is is evidenced by the more than 2,000 middens containing clam shells known to exist up and down the coast of Maine.
Gear in hand, we head out onto the mud ats to dig. It’s no clean or pretty task, and soon we’re sinking to
big boulder. He shows me how to dig
can t through the ring, they are too small to keep and are placed back in the mud.
We continue to work around the rock, raking up mud and trying not to crack clams with the tines. e shells aren’t exactly “soft,” but they’re brittle and thin, and puncture easily. ese are the same clam species that the early inhabitants of this region collected, yet research suggests that a warming ocean has led to thinner shells over time. “Typically, shells from middens that can be as old as 3,000 years or more are thicker for a given size than those from today,” says Brian Beal, professor of Marine Ecology at the University of Maine at Machias. “ e hypothesis is that in colder climates, clams take longer to reach a certain size and have the opportunity to lay down more shell along the way.”
Clamming is a lot of bending, squatting, and getting covered in mud, and I’m loving it. Eventually, all four of us are digging a trench side by side, and there seem to be clams everywhere. Soon our buckets are full, and we’ve reached our 1 peck (8 quart) per person limit. But our good fortune today belies the reality of the soft-shell clam situation in Maine. e invasive, predatory green crab—proliferating rapidly in the warming Gulf— along with other factors, is having a devastating e ect on clam numbers: from 1975 to 2024, the commercial clamming industry experienced an 80 percent drop in harvest.
With this in mind, we honor our bounty by throwing a big clambake that evening. We have one pot of steamers in a simple mixture of water, vinegar, and salt, and another over a bed of olive oil, celery, onion, and garlic. We cook up corn on the cob, potatoes, and sausage, and feast on the succulent shell sh that have been sustaining people for so long. e clams are fresh, rich, and delicious, and we eat them just as Paul instructs us to: “Dip in the water, dip in butter, dip in your mouth.” n
Authentic Thai Cooking
With all the hoopla, let’s see TeeDee in 3D.
BY COLIN W. SARGENT
Up in these parts, Mabel’s Lobster Claw is now the place to get your picture ashed.
Mabel’s certainly has a great publicist. Who knew there was an award category called “Manliest Seafood Shack in America?” (Men’s Health). Patrick Dempsey was recently snapped here. Martha Stewart increased the buzz during a recent visit to the Kennebunks when she said Sonny Natarajan, the present owner, is a longtime pal.
But who was Mabel?
Mabel Hanson ran e Lobster Claw from the early 1970s until she passed the cleaver to her grandson, Robert Fischer, who ran it for another two decades. It was never called Mabel’s Lobster Claw during her tenure. In 2019, Fischer sold it to a ‘New York-based’ restaurant group.
Long before this beloved place was ever known as Mabel’s, Fran-
ces “TeeDee” Hutchins cracked open the original Lobster Claw at this location, 124 Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport. She ran it with éclat from 1953 until the early 1970s. A gifted chef and business leader, TeeDee created signature dishes so dead-on perfect that many called e Lobster Claw by her rst name, as in, “Meet me at TeeDee’s tonight.”
Oh, the sword sh, the fried clams, the signature Lobster Savannah, the blueberry pie à la mode!
And Mabel’s continues to be a fun place. Like selecting an old song from a jukebox, we try the Baked Stu ed Lobster, priced at $56 for a pound
quarter, and $70 for two pounds.
For us, sometimes smaller is better.
We sip the Harken Chardonnay ($15 a glass), skip the bibs, and dig into the scallops and shrimp inside the clam ng seasoned with bacon. We also share the euphonious and very generous serving of Halibut Meuniére, with lemon, capers, and brown butter on a mound of mashed potatoes, $42.
Mabel’s will always (Continued on page 53)
Portland Lobster Company “Maine’s Best Lobster Roll,” lobster dinners, steamers, fried claims, chowder. Enjoy live music daily w/ ice-cold local beer or fine wine on our deck overlooking gorgeous Portland Harbor. 180 Commercial St., 775-2112, portlandlobstercompany.com.
The Corner Room features bright, wideopen space with towering ceilings complemented by handcrafted woodwork. Patrons can expect a warm, comfortable atmosphere, marked by the arich aromas of house-made pastas, pizzas, antipasti and artisanal breads. Come and enjoy the taste of Venice in the heart of Portland, ME! 879-4747, 110 Exchange Street. Visit thecornerroomkitchenandbar.com for more information.
Boone’s A Portland landmark since 1898. Original home of Alexander Boone’s world-famous Baked Stuffed Lobster. Two waterfront decks, two full bars, two cozy dining rooms, fireside tables. Perfect setting to enjoy the finest seafood from Maine and the world. Steaks, chowder, lobster rolls, grilled dishes, daily features. Visit Boone’s for a romantic date, business luncheon, family gathering or large banquet. BoonesFishHouse.com
Bruno’s Portland’s Best Italian, Market Surveys of America. Silver medal, Best Italian, Best of 207. Seriously delicious Italian, American, seafood dishes with signature in-house pasta (Bruno’s Pasta Co. goodies entice in statewide culinary stores). Great sandwiches, pizza, calzones, soups, chowders, salads. Lunch/dinner in dining room or tavern—casual dining as an art form. 33 Allen Ave., 878-9511, restaurantji.com/me/ portland/brunos-restaurant-and-tavern-/ Docks Seafood We pride ourselves on our Maine roots. Our mission is to source our seafood locally and regionally. This is noticed by discerning diners who appreciate the value of their food being made fresh from scratch. Our bar features a rotating list of Maine craft beers and signature cocktails. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wed.-Sun.
Leonardo’s Pizza, is a beloved local spot for handcrafted pizzas on organic whole-wheat or white King Arthur flour crusts. Known for specialty pies like Fennel Sausage and vegan “Salvation,” it offers delivery and take-out. (207) 775-4444, 415 Forest Ave, Portland, leonardosonline.com.
Maria’s Ristorante Portland’s original classic Italian restaurant. Greg & Tony Napolitano prepare classics: Zuppa di Pesce, Eggplant Parmigiana, Grilled Veal Sausag-
es, Veal Chop Milanese, homemade cavatelli pastas, Pistachio Gelato & Maine’s Best Meatballs. See our own sauce in local stores. $11.95-$22.95. Open at 5 Wed.Sat. Catering always avail. 1335 Congress Street 772-9232, mariasrestaurant.com.
DiMillo’s On the Water Now’s the time to enjoy everything DiMillo’s has to offer: fabulous dishes prepared by Head Chef, Melissa Bouchard, voted one of Maine’s Chefs of the Year, plus Certified Angus Beef, Italian and the best lobster around. Our outside dining is unparalleled. Open Monday thru Saturday at noon, Commercial St., Old Port 772-2216. Always FREE PARKING while aboard.
Flatbread Company Portland Situated on the working waterfront next to Casco Bay Cruise Lines in Portland’s Old Port. Family-friendly restaurant with signature woodfired, pizzas, fresh salads, local craft beer, spirits and local, organic fresh ingredients. Pet friendly, deck seating on the water during summer. 72 Commercial St., 7728777, flatbreadcompany.com.
Joseph’s by the Sea in Old Orchard Beach offers breathtaking views of Saco Bay. Enjoy indoor dining, outdoor seating, an upstairs lounge, and a rooftop deck. We specialize in locally sourced seafood and fresh Maine lobster. Closed for the season, we’ll reopen in March. Contact us at info@josephsbythesea.com or call 207934-5044 for more info.
Hurricane Restaurant We are celebrating our 35th year as a Restaurant serving New England Cuisine with an international twist. Lobster & blueberry pie! Local produce and seafood, fresh shucked oysters, full bar, award-winning wine list, and an in-house Pastry Chef. Sunday brunch. Dinner served seven days a week, lunch on Saturdays, and Brunch on Sundays starting at 11:30am. Bar menu is always available. Good restaurants come and go. Great restaurants get better and better. Reservations suggested. 29 Dock Square, Kennebunport. 967-9111, hurricanerestaurant.com
Discover Oun Lido’s, Portland’s newest culinary gem at 30 Market St. Chef Bounahcree “Bones” Kim blends Cambodian and Cantonese flavors in standout dishes like twice-fried lemon chicken, lemongrass beef skewers, and savory stir-fried noodles. Named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants of 2024, this cozy spot offers both takeout and indoor seating. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11 AM–8 PM. Call 207-5543111 or visit ounlidos.com to order.
be a memory palace for me. I can still see my favorite East-side booth where I sat when I rst returned on liberty from the Navy. To the left of the door is where my Aunt Druscilla, who grew up in the Kennebunks, slipped back into town from Michigan in the late 1960s to visit my mom. My own son agrees that the Lobster Claw served the world’s best lobster rolls, hamburgers, and frappes.
As Mabel’s Lobster Claw enters a new era, meet the founder and originator of this miracle. TeeDee Hutchins, valedictorian of the Class of ’42 at Kennebunk High School, was a “plane spotter during World Mabel’s (continued from
We dined on the early side because online reservations fll up so quickly here. The service was very effcient and friendly. The waiter brought a bowl of ice water for our dog.
War II,” according to her obit. “She became a nationally ranked basketball referee, a rarity for women in that time. She and her sister, Jocelyn, won the World Candlepin Bowling Championship in 1973.” She was the principal behind the famous menu.
Now that’s “swoon-worthy.” Talk about an unsung Mainer disappearing in a Madison Avenue urry. Let’s all venerate both Mabel and TeeDee Hutchins. How’s that for blueberry pie à la mode? n
A Maine mystery-comedy that will keep you on your toes.
1932 Criterion Theatre, 35 Cottage St., Bar Harbor. Tusk, Oct. 24. 228-0829.
Aura, 121 Center St. King’s X, Oct. 18; From Ashes to New, Nov. 7; Tusk, Nov. 13. 772-8274.
Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Rd., Orono. Masterworks II: Symphonic Glory, Nov. 16. 942-5555.
Bay Chamber Concerts, 5 Mountain St., Camden. Music School Faculty Concert, Oct. 19; Stillwater, Nov. 2; Maxwell Quartet, Nov. 8. 236-2823.
Blue, 650A Congress St. Fed Ash, Gasoline Dream, Komatiite, & From Angel’s Gate, Oct. 16; Chico States, Dee Dee Sea, Number One Babe, & Jes, Oct. 23; Sue Sheriff Jazz & Alive in the Root, Oct. 25; Spooky Karaoke Party, Oct. 31; Manuel & El Malo, Nov. 7; Open Mic, every Tues.; Jazz Sesh, every Wed. 774-4111.
Brick Store Museum, 117 Main St., Kennebunk. Matt & Shannon Heaton, Oct. 19; Hildaland, Nov. 9. 985-4802.
Cadenza, 5 Depot St., Freeport. Anni Clark, Oct. 18; Songwriter Showcase, Oct. 19; Tom Snow, Oct. 23; Onward, Oct. 25; Unfinished Blues Band, Nov. 1; Carole Wise, Nov. 8; The Blueliners, Nov. 22; Bess Jacques, Nov. 29. 560-5300.
Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. The Edna Project, Oct. 24; Once an Outlaw, Nov. 1; American Patchwork Quartet, Nov. 15. 236-7963.
Center Theatre, 20 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Rock Hearts, Oct. 18; Darlin’ Corey, Oct. 25; Pihcintu & Akiwacu, Nov. 22. 564-8943.
Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. Nora Brown, Oct. 17; Schooner Fare, Oct. 19; Poranguí, Nov. 21; Shadow Riders, Nov. 22; All About Joel, Nov. 29. 442-8455.
Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Rd., Orono. Rend Collective, Oct. 18; Symphonic Band & Jazz Ensemble, Oct. 19; Halcyon String Quartet, Oct. 23; The Met Live: La Sonnambula, Nov. 1; The Westerlies: Paradise, Nov. 1–2; Considering Matthew Shepard, Nov.
9; DakhaBrakha, Nov. 21; Randy Travis, Nov. 22; The Met Live: Arabella, Nov. 23. 581-1755.
Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Sq. Lee Brice, Oct. 18; Trivium, Nov. 8; Dustin Lynch & Scotty McCreery, Nov. 13. 791-2200.
Denmark Arts Center, 50 W. Main St. Smokehouse Boys, Oct. 24. 452-2412.
Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Spooktacular, Oct. 25; The Cat & The Canary, Oct. 25. 842-0800.
Gracie Theatre, 1 College Cir., Bangor. Dueling Pianos, Oct. 25; Blank Space, Nov. 23. 941-7888.
The Hill Arts, 76 Congress St. Bailey’s Mistake & Ross Gregor Adam, Oct. 18; Gospel Music Lecture/Demo by Jack Maeby, Oct. 21; The Gospel Messiah, Nov. 14–16. 347-7177.
Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Runnin’ Down
a Dream, Oct. 17; 19th Nervous Breakdown, Oct. 18; Cris Williamson, Oct. 19; Aztec Two-Step 2.0, Oct. 24; The Joshua Tree Band, Oct. 25; The Elton John Experience, Oct. 31; Danny Klein’s Full House, Nov. 1; Another Tequila Sunrise, Nov. 7–8; Traveller Meets Outlaw, Nov. 14; Moondance, Nov. 15; Morgan Myles, Nov. 21. 646-4777.
Kittery Art Association, 2 Walker St. Pat O’Brien & Gary Cassidy, Oct. 25. 451-9384.
Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. The MET Live: La Sonnambula (Bellini), Nov. 1; The MET Live: La Bohème (Puccini), Nov. 8; The MET Live: Arabella (Strauss), Nov. 22. 563-3424.
Maine Film Center, 93 Main St., Waterville. Met Opera: La Sonnambula (Bellini), Nov. 1; Met Opera: La Bohème (Puccini), Nov. 22. 873-7000.
Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St. Docsong: Music in Conversation, Oct. 18; Little Oso with The Classicals & Field Studies, Oct. 26. 879-4629.
Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St., Freeport. Iona Fyfe, Oct. 19; Fiddle-icious, Oct. 25; Dave Gutter, Nov. 8; Farayi Malek, Nov. 15. 865-0040.
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Air Supply, Oct. 17; Life in the Fast Lane, Nov. 7; Cody Jinks & Ward Davis, Nov. 18; The Wailin’ Jennys, Nov. 22. 842-0800.
Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, see website for locations. Heroes: Common and Uncommon, Oct. 25–26. midcoastsymphony.org.
Mystic Theater, 49 Franklin St., Rumford. Kitty & JT, Nov. 29. 369-0129.
North Star Baroque, Woodfords Church, 202 Woodford St. Handel, Bach, & Corelli, Oct. 26. 842-0800.
One Longfellow Square, 181 State St. Portland Jazz Orchestra, Oct. 16; Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius, Oct. 18; Katie Pruitt, Oct. 23; Joshua Radin & Maria Taylor, Oct. 24; Vienna Teng, Oct. 25; Sam Grisman Project, Oct. 26; Pierre Bensusan, Oct. 29; Väsen, Oct. 30; All Hallows’ Eve, Oct. 31; Heather Maloney & Dan Rodrigues, Nov. 1; Open Mic Night, Nov. 5; Session Americana, Nov. 7; Windborne, Nov. 14; Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas,
The Lodge at Kennebunk is set on a quiet 8 acres of land, and has convenient highway access. It is also minutes away from shopping, dining, and beach options. Our facilities include a 40' outdoor heated pool, a conference room, a game room, a playground, picnic tables, and gas barbecue grills. Our amenities include extended cable television, air conditioning, phones, refrigerators, and microwaves in every room.
elu e ont nental eak a t and ed nte net o ldw de all each a e hannel lu o e hannel o e on emand ke ental
Nov. 15; The Arcadian Wind, Nov. 18; The Suitcase Junket, Nov. 21; Breakin’ Strings, Nov. 22. 761-1757. Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. Jeff Daniels, Oct. 17; Jay Nash, Oct. 18; Phaeton Trio, Nov. 7. 633-5159.
Portland Conservatory of Music, 28 Neal St. Ellie Bergeron Aker & Melissa Lund Ziegler, Oct. 16; Sad Bastards / Loose Standards, Oct. 25; Kate Campbell Strauss, Carl Davulis, & Scott Kiefner, Nov. 6; Amy Hunter, Nov. 15; Otherlands Trio, Nov. 15; John Ross, Nov. 20. 775-3356.
Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St. Keep Flying, Oct. 15; Oshima Brothers, Oct. 18; Phoneboy, Oct. 21; End It, Oct. 22; Pokey LaFarge, Oct. 24; Madilyn Mei, Oct. 25; Deb Talan, Oct. 26; Kelsey Waldon, Nov. 2; Allan Rayman, Nov. 4; Abi Carter, Nov. 6–7; Carbon Leaf, Nov. 7; Pet Needs, Nov. 8; Hunter Metts, Nov. 11; Nick Shoulders, Nov. 13; Liam St. John, Nov. 14; Wake Up Mama, Nov. 15; AJ Lee & Blue Summit and East Nash Grass, Nov. 19; Jordy Searcy, Nov. 20. 805-0134.
Portland Ovations, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. We Are Water: A Northeast Celebration, Oct. 20; Soweto Gospel Choir: Peace, Nov. 21. 842-0800.
Portland Symphony Orchestra, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Spooky Symphony, Oct. 18–19; Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony, Oct. 28; Rick Steve’s Europe, Nov. 8–9; Scheherazade, Nov. 16. 842-0800.
Rockport Opera House, 6 Central St. Oshima Brothers Bash, Oct. 17. 542-0836.
Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Rd., Buxton. KindKids, Nov. 9; Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, Nov. 21; Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connection, Nov. 29. 929-6473.
South Portland Auditorium, 637 Highland Ave. Acute Inflections, Oct. 24. acuteinflections.com.
State Theatre, 609 Congress St. Jeff Tweedy, Oct. 16; Patty Griffin & Rickie Lee Jones, Oct. 17; Big Thief, Oct. 20; Ms. Ezra Furman, Oct. 23; Saint Motel, Oct. 27; Don Broco, Oct. 28; The Mars Volta, Nov. 7; The Lone Bellow, Nov. 8; Tape B, Nov. 11; Kitchen Dwellers, Nov. 15; DakhaBrakha, Nov. 18; The Movement, Nov. 20; Neighbor, Nov. 21; The Crane Wives, Nov, 22; Blue October, Nov. 23; Sparks the Rescue, Nov. 26; Spencer and the Walrus, Nov. 28–30. 956-6000.
Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Jeff Daniels, Oct. 16; Blues Band GA-20, Oct. 17; Hiss Golden Messenger, Oct. 22; Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Oct. 24; Maia Sharp & Catie Curtis, Oct. 25; The Tom Snow Quintet, Nov. 8; David Francey, House of Hamill, & Craig Werth, Nov. 14; Rose Cousins & Melissa Ferrick, Nov. 15; Keb’Mo’, Nov. 16; Susan Werner, Nov. 22. 935-7292.
Stonington Opera House, 1 School St. Open Mic Night, Nov. 5. 367-2788.
Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Met Opera:
Our daily struggle with digital over-stimulation is continuous and real. With emails, pop-up ads, and notifications, we are often in sensory overload. Reading a print publication is a focused experience outside of the digital realm. Printed content has tested better with brand recall than digital, and is easier on the eyes. Bottom line: printed publications provide readers with a meaningful and memorable experience.
Cummings Printing is a fourth-generation family-owned company specializing in printing high-quality, shortrun publications. At each phase of the print process, they provide a human-touch that is unmatched by the competition. We help you create compelling publications so your readers truly understand the allure of the printed word.
cummingsprinting.com
La Sonnambula, Oct. 18 & 30; Tray Wellington Band, Nov. 7; Met Opera: La Bohème, Nov. 8 & 20; ShinDaiko, Nov. 15; Met Opera: Arabella, Nov. 22; Rigometrics, Nov. 26. 594-0070.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle St. Soggy Po Boys, Oct. 18; Fred Small, Nov. 8; Tom Clukey, Nov. 14. 729-8515.
University of Southern Maine, Crewe Center for the Arts, 111 Bedford St. Laura Kargul & the Portland String Quartet, Oct. 17; Aberdeen Brickett & Olivia Fanjoy, Oct. 21; Ocean Robbins, Oct. 23; John Cage Sonatas & Interludes, Oct. 25; Jared Vigue, Oct. 30; Curtain Up!, Oct. 31–Nov. 2; Palaver Strings, Nov. 7; PianoFest, Nov. 8; Osher Youth Ensembles, Nov. 12; Osher Jazz Ensemble, Nov. 13; After Hours, Nov. 14; Osher Wind Ensemble, Nov. 15; Osher Opera Theatre: Hansel & Gretel, Nov. 20–23. 780-5555.
Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, 53 Old Post Rd., Arundel. Coyote Island, Oct. 17; The Mammals, Oct. 18; Kaia Kater, Oct. 24; Ali McGuirk, Oct. 25; Doctor Gasp, Oct. 26; Dub Apocalypse, Oct. 30; Martin Sexton, Nov. 14; Northern Cross, Nov. 15; Jim Messina, Nov. 18. 985-5552.
Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro. Julian Lage, Oct. 19; Iam Tongi, Nov. 7. 975-6490.
Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St. Leo Kottke, Oct. 18; The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA, Oct. 22; Tusk, Oct. 23; Bee Gees Gold, Oct. 24;
4 Peters Brook Drive | P.O. Box 16495 | Hooksett, NH 03106-6495 | 800-647-0035 http://www.facebook.com/CummingsPrinting @CummingsPrint info@cummingsprinting.com
Fiddle-icious, Oct. 26. 873-7000.
Blue, 650A Congress St. Black & Blue: An Evening of Dark Humor, Oct. 30; Comedy Open Mic, every Tues. 774-4111. Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Bob Marley, Oct. 23; Steve Sweeney, Nov. 29. 646-4777.
Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Jon Stewart, Nov. 1. 842-0800.
Portland Media Center, 516 Congress St. Yes&Co. Improv Comedy with Kevin Conners, Nov. 8. 842-0800. Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Rd., Buxton. Villain DeBlanks: Book Club!, Nov. 8. 929-6473.
State Theatre, 609 Congress St. Jessica Kirson, Oct. 24; Jimmy Carr, Nov. 1; Hannah Berner, Nov. 5–6. 956-6000.
Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Juston McKinney, Nov. 21. 935-7292.
ADAPTED BY PATRICK BARLOW FROM THE NOVEL BY JOHN BUCHAN Tickets & full schedule of events at SacoRiverTheatre.org 207-929-6473 | 29 Salmon Falls Rd, Bar Mills, ME
OCTOBER 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 AT 7:30 PM | MATINEES, OCTOBER 19 & 26 AT 2:30 PM SPECIAL GROUPS SHOW WED, OCTOBER 22 AT 3PM | PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN: SUGGESTED PRICE $25
Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro. Craig Ferguson, Oct. 31. 975-6490.
Belfast Maskers, 17 Court St. Puffs (or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic), Nov. 14–23. 619-3256.
City Theater, 205 Main St., Biddeford. Deathtrap, Oct.
—D.D. Johnston
17–26. 282-0849.
Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Rd., Orono. NT Live: Inter Alia, Oct. 16. 581-1755.
Community Little Theatre, Lewiston Middle School Auditorium, 75 Central Ave. A New Home, Oct. 30–Nov. 9. 783-0958.
Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Sq. Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures, Nov. 28–30. 791-2200.
Footlights Theatre, 190 US-1, Falmouth. Oy, What They Said About Love, to Oct. 25; Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington, Nov. 13–22. 747-5434.
Good Theater, Stevens Square Theater, 631 Stevens Ave. It Shoulda Been You, to Oct. 19; Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Nov. 6–23. 835-0895.
Grand Theater, 165 Main St., Ellsworth. Grease, Oct. 17–26. 667-9500.
Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Deadly Deal: A Murder Mystery, Nov. 16. 646-4777.
Lyric Music Theater, 176 Sawyer St., South Portland. Pride & Prejudice, Nov. 7–16. 799-1421.
Mad Horse Theater, 24 Mosher St., South Portland. The Squirrels, Oct. 30–Nov. 23. 747-4148.
Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St. King Friday’s Dungeon Puppet Slam, Nov. 14–15. 879-4629.
Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main St. Titanic The Musical, to Nov. 2. 646-5511.
Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. The Turn of the Screw, Oct. 16–Nov. 2. 942-3333.
Portland Ovations, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Nov. 5–6. 842-0800.
Portland Ovations, Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St. Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster, Oct. 26. 842-0800.
Portland Stage, 25A Forest Ave. Eleanor, to Oct. 19; Dirty Deeds Downeast, Oct. 29–Nov. 23. 774-0465.
Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., Lewiston. Misery, Oct. 24–Nov. 9. 782-3200.
Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Rd., Buxton. The Originals present: The 39 Steps, Oct. 17–26. 929-6473.
Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Theater at Monmouth on Tour: Macbeth, Oct. 23. 594-0070.
Theater at Monmouth, Cumston Hall, 796 Main St. Macbeth, Oct. 17–18. 933-9999.
USM Department of Theatre, Russell Hall, Gorham Campus. A Monster Calls, Oct. 24–Nov. 2; Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, Nov. 14–16. 780-5151.
Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St. School Show: Macbeth, Oct. 15. 873-7000.
1932 Criterion Theatre, 35 Cottage St., Bar Harbor. Fright Night, Oct. 25–26. 228-0829.
Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Rd., Orono. Disney’s Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Oct. 26. 942-5555.
Center Theatre, 20 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Capote, Oct. 29. 564-8943.
Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. Building Hope: Ending Homelessness in Maine, Oct. 28. 442-8455.
The Hill Arts, 76 Congress St. Maine Jewish Film Festival: Brother Versus Brother (Oct. 30) & Haute Couture (Nov. 30). 347-7177.
Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. The Thin Man (1934), Nov. 6–7. 563-3424.
Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress St. Echoes Across Time: A Photograph, A Mystery, & the Shadows of the Holocaust, Nov. 13. 773-2339.
State Theatre, 609 Congress St. Teton Gravity Research: Pressure Drop, Oct. 25; Warren Miller’s Sno-Ciety, Nov. 14. 956-6000.
Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro. Dead Alive, Oct. 17; Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oct. 18; From Sea to Shining Sea, Oct. 21; Sundance Film Festival Shorts Tour 2025, Nov. 1; Craft Cinema: Josie & The Pussycats (Nov. 2) & Clueless (Nov. 30). 975-6490.
Brick Store Museum, 117 Main St., Kennebunk. A
Dickens Christmas, Nov. 23; Holiday Storytime with Matt Tavares, Nov. 29. 985-4802.
The Burleigh, Kennebunkport Inn, 1 Dock Sq. Holiday Cocktail Class, Nov. 22 & 29. 204-9668.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Dr., Boothbay. Early Bird Gardens Aglow, Nov. 15–26. 633-8000.
Denmark Arts Center, 50 W. Main St. Holly Jolly Handmade Bazaar, Nov. 8. 452-2412.
Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Jim Brickman, Nov. 13. 646-4777.
Kittery Art Association, 2 Walker St. Holiday Show & Gift Bazaar, Nov. 20–Dec. 21. 451-9384.
Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St. Celtic Christmas Fair, Nov. 8. 780-0118.
Maine State Ballet, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. The Nutcracker, Nov. 28–Dec. 7. 842-0800.
Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St., Freeport. Sparkle: Annual Holiday Show, Nov. 21–Dec. 28. 865-0040.
New England Craft Fairs, see website for locations. Annual Santa’s Coming to Town, Nov. 15–16; 46th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Christmas in New England Arts & Craft Show, Nov. 29–30. newenglandcraftfairs.com.
Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. Building Spectacular Gingerbread Houses Class, Nov. 19. 633-5159.
Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH. 35th Annual Gingerbread House Contest, Nov. 28–Dec. 30. (603)436-8433.
Theater at Monmouth, Cumston Hall, 796 Main St. Who’s Holiday!, Nov. 27–Dec. 7. 933-9999.
Ticonic Gallery & Studios, 93 Main St., Waterville. Made: Maine Makers Market, Nov. 12–Jan. 26, 2026. 873-7000.
Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro. White Christmas, Nov. 28. 975-6490.
Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Nov. 14–30. 873-7000.
Camden Public Library, 55 Main St. History Matters by David McCullough with Dorrie McCullough, Oct. 18; Silenced Whispers with Afarin Bellisario, Oct. 23; Saturday Storytime, Nov. 1 & 15; Iraqi Refugees with Professor Nadia El-Shaarawi, Nov. 2; Art & Journaling, every Wed.; Book Time for Babies, every Wed.; Story Time with Miss Amy, every Thurs. & Fri. 236-3440.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Dr., Boothbay. Golden Hour: Nature Writing Workshop, Nov. 8. 633-8000.
Maine Audubon, Fields Pond, 216 Fields Pond Rd., Holden. Book Launch: Maine Amphibians & Reptiles, Oct. 29. 781-2330.
Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St. Maine Irish Writes, Nov. 6; Maine Irish Reads: The Sea by John Banville, Nov. 13. 780-0118.
Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress St. Book Talk: My Holocaust Legacy: A Blessing Not a Burden, Oct. 19. 773-2339.
Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. Story Time with Chris Van Dusen: If I Built a Town, Oct. 19; Story Time with Splash, Nov. 18; Annual Fall Book Sale, Nov. 21–23. 443-1316.
Print: A Bookstore, 273 Congress St. Book Launch: Positivity Bias: Maine Writers, Defiantly Happy Endings with Littoral Books, Oct. 16; Joan Silber (Mercy), Oct. 23; Mona Awad (We Love You, Bunny), Nov. 3. 536-4778.
Print: A Bookstore, SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St. Kristen Case, Oct. 21. 536-4778.
Bates College Museum of Art, 75 Russell St., Lewiston. Shellburne Thurber: Full Circle, Oct. 24–Mar. 21, 2026; Precision & Expression: American Studio Ceramics from the E. John Bullard Collection, Oct. 24–Mar. 21, 2026. 786-6158.
Blue, 650A Congress St. Portland Drawing Group, Oct. 20 & Nov. 17. 774-4111.
Bowdoin College Museum of Art, 245 Maine St., Brunswick. Rudy Burckhardt: Three Maine Films, to Nov. 9; John McKee: As Maine Goes, to Nov. 9; Gordon Parks: Herklas Brown and Maine, 1944, to Nov. 9; Visions Unsettled: Stages of the Self in the Hispanic World, from the Spanish Empire to the Global Present, to Dec. 21. 725-3275.
Brick Store Museum, 117 Main St., Kennebunk. Art of BRICK: Lego Buildings Installation, to Nov. 9; Ocean World: Perspectives of the Sea, to Dec. 20; In Brick!: Lego Art by Colby Adolphsen, to Dec. 20. 985-4802.
Center for Maine Contemporary Art, 21 Winter St., Rockland. 2025 Biennial, to Jan. 12, 2026. 701-5005.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Dr., Boothbay. Decoupaged Pumpkins, Oct. 18. 633-8000.
Colby College Museum of Art, 5600 Mayflower Hill Dr., Waterville. Love Your Langlais: A Community Curates, to Oct. 20; Gertrude Abercrombie: The Whole World is a Mystery, to Jan. 11, 2026. 859-5600.
Cove Street Arts, 71 Cove St. Cadmium on the Cusp, to Nov. 15; Pentimenti: Little Histories, to Nov. 22; Critters: Fins, Feathers, Fur, Oct. 23–Dec. 20. 808-8911.
Denmark Arts Center, 50 W. Main St. Sip N’ Clay Workshop Series, Oct. 14, 21, & 28. 452-2412.
Farnsworth Art Museum, 16 Museum St., Rockland. Home Places: Andrew Wyeth in Chadds Ford, to Oct. 19; Finding Maine: The Wyeth Family of Artists, to Dec. 31. 596-6457.
Greenhut Galleries , 146 Middle St. Kathi Smith , to Nov. 1; Nancy Morgan Barnes & Co , Nov. 6–29. 772-2693.
Kittery Art Association, 2 Walker St. More Than Words, Oct. 23–Nov. 16; Carrie Kelley: Painting A Series
in Soft Pastel, Thursdays Oct. 30–Dec. 11. 451-9384.
Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. Exhibition On Screen: Caravaggio, Nov. 13–14. 563-3424.
Maine Film Center, 93 Main St., Waterville. Natural Selections: Works by Maria Wyzykowski, to Dec. 31. 873-7000.
Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress St. Notorious: Maine Crime in the Public Eye, 1690–1940, to Dec. 31; Lapsed Time: Portland in the 1980s, to Dec. 31; Stitches: Quilt Handwork, to Dec. 31. 774-1822.
Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress St. Jeane Cohen: Mesmer’s Garden, to Oct. 30; Katy Helman: Off Island, to Oct. 30; We Share the Same Sky: Friendship During War, to Oct. 30; Roy Gyöngy Fox: On the Fence, Nov. 6–Dec. 31; Jesse Melchiskey: Just One More, Nov. 6–Dec. 31. 773-2339.
Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. Upta Camp, to Oct. 19. 443-1316.
Maine Sculpture Trail, Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium. An outdoor exhibit of 34 sculptures over 200 miles Downeast. schoodicsculpture.org.
Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St., Freeport. From Waste to Wonder: Reclaimed Art & Design, Oct. 24–Nov. 1; Capturing Light: Six Artists Paint Maine, Nov. 7–16. 865-0040.
Moss Galleries, 100 Fore St. Charlie Hewitt: Night Shifts, to Nov. 1. 804-0459.
Pam’s Wreaths has been a family owned business since 1984. We offer a full line of Christmas wreaths and decorations, including our very popular Moose Head Wreath. Call or go online for more information
Ogunquit Museum of American Art, 543 Shore Rd. Henry Strater’s Ogunquit, to Nov. 16; Where the Real Lies, to Nov. 16; Gisela McDaniel, to Nov. 16. 646-4909.
Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, 10 Polar Loop, Brunswick. Printed Textiles from Kinngait Studios, to Dec. 21; At Home In the North, to Jun. 1, 2026. 725-3416.
Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq. Grace Hartigan: The Gift of Attention, to Jan. 11, 2026. 775-6148. River Arts, 36 Elm St, Damariscotta. Artist’s Choice, to Nov. 15; Celebration, Nov. 22–Dec. 30. 563-6868.
Ticonic Gallery & Studios, 93 Main St., Waterville. Community Draw, Nov. 12. 873-7000.
University of New England Art Galleries, UNE Art Gallery, 716 Stevens Ave. Unspoken Resilience: Healing from the Lewiston Shooting Two Years In, to Feb. 8, 2026. 602-3000.
University of New England Art Galleries, Jack S. Ketchum Library, 11 Hills Beach Rd., Biddeford. Piece of My Heart: A Laboratory, to Oct. 26. 602-3000.
York Art Association, 394 York St., York Harbor. Spruce it Up, Oct. 31–Dec. 21. 363-4049.
The Burleigh, Kennebunkport Inn, 1 Dock Sq. Bourbon & Bitters Cocktail Class, Nov. 1; Martini Mixology, Nov. 8; Autumn Sips & Spirits, Nov. 15. 204-9668.
Earth at Hidden Pond, 354 Goose Rocks Rd., Kennebunkport. Wines for Your Thanksgiving Table, Nov. 8; Mixology at Earth, Nov. 15. 967-6550.
The Ecology School, Riverbend Farm, 184 Simpson Rd., Saco. The Art of Blanding Tea, Nov. 13. 283-9951.
Harvest on the Harbor, Maine Studio Works, 170 Anderson St. Food & wine festival with chef demonstrations, lobster chef competition, live music, & tasting events, Oct. 30–Nov. 1 harvestontheharbor.com.
Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Mita Meets
Maine with Michelin Star Chef, Miguel Guerra & Tatiana Mora, Nov. 2. 646-4777.
Maine Cheese Guild, 18 Spring St., Belfast. Basics of Home Cheesemaking, Nov. 5–6. 419-9175.
Maine Harvest Festival & Craft Show, Cross Insurance Center, 515 Main St., Bangor. A delicious celebration of Maine’s small farms and their bounty with over 150 vendors on display, featuring artisans, bakers, & vintners, Nov. 22–23. maineharvestfestival.com.
Maine Tasting Center, 506 Old Bath Rd., Wiscasset. All About Aronia Berries, Oct. 15. 558-5772.
Now You’re Cooking, 49 Front St., Bath. Asian Vegetarian, Oct. 15; The Complete Oyster, Oct. 26; A Taste of Greece, Oct. 28; Halloween Wine Tasting with Marie from Devenish, Oct. 31; A Celebration of Pumpkin, Nov. 5; Durban Style Meatballs, Nov. 9; Dim Sum with Chris Toy, Nov. 12; November Wine Tasting featuring Wines from Sicily, Nov. 13; Thanksgiving Wine Tasting, Nov. 20. 443-1402.
Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. Halloween Potluck & Scary Readings, Oct. 29. 633-5159.
Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Honky Tonk Barn Social, Nov. 29. 935-7292.
12th Annual Veterans Day 5K Road Race, Trailblazers Family Club, 102 Bills Ln., Wells. Race starts and ends at the Trailblazers Family Club, Nov. 8. 646-2451.
Aura, 121 Center St. Party Iconic presents: Taylor Swift Engagement Party, Oct. 17; WeTouchGrass: Anime Rave, Oct. 31. 772-8274.
Brick Store Museum, 117 Main St., Kennebunk. All Souls’ Walk, Oct. 25. 985-4802.
Castine Historical Society, 17 School St. Explore the Castine Town Cemetery, Oct. 18–19. 326-4118.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 105 Botanical Gardens Dr., Boothbay. Homeschool Days, Oct. 17; Create a Succulent Garden Planter, Oct. 18. 633-8000.
Denmark Arts Center, 50 W. Main St. Family Fun Days: Halloween, Oct. 31. 452-2412.
Fete Market, 1 Canal Plaza. Fall Fete Market, Oct. 18. fetemarket.com.
Harvestfest & Kidsfest, Short Sands Beach, York Beach. Family friendly event including juried crafters & Old-Fashioned Market vendors from all over New England, local food vendors, kids activities, & live music, Oct. 18. 363-4422.
League of Maine Craft Show, Wells Junior High
CONTEMPORARY FINE ART
School, 1470 Post Rd. Featuring Maine & New England artists and craftsmen. With aisles filled with creativity including jewelry, pottery, soaps, clothing, woodcrafts, and much more, Nov. 1–2. 967-2251.
Maine Audubon, Fields Pond, 216 Fields Pond Rd., Holden. Feathers & Feeders: Backyard Bird Photography for Beginners, Oct. 18; EcoExplorers, Oct. 20; Gourd Baskets Workshop, Oct. 24; Project WILD K-12 Terrestrial Guide Training, Nov. 17. 781-2330.
Maine Audubon, Gilsland Farm, 20 Gilsland Farm Rd., Falmouth. Intro to Mushroom Identification, Oct. 25; Eyes on Owls, Nov. 8; Phenomenal: Seasonal Stories from Your Wildlife Community, Nov. 13; Ecological Garden Design Workshop, Nov. 15; Bird Walk, every Thurs. 781-2330.
Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray St. Maine Irish Makes, Oct. 16 & Nov. 13; Claddagh Awards 2025, Nov. 20. 780-0118.
Maine Jewish Museum, 267 Congress St. MJM Logo Launch Party, Oct. 23. 773-2339.
Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. Boatshop Workshop: Building a Fireside Stool, Oct. 15–16; Dead Reckoning: Shipyard Death & Disturbances, Oct. 23; Boatshop Workshop: Building a Shaker Box, Nov. 5–6; 50th Albert Reed & Thelma Walker Maritime Symposium: Re|Sounding, Nov. 21. 443-1316.
Maine Witch Walk & Goblin Market, Bangor Waterfront Park. A fun one-mile costumed walk, witch dance,
vendor market, & more, Oct. 18. mainewitchwalk.com. Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St. Test Kitchen: Live Radio Hour, Oct. 17–18. 879-4629.
New England Craft Fairs, Augusta Armory, 179 Western Ave. 41st Annual Harvest Festival Arts & Craft Show, Oct. 25–26; 22nd Annual Veterans Weekend Arts & Craft Show, Nov. 8–9. 946-7079.
OgunquitFest, downtown Ogunquit. Join us for signature events including the Classic Car Show, a huge artisan craft fair with 60+ vendors, live music, Dogtoberfest costume parade, kids events, & more!, Oct. 24–26. ogunquit.org/ogunquitfest.
One Longfellow Square, 181 State St. Jason Ladanye, Nov. 23. 761-1757.
Owls Head Transportation Museum, 117 Museum St. Night at the Museum: Living History, Oct. 25; Owls Nest: Pumpkin Science (Oct. 29 & 31), Weather Sensory Bin (Nov. 5 & 7), Cloud Count (Nov. 12 & 14), & Feed the Turkey Game (Nov. 21–22); STEM Saturday: Design a Planet, Nov. 8. 594-4418.
Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq. Lecture: Patrick Bringley: All the Beauty in the World, Oct. 16; Panel Discussion: The Haunted: Contemporary Photography Conjured in New England, Oct. 30. 775-6148.
Railway Village Museum, 586 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay. Railway SPOOKtacular, Oct. 25. 633-4727.
Rockland Sunday Stroll, Main St. Come for performances, activities, and enjoy the expanded space of downtown as Main Street is closed to motorized traffic and open to pedestrians, vendors, artists, performers, and more, Oct. 19. rocklandrolls.org.
Shop Maine Craft, Fort Andross Mill Complex, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. 9th Annual Guild Fine Craft Show: Brunswick, Oct. 25–26. 205-0791.
Snowflake Trail, Downtown Limington, Limerick, & Newfield. Annual open house for small businesses, Nov. 7–9. thesnowflaketrail.com.
Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth. Ghosts on the Banke, Oct. 17, 18, 24, & 25; Living on Turtle Island: Abenaki Heritage Past & Present Homeschool Program, Oct. 29; A History of Thanksgiving for Homeschoolers, Nov. 19; Harvest Celebrations: A History of Thanksgiving Guided Tours, Nov. 1–30. (603)433-1100.
Waldo Theatre, 916 Main St., Waldoboro. Waldoboro Talent Show, Oct. 25. 975-6490.
WW&F Railway, 97 Cross Rd., Alna. A-No.1 Hobo Experience, Oct. 19; Pumpkin Pickin’ Train to SeaLyon Farm, Oct. 18 & 25. 882-4193.
To submit an event listing: portlandmonthly.com/portmag/submit-an-event/
Compiled by Bethany Palmer
By Virginia Souza
The view from the 1760 Colonial unfolds across a glacial ledge, slips down into a vast, reedy marsh, then unfurls toward the Batson River, which meanders past Goose Rocks Beach and empties into the Atlantic. e expanse is called Goosefare Bay. It brings to mind the edge of the world.
“Our issue’s theme is 10 Places in Maine Where You Can Hear Yourself ink,” I tell the listing agent.
“You’ve nailed it,” he says. “See
that bench near the barn? e owner, John Hathaway, put it there so people could pull o the road, sit down, and see…forever.”
e estate at 190 Mills Road in Kennebunkport is listed for $6.9M. It includes the lovely white clapboard manse perched on what could be called Goose Rocks Reach, 38 acres of
(Continued on page 82)
BY COLIN W. SARGENT
When I was a boy, I asked my mother why she was reading TheDancingFloor by John Buchan.
“What’s it about?” I asked.
“Ghosts,” she said.
Even then I knew that was a mystical oversimplification.
The same elusive tone crept into her answers when I asked why she and my father vanished for long summer nights to a place called The Golden Egg, leaving my sulking sister to babysit. “It’s a kind of nightclub, near The Clock Farm,” she said once.
“Tonight, they had a magician.”
Lately I’ve begun to wonder if the magician was just a particularly skilled bartender.
coastal saltwater farm, a guest house, two barns, and a stillness that feels distilled. e main house, edited with exposed-beam, understated elegance,
I’ve stood in the Medici Map Room in Florence. This is a more contemplative vista.
rests on a granite foundation and o ers four bedrooms and four baths. Across Route 9, the larger barn features a fullheight glass wall that frames the marsh and sea like a masterpiece.
Once known as the Barbara Smart Farm, the property was, for decades, home to a woolly ock that grazed along the marsh’s edge among the
rocks and reeds—ghostly presences of their own.
“But where are the sheep?” I ask. My wife and I have enjoyed spotting them for decades. Whenever my son asked, “Can we go see the lambs?” there was no question where we were headed.
“ ey’re in Stonington now,” Hathaway says. “ ey’re a rare ock of Cotswolds—the largest in the world.”
Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of history from this iconic Kennebunk landmark. The extensive art collection includes works by Channing Hare, Traffords Klots, Walter L. Dean, Paul Cadmus, Stephen Hensel, Jack Gray and others. Fine furnishings and decorative items are also included in the sale.
The auction will be broadcast with a live webstream on October 18th starting at 10 AM.
Preview is limited, by appointment only.
Bid now at cascobayauctions.com
147 Main Street, Freeport, Maine 207-370-4592
Andrew Davis, Auctioneer ME License 1654
Hathaway is the founder of Shucks Lobster Company. Still operating out of Richmond, Maine, Shucks began as a modest 20-seat oyster bar in Kennebunkport. In 2007, it won two Prix d’Élite awards in Brussels for its high-pressure processed raw lobster meat.
When did you land Goosefare Farm?
“ irty-two years ago. I love old homes. And this one—you know how they say ‘take the long view’? I drove past and couldn’t let it go. I took the long view.”
I spotted some vintage crates in the barn stamped ‘Jasper Wyman.’
“I used to rake for Wyman as a kid. Twenty- ve cents a basket.”
What do people miss when they rush by?
“ ey miss the old cemetery across the road. e pond down by the barn. at pond’s where our son,
Garnet, a pro hockey player, learned to skate.”
What do you know about e Golden Egg, the nightclub my parents cherished in the 1960s?
“People bring it up all the time,” Hathaway says. “I don’t know much about it, but it seems to have left a mark.”
e saltbox barn still carries an aura of performance. e windows and trim are theatrical. I step inside and feel, absurdly, that I’m entering with my parents—that they touched this handle, walked this oor, and sipped from the co ee cups still stacked here on shelves.
Dusty but intact, the space remains startlingly preserved: the painted plum wood dance oor edged in sa ron ligree, the dumbwaiter, the musicians’ corner, even the original cups and saucers in the kitchen with its soda fountains. Like a rural Mary Celeste, it feels as though everyone has just stepped out for a smoke, about to return. n
Taxes are $10,808.
Mary Mayo worked summers at The Golden Egg during her Goddard College years in the late 1960s.
“The Golden Egg was something special,” she tells me. “Juilliard students performed. Locals came for chamber music in an elegantly appointed barn. Barbara Smart owned Goosefare Farm, but The Egg was her son Nat’s vision an elegant, dry, classical music coffeehouse. People dressed formally. Lights dimmed for short concerts. No service, no talking. Music came first.
“The decor was antique. The drinks were made with syrups like grenadine. Everyone simply called it The Egg.”
Frequent guests included “Frank Small of The
Shawmut Inn and Bob Currier of the Kennebunkport Playhouse
Jane Morgan’s brother. Bob would make his signature ice-cream puff dessert for lucky customers.”
And the acoustics?
“Magical. There was a piano tucked into a corner under the saltbox roof, and the sound would funnel upward. From the loft, you could look down at the musicians and feel the music rise to meet you.”
HALLOWELL $580 , 000
Location Location! Custom built one owner home with 3 bedrooms 3 baths and 3443 square feet of living space. 1 acre lot with breathtaking views. Finished basement with pellet stove. Access to hundreds of acres of trails and woods. MLS#1614571
Discover endless potential with this 12,000 sq. ft. commercial building set on a 1.04acre lot in a high-demand location just o Western Avenue in Augusta. Ample parking, great o ice space, medical facilities, retail, or specialized services. $525,000 • MLS#1636331
WORTHERLY POND $625 , 000
Charming year-round waterfront cottage with 60 ft of private shoreline. 2 bd/2 bath. Open-concept main floor with pond views, sun porch, and large living area. Deck, fire pit, patio, and dock. Detached 2-story garage and storage shed. Furnished. MLS#1632822
2,400 sq. ft. commercial space in Wilton, ME, approved for a 50-seat restaurant. New plumbing, electrical, and foundation. Ideal for various businesses, with high foot tra ic, downtown location, and easy access to Farmington. MLS#1634154 • $225,000
100-acre parcel, prime hunting land; 18’ by 32’ camp with septic system with a dug well nearby. Generator for electricity, propane tanks for cook stove, refrigerator, and lights. Bingham area. Motivated sellers, potential to subdivide. MLS#1609628 • $296,000
NEW PORTLAND $950 , 000
Exceptional Investment Opportunity—4 Properties Conveyed Together. Residential, Commercial & Waterfront. Present rental income is $7,850 per month and a possible income of $11, 050 monthly. The potential of this opportunity is immense. MLS#1635147
WINTHROP COMMERCIAL
Over 20,000 cars a day drive by this amazing business opportunity. 6384 square foot commercial building with four automotive enterprises. Knowledgeable seller to assist in the transition. MLS#1625027 • $1,675,000
POND
Classic lakefront with 4 acres and 300 feet of pristine water frontage on the last remaining open cove on Woodbury Pond in Litchfield. The waterfront lot is level and inviting to all and perfect for all ages with no slope at all. MLS #1604469 • $413,000
AUGUSTA COMMERCIAL
1.1 acre commercial lot at the corner of Civic center drive and Bog Road. Public water and sewer is available on both streets and the tra ic count is tremendous. MLS#1624182 • $875,000
WAYNE $710 , 000
Stunning Colonial-style home nestled in the heart of Wayne and in the middle of the lakes. Four bedrooms and 3 full baths on a very private 3.46 acres. Over 4,842 square feet of living space! Plus 1,405 square feet of decks and porches. MLS #1614192
COBBOSSEE LAKE $899, 000
Stunning 4BR 3BA Waterfront home on Cobbossee Lake in Monmouth. 2264 sf on three levels. Chef’s kitchen, granite with islands, primary bedroom suite lakeside. MLS#1625539
James L. Eastlack, Owner Broker 207-864-5777 or 207-670-5058 | JLEastlack@gmail.com
6 Spring Lake Rd - Escape to nature and a wonderful waterfront property on a great remote body of water. Off grid w/generator, year round building, detached garage, Ice fish, hunt, enjoy all seasons! $495,000.
20 Vista Lane – RANGELEY LAKE – A rare offering, the Buena Vista Estate on 567 feet of deep water frontage,53 private acres w/south facing exposure, total privacy, development potential.
RANGELEY LAKE – Lakeside Marina & Convenience - Wonderful business opportuinty in downtown commercial zoning, convenience store, 25 boat slips, gas, boat rental business, great waterfront location! $965,000.
2582 Main St - Wonderful commercial business on Main Street w/ 105' on Rangeley Lake, Marina/ Convenience Store, 25+ Slips, Gas, Shop, Downtown Commercial Zoning, High Traffic Location, $965,000.
Located close to the village with expansive southwest views of Rangeley Lake, 4 beds, 3.5 baths, very close to Saddleback Ski Area, snowmobile and ATV from your doorstep, heated garage! $639,000.
631 Bald Mtn. Road – MOOSELOOK LAKE – A rare offering, 4 bed, 4.5 bath contemporary lakefront home w/beach, detached garage AND private island w/2 bedroom guest cottage, 3.56 Acres! $1,899,000.
Welcome to the Portage Tap House, a beloved local gathering spot known for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, fun staf, and inviting vibe. This thriving establishment has built a strong reputation as one of the area's most popular hangouts, ofering outstanding food, drink, and service. Wrapped in reclaimed wood, wrought iron, and polished concrete, the sumptuous dining room looks into an open kitchen anchored by a roaring copper woodfred oven. Canoes hang overhead as chandeliers, while foor-to-ceiling windows showcase picturesque views of the village of Oquossoc.
$2,400,000
RANGELEY LAKE VIEWS – 21 Pine Grove - 4 Beds, 3.5 Baths, Fully Furnished, SW facing views w/LOTS of sun, Snowmobile and ATV from your doorstep, Detached 32x32 garage fully heated, a must see! $639,000.
Gorgeous VIEWS overlooking Rangeley Lake and Saddleback Ski Area, wonderful estate property located just outside the Rangeley village, 48.32 Acres,4 bed,4.5 bath home w/ guest quarters. $1,495,000.
277 Stephens Road – MOOSELOOK LAKE – West facing Sandy Beach frontage, 4 bed, 3 bath home w/attached 3 car heated garage and detached 3 car garage w/large bonus room! $850,000.
Kelly Wentworth-Lowe Sales Manager Freeport, Maine (207) 831-4934
kelly@kellywentworth.com
Enjoy the best that Sebago Lake has to o er like the most breathtaking sunsets and stunning panoramic views. This well maintained condo features a newer kitchen with Stainless Steel appliances, comfortable living room,
nice size bedroom, full bath with shower, with a deck for summer enjoyment. Just steps to 300’ of pristine sandy beach! There are private basketball/tennis/pickeball courts and horseshoes along with a gazebo, maintained grounds, long expansive dock and deeded moorings. This is an ideal location that is convenient to everything and only ten minutes to Windham Center. MLS#1606454 | $375,000
The Fog House borders Acadia, with a secret trail to Sand Beach and views of Schooner Head and Egg Rock Lighthouse. This 5-bedroom home (3-bed septic) features a main-level suite, granite fireplace, cathedral living room, walkout level with bonus rooms, and a garage apartment. Designed by Roc Caivano with custom touches, it comes mostly furnished—perfect for coastal adventure. MLS#1606726
Spacious 6-bedroom Dutch Gambrel near Camden Hills on 2.35 acres with water views, wraparound deck, and in-law suite. Features original 1930s charm, updated kitchen, multiple living areas, and a large office or potential primary suite. Includes 2-car garage, walkout basement, and option to buy adjacent 2.9-acre lot (MLS 1606227) for expansion or new build. MLS#1606223
This Peter Forbes-designed coastal home curves with the shoreline, featuring light-filled spaces, unique storage, an art studio, and stunning views of Union River Bay and Acadia. The main house has one bedroom, while the nearby guest house offers five more. Fold-up decks double as storm shutters, and a finished garage adds flexible space.
MLS#1634268
One of a kind lakefront retreat fully furnished and turnkey including indoor and outdoor furniture, dock, most linens and more. Remodeled in 2024 blending contemporary style with European elegance for someone looking for a first class escape or permanent lake house. Multiple decks and patios, cedar sauna and cedar hot tub. 1.6 acres with 255’ on the water with a small beach additional 1.77 acres across the road. MLS# 1626748
—Emily Dickinson
BY BRIGITTE EMMONS-TOUCHETTE
Well, there you are!”
My visitor comes regularly, so I’m not so easy to startle anymore. Instead, I wipe my hands with a towel.“I’m quite busy with the garden, you see, though I suppose I know what your plans are.”
For the moment, my visitor seems lost in my kitchen wall slathered with my visitor’s own charcoal drawings of rivers, rocks, and trees.
“Clearly, I need to make some
more wall space for you,” I say.
My little cabin is sturdy and well-appointed. e sofa is soft and covered in worn mohair the color of cocoa. Wool rugs the color of cranberry and goldenrod beckon bare toes to stretch and explore. Behind my visitor, the countertops sparkle with rows of canned beans and pickled onions. e daylight’s stealing through the kitchen window to play with the blue glass of the jars.
My visitor appears to say something to me. I crinkle my nose and squint. “You want me to
go shing? Today ? Fine, but only after my chores.”
Among the eavesdroppers are my rocking chair on the front porch and a painted table just big enough to hold yesterday’s teacup and a vase of owers. e cut Rudbeckia leans everywhere, gobbling up precious real estate. My broom moves expertly around it all.
is homestead sits beside a lake in the center of a clearing. Across from the cabin is a garden bursting with spent tomato plants and oversized beet greens. e gate’s left
Buzz About (continued from page 43)
Rubenstein, director of operations at OMG Cannabis Co on India Street. “We’ve had everyone from actors and musicians to photographers shooting for major magazines stop in for recommendations. Even athletes, including basketball players, have shared that they use cannabis as a tool to relax and recharge.”
Taj Sanders, sales and product manager at JAR Cannabis Co., Portland, agrees. “I think there are two requests I hear most: ‘I want to be more creative’ and ‘I need to get shit done.’ People may want to be hyper-focused, and cannabis is an easy way of achieving that beyond prescription drugs like Adderall and other pharma products—but, of course, pharma doesn’t want you to know that.”
In a 2012 interview with e Hollywood Reporter, Oliver Stone had no issues with admitting to his use of cannabis. “I believe that grass is God’s gift,” he said, disclosing that he’d been using the plant for inspiration since the ’60s. But six decades later, there still seems to be a stigma around using cannabis while creating. In preparation for this article, I posted messages on several social media platforms, requesting artists and writers to express their opinions concerning cannabis and the creative process. All the messages were taken down by the administrators, suggesting that it was an “inappropriate discussion.”
Although recreational weed has been legal for almost ten years, the shame attached to using an outside source for inspiration lives on. “Some of us don’t want anyone to know we use a little something to get our juices owing,” says Brenda, a photographer with a studio in Bath. “But the thing is, we all need a push once in a while when our ow is sluggish. A couple of pu s, and I’m good to go.” n
open now, allowing the wild rabbits access to whatever’s left. Winter will be hard on everyone.
e voice of Molly Drake plays from my dated stereo, its speakers angled to push the music out of the windows and into the garden, which hummed all summer long. Happiness is like a bird with twenty wings… e treble notes of the piano oat into the dense forest of pine and white spruce. ere is nothing for miles except this place.
It is afternoon now. e shing won’t be any good, but we go anyway. Together, we hike the path toward the brook. It is well-worn and meanders through the woods for nearly a mile before pitching downward toward the car-sized boulders that hide the moving water. Ferns and moss wait here, eager to announce the word green
I walk whenever I’m asked. I know my visitor wants to sketch, know that no art can be made when you’re afraid. But it’s not the woods that scare my visitor. It never has been.
It’s the road.
e gravel road passing my cabin is a blue vein that carves its way along the western mountains of Maine toward Canada. In any given year, the number of travelers passing by can be counted on one hand. Most are hunters and anglers rushing to make the most of a precious day o .
Indeed, roads are the province of humans, and we’re unpredictable. Deadly.
I came to understand this on a particularly long walk with my visitor the year before. e walk led us to a clearing several yards o the gravel, not far from the bones of a long-abandoned summer camp. A wooden cross marked the clearing, its white paint now a graceful shade of gray.
I stood silent for some time, solemn in consideration of what I’d been shown.
“So,” I said, “this is the spot where you died.” n
