Day in the Life
BELFAST In deep with the
BELFAST CO-OP DINING & NIGHTLIFE IN THE BELFAST AREA
PROFILES FROM
local businesses A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • January 26, 2018
Day in the Life: Belfast • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 26, 2018
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CONSUMERS FUEL AND THE FINCH GALLERY:
AN UNLIKELY MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
COURTESY COMSUMERS FUEL AND THE FINCH GALLERY
ONE MIGHT ASK –
what do a retail fuel oil company and an art gallery have in common? In the case of The Consumers Fuel Company and The Finch Gallery, both situated at the bottom of Main Street in Belfast, the answer would be marriage. John Holmes, born and raised in Belfast and Jerri Finch, who moved to Belfast in 1981, met, fell in love, and got married. Together, they have changed the face of that triangle of land. The iconic 1869 building is arguably the most photographed building in Belfast. Jerri maintains the signage on the brick façade. John tends the espaliered volunteer apple tree growing up the rear of the building and together the couple plant the window boxes and side garden. They also rent space to the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce, helping further to welcome people to Belfast. John continues to operate The Consumers Fuel Company, a family owned business. The 1911 business has grown with the times. Initially they offered delivery of coal and wood. Today, with its 14 employees, Consumers Fuel provides Heating Oil and L.P.Gas to homes and businesses in Waldo County.
Jerri opened the Finch Gallery three years ago, between Federal and Main Street. She has revamped the former garage that John’s father moved from the Route 1 bypass in 1961. The interior is well lit, and her paintings hang gracefully on the walls she installed in a manner that preserves the integrity of the rustic building. The gallery is a seasonal one. This year the Finch Gallery will open June 22, through the end of September. Finch developed a reputation in the mid coast as a fine arts painter. Her new work continues to reflect the life around her. The gallery offers a collection of Jerri’s original oils, as well as prints and cards of her work. Also showcased are the works of sculptor Jay Hoagland of Rockport.
You can see more of Jerri’s work at jerrifinch.com and on Facebook. She can also be reached at 207-338-1060. You can explore the services that Consumers Fuel offers at consumersfuel.com, call 207-338-2000, or stop in anytime.
Waldo County’s “best of the best” winner for salon, spa and stylist since 2013
We’re not just a service. We’re an experience. Complimentary tea, coffee, bottled water, wine, and a local beer selection.
Complimentary shoulder, neck and scalp massage with any hair service.
a full service salon unleash unl u nleaassh your yyou our inner iinn nne err radiance ra rad dian iancce e Specializing in color, precision cutting, and nails.
Opening June 22, 2018 for the Summer season. 149 High Street, Belfast
207-505-5699
Before
After
When you’re visiting our beautiful town, be sure to book your experience!
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Day in the Life: Belfast • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 26, 2018
BIG YEAR, BRIGHT FUTURE for WALDO COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL COURTESY OF WALDO COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL
FOR NEARLY 120 YEARS, Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast has delivered
excellent care for patients and their families in a friendly, caring atmosphere. This new year promises to be one of the hospital’s biggest—and it follows an equally remarkable 2017 in terms of customer-focused developments. “I think some of the most exciting developments [from 2017] were with the opening of the new medical office building located across from the hospital,” said Erik Frederick, the regional chief operating officer of Coastal Health Care Alliance, the parent organization for both Waldo County General Hospital and Pen Bay Medical Center. “It gave us an opportunity to bring together a number of our primary care physicians into one setting in a new facility that's more patient-centered.” He said the new center provides more opportunities for physicians to be co-located, which increases opportunities for them to interact and, in turn, provide better patient care. The first floor of the new building is dedicated to primary care and brings formerly disparate departments closer together. The second floor, he said, features a simulation lab to provide clinical colleagues with hands-on continuing education. “The lab is a huge benefit to the clinicians who can go in there and practice on the simulation patients and improve or maintain their skills,” said Frederick. 2017 also saw the addition of the Ann Hooper Center for Womens Imaging. The center provides advanced breast imaging through 3D mammography, a newer piece of technology that’s been recently added to both Pen Bay Medical Center and Waldo County General Hospital. Frederick said the center can also provide bone density analyses and needle
biopsies in a private, boutique setting. “[The center] is one of the only, if not the only, center like it in the state,” said Frederick. “It allows patients to stay close to home and continue to receive care without having to travel to Bangor, Augusta, or Portland for more advanced imaging.“ 2018 promises to be just as exciting, with new technology upgrades preceding a large-scale, $8.1 million emergency room expansion. The expansion will increase the number of patient beds from nine to 15, said Frederick, and will allow for more private exam rooms as well as larger staff workspaces. “We see over 15,000 patients a year come through the Waldo County Hospital Emergency Room,” said Frederick. “The expansion will add some new beds to better care for the patients that we have, but also improve the workspaces for the folks that are doing work there.” The other key part of the expansion, said Frederick, is dedicated space for behavioral health care patients. “In many hospitals, when people come to the emergency room and they need psychiatric care, they're often held there while waiting for placement,” he said. “It's not an ideal situation. [The expansion] will provide more dedicated space for those patients to have more privacy and start getting access to care sooner.” The expansion is expected to begin this spring and last about eight months. “It's really going to change the face of the hospital, provide a better environment for the entire community to receive care, update the technology, and create a better work environment,” said Frederick. “It will be a real game changer. We're very excited about it.”
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Day in the Life: Belfast • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 26, 2018
A BRIEF TOUR OF
Belfast's Best EATERIES
BY DANIELLE DORRIE
ALEXIAS PIZZA Many locals claim this to be the best pizza around. We hear their white pizza is a staple. Great for families and quick dining.
BAY WRAP As you might expect, Bay Wrap offers gourmet wraps as well as other lunch options, including salads, desserts and espresso. Locals claim that the “Big Juan” is a favorite.
BELFAST CO-OP Not just your average grocery store, the Belfast Co-Op offers breakfast, lunch, and dessert on the go options. Stock up on your staples while feeling your tummy - and your soul!
BELL THE CAT This quirkily-named delicatessen and sandwich shop features baked goods and coffee. Perfect for a no-fuss, quick, and delicious meal. Enjoy great service, healthy options, and a great environment.
FRONT STREET PUB A relaxing pub atmosphere that offers good drinks, food, and conversation. The Front Street Pub is also one of your best bets for entertainment and dancing. Sister restaurant of the Harborwalk Restaurant (see below).
HARBORWALK RESTAURANT Offers great quality food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a great price. Mainesourced meats, produce, and seafood. The atmosphere is historic and warm, with a sunny patio in the summer.
LAAN-XANG CAFE Has a great view of the bay and is known by the locals as using super-fresh ingredients and produce in their authentic Laotion and Thai restaurant
MEANWHILE IN BELFAST A rustic, mediterranean bistro that is so much more than the wood fire pizza that they are famous for. Salads and other specials are offered for lunch and dinner.
NAUTILUS Features a classy, relaxed atmosphere, an extensive menu. Their specialties are steaks, local seafood, and kicked-up comfort food, plus a view of Penobscot Bay. Daily specials with many items made from scratch are available as well as a full bar.
NEIGHBORHOOD Offers a funky vibe with an eclectic menu. They offer a locally-sourced and hand crafted menu featuring daily specials, vegetarian, and gluten free options.
CHASES DAILY
ONDINE OYSTER + WINE BAR
A locally-sourced breakfast and lunch stop for a great pastry, snack, or picnic. You can also pick up other necessities for your adventures in the shop here.
A farm-to-table restaurant with an elegant ambiance and moderate prices. The team of chefs here are classically trained to provide a unique dining experience. They offer daily specials, social hours, and weekend brunch.
DARBY’S Featuring a cozy, homey vibe and a staff that treats you like you’ve come home from college for a meal.
DELVINOS A classy vibe that still manages to feel welcoming. They offer everything you’d ever want from an Italian restaurant.
THE DOCKSIDE FAMILY RESTAURANT Offers a great view overlooking downtown Belfast and comfort food in a comfortable environment. It’s a nice place for larger families and groups to enjoy a relaxing experience.
ROLLIE'S BAR & GRILL A friendly sports bar with lots of seating, beer, and local heart. You’ll always have someone to talk about the game with, or simply enjoy a good beer and wings.
SENG THAI Offers classic Thai food in a classic thai-style environment, with great views of the bay. Fast and friendly service makes this a great place to grab a bite to eat for lunch or dinner.
TRACI’S DINER Offers classic diner fare, offering breakfast (open at 6 a.m.!) and lunch starting at 11 am.
THREE TIDES & MARSHALL WHARF BREWING COMPANY A fun, funky and unique spot—it’s got the feel of a rugged shipyard as well as a cozy, welcoming environment. They brew their own beers on site and have a tasting room in the brewery.
YOUNGS LOBSTER POUND A hidden gem on the bay. It’s a bit outside of downtown Belfast, but has a large waterfront space. It’s a traditional lobster pound—you choose your own lobster and picnic table, then let the magic happen.
WASSES HOT DOGS The “original” food truck, though it’s not on wheels. They offer a basic menu of hot dogs, hamburgers, and fried food for takeout. A few picnic tables are available if you can’t wait to dig in.
Day in the Life: Belfast • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 26, 2018
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THE BELFAST IS THE PLACE CO-OP TO GO FOR LOCAL FOOD & MORE
BY JASMINE J. HAINES
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BELFAST CO-OP
SINCE 1976, the Belfast Co-op has been serving the midcoast community with local and unique food options and friendly service that rivals that of any “big box” store. Their selection is carefully curated by their member-owners to meet the demand of the local food lovers who shop there regularly and support the farms and fisheries of Maine who keep their shelves stocked with the freshest of produce, meats, cheeses and more. What makes a co-op different? At the heart of a co-op is the idea of community. The co-op is owned by the folks who shop there and volunteer their time and equity into the store. Every year the members get together and democratically vote for their board of directors, who in turn hire the management team that take care of the daily operations of the co-op. “I’m proud to be part of the Belfast Co-op’s workforce,” said Carisa Carney, the co-op’s marketing manager. “I work with an amazing group of individuals that share in upholding the cooperative principles and values.” Co-op membership is voluntary and open to everyone, and with over 3,900 member-owners it is Maine’s largest food co-op (not to mention one of the oldest). Co-op membership is a $60 equity share. This can be paid all at once, or in installments. Then there is a $15 annual ownership fee for the first adult on the membership in the household, and $10 for each additional adult. This membership not only comes with voting rights and access to the annual meetings, but special discounts in store on certain items as well. Of course you don't need to be a member to shop at the Belfast Co-op—their motto is "all are welcome. If you are looking for raw organic milk, something you can't find at a conventional grocery, you can find it at the co-op right next to pasteurized milk. Through a partnership with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the fresh seafood in-store is selected to grow both the environmental and the economic sustainability of Maine’s fish stocks. It's these thoughtful practices and sustainable relationships with local farms and fisheries that makes the Belfast Co-op a place you can feel good about shopping at. yomammas.com
A da zzl ing sho pping experience for all!
96 Main St Belfast (207) 338-4884 Open 7 days a week m9:30am 6pm Mon. - Sat. 9:30am-4:30pm Sun.
..wide produ ranging cts f to f u n r o m f un ct and e ional legan t to ed g y!
Beyond the food selection is a vast beer and wine section with over 300 wines to peruse and over 150 beers and ciders in a walk-in cooler. Interesting in crafting your own homemade brew? They can help with that too with kits available for the budding brewmaster. The co-op also has a wide variety of medical herbs you can purchase in bulk in their wellness section. You can also find locally-made soaps and lotions, beeswax candles, and even all-natural toothbrushes. The co-op applies the same principles to their wellness products as they do their food; natural, sustainable, and local products take priority on the shelves. They even have stuff for your furry friends, too, with organic and natural pet foods, homeopathic remedies, treats, and supplements. Perhaps the best part about shopping at the Belfast co-op isn't the amazing cheese selection or the fresh baked bread. It's not even the friendly faces that greet you at the door. It is the sustainable structure of the co-op. When you spend your money there, you are supporting the surrounding community. Your money is going to local farmers so they can keep growing the food you love to feed your family. It's going to the local artisans who make the products you trust and can't find anywhere else. "At the end of the day, I feel good about where I work, and what we bring to the community,” said Carney.
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Day in the Life: Belfast • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 26, 2018
UMAINE’S HUTCHINSON CENTER OFFERS BELFAST-REGION SERVICES, EVENTS
COURTESY HUTCHINSON CENTER PHOTOS COURTESY OF UMAINE
IN ADDITION to its undergraduate and graduate classes and programs, the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast promotes lifelong learning and cultural and economic development opportunities to Maine’s midcoast communities. In 2007, the H. Allen and Sally Fernald Art Gallery was created with the construction of a new wing. Since that time, artwork created by the school children of Belfast, the veterans of Maine, the archives of the Penobscot Marine Museum, and others have hung on the gallery walls attracting thousands of visitors. Opportunities to meet individual artists are provided at the opening receptions of most exhibitions. Among several upcoming outreach events is a free lecture by local home builder, Jim Bahoosh, on small houses on Jan. 19, Fiber Arts Exhibit beginning Feb. 9 and the Senior College Arts Festival on June 2 and 3. Demonstrating continued growth, the Center’s conference services, which offers space planning, registration, catering and technical support, have become a destination site for local and statewide organizations. To give clients the best event experience possible the Hutchinson Center offers a large, adaptable conference center, auditorium and break-out classrooms, as well as leading edge technology. Some of the Center’s upcoming conference service events include the Waldo County Candidate Forum on Jan. 21, Community
Quintessentially Coastal
Enjoy life with stunning bay views and take advantage of home ownership without property maintenance at Penobscot Shores in Belfast. Apartments in the Ocean House for sale or rent. Private cottages for sale.
207-338-2332 | penobscotshores.com 10 Shoreland Drive, Belfast
Waldo County General Hospital A Member of MaineHealth
Wellness Class on Feb. 13 and the Camden Conference on Feb. 16. The Hutchinson Center’s professional development programs serve the area with certificate programs, workshops and training in the fields of business, industry, education, human service, and personal development. Individuals may choose programs to expand their areas of expertise, launch a new career path, or create a pathway to a job promotion. Exploring topics such as grant writing, leadership, ethics, restorative practices, project management and others help to develop skills that strengthen professional profiles, community development, organizational growth and student success. Currently, in partnership with Belfast’s Senior College, over 600 senior citizens participate in quality programming at the Hutchinson Center. As a cultural and educational hub for the city, the Hutchinson Center is pleased to promote Belfast to participants of its outreach, conference services and professional development Programs.
For more information about the Hutchinson Center, visit hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu.
Day in the Life: Belfast • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 26, 2018
DAMARISCOTTA BANK & TRUST A Belfast community partner
COURTESY DAMARISCOTTA BANK & TRUST
DAMARISCOTTA BANK & TRUST has proudly served the city of Belfast for nearly 20 years. We have worked hard during that time to contribute to the success of the people who make Belfast a community, a great place to work, and a wonderful place to raise the children of our future. Damariscotta Bank & Trust is here to help you reach your financial goals and to maintain financial stability through each stage of your life. We are a place of guidance when you are purchasing a new home, and a place where you are on a first name basis when you visit our branch. We are a place where you are important, and we look forward to seeing you. One of our most important jobs is to reinvest in the communities that we serve and we do that best by providing a wide variety of loan products designed to fit your needs. As an independent community bank, we know that nimble, personable, and knowledgeable service means a lot to you. The loans we grant allow you to invest in yourself and the business community. We encourage our lenders to establish relationships with our customers, which allows for prompt decisions made locally. We like to see you succeed. However, we are not just a bank. We stand on a foundation where supporting our community is encouraged from deep within our organization. Our staff is inspired to volunteer in the communities that they live and work in as well as create conversation around how we can continue to contribute to the success of the Belfast community and surrounding areas.
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Throughout the year, our Belfast branch supports several causes that directly impact Waldo County including (but not limited to) Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way, and Toys for Tots. We also collect and distribute non-perishables to the Belfast Soup Kitchen. It is an honor to be a part of the Belfast community—a community that thrives on togetherness and teamwork. The citizens and businesses of Belfast truly care about the wellbeing of our city; this caring is seen in the day-to-day interactions with the people who make this community great. It is with this communal effort that Belfast will remain a great place to live and work. We are humbled to be here and we look forward to continuing to be a resource for the citizens and surrounding areas for years to come.
Day in the Life: Belfast • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • January 26, 2018
MIDCOAST MAINE HOLISTIC HEALTH EVENT CENTER
JOINS
Belfast Breeze Inn COURTESY BELFAST BREEZE INN
FROM A CLASSIC 100-YEAR-OLD CAPTAIN'S HOME TRANSFORMED DECADES AGO TO A SEASONAL INN AND RESTAURANT…
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AFTER EXTENSIVE REMODELING in 2015, the charm of the Belfast Breeze Inn was restored. Now the charming lodge and B&B is home to the Midcoast Maine Holistic Health Event Center, a place of comfortable lodging, interesting learning, and an opportunity for relaxation. It’s a retreat to rejuvenate and grow! Owned by retired university professor, executive consultant, and world-traveler Dr. Jane Liedtke, the inn was calling her to do something special and unique ever since she bought it. While the Belfast Breeze Inn will continue serving as nightly, weekly, and extended stay accommodations, the inn’s facilities will be host to over 120 programs, classes, multi-day workshops, and special dinners with instructors inbound from throughout New England and Europe. The Midcoast Maine Holistic Health Event Center seeks to provide the region with personal empowerment opportunities. Imagine finding your niche, your groove, or perhaps even healing energy. Expand your career or profession with training and certification that enhances your personal toolbox, changing your resources. Explore your creative side or experiment with your culinary practices—eat well. Discover your intuitive side or your connection to the spirit world. Manifest your desires, heal your heart, and restore your soul. — Be well!
The 2018 Program Offerings will fit these categories:
CALL JANE WITH YOUR QUESTIONS AND DESIRES AT 207-505-5231 OR EMAIL INFO@BELFASTBREEZEINN.COM. Events are announced on the Belfast Breeze Inn website at belfastbreezeinn.com, their Facebook page, and on the Midcoast Maine Holistic Health Event Center Facebook page. Reservations and/or tickets for all programs are available on Brown Paper Tickets.
• • • • •
WELLNESS ACTIVITIES MASSAGE & YOGA ENERGETIC HEALING & TRAINING/CERTIFICATION HEALTHY & FUN COOKING CLASSES PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
• • • • • •
HANDS-ON ARTS/CRAFTS WORKSHOPS INTUITIVE ART PSYCHIC READINGS & WORKSHOPS PSYCHIC DINNERS MEDIUMSHIP & INTUITION DEVELOPMENT SPIRIT & PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION
SEASONAL EVENTS such as Fall Equinox, Murder Mystery Dinner, as well as Thanksgiving and Christmas Programs