11 minute read
COMING HOME
LISA & ALEX PELLING
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ALEXANDRA & FRANCIS STEWART
SUSAN BEEMER
PATSY MEISNER
When Lisa and Alex Pelling were looking for a place to put down roots, they had literally the entire globe to choose from. The natives of Yorkshire, England, spent three years traveling the world. They were considering Australia, but Belfast kept drawing them back.
“We simply couldn’t get it out of our minds that this was the place for us,” says Lisa, who is 38. “We loved the small, independent, quirky businesses, the unique restaurants, and the architecture. The positive, anything-is-possible vibe of the States really gripped our entrepreneurial side and the laid-back, local, independent vibe of Belfast gripped our homebody side. We knew we could be happy here and meet like-minded friends.”
The Pellings, who bought a house in Belfast and launched the Back and Forth harbor cruises in 2018, are among a growing number of people of all ages who are putting down roots in Waldo County.
Following waves of retirees and the EDFNWRWKHODQGHUVZKRKDYHƃRFNHG here since the 1970s, Belfast and Waldo County have become a destination for those who are searching for a downtown that remains vibrant all year long, has plenty of work, school, and housing options, and offers easy access to the woods, water, and unspoiled countryside. Some are drawn to the area by jobs, with organizations like Front Street Shipyard, athenahealth, Waldo County General Hospital, and Unity College, which have all expanded here. Others are attracted to the area’s agrarian DNA — where the Belfast Co-Op, Maine Farmland Trust, and Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) have all thrived.
Alexandra and Francis Stewart were living in the Boston suburbs and vacationing in Maine when they fell in love with a 200-year-old farmhouse in Liberty, on 50 acres overlooking Lake St. George. The couple, who are 28, have revived the orchard, launched a farm stay, and opened Wild Grace Farm store and café last summer.
“This area checked all the boxes,” says Alexandra, who grew up in California. “We wanted to be rural, but not too rural. We wanted to be near the ocean, but not right on it. We wanted to be in the woods, but not feel isolated. We really like being on Route 3 and feeling connected to both Belfast and Augusta. We have our privacy and the freedom to create more than we’d have in a bigger city. We get to know our neighbors.”
Retired teacher Patsy Meisner, 69, and her husband moved to Belfast from Brunswick to be near their daughter, who settled in Stockton Springs. Meisner’s son has since moved here too. She treasures the galleries, open artists’ studios, multitude of downtown
Vital Statistics Belfast & Waldo County
POPULATION Belfast: 6,680 Waldo County: 38,832
MEDIAN HOME VALUE Belfast: $201,000 Waldo County: $159,800 Maine: $179,900 PER CAPITA INCOME Belfast: $31,020 Waldo County: $27,763 Maine: $29,886
MAJOR EMPLOYERS athenahealth, Bank of America, Waldo County Health Care, Regional School Unit 71, OnProcess Technology
AVERAGE COMMUTE TIME Belfast: 17.9 minutes Waldo County: 26.4 minutes Maine: 23 minutes
festivals, the Harbor Walk, multiple farmers’ markets to get fresh, locally grown produce, and places like the Fiber College and Waterfall Arts, which offer classes and workshops.
“It’s just a great jumping-off point for so many other wonderful parts of the area,” Meisner says.
Susan Beemer, head of school for Cornerspring Montessori School in Belfast, moved to the region from Northampton, Massachusetts, four years ago. She and her husband — who works remotely for MIT in Boston — live in north Searsport.
“We were looking for a great place to be outdoors, and the ability to be active in our communities,” says Beemer, 55.
6KHKDVVHHQDQLQƃX[RI\RXQJ families from as far as Idaho, searching for the same qualities of life that she’s found here — a rural setting, vibrant art and music scenes, as well as a strong sense of community, where people value volunteering. She likes having so many dinner choices in downtown Belfast, and the plethora of local shopping options.
“We’re happy not to see big box stores, to have a local hardware store, and WRQRWKDYHWRƂJKWWUDIƂFWRSLFNXS milk and bread,” Beemer says. “People are just so welcoming, and there isn’t a weekend that goes by when there isn’t lots of things to do.” •
IN THE NEWS Belfast Area High School — part of RSU 71 — recently completed a $7.6 million renovation project, and was ranked among the state’s top 20 high schools by U.S. News & World Report.
USA Today put Belfast on its list of the coolest small communities in America.
Captain Nickels Inn
A HISTORIC SEASIDE RETREAT
Escape to the seafaring coast of Searsport, Maine, to the ǼɨɁʍȶǁɰɁǹɽȃljȴƃǼȶȈˎƺljȶɽ:ƃɥɽƃȈȶÇȈƺȟljȢɰȶȶӝ9ʍȈȢɽȈȶіѝќљ ƃȶǁȶƃȴljǁǹɁɨȈɽɰɁɨȈǼȈȶƃȢɁʥȶljɨɰӗ:ƃɥɽƃȈȶȢƹljɨɽřӝÇȈƺȟljȢɰ ƃȶǁKȢȈ˃ƃƹljɽȃÃƺ{ȈȢʤljɨʰӗɽȃljȶȈȶljӸɨɁɁȴɨljɽɨljƃɽɰȈɽɰɥljɨƺȃljǁ ɁȶɽȃɨljljʤljɨǁƃȶɽƃƺɨljɰɁʤljɨȢɁɁȟȈȶǼĀljȶɁƹɰƺɁɽ9ƃʰӗȚʍɰɽƃǹljʥ ȶƃʍɽȈƺƃȢȴȈȢljɰƹljɽʥljljȶ:ƃȴǁljȶƃȶǁ9ƃɨƃɨƹɁɨӝ ƃǼɨljƃɽƹƃƺȟǁɨɁɥǹɁɨƺɁȶʤljɨɰƃɽȈɁȶƃɰǼʍljɰɽɰɨljƺɁʍȶɽɽȃljȈɨǁƃʰ ƃȶǁǁȈɰƺɁʤljɨȈljɰʥȈɽȃɁȶljƃȶɁɽȃljɨӝ9ljƺƃʍɰljɁǹȈɽɰɰɥljƺɽƃƺʍȢƃɨ ɰljɽɽȈȶǼƃȶǁɥɨȈʤƃƺʰӗ:ƃɥɽƃȈȶÇȈƺȟljȢɰȶȶȈɰƃǹƃʤɁɨȈɽljǁljɰɽȈȶƃɽȈɁȶ ǹɁɨljʯƺȃƃȶǼȈȶǼԄǁɁԇɰԅƃȶǁȈɰƃȢɰɁȈǁljƃȢǹɁɨǹƃȴȈȢʰɨljʍȶȈɁȶɰӗ ƺɁȴɥƃȶʰɨljɽɨljƃɽɰӗƃȶǁȈȶƺljȶɽȈʤljɽɨƃʤljȢӝ
ȴɁȶǼɽȃljȴƃȶʰǹƃʤɁɨȈɽljƺȃƃȴƹljɨɰȈɰɽȃljĀɁɨɽɁǹ:ƃȢȢ :ȃƃɨȢljɰɽɁȶӗʥȈɽȃȈɽɰɰɁʍɽȃljɨȶƺȃƃɨȴӗɰɥƃƺȈɁʍɰljȶɰʍȈɽljƹƃɽȃӗ ƃȶǁ:ƃɥɽƃȈȶÇȈƺȟljȢɰԇɁɨȈǼȈȶƃȢƹɁɁȟɰȃljȢʤljɰӝěʍƺȟljǁƹljȶljƃɽȃ ɁȶljɁǹɽȃljȈȶȶԇɰːljljɽɁǹǁɁɨȴljɨɰȈɰɽȃljɥɨȈʤƃɽljƃȶǁƃɥɽȢʰȶƃȴljǁ :ƃɥɽƃȈȶԇɰČʍȈɽljӗȈǁljƃȢǹɁɨȢɁƺƃȢɰʥȃɁȶljljǁƃǁǁȈɽȈɁȶƃȢɨɁɁȴɽɁ ȃɁʍɰljɁʍɽӸɁǹӸɽɁʥȶǼʍljɰɽɰӗʥȈɽȃƹƃʰʤȈljʥɰljȶȚɁʰljǁǹɨɁȴɽȃlj ɨɁɁȴԇɰɥɨȈʤƃɽljǁljƺȟƺɁȴɥȢljɽljʥȈɽȃˎɨljɥȈɽӝěȃȈɰȈɰɽȃljȈȶȶԇɰ ȢƃɨǼljɰɽɰʍȈɽljӗƹɁƃɰɽȈȶǼƃɥɨȈʤƃɽljljȶɽɨƃȶƺljӗɰɥƃƺȈɁʍɰǁȈȶȈȶǼƃȶǁ ȢȈʤȈȶǼɨɁɁȴƃɨljƃӗˎɨljɥȢƃƺljӗ°ƃƺʍ˃˃ȈɽʍƹӗƃȶǁǹʍȢȢʰǹʍɨȶȈɰȃljǁ ȟȈɽƺȃljȶǹɁɨɰȃɁɨɽɁɨȢɁȶǼӸɽljɨȴɰɽƃʰɰӝ
127 East Main Street Searsport, Maine 04974 207-548-1104 captainnickelsinn.com Facebook.com/captainnickels Instagram: captainnickelsmaine
Open All Year Credit Cards Accepted Seating Capacity Beer/Wine/ Spirits Lounge Live Entertainment Air Conditioning Adaptive Access Take Out Catering Outside Dining Water View Hours BAKERIES, ICE CREAM, SPECIALTY Belfast Dairy Queen 23 Belmont Ave. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-2352 belfastdqcakes@gmail.com facebook.com/belfastmainedq • • 40 ••• • Daily 10:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Featuring our chicken strip baskets, burgers, and Blizzards. Daily lunch specials. We have your special occasions covered with our cakes, candles, novelties, and gift cards. Chocolate Drop Candy Shop and Dave’s Old Fashioned Soda Fountain 35 Lower Main St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-0566 belfastcandy@gmail.com • 10 • • Winter 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Summer 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Green Tree Coffee & Tea 2456 Atlantic Hwy. Lincolnville, ME 04849 207-706-9900 john@greentreecoffee.com greentreecoffee.com • • • Mon.–Fri. 7 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. The Only Doughnut 225 Northport Ave. Belfast, ME 04915 207-218-1231 jazzwheel@yahoo.com • Wed.–Thur.–Fri. 6 a.m.–on, Sat.–Sun. 8 a.m.–on The Red Barn Baking Company 2060 Atlantic Hwy. Lincolnville, ME 04849 207-230-1272 theredbarnbakingco@gmail.com theredbarnmarketplace.com • • ••• Tues.–Sun., 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Splendiferous Sweet Shoppe 21 East Main St. Searsport, ME 04974 207-583-6729 splendiferoussweetshoppe@gmail.com splendiferoussweetshoppe.com • • Thurs.–Sun., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Wild Cow Creamery 31-B Front St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-200-7047 sarah@wildcowcreamery.com facebook.com/wildcowcreamery • ••• • • Visit Facebook for hours. Enjoy handcrafted, all-natural ice cream on the Belfast Harbor Walk! Find scratch-made hot fudge, hand-rolled waffle cones, coffee, floats, and milkshakes under the purple awning. MARKETS & CONVENIENCE United Farmers Market of Maine 18 Spring St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-218-7005 office@belfastmarket.com belfastmarket.com • • •••• • Sat. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Maine’s largest farmers’ market. 30,000 sq. ft. Fresh, local produce, products, prepared foods, and artisans. Communal eating area with panoramic views of Penobscot Bay. One block from Main St. Open year-round, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Belfast Co-op 123 High St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-2532 info@belfast.coop belfast.coop • • • • • • Daily 7:30 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Founded in 1976, Belfast Co-op is Maine’s oldest democratically owned and operated grocery store and café. Open every day to everyone, we offer a wide selection of products to support healthy lifestyles. Belfast Farmers’ Market Waterfall Arts - Summer Belfast, ME 04915 207-322-0651 info@belfastfarmersmarket.org belfastfarmersmarket.org • • • • Fri. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Belfast Variety Rt. 52 6 Back Belmont Rd. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-5119 info@belfastvariety.com bv52.com • • • • • Daily 6 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.–9 p.m. Belfast Variety, Inc. 326 High St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-5236 info@belfastvariety.com • • • • Mon.–Fri. 5 a.m.–10 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Goose River Farm & Meat Store 29-A Belmont Ave. Belfast, ME 04915 207-323-2180 boynton@gooseriverfarm.com gooseriverfarm.com Hannaford 93 Lincolnville Ave. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-5377 ebrenton@hannaford.com hannaford.com Lincolnville General Store 269 Main St. Lincolnville, ME 04849 207-763-4411 lincolnvillegeneralstore@gmail.com lincolnvillegeneral.com Marsh River Cooperative 5 Veterans Hwy. Brooks, ME 04921 207-722-3053 marshriverordering@gmail.com marshrivercoop.org Morrill General Store 5 North Main St. Morrill, ME 04952 207-342-5577 info@belfastvariety.com belfastvariety.com Weavers Roadside Variety 1386 Waterville Rd. Waldo, ME 04915 207-342-5697 weaversroadsidevariety@gmail.com RESTAURANTS & PUBS Anglers Restaurant & Bait’s Motel 215 East Main St. Searsport, ME 04974 207-548-2405 bud.hall@anglersseafoodrestaurant.com anglersrestaurant.net Bay Wrap Inc. 20 Beaver St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-9757 baywrap.com Bell The Cat 15 Belmont Ave. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-2084 bellthecatinc@gmail.com facebook.com/bellthecatinc Chase’s Daily 96 Main St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-0555 chasesdaily@fairpoint.net Open All Year Credit Cards Accepted Seating Capacity Beer/Wine/ Spirits Lounge Live Entertainment Air Conditioning Adaptive Access Take Out Catering Outside Dining Water View Hours • • • Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Daily 7 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Daily 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Daily 5 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
Daily 5 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m.–8 p.m.
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Daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Mon.–Fri. 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat. 7:30 a.m.–3 p.m. , Sun. 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Tues.–Wed.–Thurs. 7 a.m.–5 p.m., Fri. 7 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
“THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE” – ALEXANDER, AGE 6
FAMILY TREASURE HUNTER
COME ABOARD OUR WOODEN LOBSTER BOAT TO SEARCH FOR SUNKEN TREASURE IN THE BELFAST BAY.
Open All Year Credit Cards Accepted Seating Capacity Beer/Wine/ Spirits Lounge Live Entertainment Air Conditioning Adaptive Access Take Out Catering Outside Dining Water View Hours Crumbs Provisions 2 Spring St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-3804 crumbsprovisions@gmail.com • • • • Mon., Wed.–Thur.–Fri.–Sat. 7 a.m.–3 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.–1 p.m. Daily Soup 118 High St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-930-0304 dailysoup@roadrunner.com facebook.com/dailysoupbelfast • • 6 •••• Tues.–Fri. 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Darby’s Restaurant 155 High St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-2339 darbysrestaurant@gmail.com darbysrestaurant.com • • •••••• Mon.–Thurs. 11:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Delvino’s Grill & Pasta House 52 Main St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-4565 info@delvinos.com facebook.com/delvinosgrillandpastahouse • • 80 • • •••• Sun.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Dockside Family Restaurant 30 Main St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-6889 crockettsgirl@yahoo.com Find Us on Facebook • • 130 • • ••• • • Tues.–Wed. 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.–3 p.m. Front Street Pub 37-B Front St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-8900 info@frontstreetpub.com frontstreetpub.com • • •••••• • • Mon.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–12 a.m. Harborwalk Restaurant 37 Front St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-0488 tang943@yahoo.com Find Us on Facebook • • • ••• • Daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m. The Hichborn 10 Church St. Stockton Springs, ME 04981 207-322-8307 thehichborn@gmail.com thehichborn.com • • • • Fri.–Sat. 5–9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Lobster Pound Restaurant 2521 Atlantic Hwy. Lincolnville Beach, ME 04849 207-789-5550 lobsterpoundmaine@gmail.com lobsterpoundmaine.com • • • • • • • Mammie’s Country Kitchen 215 Depot St. Unity, ME 04988 207-948-1515 walkon@uninets.net Find Us on Facebook • • • Wed.–Thur.–Fri. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Meanwhile 2 Cross St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-218-1288 contact@meanwhile-in-belfast.com meanwhile-in-belfast.com • • • • • • • • Wed.–Sun. 5–10 p.m. Lounge closing time may vary according to the time of year. Reservations highly recommended. Open table - first come, first served. Nautilus Seafood & Grill 3 Main St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-218-4218 eat@nautilusseafoodandgrill.com nautilusseafoodandgrill.com • • 100 • • ••• • • Daily 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Neighborhood 132 High St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-505-0425 neighborhoodbelfast@gmail.com Find Us on Facebook • • 60 ••• • • Tues.–Sat. 4–9 p.m. Ocean’s Edge Restaurant 159 Searsport Ave. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-2090 barryasalone@gmail.com belfastmainehotel.com/restaurant • • 90 • • ••• • • Mon.–Sat. 5–9 p.m.
Open All Year Credit Cards Accepted Seating Capacity Beer/Wine/ Spirits Lounge Live Entertainment Air Conditioning Adaptive Access Take Out Catering Outside Dining Water View Hours Perennial Cider Bar 84 Main St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-808-1083 info@perennialciderbar.com perennialciderbar.com • • ••• Wed.–Sat. 4–10 p.m. Ridgetop Restaurant 6 Ridge Road North Knox, ME 04986 207-568-3696 walkon@uninets.net Find Us on Facebook • • • • Mon.–Sat. 6 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m.–2 p.m. Rollie’s Bar & Grill, Inc. 37 Main St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-4502 info@rollies.me rolliesmaine.com • • 125 •••• • • Daily 11 a.m.–1 a.m. Come join us at Rollie’s for ever-changing daily specials. Stop in for soup and sandwich or other daily lunch specials. Wasses Hot Dogs 1 Belmont Ave. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-6431 deofuller@yahoo.com • • 18 • • Mon.–Sat. 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Whale’s Tooth Pub 2531 Atlantic Hwy. Lincolnville, ME 04849 207-789-5200 info@whalestoothpub.com whalestoothpub.com • • 80 ••• • • • • Mid-June–Early Fall: Mon., Wed.–Thurs.–Fri. 4 p.m.–late, Sat.–Sun. 11:30 a.m.–late. Early Fall–Mid-June: Wed.–Thurs.–Fri. 4 p.m.–late, Sat.–Sun. 11:30 a.m.–late Young’s Lobster Pound 2 Fairview St. Belfast, ME 04915 207-338-1160 youngslobsters@yahoo.com • • 500 ••••• Sun.–Thurs. 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Serving Belfast Area & Beyond
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• Montessori education • Ages 18 months to 14 years • Flexible
scheduling • School year and summer camp programs
