It Makes No Never Mind

by James Nalley

At the time of this publication, the relatively warmer weather should arrive, and summer plans will be in the making. However, in light of the ebb and flow of the COVID-19 pandemic, various questions will remain such as “Are there fun outdoor activities?” or “Are there safe social-distancing events in the MidCoast Maine area?” In this regard, the answer is a hard yes. The following are just a few choices.

First, there is the Odd Alewives Farm Brewery (OAFB) in Waldoboro. Founded by John and Sarah McNeil, it includes a newly renovated 1820s barn, which currently houses the brewery and tasting room. It is also surrounded by more than 22 acres of gardens and forest. According to the McNeils, “We grow a variety of hops, fruit, herbs, and even vegetables all for beer production. Ingredients not produced on the farm are sourced locally, to capture the taste of a true Maine farmhouse ale. On top of their craft brews, they offer 12” wood-fired pizzas (with a menu that changes weekly) and s’more kits (with their fire pit reservations). For more information, their website is www.oddalewives.com.

Second, sometimes people come up with unique ways to share their skills and promote their businesses. The Uproot Pie Co. is no exception. Based in Thomaston, Jessica Shepard (a graduate of the Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon) provides her mobile wood-fired pizza oven. According to Shepard, “After connecting with mobile wood-fired pizza vendor Mark Doxteder, she learned that you can put just about anything in a wood-fired oven!” To date, she has been booked for everything from weddings and backyard birthdays to a gathering of friends just for fun. For example, every Wednesday night in the summer, she pulls her oven into the front yard of the Oyster River Winegrowers (www.oysterriverwine. com) in Warren for an evening of pizza and wine. For more information, her website is www.uprootpieco.com.

Finally, as they say, “It’s difficult to find a bad lobster roll in Midcoast Maine.” In this case, there are several favorites. For those who want to follow the press and are willing to wait in a long line, there is Red’s Eats (www. redseatsmaine.com) in Wiscasset. It is no surprise that it continues to garner awards and media coverage. However, located across the street and arguably as good is Sprague’s Lobster (find them on Facebook). According to NewEngland.com, “Sprague’s serves a righteously fine lobster roll, and it has two big pluses over its cross-street rival: there’s no long line to stand in, and it serves whole-lobster dinners with all the trimmings, which isn’t on the menu at Red’s.” Meanwhile, if you want to head out to Spruce Head Island, there is McLoon’s Lobster Shack (www.mcloonslobster.com), where they serve everything from whole lobster and lobster rolls to crab cakes and roasted littleneck clams.

Well, on this note, let me close with the following outdoor-inspired jest: Two men go camping and hunting in the forest. They are walking along with their guns and enjoying the outdoors when one man suddenly collapses. His friend grabs him to see what’s wrong, but he doesn’t move. He immediately calls 911. The man shouts frantically into the phone, “My buddy just collapsed! He isn’t moving and I think he’s dead!” The 911 operator calmly replies, “Sir, first, you need to make sure he is actually dead.” The operator hears the man leave the phone. She then hears footsteps followed by a moment of silence and a loud BANG. The friend returns to the phone. “Okay, he’s dead, now what?”

KATAHDIN CLAPBOARD COMPANY

katahdinclapboardcompany.com Old Style Vertical Grain Made in Maine Proudly serving New England with quality clapboards at an a ordable price! Priming Available 207-528-2933

Bring a piece of history home!

Vintage MAINE Images VintageMaineImages.com

Discover 26,000+ Historical Images

Prints | Digital Files | Creative Use Licenses

VINTAGE MAINE IMAGES IS A WEBSITE OF MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY