Nowlooksfunnywhenyou'vegot itbythescruffoftheneck,when you'retheuncleofnow,rollinginto thedrivewayforasurprisevisit, when you've snuck up behind now intheformofarguablythelargest andfinestcameraobscurainthe countrymountedatoptheroofof the Children's Museum of Maine, 142FreeStreet,Portland,its$30,000 lensspyingonthecitycourtesyof KodakCorporation..
Sothat'swhatthatfunnycupola¬ thingis!
Itmakesyoudizzy,theideaof muggingnowthewaytheancients didwithsoft-corescience,andyou watchwithfascinationastheview slews around the city, over the vacantspotwhereoncetherewasa FreeStreetbuildingwhereaman diedafterbeingpushedthrougha hugeplate-glasswindow.
ADD A TOUCH OF ELEGANCE TO ANY LANDSCAPE DESIGN.ThEY'RE
EASY TO INSTALL, COME IN A VARIETY OF COLORS, AND ARE SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE.
PORTLAND
Established 1985 Volume IX. Number I. February/March
Colin Sargent
Founding Editor A Publisher
Nancy Sargent AitDirector
Cheryl Casey Publisher'*.Assistant
John Gosselin Advertising
Beth Drugach Adi cmMng
Katie Moran A dvemsing
Mamie Stevenson Adi cmmu v
Johanna Hanaburgh Cops Editor
Kevin LeDuc Photographer
Francis DiFalco Photographer
Colin S. Sargent Production Assistant
This magazine is printed on Maine-made paper produced by Champion International. Bucksport. Maine. Laser Cover Separations and image assembly by Graphic Color Service. (800) 6607714. Linotronic output by G&G Laser Typesetting. 774-7338.
Portland Monthly Magazine is published by Sargent Publishing. Inc.. 578 Congress Street. Portland. ME 04101. All correspondence should be addressed to 578 Congress Street. Portland. ME 04 101.
Advertising Office: 578 Congress Street. Portland. ME 04101 (207) 775-4339.
Billing Questions: If you have questions regarding advertising invoicing and payments, call Cheryl Casey at 775-4339.
Newsstand Cover Date: February/March 1994. published February 1994, Vol. 9. No. I. copyright 1993. PORTLAND Monthly Magazine is mailed at third-class mail rates in Portland. ME 04101 (ISSN: 0887-5340). Opinions expressed in articles are those of authors and do not represent editorial portions of PORTLAND Monthly Magazine. Responsible only for that portion of any advertisement which is printed incorrectly, and as compensation we will run a correction in the following issue. 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.
PORTLAND Monthly Magazine is published 10 times annually by Sargent Publishing. Inc.. 578 Congress Street. Portland, with newsstand cover dates of Winterguide. Feb./March. April. May. Summerguide. July/Aug.. September. October. November, and December.
ToSubscribe
Complete
this form and send eheck for $20 (1«year). $32 (2 years),or$40(3years),plus$6yearifoutsideU.S., to: Subscriptions. Portland, "Maine’s City Magazine," 578 Congress St, Portland. ME 04101.
YCS. Id like to subscribe. Enclosed is this form and my checkforasubscriptionorgiftsubscriptiontobemailedto: Name: Street: City.Slate,Zip:
Reportsofbusinessshut-downs, bankclosings,andrealestate reposhavebeenthetalkofPort¬ land (and much of the nation) sincethego-goyearsranoutof gas and a good many financial highfliershadtogetoutandwalk tothenearestbankruptcycourt.
Today, those standards are beingpassedalongtomoregener¬ ationsofGoldbergsandDiPhilipposasthesmall,family-owned businessescontinuetosurvive,to profitandtocontributetotheir community.Ifthereisanyonein Greater Portland who wants to learnhowtosucceedinbusiness byreallytrying,theycanbeginby visitingModelFoodImportersand Eddie’sVariety-bothofthem. It’sabrightPortlandFebruary Thursdayfloodedwiththesame
ADAMS AUTO GLASS
BackBayTowernowoffersfully furnished corporate apartments completelyequippedforconvenient and comfortable living for the businesspersonpreferringahome environmentversusahotelsetting. BackBayTowerisPortland'sfinest addressofferinggreatviews,superb intownlocationintheheartofthe businessdistrict,Portland’sfinest diningandculturalofferings.
brilliantsunlightthatgleamsinthe Renaissance landscapes of Flo¬ rence and Rome. Saul Goldberg, who started this day with the dawn,stepsfrombehindthesingle ModelFoodcashregisterandlow¬ ersaVenetianblind,screeningthe viewofthenewofficebuildings acrossMiddleStreet.Saul,54,has beenapresenceinthespecialty foodstorefor23years, eversincehequitajobin Boston and came back toPortlandtohelphis father.Meyer,now78,is inBostontoday.Hedri¬ vesthereeveryThursday intheModelFoodstruck tobuythehugewheelsof Swisscheese,thelengths ofLebanesesalami,the smalljarsofbarledue, barrels of pickles and hugejarsofblackolives and scores more exotic ediblesandpotablesthat are not easily found underanyotherPortland roof.
“I own the business now,” says Saul, “but Meyerstopsineveryday to make sure I’m doing the job right. And he makesthebuyingrunto Bostoneveryweek.He’s beendoingitforsomany years he knows everyone in the markets.They’reallhisoldbud¬ dies.”
Meyer’sfather,Louis,started Model Food Importers Gourmet Specialtiesin1928.TheMiddle Streetbuildingwiththelargesign overthedoorhadsawdustonthe floorandanopenpicklebarrel which customers sampled. When thatbuildingwastakenbythecity in 1968 to make room for the FranklinArterial,Meyerhadto decidewhethertoleavethetown where his family business had grownandflourishedfor40years. Forawhiletherewererumorsthat Model Foods would move to
GAZETTE
Brunswick,orBath.Butthefollow¬ ingyear,Meyerboughtthebuilding at113-115MiddleStreetwherehe’s been ever since and where Saul planstobeforagoodmanyyears tocome.
Justinbackofpoliceheadquar¬ tersandaroundthecornerfrom theOldPort,ModelFoodsisinthe heartoftheinnercity,alocation, Saulsays,whichhasitsassetsand liabilities.“Taxesarehighand goinghigher,”hesays,“andprofit marginsgrowthinnerandthinner as costs go up. We have to buy carefully,changewiththetimes. Payattention,knowwhatyouare doing,knowyourstockandhowto findthatspecialorderforoneof yourgoodcustomers,thenyou’ll beabletostayinbusiness.
“Butthesedays,it’stough,I’lltell you.It’stough.”
Saul’sprescriptionforsurvival coversmuchofthesamegrounda business school student could learnhisfreshmanyear.Butboth heandhisfatherdon’tsaymuch
IfMeyerisbehindthecashregis¬ ter, or behind the huge maple choppingblockslicingcheddar,his round,ruddyfacelightsupwhen¬ everthedooropens.Everycus¬ tomergetsagreeting,a smile.Meyerknowstheir firstnames,theirfamilies, theircareersandmostlike¬ lywhattheycametohis storetobuy.Ifgoodcheer wereasaleablecommodi¬ ty,Meyerwouldbeamil¬ lionaire.
Saulistaller,sturdier,but justasapproachableand ashelpful.Hecheerfully changesdollarstoparking meterquarters,findsgen¬ uinetrufflesforarestau¬ rant chef who’s putting Beef Wellington on the evening’s menu, and servescoffeefromthenew (for Model Foods) snack andsandwichbar.
Everyone, every single person, who enters the storeisgivenanidentity, madetofeelafriend.In these days of computer¬ izedpricingandelectronic cashiertotalsatshoppingmall supermarketsanddiscountstores, beingrecognizedasahumanbeing countsforagreatdeal.
“Tt’salessonJimmyDiPhilippo haslearnedwellfromEddie, hisfather.Andit’sonethat JimmyDi(asthefamilycalls __l_him and he calls himself) stresseswhenhetalkswithhis sonsJosephandAnthonywhoare workinghardeachdayatthefresh¬ lysprucedandremodeledEddie’s storeat377AuburnStreetafew blocksbeyondtheNorthgateShop¬ pingCenternearPortland’snorth¬ westernboundary.
whenwereopenedthisplaceear¬ lythisNovember.1toldthem, whateverelseyoudo,yougreet everypersonwhowalksin.And youlearntheirfirstnamethefirst day,ifyoucan.Andyousaygood morning Dorothy, how are you today.OrhelloJack,howareyou doingthisfineevening.Youmake everyonefeelathomehere.You recognizeeachpersonasanindi¬ vidual.Yourememberwhatthey like,youknowthemasneighbors andtreatthemasfriends,evenif you’veneverseenthembefore.
“That’s what’s going to make them good customers. That’s whattheycan’tfindatmostother places. And once they become friends, you give them a good productforafairpriceinaclean place.Dothesethingsandyou’ll haveagoodbusiness.
“That’s what my father Eddie taught me and that’s what I’m teachingtheboys.”
“ddie’sisaspacious,fresh¬ lypaintedstorewithshelf H groceriesstockedalong two middle aisles that ±1_^separate a long row of glassed,refrigeratedcabinetsfilled withrowafterrowofbottledand cannedliquidrefreshers.It’sthe
othersideofEddie’swherethe heartofthebusinessbeats.There isthegleaming,stainlesssteel kitchenwherepizzas,calzones, andotherItalianspecialtiesare prepared and served by a busy crewledbyJimmyDi’stwosons.
JimmyDilearnedhowtoruna goodrestaurantatthePancake Shop,thebreakfastandlunchspe¬ cialistsonupperCongressStreet which he owned and ran for 18 years.“Eddie,myfather,hada grocerystoreonAdamsStreet, rightinthecity.Buthemovedout herein1950.
“We’vebeeninPortlandforfive generations now and we’re not abouttogiveuponthiscity.I’ve raisedfivechildrenhere,and everyoneofthemisdoingjust fine.Yes,therehavebeenchanges allalongtheline,butthebasics stillhold.Befriendly,knowyour customers, give them a good productatafairpriceandthey’ll keepcomingback.’’
JimmyDiandSaulGoldberg evidentlylearnedthesame lessonsintheirlivesas retailsupplierstotheneeds ofGreaterPortland’speo¬ ple.Andalltheevidenceproves thoselessonswork.Thesearesur¬ vivorsinthebestsenseofthe word. Louis Goldberg, Meyer GoldbergandSaulGoldbergare the foundation of Model Food. EddieDiPhilippo,now82,hisson Jimmy Di, and his sons Joseph and Anthony are the heart and soulofEddie’s.AndPortlandis thecitywhereeachofthemhas madehislife,hishome,hisfamily andhisworkandhasbeenhappy doingit.
Highrollerscomeandgo;the men and women of Portland
Justafewyardsnorthofthe entrance to Portland Country ClubonFalmouth’sRoute88is an abandoned wooden yellow and white gate which seems oncetohaveguardedsomething important but now invites you intoracingswirlsofwetleaves.
Thegateisold,rotting,detritus of some old Falmouth coot's WinterPalace.
But whose?
“That's the old Brown Gate,” saysDickKnudsen,whogrewup on the Foreside, with a voice acorn warm with remembrance.
“NotJ.B.Brown.ThiswasJohn Marshall Brown, who owned all thelandfromMartin'sPointto Town Landing in Falmouth. No relation. (The merchant J. B. Brown was Portland's biggest taxpayerduringthe19thcentu¬ ry.)JohnMarshallBrownmade his fortune in the molasses trade, right in Portland. His estatewasn'tsubdivideduntil wellintothiscentury,sothat's whytherearenooldhouseson therightsideoftheroadasyou drive north on Route 1 from Portland.None!
“St.MarytheVirginEpiscopal Churchwasjustafamilychapel oftheirs!Browns!They'reunder the slates, under the ground. Thechapelisbuiltabovea19year-oldBrowngirlwhodiedon vacation in Europe.” H
"The smallest worm will turn being trodden on."-William
LostHeiresses
StoryByColinSargent,PhotosByKevinLeDuc
Awomaninakerchiefscurries aboutinaswirlingnaveof snow,shufflingrectanglesof colored paper with red hands.Theplacelooksaban¬ doned,overgrownwithshrubsthat, untended,havegrownrecklesslytall, coveringwindows,knockingoffshin¬ gles,sprawlingcomfortablywith time.
Sowhatisshedoing?
She looks up where birds have beennesting.
She holds up another piece of paper,nods,andthendisappears behindthehouse,lookingforclues.
Coffeeandcigarettesdominatethe editorialofficesofthePortlandGlobe and Sunday Telegram on June 24,
SpruceStreet
Shakespeare. KingHenryVI,PartIII.
There will be a brief interruption of our daily business hours starting April 4, 1994 and lasting approximately two weeks while we have a new hull installed on our floating restaurant. Up until then and after that, we will remain open with our usual business hours seven days a week. This will be our only closing for the next 40 years. We would like to thank Bath Iron Works in advance for limiting the inconvenience to our valued customers.
1897,whenthetelegraphcomesin.
“He’sinNewYorkalready,”aman letsoutalowwhistleinthe'capa¬ cious'neweditorialofficesonthe corner of Federal and Exchange. “Meetingsuponmeetings.”
Aquietgroupofpeoplewalkupto theletter.
“Whenthehellwillhegetback?”
“Don’tknow.”
“Aw.”
TheyneedBagley,aresickofthis
businessjunket,whichhebegantwo weeksago.Thenewspaperiswork¬ ingonyetanotherarticleinsupport of founder and editor’s Bagley's dream,tounitethewealthynon-Port¬ landdistrictsofDeeringandCape Elizabethintoonegreatmetropolis, thecityofGreaterPortland.
Butthisisthefirstman,thefellow withtheoillampsinacityofelm trees.Thisisthemanwhodreamed of a modest house built by John
CalvinStevensandactuallywatched his dream rise less than a year before, not on dreamy Bowdoin StreetontheWestEnd,where16of the 20 houses on the street were builtbyStevens(including52Bow¬ doin,wherethearchitectliveshim¬ self), but on the more modest 77 SpruceStreet,afewblocksnearer thethrobofthecityandthesodium lights,aplacewithonesmallluxury atleast-asecretpaneledreading
roomthathasabuilt-inseat,afire¬ place,andtobacco-darkenedfabric surmounting the wainscoting that givesyouafeelingofgreatevents, newsprint,andtheIndiaTrade.
One of the new buyers wondersoutloud,meeting withJoyinthesnowand lookingattheswatchesof color. The neighborhood has changedintheinterveningyears,like thedistrictsurroundingChancethe Gardener’shousein“BeingThere.” Theboom-box1990sarehere,with the future running in stockings throughthesnowlikeadisrespectful niece.ButJoy’seyesseethehouseof 1896,builtinthewinterof1896-97, seetheavuncularcedarshinglesthat wereoriginaltothehouse,seethree coatsdowntotheoriginalShingle Stylegreentrim.
“When did the house last change hands?”sheasks,changingcolors,
SpruceStreet regardingthedarkbaywindowsand the bush-shrouded side porch, “behindallthesetrees.”
George B. Bagley, people aroundtownliketosay,glows inthelifeofhispapertheway mothersglowinsidethelives oftheirchildren.Neweditions relume his eyes each day; he eschews hobbies. And why should henot?Portlandisthesixthlargest cityontheEastCoast,andbooming, thewaterfrontpullulatingwithcom¬ merce.
HIIKH ILll.lrt I RIM.. H R\| Il KU. <vRi’nist.istyii ( \rph>. \htuork HKMIML rKF.tlMEM*. | I'HOlxniU. wriyi »>. i u \ rusnsu. or V KISO IM F RIOH M < LindaF.l^guerrc,ASID,InteriorDesigner 84 Main Street • Yarmouth 846-1230
Horses,packetsrushthroughhis dreams.
But he has a fever today and doesn’tknowwhy.Caughtuptohim likeacousinoutofmoney.Heheads forhishotelandtriesforanearly sleep.The19thcenturyiscareening towardaclose.Bagley,Bagley,where areyoutakingusall?
She recommends a rust color to bringoutthehouse'sdentils,akha¬ kiforallshuttersandwindowtrim, includingbaywindows,acolorcalled gravelforallfasciaboards,including thelargefrontoverhangandporch, crumpetforporch-areaaccentsand filigrees,andmustardforthesigna¬ turebracketsappearalmostwhimsi¬ callythroughoutthedesign.
“Peoplealwaysargueaboutwhat things mean!” Joy laughs. “You shouldseehowTheyargueaboutthe names of paint colors! Maybe the originalownercouldtellyouabout theturningoftheworm,”shesays. Whoeverthatis.
WhileGeorgeBagleyisawayonhis junket,businesspeoplearecommis¬ sioning Portland architect John CalvinStevenstoprojectsfromCana¬ datoNewJersey.FromtheWinslow HomerCottageinProut'sNecktothe Horace F. Farnham House on 318 BrightonAvenue,thisarchitectand amateur artist-he was one of the white-collarprofessional‘Brush-uns’ who painted area landscapes with emerging modernist techniquescreatedaPortlandvernacularwith adeftconfidence.
Center/RestaurantPatrons
Hecarvedquotesandsayingsinto the mantels of many homes, later enteringhisclients'namesintoa logbook now available at Maine HistorialSociety,alongwithanum¬ berofStevensblueprints,saysreal estateagentSteveParkhurst. JoinUsfortheBestinItalian FoodandDrinkBeforeyour CivicCenterEvent
Maine Historical Society also indexes and proudly possesses a considerable number of complete houseplansstillextant,organized byclient,buttolookatthem,of course,youhavetoknowthename oftheoriginalclient.
“Theoriginalclientofthehouse I'msellingon129PittStreetinPort¬ land,neartheUniversityofSouth¬ ern Maine, was James P. Lewis. Backthen,thestreethadadifferent namebecauseitwasintheDeering District,whichwasnotapartofthe cityofPortlandbackthen.Didyou know that Deering was separate backthen?”
Herauditorshakeshisheadno, immunetocoincidence.
“Thisisdefinitelyalostpartof Portland in the sense that this
PittStreet house is so beautiful but so far from comparable houses, which you'd find on Bowdoin Street on theWesternProm.Actually,they're notthatcomparable.Thosehouses haveroughly2,000feetofliving space, while this one has three floorsand3,500feetoflivingspace. The library is incredible. Solid mahogany. It'slistedfor$272,000 (depending on their location and condition,Stevenshousescanrun below $100,000-there are some in Westbrook, for instance-to the $435,000 figure for 56 Bowdoin Street,whichsoldthisyear,and the figure in the high 200,000s attributed to 55 Thomas Street, alsosoldthisyear).”
Michael Waterman
Diane is funny, energetic, con¬ stantlyinterruptedbybeepersand call-waitings.
Presir\ xtioxs From lot xdahox To RooiCopperwork♦CustomWindowsincluding SpecialtyGlass♦Kitchens♦Bathrooms Children'sPlayrooms♦NewHomes♦Additions ArchitecturalMillwork♦Garages l.vKor Rute$20ihoui
"Do clients care whether John Calvin Stevens designed a house you'reshowing?"sheisasked. ShelivesonCliffIsland.
The beeping sound follows her likelobsterpots.
"It'sfunshowingthem,"shesays, "This one has a massive entrance withstainedglass.It’sownedby Dennie and Sarah Boudreau, who used to own Alchem Corporation, which restored several Stevens homes on the Western Prom. You know,like alchemy!
“The fever's breaking,” George Bagley telegraphs home to Port¬ land.“Beeninbedthreedays.Next toBoston.”
Ithasbeenarealscare,butnow he is boarding the train and thinkingofhiswifeathomeona certain parcel of land in the vicinityof77SpruceStreet,and his newspaper, and then an angel alightsonhisshoulderslikesnow and he starts crying because the angelistellinghimverygravely that he is going to check into a hotelinBostonbecauseheisvery illindeedandwhathehasispneu¬ monia which can make a man very lonely under a blanket, and that angelsdonottalktojournalistson ordinaryoccasionsbutonaccount of the extreme sorrow and senti¬ mentalityoftheoccasionanexcep¬ tion is being made here and here alone.
This was serious business. Bagley's wife was summoned from
Portland and she flew to him to meethimattheHotelThorndike.
"ThecontractorsforJohnCalvin Stevens were E. Venton Earl and ArthurMarx.I'mshowingitquite often,andthinkit'sabouttosell, but the downside of showing Stevenshousesisthatalotofpeo¬ plecallupandaskiftheycanseeit because they already own a Stevens house. I can't ask my clientstoleavetheirhomejustto let someone who already has a John Calvin Stevens home compare decorating!Iguessthere'sextreme interestthisyearforsomereason...
Intheturningofthe...
One of the new owners of 77 SpruceStreetislearning,courtesy of Nick Noyes and William David BarryofMaineHistoricalSociety, exactlyhowtofindoutwhowasliv¬ ing in what house when. You turn toanoldstreetdirectoryinthe cagedareabehindtheLibrarian's desk,find77Spruceinthethick greenpages,andrunintoaGeorge
SpruceStreet
Bagleyin1896afterbackingdown consecutively,yearbyyear,from 1915to1914andsoforth.Next,you turntothecompletealphabetical listingofpeopleandoccupations andlearnthatheislistedasthe publisher of the Portland Globe and Sunday Telegram. You turn to 1897andnoticethatGeorgeBagley isnownolongerlistedat77Spruce Streetanymore,butjusthissweet wife. And you keep turning, because the worm's got to be in there somewhere. I
Champion spends more than $91 million a year in Maine for supplies and services used to operate our facilities. Our network of Maine vendors extends to 180 towns and cities throughout the state. This fabric of Maine businesses enables our Bucksport mill to produce the best lightweight coated paper in the world.
Manv thanks to all those 180 towns which have a ('hampion connection.
rT IS SAID that some Greeks believed in hylozoism, the notionthatallmatterisanimat¬ ed.Well,Idon'tknowabout -b.that,butafteratourofthis year'sHomeShowattheCumber¬ landCountyCivicCenter,Iknow about some new-tech materials thatgivelivingtissuearunforits money.
“Nothingparticularlyspringsto mind,” says David Lloyd of Architellic,48UnionStreet,Port¬ land,whojokesthatliketheFood andDrugAdministration,hewaits fiveyearsforawondermaterialto
“Forwindows,thebestthingis Low-Eglazing,glazingthathasan argongasinit.Basicallyyou'reget¬ tingatripleglazewindowbyusing asimplefilmonitortheargongas inside.Andletmesee,thereisan interestingguyat872-0690,atFort Halifax,GaryLaBrecque.Wejust got an award for a low-cost Farmer'sHomeproject,alow-cost multi-familyproject.Thisisater¬ rificinsulation.”
“Plasticpipingheatingsystems areagoodproduct.It'srelatively trouble-free.Theplasticpipinghas allowedittobeputinrelatively easily.Thetypicalbaseboardsys¬ temisstillgood.Ifyoudon'twant tolookatbaseboard,youcanput that system down. The manufac¬ turersaysit'sfinetoputitundera hardwoodfloor,butIrecommend itinsteadforkitchensorbath¬ rooms where you have tiles or linoleum.Onceyougetintohard¬ woodfloorsorcarpets,Idon’tfeel thatcomfortableusingit.”
“Sure,therigidurethaneinsula¬ tionworks.Andsomepeopleuseit forwinterizingexistinghomes.The problemis,you’reputtingupa vaporbarrieraroundyourhouse. You'vegottoputthatdownand use a strapping system around that.It’sbettertoplanwithnew
NortheastDeltaDental PO Box 10367 Portland, ME 04104
1-207-797-3788
1-800-537-1715 in NE FAX 1-207-797-0479
construction."
StainedGlassDatabase
hereareinteresting!devel¬ opmentsonthestainedglass frontaswell.WhilePhoenix GlassofForestAvenueisin the vanguard of new cre¬ ations,havingtherecentcreditof
TStainedglassfromaJohnCalvinStevenshome. designingstainedglassforaninte¬ rior marquee display at the restored State Theatre, Robin Neely is working with Greater PortlandLandmarkstoputtogeth¬ eracomprehensivedatabaseof allthestainedglasswindowsin thePortlandarea,“grandorhum¬ ble,inspirationalorwhimsical.”
Ifyou’retryingtomatchupahis¬ toricalwindoworfindalostoneof regionalsignificance,pre-1950s, writetoStainedGlasscareof GreaterPortlandLandmarks,165 StateStreet,Portland04101.Who knowshowyourlifewillchange once you're tapped into the stained-glass network. I
SWENSON GRANITE WORKS
SINCE 1883
The Swenson Granite Company has been quarrying and cutting granite in New England for over 110 years. When you buy from the Granite Works store nearestyou,youarebuyingdirectlyfromthequarry.
BUY FROM THE SOURCE AND SAVE!
Come by and visit our Granite Works display, where you can see our custom cut products Steps•Benches•Curbing•Wallstone•Edging Hearths•Mantels•BirdBaths•Tables•Posts•Pavers AND MUCH MORE! ■V.;z
Not only does Portland have a brand spanking new stadium and affordablehousingformiles,but whatbetterplaceistheretobedur¬ ingthesummer?
“Ifyou’reaballplayerandyou’re goingawayfor11daysinthemiddle of the summer and you’re leaving yourwifeandkidshereinPortland, atleastyou’llknowthey’llbeenter¬ tainedwhileyou’regone,”saysEshbach.“Theycangotothebeachor doanything.”
“Baseballroots,Ithink,rundeep¬ er than hockey,” says Eshbach. “There’sbeenalonghistoryofRed Soxrootingthisway.Ithinkyouhave somedie-hardbaseballfanshere.”
Mostimportantlyfortheseplay¬ ers,Portlandisastopenrouteto TheShowwhereeverybaseballplay¬ erwantstoplay.Iftheymakeitasa Sea Dog, they can get there from here.
CarlosToscahasonlybeenin Maineonce.ThenewtopSea Dogmadeabriefappearance in Portland last September when the Eastern League’s newestballclubannouncedToscaas theirmanager.
Tosca’scoachingcareerhasnot taken him too far from home, but todo.
streakthatseason—thelongestby anyminor-leagueteamthatyear. Lastseason,hemanagedtheKane CountyCougarstoa75-62recordin theMidwestLeagueinhisfirstsea¬ thatchangesaftertheFloridaMar¬ lins’springtraininginMelbourne, Florida in March. Tosca, who has helpingthedevelopmentofourplay¬ ers,”saysTosca.
Toscaalsoemphasizedatiewith sonwiththeMarlinsorganization. Tosca was named the Gulf Coast ManageroftheYearin1985asthe spentmuchofhistimecoachingin Florida,bringshisplayersandfamily to a completely new environment
“Ithoughtitwasavery quaintplace—kindofneat,” saysTosca.“I’mlookingfor¬ wardtobeingabletospend sometimeinthatpartofthe country.I’mlookingforwardto coming up and spending my summersthere.”
Though his family-which includeswifeGeraldineand childrenJessica,12;Lauren,6; and Matthew, 4-has never beentoMaine,they’vegotten theirownimpressionsaswell.
Toscahasbeenfortunatethatthe experiences he’s had coaching in othervenueshavebeengoodones.
“I’vespentalotofmytimeinrook¬ ieball,soIhaven’tbeeninalotofdif¬ ferentplaces,”hesays.“Iwasin Greensboro,NorthCarolina(South AtlanticLeague)andinKaneCoun¬ ty,Illinois(MidwestLeague)fortwo years.Thosearereallytheonlytwo placesI’vebeenwiththeexception of Oneonta, New York (New YorkPennLeague),whichwasalsonice.
“That’sthebestscenarioyoucan bein,“hesays.“It’salittleeasierfor the players. Sometimes it’s not alwaysfeasible,butIknowtheplay¬ ersappreciateitandlikeit.It’salittle morelikehomeforthem.”
Toscabeganhiscareerinprofes¬ sionalbaseballwithacoachingjobat Oneontain1978.Sincethenhehas putupsomeimpressivenumbersin 12yearsasaminor-leaguemanager withorganizationssuchasKansas City(1988-1991),theYankees(19831985),andthePirates(1980-1982). ThegraduateoftheUniversityof SouthFloridaledtheGulfCoastMar¬ linstoa33-27recordin1992—sec¬ ondplaceintheCentralDivisionof the Gulf Coast League and fourth overall.Hehada14-gamewinning mentallevels.
When Tosca brings the Sea Dogsnorthfromtrainingcamp which runs from the second week of March to the 5th of April,hehopestokeepthat successgoinginhisfirstyearat theClassAAlevel.
That outlook is especially brightconsideringthefledgling Marlinsorganizationhadthe fourth-bestminor-leaguesys¬ teminbaseballintheirfirst yearlastseason.
houghthepitchingsituation maybeupintheair,Tosca does have an idea what the offensewilllooklike,though JohnBolesestimatesthatthat he’sgotalistof50potentialSeaDogs waitingtobattleforpositionsin springtraining.Threeplayersare alreadyticketedforPortland.
According to Eshbach, catcher CharlesJohnson,firstbasemanTim
Clark and second baseman Ramon MartinezareascloseastheSeaDogs cometohavingnamestogowiththe uniformspriortospringtraining.
JohnsonwastheMarlins’No.1 draftpickin1992,andheproved thatchoiceagoodonebackin Kane County last season in Geneva,Illinois.Johnsonfin¬ ishedtheyearhitting.275with19 homers and 94 runs batted in. Namedthethird-placeCougars’Most ValuablePlayer,hesetthesingle-season record for the team with his home run and RBI totals. Johnson alsoledtheleagueinRBIandin games played with 135. He was selectedasamid-seasonAll-Staras wellaswinnerofaspotonthepost¬ seasonAll-Starsquad.Johnsoneven wonthehome-runhittingcontestat theMidwestLeagueAll-Stargame, earning$500andayear’ssupplyof orange juice — just what a Fort Pierce,Floridanativeneeds.
Beforetheplayersandorganiza¬ tioncanthinkabouthousing,the Maine weather, or what stops to catchontheMainesummerfestival circuit,thefirstorderofbusinessis theadjustmenttoadifferentlevelof
baseball.
SincePortlandisthelastofthe Marlins’minorleagueaffiliatestobe putinoperation,mostoftheplayers willcomefromtheexistingClassA clubsinHighDesertandKaneCoun¬ ty. Though some may come from ClassAAAlevelinEdmonton,most willnotbeusedtoalevelbetterthan A-ball.
“It’sabigadjustmentgoingto Class AA, whether it’s Portland, Maine or wherever it is, because they’regoingfromClassAtoAAand somethinkthat’sthebiggestjump,”
saysEshbach.“They’regoingfroma levelwhereeveryMajorLeagueteam has two or three or four Class A clubstoanAAsituationwhereitall funnelsdowntothebetterballplay¬ ers.”
“ClassAAisalevelwhereyousep¬ arate the suspects from the prospects,”saysTosca.“It’sreallya criticalstepforalotofplayers.Ifyou cangetaplayerthroughAA,youcan tellwehaveamajor-leaguecaliber ballplayer.It’sanimportantlevelfor alotoftheseplayers.”
“ClassAAisaveryhardtransition toriseto,”saysBoles.“GoingfromAballtoAA-ballisasbigastepinbase¬ ballasyou’llfind.(We)don’twantto rush someone because you don’t
When the players leave spring traininginearlyApril,theyare scheduledtoarriveinPortlandfor onlyadayortwobeforeheadingout ontheroadtostarttheseasonwith an11-gameroadtripwhichbegins April7atReading.Ontheaverage salaryof$1,600amonthfor fivemonths,theSeaDogswill be looking for something affordable,short-term,and veryaccessibleintheshort timetheyhavetosearch.
“Therewillbeadayorsofor them to look around,” says Eshbach, who estimates the SeaDogs’arrivalinPortlandto bethe5thor6thofApril. “We’llhavedonealotofhome¬ workforthembeforehand,so they’llhaveadaywherethey canrunaroundanddoalotof that.Someofthemmaywait untiltheygetbackafterbeing ontheroadfor11days.”
“Earlyintheyeartherecouldbe an adjustment for some weather,” saysEshbach.“Therewillbeplayers whohaveplayedinonlyFloridaor Californiawhoarecominghere.For them,itcouldbekindofanewexpe¬ rience. Those who played out in KaneCountynearChicagolastyear,1 don’tknowifit’sgoingtobethat muchdifferentfromwhattheyexpe¬ rienced early in the season out there.”
ThoughtheSeaDogswillbeoutof townforallbutsixgamesinApril, they will be back in May for an extended visit, giving Maine the opportunitytoseetheSeaDogsand the Sea Dogs their chance to see Maine.
“When they come back in May,” saysEshbach,“they’llbeherefora longtime.We’rehomeatonestretch inMayfor18outof21days.”
Thatshouldgivethemplentyof timetogetsettled,eatalobster,visit Portland Head Light, and do some shoppinginFreeport.Inotherwords, make them feel at home. H
You really have to see one to understand what I'm saying. (Wf So,seeourdisplayandbepreparedtosmile.
Carbur’s
ThefuelthatfiredtheOldPort's ascensionfromrealestateobscu¬ ritywaspartventurecapitaland partcollege-kidbeermoney.Com¬ binebrickwalls,oversizedtim¬ bers,andadecorativepasticheof anythingoldandyouhadanirre¬ sistiblemagnetthatdrewfun¬ seekers to the Old Port like egg-headstoaforeignfilm.
Carbur’s,establishedin1977, wasinthisvanguard,andfroma recentvisititappearsthatithas decideditwouldratherfightthan switch,despitetherecognition thattheOldPortisruledbythe sandal-with-sock crowd by day andbydancehallsandbrewpubs bynight.IsCarbur’sjustacurious anachronismasprimordialfern barorisitstillaviableformulafor arestaurantthatissurvivingina fundamentallychangedOldPort? Thevoluminousmenuisacom¬ pilationofbarfood,appetizers (lotsofthingsdeepfried,nachos, chickenwings,sandwicheswith namesthatareembarrassingto sayout \oud...roto-roosterman,fun¬ gushummungus), greatburgers, and a few simple entrees (teriyaki chicken, chicken chimichanga,fishandchips).
We started with an order of DetroitRedWings($5.25),which aretheCarbur’sversionofBuffalo Wings.Itconsistedofchicken wingscookedinaredspicysauce, served with carrot and celery sticksandaccompaniedbyblue cheesedressing.Thewingstast¬ ed freshly made, and the hot
Forsandwiches,wechoseaFort Howgate ($5.95) and a Murray, Plumb&Murray($8.95).AFort Howgatebringstogethercorned beef,grilledknockwurst,sauer¬ kraut,andSwisscheese.Toits credit,itwasn'ttheleastbit greasy, but the downside was therewassolittlemoistureinthe meatandsauerkrautthatitended upaveritabledustbowlofasand¬ wich.Thestaleryebreadboltingit togetherofferedverylittlereliefas well.
The Murray, Plumb & Murray was a steak-and-grilled-onion sandwichoratoastedbaguette. The meat was tender and charbroiled to medium rare, the onionshadthatgoodgrilled-onion tasteandsmellthatpermeates ballgamesandsummerfairs,but onceagainthebreadwasstale, withthetoastingprocesshardly redeemingit.
Thedessertsareunpretentious and inexpensive. An apple pie withicecream($1.95)hitallthe rightnotes,butanutmeggyblue¬ berrycrisp($2.25)wassosoupy thatthecrisphadsunktothebot¬ tom,leavingitascrispasastewed prune.
CantheCarbur'sformulastill work?Withoutadoubt.It'sone andthesameastheOldPort’s. Theatmosphereofexposed,var¬ nished brick and subterranean granitehelpedsetthestandardfor manyarestaurantthathascome andgonesincethe1970s.Andcer¬ tainlycoldbeerandsandwiches aren'tontheendangeredspecies list.Sothat’snotthequestion.The realquestionis:CanCarbur'sstill work the formula? ■ MarkMickalide
✓ Weekend Packages from $80* perpersonpernight yMidweekPackagesfrom $60* perpersonpernight
HealthClubwithoutdoorheatedpool, 36kofgroomedx-cskiingandmore! *perpersonpernight,doubleoccupancy /WeekendSkiShuttleto SundayRiver-FREE! Luxury Townhouses also available andkidsstayfree! -Call Today space is limited: 800-654-0125
Maine
1994MaineStateHorticultu Show
Date: presents
BacBhards
LinfblnMill,Biddeford,Maine Ndlttto the Chamber of Commerce offMam S
ursday and Saturday 9am to 6pm riday 9am to 8pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm ; March 17” Sunday, March 20” ursd rou
Sponsors: TheJuniorLeagueofPortland,Maine,Inc.
Adm on: tth $6adults,$5seniors,$3children e$5adults,$4seniors Maine Landscape and Nursery Association
PortlandConcertAssociation willpresent the Martha Graham Dance Company on Thursday,March3at7:30p.m.Thealways excitingdancecompanycelebratesits founder’s100thbirthdaywithaspecialpre¬ sentationofhersignatureballet“Appalachi¬ anSpring."Thursday,March17at7:30p.m. -CherishtheLadies.AgoodwaytomarkSt. Patrick'sDaywiththisall-womanensemble performingtraditionalIrishmusicandstep dancing.And,onApril6,seethenational touringcompanyof“PorgyandBess,"For information,call772-8630.
BatesCollege, Lewiston.Thursday,March 3,7:30p.m.,Lecture:BenjaminChavis, executivedirectoroftheNationalAssocia¬ tionfortheAdvancementofColoredPeo¬ ple, speaks on Brown vs. Board of Education:40Yearsafter.Free.BatesCol¬ legechapel.Wednesday,March9,8p.m., Concert:GregBrown,oneoftoday’smost giftedandprolificsongwritersblendsfolk, blues,calypsoandjazzintoarichreper¬ toireof“talesofbravadoandloss,loveand thegrindoflovingwiththeAmerican Dream.”Admission$8/4.Advancereserva¬ tions:786-6135.OlinArtsCenter.
PortlandSeaDogs
1994 Home Schedule
April
Monday 18 - Albany 4 p.m.
Tuesday 19 - Albany 4 p.m.
Wednesday 20 - Albany 1 p.m.
Friday22-Harrisburg7p.m.
Saturday23-Harrisburg3p.m.
Sunday 24 - Harrisburg 3 p.m.
May
Friday5-Reading7p.m.
Saturday 7 - Reading 1 p.m.
Sunday 8 - Reading 1 p.m.
Monday 9 - New Britain 7 p.m.
Tuesday 10 - New Britain
Wednesday 11 - New Britain
Thursday 12 - New Britain 7 p.m.
Friday13-Albany7p.m.
Saturday 14 - Albany 2 p.m.
Sunday 15 - Albany 2 p.m.
Thursday 19 - Trenton 7 p.m.
Friday20-Trenton7p.m.
Saturday 21 - Trenton 1 p.m.
Sunday 22 - Trenton 1 p.m.
Monday 23 - Binghamton
•Now Experience a Truly Elegant Private Dinner Party, An Ocean Experience For Up To 12 People •Escape & Relax With Our Off-Season Specials •More Than A Place To Sleep 207-646-2346
Hosts:Bob&CarolynDellaPietra OPEN YEAR ROUND
Arms and the Man byGeorgeBernardShaw October17-November13
Holiday Memories byTrumanCapote StageVersionbyRussellVandenbroucke November 21 - December 19
On Foster's Point, this 2-3 bedroom four season vacation home has been totally renovated, including a new kitchen with breakfastbar,sunkenlivingroom,11/2baths andlotsofglassthroughwhichtotakeinthe wide, south-facing water view. The lot includes50'ofdeepwaterfrontageonthe New Meadows. Priced at $135,000. Call PaulClarkformoredetailedinformation.
207-729-1863
Morton Real Estate
298MaineStreet,Brunswick,Maine04011
YARMOUTH
This perfect family home in a popular Yarmouth neighborhood has 8 rooms, 4 bedrooms, and 2.5 baths. It features a uniquefloorplan,largekitchenwithabrick hearth,andtwocargarage.Greatlocation includesawardwinningpublicandprivate schools.
$147,900 CallBetsvGosselin
Boothbay Region
Island views and privacy are yours on thisselectivelycleared1.3-acredeepwaterlot withover218'frontage!Framedwithtall oaksyetopenandsunny,thisveryspecial parcel is truly a yachtsman's dream come true.Permitsapprovedforadockandfloat. $105,000.
Wateraccesslotsstartingat$25,500.
TheLeopard &TheLunatic
NewFictionByNancyO’Malley
HE POPS OPEN another beer,hislipssuckontothe can.Hegulpsdownhard.I takehisplateandscrape hissupperintothesink. Hischindrops.Hestudiesme.I rinsetheplateandletthewater run down my forearms and over myhands.Iwatchthewaterswirl downthedraincarryingwrinkled peasandfat-marbledbeef.Walk¬ ingaway,Ipickupmygymbag, pocketbook,andkeys.
He starts in again. His words track me. “You ugly bitch. You goodfornothinguglybitch.You whore.Youfrigid,uglywhore."
1putonmybathingsuit.Theleg holessqueezesoft,whitethighs intolumpsofcottagecheese.The side seams groan — black side stitches like lace on a yellow bathingsuit.
“They shoulda used yellow thread,don’tchathink?”asksJoan. “Whatdoesitmatter?”Iaskback. I shower, then walk along the pool.Voices,mostlygarbledand twisted,echooffthewallslike departure announcements at the busstation.Istretchmylower backandlegs,thenpushoutmy chest, take a deep breath, and make windmills with my arms. Firstforward,thenback.Menwith bulgesintheirSpeedosdon’tturn theirheads.Theirwivesandgirl¬ friendsdon’tneedtoclingtothem orwatchtheireyes.
I claim the outside lane. No Olympic might-have-beens swim¬ mingupontopofme,likemount¬ ing.I’mafraidtoputmyfaceinthe water,soIdothebackstroke.
Thewaterfeelslikesyrup.My legsandlungsache.Forasecond, Ithinkofthelunaticandscrapemy lefthandalongthecementrimof thepool,openingupaknuckle.A thinstreamofbloodtrailsbehind me.Afterawhile,1losemyselfin waternowtranslucent,fullofno thoughts, and smack my head againsttherimatthedeepend.A sharppainjabsmyskull;hotchlo¬ rineshootsupmynose.Icough and spit. The men with bulges smirkandshaketheirheads.
Not just Mondays, but every nightIgoback.Mymarkersmove overmefaster.Myfeetdon’trest onthetilesanymore.Notuntilthe lifeguardblowshiswhistle.Three hours.Icouldswimlonger.Ifthe lifeguardforgottowhistle,ifthe littleblondekeptleaningtoward him,I’djustkeepswimming.
Waist-lengthhairslowsme down.Iwanthairthat doesn’tmoveortangle inmyarms,disrupting my stroke. The faded yellowbathingsuitdoesn’treturn toitsoriginalshapeanymore.It hangsonme.So,Ibuyanewone. Itlookslikeleopardskin.Thetag reads,“FrenchCut.”WhenIwalk, headsturn,stomachsgetsucked inandchestsexpand.Kathyand Joan won’t swim with me any¬ more.
There’saspringswimmeetat the high school. The pool is closedtothepublic.Iputonmy leopardskinandfillthebathtub instead.IsitinthewateruntilI’m wrinkled.Iflexmymuscledthighs andfeelmygranitecalves.Iget outandlookatmybacksidewith a hand mirror. I’m smooth and hard, no lumps or dimples. My stomachisflat.
Kathy says I’m obsessed and neglecting my husband. Joan thinksI’mafterhers.Hewatches memovenow,justlikethemenat thepool.Theycan’tstopwatch¬ ing. ■
