Portland Monthly Magazine April 2024 by portlandmonthlymagazine

Saint George Realty

From Port Clyde to Camden…

Karen M. Rizkalla, Broker/Owner/Realtor stgeorge-realty.com or karenriz.com karenriz@gmail.com

Karen M. Rizkalla Broker/Owner/Realtor® stgeorge-realty.com | karenriz.com karenriz@gmail.com

S t . G e o rg e Wate r f ro n t

St . Geo rgeWaterf ron t Walk to Clark Island Preserve

Walk to Clark Island Preserve

St . Geo rgeWaterf ron t Walk to Clark Island Preserve

SpruceHead-Lightfilledroomsan sparklingoceanviewstoClarkIsland fromthisyear-round,2-3 be droom

SpruceHead-Lightfilledroomsan sparklingoceanviewstoClarkIsland fromthisyear-round,2-3 be droom Mainecottage.Wood&tilefloors, large,dine-inkitchenwithwoodstove andvinylfloor.Inc ludesawaterfront studio/possiblebunkhouse with circuitbreakerpanel,outlets,light switches&electricheat.Thestudio lothas60feetofocean&rockybeach frontagedirectlyacrossthestreet fromthecottage.Justashortwalk acrossthecausewaytothe 124-acre larkIslandPreserveforhiking and additionalbeachaccess.TwentyminutedrivetodowntownRocklandorto theMonheganFerry & Marshall Point Lighthouse inPortClyde.

$639,000

St. George Waterfront

10 Min from Clark Island Preserve

Your year-round Maine vacation could begin on Patten Point in Spruce Head Village,Town of Saint George!

Mainecottage.Wood&tilefloors, large,dine-inkitchenwithwoodstove andvinylfloor.Inc ludesawaterfront studio/possiblebunkhouse with circuitbreakerpanel,outlets,light switches&electricheat.Thestudio lothas60feetofocean&rockybeach frontagedirectlyacrossthestreet fromthecottage.Justashortwalk acrossthecausewaytothe 124-acre ClarkIslandPreserveforhiking and additionalbeachaccess.TwentyminutedrivetodowntownRocklandorto theMonheganFerry & Marshall Point Lighthouse inPortClyde.

Pleaseaddthebeachphoto also to this above. It can go in 4th position.

Your year-round Maine vacation could begin on Patten Point in Spruce Head Village, Town of Saint George! 16-20 minutes to Marshall Point Lighthouse, Monhegan Ferry, Owls Head State Parks and downtown Rockland shops & galleries. Spectacular ocean views from this stunning, elevated, waterfront home granite shoreline riprap and steps to shore, deck & back yard access from the dream kitchen with walk-in pantry/ baking station, elegant Great Room with fireplace & primary bedroom suite. Two guest bedrooms w/ bath & spacious laundry room. Primarily one-floor living with 2nd floor office or play room. Plenty of ocean-view spaces to work from first floor also. Quiet village road for walking. Easy to show with notice.

$639,000

Pleaseaddthebeachphotoalso to this listing above. It can go in 4th position.

St. George Peninsula

Representing Sellers & Buyers of Midcoast Maine properties for 18 years.

16-20 minutes to Marshall Point Lighthouse, Monhegan Ferry, Owls Head State Parks and downtown Rockland shops & galleries. Spectacular ocean views from this stunning, elevated, waterfront home granite shoreline riprap and steps to shore, deck & back yard access from the dream kitchen with walk- in pantry/ baking station, elegant Great Room with fireplace & primary bedroom suite. Two guest bedrooms w/ bath & spacious laundry room. Primarily one-floor living with 2nd floor office or play room. Plenty of ocean-view spaces to work from first floor also. Quiet village road for walking. Easy to show with notice.

St. George Peninsula

St. George, Maine

St. Geor ge, Maine

$639,000

Pleaseaddthebeachphotoalso to this listing above. It can go in 4th position. Representing Sellers & Buyers of Midcoast Maine properties for 18 years.

$1,500,000

Representing Sellers & Buyers of Midcoast Maine properties for 18 years.

•

PHOTO BY BRAEDON FLYNN

Arts & Entertainment

Duran Duran”

Colin W. Sargent

A tasty blend of the Fabulous, the Eyebrow-Raising, and the Just Plain Wrong. 18 MADE

35 FASHION

“The Prime of Miss Jane Morgan” By Gwen Thompson

81 TALKING WALLS “The Philadelphia Story” By Colin W. Sargent

90 NEW ENGLAND HOMES & LIVING

Refreshment

67 CORNER TABLE “Twelve” By Nancy English

69 SELECT AREA

23 LODGING “Petite Retreats” By Clif Travers

36 THE KENNEBUNKS

39 MOUNTAINS, LAKES, & LODGES

78 MIDCOAST, ACADIA, & DOWNEAST

Cover: Happy Birthday (100 on May 3, 2024) to chanteuse Jane Morgan! Model Bethany D vogues in Morgan’s 1960s Donald Brooks black velvet performance gown with puff sleeves.

68 Bishop Street, Suite 3, No. 1, Portland, ME 04103

Colin W. Sargent

Founding Editor & Publisher

ART & PRODUCTION

Art Director nanCy Sargent

Associate Publisher JeSSe Stenbak

Design Director Claire Hanley

Design MerCedeS VilleneuVe

ADVERTISING

Advertising Executive Per lofVing

Advertising Executive andie eWing

EDITORIAL

AssistAnt Editor & PublishEr Clif traVerS

Contributing Editor gWen tHoMPSon

Special Features & Archives Colin S. Sargent

Special Projects JaSon HJort

Interns raCHael aMoruSo, Meg friel, Sydney alexander

ACCOUNTING

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.

Newsstand Cover Date: February/March 2024 (ISSN: 10731857). 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.

Mainely Duran Duran

Suddenly we’re hungry like the wolf again, as Maine’s connection to the British New Wave band Duran Duran resurges with their 2023 album Danse Macabre.

The band is named after the mad scientist Durand Durand in the 1968 cult sci-fi film Barbarella. At the time, it wasn’t a hot topic, or even a topic, that the unstable villain was based on Wilhelm Reich, who kept a laboratory in Rangeley [see “The Devil & Wilhelm Reich,” February/March 1987]. But…

Every decade or so, a new group of the enlightened wants to believe Reich’s assertion that you could boil water with sexual energy. His most infamous invention along those lines was the Orgone Accumulator Box. Consider Reich’s waxing and waning fortune in the 1960s and 1970s.

According to Vice, “Reich soon became so fashionable with intellectuals that in 1968, Roger Vadim tormented Jane Fonda onscreen with a pleasure-creating orgone machine in Barbarella, and Woody Allen would parody the orgone accumulator as the “Orgasmatron” in his 1973 film Sleeper. Over a decade later, Kate Bush and Terry Gilliam would tell Reich’s story in Bush’s video for Cloudbusting, in which Donald Sutherland portrayed Reich, and Bush played the part of his son Peter.”

How seductive was the orgone box? Summer Mainer Norman Mailer hammered a couple together on his own, extolling their virtues in releasing the “rebellious imperative of the self.”

According to the Guardian, “In his biography of Saul Bellow, who bought an orgone box in the early 50s and sat in it for daily irradiations, James Atlas wrote that ‘Reich’s Function of the Orgasm was as widely read in progressive circles as Trotsky’s Art and Revolution had been a decade before.’”

There’s an impact statement. But don’t take it from me. Here’s what the band says on Facebook to their 3.1 million followers: “Who watched Barbarella as soon as you found out Duran Duran got their band name from the movie?”

Thanks, Simon Lebon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, vAndy Taylor—and even you, Wilhelm Reich—for keeping it real. n

Ice Breakers

FALLEN STAR

I’m watching the Gaither Vocal Band sing love songs, and of course Dan Fogelberg’s song “Longer” came up. I knew Dan had died, but I looked him up again, and what beautiful memories [“Wild Child,” April 2010] from his wife. She knew him like the back of her hand, and the article captured that. My sweetheart died of cancer too. Maybe that’s why the article so moved me.

Kathy, Harpwsell

THE STRENGTH OF NUMBERS

Your story about the 96-year-old painter [“Lois Dodd: Up Close & Personal,” Winterguide 2024] could not have been more inspiring to a septuagenarian whose avocation has been playwriting for the past 45 years and who’s yet to see his name in lights on Broadway. While she has acquired well-earned success and renown and I have not, Lois Dodd and I, each in our own way, do what we do out of love. God willing, I hope still to be alive and writing at 96.

Albert H. Black, Kennebunk

We’d love to hear from you! Send your letters, comments, or quips to editor@portlandmonthly.com or message us on Facebook.

welt,

Double oak leather sole Made in New England since 18 84 For these, and mor e “Good Shoes , ” shop with us in- stor e in Por tland’s Old Por t - and online at davidwoodst yleshop com. See you soon.

davidwood.com

davidwoodst yleshop.com

3906

davidwood_st yle

Eclipsing City Guide Dogs New Times, Old Vines There's a Camp for That

2- eyelet Chukk a Boot in C olor 8 shell cor dovan leather

Handcrafted

the Barrie last 360º pre-stitch reverse

mahogany

MUSSEL MISFIT

The Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife needs volunteers to help monitor the spread of zebra mussels—a nutrient-stealing invasive species—into northern Maine lakes from Canada. “We’re hoping to get people to watch their waters, and settling plates provide places to focus observations,” says Dakota Stankowski, IFW Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator.

Tell it to the Hand

Embassy Sweet

In 1639, there lived a mermaid in Casco Bay. In An Account of Two Voyages to New-England by John Josselyn, one Mr. Mittin, while out sea-canoeing, reportedly saw a triton, or merman, with hands “like the hand of a man.” Merman, or Maine seal? “Anatomically, a seal’s front flippers have a very similar structure to the human arm/hand,” says Ashley Stokes, Director of Marine Mammal Conservation at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire.

Got towels? The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland needs your spares. Often overlooked when it comes to donations, towels are crucial in caring for our less fortunate fourlegged friends.

Broadway composer Hank Beebe wrote “industrial musicals” showcasing the origin myth of Coca Cola and Chevrolet (and the campaign jingle for NYC mayor John Lindsay). When he settled into this 1855 Italianate gem at 308 Danforth Street with harbor view designed by Charles Alexander, he wrote more shows and generously helped many other Maine writers and actors reach their dreams. He died in 2023, and “The Embassy” (viz. his Embassy Players) is up on the block. Like Beebe’s work, its interior is original. “Stay tuned.”

Turning Over a New Needle

“Most people think of license plates as depictions of Maine pride, but in reality, they need to be easily readable,” says Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. Weather-worn after twenty-five years of service, Maine’s chickadee plates will be replaced from May 2025 with a new design featuring the 1901 Maine flag’s pine tree and North Star.

Our team and their families love the outdoors, swimming, hiking, biking, and camping, but not the biting bugs, especially ticks. In 2017, we released the now best selling blend of Flick The Tick with the goal of protecting everyone in the family. The all-natural essential oil blend is simple and e ective. Each batch is made by hand and bottled right here in Maine.

In 2024 we merged with Soothing Lotion, another great product that quickly treats Browntail Moth rash, bug bites, and other seasonal irritations. Also made in Maine, these two products help families enjoy the outdoors!

Scout + Bean Rope Pail

Petite Retreats

The Uniqueness of Boutiqueness

STORY BY CLIF TRAVERS

According to visitportland.com, there are over 6,000 hotel rooms in the Greater Portland area. How’s a visitor to choose? For those seeking a homier environment, we’ve got a few suggestions: All are rated nine of ten stars and above by Expedia.

EASY LIVING

“We like to know our guests before they visit,” says Tammara Croman,

general manager of Blind Tiger Portland, a pair of guest houses in the West End. “I spend a lot of time on the phone with them, getting to know their tastes and what they expect from their time in Portland, so we know how to make them feel at home. If they need suggestions of places to go, we have that. But if they want to stay in and sit by a fire, we have that too. We like to make people feel as if it’s their place.”

The 1869 Victorian at 46 Car-

Select Bijou Gems

Chebeague Island Inn

Chebeague Island | 21 rooms

$268–$389/night

Enjoy biking, yoga, the Great Chebeague Golf Course, Great Chebeague Tennis Club, nightly bonfires, walking trails, and boat charters on the largest island in Casco Bay.

Grand Hotel

Kennebunkport |17 rooms

$375–$600/night

In Kennebunk’s Lower Village, a short walk from Dock Square. Guests enjoy great river views, complimentary bikes, an in-house art gallery, and good eats at Rosella, the on-site sustainable sushi restaurant.

Blind Tiger Portland, 46 Carleton Street

leton Street was the first house on the block and, later, the first inn. Most of the original details remain, including crystal chandeliers, pumpkin-pine floors, and gilded mirrors. Each of the six bedrooms is uniquely decorated by Elder and Ash Designers and features a letter from a “room host,” as Croman calls them. “They’re living Portland personalities who leave a letter for the guest—an introduction to Portland with suggestions for sites they should check out.”

Embracing the hominess of small, Blind Tiger doesn’t have a restaurant, but the innkeepers offer Sunday Suppers. “We’re having a guest chef and a sommelier do the food and wine pairing. There’ll be three courses for $46” offered

to guests and neighbors within the community. In the meantime, guests can help themselves from the wellstocked pantry.

Summer rates $513 to $626.

Scarborough

A (SMALL) ROOM WITH A (LARGE) VIEW

The larger of the two Blind Tigers—with four gathering spaces, a massive kitchen, and twelve

Topside Inn

Boothbay Harbor | 22 rooms $500–$800/night

Convenient to the town center and waterfront. Enjoy delicious homemade, locally sourced breakfasts and bar bites. Local attractions include the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, the Boothbay Region Land Trust’s trail network, and Cabbage Island Clambakes.

Blind Tiger Portland, 163 Danforth Street

The only remaining hotel in idyllic Prouts Neck, Winslow Homer’s seaside inspiration. Gorgeous waterfront views, sandy beaches, and the Prouts Neck Country Club.

Black Point Inn

| 25 rooms from $610/night

Rockport Harbor Hotel

Rockport| 20 rooms $499–$999/night

Stunning views of Rockport Harbor from the Atrium rooftop bar and restaurant opening this month, with easy access to sailing excursions, bike rentals, kayak tours, and nearby Camden Hills State Park.

York Harbor Inn

York Harbor | 65 rooms $219–$399/night

A family-owned property since 1980 located across from Harbor Beach, about 1.5 miles from Long Sands and Short Sands beach. Nearby attractions include the Ogunquit Playhouse and Mt. Agamenticus.

Gazebo Inn

Ogunquit |14 rooms from $295/night

Comfortable suites and guest rooms a mile from the town center and a short walk from Footbridge Beach. Salt-water pool and hot tub, gym with sauna, library, BYOB bar, car service.

Tides Beach Club

Kennebunkport | 21 rooms

$564–$1,083/night

The beach getaway of your dreams, with easy access to Goose Rocks Beach, including kayaks and paddleboards, plus room-service beach delivery.

working fireplaces—is at 163 Danforth Street

Built in 1823, this Federal-style mansion became the home of the Thomas family, who hosted lavish parties, earning it the moniker “Social Corners.” When Maine passed the country’s first Prohibition law in 1851, the parties moved to the underground speakeasy, which has now been repurposed as the billiards room. The inn takes its name from the Prohibition-era slang for an illegal bar: a “blind tiger.”

There are more surprises in store, starting with the living chandelier made of moss in the entryway. “We need to mist it every day, so the light fixture is waterproof.” It’s too enchanting not to touch, but Croman discourages my ascending hand with

a smile, understanding the impulse. “It’s fragile.”

At the top of the house, a narrow

set of stairs leads from the unfinished attic to a cupola with a bench offering a 360-degree view that spreads beyond the other houses and trees, the Fore River a bright blue ribbon just visible a few blocks in the distance. It’s not a destination for the acrophobic but a thrill well worth the climb for the Portland-curious.

“We try to anticipate the needs of our guests,” Croman says in the Bon Viveur Room, pointing to a basket beside the fireplace equipped with all the necessaries to build a fire, including written instructions. “Not everyone grew up with fireplaces.” This two-room sanctuary, the largest of the nine bedrooms, sleeps four and is designed to make you never want to go home, with two fireplaces and a private deck. Why would you? Everything you could need is here. Except liquor. Application pending.

Summer rates $471 to $725.

HEARTBEAT OF THE HOOD

You can’t miss the giant four-dialed

Nestled in the heart of Maine’s twin villages of Newcastle and Damariscotta, The Tipsy Butler is a charming bed and breakfast located in an 1846 historic home. With its four cozy rooms, each uniquely adorned to reflect the era’s character, this haven seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern comfort. Just one hour North of Portland you’ll find rocky shores, beautiful lighthouses, acres of nature preserves, and incredible dining and shopping options.

The Tipsy Butler B&B is your home away from home. You’ll be greeted each morning with a delicious locally-sourced two-course breakfast. Relax in the garden with a cup of tea or evening s’mores around the campfire and enjoy the on site wood-fired cedar sauna with cold plunge. A perfect spot for family reunions or friend group getaways.

The Tipsy Butler Bed & Breakfast 11 High Street Newcastle, Maine 04553 | 207-653-4103 www.TipsyButler.com Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook

outside The Francis Hotel at 747 Congress Street. This important fixture for West Enders was nearly lost to them before it was

•

Four-season lakeside accommodations (extended stay in winter)

Charming lakefront cottages with full kitchen and bathroom

Complimentary Wi-Fi, canoes, fishing, grills, outdoor fireplace, and swim area

•

20-30 minutes from the airport and Portland

Golf, restaurants, shopping, beaches, and entertainment nearby

named to Portland Landmarks’s Places in Peril list in 2017, the year that brothers Nate and Tony DeLois completed their two-year renovation of the historic building. The rare Seth Thomas clock was part of that property, and the neighborhood was pleased not to have lost its iconic 1925 landmark, celebrating the completion of its restoration in 2020. “We have a lot of interaction with the West End neighborhood.” Allie Gill, director of marketing at the Francis, points to the artwork on the walls from The Art Department down the street. “We do a rotating show with them every three or four months. And we’re also involved with Mayo Street Arts and Indigo Arts Alliance. We host many performances too. We’re very focused on the arts here.”

stained glass, tiled fireplaces, carved banisters, and hardwood floors—one of which is as intricate as an Escher drawing. The guest rooms epitomize comfort, inviting guests to slip under down comforters and sink into downy pillows (tempting, but I refrain), and the ground-floor rooms welcome your furry friends too.

“…we found a small headstone on the property that reads ‘Puss Cat, 1950–1969,’ so we do like to say that

The Francis has a cute little cat ghost that protects the property.”

“It was built as a home for Mellen Bolster and his family in 1881,” Gill says of the building that was a rare collaboration between notable Portland architects Francis Fassett (the inn’s namesake) and John Calvin Stevens. “It was a funeral home for a while and then was empty for about ten years before the DeLois brothers bought it.”

APet-friendly, family friendly, and smoke-free

GPS/Physical Location: 661 White’s Bridge Rd Standish ME 04084

• • Sebago Lake Lodge & Cottages PO Box 480 • Windham ME 04062 207-892-2698 • www.sebagolakelodge.com

little larger than some of the other boutique hotels in the area, the Francis boasts fifteen guest rooms, four gathering spaces, a massage spa, an attached restaurant, and an actual elevator—a luxury in a small hotel. Like most of the old homes that have been converted to hotels, The Francis has preserved the details of

With that history, one might wonder if there are ghosts. “When we were renovating the building, we found a small headstone on the property that reads ‘Puss Cat, 1950–1969,’ so we do like to say that The Francis has a cute little cat ghost that protects the property. The headstone is still there to this day, behind the stairs under the porte cochere.” Summer rates $278 to $494.

OLD WORLD CHARM

Built in 1897 by railroad tycoon John Deering, The Inn at St. John is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Portland and “the third oldest in New England,” according to Patricia Sullivan, the inn’s general manager. Considering the number of old hotels HEIDI KIRN

The Francis Hotel street clock

in Boston, it’s a fact worth boasting of. “The railroad station was right across the street, so the railroad workers would stay on the third and fourth floors, while the guests would stay on the first and second. That’s why there are common bathrooms on the top floors and private ones on the lower levels.”

The Inn at St. John flourishes in a city with a plethora of lodgings for visitors because “We have an international clientele. Our inn is very much a European-style hotel in decor and amenities. It’s comfortable without being overpriced, and people appreciate that.” Sullivan points to the fact that they’re not strictly seasonal like some Portland inns. “We get tourists in the summer, but we’re busy year-round.” Located at 939 Congress Street, the inn also benefits

Cape Arundel Inn and Resort

Kennebunkport | 29 rooms $399–$1,259/night

On-site fine dining at Ocean Restaurant, nearby waterfront activities, and easy access to the downtown shopping area.

Viewpoint Hotel

York |11 suites and 7 rooms from $625/night

A hotel doubling as a bird sanctuary at the tip of the York Peninsula. Passive-designed rooms have ocean views and private patios, most with views of Nubble Light.

White Barn Inn Kennebunk 27rooms | from $722/night

Accommodations include rooms, suites, and waterfront cottages. Relax and unwind at White Barn’s spa offering honey and salt exfoliation, milk baths, stone massage, and raindrop therapy.

WellsOgunquitHotel.com Holiday Inn Express

Newly constructed property in the heart of Southern Maine’s seacoast.

Comfortable rooms include free Wi-Fi and cable Smart TVs with complimentary breakfast, access to heated indoor pool, and free guest parking.

Whether you are outdoors or indoors in one of our rooms, suites, efficiencies, cottages or apartments, the view, the vista and the space are enlarged and enhanced by the presence of the endless view of the ocean. Rent a bike and enjoy the scenery. Kayak on the Ogunquit River to the Beach. Southern Maine’s Seacoast Vacation 28 Mile Road, Wells, ME 207.360.0719

Whether you are outdoors or indoors in one of our rooms, suites, efficiencies, cottages or apartments,

Longfellow Hotel

West End, Portland | 48 rooms

$534–$1,199/night

Named after the famous poet and Portland native, the Longfellow is an independent, luxurious, and modern wellness-themed hotel opening May 17 with cafe, lounge, fitness center, and spa featuring infrared sauna and meditation chairs.

Saltair Inn

Bar Harbor | 8 rooms $165–$575/night

On the scenic shores of Frenchman Bay, just a short distance from Acadia National Park. Enjoy luxurious suites and complimentary outdoor breakfasts overlooking the water.

Grand Harbor Inn

Camden| 10 rooms $419–$869/nightw

On the harbor with gorgeous views of Penobscot Bay, walking distance from the town center. Nearby activities include charter sailing trips, hiking, sea kayaking, and paddleboard rentals.

from its proximity to Maine Medical Center, which will soon be expanding into a lot across the street. “It’s within walking distance for people who have friends or family in the hospital. We make it comfortable for them without challenging their budget.”

The European influence is evident in the rugged stonework and large red awnings of the inn’s exterior. Inside, the theme continues with the simple, homey comforts of a small hotel in France or Germany. “We’ve kept it pretty much the same as it was in the early days. There’s new wallpaper, and we upgrade the furnishings regularly, but we maintain the charm of an old hotel.” Sullivan has a ready answer to my closing question. “I’ve been told there are ghosts, but I’ve never seen one myself. But sometimes, I’ll come back to the desk, and something will have changed. Apparently, they’re mostly on the third floor. There was even a ghost hunter who stayed here

The Trailing Yew

by Agatha Christie adapted by Leslie Darbon

looking for them, but I don’t think he found any.” The evidence, or lack thereof, is on YouTube. Summer rates begin at $ 269.

THE INN THAT JOHN BUILT

Many homes in the Portland area are part of the John Calvin Stevens legacy. The West End Inn at 146 Pine Street is among them. Built in 1871 for a merchant named Freedom Nash, a local stove dealer, it was converted to a bedand-breakfast in the 1980s. Stephen Simonds, a native Mainer, is the proud owner.

“People will stay here and be surprised at the services we offer. They think of a B&B as a place to sleep and maybe get a yogurt for breakfast. But we offer more than the basics. We get a lot of raves about our breakfasts. It’s not just continental like in most B & Bs. It’s a full breakfast-to-order in a foodie town where expectations are high. And we change the menu every day, so people aren’t getting the same thing repeatedly.” Their coffee is unique too, with a local connection to Coffee by Design. “They do a special blend for us, and people really love it.”

The inn doesn’t offer a bar, “but we have a wine-dispensing machine with very nice wines. People gather in either the dining room or in front of one of the fireplaces. The living room is a comfortable place to socialize and meet the other guests.”

His favorite room? “We don’t name our rooms here, but my favorite is Number Five. It’s one of the three king-sized rooms, and it’s on the top floor. We have a mansard-style roof, so the walls slant in a little. The ceilings are lower on the top floor, but they’re still nine feet high. It’s a spacious and cozy room. Very welcoming. People love it.” The average summer rate is $400. n

The Prime of Miss Jane Morgan

Who knew our Kennebunkport icon would be 2024’s trendsetter?

It’s one of those Upper East Side events where everyone has a $5,000 handbag. (My bespoke recycled tanbark Sea Bag straight off the wharf in Portland can hold its own against Bottega Veneta, right?) There’s pink or white bubbly at the bar and buff men in black proffering trays of caviar on

blinis. The sartorial vibe among the guests could be described as “swanky retro superhero” with an undercurrent of chartreuse. I’m mesmerized by shoes that look capable of launching the Jetsons’ interstellar commute.

DRESSES WITH A PAST I took the subway to 59th and Lex,

but clearly I should’ve come by DeLorean, because inside Vartali Salon on East 57th Street it’s like I’ve gone right back to Back to the Future. As the crush of densely packed fabulousness parts and re-forms around an invisible pop-up runway, models emerge as if from a backstage TARDIS to glide by in black or white vintage performance gowns worn by Kennebunkport’s eternal chanteuse, Jane Morgan, crowned with the cotton-candy updos of bygone decades as re-imagined by legendary hairdresser Vartan Vartali in celebration of his salon’s 46th anniversary.

“Vintage fashion is having a real heyday right now, with four trade shows a year and exhibits at the [Metropolitan Museum of Art’s] Costume Institute and FIT [Fashion Institute of Technology],” says Bonnie Bien, curator of the In My Style traveling exhibit of Jane Morgan’s gowns I’ve tracked from its debut at the Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk in 2022 all the way to New York Fashion Week. “The models get a huge kick out of wearing these gowns.” Assuming they can fit into them. “It took several casting calls to find models with a 23"

(1959)

Anniversary” (1959)

STORY BY GWEN THOMPSON

From left: Irina wears 2009 Stephen Yearick; Lyrehc in Ruben Panis dress Jane Morgan wore to sing at the White House in 1989 for President George H. W. Bush; Bethany D. in 1960s Donald Brooks; Emma in 1970s Gunter Ruecker two-piece tuxedo Jane Morgan wore to early George H. W. Bush political events; Mina in 1960s Monte Streitfield of Strega.

Oceanfront Lodging, Dining & Gatherings

waist. Jane’s about 5'6", but most of our models are 5'9" to 5'11". Some of them are able to wear Jane’s size 7-1/2 shoes, but some of the shoes are from my own collection.”

Bien first worked with Morgan as a teenage apprentice at the Kennebunkport Playhouse, then hit the road with her as her dresser for the next few years before college, and has kept in touch ever since, so she’s the natural choice to catalog the collection that’s been packed away in trunks in a barn on Morgan’s farm in Kennebunkport for over fifty years. “The designer labels were so small in those days, I had to hunt for them to figure out who designed each dress. There were seventy gowns in all, and Jane recorded forty-two record albums, so if she wore one of these gowns on an album cover, we tried to match them up in the exhibition.”

HIGH-FASHION FITNESS

The storied gowns will next touch down in an exhibit at the Ogunquit Playhouse this summer, with a fundraiser on June 24th to support the costume division of the Playhouse and a reception to celebrate Jane Morgan’s 100th birthday. Those who find fashion frivolous would do well to note that during her cabaret shows, Morgan “was carting around thirty or forty pounds of dress” while “walking around for two or three hours on the stage in four-inch heels,” she told me. “That’s probably why I’ve stayed healthy for so long” (see “Chanteuse Mogul,” November 2021).

Just as I notice it’s time to tear myself away, Laura Linney arrives. (Bien tells me Gwen Stefani, Carolina Herrera, and Renée Fleming are also among Vartali’s loyal clientele.) There’s no hope of pushing past the paparazzi to the door, so I’m going to be late for rehearsal at the National Opera Center. At least I’ll have an eye-popping excuse. n

Open Year Round!

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.

SPRING EVENTS

MARCH 10

Annual Moose Dash Snowshoe Race

APRIL 5-8

Shadows of the Sun Festival

APRIL 5

The Rewind & Grind Rail Jam

APRIL 6 Spring Bash

APRIL 8

Lights Out Party- Total Solar Eclipse

APRIL 19 & 20

King of the Mountain Hill Climb

JUNE 14 & 15

White Nose Pete Fly Fishing Festival

JUNE 15 Lupine Festival

JUNE 28–30

Maine High Peaks Paddlefest

Check rangeleymaine.com/events for event and activity information.

Mountains, Lakes, & Lodges |

Schaeffer Theater , 305 College St, Lewiston. Izumonookuni, July 12 & 14; The Lost Art of Dreaming, July 19 & 20. 786-6161.

Olin Arts Center Concert Hall; 210 75 Russell St, Lewiston. Sheryl Bailey, Jazz Guitar and Organ, May 1; A Minimalist Mingle, Two Piano Minimalist Works with Chiharu Naruse and Bridget Convey, May 17. 786-6135.

Bridgeton Farmers Market; Reny’s, 214 Main Street, Bridgton. May 4.

Stone Mountain Arts Center; 695 Dugway Rd, Brownfield. Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas; May 4; The Wood Brothers, May 8; Le Vent du Nord, May 10; The Weight Band, May 11; Comedian Bob Marley, May 16; Session Americana, May 17; Alana MacDonald Band, May 18; Louisiana Calling, May 25; John Gorka, May 31. 935-7292.

Baxter Brewing Company; Next Stop Comedy, 130 Mill St, Lewiston. Apr. 28; Jul. 7. 333-6769.

East Auburn Baptist Church , 560 Park Ave, Auburn. The Hyssongs, Apr. 20 & 21. 782-0348.

Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center ; 18 Bradley Street, Fryeburg. Met Opera Live in HD: La Rondine, April 20; Met Opera Live in HD: Madama Butterfly, May 11. 935-9232.

Freedom Cafe & Pub ; 923 Roosevelt Trail, Naples, Bob Marley, June 20. 693-3700.

Sebago Trails Paddling Company ; 1311 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond. Sebago Lake Kayak Historical Tour Session I; May 18; Session II; May 19. 854-0826.

Rangeley Lakes Region. Shadow of the Sun Festival. Apr. 5-8. 864-5571.

Lakeside Dance Academy ; 2493 Main Street, Rangeley. Spring Concert, April 26. 592-7427.

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust ; 2424 Main Street, Rangeley. Birding Festival, June 7-9. 864-7311.

Henry David Thoreau

Sailing late June through mid-October

Tel: (207) 695-2716 Fax: (207) 695-2367 PO Box 1151 Greenville, ME 04441 www.katahdincruises.com

15 unique waterfront cottages on the “CHANNEL connecting Paugus Bay to Lake Winnipesaukee”. 1, 2, & 3+ bedroom cottages with fully equipped kitchens, queen beds, flat-screen tv’s, a/c and free WI~FI. Completely refurbished. Private sandy beach, docking, stainless steel Weber gas grills and an island with tiki bar, fireplace & TV. Very clean & comfortable. All couples & families. Park at your door. Walk to M/S Mt. Washington Cruise Ship, arcades, batting cages, go-karts, rock climbing wall, water bumper boats, Sky-Trail Navigator Ropes Course, drive-in theater, as well as restaurants, shopping and convenience. Pets are Welcome! Perfect location for business meetings, family reunions & weddings. Since 1920. 2024 marks our 33rd season Celebrate this special time with us!!! - Your hosts, José & Stacie DeMatos.

CHANNEL WATERFRONT COTTAGES 1192 Weirs Boulevard P.O. Box 5106 Weirs Beach, NH 03247-5106

603-366-4673

www.channelcottages.com

15 unique waterfront cottages on the "CHANNEL connecting Paugus Bay to Lake Winnipesaukee". 1, 2, & 3+ bedroom cottages with fully equipped kitchens, queen beds, flat-screen tv's, a/c and free WI~FI. Completely refurbished. Private sandy beach, docking, stainless steel Weber gas grills and an island with tiki bar, fireplace & TV. Very clean & comfortable. All couples & families. Park at your door. Walk to M/S Mt. Washington Cruise Ship, arcades, batting cages, go-karts, rock climbing wall, water bumper boats, Sky-Trail Navigator Ropes Course, drive-in theater, as well as restaurants, shopping and convenience. **Pets are Welcome!** Perfect location for business meetings, family reunions & weddings. Since 1920. 2024 marks our 33rd season Celebrate this special time with us!!! Your hosts, José & Stacie DeMatos. www.channelcottages.com

Eat. Stay. Shop. Celebrate.

Explore all the Blue Hill Peninsula has to offer.

Find out more at bluehillpeninsula.org.

Cannuptials

High Fidelity at Maine Weddings

Looking for the perfect twist to your spring wedding? Just add smoke.

Since Maine legalized cannabis in 2016, Mainers haven’t been shy in showing their affection for the plant. What better way to put that love on display than to mingle merriment with matrimony?

Cannabis-themed weddings (or weed weddings, if you will) are an underground trend finding their way to the light as cannabis becomes further normalized and legalized across New England. Some wedding parties opt for subtle details—perhaps a cannabis fan leaf accenting the bouquet— while others make cannabis the guest of honor by hiring a bud bar that serves cannabis products instead of alcohol.

up. You don’t want smoke to get in their clothes, so vape is perfect. I use tabletop vapes from Zenco, which are sleek little wine glass-like containers. They fill with the vapor, and then you can literally knock them back, almost like you’re drinking the smoke out of a wine glass.”

Maden, a cannabis sommelier, uses his experience and expertise to ensure wedding guests are getting the best services possible, concocting the perfect buzz for aficionados and newcomers alike. “I’m frequently talking to people who’ve never had cannabis at a wedding,” says Maden, “helping them understand what selection to make at the bar.”

“We try to integrate it wherever possible, especially if people are looking to really showcase the cannabis leaf.”

“There’s a variety of things you could include,” says Jack Maden, the founder of Buddha Som, New England’s first full-service cannabis hospitality group. “It could be prerolls. I have what’s called a Stündenglass gravity infuser. It’s basically a bong, but it’s a really cool bong. Vapes are what I prefer, especially at a wedding where people are dressed

Playful decor and the perfect setting can make your weed wedding even more 420-fit. “We’re a super canna-friendly venue,” says Ethan Kramer, co-owner of Southern Maine Kitchen and Arrowheads Estate in Cape Neddick. “We have all the accouterments here on-site that you might need.”

At Flowers + Herb Florals in Brunswick, co-owners Court Klein and Kat Klein add cannabis fan leaves to their boutonnieres, bouquets, and table garlands to help counter the stigma associated with this healing plant..

With the rise of weed weddings, guests no longer need to skulk in the shadows for a quick smoke. “It’s an opportunity to talk to people about the wellness effects of cannabis,” says Maden. “I’ve got them one-on-one, and usually they’re intrigued by the bud bar, so there’s an opportunity to break down walls there.”

As more states and cities warm up to social consumption, it’s possible that Maine will follow suit. Spectrum News reported that in the 131st Maine Legislature, Rep. David Boyer (R-Poland) sponsored an on-site cannabis consumption bill (LD 1952, currently in committee) that “would provide a controlled and regulated environment for adults similar to a brewpub that allows you to try different beers and then take some home.”

STORY BY MEG FRIEL

Weddings on the Waterfront

FLOOR TO CEILING WINDOWS . 180 DEGREE VIEWS OF CASCO BAY . FOUR INTERLOCKING SPACES . ACCOMMODATES UP TO 130 GUESTS SEATED & 200 GUESTS STANDING

Wedding Guide

Make an ordinary trip, extraordinary