Portland Monthly Magazine MAY 2023

207-288-4585

VACATIONS IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS SINCE 1999

© Corey McCullenrHuttopia 2023

SUMMER CONCERTS

Celebrate the start of Summer with an unmissable concert series from your Portland Symphony Orchestra at the Seaside Pavilion in Old Orchard Beach!

CLASSIC ROCK ORCHESTRA

JUNE 2023

SATURDAY 24

7:00 PM

Rob Leh mann, guest conductor

Susie Pepper, vocals

John Martinez, vocals

Gary Backstrom, guitar

Steve Hodgkin, drums

Chris Eastburn, bass

Joe Boucher, piano, keyboards, vocals, acoustic guitar

“The songs y ou sing in your car at the top of your lungs when you think no one is watching!”

Featuring a six piece rock band, Classic Rock brings you unforgettable hits by Journey, Pat Benatar, Boston, Heart, Kansas, Stevie Nicks, The Electric Light Orchestra and many more.

A STARS AND STRIPES CELEBRATION

JULY 2023

SATURDAY 01

2:30 PM

Bruce Hangen, guest conductor

Malinda Haslett, soprano

Kick off Summer with a s alute to the red, white, and blue. Bruce Hangen, former Music Director and Conductor, returns to lead your PSO in a celebration of American classics.

MUSIC OF HARRY POTTER

JULY 2023

SATURDAY 08

7:00 PM

Morihiko Nakahara, guest conductor

Come on a magic al journey from Platform 9 3/4 to the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. Enjoy the iconic film score as it is brought to life by your PSO and guest conductor, Morihoko Nakahara.

BUY TICKETS!

STARTING AT $30*

Call PortTIX: 207.842.0800

MON–FRI | 11 AM–3 PM†

NAKAHARA

68

COLIN W. SARGENT

Founding Editor & Publisher

ART & PRODUCTION

Art Director NANCY SARGENT

Associate Publisher JESSE STENBAK

Design Director HANNA FLEWELLING

Design MERCEDES VILLENEUVE

ADVERTISING

Advertising Executive PER LOFVING

Advertising Executive ANDIE EWING

EDITORIAL

Assistant Editor & Publisher KEEVA JACQUES

Contributing Editor GWEN THOMPSON

Writing Associate MICK SWANSON

Special Features & Archives COLIN S. SARGENT

Special Projects JASON HJORT

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: May 2023 (ISSN: 1073-1857).

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.

Scenic Overlooks C

Forget

Forget Me Nots

alendars and financial institutions

o en show Portland Head Light from the outside. But please be our guests and step inside with us. It’s our mission at Portland Monthly to reveal interior lives.

Because lighthouses have feelings too.

Scenic overlooks can’t perform miracles alone. It’s what we (and you, our readers) bring to them.

If you’ve read Harlot’s Ghost, you can better see the view of Otter Cli at Acadia National Park than if you haven’t. Norman Mailer whispers into your ear. He points down the sheer face of the cli and says the rocks below hiss and steam like a gas-station oor.

Let Edna St. Vincent Millay be your guide to the top of Mt. Battie in Camden this summer with her hypnotic “Renascence”: “All I could see from where I stood / Was three long mountains and a wood; / I turned and looked the other way, / And saw three islands in a bay.”

It’s fun to travel in good company, though both of the snarky scribes above would probably bum a cigarette from you, no butts about it. Smokers are geniuses at prolonging the moment by ceremoniously lighting up in the presence of astonishing natural beauty. Smokers...they were just here e Unrushed, Endless Summer. We deeply crave it and deserve it. Reading makes the present resonant. For informed consent to beauty, all you have to do is turn the page. Otherwise, to overlook a scenic view is to forget it.

Forget

CLASS ACT

I thoroughly enjoyed your interview with Julie Parisien [“2nd Act,” February/March 2023]. One year, when she competed on the pro tour, she trained at Sugarloaf, one of her sponsors. It was my occasional pleasure to meet her before the li s opened, transport her by snowmobile to wherever she was training that day, and bring up whatever equipment she might need. I'd hand her poles as she drilled holes to set gates and then assure her I'd be back to bring everything home to the Competition Center. No matter how cold the early morning was, Julie was ready to work and could not have been kinder and more pleasant to the folks on our crew. A champion and a class act.

Bruce Pratt, Swanville

DOWN BY THE LAKE

[“Mr. H,” February/March 2023] is wonderful, and it's such a lovely issue of the magazine —congratulations! It was such fun to travel back in time to 1962 and learn about Horowitz's visit and memories of the sta ers from those days; it's special to us to be a part of this interesting history. Seeing the camp issue de nitely has us longing for summer on Lake Kezar and the sounds of music at Quisisana. Counting down the days...

Nathalie Orans, Quisisana Resort

REFRESHING READ

Having received Portland Monthly Magazine for the last few years, I would like to share a few thoughts I have. I always nd articles that deeply interest me in each issue. ey illustrate why Maine is so wonderful to live in and highlight the people, places, and history of Maine. e Refreshment section is great to read as well. e quality of the paper used is far better than many magazines, and that makes a welcome addition to any co ee table. Keep up the great work!

Larry ompson, Gorham

Certified “Old”

Dorm Duty

Older-est?

Don’t ask this lady her age! Maine’s oldest building is the 1707 McIntire Garrison in York, but according to the National Register of Historic Places, its “legendary traditional date” is 1645. Tour a 17th-century house for sale right now on p. 83.

Beep, beep! Kiwibot coming through! These cute food-delivery robots have “been in service since last August,” says Daniel Hartill of the University of Southern Maine. With 10 in Gorham and 5 in Portland, they’ve been giving Domino’s a run for their money.

Battle of the Blends

Despite New England’s Dunkin’ addiction, Portland’s independent co ee shops outnumber chains by almost two to one. Single-source, oatmilk maple latte with a side of flannel, anyone?

Brews in Green

Order a beer and build your own mini greenhouse in a bo the aptly named on Cross Street. Owners na and Rob Sinno to hold your hand from moss placement to tering. row down a shot (it’s on the house) of bugs.

ose creepy crawlies will keep your terrarium fungus-free.

Wooll y Wo nd er

Get the inside scoop on lambing season in Wiscasset with ’s sheep-barn live stream. Craziest thing they’ve ever caught on camera? “The LambCam once captured a momma sheep delivering quadruplets,” says Megan Phillips, farm & woodlot manager. “Sixteen legs later, that’s quite a barn party!”

Your star is in full ascension with major roles in My Big Fat Greek Wedding III, Evil, and Only Murders in the Building. at’s 24-hour Martinizing!

Well, my gosh.

Let’s start with Season 2 of OnlyMurdersintheBuilding In Episode 6, you show up for a sweet on-screen reunion with your pals Martin Short and Steve Martin, two of the executive producers. By the season fnale, the screen chemistry between your character and Steve Martin’s is stealing the show.

[Innocently]: When was that exactly?

When you’re on-set streetside in New York, working a new episode of Brazzos and you help him through asking you out.

I didn’t think it was so important. I’m trying to remember…what was I wearing?

The black leather jacket? It was red.

Well, it’s all about the sparkle in your eyes.

So flming is underway for OnlyMurders Season 3?

We’re on set right now.

Romantic Comedian

A meet-cute with Andrea Martin, our hometown Armenian Idol.

INTERVIEW BY COLIN W. SARGENT

Experience Moosehead Lake aboard the historic Steamboat Katahdin, a “living museum” for our community, region, and future generations. Daily cruises, charters, weddings, and corporate events.

I’m Steve’s love interest [and not even a murderess]. We’re dating at the beginning of Season 3, and you’ll have to tune in to see what happens!

How did the role come about?

Marty [Short] and I have been family for many years. We met in the cast of Godspell in Toronto in 1971.

[Short has said, “Andrea is the aunt to my children.” Andrea’s ex-husband Bob Dolman’s late sister, actress Nancy, was Short’s wife and mother of three.”]

As in “Day by Day”?

Isang “Day by Day.” It was kind of a legendary company: Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Paul Schae er, Eugene Levy, Bob Dolman [Robert Dolman has screenwriting credits for Willow, Far and Away, and Second City Television Network (SCTV).] Marty and I have worked for many years on many di erent projects. I have great a ection for Marty. When we talk and act together, we have a “Short” hand.

rough Marty I met Steve. Steve, Marty, and I were having lunch together with the series co-creator John Ho man. Steve was saying he liked the eccentricities I show. John said he saw the chemistry. All of a sudden I was in the show.

Take us behind the scenes of OnlyMurdersintheBuilding. Usually I like to be quiet, go over my lines between scenes. But the atmosphere is very loose here. We’re looking at lines weeks before, but once we’re shooting there’s a loose-

Martin

ness to it—a joviality. Marty in particular is really social. We rehearse the scene, we go relax, we’re looking at Steve’s iPad, doing jokes with Marty. It’s not how I work, but it’s working. is show asks everybody to dig down deep. Meryl Streep’s on this year. It’s a hit with Selena [Gomez]’s 20-year-old groupies too.

Not to mention Nathan Lane. Also a close friend.

It’s interesting to see comedians cast against the grain in serious roles.

I was thinking about that two days ago when we were shooting a very serious scene. It wasn’t until later in my life that I wanted to change direction. I’m Sister Andrea in Evil on Paramount Plus as a central cast member in 2023. It’s really smart—about the supernatural, religion, psychology.

And deadly funny. “I get to play evil, not just visit it sometimes.” I’ve heard your Sister Andrea described as “like Yoda,” but with killer timing. Luckily, they imbued Sister Andrea with humor. [https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/ video/kn_Hy2Noz3a3xvN2kx2Mm_XxxSwx_ xXn/] ere are lots of dramatic moments as Sister Andrea, scenes where I’m talking about my faith.

I had a serious part in Diane [2018, with Mary Kay Place], as Bobbie. It’s a beautiful, sad movie about getting older and lost and dealing with grief.

MyBigFatGreekWedding is such a beloved franchise that Aunt Voula has entered the Parthenon of comic characters. But “what’s the opposite of that?” I’m sure you took some steps to make the character stretch or surprise in MBFGW2 What’s Aunt Voula like in MBFGW3?

Short to Portland Monthly: “She has a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame, just this year. And…the Maine Walk of Fame!”

The Admiral Peary Inn Bed & Breakfast is close to all activities in the White Mountains. We are a mile from the New Hampshire state line and only minutes from North Conway, NH. Find us at 27 Elm Street in Fryeburg, ME

I kind of have to do was what was written. John Corbett’s back, and Nia [Vardalos]. Because Michael Constantine was gone, I felt a responsibility to keep it as familiar as possible. Not stretch Aunt Voula. You always have ideas, but you have an allegiance to the story and what people love so much.

Even though you grew up in Vacationland, shooting in Corfu must have knocked your eyes out. All that blue-green water. Did you see any scorpions or tarantulas?

Tight lm schedule. ere wasn’t walking, strolling, or touring the island. We were picked up and brought to the set. But in the moments in between I’d look out and see these incredible ashes of water. Idyllic. I’ve never experienced the water like that, magical and mystical. e movie comes out in September.

Aunt Voula infuences the plot because she mediates the generation gap between Nia and Lainie Kazan’s characters. Can you talk about how Voula is positioned in the cast and

T S HO E ST OR E

why she works so well?

She does cross generations. She says, I’m young and vibrant and able to communicate. I’ve based her on an Armenian woman I knew who was a scholar at UCLA. A good soul, but domineering. Believing she had all the answers. Intergenerational. Whatever generation she’s talking to, she travels toward, connects with.

Shares confdences with. Yes! She’s used as a bridge.

I’m sorry for your loss of your brother Peter last summer [https://www.pressherald.com/2022/07/24/obituaryjohn-peter-martin/].

ank you.

I knew and liked him. We went to Ledgemere Country Day School in Cape Elizabeth at the same time, both of us profled as troublemakers. But after re-education at Ledgmere,

we walked the walk, wore the jodhpurs. I went to Ledgemere! I wore jodhpurs!

Andrea Martin, Anna Kendrick, Liv Tyler, Judd Nelson, Linda Lavin. The Portland 5? That’s a workable ensemble cast. What would you guys call the movie?

It’s a Wonderful Life Chris Fitzgerald is a really close friend of mine, too.

I guess we Portlanders imagine you all meeting semiannu-

ally and sharing notes about us at the Beverly Wilshire or the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Our ears are burning. What would the notes say?

We’d all say we owe so much to Maine.

In a recent article we spoke with Penny Fuller. She was the star of my rst paid gig as an actress—South Paci c at Kennebunkport Play-

house! I was 13.

I was a sh out of water, doing children’s theater in Portland, Maine. I didn’t know in my heart what a professional theater actress was until I met Penny Fuller. I remember the green room, sitting there with all the actors and trying to pretend I was their age. So I acted like, yeah, I just t in with this group. Little Armenian girl playing a little Polynesian girl. My

rst green room. is little provincial girl. Doing that show in Maine in Kennebunkport. I was hooked. I worked on Ram Island and did a summer there. My love for theater really began in Maine. Over the years I’ve tried to nd out where the other actors ended up. But Penny wouldn’t remember me.

She remembers you and says hi! The reason we were talking to her is, she went to a cast party for South

Pacifc at an octagonal glass house in Cape Porpoise that looked like a set design for The Sandpiper (just torn down in favor of a 21st-century replacement). When I asked her how she got her frst big break, she said she had an impromptu audition at a restaurant where she was introduced to a Broadway producer.

“Sing me something,” he said.

“You mean right now?” Penny asked.

“Right now.” So she picked “Everything Happens to Me” to show her comic edge.

So, Andrea, what would you have sung? I can do nothing from memory. Zero. I’ve done many musicals, won a couple of Tonys, but oh, God, I don’t know, the minute the show’s over, it’s out of my head. I guess I could do “No Time at All,” from Pippin. Maybe. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=e_EXns53hQw

Bayview Drive

WhitneyAvenue

I’ve left out Maine actors Phyllis Thaxter and Gary Merrill. Any contact with them?

I met Gary Merrill when I was a really young girl and we were in a bar and he had a kilt on.

Uh-oh. I remember the 1980s. In fact I met your mom. Sibyl (I was given permission to call her that) and her friend Merle Nelson [actor Judd Nelson’s mother] came to a launch party we had for PortlandMagazine. They were both charming and full of incredible energy. How much of your mom and her way of speaking flters into your characters?

I played my mom in a one-person show I wrote.

My mom was something else. I’m not as gregarious and social as my mom. All my boyfriends loved her. She loved life, died way too young. She’s embedded in all my memories. Here’s my mom:

We’re sitting at the dinner table in Maine, visiting with my mom, and Marty was there with his married sister. Mom stood up: “I

want to make a toast to Nora. I love her. I’ve loved her from the beginning. We have got to nd her a man!”

In the 1970s and 1980s, you came home to a Portland ruled, in part, by your dad, frst by partnering with Gus Barber, then by being a very senior executive with Hannaford, and fnally founding John Martin’s Merry Manor. Which sounds like the name of a business in a comedy skit, but was a big part of the local hospitality landscape. So was it possible to decompress when you came back here, or was it just more bizarre reality theater?

I love coming back. e last time I stayed at Higgins Beach. I’m coming there this fall for anksgiving. I love that time of year; we hope to make anksgiving at Higgins Beach an annual thing.

Is there a question I’ve forgotten that your old friend Jeannie Vallely, the editor at GQ, would have asked

Oh, Jeannie! I wish we still lived across the street from you at 189 Whitney Avenue!

I ran into Jeannie in New York when I was doing A Christmas Carol, just before COVID.

Here’s something Jeannie wouldn’t ask you. Are you a dog person or a cat person?

I’m even a rat person. I had a mouse when my two little boys were young.

Interesting. This explains your on-screen chemistry with the demons on Evil. Sister Andrea takes no guff from them. They’re so fascinated with her, she renders them speechless. Is there anything beyond geography that “The 5” of you have in common? Is it a dark sense of humor?

Portland doesn’t have a dark sense of humor. e common thread, I like to think, is integrity and a love for where we come from. When I was presented with the Tony for Pippin, the presenter was the up-and-coming Anna Kendrick. You can see it in the online clips from the ceremony as I run onstage. As she hands me the award, I’m whispering something into her ear. Know what I’m saying? We’re both from Portland! n

Steve Martin tells us, “You should let it out more that she’s from Portland. Everybody thinks she’s Canadian.”

G. AMES ALDRICH

AMERICAN, 1872–1941

French Girl on a Sand Dune Oil on Canvas ss. 16x20” os. 28x32”

GARDINER, MAINE, 1805–1882

PHILIP CHANDLER HOLMES

“The Sport” depicts gent who has hired two locals as hunting guide. Found in original frame by current owner Linda Bean in Vassalboro home in 1974. Artist attribution by Christopher Huntington. The Sport Oil on Canvas ss. 20x31” os. 28x39”

Guerrilla Knitting

While Meemaw’s at a pre-skydiving bong party or cooling down from a skateboarding race, here are some indoor sports for you, Gen Z.

BY GWEN THOMPSON

I’ m an avid crafter,” says Elizabeth Leino, 30, of Waldoboro. “Primarily sewing, quilting, crochet, latchhook, and embroidery, but I also enjoy crosswords, puzzles, and board games Weaving is on my bucket list.”

According to solitairebliss.com, 45 percent of Americans under 40 pursue at least one granny hobby.

“I probably have the youngest clientele of any knitting shop in the area,” says Lisa Anderson Plourd of Knitting Nook, a yarn shop and cafe in South Portland. “My

customers’ average age is 25.”

“I want to learn the whole process, from carding raw wool to spinning dyeing yarn,” says Chelsey Chambers, 28, of Durham. “Once I have space for a garden, I want to get into canning and preserving food, and I re ally want to get into woodworking some point.”

It’s probably no coincidence that granny hobbies are most popular among young adults in Vermont, Maine, and tana. “I start pulling out the knitting basket with the rst fall chill,” says So a Voltin, 34, of Harpswell.

“Some projects are de nitely seasonal,” Leino says. “I don’t nd myself crocheting when it’s hot out, because you get too sweaty being all covered in blankets.”

NECESSITY, THE GRANDMOTHER OF RELAXATION

My family is full of cra y people and all sorts of handy folks,” Leino says. “Between the two of them, my parents can make or x almost anything, and they came from people who could do the same. I’m lucky enough to be able to do these granny hobbies for fun instead of out of necessity.”

As “the whole self-sustainability movement has continued to expand, a result of that is people exploring granny hobbies,”

teen, to seek out alternative clothing and styles to express myself. e quality and charm of old stu is unique to old stu .”

Chambers says. “If I want something to hold spices, and store-bought racks don’t t my needs, I can create something of my own that does.”

If it doesn’t, that’s just part of the process. “Knitting’s my favorite thing to do before bed to unwind at the end of the day,” says Voltin, a real-estate agent. “ e rst sweater I knit is a hideous sack, but I love the second and wear it to work.”

The Hat Whisperer

Maine Medical Center and Stephens Memorial Hospital

anesthesiologist Angus Christie started knitting in high school and never looked back. "The boys on the ski team were supposed to go running with the head coach while the girls were supposed to knit hats, and as a penalty for saying something that would now be considered politically incorrect, I was told to go knit hats with the girls. I was the only boy in a room full of teenage girls, so it was a win-win for me."

Now, "I have bags of knitting in all of the cars, so if I have to pick up one of the kids and it's an hour wait, I just sit in the parking lot and knit. Two of my three sons knit, and one made a blanket for me using PVC pipe as knitting needles with yarn as thick as your wrist. It looks like a big rope you'd tie up a yacht with, but it's wool."

At the start of the pandemic, "someone gave me a book thinking I was a quilter, so I started quilting in May of 2020 and have made 25-30 quilts. Knitting and quilting are both very mathemat -

YARN WITH A TWIST “

e next generation of knitters is very concerned about sustainability and the environment,” says Anderson Plourd, “so a lot of them get sweaters from Good Will and unravel them for yarn.”

Isn’t that bad for business? “I don’t just rely on yarn sales. I have a café as well. Nowadays you need multiple income streams to survive as a small business, and I have three:

ical to me, so they just make sense. I usually follow a pattern, but sometimes I'll see a picture in a magazine and I can figure out how to re-create it. Or I've had nurses bring in hats that have been chewed by their dogs, and I can fix them. I'll unravel a few rows to the point where everything's normal, pick up the stitches, and close it back up again, much like surgeons do with the good tissue surrounding a wound."

Next knitting project? "A bunch of mini Christmas stockings 3–4 inches tall to decorate Maine Med next year."

wick, has been “acquiring vintage things from thri shops since I was a

Ben Baxley

FROM TOP: STAFF; BEN BAXLEY; COURTESY OF ANGUS CHRISTIE

yarn/knitting supplies, food, and alcohol each contribute a third of my revenue.

"I host wine and yarn ‘tastings’ where I pair wines from di erent countries with yarns from those countries, like malbec with alpaca from Chile. I sell cashmere, silk, angora, mohair, and camel yarns from all over the world."

GRANNY ON THE GO

When I started traveling for work, I found that crochet was a perfect way to pass the time on cross-country ights,” says Leino, an accountant and HR administrator. “ ough some projects are more portable than others. It’s a lot harder to bring a quilt with you than it is to pack a pair of half- nished mittens.”

“I take my knitting with me everywhere,” says Chambers. “Even camping and hanging around the re.” But like 80 per-

Chelsey Chambers

cent of granny-hobby enthusiasts, “I prefer a night in to a night out these days. I’m always in bed by 10 p.m.—usually 9 p.m., to be honest—and I love getting up early.”

Leino describes herself as “a homebody” and Voltin, a member of multiple book clubs, loves “reading with a full a ernoon tea complete with shortbread and nger sandwiches.”

But “I don’t think my wardrobe or decor re ects anything granny,” Chambers says. “I’ve been inspired to make one quilt by seeing more modern-looking designs that are still handmade.”

And in Leino’s home, “ ere are no doilies on the co ee table, if that’s what you mean.”

I'M MY OWN GRANDPA Granny hobbies nowadays are more gender neutral. “I really love

Creating digital work is fun, but doesn’t feel the same as physical creations.

Chelsey Chambers

TOP: ADOBESTOCK; CHELSEY CHAMBERS; PIXABAY.

cars,” says Chambers, “so being able to work on them self-taught makes me feel empowered and capable, regardless of my gender.”

“It's a big misnomer that men don’t knit,” says Anderson Plourd. “I get a ton of men coming in. Knitting’s big with the medical community—it’s all about stress relief. A lot of nurses who come in were

taught by other nurses between shi s. e head of anesthesiology at Maine Medical Center—who’s a man—is a big knitter.”

GRANNY GOES VIRAL

There have always been people pursuing these hobbies, but in recent years a huge amount of content on YouTube and TikTok has been dedicated to them, and Pinterest is a bastion of granny cra ers,” Leino says. “People can now learn, meet new friends, and share their hobbies with a huge online community.” Yet “these kinds of hobbies are very unplugged,

PASSIONS

which is a nice contrast to working on a computer or watching TV to unwind.”

“As a person whose memory of a pre-internet age is admittedly fuzzy, I think we crave things that are tangible, tactile alternatives to the eeting aspects of our digitally dominated culture,” says Baxley, a restaurant worker who goes antiquing (Maine’s most popular granny hobby) weekly, at least. “We as a species evolved with cra , not crypto mining, a er all, so it can help satisfy a deep need.”

“I’m a digital marketer by day who spends all her time in front of a computer,” Chambers says. “Creating digital work is fun, but doesn’t feel the same as physical creations that I spent hours on. I love telling someone, ‘Yes, I made that!’” n

SHERMAN S

MAINE COAST BOOK SHOPS

Maine’s Oldest Bookstore

Freeport  Damariscotta

Bar Harbor  Boothbay Harbor

Windham  Portland’s Old Port Rockland  Topsham  Falmouth shermans.com

We as a species evolved with craft, not crypto mining. Ben Baxley

FROM LEFT: COTTONBRO STUDIO; LISA ANDERSON PLOURDE

All Aboard!

Upta Camp

Where do dreamers go when they come to Maine? Everywhere. But especially here. Amd it could be yours now.

BY COLIN W. SARGENT

up one ursday morning and scroll through the fresh real estate listings as you have every week for the last year. Suddenly you stumble into a Shangri La so alluring you get the feeling you’ve just fallen into somebody else’s dream. Not just one person’s or one generation’s dream, but a serial dream.

e old Parisian game the Exquisite Corpse comes to mind. is wilderness story is, and will be, re ned and de ned not by every teller but with every owner.

Sandy Lamontagne isn’t the rst visionary to take on Tea Pond Camps. She senses that this is the time to put the entire retreat for sale, but something about the spectacular presentation whispers that’s she’s not parting with it lightly.

“ e core of this rustic collection of cabins was built in 1920 [when private sporting camps were all the rage],” she says.

“We used to be called Tea Pond Camps. We’re o the grid, twenty minutes north of Sugarloaf, two hours northwest of Lewiston, 45 minutes from Woburn, Canada.”

A TENDER TRAP

Louis K. Liggett, founder of Rexall Drugs in Boston in 1903, was a dreamer on a large scale. His Rexall Train (established in 1936) was a mobile convention, a world’s fair on

30+ Handcrafted Amish Swings

Rental Unit

Free Dog Wash

Antique Farm Equipment Including Tractors

Chainsaw Carvings by Tim Pickett

Just Minutes Away! Edwina and Rodney Park Managers

Visiting After Attending 2022 International Rally Fryeburg Fair

wheels that chugged across the U.S. and Canada to introduce the Rexall line of drugs and sundries to small towns. His massive Boston headquarters was where Northeastern University is today. He could have chosen anywhere as his rustic retreat, but the whistle-stop that bewitched him was right here in Eustis, Maine.

“Liggett used to live here,” Lamontagne says, “Each cabin was occupied by family members.”

Shades of Succession. When you’re in favor, do you get the upgrade to the more spacious model?

FOLLOWING ACTS

“Ed Bear, one of the inventors of the dialysis machine,” also fell under the spell of the beauty here. To stake their shared dream, “He and his wife, Shelley, sold their rights to the invention and bought this place.”

e next dreamer is “Clif George, a philanthropist, who died [in 2010]. His ex-girlfriend sent me her recollection of his-

tory [which dates one of the cabins to 1894].”

Which brings us all the way to Sandra “Yes,” Lamontagne says. “All the way down to me. If you build it they will come. And I have been able to build a very successful wedding and family-reunion venue here.”

Why here and nowhere else, beyond the once-in-a-lifetime accommodations?

“ e kayaking is so pristine. It’s a glacial pond. You look down and see the glacial ledge.”

A further advantage: “the loons at night. My now ex-partner and I bought it together in 2015, in the spring.”

We all know the haunting sound of

loons that loops through the darkness. It cuts to the heart.

“We built the lodge over the next year and opened the restaurant in April 2016.”

LEAP OF FAITH

What’s your background?

Real-estate, contracting, and property management. I’ve given up everything for this place. e only restaurant training I’ve had is as a waitress at age 19. Craig (from upstate New York) and I dreamed of working together on something where we could slow our lives down. We obviously didn’t get that one. Life didn’t slow down. We are no longer together. He’s moved back to New York. I’ve been running it for the

last year alone.”

Is there a bridge here that connects rustic Maine with contemporary Maine?

“I had this image in my head for the inside of the lodge,” with its cathedral ceiling, an almost musical post-and-beam con guration. “I wanted to do the interior

with recovered barn sheathing. So I bought a barn in Jackman.”

You bought a barn.

“Paid a contractor to take it down. My son went there to load up the pieces. He called me on the phone:

“‘I can’t pick this up,’ he said.

“‘It’s rotten. It’s mush.’

“Bring it to me.”

“‘Mom. I can’t bring this to you. ere isn’t anything here!’

“When it was up, he li ed his head and smiled. ‘It’s so beautiful, I can’t believe it. Mom, this barnboard. is is just amazing. I just didn’t see this.”

A long silence. “I’ve loved this project.”

BUSINESS IS PERSONAL

Lamontagne’s spectacular new lodge ties the whole dream together. It really is a wonder—which must have made it a more crushing blow when her partner dropped out of the project.

Between events, when no guests are around, when you step into the lodge, what music is ringing and vibrating through the timbers?

“I’m an avid country music fan.”

Like Porter Wagoner and the Wagoneers?

“More modern than that! We’ll do the country bold. e Willie Nelson. I’ve always had SiriusXM. We play e Highway.” is wilderness retreat is 90 acres. Choose any music you like. Who’s going to complain—the wild creatures?

Now that the 2023 season is under -

way, what’s your favorite wedding celebration at this rustic retreat that you’ve hosted so far?

“It was on October 4 of last year. We draped the pavilion. It was a very rustic-chic wedding. We had a canoe hanging from the ceiling of the pavilion. We had reworks.”

Did you need a permit?

“We don’t need a permit. We’re in unorganized territory.”

[I’m trying to imagine. She sounds most organized to me.]

MARK TRAIL

What wildlife have you seen up here?

“ e rst year we were open for snowmobile season. We saw moose, owls, rabbits, deer, bobcat, lynx, black bear, fox, and coyote.” Lovely tracks were everywhere. “We’re a snowmobile destination. We earn half of our annual revenue January through March, open six days a week.”

BREAK IT DOWN

What strikes us about this listing is in some forums it’s called “single family.” It’s extraordinary how dear this place is to you. How have you described it?

“I wrote it with a friend. ‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the ultimate sporting retreat. Eight living quarters, which includes six log cabins overlooking a pristine 90 acres, 115-foot-deep pond loaded with brook trout and salmon. Potential for multiple ownership.’”

Where do dreamers gather when they come to Maine?

Everywhere. But especially here. is legendary retreat is a steal at $899,999. n

permit. We’re in OUT THERE

unorganized territory.

“Craig owns a concrete construction company. More and more he was gone, and I was the on-site person. But this place—I realize it now. It’s de nitely something that came from my heart. I was the designer, contractor, general manager, wedding coordinator—it’s all me. I love bringing events to life. It’s a high.”

IT’S TIME TO GET AWAY!

From Off-Season rates starting at just $89 per night, to peak Summer rates starting at just $259, there’s something for everyone at The Anchorage. 2-Night Stay and Dine Packages also available.*

For casual but cool dining anytime, try our seaside Sun & Surf! On the beach across from The Anchorage Inn. 207.363.2961

Over 200 rooms & suites, 2 indoor & 2 outdoor (in season) pools, oceanfront dining, and more, just 45 minutes from Portland and one hour from Boston.

What’s New?

OK, Maine, you're at the top of all the tourists’ lists, but what have you done lately?

BY KASANDRA JOY GROVER

SPICE IT UP

Brunswick, brace yourself! A new Margaritas Mexican Restaurant will open its doors at Merrymeeting Plaza this summer, bringing the regional chain full-circle to another “young, college-kid town.” Since debuting in Orono in 1986, Margaritas has established four more locations in Maine, along with een others across New England. “ is expansion has been planned

for some time, because Brunswick has always been on our radar,” says CEO Bob Ray. “We’re excited to o er delicious food for low prices, including classic tacos, enchiladas, margaritas, and other favorites.”

HEART OF THE WEST END

ere’ll be a new kid on the block this summer, when the Longfellow Hotel opens at 754 Congress Street with 48 rooms and a mind-and-body wellness spa. “ e interiors will blend contemporary elements with traditional accents such as moldings, ceiling medallions, and wideplank, hardwood oors,” says co-found-

er Anthony James DeWitt. Named a er the Greek virgin goddess Astraea , the spa will feature infrared saunas, halotherapy, rain showers, zero-gravity meditation

FROM TOP: MICHAEL FARLEY; LEONARDO R. MERLOS

loungers, and VOYA products inspired by the ancient Irish tradition of seaweed bathing.

NEW GROWTH

A75- oor vertical farm is sprouting up in downtown Westbrook, as exterior con-

struction wraps up before “installing irrigation equipment and growth systems, as well as beginning the hiring process,” says Ally Gilman of Vertical Harvest, “Our farm’s focus is on food accessibility, eco-

sivity, and climate resiliency. We aim to sell locally rst and partner with the local foodbank system to help get more fresh produce to low-income and low-access parts of the community.” Vertical farms use less water overall than open- eld growing and help preserve arable land. “Once we open, we’ll be growing microgreens, baby greens, and head lettuce. Our speci c varieties and blends are still being determined.”

NEW OPERATIONS

Maine Medical Center’s $588.9 million expansion is already well underway. “Modern

surgery requires much more space in operating rooms,” says Dr. Joel Botler, Chief Medical O cer. “ e construction of the new Malone Family Tower will consolidate cardiac and vascular services in one building.”

AHOY THERE

The sight of these majestic vessels sailing together will be a spectacle not to be missed,” says Sail Portsmouth Chair Phil Von Hemert. “ ey start at the mouth of the river and sail to the Memorial Bridge. From there, it’s a tradition for a few vessels to make their way to our northern neighbor, Portland.”

Five tall ships, including Denis Sullivan, Lynx, NAO Trinidad, and Ernestina-Morrissey, along with the Gundalow, will lead the July 27th Parade of Sail and Flotilla of civilian and commercial shing boats, plus military and municipal cra . Helm’s a-lee, and see you there! n

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Brewery and distillery tours have had their moment in the sun. Now the smoke thickens with cannabis walking tours sprouting up next to the many beer tours advertised on Wharf Street in the Old Port, as Portland joins cannabis-friendly cities like Denver and Seattle in embracing THC tourism.

PUFF, PUFF, PORTLAND

Li ing o with a co ee from Higher Grounds (drop of CBD optional), “Cannabis Curious: An Introductory Walk” from Maine Day Ventures escorts you through locally owned dispensaries, cannabis vendors, and glassware galleries to explore the many delights of “CBD, ower, concentrates, tinctures, lemonades, oils, and edibles” on o er at these Portland hot spots. “Although we can’t legally provide cannabis during the tour, people are able to purchase as much as they’d like,” says owner Pamela Laskey.

Walk the Walk

Some cannabis connoisseurs prefer to travel on foot.

BY KEEVA JACQUES

If you have any questions, “the mid-route lunch is a perfect time to spark up conversation.” We typically stop at Gritty’s Pub on Fore Street a er popping into Fire on Fore—a lobster roll and cra beer make the perfect pit stop.”

Pam encourages curiosity on an introductory tour, . “We want this to be as educational as possible.”

“Our tours are purposefully small, so people feel comfortable asking whatever pops up. Since every person is on their own health journey and is seeking something di erent from cannabis, questions are incredibly helpful when leading the tour,” says guide Dana Robinson, Certi ed in Cannabis erapeutics and Registered Nurse Practitioner.

All questions are welcome here, no matter how weird.

-Pamela Laskey

TAKING IT LOW & SLOW

Just down the street, you’ll nd the cannabis tours o ered by Portland Greenwalks. Starting and ending at Portland Greenhouse, you’ll be “led by cannabis educators and expert budtenders.”

While “enjoying expert local knowledge,” this 1.5 mile expedition provides an “insider tour” of the world of all things cannabis, including industry, art, retail, and culinary. “Whether you're a connoisseur or a newcomer to cannabis, this tour will help you discover why Maine is on the map when it comes to cannabis,” says owner John Kreis.

“Starting at OMG (Organically Maine Grown) Cannabis Co. on India Street, we discuss the history of cannabis, its bene ts on the body, and each store's unique specialties. We have a very medicinal approach,” says Kreis. “We want this tour to highlight education. Every person has di erent perspectives, stigmas, and questions, so this is our way of providing an in-depth education

to level the playing eld.

"A er shopping, we love to ask the tours where they’d like to stop for a quick munchie. e Holy Donut is always a good option.”

Kreis and his store’s budtender, Scott Ostrowski, will be among your personal guides. Ostrowski is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Cannabis Science and

Operations, accompanying Kreis’ many years of cannabis experience. You could say they know a thing or two. n

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Theater

Belfast Maskers, 17 Court St. Wonder of the World, May 25–Jun. 4; Big Fish, Jul. 27–Aug. 6. 619-3256.

Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. Summer Camp & Show, Jul. 10–15. 236-7963.

Carousel Music Theater, 196 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. Boogie Down, Jul. 7–Aug. 2; Liberty Belles, Aug. 8–30. 633-5297.

Celebration Barn Theater, 190 Stock Farm Rd., South Paris. Tony Montanaro: A Love Story, Jun. 3 & Sept. 9; Magical Exploding Mime, Jun. 17; Preposterous! A Happenstance Clown Circus, Jul. 8; Enter the Fish Tank, feat. Shane Miclon & Steve Corning, Jul. 15; Screwball! by Beau Jest, Jul. 22; Celebration Barn Jamboree, Aug. 25–26. 743-8452. Center Theatre, 20 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Honk! Jr., May 12–14 & 19–21; National Theater Live: May 12–15. 564-8943.

Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. Rumors by Neil Simon, Jun. 16–25. 442-8455. City Theater, 205 Main St., Biddeford. Exit Laughing, May. 12–28; Sweet Charity, Jul. 16–Aug. 6. 282-0849. Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Rd., Orono. NT Live Broadcast: Othello, May 25; NT Live Broadcast: The Crucible, Jun. 9. 581-1755.

Community Little Theatre, 30 Academy St., Auburn. Picasso at Lapin Agile, Jun. 15–18 & 23–26; Matilda Jr., Jul. 14–16; Mean Girls Jr., Jul. 14–16; Little Mermaid, Aug. 10–13 & 17–20. 783-0958.

Deertrees Theatre, 156 Deertrees Rd., Harrison. Almost Maine: A Real Romantic Comedy, Jul. 7–8 & 21–23; An Evening at Dave’s Sauna, Aug. 4; Kippy–Pray for the Dead and Fight Like Hell for the Living!, Sept. 1; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Sept. 8–9. 583-6747.

Denmark Arts Center, 50 W Main St., Denmark. Musical Theater Camp with Mary Bastoni, July 24–28. 452-2412.

Footlights Theatre, 190 US-1, Falmouth. How Rude! The Musical, through May 6; RBG: One Step at a Time, Jun. 5–6. 747-5434.

Grand Theater, 165 Main St., Ellsworth. Summer Intensive: Honk!, Jun. 26–Jul. 15. 667-9500.

Hackmatack Playhouse, 539 School St., Berwick. Tick, Tick… Boom!, Jul. 6–15; Mark Twain’s Folly, Jul. 20–29; Godspell, Aug. 3–19. 698-1807.

Heartwood Regional Theater Company, 81 Academy Hill Rd., Newcastle. Talley’s Folly, May 4–6; Scapino, Jun. 26–Jul. 15. 563-1373.

Lakewood Theater, 76 Theater Rd., Madison. Final Appearance, May 25–Jun. 3; The Outsider, Jun. 8–17; The Kooshog Lake Hollis McCauly Fishing Derby, Jun. 22–Jul. 1; Half Time Gotta Dance, Jul. 6–15; Hope and Gravity, Jul. 20–29; Catch Me If You Can, Aug. 3–12; Leading Ladies, Aug. 17–26; Anatomies, Aug. 31–Sept. 9. 474-7176.

Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. LCCT

Presents: Cinderella, May 5–7; NT Live: Othello, Jun. 8–9; NT Live: Good, Jul. 6–7. 563-3424.

Lyric Music Theater, 176 Sawyer St., South Portland. Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Jun. 2–18. 799-1421.

Maine Film Center, 93 Main St., Waterville. National Theatre Live: King Lear, Jun. 10; National Theatre Live: Good, Jun, 24; National Theatre Live: Best of Enemies, Aug. 5; National Theatre Live: Fleabag, Sept. 1. 873-7000.

Maine State Music Theatre, 1 Bath Rd., Brunswick. Titanic, Jun. 7–24; Rapunzel, Jun. 12; Buddy: The Buddy

RENDEZVOUS

Holly Story, Jun. 28–Jul. 15; 9 to 5, Jul. 19–Aug. 5; 3 Little Pigs, Jul. 24; Something Rotten, Aug. 9–26; Alice In Wonderland, Aug. 21. 842-0800.

Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St. King Friday’s Dungeon

Puppet Slam, May 12–13. 879-4629.

Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main St. Beautiful: The Carole

King Musical, May 11–Jun. 10; Singin’ in the Rain, Jun. 15–Jul. 15; Disney’s Finding Nemo, Jul. 1–2 & 8–9; On Your Feet!, Jul. 20–Aug. 19; Disney’s Descendants, Jul. 29–30; SpongeBob Musical, Aug. 5–6 & 12–13; The Da Vinci Code, Aug. 24–Sept. 23. 646-5511.

Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. The Christmas Bride in Concert presented by Snowlion Repertory Company, Jul. 11. 633-5159.

Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. Ironbound, May 4–21; Mary Poppins, Jun.

15–Jul. 16; The SpongeBob Musical, Jul. 21–23; The Little Prince, Aug. 18–20. 942-3333.

Portland Players Theater, 420 Cottage Rd., South

Portland. The Full Monty, May 19–Jun. 4; Spamalot, Sept.

15–Oct. 1. 799-7337.

Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., Lewiston. Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, May 20–21. 782-3200.

Saco River Theater, 29 Salmon Falls Rd., Buxton. The Originals Present Dial “M” For Murder, Jul. 21–29. 929-6473. St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St. Enter the Fishtank, Jun. 2; Period. The End?, Jun. 14; Portland Theater Festival, Jul. 13–Sept. 3. 775-5568.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. NT Live: The Crucible, May 18; Broken Box Mime Theater presents Outside Voices, Jun. 10–11; NT Live: Best of Enemies, Jun.

15; NT Live: Othello, Jul. 13; The Encounter: Rockland, Aug.

4–5; NT Live: Good, Aug. 17. 594-0070.

Theater at Monmouth, Cumston Hall, 796 Main St.

The Story of My Life, Jul. 1–Aug. 12; Tall Tales Twice Told, Jul. 8–Aug. 11; An Iliad, Jul. 8–Aug. 13; Richard II, Jul. 13–Aug. 11; The Importance of Being Earnest, Jul. 20–Aug. 9; As You Like It, Jul. 27–Aug. 13; H.M.S. Pinafore, Sept. 14–24. 933-9999.

Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St. School Show: The Ugly Duckling, May 9; Rock of Ages, Jun. 16–25; Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, Sept. 1–10. 873-7000.

Dance

Belfast Flying Shoes, First Church in Belfast UCC Fellowship Hall, 8 Court St., Belfast. Flying Shoes on First Fridays, May 5 & Jun. 2. 338-0979.

Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. Grit & Grace VI: Lifting You, May 12–14; DanceMaineia recitals, May 20–21. 236-7963.

Celebration Barn Theater, 190 Stock Farm Rd., South Paris. Cold, Cold Night Burlesque with Ragtime Rebellion, Jun. 10. 743-8452.

Center Theatre, 20 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. DJ R3LOAD Dance Party, May 13. 564-8943.

Denmark Arts Center, 50 W Main St., Denmark. Hoop Dance Camp, July 12–14. 452-2412.

Portland School of Ballet, Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater St. Year End Showcase, May 13. 857-3860. St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St. Karen with a “K”, May 19. 775-5568.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. âs nupumukâunean (We Still Dance), May 20. 594-0070.

RENDEZVOUS Music

Aura, 121 Center St. Andrew McMahon, May 14; The Front Bottoms, May 19; Power of Love, May 26; Priscilla Block, May 27; Celebrating Billy Joel, Jun. 2; Badflower, Jun. 3; Morgan Myles, Jun. 17; Kashmir, Jun. 22; GZA, Jun. 23; Trawl, Jun. 30; grandson, Jul. 9; 2000 Pop, Jul. 13; Reverend Horton Heat, Jul. 14; The Struts, Jul. 19. 772-8274.

Bach Virtuosi Festival, St. Luke’s Cathedral, 143 State St., Portland, June 20–27. 415-4260.

Blue, 650A Congress St. Manuel, May 26; Misery Whip & Co., Jun. 16; Bess Jacques & The Strays, Jun. 6; John Funkhouser Quartet, Jun. 30; Jazz sesh, every Wed. 774-4111. Cadenza, 5 Depot St., Freeport. Kendall Dean, May 12 & Sept. 30; Tough End String Band, May 13; Castlebay, May 19; North Sea Gas, May 20; Unfinished Blues Band, May 26; Southside Blues, May 27 & Sept. 23; Pat Colwell & The Soul Sensations, Jun. 2 & Sept. 16; The High Road, Jun. 17; The Jerry Barry/Jason St. Pierre Jazz Group, Jun. 30 & Sept. 29; Onward, Jul. 8. 560-5300.

Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. Jazz in June: Grace Kelly & Staci Griesbach, Jun. 16; Jazz in June: Bill Frisell, Jun. 17; The Blue Café: Hymn for Her, Jun. 23; Frontiers, Sept. 1. 236-7963.

Camden Opera House, Camden Snow Bowl, 20 Barnestown Rd. Summer Sounds: The Right Track, Aug. 6; Summer Sounds: Primo Cubano, Aug. 13; Summer Sounds: The Gawler Family Band, Aug. 20; Summer Sounds: The Hot Suppers, Aug. 27. 236-7963.

Center Theatre, 20 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Erica Brown and the Bluegrass Connection, May 26; Bert Elvis, Aug. 16. 564-8943.

Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington St., Bath. YellowHouse Blues Band, May 13; KindKids Music & Movement Class, May 18, & 25; 12/OC Band, May 19; Studio Two, Jun. 2; Erica Brown & The Bluegrass Connection, Jun. 11. 442-8455.

Collins Center for the Arts, 2 Flagstaff Rd., Orono. The MET Live in HD: Champion, May 21; The MET Live in HD: Die Zauberflöte, Jun. 3; The MET Live in HD: Don Giovanni, Jun. 10. 581-1755.

Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Sq. Pierce The Veil & The Used, Jun. 10; Yellowcard, Aug. 18; Mastodon & Gojira, Aug. 19; The Postal Service & Death Cab for Cutie, Sept. 8. 791-2200.

Deertrees Theatre, 156 Deertrees Rd., Harrison. Magic bus, Jun. 30; Tipping Points: The Halcyon Quartet, Jul. 9; SebagoLong Lake Musical Festival, Jul. 11–Aug. 8; Family & Movie Musical Songs, Jul. 13; Camp Encore Coda’s Faculty Ensemble Concert, Jul. 17; Phil ‘n the Blanks, Jul. 27; Piano Men: The Music of Elton and Billy, Jul. 29; Midnight Breakfast, Aug. 12; 3 Day Funk, Aug. 17; Susie Pepper Sings Carole King and Bonnie Raitt, Aug. 18; Yesterday Once More, Aug. 14; A Tribute to Jeff Buckley with Sami Sabbagh, Aug. 31. 583-6747.

Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Fab Film Music, Jul. 15; Paul Jacobs Plays the Kotzschmar Organ: A John Weaver Memorial Concert, Aug. 18. 553-4363.

Grand Theater, 165 Main St., Ellsworth. MET LIVE: Don Giovanni, May 20; MET LIVE: Die Zauberflöte, Jun.3. 667-9500.

Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Tret Fret, May 12; Tom Rush with Matt Nakoa, May 13; Leah Marlene,

May 18; Jennifer Porter, May 19; The Peacheaters, May 20; Karla Bonoff, May 21; Suede with Fred Boyle & Rich Hill, May 27; Ryan B. Herbert, Jun. 4; Moondance, Jun. 16; Elvis Tribute Show, Jun. 17; Runnin’ Down a Dream, Jun. 25; Once an Outlaw with Jon Butcher, Jun. 30; The Elton John Experience, Jul. 2; Johnny Cash Tribute Show, Jul. 7; Eliot Lewis, Jul. 15; Kate Taylor, Jul. 21; The Young Dubliners, Jul. 22; Jonathan Edwards, Jul. 28; Morgan James, Aug. 13; Studio Two: The Early Beatles Tribute, Aug. 17; Jon Pousette-Dart, Aug. 25; Tristan McIntosh, Sept. 3; Judy Collins, Sept. 7; The Shadow Riders, Sept. 8; The Patsy Cline Tribute Show, Sept. 23. 646-4777.

Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. The Met Live in HD: Champion, May 13; The Met Live in HD: Don Giovanni (Mozart), May 20; 2023 Fish Ladder Concert: Adam Ezra Group, May 28: The Met Live in HD: Die Zauberflöte (Mozart), Jun. 3. 563-3424.

Maine Film Center, 93 Main St., Waterville. Met Opera Encore: Champion, May 13; Met Opera Encore: Don Giovanni, Jun. 3; Met Opera Encore: Die Zauberflöte, Jun. 17. 873-7000.

Maine Savings Amphitheater, 1 Railroad St., Bangor. Lee Brice & Cole Swindell, May 28; Dave Matthews Band, Jun. 16; Kane Brown, Jun. 22; James Taylor, Jun. 27; Weezer, Jun. 30; Fourth of July Concert: Chords for Cure XXVI, Jul. 4; Tedeschi Trucks Band, Jul. 5; Chris Stapleton, Jul. 7; Big Time Rush, Jul. 11; Kidz Bop, Jul. 22; Godsmack & Straind, Jul. 25; Santana, Aug. 2; Jelly Roll, Aug. 5; Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Aug. 6; The Chicks, Aug. 13; The Lumineers, Aug. 16; Train, Aug. 18; Nickelback, Aug. 24; Hank Williams Jr., Aug. 25; Pantera, Sept. 7; Goo Goo Dolls, Sept. 29. 358-9327.

Maine State Music Theatre, 1 Bath Rd., Brunswick. Karen as Dolly, Jun. 18–19; Imagine: The Beatles the Solo Years, Jul. 9–10; King in Concert: Victor Trevino as Elvis, Jul. 30–31. 842-0800.

Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. The Temptations & The Four Tops, May 18; Rossini’s La Cenerentola, Jul. 27 & 30. 842-0800.

Mystic Theater, 49 Franklin St., Rumford. Dueling Pianos, Jul. 21. 369-0129.

One Longfellow Square, 181 State St. Antje Duvekot, May 12; Garnet Rogers, May 18; Sara Hallie Richardson & Amarantos Quartet, May 19; Joe Henry, May 20; The Portland Jazz Orchestra, May 25, Jul. 20; Aug. 17; & Sept. 21; GoldenOak with Dead Gowns (May 26) & Louisa Stancoiff (May 27); Elsie & Ethan, Jun. 1; Never Come Down & Grain Thief, Jun. 2; Jacob Jolliff Band, Jun. 3; Tarbox Ramblers, Jun. 4; Leo Kottke, Jun. 5–6; Jorma Kaukonen, Jun. 24; Eilen Jewell, Jul. 2; Hiss Golden Messenger, Jul. 22–23. 761-1757. Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. Andrew Duhon, May 12; Karla Bonoff, May 20; The Clements Brothers, May 26; The Hot Sardines, Jun. 3; Gaelic Storm, Jun. 9; Vance Gilbert, Jun. 10; Rum Ragged, Jun. 16; Oshima Brothers, Jun. 30; Once and Outlaw, Jul. 2; Kruger Brothers, Jul. 6; Livingston Taylor, Jul. 7; Windborne, Jul. 13; The Faux Paws, Jul. 14; The Sweet Remains, Jul. 21; Bela Fleck, Aug. 3; Cecilia, Aug. 12; Alasadair Fraser & Natalie Haas, Aug. 17; Emmet Cahill & Emmett O’Hanlon, Aug. 18; Novel Jazz Septet, Aug. 19; Jon Pousette-Dart Duo, Aug. 26; Seth Glier, Sept. 2; Don Campbell Band, Sept. 16. 633-5159. Portland Conservatory of Music, 28 Neal St. Noonday Concert Series: Guts Baroque Ensemble, May 18. 775-3356.

Portland Chamber Music Festival, Hannaford Hall,

July

July

August

August

88 Bedford St. Annual Benefit, Jun. 4; Program I: First Impressions, Aug. 10; Program II: Summer Dreams, Aug. 12; Program III: The Kreutzer Connection, Aug. 17; Program IV: Grand Finale, Aug. 19. 320-0257.

Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St. Weird Phishes, May 12; Runnin’ Down A Dream, May 13; The Rock and Roll Playhouse, May 14 & Jun. 18; Genevieve Stokes, May 14; SYML, May 19; Zach Nugent & Dead Set, May 20; Holy Smoke with Division North, Nervous Eaters, and Nothing Ventured, May 26; W.I.T.C.H. with Death Valley Girls & Abraxas, Jun. 9; Eggy, Jun. 10; Mo Lowda & The Humble, Jun. 23; Sloan, Jun. 30; Easy Honey, Jul. 22; The Nude Party, Sept. 26. 805-0134.

Portland Symphony Orchestra, Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Peter and the Wolf, May 14. 842-0800.

Portland Symphony Orchestra, Seaside Pavilion, 8 6th St., Old Orchard Beach. Summer Concert Series: Classic Rock Orchestra, Jun. 24; Summer Concert Series: A Stars & Stripes Celebration, Jul. 1; Summer Concert Series: The Music of Harry Potter, Jul. 8. 842-0800. Saco River Theater, 29 Salmon Falls Rd., Buxton. The Blues on Sunday Quartet, May 14; Hiroya, May 21; Duke Robillard, Jun. 2. 929-6473.

Seaside Pavilion, 8 6th St., Old Orchard Beach. Motor Booty Affair & Operation Red Shield, Jun. 3; Brandon Heath, Jun. 16; Joe Boucher, Jun. 27; 195th National Guard Army Band, Jul. 4; The Neil Diamond Experience Starring Robert Neary, Jul. 14; Deep Blue C Studio Orchestra, Jul. 18; The Diamonds, Aug. 8; Top of the World, Aug. 15. 934-2024. State Theatre, 609 Congress St. Pink Talking Fish, May 13; Beartooth & Trivium, May 14; Citizen Cope, May 19; City and Colour, May 20; The Gaslight Anthem, May 23; Umphrey’s McGee, Jun. 4; Milky Chance, Jun. 6; The Wood Brothers, Jun. 7; The Moth Mainstage, Jun. 8; All Time Low, Jun. 11; Mike Gordon, Jun. 15; Gimme Gimme Disco, Jun. 16; Best Night Ever: Taylor’s Version, Jun. 17; Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, Jun. 28; Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Jun. 30; black midi, Jul. 7; Declan McKenna, Jul. 17; Goth Babe with Bay Ledges, Aug. 8; Guster On The Ocean (Night 1), Aug. 11; Mary Chapin Carpenter, Aug. 19; Skid Row and Buckcherry, Sept. 12; Pat Metheny, Sept. 16; Sammy Rae & The Friends, Sept. 20; Lady Lamb, Sept. 23; Clannad, Sept. 24. 956-6000.

St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St. An Evening of Maine

fingerpicking Guitar with Denny Breau, Sean Mencher, Peter Albert, and Hugh Bowden, May 14; Eric Andersen, Jun. 4; Shawan Rice, Jun. 7; Barney Martin Performs the Songs of James Taylor, Jun. 15; Blue Prophets, Jun. 16; Peter Gallway and The Real Band, Jun. 17; Magic 8 Ball Summer Solstice Concert, Jun. 18; Half Moon Jug Band, Jun. 23; The Hyperion Trumpet Ensemble, Jun. 25. 775-5568.

Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Joe Henry, May 13; Keb’ Mo’, May 18; Kevin Barry, Conssuelo Candelaria, and Carol Noonan, May 19; The Rough & Tumble, May 20; Natalie MacMAster and Donnell Leahy Family Band, May 25–26; Ward Hayden & the Outliers, May 27; Matt Nakoa, Jun. 2; Danielle Nicole, Jun. 3; Gaelic Storm, Jun. 8; Walsh, Jordan, and Wilson, Jun. 9; Bill Frisell Trio, Jun. 16; The Quebe Sisters, Jun. 24; Erica Brown & the Bluegrass Connection, Jul. 7; Bill Kirchen Band, Jul. 8; Shawn Mullins, Jul. 13; Susan Werner, Jul. 14; Martha Spencer & The Wonderland Country Band, Jul. 21; Lori McKenna, Jul. 28; Mary Chapin Carpenter, Aug. 3–4; Stone Mountain

Actual Anniversary, Aug. 5; Steep Canyon Rangers, Aug. 13; Peter Rowan, Aug. 19; The Harlem Gospel Travelers, Sept. 22; Duke Robillard Band, Sept. 30. 935-7292.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Met Opera

LIVE: Mozart’s Don Giovanni, May 20; Met Opera

Encore: Mozart’s Don Giovanni, May 30; Danielle Nicole, Jun. 2; Met Opera LIVE: Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Jun. 3; Met Opera Encore: Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Jun. 13; Sunny War, Jun. 23; Son Little, Jul. 2. 594-0070.

Sun Tiki Studios, 375 Forest Ave. Come with Dumbass Youth and Real Burn, May 12; Rough Francis with Bait Bag, May 20; Sage Francis with Jesse the Tree & Myles Bullen, Jun. 30. 808-8080.

Thompson’s Point, 10 Thompson’s Point. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, Jul. 3; Goose, Jul. 6; Rebelution, Jul. 8; Fleet Foxes, Jul. 11; CAKE, Jul. 16; Gregory Alan Isakov, Jul. 27; Billy Strings, Jul. 28–29; Maggie Rogers, Jul. 31; The Backseat Lovers, Aug. 2; Tyler Childers, Aug. 6; The Revivalists & Band of Horses, Aug. 8; Guster On The Ocean Night 2 (Aug. 12) & Night 3 (Aug. 13); Dispatch, Aug. 19. 956-6000.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle St. Porch Party Mamas, Jun. 10. 729-8515.

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, 53 Old Post Rd., Arundel. Michael Corleto, May 13; Dave Gutter, May 26; Being Petty, May 27; Soggy Po Boys, Jun. 3; The Platters, Jun. 16; Studio Two, Jun. 17; The Texas Tenors, Jun. 18; The Tom Faunce Floyd Experience, Jun. 23; Session Americana, Jun. 29; John Jorgenson

Bluegrass Band, Jul. 1; The Weight Band, Jul. 6; Linda Eder, Jul. 13; Annie Royer, Jul. 14; Adam Ezra Group, Jul. 15; Susan Werner, Jul. 16; Classic Rock Orchestra, Jul. 21; Martin Sexton, Jul. 28; Wake Up Mama, Sept. 1; Piano Men, Sept. 23; Live Bullet, Sept. 29; The Maine Dead Project, Sept. 30. 985-5552.

Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St. Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer with Rakesh Chaurasia, May 7; Blues Traveler, May 23; Peter Yarrow & Noel Paul Stookey, Jul. 1; The High Kings, Jul. 23; The Wallflowers, Aug. 1; Ricky Nelson Remembered, Sept. 17. 873-7000. WW&F Railway, 97 Cross Rd., Alna. Music on the Railway: Bold Riley (Jun. 4), Songwriters in the Round (Jul. 2), Darlin’ Corey (Aug.), Green Heron (Sept.). 882-4193.

Comedy

Blue, 650A Congress St. Sam Ramsdell, May 21. 774-4111. Camden Opera House, 29 Elm St. Bob Marley, Aug. 12. 236-7963.

Celebration Barn Theater, 190 Stock Farm Rd., South Paris. Fool Me Twice, Sept. 16. 743-8452.

Center Theatre, 20 E. Main St., Dover-Foxcroft. Bob Marley, Jun. 17. 564-8943.

Deertrees Theatre, 156 Deertrees Rd., Harrison. David Sheel Comedy/Piano, Sept. 3. 583-6747.

Footlights Theatre, 190 US-1, Falmouth. Hot Flash! What A Feelin’, Jul. 18–Aug. 31. 747-5434.

Jonathan’s Ogunquit, 92 Bourne Ln. Andy Gross, Jun. 9; Bob Marley, Jun. 18; Tom Cotter, Jul. 9; Paula Poundstone, Jul. 14; Jimmy Keys, Aug. 26. 646-4777.

Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, 86 Townsend Ave. Tim Sample, Jul. 27. 633-5159.

Penobscot Theatre Company, Bangor Opera House, 131 Main St. Ready, Set, Go!, May 14. 942-3333.

State Theatre, 609 Congress St. Sam Morril, Jun. 2; Demetri Martin, Sept. 17; Nurse Blake, Sept. 26. 956-6000. St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St. Hey Party People!,

Saturday, May 13 10–4pm

Explore the fnest kitchens in one of Maine’s most desirable coastal communites. Ideas, inspiraton, inhome demonstratons, and much more!

FalmouthKitchenTour.com

RENDEZVOUS

May 22; Improv Jam Fundraiser, May 23 & Jun. 20; Welcome to Maine Comedy Show, Jun. 10; Balderdash Academy Improv Live, Jun. 22. 775-5568.

Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Paula Poundstone, Jul. 15; Comedian Bob Marley, Aug. 10 & 17. 935-7292.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Gary Gulman, May 21. 594-0070.

Vinegar Hill Music Theatre, 53 Old Post Rd., Arundel. Caroline Rhea, Jul. 22; Craig Shoemaker, Aug. 12. 985-5552.

Art

Bates College Museum of Art, 75 Russell St., Lewiston. Senior Thesis Exhibition 2023, through May 27; Selections from the Diversify the Collection Program, through Oct. 7. 786-6158.

Bowdoin College Museum of Art, 245 Maine St., Brunswick. In Light of Rome: Early photography in the Capital of the World: 1842-1871, through Jun. 4; Turn of Phrase: Language and Translation in Global Contemporary Art, through Jun. 4; Human Nature: Environmental Studies at 50, through Jun. 4; Masks of Memories: Art and Ceremony in Nineteenth Century Oceania, through Jul. 16; Mina Loy: Strangeness Is Inevitable, through Sept. 17; People Watching: Contemporary Photography Since 1965, Jun. 24–Nov. 5; Re|Framing the Collection: New Considerations in European and American Art, 1475–1875, through Dec. 31; Figures from the Fire: J. Pierpont Morgan’s Ancient Bronzes at the Wadsworth Atheneum

Dianna Anderson Fine Art

Upcoming Shows...

July 11th - August 4th

Boogie Down

A CMT original, set in a radio station on New Year’s Eve of 1979. Join us for a night of fun as the station reviews the 70s top hits!

August 8th - August 30th

Liberty Belles

is CMT original USO show features a female trio performing your favorite hits from the 1940s! Come and catch this classic onstage.

RENDEZVOUS

Museum of Art, through Jan. 7, 2024. 725-3275.

Brick Store Museum, 117 Main St., Kennebunk. Smokey the Bear Original Artwork from the National Archives, through May 14; Wrapped in Blue: Fashions to Promote Global Health, through Aug. 20; Making the Modern World: A Century+ of Progress, May 6–Aug. 31. 985-4802.

Caldbeck Gallery, 12 Elm St., Rockland. Morris David Dorenfeld Retrospective, May 5–29; Katherine Bradford, Jun. 2–Jul. 1; Shaped, Jun. 2–Jul. 1. 594-5935.

Carol L. Douglas Studio and Gallery, 394 Commercial St., Rockport. Landscape and marine paintings, workshops and instruction. Watch-me-paint.com. 585-201-1558.

Center for Maine Contemporary Art, 21 Winter St., Rockland. Rodrigo Valenzuela, May 26–Sept. 10; Ellie GA: Quarries, May 26–Sept. 10; Nancy Andrews: Homebodies, May 27–Sept. 10. 701-5005.

Colby College Museum of Art, 5600 Mayflower Hill Dr., Waterville. 2023 Senior Exhibition, May 4–21; Time and Tide Flow Wide: The Collection in Context, 1959-1973, through Jun. 11; All in One: Selections from the Alex Katz Foundation Collection, through Jun. 11; Ashley Bryan / Paula Wilson: Take the World into Your Arms, through Jul. 31; Whistler: Streetscapes, Urban Change, Jun. 3–Oct. 22; Painted: Our Bodies, Hearts, and Village, May 19–Jul. 28, 2024. 859-5600.

Cove Street Arts, 71 Cove St. Wax: Hot & Cold, through May 6; Tree Speech, through May 13; Explorations, through May 20; Lisa Noonis: Blossom, through Jun. 17. 808-8911.

David Lussier Gallery, 66 Wallingford Sq., Kittery. Gallery with works by artists including Benjamin Lussier, David Lussier, George Van Hook, and Pamela Lussier. 860-336-9051.

Denmark Arts Center, 50 W Main St., Denmark. Beginner Art Camp, July 5–7. Advanced Art Camp, June 27–30. 452-2412.

Farnsworth Art Museum, 16 Museum St., Rockland. Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth: Rockland, Maine, May 27–Aug. 27; Maine in America 2023: Celebrating the Alex Katz Foundation, through Sept. 24; The Farnsworth at 75, through Dec. 31; Louise Nevelson: Dawn to Dusk, through Sept. 29, 2024. 596-6457.

First Friday Art Walks, Creative Portland, 84 Free St. Jun. 2. 370-4784.

Greenhut Galleries, 146 Middle St. Maine the Painted State, through May 27; Tina Ingraham Solo Exhibition, Jun. 1–Jul. 1 . 772-2693.

Kittery Art Association, 2 Walker St. Art in Bloom: All Member Exhibition, May 18–Jun. 11; Sea Breezes: All Member Exhibit, Jun. 15–Jul. 9. 451-9384.

Lincoln Theater, Exhibition on Screen: Tokyo Stories, May 25–26. 563-3424.

Maine Historical Society, 489 Congress St. Chansonetta Stanley Emmons: Staging the Past, through Jun. 3; Fashion for the People: Maine’s Graphic Tees, through Jul. 29; CODE RED: Climate, Justice & Natural History Collections, through Dec. 30. 774-1822.

Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington St., Bath. Women Behind the Lens: The Photography of Emma D. Sewall, Josephine Ginn Banks, and Abbie F. Minott, through Nov. 1; SeaChange: Darkness and Light in the Gulf of Maine, through Dec. 31. 443-1316.

Maine Sculpture Trail, Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium. An outdoor exhibit of 34 sculptures spanning over 273 miles along the coastal region of Downeast Maine. schoodicsculpture.org.

Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St. The Unfinished Art

MAINE WHARF, PORTLAND, ME

There’s no added weight when you fill a boat with experience.

CARE.

ADVENTURE. KNOWLEDGE. LEARNING.

RENDEZVOUS

Project, May 6–Jun. 25. 879-4629.

Moss Galleries, 100 Fore St. Celeste Roberge, through May 28. 804-0459.

Moss Galleries, 251 US-1, Falmouth. Robert S.

Neuman, Michael Mulhern, & Carla Weeks, through May 13; Nathaniel Meyer, May 19–Jul. 1. 781-2620.

Ogunquit Museum of American Art, 543 Shore Rd.

Shifting Sands: Beaches, Bathers, and Modern Maine Art, through Jul. 16; Joe Wardwell: Mural Commission, through Nov. 12; Networks of Modernism: 1898–1968, through Nov. 12; The Architect of a Museum, through Nov. 12. 646-4909.

Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Sq. Outside the Frame: Todd Webb in Africa, through Jun. 18; Elizabeth

Colombia: Mythologies, May 5–Sept. 3; Drawn to the Light: 50 Years of Photography at Maine Media Workshops & College, Jun. 16–Sept. 10; Alex Katz,

Wedding Dress, Jun. 30–Jun. 2, 2024. 775-6148.

Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH. Reinventing Portsmouth, through Oct. 9; A Sense of Place, through Oct. 28. (603)436-8433. Richard Boyd Art Gallery, 15 Epps St., Peaks Island. Paintings in Oil, May 1–30; Randy Eckard Works in Watercolor, Jun. 1–29. 712-1097.

River Arts, 36 Elm St, Damariscotta. Members’ Show, May 20–Jun. 17; New Works, Jun. 24–Jul. 29. 563-6868.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Exhibition on Screen: Tokyo Stories, Jun. 1. 594-0070.

University of New England Art Galleries, UNE Art Gallery, 716 Stevens Ave. Tenacious, through Jun. 11; Rose

Marasco: Camera Lucida, Jun. 23–Oct. 8. 602-3000.

University of New England Art Galleries, Jack S. Ketchum Library, 11 Hills Beach Rd., Biddeford.

Images of Neuroscience, Images of Transcendence: Work from UNE Imaging and Paintings by Honour Mack, May 5–Sept. 29. 602-3000.

Film

Celebration Barn Theater, 190 Stock Farm Rd., South Paris. Post From the Road: A Work-in-Progress Screening, Jun. 2. 743-8452.

Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. Turn Every Page, May 16; Showing Up, May 19–25; MidCoast Film Fest, Jun. 23–24. 563-3424.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Paint, through May 4; Being John Malkovich, May 7; The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, May 28. 594-0070.

Don’t Miss

Cross Insurance Arena, 1 Civic Center Sq. Maine Villain Arts tattoo Convention, Jun. 16–18. 791-2200.

Celebration Barn Theater, 190 Stock Farm Rd., South Paris. The Early Evening Show, Jun. 24. 743-8452. Deertrees Theatre, 156 Deertrees Rd., Harrison. Gong Show: Open Mic Night, Jun. 24. 583-6747.

Footlights Theatre, 190 US-1, Falmouth. Christopher Brown, May 13. 747-5434.

Grand Theater, 165 Main St., Ellsworth. ?SYCHIC: Mentalist Kent Axell, May 6. 667-9500.

Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St. Matt Fraser, Jun. 16. 842-0800.

Mystic Theater, 49 Franklin St., Rumford. Stories from Bob Perlow: The TV Sitcom Warm-Up Guy, May 12; The Big

The Chart Room

Paper Charts

Admiralty, Canadian, Imray, NGA, NOAA, POD, Waterproof

Chart Books

Maptech, Richardsons’, Explorer, NV Charts

Books

Cruising Guides, Celestial, First Aid, Log, Navigation, Seamanship, Tide/Currents

Navigation Tools

Chart Correction Kits, Dividers, Plotters, Triangles, Rulers, Star Finders, Reference Cards

Flags

RENDEZVOUS

Show Magic Students Perform, May 27–28. 369-0129. Sherman's of Portland, 49 Exchange St. Book signing for Red Hands with Colin W. Sargent, May 26, 3–5pm. 207-773-4100.

St. Lawrence Arts, 76 Congress St. Project Dragology Competition Round 3, May 13; Project Dragology Competition Round 4, Jun. 3; meSSeS, Jun. 9. 775-5568. Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Rd., Brownfield. Mother of an Artisan Fair and Blunch Too!, May 14. 935-7292.

Stonington Opera House, 1 School St. Trivia Night, May 11. 367-2788.

Strand Theatre, 345 Main St., Rockland. Abolition Night at the Strand, May 5. 594-0070.

Tasty

Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. Talking Food in Maine: Intimate Conversations with host Cherie Scott and guest Christian Hayes, May 18. 563-3424. Now You’re Cooking, 49 Front St., Bath. Facebook Live cooking demos with a rotating list of staff & local chefs, every Thu. 443-1402.

WW&F Railway, 97 Cross Rd., Alna. Mother’s Day Tea with Maine Tasting Center, May 13; BBQ and SeaLyon Farmstand Express, Jun. 17. 882-4193.

To submit an event listing: portlandmonthly.com/portmag/ submit-an-event/

Compiled by Bethany Palmer

Authentic Thai Cooking

SELECT AREA RESTAURANTS

Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company offers unique craft pizza delivery, pickup, and dine-in from our new waterfront location at 9 Commercial Street in Portland. Featuring a diverse menu and our own craft beer, we were established by Mainers with a passion for community involvement and great experiences. Visit us in Portland, Freeport, or at our original Yarmouth brewpub. brickyardhollow.com

Anthony’s Italian Kitchen 30 years of Old World recipes. Best meatballs in town. Mile-high lasagnas, freshfilled cannoli pastries, 54 sandwiches, pizza. A timeless great family spot. Beer and wine. Free parking. 151 Middle St., Portland, AnthonysItalianKitchen.com, 774-8668.

J’s Oyster Premier seafood destination & locals’ favorite w/indoor & outdoor waterfront seating on a scenic Portland pier. Since 1977, classic favorites, friendly service. Named by Coastal Living one of “America’s Best Seafood Dives 2016.” 722-4828.

Bandaloop has moved into a restored 1700s barn on Route 1 in Arundel. Since 2004 we have offered locally sourced, globally inspired, organic cuisine. Our new home has plenty of space, parking, outdoor seating, takeout, and an event space in the loft. We continue to offer something for every palate—from vegans to carnivores and everything in between. bandalooprestaurant.com

The Corner Room features bright, wide-open space with towering ceilings complemented by handcrafted woodwork. Patrons can expect a warm, comfortable atmosphere, marked by the rich aromas of house-made pastas, pizzas, antipasti and artisanal breads. Come and enjoy the taste of Venice in the heart of Portland, ME! 879-4747, 110 Exchange Street. Visit thecornerroomkitchenandbar.com for more information.

Portland Lobster Company “Maine’s Best Lobster Roll,” lobster dinners, steamers, fried claims, chowder. Enjoy live music daily w/ ice-cold local beer or fine wine on our deck overlooking gorgeous Portland Harbor. 180 Commercial St., 775-2112, portlandlobstercompany.com.

Bruno’s Voted Portland’s Best Italian Restaurant by Market Surveys of America, Bruno’s offers a delicious variety of classic Italian, American, and seafood dishes–and they make all of their pasta in-house. Great sandwiches, pizza, calzones, soups, chowders, and salads. Enjoy lunch or dinner in the dining room or the tavern. Casual dining at its best. 33 Allen Ave., 878-9511, https://www.restaurantji.com/me/portland/ brunos-restaurant-and-tavern-/

Maria’s Ristorante Portland’s original classic Italian restaurant. Greg & Tony Napolitano prepare classics: Zuppa di Pesce, Eggplant Parmigiana, Grilled Veal Sausages, Veal Chop Milanese, homemade cavatelli pastas, Pistachio Gelato & Maine’s Best Meatballs. See our own sauce in local stores. $11.95-$22.95. Open at 5 Wed.-Sat. Catering always avail. 1335 Congress Street 772-9232, mariasrestaurant.com.

Flatbread Company Portland Tucked between two wharves with picturesque waterfront views. Family-friendly restaurant w/ signature pizzas, weekly carne & veggie specials. Made w/ local ingredients, baked in wood-fired, clay ovens. Everything’s homemade, organic, and nitrate-free. 24 local drafts & cocktails showcase all-local breweries & distilleries. 72 Commercial St., 772-8777, flatbreadcompany.com.

Salsa Dance

BY

What a relief, just in time for summer! This cocktail

Hot ’n’ Sucio (Hot & Dirty, $14) is a shock at rst sip, spicy with aji amarillo (yellow chili) paste, and sour with caper brine, and erce, an elixir to bolster anyone’s day, a fantastic detour from dominant sugar. Drops of avocado oil enhance the heat.

The lighter Chilcanito ($14) with pisco, banana oleo (an extract made from sugar-macerated banana peel), ginger-maple, citrus, and soda water circulate around a skyscraper ice cube in a tall glass embellished with a spear of banana leaf. It’s as refreshing and tangy as a Caribbean breeze.

With her March People’s Choice win at Maine Restaurant Week’s Spirit Quest Com-

petition, we wandered among the cocktail list ready to be charmed. And, for a white wine with body, I was poured a glass of Field Recordings’ Skins ($14), an orange Chenin Blanc from Paso Robles that bit back, nicely, and was austerely dry. Everything augmented the food, except perhaps the wine, some still le when we enjoyed dessert—but who can complain about a big pour?

e beef Empanadas ($11 for two he y crescents) induce bliss, once we let them cool enough to eat without injury. eir perfectly orchestrated crisp exteriors lled with moist ground beef piccadillo seasoned with garlic, onion, and adobo.

¡Ah recuerdo! A jolt of sensations from Puerto Rico brings a fresh sense of “old” to Exchange Street at Papi.

NANCY ENGLISH

The escabeche ($9) on the menu was a modest bowl of pickled green bananas and onion, somewhat like a tangy potato salad—the bright green banana rendered rm and starchy by cooking.

roughout the length of the restaurant, under its ornate tin ceiling and swoop of neon over the arc of the bar, plates of fried yuca, sweet corn fritters called sorullo, and beef-and-yuca croquettes called alcapurria empty rapidly.

Round glass mosaic tile glitters under the marble bar and on the oor of the bathrooms, where corner full-length mirrors are all that’s le of the Lululemon store that occupied the space a year ago.

Our platos of chicken stew with rice and marinated salt cod appear magically from the invisible kitchen, repeating the big welcome of the comfort food dished out for

Ms. Sanabria’s grandmother. e pollo guisado (dark meat chicken stew with rice) is su used with green pepper with a foundation of sofrito fusing recaíto that fuses onion, recao, and cilantro into a subtle background hum of avors.

e serenata (salt cod, $15) soaked for hours and tender, is dressed in olive oil and citrus, with creamy avocado and quartered hard-boiled eggs in mild counterpoint to the rm texture and avor of

this excellent sh.

A half-cup jelly jar of an ($10), creamy as pot de crème, topped with a rosette of whipped cream and a bit of Maria biscuit, sits in a puddle of precisely caramelized sugar just at the edge of burnt, its bitterness showcasing the cream’s purity. A shot of black espresso helps us stand up and leave, reluctantly, with plans to return in anticipation of tasting the pernil, served only on Sundays, and all the dishes and drinks yet untried.

NEWLY RENOVATED

Ballroom accommodates up to 250 for Wedding Receptions

Complete Wedding Packages including catering, florals, linens

C’mon, Get Happy Hour

Finding

BY KEEVA JACQUES

In between a 10 a.m. brunch at Hot Suppa and the 7 p.m. dinner reservation at e Corner Room, you’re craving a quick bite to hold you over—happy hour. Lucky for you, there’s plenty to choose from for under $10.

BONFIRE COUNTRY BAR

37 WHARF

STREET

Calling all urban cowboys. Seven nights a week, 4–7 p.m. Bon re Country Bar offers their famous free bacon, $3 tacos, and $5 burgers. “You can’t walk by without poking your head in,” says owner Tanner Herget. First to catch your eye are the barstools. “A few favorites include the bottom half of a cowboy with spurs, a woman in red Daisy Dukes, and a horse’s tail.” For favorite happy hour bites, “the free bacon draws people in, but the tacos are de nitely our most popular option. Come for crispy bacon, stay for spicy tacos, and treat yourself to a Sunshine & Bourbon.”

THE NORTH POINT

35 SILVER STREET

For under $10, “warm pita served with olive tapenade, sangria deviled eggs, cheese boards, and more are among the delicious options” from 4–6 p.m. on weekdays. Tucked away on Silver Street, “ e North Point is Portland’s hidden gem. It’s o the beaten path and a warm, cozy, intimate space perfect for date night, rst dates, or just a meetup with good friends. Simple and delicious food is our specialty,” says owner Daniel Talmatch. An order of Passion on e Rocks, paired with their candlelit tables, makes peering out onto the cobbles of Silver Street even more romantic than usual.

BLYTH & BURROWS

26 EXCHANGE STREET

Oysters for $1? You got it. “Our happy hour is 4–9 p.m. on Wednesdays, as soon as our

Portland’s best Happy Hour hors d’oeuvres for under $10

STRAWBERY BANKE MUSEUM History Happened Here

Experience New England life in the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood.

Tour historic houses on original sites, meet engaging costumed roleplayers, watch traditional crafts demonstrations, and explore historical gardens and landscapes. Open daily from May 1-October 31.

Featured 2023 Exhibit:

Portsmouth Possessions: Objects that Shaped the City

In celebration of the City of Portsmouth NH's 400th anniversary, Strawbery Banke presents a new exhibit. Items featured include objects in the book "Portsmouth NH in 101 Objects," furniture, textiles, portraits, samplers, and objects relating to the local industries. Open daily from June 1-October 31.

"A place to learn, a place to gather, a place to preserve."

AFTER DARK

kitchen opens until we close. Our locally sourced oysters, curated by chef Patrick Dean, take the spotlight. We’re very proud of our happy hour,” says co-owner Caleb Landry. “We suggest you come take a bite for yourself.” On a warm summer’s a ernoon, stone-carved mermaid gureheads smile down from the brick walls above as you take your nal sip of Armistice, their herbal, dry house martini.

SUR LIE

11 FREE STREET

“Food and drink are a cra here,” says Krista Cole, sole owner of Sur Lie. “All day Wednesday and 5–6 p.m. on ursdays and Fridays,” sweet potato fries with stout aioli, shishitos with soy caramel, and crostini with blue cheese crumble and caramelized onion “are among our scrumptious o erings for happy hour.” If a classic charcuterie board is to your taste, sit back and enjoy local cheeses presented on artisan maple serving boards. With Devil’s ivy, and Swiss cheese plants hanging around you, “You get more than food and a couple drinks—you get an experience.”

BOONE’S FISH HOUSE & OYSTER ROOM

86 COMMERCIAL STREET

Boone’s has been a Maine staple for 125 years, from Clark Gable to Marilyn Monroe. “All week long from 3–5 p.m. we o er $1.50 local oysters served with a house mignonette, and a list of delicious bites from our chef, Shaun White,” says general manager Jon Gale. Six-dollar dishes include beer-battered haddock bites, grilled Brussels sprouts, fried calamari, and seasoned scampi fries. “Enjoy our twin decks and watch the waves of Casco Bay—the best sh market around—ripple below.” n

Sailor’s Valentine

Built in 1682, Sea Wynd thrills to a five-century romance with York Harbor.

BY COLIN W. SARGENT

Listed for $3.2M, the pre-Georgian harbor-front pocket mansion at 12 Barrell Lane Extension in York isn’t just the most adorable sea-captain’s house ever; it’s a space capsule through history.

Perched on a magical promontory along the York River, it was built 14 years a er the House of the Seven Gables, and almost sixty years before Boston merchant and Decla-

TALKING WALLS

ration of Independence signer John Hancock built his wharf 1200 yards upriver.

Listing agent Jennifer Walker invites you inside.

What’s it like to walk through a house in Maine built before the Salem witch trials?

JW: It’s actually amazing. You can see some of the ancient beams and timber looking up from the basement. Sea Wynd has huge, huge planks for ooring on both the rst

and second oors. ey’re warped, but that makes you feel like you’re walking through history. My guess is they’re original—sixteen inches wide! Compare that with the seven inches you see today.

Sea Wynd predates the Lady Pepperrell House at Kittery Point by 80 years, though it conjures it like a miniature painting of a sweetheart that sailors would take to sea with them back in the day.

Correct. My understanding is that most

ship captains built houses with wide front porches for departures and reunions with wives and children before and a er extended voyages.

What drama kings!

You’d see your dad or husband going into the blue for six months at a time. You just never knew if he’d ever come home.

How many bedrooms?

Six to eight, depending on how you count.

What can you see out the windows?

All the ships in the river. e harbor is on the other side. You see the Route 103 bridge, the sun glinting on the water. You can also see the ghost of an old footbridge where it touched the land once. Part of a railroad bridge.

Sea Wynd will outlast them all. Why did the sellers buy

it originally?

ey’re from midcoast Maine. ey grew up in Camden, le town, came back, had children, and were excited because it was a similar ship captain’s house to the one they had in Camden.

A pocket mansion this sweet is also very dear. What’s the sellers’ line of work?

ey run a Home Goods kind of store outside of Maine. ey currently live in Vermont.

Obviously it’s not a tear-down. Some guy said, “You know, it’s going to take $1M to make this better.”

I said, “Really? I don’t think so.” ere are some great contractors in the York area who can make old houses seem new without

ruining the historic charm.

I guess I don’t have to ask who the architect was, unless it’s Christopher Wren.

It was built before “architect” was even a job title [in the Colonies].

I can tell you, everything is plumb. Nothing is out of whack. Yes, it’s in good nick. ere are things you could do absolutely in this house.

But why? n

Located in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Portland, 218 Washington offers the amenities and lifestyle people are looking for. Sited across from Loring Memorial Park, residents of 218 Washington will have some of the most spectacular views in all of Portland. The park itself, the city skyline, Back Cove and the western mountains are some of the scenes.

Located in one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Portland, 218 Washington offers the amenities and lifestyle people are looking for. Sited across from Loring Memorial Park, residents of 218 Washington will have some of the most spectacular views in all of Portland. The park itself, the city skyline, Back Cove and the western mountains are some of the scenes.

The residences will offer thoughtful floor plans, energy efficient systems and modern amenities. A spacious rooftop deck for all residents to enjoy will offer sweeping views. Climate conditioned parking in the lower level garage is included.

The residences will offer thoughtful floor plans, energy efficient systems and modern amenities. A spacious rooftop deck for all residents to enjoy will offer sweeping views. Climate conditioned parking in the lower level garage is included.

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31 Merrill Road, Freeport | Sold

$525,000

Fantastic home in great neighborhood. Large 2.54-acre wooded corner lot with much privacy. Freshly painted interior. Open living area with cathedral ceilings, kitchen with new granite counters. Lots of large windows with views of trees and nature. 16x16 private deck, Hardwood floors. Spacious and eficient three bedrooms including one with balcony overlooking living room. Primary bedroom with full bath and deck, ½ bath could be easily a full bath. Laundry and utility area with great ofice or exercise room on main level. Atached two car garage.

bunkhouse with perfect permits).

Wiscasset

Westport Island Newly Built

This well maintained 4-bedroom Colonial offers plenty of space for entertaining, working from home or just relaxing. A gourmet chef’s kitchen awaits along with private back deck and screened porch. Sits back from the road and shielded by trees this also offers a sense of privacy but just a short distance to all local amenities either by car or foot. House has large, finished breezeway connector to 2 car garage. Plenty of space for work and play.

Your very own Quintessential Midcoast Maine experience on an island close to Wiscasset, “the prettiest village in Maine,” with beautiful westerly views of the Back River and enchanting sunsets. This recently completed “Arched Cabin” with wrap around deck perfect for those summer evening gatherings is less than an hour to Portland jetport, 25 minutes to Brunswick’s Amtrak station, 45 minutes to the Camden area and 25 minutes to the Boothbay peninsula. Westport Island has it all!! A local potter, yoga studio, alpacas and a brewery with organic gardens not to mention the necessary lobster co-op and hiking trails on land preserves. Call Julie direct 207-208-9311. Price $399900.

Cromwell

Coastal Properties

Phone: 207-882-9100 | www.cromwellprop.com

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Helping Buyers and Sellers throughout Midcoast Maine!

SUGARLOAF CONDO

Fall Line. 3 bd 2.5 baths. Fireplace.

Wonderful location with in walking distance to new Bucksaw Express Chair being installed on West Mountain Road or to the Snubber Trail. Perfect for a family or would make an ideal rental. Nordic skiing and mountain biking trails can also be accessed from here. Very quiet setting. This unit has new furnishings and will be included with the sale. $725.000

LOOKING FOR WATERFRONT? Here is one of our several waterfront listings. 4 bd 3 bath with ROW to water and near boat launch and public beach. $380,000.CSM has water front homes, camps and land in the beautiful western mtns of Maine. Spring Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Embden Pond and rivers and streams.

Beautiful western mountains of Maine. of fields and forest! Dead end road in Salem Township. Fish Hatchery Rd. Fireplace. 3 bed, 2 baths plus additional large sunroom. Garage and building/ workshop. Fruit trees and berry bushes. $395,000

www.Morton-Furbish.com

James L. Eastlack, Owner Broker 207-864-5777 or 207-670-5058 | JLEastlack@gmail.com

North Twin Island - Pond In The River

Escape to nature and a wonderful waterfront property on a great remote body of water. Off grid w/generator, year round building, detached garage, Ice fish, hunt, enjoy all

100 Proctor Rd - Shadow Pine, a one of a kind property with 48.32 acres, Saddleback Mtn Views, Rangeley Lake Views, 6 beds, 6 baths, 5+ car garages, addition

– A park like setting, extremely private location, 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 596 feet of waterfront, attached garage, detached garage, potential

A POND IN THE RIVER - North Twin Island, only 2 owners in almost 100yrs. Own your own PRIVATE ISLAND in an area that is world renown for its pristine waters and brook trout fshing. A short paddle to the Rapid River which ofers 3.2 miles of nearly continuous class III-IV rapids and some of the best fshing in the Northeast. This property refects on life from an era of hand-built excellence and summer long retreats. Accessible by gated road and boat or foat plane,

SPRING LAKE – 6 Spring Lake Rd - Escape to nature and a wonderful waterfront property on a great remote body of water. Off grid w/generator, year round building, detached garage, Ice fish, hunt, enjoy all seasons! $495,000.

the island ofers superb privacy. The shoreline of the entire river and pond is fully protected from development in perpetuity by a non-proft trust, Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust. The property ofers fve main buildings and two small outbuildings. The main house ofers 4 bedrooms and a large living area overlooking the pond with a freplace and wood burning stove.

RANGELEY LAKE – Lakeside Marina & Convenience - Wonderful business opportuinty in downtown commercial zoning, convenience store, 25 boat slips, gas, boat rental business, great waterfront location! $965,000.

20 Vista Lane – RANGELEY LAKE – A rare offering, the Buena Vista Estate on 567 feet of deep water frontage,53 private acres w/south facing exposure, total privacy, development potential. $2,650,000.

$1,900,000

Located close to the village with expansive southwest views of Rangeley Lake, 4 beds, 3.5 baths, very close to Saddleback Ski Area, snowmobile and ATV from your doorstep, heated garage! $639,000.

2582 Main St - Wonderful commercial business on Main Street w/ 105' on Rangeley Lake, Marina/ Convenience Store, 25+ Slips, Gas, Shop, Downtown Commercial Zoning, High Traffic Location, $965,000.

– A rare offering, 4 bed, 4.5 bath contemporary lakefront home w/beach, detached garage AND private island w/2 bedroom guest cottage, 3.56 Acres! $1,899,000.

277 Stephens Road – MOOSELOOK LAKE

Sandy Beach frontage, 4 bed, 3 bath home w/attached 3 car heated garage and detached 3 car garage w/large bonus room! $850,000.

RANGELEY LAKE VIEWS – 21 Pine Grove - 4 Beds, 3.5 Baths, Fully Furnished, SW facing views w/LOTS of sun, Snowmobile and ATV from your doorstep, Detached 32x32 garage fully heated, a must see! $639,000.

PROCTOR ROAD – Gorgeous VIEWS overlooking Rangeley Lake and Saddleback Ski Area, wonderful estate property located just outside the Rangeley village, 48.32 Acres,4 bed,4.5 bath home w/ guest quarters. $1,495,000.

Aimee Danforth 207-890-3744

MLS #1547561 Over 8.5 acres of undeveloped land ready for your next adventure! Easy road access, great swimming and boat access. Only 15 mi. north of Caribou, 20 min to Long Lake. $499,900.

Earl Bowen 207-670-8837

MLS #1526567 41 acres of land. A large parcel which has been in tree growth since 1994. Build your home or camp and enjoy the peacefulness of no neighbors. Hike, hunt, ATV on your property. $230,000.

Wendy Dodge 207-212-9979

MLS #1532036 Imagine your Rangeley area home, built where you experience waterfront tranquility on 500 feet of Long Pond Stream from this 6.2 acre parcel. Close to skiing and hiking. $240,000.

Brent Quimby 207-670-8293

MLS #1551671 Here is a unique opportunity to own a large view lot with deeded access to Mooselookmeguntic Lake. Includes use of the boat launch at Bermis Landing. Day use of common sandy beach area. $175,000.

Aimee Danforth 207-890-3744

MLS #1547971 A rare oppotunity to own an iconic destination well known across The County! The Long Lake Sporting Club with a half century of family owned operation is being sold absolutely turn key! $2,500,000.

Ginny Nuttall 207-557-4139

MLS # 1556591 Meticulously maintained home on desirable Mingo Loop Rd. Quiet country living with all the amenities close by. 3 BR/2BA. Oversized attached garage with large living space above. $489,000.

Aimee Danforth 207-890-3744

MLS #1555706 Fabulous home, close to all of the area amenities and a short walk or drive to the Village of Oquossoc. 3 BR/IBA home. Wood burning stove, full kitchen. $289,000

$3,950,00 0

Welcome to ‘Safe Harbor”, a private estate on 9.55 acres, situated on the shores of Penobscot Bay in Beautiful, Belfast. An extraordinary property, offering a parklike setting with manicured lawns cascading to the ocean and sandy beach, stretching across 620’ on the shore. This elegant home comes to you fully furnished, including the art, piano, Waterford; lawn tractors – this home is turn-key! Boasting custom interior design and décor, all timeless, sophisticated and elegant. Through the gated entrance, the approach is manicured, leading to the circular drive. The library features walls of built-ins with light filled space from the skylights. The living room overlooks the ocean with walls of glass. Formal dining room offers the same breathtaking views over the ocean. Casual dining opens to the water facing deck for outdoor entertaining. The kitchen is warmed with a gas fireplace stove. Jenn-Air 6 burner

cooktop, wall ovens; pantry, and walls of cabinets atop granite counters. Den -

place. Primary En-Suite features amaz features an intimate space with the fireing ocean views with a private deck to enjoy the sun glistening over the water. The Master bath features a tiled shower spa, soaking tub, dual vanities, water closet and storage. 2nd En-Suite

is located on the 2nd floor; full bath & 2 additional bdrms with a shared full bath. 5th bedroom on 1st floor shares the guest, full bath. Walkout lower level invites you to billiards, relaxing, gaming and outdoor ocean side entertaining. 5,700 sq. ft. living space; 14 rooms, 5 bedrooms and 4 full baths. Located only 4 miles to downtown Belfast, 45 minutes to International Airport, 4-hour drive to Boston. Unique and rare offering in Mid Coast Maine on the Ocean, Exclusively Offered. Call us for your private viewing. MLS: 1551658

walk-in closet. 2nd Stairway leads to

The Miracle of Acorns

BY JOHN MANDERINO

He even has me praying with him. We get down on our knees on the linoleum oor in front of the cross on the wall above the couch and fold our hands and bow our heads and speak to Jesus—not out loud, so I can pray for anything I want. And the thing I ask Jesus for, would it be possible for Him to ll Dad’s heart a little bit less? Don’t leave completely or he’ll go back to drinking, but could You possibly leave enough room in his heart for deer hunting?

I have a Remington Model Seven with a scope and Dad has a Marlin pump action, and all they do now, those two beautiful guns, is sit in the closet.

Three weeks ago Dad came home from one of his AA meetings on Woodford Street so happy and excited I thought he fell o the wagon. But he hadn’t. He got born again.

In the cabinet over the kitchen sink there’s a bottle of Jim Beam he hasn’t touched ever since, and I’m really glad. But here’s the thing. I wish he would talk about something else besides Jesus.

I remember when he rst started taking me with him. We did some target practice in this gravel pit in Gorham, then went to the woods behind an old abandoned farm out in Buxton. e rst deer I ever saw Dad bag was a doe, this quiet pretty thing just standing there minding its own business, and the way it went down in sti little stages, coughing blood—I couldn’t help it, I started crying. Dad told me to quit being a little girl. Which hurt.

e next time we went out together a stag showed up. “Take it,” Dad whispered. I scoped it, then slowly squeezed the trigger.

It went down, no stages, just straight down dead. What a feeling! You can’t imagine. Dad took a picture of me holding up its head by the antlers so the deer and me are both looking at the camera. He had that picture blown up and framed and hung it on the wall above the couch.

But now it’s down. A er getting saved he took it down and put something less violent up there—a man hanging by nails from a cross!

We still go to the woods together, but we don’t bring our guns. It isn’t Christian to kill for the fun of it, according to Dad, even though we always ate the meat and even though he always used to talk about the “long-standing Maine tradition of hunting.”

e last time we went for one of our “Christian walks” we ended up sitting under an oak tree admiring an acorn. I’m serious. Dad held it out in his palm saying it was one of God’s miracles, this tiny thing turning into a mighty oak tree. I said, “Huh,” pretending that was really something, even though it’s not, even though it’s just science, even though it’s boring sitting there talking about acorns instead of looking around for a deer to kill.

Later on that day we came across one, a beautiful-looking eight-pointer. We both of us froze the way we used to. But without our guns all we could do was stand there watching it munch, “appreciating it,” as Dad says. It made me want to cry, standing there appreciating it instead of shooting it.

I don’t know what Jesus did to Dad at that AA meeting, how He took over so totally, but whenever we pray together I always ask Him to please let go a little. When it was Jim Beam instead of Jesus, at least Dad was sober now and then. n