July 2010 will be the 50th Annual Homecoming and Regatta of the Friendship Sloop Society, and their 15th year racing in Rockland. Typically there are about 25 Sloops in Rockland for the regatta, but this year the group is attempting to have 50 Sloops join them on beautiful Penobscot Bay!
image courtesy of Friendship Sloop Society
Continue reading “Friendship Sloop Society Celebrates 50th Annual Homecoming and Regatta” »
Historic Inns of Rockland combine lobster hauling with lobster eating and lobster hats, all wrapped around a “lobsterishious” getaway to luxury Midcoast Maine inns.
image: While a chickadee may be the official bird of Maine, the lobster has to be the official mascot. Photo shows lobster caught on Captain Jack’s Lobster Adventure. Photo by PJ Walter.
Continue reading “Historic Inns of Rockland: Lobster 101″ »
In issue #11 of Maine Food & Lifestyle, join us in taking a tour of some of the great stores, markets, and restaurants in Damariscotta. This article shares spots you’ll want to explore Around Town, some old and some new. A picturesque harbor dotted with many quaint shops and amazing eateries, Damariscotta is bustling with activity and plenty to do, see, and eat!
image courtesy of mermaidcoveinn.com/seascape
There is definitely something for everyone in Damariscotta. Check out our guide and see what you might want to discover for yourself in this lovely coastal town. Order this magazine issue now.
I’m in Texas for a funeral for my Grandpa. A man loved by so many people, who lived large. A man who told me (even though we had our suspicions about what he really did) that all he did was “check in bananas and blankets through customs.” Then he would ramble (I get that from him) on about being airlifted into the jungle with nothing but a swiss army knife and a canteen to figure it out for himself for 3 days. That was just in case the bananas got out of hand. Or another story where he had to take a class and he walked into the room where snakes were crawling everywhere. He had to sit through an 8 hour class without reacting. Because crazy things happen when you check in blankets.
He was one of the most incredible people that I have ever known. He was Texan to the bitter end. Although he was worldly and had traveled, he swore he would never live any where else in the world but Texas. And he never did.
At 73, he became an EMT and he claimed to be the oldest EMT in Texas (he did tend to exaggerate a little). He volunteered for the local police and fire departments. He was an avid gardener and most of what I know about growing a garden comes from him. He grew pecans, peaches, plums and figs and was constantly making jams, jellies and candies from them (and won numerous awards and ribbons that are strewn all over the house).
He used to make his own wine, in fact as we were cleaning out his workshop today, we found some vintage 1975…no one dared to try. My grandpa was a port man.
He became one after visiting England and Australia and trying the different bottles available abroad. He was so proud of me and what I have been doing lately with my wine studies. Last year when I visited he asked me if I wanted to taste some port he had. I was a little wary. But we had a lot of family around and so I caved. So my grandpa scampered into the house and brought out this dusty (open, mind you) bottle of port. Now when he poured me a glass, if I had just closed my eyes…there were floaties in it. So I was a little frightened. But I’m serious about the eyes, because smelling that glass was sensational. It still had that incredible port spice beauty. I did end up taking a tiny (and I mean tiny) sip.
So in honor of my grandpa, I’m writing about a Texas wine. And one that is close to the town that he lived in since 1987, Fredericksburg. Becker Vineyards is in Stonewall, Texas, just a stone’s throw from Fredericksburg. Most people don’t automatically think of Texas and wine, but its history of the vine pre-dates California and Virginia. The red sandy clay is very close to the terroirs of Coonawarra in Australia.
The Becker Iconoclast Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 was extremely ripe. It is grown in a hot climate, so I would have expected nothing less. Its flavors are of black raspberry, dark juicy plums and vanilla mingled with hints of chocolate and cola. The tannins were soft and the acidity was moderate. Overall I would have to say that it was a more pleasant experience than I was anticipating. I do believe that it is only sold in this general area, but maybe one can order it through the website. I paid a whopping $8.99 for it!
When you sign on for an exotic trip, you have a good idea that there will be a deviation from the norm. Some of these detours may take you out of your comfort zone, and that’s when the fun begins. Call me an optimist, but when the going gets tough, that’s when I hope to learn something about myself. 
Continue reading “One Mainer’s Adventures in Costa Rica” »
I would have said no, but then I saw this video in which they actively participate in playing Pong, and in some other fun events. Check it out, and prepared to laugh and to be amazed.
One hundred and fifty folks with roots from Machias to Hinkley and Winterport to Saco gathered on a recent Saturday night in Arlington, Va., to share a traditional Maine “bean suppah” — an annual event organized by the Maine State Society, a group that serves as a “home away from home” for Mainers in the Washington, D.C., area. Tables full of people with family links to the state paid $8 each for dinner, apple cider and dessert. The yellow eye beans were from an East Corinth farm, the hot dogs (both natural casing and reds) came in from W.A. Bean in Bangor, the brown bread was from– where else? — Burnham & Morrill in Portland and the dinner rolls were brought in from Lepage’s Bakery in Auburn.
Less than an hour after the food was on the tables, the brown bread and red dogs were gone from the kitchen. People who came in late sighed in dismay — but folks at adjacent tables were eager to share what they had left. Children roamed the church basement and people ranging in age from 20 to 80 shared stories of being born in Maine and having relatives or spouses from the state — much of it centered on food: the best lobster pounds and the best places for Italians and blueberry pie. Once the gingerbread, prepared by Society volunteers, was gone, the “entertainment” started in the form of bad jokes (”Pumpkins were the original Transformers, kids. Throw them up in the air, they’re pumpkins. Once they hit the ground, they’re squash”) updates on Society activities and introduction of new members (of which I am one).
Then they started with the door prizes.
On the stage at the front of the room were piles of merchandise, from books to art prints to food and t-shirts. Everything was donated, including several boxes of candies from representatives of the visiting Massachusetts State Society– whose introduction sparked a spattering of tongue-in-cheek boos. Children were recruited to deliver each prize as attendees’ numbers were called: stuffed toys from the Maine Potato Board, art books from photographer Jake McGuire, shirts from Pat’s Pizza, blueberry popcorn from Len Libby — and the “highlight” of the night — 3-packs of Beach Cliff sardines. Cheers filled the room each time a number was pulled. And when the last can of sardines left the stage — everyone stood and began the clean up. Just another Saturday night for folks from Fort Fairfield to Holden … Lincoln to East Boothbay.
Linda Bean has landed in Florida.
The lobster maven’s plan of opening 100 Perfect Maine Lobster Roll outlets across the country expanded to its third state last week when the newest location opened on restaurant row in DelRay Beach, Fla. Continue reading “South Florida Braces for Maine Lobster Rolls, Whoopie Pies” »
Boston Magazine has chosen Camden and Rangeley as two of the best small towns in New England. Along with the recent kudos tossed at Rockland (Coolest Small Town in America 2009) for various reasons, Maine keeps rising to the top as a prime destination to visit and to live. Something we Mainers know all about.
The 1980s British band, Flock of Seagulls, flew in to Rockland’s breakwater in hope of viewing the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Jewel of the Sea.
Flock of Seagulls wait patiently for the Jewel of the Sea to appear.
They were unable to locate the 1,000′ vessel, and flew off around 3pm. A spokesperson described the band members as being “very disappointed.”
Rockland was buzzing today about the 962′ Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Sea visiting our town. Naturally, everyone that lives in the area wanted to eyeball this oversized lobster boat to see what a 1,000 foot vessel really looks like.
So most of us spent several hours driving and walking around Rockland in an attempt to see this behemoth. Didn’t work for me, or for any other person I spoke with during the day.
I did see a launch head out from Rockland Harbor that was taking passengers back to the Jewel. After a few minutes, it disappeared in the fog, giving no hint as to the precise location of the Jewel.
I even walked the entire breakwater in hope of finding it at the end of the walk where the lighthouse is. Nope. Wasn’t there.
But it was. Someone forget to tell us that the Jewel of the Sea was equipped with an invisible shield that could be activated at will from the Captain’s cabin. No wonder we couldn’t find it!
So after hours of hopeful pursuit, we all gave up and went home. And this is the only photo I left with. A view from shore looking out at the breakwater. Hey, it’s Maine!
This Sunday at 7am, Royal Caribbean’s 2,500 passenger “Jewel of the Sea” will anchor in Rockland.
This will be the first time a cruise ship this large will visit Rockland. A lot of planning was done in advance by a Rockland volunteer committee to handle passengers and crew members on shore, provide shuttle buses, excursions, visitor guides, and many other details. Rockland merchants are hoping this will be the first of many visits by the 962′ Jewel
See Don Carrigan’s coverage of this event courtesy of WSCH 6.
More and more people throughout the country are learning what we Rockland Mainers have known forever. Rockland Maine Rocks!
Budget Travel has once again listed Rockland, Maine as one of America’s “Coolest” small towns. In fact, Rockland is the Readers’ Choice Pick among the 10 small towns selected by the magazine staff.
In the words of their editors, “Every now and then, you stumble upon a town that’s gotten everything right—great coffee, food with character, shop owners with purpose. These 10 spots have it all, in perfectly small doses.”
Rockland is referred to as a perfect mix of “sophistication mixed with saltiness.”
See for yourself in their article, America’s Coolest Small Towns!
There is something about Maine that defies seasonal explanation. Perhaps it is the strength of its people, its abundance of natural resources, or the unparalleled beauty of its timeless landscape. While the whisper of fall is in the air, we still feel a strong loyal tie to fading summer. While we are connected to finite seasons, the cycle we are in flows infinitely on. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the growing season of our local foods. Continue reading “New Issue of Maine Food & Lifestyle” »
September is typically a beautiful month in Maine, and there are still lots of great events all over the state to enjoy. Just because summer is on the wane, don’t fret! The transition to fall is an easy one with so much happening. Continue reading “Maine Events Calendar: September 2009″ »
The subtle sounds of nature and the sea. The easy companionship of new and old friends. The simple pleasures of delicious meals prepared and served with passion and care. From May to October each year, this is our life on our Maine windjammer J. & E. Riggin. Continue reading “Grilled Chicken with Passion Fruit Sauce” »
More than 60 years ago, Earl Shaffer became the first thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail — an iconic path that depending on how you view it has its beginning or its end in Maine. A thru-hiker is one that tackles the trail as one continuous path. There have only been 10,000 people reported to have completed the entire trek since it was founded in 1921. Shaffer, an outdoorsman, poet and self-described loner from Pennsylvania, started in Georgia in April 1948 and crested Mount Katahdin in August of that year.
Continue reading “The Appalachian Trail’s First Thru-hiker on Display in D.C.” »
Not an overly religious family, the only commandment that was ever enforced in our home was “Thou Shalt Not Waste Food.” Daddy was a fruit and vegetable “nut.” There was nothing he liked better than shopping for produce. His healthy regime was more a matter of taste than anything else. In his youth he tried to smoke a cigarette but coughed so much he never tried again. The same thing happened with alcohol. Whenever he bought expensive out-of-season fruit, he would say, “Well…this is my liquor.”
Be sure to tune in to the new series “Swords“ on the Discovery Channel on Tuesday, August 11 at 9pm. Look for famous Maine swordboat captain and legend Linda Greenlaw of Isle au Haut, as she and others share their experiences swordfishing: a true taste of death-defying, New England adventure. One of the most elusive fish to catch in the most dangerous waters on this planet, “Swords” will surely be dynamic; we’ll bet just one episode will have you hooked!
