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!
Hi Maine Food & Lifestyle blog readers. We recently received the following letter from the editor of The Atlantic magazine’s food website requesting suggestions for your favorite Portland eateries. We know you will have some great personal favorites to share. Please send them along to us either by making a comment to this post or sending them to us directly at blog@mainefoodandlifestyle.com
Thanks for your help!
Continue reading “Atlantic Food Channel Seeks Your Food Advice” »
A highlight of my trip to the West Coast was last night's potluck with friends, the perfect prelude to a weekend of Independence Day festivities. Instead of grilling outside where a relentless heat wave was keeping evening temperatures stuck in the 80s, we gathered around the dining room table in the air conditioning.
Continue reading “July 4th: Salmon Comes Indoors This Year” »
When I'm in California to visit family, I always have a list of favorite things I like to do while I'm there, and a trip to the local farmers' market is my Number 1 To-Do. The market in Ojai, a little town about 75 miles outside of Los Angeles, never fails to knock my socks off. Not only is the produce and fruit available almost year-round, but it's where I am guaranteed to run into old friends and catch up on their news. Not surprisingly, it takes me a couple of hours to make the rounds, all the while sampling the wares of farmers showing off their strawberries, tangerines, and apricots.
Day Two: The five finalists were announced. Among them, Texas, Maryland, and of course the favored son of New Orleans, who was now representing Mississippi, John Currence. Chef Currence, on day one, had sauntered in wearing ripped jeans, cowboy boots, and a seriously wrinkled chef jacket. Day two, he at least wore an ironed jacket but I somehow knew he was not be underestimated.
Continue reading “Maine Lobster Chef McLellan: “Bring It On!” (Conclusion)” »
Night One: Our information packet gave us directions to the Arts District where we were treated to an amazing sampling of local cuisine prepared by chefs of New Orleans. One could not turn around without bumping into a bartender. (I am not complaining here.) From there we were loaded onto an air conditioned tour bus and escorted to the next stop, by far the best looking Harley riding big bald police officers imaginable. Lights flashing, sirens blaring, cars pulling out of the way. It was something!
Continue reading “Maine Lobster Chef McLellan: “Bring it On!” (Part 2)” »
If you can’t take the heat, get back in the kitchen.
Culinary competition. Ask any chef how they feel about it and you will get one response or the other. Terrifying or exhilarating. I happen to be of the latter school.
Continue reading “Maine Lobster Chef McLellan: “Bring It On!” (Part 1)” »
With a decisive stamp of culinary approval, the Portland Press Herald devotes two full pages to Rockland in today’s food section. Finally putting to rest the reputation for which Rockland has suffered for too long (smelly, low-brow, depressed), food editor Meredith Goad declares Rock City a go-to destination for good eating and good art.
Midcoast Maine is abuzz this summer with all things Wyeth. I had just attended the opening reception at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland for Jamie Wyeth’s exhibition “Seven Deadly Sins” when I received an email from a longtime friend whose new book had just been released by National Geographic. “My Favorite Place on Earth: Celebrated People Share Their Travel Discoveries” was written by Jerry Dunn, a former neighbor of mine who had told me a year ago that he planned to include two Mainers in his book, Jamie Wyeth and Paige Rense.
The exact origin of artichokes is unknown, though they are said to have come from the Maghreb (North Africa), where they are still found in the wild state. The various names of the artichoke all ultimately come from Arabic al harshuf. The Arabic term Ardi-Shoki means "ground thorny."-Wikipedia
I recently returned from Egypt, and my travels inspired this artichoke based recipe. Hmm, who would have ever thought of Maine mussels and Arabic artichokes?
