Down East Magazine - Maine Vacations, Real Estate, Lifestyles

A Crib Sheet of Maine Info You Need to Know — November 21, 2008

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a report indicating Maine has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation.Those households that struggle to buy groceries and have consistent meals are described as being food insecure. In Maine, the rate of food insecurity grew at a rate faster than any other state between 2002 and 2004; one in seven households reported being food insecure between 2005 and 2007.

Bar Harbor is protecting the night skies. The town passed an ordinance requiring all outdoor lights to be fully shielded to prevent manmade beams of light from diminishing the natural light of stars.

 November 20. 2008:

A German company has purchased three Super Constellation Starliner airplanes from an Auburn man and will begin a three-year restoration effort that will eventually return the German-made vintage airliners to the skies. Auburn resident Maurice Roundy owned three of the legendary "Connies" and had begun restoration efforts before running out of funds for the project. Forty four of the planes were built in the 1950s. Roundy owned four of the giants  that otherwise would have been used for scrap after being retrofitted from passenger to cargo use.

A foundation funded by the German airline Lufthansa bought all three planes for $748,000 after Roundy filed for bankruptcy. The German crew will spend the next three years restoring the aircraft in a 37,000 square-foot hanger in Auburn. The planes will be restored as passenger craft and will some day offer passenger service from Germany.

November 19, 2008:

The future of Sears Island is making headlines — again. Owned by the State of Maine, the island has been the center of debate among transportation officials, developers and conservationists as each has vied for development rights to the island. Sears Island  is located off Searsport and has deepwater harbor access. A legislative committee charged with reviewing proposals for Sears Island approved  a plan that would reserve some 600 acres in conservation easements and allow transportation-related development on approximately 330 acres. In the past, the island has been considered for a coal-fired plant and a deepwater cargo port.

November 18, 2008:

What does Maine have in common with Snoop Dog? Both will be featured on today's episde of The Martha Stewart Show when the daytime domestic diva highlights conservation efforts in Maine and gives kudos to "Saving Maine, An Album of Conservation Success Stories" published by Down East.

Maine's community banks and credit unions say they are ready to loan, according to an article published by Forbes.com. Financial leaders met in Augusta Monday with business leaders to help quell concerns that Maine banks are unable to lend in the current financial downturn gripping the nation.

Maine ski resorts have begun making snow for the 2008-2009 winter skiing season. Sugarloaf, in Carabassett Valley, hopes to open for the season Friday.

Why is Maine So Bookish?

Read more »

Book Showcases Down East's Most Popular Historical Photographs

Enjoy a peek at 'What's in a Picture?' — complete with digital 'pages' to turn. (Online readers also enjoy 20-percent discount on the cover price through Nov. 21.) Read more »

Ten Tips for Taking Great Maine Photographs

A published photographer shares his top secrets for snapping memorable pictures of Maine. Read more »