Down East April 2001

April 2001

The table of contents from the April 2001 issue of Down East.

Features

Best View in Portland

Thanks to a $1.3-million restoration effort, the tower of the 194-year-old Portland observatory is once again open to gawkers. Image subjects: View from the top of the Portland Observatory View from the top of the Portland Observatory Portland Observatory from the ground Inside the Portland Observatory

  • By: David Simpson
  • and Jeff Clark
  • Photography by: Brian Vanden Brink
 

Maine’s Summer Royalty

Every year a new crop of young ladies vie for the venerable crowns. Location: Rockland, Union

  • By: Clair Kofoed
 

A Weekend Wilderness Loop

The Moose River Bow can be canoed by relative novices, takes little more than a couple of days, and ends where it begins. Image subjects: Kayaking down river Location: Moose River Bow, Jackman, Attean Falls

  • By: Frank Andrews
  • Photography by: Alden Pellett
 

Boaters Guide to the Coast

Maine’s most complete and up-to-date list of marinas and boating facilities.

  • By: Ken Textor
 

Setting the Standard

On a remote corner of the Maine coast under a canopy of spruces, the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts reinvents itself this year for the fiftieth time. Image subjects: Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Inside the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts- student glass blower view of buildings and deck/stairs

  • By: Charles Waterman
  • and Virginia Wright
  • Photography by: Greg Morley
 

Mount Desert’s Top Eagle Watcher

Not only does Captain Winston Shaw set out each day from Mount Desert Island to check on the bald eagles in his area, he also takes passengers. Location: Mount Desert Island, Mt. Desert Island Porcupine Islands

  • By: Steve Grooms
  • and Dianne Bair
  • Photography by: Len Rue
 

Fly Rod Crosby’s North Woods Album

A new book contains many of the views Maine’s first registered guide used to lure tourists here a century ago. Location: Rangeley

  • By: Stephen Bodio
 

The Quiet Side of Boothbay

Even many Mainers are unaware of the secluded stretches of coastline, woodsy biking trails, and genuine tranquility that abound just moments from the famous harbor. Image subjects: view of village from water people walking along road people wading off rocky shore map of Boothbay region Location: Boothbay, East Boothbay

  • By: John Falk
  • and Elizabeth Peavey
  • Photography by: Michele Stapleton
 

Shade Lovers

Everything at Fernwood Gardens in Swanville thrives in limited sunlight, including apparently, the happy couple who run the place. Image subjects: Shade-loving plants at Fernwood Gardens Owners Rick and Gail Sawyer at Fernwood Gardens Fernwood Gardens Nursery with plants for sale at Fernwood Gardens

  • By: Greg Roth
  • and Jane Lamb
  • Photography by: Kevin Shields
 

Glimpsing The Real Camden

An entertaining new CD walking tour discloses some of the rich local color that lurks just behind the facades. Image subjects: Old Camden postcards, Discovering Camden and Rockport CD Location: Camden, Rockport

  • By: Richard Grant
  • and John Barsness
  • Photography by: Benjamin Magro
 

In the Footsteps of Sarah Orne Jewett

The spirit of the great Maine author still lives in her South Berwick homestead. Image subjects: Jewett House Location: South Berwick

  • By: Meadow Rue Merrill
  • Photography by: Sandy Agrafiotis
 

Departments

Floating Doctor’s Office

Patient and nurse can speak with a doctor via the internet from aboard the 72′ long Sunbeam V.

  • By: T. Edward Nickens
  • and Ken Textor
 

Madam Commodore

Not until this year has the country’s third oldest yacht club had a women as its commodore. Location: Portland

  • By: Michael McIntosh
  • and Ken Textor
 

Virtual Vacation

Going to Maine on vacation? Click on one of these webcams for a little taste of the Pine Tree State.

  • By: Stuart Williams
 

Changing Times

Moody’s Diner leaps into the twentieth century.

  • By: Bobby George Jr
 

What’s in a Name?

Maybe too much for the Scarborough School Board. Location: Scarborough

  • By: Chuck Barry
 

Wood-paneled Memories

A collection of woodies recalls their heyday. Location: Owls Head

  • By: Richard Grozik
 

Reinventing Pasta

Maine researchers are once again using their noodles.

  • By: Tom Huggler
 

Cowsitters

Dairyman for a day – or dairymaid. Image subjects: diary cows in field

  • By: David Wonderlich
  • Photography by: Richard Procopio
 

Taxing Maine Water

Journal Tribune: Debate over Maine’s decision to tax bottled water.

  • By: Dr. James D. Nelson
 

Allagash Solution

Bangor Daily News: Conflict over how to manage the use of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway could be resolved by the legislature.

  • By: Carol Vance Wary
 

Wiscasset’s Chunnel

If the state can’t bypass the traffic bottleneck in this historic village, it might just tunnel under it. Image subjects: Nichols-Sortwell House – exterior view Location: Wiscasset

  • By: Gary Zahm
  • and Jeff Clark
  • Photography by: Brian Vanden Brink
 

Making Nonprofits Pay

Maine Sunday Telegraph: When nonprofits consume 20% of a municipality’s tax base, how much good can a community afford.

  • By: Vic Venters
 

Drug War Failure

Drug treatment may offer a better alternative to breaking the cycle of crime than prison.

  • By: David Wonderlich
 

Westbrook’s Prize Band

Awards aren’t the reason the Westbrook High School Marching Band performs as well as it does, it’s more than that.

  • By: Joseph A. Wright
 

Golfing in Maine

Every corner of the state now boasts courses that appeal to all kinds of golfers.

  • By: Tom Roster
 

Exploring the Allagash

Lew Dietz portrays the famed wilderness waterway before it became controversial in his book “The Allagash”.. Location: Churchill Lake, Round Pond

  • By: Bruce Buck
  • and Jon A. Lund
 

Bargain Air Service

The Rockland Regional Airport in Owls Head offers a great alternative to flying from Bangor or Portland. Location: Owls Head

  • By: Andrew Vietze
  • and Bill Trevillian
 

Champion Chowder

The Lobster Crate in Perry offers up some wicked-good chowder. Location: Perry

  • By: Gene Hill
  • and Andrew Vietze
 

Town Crier

I considered it a privilege to help my grandfather in his unique calling as Sebago Lake. Location: Sebago Lake, East Sebago

  • By: James St. Pierre
 

The White Barn Inn

In the heart of the Kennebunks, you can find what most consider the finest dining in Maine. Image subjects: Owner and chef in dining room of the White Barn Inn. Location: Kennebunkport

  • By: Michael McIntosh
  • and Paul Mann
  • Photography by: Randy Ury
 

Summer Highlights

Here’s a preview of some of the festivities planned for 2001 in Maine.

  • By: Steve Smith
 

Time for a Mug Up

1901 photo of camp cook at Ben Simon’s logging camp.

  • By: Galen Winter
  • and Ellen MacDonald Ward