August 2001

Eastport’s Undersea World

The waters off Maine’s easternmost city offer some of the finest SCUBA diving in the hemisphere. Image subjects: underwater – spiny urchins and mussels on sea floor winged sea star on sea floor sea raven on sea floor sea peaches and urchin smooth star fish sea anemones Location: Passamaquoddy Bay, Calais

Matinicus

Maine’s outermost island basks in a midsummer utterly free of hoopla and hype. Image subjects: Matinicus Harbor from the air community church waterfront – town dock or pier island home with red roof coastline – rocks, surf and trees home with water looking out to sea lobster boat underway Location: Matinicus

Maine in the Movies

Since the days of silent movies, Hollywood has had an infatuation with the Pine Tree State. Most movies made in Maine were forgettable, but a few were worthwhile. Some of the best movies about Maine were actually filmed elsewhere.

Aboard the ‘State of Maine’

Mainer’s tend for forget there’s a new ship in Castine proudly bearing the state’s name on her bow. Image subjects: State of Maine moored in Castine harbor. engine room of State of Maine State of Maine view from inside the bridge of the State of Maine state room aboard the State of Maine. Location: Castine

Remembering Blackie

Almost twenty-five years after the death of one of Maine’s most colorful and most human artists, his work is still as popular as ever. Image subjects: Blackie Langlais sculpture Langlais at work Langlais in front of horse sculpture sculpture of dog and hippo Location: Cushing

The Boy Who Broke The First Rule of Scouting – and Became a National Hero

When twelve-year-old Donn Fendler set out to scale Katahdin in the summer of ’39, he didn’t realize the climb would change his life. Image subjects: Donn Fendler at age 12. Location: Mt. Katahdin

The Ferryman

He is the son of the late governor, but is best known along the Appalachian Trail simply as ” The Ferryman”. Image subjects: Steve Longley on river in his canoe. hikers on trail at river’s edge Steve Longley with passengers in canoe loading hiker and gear into canoe. Location: Caratunk

The Ultimate Maine Garden

It took twenty years and tons of topsoil, but Chuck Richards has finally succeeded in turning his 2 1/2 acres of granite ledge into a place of enchantment. Image subjects: garden path-from phlox to tall yellow ligularia. garden-astilbe house and garden garden moss path through woods and rocks clumbs

The sin of purple loosestrife is that it grows too well. Image subjects: photo of painting of purple loosestrife

Window Magic

Oversized windows and plenty of them make this modest house in southern Maine seem as big as the salt marsh it overlooks. Image subjects: Great room looking out to marsh view of house exterior view from kitchen to great room bedroom Location: Kennebunkport

A Timely Yarn

Jim Carrier writes about storms at sea in The Ship and the Storm.

Radio Chatter

The U.S. Coast Guard gives up trying to stop idle chatter on VHF 16.

Boating Therapy

Youngsters who might otherwise be in trouble are finding useful alternatives in boating. Location: Portland

Brunswick’s Hero

A salute to an old soldier, at last. Location: Brunswick

Retiring Boomers

Augusta faces a gray – haired brain drain.

Traps vs. Pots

In some circles, they’re just called coffee tables.

Ancient Ones

These self-styled frontiersmen eschew Big Macs. Image subjects: moose in frontier garb

Road Risks

Too many Maine work sites are crash sites.

Maine Guide Tricks

Starting a fire with a battery and steel wool. Image subjects: starting a fire with battery and steel wool

Got Mile?

For one dairy farm, the local boom has been a boon. Location: York County

City with a Soul

In all sorts of ways, Lewiston-Auburn really does exist. Location: Lewiston Auburn

Are Maine’s Paper Mills Doomed?

A major change shakes up the paper industry, many Mainers are wondering if it has a future here. Maine hasn’t seen a new paper mill built here in twenty years. Image subjects: pulp wood stacked. Location: North Woods

A Monhegan Proposal

Remembering a trip to Monhegan Island. Location: Monhegan

Cozy Harbor Candlepins

Remembering a childhood at Cozy Harbor. Location: Cozy Harbor, Boothbay

Montville Memories

Childhood memories of visiting Montville. Location: Montville

That’s Our Boy

Bicolor, the adopted puffin. Location: Machias Seal Island

Best Fairs

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. See animals, prized animals and handwork items at one of these fairs.

Best Free Things To Do

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Maine excels when it comes to finding fun for free. Image subjects: canoeing in Baxter State Park with Mt. Katahdin Location: Castine, Baxter State Park, Augusta

Best Beaches

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Here is a list of some of Maine’s best beaches.

Best Governors

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Maine has been lucky with respect to its governors. This list may surprise you.

Best Views

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Maine is well known for spectacular scenery. Here are some stand-out sites.

Best Flight-Seeing

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Want a bird’s-eye view of some of Maine’s picturesque scenery? Try one of these air charter services for some flight-seeing.

Best Cheap Eats

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Good eating doesn’t have to cost a lot. Try one of these spots for cheap eats.

Best Lobster Shacks

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Some ideas for those who want to eat their lobster al fresco.

Best Parking

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Finding a parking place is sometimes more difficult than getting there. Here are some parking ideas. Location: York, Ogunquit, Kennebunk

Briefly Noted

Books reviewed include: “New England Wildlife: Habitat, Natural History, and Distribution” by Richard M. DeGraff and Mariko Yamasaki; “Maine Handbook” by Kathleen M. Brandes; “The Sun Never Sets on Hancock Point: An Informal History” from the Hancock Historical Society; and “Gardens Maine Style” by Rebecca Sawyer-Fay

The Preservation Game

A provocative new book argues that historic preservation is a process, not an event.

Best Fishing Spots

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Here are five fishing spots that are worth a cast.

Best Scenic Drives

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Here are seven scenic drives worth considering.

Best Balloon Rides

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Ballooning offers not only a great way to view Maine scenery, but a neat experience.

Best Historical Moments

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. List of interesting historic monuments.

Best Public Gardens

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. While June and July may be peak season for home flower gardening, August is just right for one of these public gardens.

Best Walking Tours

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. If you like history, why don’t you look into taking an historic walk. Here are some ideas.

Best City Parks

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Maine’s urban centers offer some wonderful green spaces worth visiting.

Best Campsites

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Maine must have thousands of campsites, but here are a few that stand out.

Best Rainy Day Fun

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. What to do on a rainy day in Maine? Here are some ideas. Image subjects: individual with a wetsuit hitting the waves

Best City Sites

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Maine isn’t known for it’s cityscapes, but that doesn’t mean the state’s population centers aren’t pretty. Image subjects: view from Portland observatory

Best Outdoor Guides

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Why hire a Registered Maine Guide when there are so many fine guide books. Here are some good ones.

Best Maine Souvenirs

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Maine has all sorts of souvenirs. Here are some of the more unusual ones.

Best Offbeat Museums

Down East editors have put together a Best of Maine list unlike any other – a compilation of places to go and things to do in the Pine Tree State. Among Maine’s many museums, these stand out for their collection of oddities.

Too Few Nurses

Journal Tribune: State schools seem to be offering too little medicine for the state’s hospitals resulting in a shortage of registered nurses.

Best Farm Stand

Beth’s farm stand is worth a visit. Location: Warren

Library Boom

Bangor Daily News: Maine libraries are caught up in a flurry of expansion and improvement.

Live Free or Sue

Kennebec Journal: New Hampshire loses it’s claim to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Tidal Trails

Tidal Trails will take you birdwatching, through Pembrooke’s reversing falls, whale-watching or on numerous other unusual trips near Eastport. Location: Eastport, Pembroke

The Elephant Tree

A mighty horse chestnut in Warren withstood its first serious threat seventy years ago. Today, this tree is threatened by the MDOT. Location: Warren

Old Village Inn, Ogunquit

An easily overlooked landmark in the center of town offers an exceptional dining experience. Image subjects: Tom Shupe and Mathew Price in restaurant Location: Ogunquit

August Highlights

August 2001 calendar of events.

Putting On the Dog

A family poses for the camera with their boat in 1890. Location: Yarmouth