Dining Out

Plans to open at the end of July
Mé Lon Togo, known for West African cuisine, opens in Camden
Tue, 07/14/2020 - 10:45am

Like most restaurateurs, Jordan Benissan expected he’d be running his popular restaurant Mé Lon Togo in Waterville this spring, but the pandemic had other plans for him. Not able to keep the restaurant open, and falling behind in rent, his landlord evicted him. These setbacks led to his announcement to c lose his restaurant in March. An acquaintance, a food blogger, who followed Benissan on Instagram, reached out to the food community in Portland and organized a Go Fund Me campaign for him,...
Noon - 4 p.m.; picnic tables to be set up on the grounds
Union Masons plan benefit chicken BBQ for July 18
Sat, 07/11/2020 - 11:30am
UNION — The Union Masonic Lodge 31 will be holding a benefit chicken barbecue on Saturday, July 18, from noon to 4 p.m. The event will be held at their Lodge located at 149 Sennebec Road in Union. The dinner will consist of a chicken leg quarter or chicken breast, corn on the cob, potato salad, cole slaw, roll and drink. Cost is by donation with a $5 donation suggested. All proceeds from the dinner will be donated to the local Come Spring Food Pantry. Because of the current pandemic, the BBQ...
Four businesses changing up the way they operate in the COVID-19 era
Fri, 07/10/2020 - 6:45pm

MIDCOAST — Charles Darwin had it right when in The Origin of Species he said: “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” As Maine enters mid-summer during a pandemic that has changed how businesses operate in absolutely every way, four Midcoast businesses have pivoted toward a new model of business—doing what they do best—in order to reach more customers. Hoxbill rebrands to...
‘Wining for the Dog Days of Summer’ generates $1,000 donation to Humane Society
Tue, 07/07/2020 - 7:00pm

“Wining for the Dog Days of Summer,” hosted and sponsored by In Good Company, donated 50% of proceeds from bottles of “beneficial” wine bought during May and June to Pope Memorial Humane Society. “Covid would’ve been so much worse without the love of our four-legged friends, the ability to get outside, and a glass of wine, said In Good Company chef and owner Melody Wolfertz, in a Pope Memorial news release. The money raised by In Good Company will be used to provide, food, shelter, and medical...
‘Tastes just like Thanksgiving’ takeout turkey supper in Searsport
Thu, 07/02/2020 - 9:00am

SEARSPORT — The Searsport United Methodist Church, on Main Street in Searsport, is holding a totally takeout, "tastes just like Thanksgiving" turkey supper on Saturday, July 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. Cost is ten dollars per person. “While there is no inside seating available, your to-go turkey meal comes complete with all the fixin's, including homemade pie for dessert!” said the church, in a news release.
deadline to order is July 8
Take-out lobster roll supper at People’s United Methodist Church
Sun, 06/28/2020 - 9:15am
UNION — Following the recent Take-Out Turkey Supper, the People’s United Methodist Church in Union will be offering a Take-Out Lobster Roll Supper on Friday, July 17. The menu will consist of a lobster roll prepared with fresh Maine lobster, potato chips, a pickle and for dessert the official “State of Maine Treat” – a homemade Whoopie Pie. The meal will be prepared by a limited number of masked and gloved cooks in the church kitchen under clean and sanitary conditions. Tickets are $20 per meal...
Big T Snack Shack sets up in Rockport Harbor for the summer
Thu, 06/25/2020 - 10:00am

ROCKPORT—With restaurants continuing to navigate seating challenges during COVID-19, one brick and mortar eatery has the perfect solution to stay operating—and the perfect location. The Big T Snack Shack food trailer, co-owned by husband-and-wife Mark Senders and Rebecca Neves, was approved by the Rockport Select Board to set up full-time operations in Rockport Harbor this summer and fall. The couple, who also own the Bagel Cafe in Camden, have operated The Big T Snack Shack at the Camden Snow...
additional drive up/walk up baked bean suppers to be held in July, August
Thomaston Legion Post 37 to hold takeout supper
Thu, 06/11/2020 - 7:00pm
THOMASTON — Due to the success of the two supper meals provided in May, Williams-Brazier, American Legion Post 37 will hold a drive up/walk up baked bean supper again on June 20. This IS NOT a sit down supper and all coronavirus state guidelines will be followed. Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the 37 Watts Lane location. Beginning this month additional meals will be prepared to meet the overwhelming demand of the first two ‘to go’ suppers, according to Post 37, in a news release. Two additional...
Islesboro Ferry workers and beach goers will soon get custom food delivery
Lincolnville’s The Beach Store opens with new owners, expanded menu
Sun, 05/24/2020 - 8:45am

LINCOLNVILLE BEACH — New owners have taken over The Beach Store, a popular sandwich shop directly across from the beach. A family-run business, owners Owen, Shannon and Jonathan Weyers have added multiple grills and expanded a new menu that includes locally sourced Green Tree coffee, Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, burgers, hot dogs, subs, salads, pizza, ice cream, and even a summer favorite—fried dough. The Weyers bought the building in January, hoping to open the first of April, until the...
Williams-Brazier Post 37 to host Spaghetti ‘to go’ Supper
Wed, 05/20/2020 - 9:45am

THOMASTON — Due to the success of the ‘to go’ Baked Bean Supper Williams-Brazier Post 37 will hold another ‘to go’ supper on May 30, at Williams-Brazier Post 037, American Legion. This will be a spaghetti and meatball supper and sponsored by the Auxiliary’s Unit 37. Doors open at 5 p.m. This IS NOT a sit down supper and all coronavirus state guidelines will be followed, according to Post 37, in a news release.. You can look for more of the ‘to go’ suppers in the coming weeks. Each meal will be...
This is what restaurants must do before reopening May 18
Mon, 05/11/2020 - 8:00pm

Restaurants in 12 of Maine’s 16 counties can reopen for business beginning Monday, May 18 so long as they follow a set of guidelines appearing below. Under the newly released plan by Governor Janet Mills, restaurants will be permitted to open in-store dining operations, with enhanced safety precautions, in counties where community transmission is not present. Those counties are Aroostook, Piscataquis, Washington, Hancock, Somerset, Franklin, Oxford, Kennebec, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, and Sagadahoc...
‘On A Roll’ lobster food truck now open at Waterman’s Beach Brewery
Sat, 05/09/2020 - 11:30am

SOUTH THOMASTON—A new food truck opened May 8 to complement Waterman’s Beach Brewery, and fans of the old Waterman’s Beach Lobster, will be thrilled to know that the new venue has some unique ties to the old. Joshua and Charmen Spearing are heading up “On A Roll,” a traditional lobster shack on wheels in the same spot where Waterman’s Beach Lobster shack originally operated for the last 30 years, Joshua, a lobsterman who fishes out of Spruce Head, and Charmen, a former employee of Waterman...
turkey with stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, cranberry sauce, homemade roll
Union church converts annual Turkey Supper to take out meal
Fri, 05/08/2020 - 5:45pm
UNION — On Friday, May 29, The People’s United Methodist Church, in Union, will be offering their annual Turkey Supper as a take out meal. The event was postponed this year due to the coronavirus, but church members have decided that the supper will go on, according to the Church, in a news release. The meal will be prepared by a limited number of masked and gloved cooks in the church kitchen under clean and sanitary conditions. Each meal will be portioned into a microwaveable and biodegradable...
a Baked Bean Supper with twist
American Legion Post 37 to commemorate Memorial Day with to-go dinner
Fri, 05/08/2020 - 5:30pm
THOMASTON — To commemorate Memorial Day, American Legion’s Williams-Brazier Post 37 will hold a drive up/walk up baked bean supper, Saturday, May 16, at their post on Watts Lane. This IS NOT a sit down supper and all coronavirus state guidelines will be followed, according to Williams-Brazier, in a news release. Organizers will host a Baked Bean Supper, with twist, to try and bring back some sort of Post activity to provide to its members and patrons. “If this is a success, we will continue the...
Updated with new listings
What’s shakin’ in the best Midcoast cocktails to go?
Sat, 05/02/2020 - 9:00am

It’s hard to believe that Maine, once the 19th century pearl-clutcher of New England responsible for enacting Prohibition before any other state, has relaxed its alcohol mandates during the COVID-19 crisis, but here we go. While all restaurants and bars are prohibited from conducting dine-in (and drink-in) services until June 1 and July 1, respectively, beer and wine was allowed to be sold along with a food order. Additionally as of March 18 (updated March 24), Gov. Mills’ Order also included...
Annual Easter meal at Rockland church to continue as take-out
Thu, 03/26/2020 - 2:15pm
ROCKLAND — Adas Yoshuron Synagogue will be providing its annual Easter Day Community Dinner at St. Peter’s Church on Easter Sunday, April 12, at 1 p.m. Instead of serving a sit-down dinner, they will be distributing a home-cooked take-out meal for pick-up at St. Peter’s, 11 White Street, Rockland. When waiting in line to receive a meal, people are requested to maintain six feet of distance between themselves and others to comply with health recommendations. For more information contact Adas...
POSTPONED: New England boiled dinner public supper
Tue, 03/17/2020 - 9:30am
SOUTH THOMASTON — The New England Boiled Dinner Public Supper at Peoples' United Methodist Church has been postponed to a future date. Peoples' United Methodist Church will host a New England boiled dinner public supper, Saturday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. Menu to include: corned beef with all the fixings, yeast rolls, beverages, dessert. $8 for adults/ $4 for children 10 and under 13 Chapel Street, So. Thomaston, ME Good Food and Good Fellowship
Noon Music in Lent series canceled
Mon, 03/16/2020 - 10:45am
The following information is from St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church: St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church (33 Chestnut St., Camden) regrets to announce that the March 20, 27, and April 3 “Noon Music in Lent” concerts and “Noon Soup Luncheons” have been canceled as we take precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Updated with cancellations and new additions
Your 2020 St. Paddy’s Day Rundown
Mon, 03/16/2020 - 8:00am

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are still in the works for a number of local restaurants, bars and churches. Note: due to COVID-19 concerns, many establishments are changing their policies by the hour. Check the venue you plan to go to online or call ahead first. Friday, March 13 • St. George River Café in Warren is celebrating with an open mic night, along with corned beef and Guinness as well as an Irish tune or two from 6 to 8 p.m. • Bowen’s Tavern in Belfast is also...
support line, transitional housing, safe house network, group healing, legal services, CPS liaison
Community Breakfast to benefit New Hope for Women
Sun, 03/15/2020 - 7:00am

ROCKLAND — New Hope for Women will be the beneficiary of a breakfast held Saturday, March 21, from 7 - 10 a.m., at Café Miranda, in Rockland. Breakfast is prix fixe at $15 per person, includes orange juice and coffee and is first come, first served. New Hope for Women is a dynamic, community-based nonprofit based in Rockland, and serving four counties: Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo. Since 1981, New Hope for Women has offered support to individuals affected by domestic violence, dating...
The Maine Bicentennial Community Cookbook will be published June, 2020
Community-created Bicentennial cookbook celebrates Maine’s culinary past, present and future
Fri, 03/13/2020 - 1:45pm

The one thing that has always united Mainers from the past to the present, and from every corner of the state, is food. As a tribute to the Pine Tree State’s 200th anniversary of independence, a writer, a photographer, and a book owner are releasing the Maine Bicentennial Community Cookbook this summer. Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway are the husband/wife team behind several books, including The Food Lover’s Guide to Maine and The Portland Maine Chef’s Table. They...
enter a dish or sample the competition
POSTPONED: Rockland Firefighters’ 9th annual Chili, Chowder Cook-off to benefit MDA
Fri, 03/13/2020 - 12:00pm
ROCKLAND — The March 15 chili and chowder event to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association has been postponed. A new date is still to be determined. For the ninth year, amateurs and professionals are invited to compete with their best chili and chowders Sunday, March 15, in an event to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The event is being organized by the Rockland Professional Firefighters Local 1584 chapter of the International Association of Fire Fighters and being held...
Proceeds go to six local food pantries serving the school district
CANCELED: Medomak Valley’s 17th Annual Empty Bowl Supper, RSU 40 district wide art show
Thu, 03/12/2020 - 3:30pm

The following event has been canceled. “Governor Janet Mills recommended postponing gatherings of more than 250 people, so we are cancelling the Nature of the Arts 2020 celebration, including the Empty Bowl Supper, scheduled for tonight from 4:00-8:00 at Medomak Valley High School,” read a post on the high school’s Facebook page. “We are very sorry to all the participants and their families who were looking forward to this evening and have been preparing for so long, and we’re already looking...
Boston Post Cane recipient for South Thomaston
Spruce Head Community Hall winter potluck to celebrate Edgar Post’s 99th birthday
Sun, 03/08/2020 - 10:45pm

SPRUCE HEAD —The Spruce Head Community Hall and Historical Association will hold its third annual winter potluck supper Friday, March 13, at 6 p.m., in the Spruce Head Community Hall, Village Road. A very special feature of the evening will be a birthday party for Edgar Post, who holds the Boston Post Cane for South Thomaston and will turn 99 that week. Born in Spruce Head and educated in the village’s one-room schoolhouse, Post served his country in the Coast Guard in the Pacific and then...
dinner, live music, sing-a-long to Irish tunes
Traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner to be served at First Church in Belfast
Sun, 03/08/2020 - 7:00am
BELFAST — A traditional St. Patrick's Day dinner will be served up on Tuesday, March 17, St. Patrick's Day, from 5 - 7 p.m., at The First Church in Belfast, UCC, Fellowship Hall, located at 55 Spring Street. The menu will include Corned Beef and cabbage, carrots and potatoes, a vegetarian fare, and beverages, plus a special dessert. There will be live music, as well as some fun sing-a-long Irish tunes. Cost for the evening is $10/person and $25/family. Proceeds will support the purchase of new...
Building Community in Challenging Times
Lenten Luncheon Series with Greater Bay Area Ministerium
Fri, 03/06/2020 - 3:15pm
BELFAST — The Greater Bay Area Ministerium Lenten Luncheon Series will take place again this year each Wednesday throughout the Lenten season at The First Church in Belfast, UCC, located at 8 Court Street. This year's theme is "Building Community in Challenging Times." Various members of the ministerium will present on the theme. Presenters have 20 minutes followed by Q&A time. Luncheons begin at noon with everyone bringing their own lunch to eat. Beverages and desserts are provided...
a meal and a glimpse of what Maine was like in 1820
New England boiled dinner to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Maine’s 200th
Fri, 03/06/2020 - 3:00pm
THOMASTON — On March 14, at 5 p.m., the Williams-Brazier Post 37, in Thomaston, will be celebrating 200th anniversary of Maine’s statehood and St. Patrick’s Day with a traditional New England Boiled Dinner. The dinner is sponsored by the Williams-Brazier Post 37 Legionnaires and Auxiliary, Thomaston Historical Society and the Lady Knox Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Along with a meal, a small exhibit will be on display to give a glimpse of what Maine was like in 1820...
RDNA fundraising breakfast in South Thomaston part of 91st anniversary celebration
Wed, 03/04/2020 - 9:45am
SOUTH THOMASTON — People’s United Methodist Church of South Thomaston is hosting a public breakfast on Saturday, March 14, from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m., to benefit Rockland District Nursing Association (RDNA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that provides non-acute, in-home nursing and community health services. One of only three remaining district nursing agencies in Maine, RDNA is celebrating its 91st Anniversary, continuing the tradition of community nursing to meet current health needs. The RDNA...
Suzuki’s Sushi Bar to host two dinners to benefit Japan Exchange Program
Sun, 03/01/2020 - 8:45am

ROCKLAND — Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, in Rockland, will host two March nights of a private, closed to the public, uniquely prepared dinner with service provided by five of the ten Camden Rockport Middle School’s Japan Exchange Program travelers on each of two Tuesdays, March 10 and March 17, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Camden Rockport Middle School’s Japan Exchange Program has been in existence for over 20 years. For ten months, the ten Camden Rockport Middle School students have been working hard to raise...
Fine dining for location of former ‘Helm Restaurant’
Italian restaurant to open late spring in Rockport
Tue, 02/25/2020 - 3:30pm

ROCKPORT — Following a fall and winter of dormancy, construction is now under way at 141 Commercial St. (Route 1) in Rockport, preparing the building which once housed the Helm restaurant for a new iteration – Ports of Italy, a fine dining Italian eatery. “We should be open the beginning of May or the beginning of June,” said owner Sante Calandri on Feb. 24. Calandri purchased the property last year. Calandri owns two existing Ports of Italy restaurants in Boothbay and Kennebunk, the menus for...
view winning entries from this year’s conservation district poster contest
Environmental Ed fundraiser, poster contest gallery at Flatbread Company
Wed, 02/19/2020 - 9:15am

ROCKPORT — Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District (KLSWCD) will hold an Environmental Education Fundraiser, Tuesday, March 10, from 5 to 9 p.m., at Flatbread Company, 100 Commercial Street (Rt 1) in Rockport. Flatbread Company will donate a portion of all pizza sales from the evening in support of the conservation district’s K-12 education programs, which are offered free to all Knox and Lincoln county students throughout the year. These programs include the Conservation Education...
a free celebration
Consume a breakfast staple at Rockport Public Library in recognition of Toast Day
Thu, 02/13/2020 - 5:45pm

ROCKPORT — Celebrate Rockport Public Library’s Third Annual National Toast Day on Thursday, Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. All day, the Library will have a variety of breads (including gluten free) and toppings like jam, jelly, butter, peanut butter, and marmalade for you to help yourself to. “This is a free celebration, just stop by and enjoy some lovely toast,” said the Library, in a news release.
Students in culinary arts and baking create sumptuous feast for $10
MCST’s new Osprey Nest is a real café with buffet stations
Mon, 02/10/2020 - 2:30pm

ROCKLAND—For years, the Mid-Coast School of Technology’s students in Culinary Arts and Baking/Pastry programs have been putting on a World Café, a hands-on, real life execution of their culinary skills for the public in the form of publicly offered breakfasts and lunches. This winter into spring, they have continued this tradition, but with a few changes. Whereas in the old building, they had a converted classroom serving as their dining area, MCST’s newly built school features a 118-seat café...
Marshall Wharf, along with Three Tides bar, will be open for business by spring
Former employee of Marshall Wharf Brewing Co. and wife bring Belfast business back to life
Mon, 02/10/2020 - 1:00pm

BELFAST—The sound of construction can be heard in and around the two buildings that comprise Marshall Wharf Brewing and Three Tides these days. It’s business as usual for builder Daniel Waldron, co-owner of Whitecap Builders; but he isn’t just working on the buildings. He and his wife, Kathleen Dunckel, recently purchased the brewery building and property prior to a public auction on January 29. They also purchased the brewery business and Three Tides business. As a former employee of Three...
Friday night chili public supper in South Thomaston
Sun, 02/09/2020 - 9:15am
SOUTH THOMASTON — A Friday night chili public supper will be held Friday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m., at Peoples' United Methodist Church, in South Thomaston. Menu to include: Various chili’s and toppings, homemade corn muffins, ice cream sundae bar, and beverages. $8 for adults/ $4 for children 10 and under Peoples' United Methodist Church 13 Chapel Street, So. Thomaston, ME Good Food and Good Fellowship
supporting conservation and education programs
Friends of Sears Island dinner fundraiser
Thu, 02/06/2020 - 8:45am
BELFAST — Friends of Sears Island invites you to join us for a fundraising dinner, Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., at Nautilus Seafood & Grill, in Belfast. Order a meal, and Nautilus will donate 10% of your tab to Friends of Sears Island to support conservation and education programs. “This is a great opportunity to support a local business and a local nonprofit!” said Friends of Sears Island, in a news release. Nautilus Seafood & Grill is located at 3 Main Street, in Belfast...
free after school programs teach steam bending, jig making, boat building
Community breakfast fundraiser to support youth programming at Apprenticeshop
Wed, 02/05/2020 - 4:00pm

ROCKLAND — Saturday, Feb. 22, from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m., Cafe Miranda will host a Community Breakfast in support of free youth programming at the Apprenticeshop. The breakfast will be first come, first served with a pre-fixe menu for $15 including coffee and orange juice. Half of the breakfast proceeds will go to the Apprenticeshop to support its Maritime Skills program for local youth based in traditional boat building and boat handling techniques. Currently, the Apprenticeshop is partnering with...
releasing high spirits before the somber season of Lent
St. Peter’s to host annual pancake luncheon
Tue, 02/04/2020 - 2:30pm
ROCKLAND — The tradition of a Pancake Luncheon at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Rockland continues. It has existed for more than 50 years (“some say longer,” said the Church). The tradition will continue on Tuesday, Feb. 25, with serving time from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Episcopal Church Women of the parish will prepare and serve pancakes with maple syrup, sausage, sherbet and cookies, coffee and tea. The luncheon is open to all and all proceeds from the admission charge of $7 for adults and $4...
jazz, juggling, neighbors, kids’ crafts, food
Love Your Library; Your Library Loves You open house in Rockland
Wed, 01/29/2020 - 9:45am

ROCKLAND — The Rockland Public Library and Friends of Rockland Public Library will hold the seventh annual community-centered "Love Your Library; Your Library Loves You" open house, Friday, Feb. 14, from 4:30 -7 p.m. There is no charge for this fun-filled evening; hot food and soups, drinks, and desserts will be served. Jazz duo Bill Barnes and Dave Briggs will provide music in the Reading Room. Local performer Steve Athearn will share his talents as roving juggler throughout the building...