The Itching Hour is upon us—that is, if you’re itching to do something fun this weekend and saving up your hella Halloween energy for next weekend. Check out the line up!

Belfast Art Walk with Masked Performers

Friday, October 23—Belfast

Unmask! Unmask! Okay, you can stay masked. Come and enjoy an evening of masked performers for this October’s Fourth Friday Art Walk in downtown Belfast. Wear your own mask or simply enjoy the masked promenade as you go from gallery to gallery. The Art Walk takes place from 5:30–8 p.m. More than 15 downtown galleries will be participating.  Come and enjoy the paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, etchings, assemblage, and fine craft of local Maine artists. Featured performers include Beverly Mann, With Breath Puppetry and Poet Michael Darigan. Beverly Mann’s sculptural masks will be on view at High Street Gallery.

New Temp Tales episode, with music & stand up

Friday, October 23—Rockport

This is some home grown fun and will be the place to be Friday night. Necessary Music Productions will be partnering with O'Chang Comics for the world premier of the next Temp Tales Cartoon: Crittah Gittahz Part II! The event will be mixed media and feature original O'Chang cartoons, musicians and stand up comics. Hosted at the Simonton Corner Community Hall (366 Main St.) in Rockport, the event begins at 7 p.m. Donations at the door of $5-10 will go to the artists and venue expenses. Local Waldo and Knox county bands The Midnight Riders & Sugarbush will be performing, as will stand up comedians Janis Lilly & Ian Stuart!

Salty Soup Kitchen Mexican Night

Saturday, October 24—Rockport

This pop up kitchen has been on a roll this month and this Saturday, they’re getting into the guacamole groove. This Saturday they will start serving once again at 5:00 p.m. until about 8:30 p.m. (Bring cash only).  I like how they advertise it as “Mexican nights are kid friendly but are also adult, young adult, awkward adolescent, middle aged and geriatric friendly.” BYOB. If you bring tequila, they will give you margarita granita mix to go with it or if you bring beer, they’ll offer michelada cocktail (non-alcoholic) with chili salt and lime. Open to all.

5th annual Derbytante Ball

Saturday, October 24—Rockport

The Rock Coast Roller derby girls are known for throwing a left of center party. Whether you come decked out in your most outlandish prom dress or you arrive as Cruella DeVille, you're guaranteed to have the best time. The event is at Trackside Station and starts at 8 p.m. Dancing is required. Music by DJ McLovin. Photo booth fun provided.Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. They'll have a raffle, as well as a dessert auction, with delicious treats provided by Rock Coast Rollers skaters.

Killer Road Trip: Harvest on The Harbor

Saturday, October 24—Portland

Taste the eight regions of Maine in this daytime event from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. This epic food & beverage experience is a treat to the eyes and taste buds alike. Explore delectable eats unique to each of the eight regions of Maine, meet ambassadors and learn the unique history and stories embedded within each part of the state.Here’s a list of the purveyors. In addition to the amazing food selections you'll receive a complimentary commemorative glass as you enter to allow you to sample a multitude of wines, beers, and spirits from around Maine, New England, and around the nation. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Halloweenie (hal-uh-ween, -oh-een-nee). A person who loves Halloween above all holidays. Halloween is Christmas, Easter, Valentine’s and St. Patrick's day all in one. — Urban Dictionary

You know this person. You’re sitting together in June watching boats float by while having a beer and he/she says, “You know what I’m going to be for Halloween this year?” This person already has the costume picked out. This person is 36 years old.

Luckily for Halloweenies, the Midcoast has ramped up its All Hallow’s Eve game in the last five years. Holloween falls on a Saturday night this year. You’re guaranteed to see and be seen at the following joints. Please, please don’t go as Ebola Nurse this year. That’s done, hon.

Prospect

Fright At The Fort: If there’s one thing that can be said about the Friends of Fort Knox Executive Director Leon Seymour, it is that he is a mega Halloweenie. He absolutely lives for this season and it shows in each year’s macabre theme and elaborate props. This year’s theme is Water over the Damned. By the look of the poster, imagine aquatic Nazi zombies from Shock Waves (1977) and Zombie Lake (1981), or perhaps the underwater monsters from Sea Beast (2009) or The Host (2007). Dress in an appropriately themed costume for one of these epic tours and Leon might pop out of the shadows himself and let you know he approves. Fright tours, Oct. 17, 23, 24, 30, 31.

Belfast

Front Street Pub is known for its themed Halloween parties and costume contest with a D.J., dancing, games, prizes, and the chance to win a scary looking bike from Shipyard Brewing. 9 p.m.-midnight

Bowen's Tavern is having its third annual Halloween Party with the live band, Oversoul! Costume contest with $150 cash prize goes to best costume to be judged at midnight. 8 p.m. to close. No cover and the kitchen will be open till 11 p.m.

Three Tides in Belfast is throwing an awesome black light party for Halloween. They plan on keeping it creepy and bringing in D.J.s Jason Keith and Matty.t with the tunes. Dress to Impress (the DEAD)! Music starts at 9 p.m.  21 and older. No cover.

Camden

Cuzzy's Restaurant in Camden will have a Scaraoke costume party from 9 p.m. to midnight with prizes, giveaways and specials.

Pig + Poet will be throwing their first Halloween bash with dancing movies, costume and pumpkin-carving contests (BYOP), prizes and specials. 4-10 pm.

Rockland

The Speakeasy loves a costume party, oh boy they do. The Dolphin Strikers are making a return appearance. Their theme this year is Bring Out Your Blaze! Incorporate blaze orange into your costumes; there will be prizes for the most creative, the scariest and the most beautiful blaze. $3 tickets can be reserved ahead. 9 p.m.-midnight.

FOG Bar and Cafe: Just Teachers will be the costume dance band and specials, 9 p.m.-midnight. The party starts when the bar opens and the costume contest will be judged at 11 p.m.

3Crow is throwing a Scar3crow Bash from 9 p.m. to midnight with costume contests and drink specials as well as DJ and dancing. Free admission.

Note: We've been looking everywhere online for events, so if we don't have yours, let us know. Email us if you know of another cool event happening on that night in the Midcoast and we’ll add to our list!

ROCKLAND — Gotta hand it to the Strand Theatre for going big last night. A few hours before the anticipated screening of Back To The Future on Oct 21, 2015, a rented DeLorean came off a tow truck and was parked on a downtown Rockland sidewalk, right under the theater’s marquis.

Wouldn’t it have been cooler if Main Street had been cordoned off and that thing came whizzing down from the sky at 88 miles an hour?

Crowds lined up 45 minutes before the movie to get a ticket, and the theater was packed when the lights went down. It’s funny to see the movie again after 30 years, particularly the comic beats that got the most audience laughs. Here were two quotes that did:

“Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here?" — Biff Tannen

"Whoa, this is heavy." — Marty McFly
"There's that word again: 'heavy.' Why are things so heavy in the future? Is there a problem with the earth's gravitational pull?" — Doc

There were three moments in the movie where the audience spontaneously broke out in applause. One was the scene where bully ringleader Biff and his buddies broadsided a manure truck, which dumped all over their convertible. The audience applauded again when George McFly got up the nerve to save Lorraine and punch Biff in the face.

The third, of course, was the tense moment when the lightning struck the old clock tower just as the DeLorean time machine hit 88 miles per hour, sending Marty McFly back to the future.

Well, today is Oct. 22, 2015. It’s all in the past now.

Send us your DeLorean selfies and we’ll post to our gallery!

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Back To The Future, the highest grossing movie of 1985, will always be one of my favorite films because in 1985, I was just a couple of years younger than Marty McFly, Michael J. Fox’s character. My dad took my sister and me to see the movie and this was what was so weirdly meta about the experience. Here I was — a teenager in 1985 watching a movie set in 1985 with my father (who was a teenager in the 1950s) in which the character goes back to find his father as a teenager in 1955.

The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale, developed from a concept Gale imagined after finding his father's high school yearbook in his parents’ basement. Looking through the yearbook, Gale discovered his father had been the president of his graduating class. Gale wondered whether he and his father would have been friends if they had attended school together.

Believe me, after this movie, my father and I had that very same conversation (and I imagine millions of people did as well.) If you went back to the future and met your parents in high school, would you have been friends?

Thirty years later, fans are still going bonkers over this film, particularly because this is the week people have been waiting for, when in Back to the Future Part II, Marty McFly travels forward in time to a small town in California on Oct. 21, 2015, at 4:29 p.m. The future is now.

Internationally, movie theaters will be screening movies from the Back To The Future trilogy on Wednesday, Oct. 21, as well as several Maine theaters, including The Strand Theatre (Rockland), Smitty’s Cinema (Sanford), Railroad Square Cinema (Waterville) and Regal Cinema (Brunswick).

In 1985, I had no idea where I’d be in life or what 2015 would look like. As far into the future as it seemed back then, it seemed entirely plausible that there would be hoverboards and video phone calls, such as Skype and FaceTime. And given that the 1980s had hideous fashion (I didn’t see that changing much), the Yoko Ono visors and self-lacing Nikes seemed about right for 2015. But flying cars? That, I doubted even at age 16. As it turns out, Business Insider has a list of 21 Things 'Back To The Future 2' Got Wrong About 2015

For fans, this website shows in real time the countdown to how many days, hours and minutes we are from hitting the exact time circuit in Back To The Future II.

Stay tuned as we join other moviegoers at The Strand Theatre at 7 p.m. to watch that iconic movie all over again. I’m going to have to FaceTime Dad while I’m there.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

NEW HARBOR — Raised by a single mom, April Morrison and her older brother, Michael Morrison, didn’t have a lot of extras growing up, but they had a lot of fun. The youngest daughter and son of eight children, April and Michael loved to decorate their mother’s house in New Harbor every Halloween, putting all of their creativity and resources into handmade elaborate costumes and props.

“One year I said I wished for a dragon, and he actually built me one,” said April. From there, the two, who happen to be 10 years apart, always conspired together to make the next Halloween even bigger and spookier. “Usually my brother would dress up and scare the kids who came to Trick Or Treat,” she said, adding, he still did this well into his 20s. “As I got older, I was able to help him create more props,” she said.

For the last 14 years, the entire Morrison family has held a free “Scare-Fest” on Halloween weekend for kids and the community at their mother’s house. Michael still channels his inner kid every year by constructing a gigantic plywood castle facade along with a maze and spooky props to go with it. It takes the family as well as volunteers about a month to set up the full construction.

“The way we were raised, we didn’t have a lot of extra money, so that’s the main reason we keep this free for kids and families,” said April. “People tell us all of the time that we should charge admission, but that adds up for an entire family and becomes too expensive.”

Just last year the Morrisons decided to attach a theme to their annual event and came up with Twisted Fairy Tales.

This year, their theme is “Face Your Fears” and the haunted castle will feature classic phobias including spiders, staring dolls and clowns, among other willy nillys.

The Morrisons state: “All willing to confront phantoms and phobias will be rewarded with something sweet—unless you are afraid of sugar,in which case you will be chased with something sweet.”

“It’s funny, there are certain age groups where kids are a little more frightened of everything,” said April. “Some of the smallest kids are fascinated by all of the props, which is really surprising. Then there are teenagers who come, but sometimes won’t even get out of the car because they’ve psyched themselves out.”

The Haunted Castle’s Keep Scare-Fest will be open to the public on October 30, 31 and November 1 from 5-9 p.m. The address is 2634 Bristol Road (Route 130) in New Harbor, just past Reilly’s store. “Look to your left for the fog bank” the directions say. Find out more at their Facebook page.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Three of this weekend’s events coming up were so cool I had to write more of an in-depth article about them. Despite the cooling temps, this is one excellent weekend for the foodies, the beer fiends and the ghouls.

Wicked Wines and Stone cold-from-the-grave Beer Tasting

Friday, October 16—Rockland: Okay, perhaps Rockland Food Service’s monthly wine and beer tasting isn’t necessarily Halloween-themed. Oh wait, yes it is. Wicked wines will be represented on the wine table and Stone Brewery will be featured on the beer table. (And if you’ve never tried Stone’s beers before, well they happen to be my favorite brewery in the world. Make the trip.) Starts at 4 p.m. FMI: Rockland Food Service

Fright At The Fort Begins!

Saturday, October 17—Prospect

Halloweenies rejoice! This weekend kicks off the annual award-winning Fort Knox hauntfest called “Fright At The Fort.” This year's theme is Water Over the Damned, so expect watery wraiths as well as other elaborate props and monsters. Route 174, Prospect. Cost: $10; $5 younger than 12; $12/$7 for express tickets, available at FrightXTix.com. Goes the next four nights: Oct. 23 and 24; 30 and 31 (Halloween); last tour starts 8:30 p.m. Rain or shine.

Three Tides Beer And Mussels Fest

Saturday, October 17—Belfast

This is Three Tides and Marshall Wharf Brewing Co’s eighth year of throwing open the doors to let the public sample their latest, tastiest brews. Gate opens at 5p.m. A $30 entry gets you in the door, with a commemorative glass to keep, 10 tickets for glass fills (That's 70 ounces of delicious MW beer!), and access to specialty beers such as cask and barrel aged. If you want to go a la carte, $10 gets you in the gate and pays the cover for Toughcats! Mussels and Belgian style Frites will be available for purchase, and there will be a food truck, as well. They also provide an in-town shuttle van that will be making rounds to the local hotels all afternoon. See more of the story at Looky here it’s Mussels and Beer.

Killer Road Trip: Home Movie Day in Waterville

Saturday, October 17—Waterville

Want a glimpse into the “unintended art” that only home movies can provide? Community members are invited to take their Super 8, 8mm, and 16mm films to Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville, where technicians will inspect and project them on the big screen for all to share in the experience of discovery. Submissions will be inspected and projected in the order that they are received, and people are invited to attend as little or as much of the event as they would like, regardless of whether they submit a film. Free to the public. FMI: Home Movie Day 

Rockland’s first FAB Fest

Saturday, October 17—Rockland

To celebrate the locals (particularly those who’ve endured the busy crowds this year) Café Miranda is hosting its inaugural Food And Beverage (FAB) Fest from 1 to 4 p.m. The FAB Fest is being held right n Oak Street in downtown Rockland. It’s also coinciding with Farnswoth Art Museum’s Fall Family Festival, so it’s a good day to be downtown! See our story here: Psst locals, the coast is clear—you can come out now for FAB Fest

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

ROCKPORT — Craig Mitchell, the self-employed owner of Rockport Landscape and Design, was at home last week watching his kids and browsing Facebook when a message popped up on an online message board that a cat was stuck about 50-feet up a tree. The owner didn’t think there was any way the cat would come down on her own. She called animal control. No dice. Everyone on the message board told her the cat would come down on its own. But, the nights were starting to get cold.

“I knew it had been up there 48 hours and wasn’t going to come down on its own safely,” said Mitchell. A licensed arborist, he asked if he could help. The owner gratefully accepted and offered to pay him, but Mitchell declined.

“I have animals myself and I just knew she needed assistance,” he said.

With his assistant, Michael Hughes, Mitchell went to the woman’s house with a 24-foot ladder and his tree climbing harness and rope. While he had climbed many trees, he had never rescued a cat. This was going to be tricky.

“I asked first if this was an aggressive cat or not,” he said. “Forty-eight hours up there, you never know.”

Luckily, the answer was no. Mitzi was a good cat, not too bright when it came to tree sitting, but otherwise, well behaved.

“So I climbed the ladder and set myself up with the rope and harness,” he said. “Once I got off the ladder, I just kept resetting the rope and climbing up about another 25 feet.”

Mitchell eventually got within 5 feet of Mitzi, who was huddled on a branch. “Me and the cat spent a little time getting to know each other,” he said.

Once he had Mitzi firmly in his grasp, Mitchell had to keep re-positioning the rope one handed, and lower himself slowly all the way down.

When he got within 20 feet of the ground, Mitzi began to have second thoughts, or sensed how close she was to the ground and was thinking about making a jump for it.

“She tried struggling a bit,” said Mitchell. “But I got her calmed down.”

Once the Mitzi’s paws really did touch ground, she ran straight to her front door.

“She was done with the outside,” he said.

And there you have it. A man with a harness, a Facebook account and a willingness to brave the potential of slashing claws 50 feet up in the air is a good neighbor to have, indeed.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

ROCKLAND — Kickstarter-funded food truck 'Wich Please is becoming roomies with Comida, a downtown Rockland restaurant with a Spanish flare. Using a symbiosis strategy, 'Wich Please will operate during the day hours, using the restaurant space as they churn out their signature sandwiches, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and then clear out in the afternoon so that Comida can run dinner service, from 5 to 9 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. In the Midcoast, this kind of collaboration between a restaurant and a food truck is the first of its kind, but all systems are go and the arrangement kicks off Oct. 10.

Comida co-owners Tom Sigler and his wife, Lisa Laurita-Spanglet, were trying to find an innovative solution to running lunch service without stretching their resources and staff too thin, and she happened to reach out via Facebook to ‘Wich Please food truck owner and chef Malcolm Bedell. The message was brief — would he be interested in bringing his business and staff in to their space for the winter?

“Her message basically detailed everything I’d been thinking about doing with my business,” said Bedell. “We’d just got this momentum going with the food truck and now that’s it’s October, it just seemed a shame to disappear for six months.”

The trio hit it off.  “We’d never met before,” said Bedell. “But once we did, we could both tell we were going to get along just fine.”

Even better: ‘Wich Please’s weekly Monday “India Night” dinner — originally started as a takeout concept — will now have table service and a full bar with the two businesses collaborating on some weekly cocktail pairings as well.

Beyond the host restaurant giving the food truck a home in the winter, there are numerous benefits for both businesses to this arrangement.

“There are two major benefits for us,” said Laurita-Spanglet. “One, we don’t have to overwork our staff. Summer is busy enough, but we didn’t want to burn them out going into winter and of course, the second benefit of combining financial resources is paramount for the winter.”

“To characterize my business as operating on a shoestring is putting it mildly,” said Bedell. “To take this idea of ‘Indian Night’ and do it as a full service dinner wasn’t going to be in the cards for me for a long time, so the ability to borrow and hire each other’s staff is great. It gives people who would have had to be on part-time schedules the chance to work full time year-round. When we put the same amount of investment into our service help, we both reap the benefits of that.”

As an added bonus, the two eateries realized that in sharing their space, they’ve strengthened their brands with this collaboration. Locals loyal to each are already wild about the idea on social media.

“There’s a level of quality with Malcolm’s food that we knew would work with the way we do things too,” said Laurita-Spanglet.

This week they’ve all been working on pre-planning and logisitics before the combined new opening. “We realized we’ll have an overlap where we’ll be breaking down, as they set up,” said Bedell. Not sure how it’s all going to sort out, everyone has faith it’s going to be just fine.

“It’s funny, Tom and Lisa were apologizing how small the kitchen is and it’s easily a ten-fold increase for me,” said Bedell. “The fact that I can’t touch either wall with both hands is a big step up,” he joked.

Asked what other restaurants and food trucks would need in order to do what they’re doing, Laurita-Spanglet said, “I think you have to have an open personality, and establish a trust factor. This is just a new way to explore a new model of business.”

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

A warming trend over much of the U.S. for the next week or so should be making you giddy, especially since there are so many outdoor fall events happening this weekend, including pig and beer, apples and alpacas, wine and cheese and farm and art. Get the car ready Gertrude, we're ready to roll.

Killer Road Trip: Swine and Stein Octoberfest

Saturday, October 10—Gardiner

Get your porky goodness on with the 6th Annual Swine & Stein Octoberfest, trifecta of beer, food, and music. A beer tasting will showcase the incredible diversity and quality of Maine craft beers. In celebration of local Maine agriculture, fine restaurants and local food vendors from Gardiner and across the state will serve up a variety of interesting culinary dishes featuring local pork along with other quality menu items. Adding to the festivities, a line-up of favorite and emerging Maine bands will entertain throughout the day.11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. downtown Gardiner. $15 in advance, $20 day of, $15 designated driver. FMI: visit gardinermainstreet.org

Belfast Area Farm and Art Fall Tour

Saturday, October 10 to Sunday, October 11—Belfast

Hosted by Belfast Creative Coalition, check out these free, open studio and farm tours with special workshops and demonstrations. Visitors can observe artists working in their studios, watch a glass blowing demonstration and learn how farmers create artistic consumer products from what they cultivate. The event goes from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. FMI: call 323-8692 or visit BelfastCreative-Coalition.org.

Hope Orchards Fall Festival

Sunday, October 11—Hope

Hope Orchards will be at the top of their apple harvest, with an interesting mix of arts, crafts, music, and food. Come by to check out artist and craftsperson's wares, apple pizza and other edibles, alpacas, music by Rosie and the Wayfaring Stranger, who play 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. The entire event goes from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. FMI visit: hopeorchards.com

Cheese, Music & Wine

Sunday, October 11—Midcoast

‘Tis the season to have any excuse to jump in the car and go leaf peeping en route to a cool destination. In this case, it’s Open Creamery Day, where local cheesemakers open their farms and establishments to the public with cheese samplings, cheese making demos, music, food, and in some places, complimentary wine tastings. Participating in the Midcoast are: Appleton Creamery, Breakwater Vineyards, State of Maine Cheese Company. The events are open 11:00 to 3 p.m. FMI: visit Maine Cheese Guild

Snow Bowl Chair Lift Rides

Sunday, October 11—Camden

This has got to be one of my all-time favorite Cheap Dates activities in the Midcoast. Every October, the Camden Snow Bowl opens up their chairlift for rides to the top of Ragged Mountain. You can either walk down or ride down, but bring a picnic and a camera and enjoy the spectacular view. Goes from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. The only down side is they upped their prices to $10 per adult (it used to be $5) per ride. Kids ride for $5. However, (and this is kind of random), the Snow Bowl is advertising that “Those arriving to ride the chair in formal wedding attire will receive free rides and qualify for prizes.”

“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.”-Rumi..... Virginia “Ginny” Blanchard was one of the Midcoast PechaKucha’s presenters Sept. 18. The event, which always highlights artists or creatives with an unusual skill or talent, was a perfect fit for Blanchard. And it’s always interesting to pluck these people from the PK event and get a deeper look into who they are and what they choose to do with their lives.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from New York University several years ago, she’d never done any woodworking and decided to try a two-week course at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship in Rockport. That path led to more courses and a fellowship through the Center.

She now makes a living by making furniture on commission and is working on doing the trade show route. Just recently she made the transition to stay permanently in Maine.

Blanchard defines her style as “starting with circa 1900 French and Belgian Art Nouveau and veering toward a Viennese Secession.” 

Loosely translated for the layman, this means she digs making bygone era furniture with fanciful contemporary details.

She picked three pieces in her portfolio that she found to be the most fun to make. 

“Although, usually, I make fun of myself for making more impractical furniture,” she admitted.

Take her favorite piece — a vanity with a matching velvet covered stool.

“This piece I wanted to be a little more glamourous,” she said. “I asked myself how do I want to feel when I’m sitting down at this vanity?”

The tapered legs are feminine, complete with an inlay that blossoms into a garden. The stool that goes with it has the same tapered legs and is covered with gold velvet. Blanchard keeps this vanity at her house.

“It’s a little ostentatious, but it’s one of my favorites,” she said.

Another non-commissioned piece she created is a privacy screen made from framed mahogany with birch veneer with a haughty peacock motif.

“This was the first piece I did after my fellowship ended,” she said. 

The piece took about three months to construct and is currently stored in New York. You can just imagine one of those 1930s actresses standing behind it, changing her clothes while talking to a paramour in the room.

The gramophone stands are made to be a pair. Open them up and there is enough storage for record albums. Both made with mahogany, satinwood, holly and bloodwood veneer. “Somethings just look good as a pair, and I thought it would be fun to play with that floral frieze at the tops of the stands,” she said. As for the perfectly matched gramophone? She bought that at an auction selling around 400 gramophone and just happened to find one painted the same vivid red to match the bloodwood in the stands.

Besides finishing some commissions this winter, she plans to work on some other “fun” pieces this year such as whimsical boxes and stand alone small tables.

Check out more of her work in our small gallery or visit: virginiablanchardfurniture.com

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

The Rockland, Maine History Facebook page posted this oldie a while back, asking if anyone could identify the house or even the street it’s on. Can you tell by just looking? (No peeking on their Facebook page).

Last week’s Throwback Thursday photo, goes all the way back to 1923 when Willis Harvill had a boat shed in what is now Camen’s Harbor Park, and the anchor factory was still occupying the waterfront (left of the falls).

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com and please post your answers to Penobscot Bay Pilot’s Facebook page.

THOMASTON — Within a nondescript, low slung building next to Flagship Theater, festive balloons decorate the Midcoast Collaborative sign; otherwise, it’s easy to miss it, tucked away next to an old-fashioned bridal shop. Inside, however, there is some serious creative energy taking place. It’s where eight local men and women use the industrial space as a workshop and office, sharing resources, equipment, and even ideas on each other’s work.

“There’s no boss, everyone is an equal member of the collective. It’s actually a tenant association,” said MidCoLab member Isabella Pierson, a designer and a builder of modern wood furniture.

The building used to be a brake service garage with office space, which everyone can use.  The back of the building is informally partitioned into smaller hives — each bay is set up differently depending on the person’s interests.

Whereas Jill Caldwell, a fine art painter and Stefanie Mojonnier, a graphic designer, printmaker and photographer, might have cans of paint, canvases or art supplies in their sections, Isabella Pierson’s space contains woodworking tools and various projects in production.

Other members include Andy White, a sculptor, fabricator, metal worker; Casey Hufnagel, a builder, timber framer, and concrete fabricator; Seth Bournival, a builder and cabinetmaker; Trisha Badger: Managing Director of the World Ocean Observatory, and Zander Shaw, an architect.

Further down the storage area of the building, it looks like shop class in high school all over again.

“Everyone brought their own machines,” said Isabella, pointing to the various woodworking and metalworking machines situated in the area. “That’s my band saw. That drill press over there, Andy and I bought together. The table saw is on loan from a friend. Because nobody could afford to buy all of this stuff and keep it in one place, this is how we’re able to pool together all of our equipment and share it.”

Each member pays insurance and an equal amount to cover the rent, whether they use the MidCoLab every week or just occasionally for individual projects. It also serves as a storage space for stuff that might not fit in the garage or shed.”We have an agreement drawn up that says how we behave in the space and with each other, what happens if equipment needs to be fixed, and everyone gets a vote,” said Isabella. “It is becoming much more popular to have co-working spaces, and also for high-tech stuff where people can’t afford to buy big equipment on their own.”

Rockland seems to be at the heart of the Maker-Designer-Artist collaborative scene with two other incarnations of this concept in existence. A woodworking collaborative exists in the former Bicknell Manufacturing Co. on Lime Street in Rockland, and the other, the Steel House, a center for design, technology, and education opened on Main Street in 2014.

As a collective, MidCoLab has been around about three years, and just this past summer, formally opened their space up to the public with an open house with all members participating. “We’re just now getting traction,” said Isabella. “Ninety-nine percent of the time you get more back than what you put in. For example, one of us will be working and need some kind of tool. Another person will walk by and say, ‘I happen to have that tool and you can use it.’” 

Being around creative people for a length of time lends to an exchange of ideas and advice that strengthen one another’s projects. 

“We’re all trying to make a living,” said Bella. “The amazing thing is we just happen to have a great group of people who are interested in seeing everyone’s success.”

The sharing of space and equipment naturally leads to collaboration on commissioned projects as well.

“Casey was hired to build a timber frame on an island last summer, so he hired Andy and I to help him cut the frames for that. We did all the work for that here and then hauled all of the materials out to the island.”

The collaborative is currently working on figuring out a way to open the space up to entrepreneurs who just want a short-term lease for specific projects. MidCoLab is also accepting applications from creative individuals seeking shared work space. There are currently desk spaces available in a communal workshop/office environment.

For more information, visit: facebook.com/midcolab

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

He was only here in the Midcoast for a weekend, and gone in a blip, but Penobscot Bay Pilot got a clip of master drummer Namory Keita in action with a booming percussive arrangement on the dunduns—traditional African drums with the deep voice. (See accompanying video).

Growing up studying his world famous uncle, Famoudou Konaté, Keita was only 7 years old when he began playing the traditional djembes and dundun drums in his village of Sangbarala, Guinea, in West Africa. “I learned traditional rhythms mostly from my uncle, but I stopped playing when I had the chance to go to school,” he said. “When I was 18, I picked it up again, following my uncle.”

One of only a handful of initiated masters of the Malinké drumming tradition, his Uncle Famoudou Konaté is universally respected as one of the world's premiere djembe drum masters. A drumming prodigy himself who started out at 8 years old, Konaté first performed in community festivals and was soon in demand by international audiences as a djembe fola (literally djembe player) across the region.

In 1999, Namory became the village djembe fola, and like his uncle, began teaching hundreds of students from around the world in Europe and North America.

About five years ago, he met and married a woman from New Hampshire and moved to the U.S. Though the marriage didn’t work out, he found his purpose in New England, as well as a drumming community. A couple of months ago, he settled in Portland.

Like many self-employed artists, Keita has more than one job. He teaches drumming classes in Kittery, Portland and Boston, as well as performs in a West African drumming ensemble in New Hampshire called Akwaaba Ensemble.

Thanks to his friendship with local dance instructor Denyse Robinson, as well as support from a Hope-based nonprofit, Partners for Enrichment, Keita led workshops for adults and kids all over the Midcoast Oct. 2-3.

From a kids’ eye view, before them was a man with a big smile and an easy demeanor showing drumming techniques. They could not know that this art form goes back nearly 400-800 years, created during the Malian Empire by the Mandé people. Or that, traditionally, only those born into a family that played the djembe would be allowed to play the djembe as they grew up. Today, a very rare few can pick up the djembe or dundun and learn the authentic way. For Keita to make it all the way in his journey from a child in Guinea, watching and emulating the masters, to teaching children the age at which he started, is no small thing. The deep voice of the drums told a little of that tale.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

On Saturday night, October 3, The Salty Soup Kitchen turned a private barn in West Rockport into a random gathering, serving up locally sourced (and totally delicious) Mexican food. Check out our gallery of the event and look for pop up incarnations from this kitchen in the future.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Given all of the flooding we got yesterday, this photo seemed oddly fitting. Can you tell what this is and the era?

Last week’s Throwback Thursday photo was an easy peasy guess. It was a postcard of the Maine Central Railroad Station, Rockland postmarked Nov. 19, 1909. Trackside Station, a restaurant sits there now.

This week’s photo courtesy of Camden Public Library

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

LINCOLNVILLE—When September’s temperatures are high enough to wear a T-shirt, but not warm enough to go swimming, MaryAnn Mercier, co-owner of Youngtown Inn in Lincolnville lights the first fire of the season in the tiny bar.

The moment calls for something fall-like, and she unveils a purplish red mixture in a white bucket. Her husband, chef/co-owner Manuel Mercier, had crafted the bucket’s contents from crabapples he gathered from the rows of trees lining their property—trees he planted more than 20 years ago—and boiled them down into a compote.

“Crabapples are very tart and what you get when you make the compote is this simple syrup on the top of the mixture,” said MaryAnn.

This cocktail recipe is so simple. All you need is:

• Crabapple simple syrup
• Sparking wine or champagne
• A crabapple and rosemary for garnish

MaryAnn pours the sparkling wine (in this case a Cuvée Brut from Kenwood Vineyards), and tops it with the simple syrup and a sprig of rosemary they also grow on their property. The aromatic blast of rosemary is still saying “summer,” whereas that first tart and sparkly sip reminds you it’s fall.

This is apple-picking season, so you can do this yourself, or just pop into the Youngtown Inn sometime and let MaryAnn make one for you.

Check out more local sips with our article: Iconic Craft Cocktails of The Midcoast

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

The crazy cat ladies and the tom cats had their shining moment under the s̶u̶n̶ ̶ super moon on Sunday, September 27, 2015 in Rockland Harbor Park with the 2nd annual Cat Video Festival and Fair, sponsored by Farnsworth Art Museum.

Check out our gallery of whiskered faces courtesy Michael O’Neil via the Farnsworth.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

In the week that Seattle filmmaker Jeff Unay worked on his seven-minute pitch for the Camden International Film Festival’s coveted Points North Pitch, he’d pushed himself so hard that he made himself feverish. He had a raging cold by the time he flew from Seattle to Camden and was so nervous at the moment of his pitch, he feared his voice would give out on him in front of the panel presenters.

All of his hard work and angst paid off. Out of six filmmakers invited to pitch their documentary works-in-progress to an international delegation of funders, commissioning editors and producers before a live audience, his film, Greywater, won the award.

Naturally, everyone wants to know what it’s about. Here’s the logline: Joe, a long-time amateur cage fighter, sets his sights on Clayton, a young title-holder. Joe's pursuit comes to a head as his life at home begins to unravel. At first, the premise might seem to be one thing, about a guy who fights with MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).

But actually, the film is so much more.

“It’s actually Raging Bull meets Family Ties,” said Unay, in a phone interview. “A female friend who watched a clip said there is way more estrogen in this film than testosterone.”

Unay first met “Joe” at a gym who was clearly in training, not just some guy working out. Having been previously introduced by a mutual friend, the two began talking. What Unay learned in that conversation has become the basis of the entire film.

“This is really about a family man, a blue-collar guy with a real loving family who is going through some things. His wife became ill and was on experimental medications and they still couldn’t figure out what was happening to her. She was in a lot of pain. On top of that, Joe was battling his ex-wife for custody of his two oldest daughters. Whenever he feels helpless and life feels out of control, the one thing he falls back on, the thing that makes him feel the best, is cage fighting. But at 38 years old, he knows he can’t keep it up forever.”

If that isn’t a real life Rocky set up, the story takes on another twist. “When I met him at the gym that day, he hadn’t fought in years,” said Unay. “He was secretly in training. He told me, “My family doesn’t approve of this and they don’t know I’m doing this, so I’m going to train to fight for only one more year.’”

Intrigued by the lengths Joe was going to continue to pursue his dream, Unay asked if he could follow him around with a camera and film his journey.

Joe agreed, but they had a bit of an unusual problem.

“When I started filming, I’d go home with him and his kids and his wife would look at me, like ‘What are you doing?’,” he said.

For more than a year, Joe and Unay had to work together under the guise that Joe was training other fighters at the gym and Unay was there to film that process. After Joe was done with a fight, Unay would follow him home.

“He’d go home to four beautiful girls and his wife and they absolutely adore the ground he walks on. They’d crawl all over him when he got home and the girls would see a gash above his eye and say ‘Daddy, what happened?’ And he had to say it was just from helping others train.’”

The film hinges around one final fight that Joe has been working toward, given all of the complications in his life.

“This is really a film about what it means to be a father,” said Unay.

With the Points North Pitch and Modulus Finishing Fund Award of post-production time worth $10,000, Unay will be able to finish his film by August, 2016. This is his second full length documentary and he has worked on Avatar (2009), King Kong (2005) and Hellboy (2004). Audiences will be able to see the full film by 2017 when they submit it to film festivals.

For more information visit: Greywater

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Psst Summer, I know you’re still not getting the memo that it’s officially Fall, but that’s cool. You just keep on being you.

Another beautiful 65-70 degree weekend is upon us — and with the Common Ground Fair and the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend happening — this is not your weekend to stay home on the couch and binge watch Netflix. Here’s what we’ve got.

Art Reception and Wine Tasting at Belfast Co-op

Friday, September 25, Belfast

The Belfast Co-op Café, is hosting its monthly free wine tasting for the opening for "FARM + FOOD + FIDDLE: Grannagerie™ 2015," an exhibit of local artist Hope Hoffman's farming, nature and fiddling-themed fabric and food-related gifts, including bold appliqué designs printed on cloth, photography printed on metal, and illustrated sheet music. This month's wine tasting focuses on seasonal wines. The event goes from 7 to 8 p.m.

Manure Pitch at The Common Ground Country Fair

Saturday, Sept. 26, Unity

City slickers have nothing on this culturally hep yearly bash. Seeing who can toss dried dung the farthest is part of The Common Ground Country Fair’s annual Harry S. Truman games. The Manure Pitch is a competition with three age classes: 12 and under; 13 to 17; and 18 and over.

Contestants in each class will receive ribbons for first, second or third place. The first place winner in each class will also receive an organic cotton t-shirt. The contest is limited to 12 contestants per class. Sign up for the distance toss at 9:30 a.m. and for the 25-pound accuracy pitch at 1:30 p.m. I love their tag line: “Take your pick, shoes or sh-manure, but sign up and take part in this year's Harry S. Truman Games.” Tickets to The Common Ground Country Fair are $15 at the gate. FMI: Tickets

Killer Road Trip: Free admission to Acadia

Saturday, Sept. 26, Acadia National Park

To celebrate National Public Lands Day, visitors will have free entry all day to Acadia National Park. But take your bike, hiking shoes, or get ready to ride the trolley because the Park Loop Road is going car-free from midnight to noon that day. The Island Explorer bus will operate the Sand Beach (#3) and Jordan Pond (#5) routes on their normal fall schedule, and will increase service on the Loop Road (#4) route to every 15 minutes from 8:45 to 11:45 am. For more local tips to enjoy the Great Maine Outdoor Weekend, check out this story.

Sex, Drugs and Blueberries

Saturday, Sept. 26, Camden

Maine writer Crash Berry debuts his first film based on the title of his book, Sex, Drugs and Blueberries, which tells the story of failed rocker Ben Franklin, who moves all the way Down East to the Canadian border with his schoolteacher wife in order to start a new life. Desperate for cash, he signs on as a blueberry raker, where he's lured into a seamy world of sex and drugs that could lead to his downfall. Alternating between temptation and ecstasy, desperation and guilt, Ben discovers how quickly thing can go wrong. Starring Maine rock icon Dave Gutter (Rustic Overtones, Paranoid Social Club, Armies), the special screening also includes a solo musical performance by Gutter prior to the film. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15, available through the Camden Opera House's box office. For more information visit sexdrugsandblueberries.com.

International Cat Video Festival and Fair

Sunday, Sept. 27, Rockland

It’s finally here! Postponed from earlier this summer, the festival all the crazy cat people have been waiting for has arrived! The Farsnworth Art Museum hosts this wwacky event at the Rockland Harbor Park. Starting at 5 p.m. there will be food vendors, live music and cat-themed activities. Starting at sunset, they’ll show a reel of 85 internet cat videos on a 40 foot screen overlooking Rockland Harbor for a running time of 70 minutes. Live music by Clint Hartzel & Andre Lascoutx. You’ll laugh, you’ll howl, you’ll cry, and you’ll, well, meow. Free.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

What are these train tracks in front of now?

In case you were wondering what last week’s Throwback Thursday photo was all about, it was 1918, end of WWI, and a parade happening in the streets.

Photo courtesy Rockland Maine Historical Society

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

This weekend marks the 8th annual The Great Maine Outdoor Weekend Sept 25-27 celebrating fall activities with more than 120 free or low cost events all over the state. With the stunning late summer weather we've had all during September (and a forecast of a 65-70 degree sunny weekend on tap), this is the ideal first weekend of fall to enjoy a "staycation" and go exploring in your state.

Here are four events happening locally.

1. Erickson Fields Preserve Trail Grand Opening, Rockport

Friday, Sept. 25, 4- 7 p.m.

This event celebrates the grand opening of the Erickson Fields Preserve Trail. The event begins with a garden tour followed by a guided trail walk.

2. Fall Foliage Viewing from Penobscot Narrows Observatory, Prospect

September 25-27, 9—5 p.m.

Ride an elevator 420 feet up to the top of the world's tallest bridge observatory for tremendous views including Fort Knox.

3. Tip Toe Mountain Preserve Geology, Vinalhaven

Saturday, Sept. 26, 1—4 p.m.

The geology at the shores of Tip Toe Mountain Preserve is unique to Vinalhaven. There are formations and rocks there you will not see anywhere else. Join geologist George Kendrick to learn more about the geologic events that created them. This is a not-to-be missed reprise of one of our more popular walks this summer. Hike in along an uneven woods trail, then there will be some rough footing over the seaweed and rocks.

4. Paddling and Pedestrians Along the Passy Rail Trail, Belfast

Sunday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m.

The newly created Passy Rail Trail follows the Passagassaweak River. Boaters start in Belfast and paddle up the river and walkers to begin at the Rail Terminus Museum on Oak Hill Road and walk toward Belfast. In the middle, they will host a refreshment table and info booth.

Last year more than 15,000 people took part in these events. To find out what other events are happening all over the state visit: greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org

ROCKLAND—Rudy’s of The Cape in Cape Elizabeth won the professional category in the Third Annual Lobsterpalooza Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese Contest. Sunday, Sept. 20, at the Rockland Elks Club, the runner up was the Mermaid at the Homeport in Searsport. In the amateur category, Richard Thompson of Rockland took the prize. 

Graffam Brothers won the People’s Choice award again this year with their colorful and tasty dish prepared for the judges. 

View our mouth watering gallery of the contestants’ lobster mac ‘n’ cheese dishes courtesy P.J. Walter Photography.

View gallery

ROCKLAND — It can be a thankless job, committing your entire weekend to an art project, working for more than 12 hours straight to form an art piece out of found materials into an outdoor installation, only to see it rain the next morning. 

A group of local artists known as Resisting Entropy — known for their 24-hour collaborative shut-in process making eclectic art out of junk, debris and discards — aligned Sept. 20 with the Georges River Land Trust for Maine Coastal Cleanup Day. Using some of the driftwood collected by volunteers, along with pallets of donated junk and found materials, six artists spent their entire Saturday under a tent pitched at the southern end of the Rockland Harbor Trail located on Mechanic Street. From 7 a.m to 8 p.m, they worked under the blazing sun until it turned dark. Resorting to using the headlights from a vehicle to assemble the last of the installation, they moved their art pieces over to Snow Marine Park.

When the cold, dreary rain settled in Sunday morning, things weren’t looking good.There was no economic incentive to sell the pieces. For these artists who work full time, the entire point of committing all that time and energy was to simply entice people to come out to see the installation. Like a sand mandala, the shelf life of these art pieces was finite.  City Works was scheduled to clear it all away Sunday night.

By noon, just around the time that folks had finished the Coastal Clean Up and barbecue, the sun came out. It couldn’t have been any better timing, as the artists were scheduled to be on hand to talk to the public at 1 p.m.

“We had a very good group, very compatible personalities working together to put this together,” said Jared Cowan. “We have a rotating group of artists who want to jump into the fray when we do things like this and we try to get them in as often as possible.”

“I like making pieces that are interactive, have a lot of movement,” said Chris Gamage, as he encouraged the onlookers to get their hands on a mechanical piece he created with bicycle gears, chains and a broken umbrella. “Basically, it’s a big flag run up a flagpole,” he explained.

“Some guys from City Works were here earlier scratching their heads looking at the parallelogram trashcan I made,” said Cowan. “They were moving trash and weren’t sure what to make of it. Maybe that’s its own review,” he laughed.

Cowan said the flat, grassy area of Snow Marine Park has the potential to draw more people for future art projects. “People are here at the end of the Harbor Trail; they’re out here walking with their dogs,” he said. “It’s a great space for other artists to have outdoor sculptures here.”

For more information about Resisting Entropy’s process visit: Resisting Entropy.

Reach Kay Stephens at news@penbaypilot.com.

The 11th annual Camden International Film Festival is underway this weekend and for passholders as well as people attending individual screenings, it’s always a little difficult to choose which films to see.

CIFF offers its highlighted films as well as films getting the most buzz with participants. Here’s a cheat sheet of what they are and where they are screening.

Friday, September 18

THE GROUND WE WON
A verité study of manhood as observed through the rites and rituals of a rural New Zealand rugby club. With great bawdiness and camaraderie, an eclectic rugby team of farmers strive to redeem themselves from a long run of bitter losses. (91 minutes) Camden Opera House, 2:30 p.m. (85 minutes). Camden Opera House, 6:30 p.m.

FRAME BY FRAME
After decades of war and an oppressive Taliban regime, four Afghan photojournalists face the realities of building a free press in a country left to stand on its own—reframing Afghanistan for the world and for themselves. (85 minutes) Camden Opera House, 6:30 p.m.

GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF
Academy Award-winning director Alex Gibney profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, whose most prominent adherents include A-list Hollywood celebrities, shining a light on how the church cultivates true believers, detailing their experiences and what they are willing to do in the name of religion.(119 minutes) Strand Theatre 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, September 19

MACHINE GUN OR TERROR
A haunted man desperately searches for his lost love through an illegal pirate radio broadcast. (71 minutes) Farnsworth Art Museum, 6:30 p.m.

(T)ERROR
This is the first documentary to place filmmakers on the ground during an active FBI counterterrorism sting operation. Through the perspective of "Shariff,” a 63-year-old Black revolutionary turned informant, viewers get an unfettered glimpse of the government's counterterrorism tactics and the murky justifications behind them. (84 minutes) Camden Opera House Auditorium, 6:30 p.m.

HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD
In 1971 a small group of activists set sail from Vancouver, Canada, in an old fishing boat. Their mission was to stop Nixon's atomic bomb tests in Amchitka, a tiny island off the west coast of Alaska. Chronicling this untold story at the birth of the modern environmental movement and with access to dramatic archive footage that has not been seen for over 40 years, the film centers on eco-hero Robert Hunter and his part in the creation of the global organization we now know as Greenpeace. (112 minutes) Camden Opera House, 8:45 p.m.

OLMO AND THE SEAGULL
This is the story of Olivia, a free-spirited stage actress preparing for a starring role as Arkadina in a theatrical production of Chekhov’s The Seagull. As the play starts to take shape, Olivia and her boyfriend, Serge, whom she first met on the stage of the Theatre du Soleil, discover she is pregnant.  Initially, she thinks she can have it all, until an unexpected setback threatens her pregnancy and brings her life to a standstill. (85 minutes) Strand Theatre, 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 20

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
This Changes Everything is an epic attempt to re-imagine the vast challenge of climate change, presenting seven powerful portraits of communities on the front lines, inspired by Naomi Klein’s international nonfiction bestseller This Changes Everything. (89 minutes) Camden Opera House, 7:30 p.m.

For more information about these films and trailers visit: camdenfilmfest

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Breaking news: This is a day dedicated to the broiled hamburger patty topped with cheese. Flags should be at half mast on this day, or at least a moment of silence taken before you chomp into the cheeseburger you are about to consume in honor of the day.

Several restaurants in the 1920s and 1930s claim to have invented the cheeseburger, but nobody knows for sure. According to Wikipedia, “Lionel Sternberger is reputed to have invented the cheeseburger in 1926 at the age of 16, when he was working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, Calif., sandwich shop, "The Rite Spot," and "experimentally dropped a slab of American cheese on a sizzling hamburger."

The evolution of the cheeseburger from that point on has gone from the basic burger-lettuce-tomato-onion on a bun to the weirdest combinations you could think of, including the Burger King charcoal and squid ink black burger and a sweet chili pigeon burger garnished with cheddar cheese infused meal worms made by a London pop-up restaurant in 2013.

Check out our gallery of other favorite burgers from Midcoast restaurants and food trucks submitted by people to the Midcoast Maine Food Files, Midcoast Maine Food Forum and Midcoast Eating & Drinking Society Facebook groups.

(Note: not every burger in the Midcoast is represented in this article; the gallery just represents photos of those burgers that people uploaded.)

“Happy Days.” I just got back from Ireland and that’s how people respond when you’ve told them something good. Everything is Happy Days this weekend with wine, art, film, and lobster mac ‘n’ cheese—all the basic necessities of life.

Free and $10 Films at CIFF

Friday-Sunday, Sept. 18-20 — Midcoast

Even though it still feels like summer, it’s definitely the third week of September when the Camden International Film Festival hits the Midcoast. And even if you don’t have a weekend pass, you can buy individual tickets ($10) for each film and the Shorts collection each day are always free to the public. Several highlights of this year's program include Locarno Film Festival titles Machine Gun or Typewriter, The Ground We Won and Locarno winner Olmo and the Seagull, fresh from Toronto: climate change doc This Changes Everything; and Points North alums Containment and Drawing the Tiger. Free short films start each day at 10 a.m at the Camden Opera House and Rockport Opera House. See schedules here.

PechaKucha brings the oompf

Friday, Sept. 18 — Owls Head

Some PKs have more buzz than others and this one is buzzing pretty hard tonight. For those who still don’t know what it is, PechaKucha is a night of  engaging, fast-paced presentations of 20 images with a 20-second explanation from a diverse array of creative talents in the Midcoast. The event takes place at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Presenters will include a marine scientist, furniture maker, artist, author, winemaker, gardener & artist, a sculptor and a maker of things. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Killer Road Trip: Open Winery Day all over the state

Saturday, Sept. 19 — Statewide

Better consult The Maine Wine Trail— it’s time for a liquid hike. On Saturday, wineries around the state are taking part in the Maine Winery Guild’s Open Winery Day. Wineries will be hosting tours of their facilities and vineyards, with food, music, and special offers in their tasting rooms. With 24 wineries in Maine it’s the ultimate killer road trip. Locally, you can check out Sweetgrass and Savage Oakes Vineyard and Winery in Union, The Breakwater Vineyards Tasting room in Rockland, Cellardoor Winery in Lincolnville, and Penobscot Bay Brewery in Winterport. Contact each winery for hours of operation. FMI: MaineWineTrail.com

Lobster Mac ‘n Cheese Cookoff

Sunday, Sept. 20 — Rockland

Slap on the bibs for this drool fest. As part of Midcoast Maine Lobsterpalooza week, the third annual Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese Cook-off will take place at the Elks Lodge in Rockland with celebrity judges critiquing amateur and professional chefs from around the state as they vie for position as “Top Chef” in their category. For just $10, you can jump into a giant vat of lobster mac n’ cheese. (Not literally, that would be gross.) But you’ll get your fill of creamy goodness. Tickets were a sell-out at the door last year, so plan to get tickets in advance or to arrive early. For more information, visit the Maine Lobsterpalooza Facebook page. See our story on it last year.

Found Debris Made Into Art

Sunday, Sept. 20 — Rockland

Doing what they do best, taking junk and re-purposing it into thoughtful art, Resisting Entropy, a group of local artists, will be creating pieces from "found" materials in conjunction with the Coastal Cleanup Day on the shores of Rockland Harbor. They will be assembling their art installation during the day on Saturday and the public is welcome to come watch the artists create. At 1 p.m. on Sunday, at the southern end of the Rockland Harbor Trail, there will be a reception for the art installation and an opportunity to meet the artists. FMI: GeorgesRiver.org

 Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Check out this photo. Where in Belfast are all of these cars going, and more importantly, why are they jamming up the streets? Can you guess the era of the photo and what’s happening in it?

The last Throwback Thursday photo was posted more than two weeks ago as I was on vacation, but if you guessed The Seabright Dam, you were correct.

This week’s photo courtesy Belfast Historical Society and Museum.

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

WARREN — It’s 11 at night and the beloved family dog is lying listlessly on the floor, stomach distended. He’s clearly in pain.

Let’s say you’re visiting for the weekend or for the summer and no local veterinary practices take non-clients for emergency care. It’s a pet owner’s worst nightmare. 

Fourteen veterinarians from nine area veterinary hospitals have committed to finding a solution to this problem for years and this summer, the Midcoast Animal Emergency Clinic opened on Route 90 in Warren, providing a round-the-clock full service emergency/urgent care animal clinic to anyone whose dog, cat, or small animal needs immediate care. They are so dedicated to ensuring that a veterinarian be available day and night, they have set up rotating shifts. There is even a room in the clinic for the vet to stay in overnight.

Dr. Bjorn Lee, veterinarian and owner of PenBay Veterinary Associates in Rockport, is part owner of this new clinic. He has advice for pet owners this time of year so that Fluffy or Fido doesn’t end up in emergency care.

The top five emergencies for dogs:

1. Toxicity
2. Lacerations
3. Allergic reactions
4. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea
5. Getting quilled by porcupines. “Don’t let them run out into the woods for the last pee later into the evening,” he said. “It’s best to keep them on a leash at that time.”

For cats, the two biggest emergencies include:

1. Urinary obstructions, especially in young male indoor cats. “If your cat continuously goes to the litter box and is yowling and appearing uncomfortable, he likely has a blocked urethra,” said Lee. “This is a serious situation that warrants immediate veterinary attention.”
2. Toxicity, especially lilies. ”Often we see people bringing this flower home, setting it in a vase and then the cat takes a nibble, which can instantly shut its system down.” he said.

With the summer population expanding, the Midcoast Animal Emergency Clinic will be busy day and night. “We’ll take any small animal that doesn’t have hooves,” said Lee.

Though the clinic is not set up to treat horses or other farm animals, they can take dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, even pocket pets (mice, rodents). Lee strongly urges pet owners to consider making pet insurance a priority.

“Your expenses will be covered up to 90 percent once your deductible is met,” he said.

For now, travelers and residents can have peace of mind knowing that when they have to get emergency care for a beloved pet in the middle of the night, a qualified veterinarian will be right there to greet them.

Although an appointment is not needed, the clinic requests a telephone call at 273-1100 to alert the staff to your emergency so that they can prepare properly for your pet's arrival. The after-hours clinic is located at 191 Camden Road (Route 90) in Warren.

Related link:

• The Wave, summer 2015 eEdition

Before the “farm to table” trend became so fetishized, it was just the way people naturally ate. Sixty years ago in Maine, it was just called, “Junior, get your hide out there, pick those fiddleheads and bring ‘em to the kitchen table.” Jump ahead to the 2000s. Maine farmers have been successful in connecting with chefs and restaurateurs, who’ve latched on to the just-harvested herb or vegetable and transformed it to a thing of beauty on the plate. And that in turn, has spurred consumers to buy directly from farmer’s markets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)s.

However, that hasn’t always been the case for Maine’s other prolific frontier, the ocean.

“The farmers are about 30 years ahead of the fishermen in terms of connecting with consumers,” said Ben Martens, executive director of Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “Here we have a fantastic protein source from the Gulf of Maine, that is sustainably harvested, delicious and right at our back door.”

Over the years, there’s been a disconnect in getting local fish to local people, particularly because fish sold at grocery stores has come from so many places.

“I think a lot of people are wary of buying fish, because there’s a lot of information and misinformation,” said Martens.

This topic prompted Maine-based executive chef Barton Seaver, author of For Cod and Country, at this year’s Fishermen’s Forum.

“We have moved away from the Catch of the Day mentality,” he said. “The fact is, we so demand cod that we’re not willing to eat pollock, haddock, hake, cusk, Ling, wolf, monk, dog, or skates — even though it costs the fisherman the same amount of effort, fuel and labor to land that fish. From a culinary perspective, it is equally as valuable and from a health perspective, it equally serves the purpose of a nutritious dinner.”

Everything started to shift in 2007 when Port Clyde Fresh Catch was established, becoming the first organization in the U.S. to start a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) similar to the farm model where the community pre-buys a “share” that can be picked up. Soon, fisheries from Portland to Gloucester to Cape Cod, began following the model. Maine’s fishermen have been getting in on the boat-to-plate localvore scene, often filleting and selling that fresh fish to the consumer the day it is caught.

The trend is only going to pick up more steam as the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association in Topsham just got a $175,000 federal grant to develop a program that will let consumers know not only where and when seafood was caught, but even identify the fisherman who caught it.

“The majority of fish are bought through supermarkets in Maine,” said Martens. “Our goal is to find ways to help the general public have more access to more types of locally and sustainably caught fish.”

Currently, they are planning on working both Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Hannaford Supermarkets to develop a seafood-tracking system with with this grant. One of the ideas kicking around is to do more in-store food demos. They’re also focusing on technology to allow shoppers can use smartphone to find out where and when fish was caught.

“They may be able to scan a package with their phone and up pops a story about the fisherman who actually caught that fish and a recipe on how to cook it.”

For information, visit portclydefreshcatch.com

Related link:

• The Wave, summer 2015 eEdition

Squeezing the last bit of summer out is the plan for the weekend, especially after this wet week and perhaps more to come (hey Erika!). The Midcoast is in for a treat with several extraordinarily talented visiting bands serving up reggae, dancehall, hip-hop, funk and blues. And don’t forget that old time rock and roll at the Union Fair, which continues through the weekend. Make the most of it people. I’m going on vacation for the next two weeks—see you in the fall!

Belfast Art Walk

Friday, Aug. 28 — Belfast

Step out and enjoy the paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, etchings, assemblage and fine craft of local Maine artists. Look for Brio, a dynamic vocal ensemble playing on the streets along with other live musicians and dancers. While you’re at the art walk, toddle on over to the Belfast Co-op, which is hosting a free wine tasting of highlighted seasonal wines and the opening for An Illustrator's Art, an exhibit of delicately painted and detailed watercolors by Brooks artist Kim Jacobs.  The reception is from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Belfast Co-op Café with Jack Scully of Easterly Wines offering the wine tasting with a focus on seasonal wines

Vibe Out with Jamaican singer Ras Ian

Friday, Aug. 28 — Rockland

Jamaican singer Ras Ian performs this weekend at The Speakeasy. Ian will bring his “unique style of baritone roaring roots reggae, dancehall and hip-hop sounds” to the stage, backed by the band Da Vibes. He has shared the stage with Gully Bop, Spanna Banna, Andrew Bees, Plies, Hot Like Fire, CatchaVibe, Mavado and Turbulence. The message of the music is oneness, love and understanding for all mankind. The show starts at 9 p.m. $5 cover charge.

Street Dance at Union Fair

Friday, Aug. 28 — Union

It’s your last weekend to eat a Frisbee-sized fried dough treat and (hopefully not) get sick on the rides at the Union Fair. At 8 pm. the oxen and sheep will surely get nervous as a street dance is set to break out, featuring the popular rock and roll band, Creatures of Habit. Admission is $12 and gets you unlimited Midway rides, contests and entertainment.

Funk Soul at Three Tides

Saturday Aug. 29 — Belfast

Cactus Karma, a six-piece funk/soul band based in the New York/New Jersey area is traveling up this way to kick out the grooves on what is looking to be one of the warmest last nights of the summer. The band starts at 9 p.m. No cover. They are seriously infectious. Give ‘em a listen here:

Killer (Boat) Trip: Farm-To-Table Dinner on an Island

Saturday, Aug. 29 — Hurricane Island

This is one of those summer bucket list things to try at least once. From 3 to 9:30 p.m., step off and be whisked out to sea, arriving on lovely Hurricane Island, where you will be greeted with wine and delectable treats. After a tour of the island, chef Ladleah Dunn will prepare a feast with foods farmed, fished and/or foraged, with exceptional wines to go with each course. The cost is $150, which includes transportation to and from the island.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Dam! Does anyone know where this is?

If you guessed that last week’s Throwback Thursday photo was the Camden-Rockport dump, you were right! Said reader Alison McKeller: “Ha ha popular photo! Basically impossible to find other photos of the dump over the years.... a testament to the lack of interest among residents, perhaps... I love this photo and the ingenuity and resourcefulness it represents. The amount of useful things we are throwing away as a community is quite staggering, and this schooner sculpture does a little something to make us stop and think about the life cycle of the materials we bring into our lives. We should start making more sculptures like these!”

Last week’s photo courtesy You Knew You Grew Up in Camden-Rockport Maine when...Facebook page.

This week’s photo will be revealed at a later time.

Throwback Thursday will be on hiatus for two weeks—stay tuned!

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

We’re getting down to the last gasp of summer. I weep as I type that. Whether the thunderstorms come or not, we’ve got an eclectic line up of events this weekend indoors and out. Note that at the eleventh hour Friday, the Farnsworth Art Museum had to close the box on the Internet Cat Video Festival and Fair due to the weather. But hey, that makes total sense, since we all know cats hate getting wet. In any case, there are still four other cool things to check out this weekend. And with summer waning, enjoy it while you can!

Raised By Wolves at The Speakeasy

Friday, Aug. 21 — Rockland 

"Based on what we’ve heard so far, this may be one of those shows that you tell your friends about years later just so you can make them jealous."— Washington City Paper. If you ask these guys “Were you raised by wolves?” they would have to reply, “Why yes, we were.” This band will pump up the energy at The Speakeasy from 9 p.m. to midnight ($3 cover) so bring your dancing shoes.

Boys Against Girls Roller Derby

Saturday, Aug. 22 — Rockport

We’ve seen the Rock Coast Derby Galz in action before, but this is the first time they’re going up against a guy’s team! The Rock Coast Rollers’ “The Perfect Storm” will take on the Portland based men’s roller derby team “Casco Bay Gentlemen’s Derby” at Midcoast Recreation Center off Route 90 at 6 p.m. Tickets $8 in advance, $10 at the door; free admission for kids under 12. Tickets are available at: Clean Bee Laundry (Camden), Drake Corner Store (Lincolnville), Good Tern Co-op (Rockland) and Belfast Co-op.

Union Fair Kicks Off With Demo Derby

Saturday, Aug. 22 — Union

The Demolition Derby is one of the most fun events at the Union Fair, which kicks off Saturday. Watch them crash everyhing from mini vans, to small trucks, to four-cylinder cars. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a smile on a little (or big) kid’s face when the first big "crash" occurs, dirt starts flying all over the ring and smoke billows from under the hoods of vehicles. Insider’s tip: get there early/ Admission: $12. Starts at 7 p.m. FMI: Demo Derby

Killer Road Trip: Sound Improv Festival

Sunday, Aug. 23 — Penobscot

Look for sound and music improvisers in the first of a two-day festival celebrating music, featuring an eclectic line-up of artists on acoustic, electronic, found and constructed instruments. Two large ensemble sets, from which smaller groups will emerge, will perform Sunday, one starting at 6 and the other at 8 pm. Tickets by donation. For information, call 207-326-2027 or email leslie@leslieross.net.

Internet Cat Video Festival and Fair

UPDATE: Postponed to Sunday, Sept. 27 — Rockland

“I laughed; I cried; I meowed. It became a part of me.” The Farnsworth’s Cat Festival and Fair is back for the second year! Starting at 6 p.m. they’ll have food vendors, live music by Clint Hartzel and Andre Lascoutx and cat-themed activities. Starting at sunset, they’ll show a reel of 85 Internet cat videos on a 40-foot screen overlooking Rockland Harbor for a running time of 70 minutes. The event will be held in Rockland Harbor Park, free to the public until 9 p.m.

What’s in the foreground is pretty interesting, but can you tell where this is from the background?

Last week’s Throwback Thursday photo had a few correct guesses. It was an aerial photo from sometime after the 1952 fire, intersection of Park and Main Streets to the lower right; Rite Aid is now to the lower left. Photo courtesy Terry Economy

This week’s photo credit will be be revealed next week and please put your guesses onn our Facebook post rather than in an email to us so more people can see your answers.

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

PROSPECT— Apparently, more women than men in Maine are fascinated with the paranormal if the numbers from last year’s Psychic and Paranormal Faire at Fort Knox are any indication. Maybe that’s why “Bigfoot” decided to drop by last year. (See accompanying video.)

On Aug. 14-15, the unusual weekend will feature a presentation from one of the the world's leading experts on Bigfoot, author, cryptozoologist and TV personality, Loren Coleman will be the featured speaker. Coleman has written 17 books and more than 300 articles, has appeared frequently on radio and television programs, and has lectured throughout North America, as well as in London and at Loch Ness.

Leon Seymour, Executive Director of The Friends of Fort Knox, said: “Loren is one of the world’s leading experts on crypto zoology — the study of animals not yet been proven but suspected to exist such as Sasquatch (better known as Bigfoot), sea serpents, chupacabras. He’s also the curator of the world’s only crytozoology museum, located in Portland, Maine.”

In addition, the East Coast Ghost Trackers ghost hunters will be back to talk about their explorations through the Fort, along with guided tours. These ghost hunters are a paranormal group based in Brewer who have performed numerous paranormal investigations in homes, businesses and historical sites throughout Maine. In 2012 their exploration of Fort Knox had some of the most compelling paranormal evidence they've ever captured. (See accompanying video).

Seymour also highlights UFO enthusiasts, Chris Gardner and Cindy Proulx on the topic of Unidentified Flying Objects—particularly in Maine. They will be facilitating discussion on the topic with audience members and will likely be discussing the three-pointed “Black Triangle” formation Penobscot Bay Pilot covered in July about the Rockland man’s unusual sighting: More of the story behind the Lobsterman and the UFO.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be psychics and vendors in the Fort Officer's Quarters. 

“We’ll also have authors here as well,” said Seymour. “One author  will be talking about ghost pirates. There will also be a psychic artist, who gets a psychic impression and then makes art from it.” Vampires shouldn’t feel left out either. Dracula, presented by Ten Bucks Theater, takes place Thursday – Sunday, August 13-16, on the Fort parade grounds. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10 per person.

“You can cover a lot in a short amount of time,” said Seymour. “These topics are certainly interesting to many people.”

The Psychic and Paranormal Faire began in 2005, skipped a year, and has been held at the Fort ever since. Next weekend will feature The Black Rose pirates, who will storm the Fort.

Admission each day is the standard Fort admission plus a requested $2 event donation to help defray costs and fund fort restoration projects. Click here for the schedule:  Paranormal and Psychic Faire

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Got an absolutely gorgeous high summah weekend on tap, so most of these picks are outside parties.

Free Party at Dooryard Farm

Thursday, August 13 — Camden

People coming together with potluck to celebrate Maine’s farmed foods? Why not? The public is invited to a farm party featuring rockabilly music by The Dog Hounds and The Weary Kind. Pizza from Harvest Moon Pizza truck will be available as well as local beverages, but you’re encouraged to bring your own. Because it’s free, they ask you to bring a side dish or dessert to share (extra credit for local ingredients.) The party goes from 5-8 p.m. sponsored by the Maine Farmland Trust. FMI: Farm Party

Harborfest’s Launch Party at Three Tides

Friday, August 14 — Belfast

Belfast Harborfest kicks off this weekend and there’s a lot of cool things to do, but the spotlight is on the launch party sponsored by Three Tides and Marshall Wharf Brewing under the big tent at Steamboat Landing on the Belfast Harbor with multiple bands, great beer and lots of food vendors. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., Music goes from 7:00 p.m to midnight. FMI: belfastharborfest.com

Boatyard Dog Trials at Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors Show

Sunday, August 15 — Rockland

Because everyone loves to watch other people act foolish around their pets, this light-hearted, family friendly, paw-to-paw “competition” is always a crowd favorite. Each team will strive to complete three events within an eight-minute time limit. In the Dockside Obstacle Course, both dog and handler will negotiate a maze of funky dockside detritus. During the Dinghy Hop, they will scramble in and out of a small, unstable boat. Finally, for the Freestyle segment, each dog will show off whatever special talents they may (or may not) have. No holds are barred for this segment, but a Frisbee MUST be included in the performance somehow, and either the dog or person must be soaking wet when they finish. Meet the Competitors. Show starts at 10:30 a.m. Tickets $12 (for all day) Buy here.  

Blues, Brews & Barbecues in Union

Sunday, August 15 — Union

Savage Oakes Vineyard & Winery in Union is teaming up with Café Miranda to put on a barbecue shindig starting at 12:00 p.m. Stick around for the local wines beers and porky goodness until 2:00 p.m. when teen blues sensation Quinn Sullivan performs a concert. (See accompanying video.) Bring chair or blanket.

Killer Road Trip: Human Foosball in Kennebunkport

Sunday, August 15 — Kennebunkport

Thanks to a tip from Maine Today, I discovered a human foosball tournament will be taking place at Kennebunport’s annual Summer Fest. Raging Brass Reggae, a seven-piece brass band that pays tribute to 1960s Jamaican Ska and Roots Reggae instrumentals, will take the stage first.  Once the crowd is heated up, The Mallett Brothers Band will have folks dancing.  In addition to awesome music, Summerfest will also feature lawn games for the kiddos, hot air balloon rides courtesy of ReMax, food by Ned Bakes and Sea Salt & Smoke, a beer tent, raffle prizes and more.  Event goes from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $5 for children; all tickets come with a meal voucher and proceeds benefit the work of the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust. FMI: kporttrust.org/shop-kct

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

What are we looking down at here? What’s the business in the building with the Coca Cola sign now?

Last week’s Throwback Thursday photo was a nod to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which was performed by those little girls in the Camden Amphitheatre in the 1950s) and was performed by thespians last weekend.

This week’s photo courtesy Rockland, Maine History Facebook page.

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

LINCOLNVILLE — Tucked in the bend of a back road in Lincolnville sits a tiny one-woman enterprise called Dolce Vita Farm and Bakery. Rose Lowell has been producing fresh breads and vegetables for sale at local farmers' markets, as well as her own vegetable shed, for more than five years. For the last 15 years, she has made the trek to Italy to learn, to absorb the culture and food. There, she met Stefano Valenti at Spannocchia, an organic farm outside of Siena, Italy.

“He was working in the vineyards,” said Lowell. “He was also teaching classes, doing pizza nights and leading baking classes. We became friends and one thing led to another and every time I went back, we’d get together and just cook as much as we could together.”

She persuaded Valenti, a self-described “traveling baker” who has taught in Italy, South America, and Malta to come to Midcoast, Maine, several years ago, where he helped launch Paolina's Way in Camden.

This summer, she asked him to come back again—this time to work exclusively with her at Dolce Vita Farm and Bakery, so they could create a series of al fresco, farm-­to-­table dinners.

“I think there has been such an interest in farm-to-table dinners in this area and we’re all about using what we have, so we decided why not?” said Lowell

The first event, which will take place on Monday evening, Aug. 17, has already been sold out, but they are keeping a waiting list for any cancellations. Their next dinner centering around Tuscany flavors will be in early September.

Valenti and Lowell are making everything on the full menu by hand, from the pastas to the breads to a Tuscan walnut cake with honey.

“First, we will start with antipasti appetizers,” said Valenti. “We’ll have crostini with tuna and arugula pesto. And then we’ll make three kinds of pasta—Tortellini al Prosciutto in Brodo, Vegetable Lasagna, Lobster Tortelloni in Salsa di Pomodorini e Pistacchio.”

The salad will come right from Lowell’s garden. The dinner will have sparkling water and people are encouraged to take their own wine.

“I am happy to be here; it’s such a wonderful occasion,” he said.

In the fall, he’ll return back home near Siena, where he manages a bakery and will be consulting on a vegan, gluten-free menu for a local B&B. Simultaneously, he and Lowell are working on a cookbook of shared recipes written in English and Italian, due out this winter.

While Valenti is around this summer, he is introducing authentic, Italian/American fusion recipes to Lowell’s ever-rotating menu of artisanal breads, pizza and other baked goods such as Stefano style "pig in the blanket” using her wood-­fired oven, Arabella. Each day the menu changes and the goods are available to the public.

“His food is delicious and we’ve been able to create some wonderful dishes from what we have on site that I can guarantee you no one will get anywhere else but here,” said Lowell.

Keep posted on what’s coming out of the Dolce Vita Farm & Bakery by visiting their Facebook page.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Guys, this is one crazy fun weekend coming up with some great comedy, theater and art happening Friday; cardboard races and outdoor fun on Sunday and a real live cat circus and band all weekend in Portland for you wackadoo feline lovers. (I’m going.)

Last Art Walk of The Summer

Friday, August 7 — Rockland

No, Nooo, Nooooo! That sounds so final, but in truth it’s not the last of the art walks in Rockland. From 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. a number of downtown galleries open their doors and cheap wine for guests to mingle through and get a gander of the latest creations of artists all over the country. Check out Archipelago, who is hosting a reception for The Alluring and Enduring Maine Coast this Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. as part of the Maine Photo Project. If you go a little early, Kevin Johnson of the Penobscot Marine Museum will share how he unravels the stories found in a historic image at 4:00 p.m. Free to the public .For a list of who is participating, visit: artsinrockland.org

Local Comedian Emily “Waterman” Dillon Comes Home

Friday, August 7 — Rockland

Comedian Emily "Waterman" Dillon, local native, and self-proclaimed multilingual stripper for the blind, is coming to Trackside Station for one night only, at 8:00 p.m. Dillon grew up in the Rockland area, and never missed an opportunity to entertain a crowd, whether on a stage in high school, or in her mother's kitchen. She currently lives in Pensacola, Fla., where she has booked, hosted and performed with comedians seen on HBO, NBC, Comedy Central, and BET. Following her set, Dillon will host an open mic so any musicians or aspiring comics are encouraged to take the stage. Dillon's performance is free to the public. Reservations are suggested for groups of six or more. After 9 p.m. admission is only to those ages 21 and older. FMI: call 594-7500.

Outdoor Performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Friday, August 7 — Rockland

As you might have guessed from my very strategically placed Throwback Thursday photo this week, professional actors, designers and technicians from Maine and across the country will be putting on A Midsummer Night’s Dream within the Camden Amphitheater overlooking Camden Harbor. One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream features star-crossed lovers, a tyrannical father, Kings, Queens and Fairies galore, devilish Puck, the clownish ‘Rude Mechanicals’ and a man turned into an ass. With its lush costumes, hand carved masks and giant puppet the play will be performed  This production offers a feast for the senses.  A Midsummer Night’s Dream treats audiences to a fantastical night in the forest they will never forget. It will be a gorgeous warm evening. Performance dates for A Midsummer Night’s Dream are August 6,7,9,12,15,16.  All performances start at 6 p.m.

Cardboard Boat Races

Sunday, August 9 — Rockport

Head to Rockport Harbor on Sunday for an afternoon of live music, cardboard boat races and picnicking, as the community celebrates summer in low-key style. Monarck Lisa, a multi-piece Portland-based band, will be playing as paddle boarders with the annual Lobster SUP Cup competition return from their three-mile race on Penobscot Bay.Hang out on, or by the water, and play games, and participate in the first annual Rockport Cardboard Regatta, a build your own cardboard boat race starting at 1 p.m., from Goodie’s Beach (next to the harbor master’s building). FMI: Event info

Killer Road Trip: Cat Circus with the Acro-Cats

Friday August 7to Sunday, August 9 — Portland

That sound you hear is a thousand lunatic cat ladies in Maine screaming “Yaaaaaaas!!!” The Amazing Acro-Cats has come to Portland. It is one of the four "cat shows" in the United States, perform to sold-out venues across the country. Their performances delight and astound audiences of all ages. The one-hour show features over a dozen fabulous felines  (all former orphans, rescues, and strays) walking tightropes, pushing carts, skateboarding, jumping through hoops, ringing bells, balancing on balls and turning on lights.   Tuna, the star of the show, is the leader of the ONLY CAT BAND IN EXISTENCE— The Rock Cats.  With Oz on guitar, Dakota on drums, Nue on keyboards, and Sookie on chimes - Tuna (who plays cowbell) and her backing band really strut their stuff with their own style of original music.  Cluck Norris, a chicken on cymbal and tambourine, isn't "kitten" around - she usually steals the show! Tickets are $20. FMI: Acro-Cats.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

I’m pretty sure you’ll know where this is, but can you tell from the photo what’s going on?

Last week’s Throwback Thursday photo was the old salt water pool at Belfast City Park, July 1951.

This week’s photo courtesy Camden Public Library

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

We’re bumping up the lineup this weekend because of a cool event happening at the Maine Lobster Festival tonight, Thursday. Beyond that, there’s plenty of fun for the foodies and the outdoor adventurers across the weekend. Oh, and if you want to see some coleslaw wrestling, we have that here too.

Steins and Vines Tasting Event

Thursday, July 30 — Rockland

This year, the Maine Lobster Festival is throwing its second annual “Steins and Vines Tasting Event” with local beers and wines under the North Entertainment Tent for $25 (tickets at gate) from 4 to 7 p.m at the Maine Lighthouse Museum. If you went to the Down The Chute events at the 2014 and 2015 U.S. National Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl this year, it’s going to be exactly like that—except not freezing!

Play on an Island for $5

Saturday, Aug. 1 — Swans Island

Swans Island is hosting Family Field Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 per person with a ferry ride provided, $20 for families. There, you can go fishing, archery, geocaching, orienteering, ATVing, trapping, work with firearms, bird house building, paddling, see a working dog demo and more. Take six 50-minute sessions on topics of your choice, with a lunch break (bring a picnic). Ferry rides provided. $5 per person. Registration required at bit.ly/SwanIslandFieldDay.

The First Annual Local Flavor Fare

Saturday, Aug. 1 — Rockport

Rockport Marketplace (State of Maine Cheese Co.) will be bringing the foodies out with its “A taste of the Midcoast’s best food, drink and music” Flavor Fare from 2 to 6 p.m. The event will include five local music acts, wine and beer tastings, a pig roast, local artists, artisan foods and a farmers market. Locally produced wines and beers will be available for tasting. There will be a small fee to enter the wine and beer tasting area and an ID is required. For more information, contact Cathe Morrill at CMorrill@cheese-me.com or call 800-762-8895.

Free Blueberry Picking for A Day

Sunday, Aug. 2 — Rockport

Beech Hill Preserve allows the public to pick their blueberry-covered rolling hills once a year. (Can you just smell the muffins and pancakes and cobbler already?) The Preserve’s 13th annual Free Blueberry Pick goes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring a container. Be ready to walk uphill. No rakes or dogs. FMI: CoastalMountains.org or call 207-236-7091.

Killer Road Trip: Redneck Festival

Thursday, July 30 to Sunday, Aug. 2 — Hebron

So good it will make you slap your granny. Get ready to get your redneck on with this weekend’s ever popular Redneck Festival on a 10-acre farm in Hebron, where you can camp for free, eat lots of great food, listen to bands and watch the Run Your Truck mud runs. And who can pass up the Redneck Olympic Style Games such as: Bobbing For Pigs Feet, Toilet Seat Horse Shoes, Greased Watermelon Haul, The Tire Beer Trot, a Pie Eating Contest, The Wife Haul and Mud A Tug-o-War. Tickets are $45 in advance and $50 at the gate. Tickets can be bought at eventbrite.com or at the gate if not sold out. Day passes will be available for Friday and Saturday only from 8 a.m noon. FMI: redneckolympics@gmail.com  or call 207-966-3333.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

What’s going on with this photo? It’s probably pretty easy to guess the year!

Last week’s Throwback Thursday photo was a really fun summer moment in time. It was a soda pop spill, July 17, 1969 at the corner of Bridge and Peirce Streets in Belfast courtesy of Harold Higgins.

This week’s photo courtesy Belfast Historical Society and Museum.

Send your Throwback Thursday photos to news@penbaypilot.com

Pop off the top. Take a little sip. Say to the person standing next to you: “Wow, this tastes just like root beer.” The person standing next to you tries it and says “I can’t even tell the difference.”

Conversations similar to this are happening all over Midcoast this summer over an Illinois brewer’s product called Not Your Father’s Root Beer, a sweet and spicy root beer with a 5.9 percent ABV. Put it with vanilla ice cream and you’ve got the best adult root beer float ever. (Hands off kiddies.)

Some local markets, such as French and Brawn, are having a hard time keeping the six packs in stock. A staff member from Megunticook Market said (in jest) she’s even had customers come in and yell at her when they’ve run out.

Eldon Lenfest, manager of Wentworth Family Grocery in Northport said: “We got three cases in and by the afternoon they were gone. We can’t get any more either. I think it’s kind of a fad.”

PenBay Pilot readers run the gamut on this latest trend. They either love the flavor or can’t stand it.

“It's amaaaaazeballs-and I'm not telling you where I get it or it will be sold out,” said Sara Grace Harlow.

“I am not a beer drinker at all! I had friends at work talk about it so I tried it recently and loved it,” said Mike Clark.

Others find the beverage entirely too sweet to be able to drink more than just one.

“The first few sips were great, but then the sweetness became to much for me. I only finished half,” said Jessica Lasbury Wheeler.

Those who are willing to give up the locations where the root beer can be found say they’re still available at Hannford Supermarkets, Shaw’s Supermarket, Megunticook Market, Circle K and Stop ‘N Go.

“I did hear that the gas station by McDonald's in Thomaston was getting some delivered yesterday...” said Becca Dever Barstow.

That’s when you know a fad has hit its peak. When that gas station by McDonald’s in Thomaston gets a delivery—news travels like wildfire.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

In the news this week after a 14-year-old Rockport boy threatened a 13-year-old girl through social media, there’s been a predictable amount of virulent conversations on social media concerning the teens, their parents, the school, and technology in general.

First, let’s start with the correct definition of what happened. A 14-year-old male allegedly threatened a 13-year-old girl with rape if she did not send nude photographs of herself. He also allegedly alluded that he was watching her, which is typically a hush tactic; i.e., "you tell on me and I'll make it worse for you."

This is more than just a threat on social media. It’s technically a form of what’s known as sexting extortion, or ‘sextortion.’

“Sexting” refers to taking nude photos of oneself and sharing the photo via cellphone. And why do teens do that? Because today, it is considered a form of relationship currency. Click here to read more of the legal dangers of underage consensual sexting.

But this was not consensual. This was extortion, and you’d better believe the police will get involved when something like this happens.

I’m not going to get into the whys with this column — I don’t know the parents or the kids, so I’m not qualified to speak on why it happened.

But, I am going to talk about how this was — and still is — preventable.

Since 2002, through Governor King’s 1:1 laptop initiative, every middle school and high school student in Maine was granted access to first a laptop, and later an iPad, to help them advance their 21st-Century skills.

But the gift came with virtually little to zero training on ethical digital behaviors and cyberbullying. I know, because throughout the 2000s, I was doing public presentations on cyberbullying for schools.

In 2012, when our cyberbullying book came out, a law passed in Maine mandating every single middle and high school enact a cyberbullying policy with training for the kids and for the staff.

I went around to schools and conferences on top of my full time job, for more than a year and gave free presentations to schools about sexting and other forms of cyberbullying. It opened the eyes of administrators and staff from dozens of Maine schools; but in 2013, still doing these presentations, I can honestly say, maybe three to four of the schools I visited got serious about the policy.

No school I knew of had, at that point, implemented any serious cyberbullying training or curriculum. (Not just some half-day assembly that students would forget in a few weeks.)

This, is of course, a field observation. Things might have changed now. I know MLTI offers Common Sense Media’s free Digital Literacy and Citizenship curriculum to schools, but it’s such light lunch. It does not get into the roots of serious cyberbullying (with all of its various moving parts).

I know teachers and administrators have earnestly tried to get a handle on this, but they’re not getting supported at the top.

So, it’s up to the parents. That’s what I’ve concluded after three years of working to try and turn Maine’s cyberbullying problem around. There has been woefully little done to even address it, much less turn it around. Three years after this law passed, Maine still ranks dead last in New England for controlling cyberbullying according to the latest study. Massachusetts ranks first nationally.

So, what can you do? First, it doesn’t matter what the app was used in this sexting extortion. (For the record, it was Snapchat).

If you kill the app off your kid’s phone, another toxic one will spring up in six months. Guaranteed. What you have to do is have ‘The Conversation’ when it comes to your kids’ use of digital devices.

The Conversation is a three-pronged approach, based on the strategies of self-defense:

1. Discuss what you consider acceptable and unacceptable uses of your child’s digital device. Here's how one Massachusetts mom got her son to sign an 18-point agreement on the condition of receiving his new iPhone. Use her strategy. Likely you already own the devices and that's your leverage.
2. Get familiar with the most frequent apps and social media platforms your teen is drawn to. Don't know what these tactics are? Stay on top of it with our Hot Topics blog on the most common types of cyberbullying.
3. Next, have a talk about conflict. Conflict is the root of most cyberbullying situations and it is inevitable your child will be involved in conflict at some point with a friend, a boyfriend/girlfriend, a teacher or even a stranger. Whether your child is the target, the instigator or caught in the cross-fire, "pre-playing" the potential outcomes to the conflict is key.

Lastly, here’s my professional opinion on the app Snapchat used in this particular situation.

Snapchat is a free app for iPhones, iPads and Android phones, allowing you to send a photo that will supposedly disappear in 10 seconds.

It was originally designed so the recipient couldn’t save the photo, but there have been workarounds for years to thwart that without Snapchat notifying the sender.

For minors, (and even impressionable young adults above 18) it is a sure fire way to get in legal trouble with even just one mistake. It guarantees many years of emotional pain and self-loathing when that “mistake,” a nude selfie, gets into the hands of a malicious person who shares or publicizes it.

If you have had The Conversation and you trust your teen 100 percent that he or she will never make that mistake, it’s your call to let him or her keep Snapchat and/or other apps like it on their digital devices. But if you even have a single doubt, get rid of it off your minor’s phone, iPad or digital device.

That’s my blunt advice.

Ignore the cries, “But everybody has it. I’ll be unpopular.”

Refer them to the 18-point agreement.

Here’s how to delete the app off each device:

1. Go to https://support.snapchat.com/delete-account in any web browser.
2. Enter your Snapchat username and password.(See 18-point agreement once again for this password)
3. Check the box confirming you aren't a robot.
4. Click on Submit.
5. Re-enter your password on the next page.
6. Click on Delete My Account.

Kay Stephens is a writer for Penobscot Bay Pilot, as well as an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction. Her book, Cyberslammed, was used by the Maine Department of Education, in part, to draw up a sample cyberbullying policy for schools in Maine. More help for parents and schools, including the latest threats, cyberbullying apps and tactics can be found at cyberslammed.com

SEARSPORT—Contrary to its name, a tintype portrait is not created on a piece of tin at all.  It’s a photograph made by creating a direct positive on a sheet of iron metal that is blackened by painting, lacquering or enamalling.

Portland artist Cole Caswell likes to go around to modern day fairs and carnivals with his mobile tintype booth just like photographers used to in the late 1800s, when this type of photography was wildly popular with crowds. Because tintypes were reproduced very quickly and relatively cheaply on metals, it became the earliest form of street photography and made it easy for the general public to get a photograph taken.

On July 29, Penobscot Marine Museum hosts Caswell from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with his mobile booth in conjunction with the museum’s first major exhibit on historical photography. Visitors can have their portrait taken for $40 (which also includes a two-for-one museum admission) and then can watch Caswell do a tintype demonstration at 2 p.m. (complete with all kinds of odd clothing and props for that old-timey look).

PMM’s photo archivist Kevin Johnson set up the tintype photo event.

“I’ve known Cole for a long time, since we both attended the Maine Photographic Workshop,” said. Johnson. “He sets up at The Common Ground Fair every year when you can have your tintype taken. I thought it would be cool to not just talk about the historic process, but demonstrate how it’s done, much like the traveling photographers might have done back in the day.”

Check out our gallery of tintypes taken by Caswell at The Common Ground Fair.

For more info about PMM’s photography exhibits, which run until October 18 visit: penobscotmarinemuseum.org

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

Keeping in mind that Maine Memes, an online source for making light fun of all things Maine, has created a parody of what nearly 80 town mottos in would be, what do you think of their take on Belfast, Camden and Rockland?

Do they still fit what other Mainers think of these towns or are they outdated? Are they right on the money or way off the mark?

What would your motto be? (Keep it funny)

Just like the perfect party, this weekend had a little mix of everything—cult movies, storytelling, two outdoor music festivals and a pignic. Did I spell that correctly? Yes, I did.

“The Dude” Comes To Belfast Free Library

Friday, July 24 — Belfast

The Belfast Free Library will be screening The Big Lebowski (1998) in the air conditioned Abbott Room at 7 p.m. From Joel and Ethan Coen comes a crime comedy that has taken on cult status. It stars Jeff Bridges as "The Dude," an unemployed slacker, whose passions are bowling, smoking weed and White Russians. Starts at 7 p.m. Way to start off your night!

Big Dreams, Spectacular Failures Storytelling Event

Friday, July 24 — Camden

Caitlin MacRae and her co-organizer, Chris Michael will be hosting the storytelling session Friday, July 24 at High Mountain Hall in Camden. July's theme is Boom &/or Bust: Stories of Success, Failure and Entropy. Big dreams, wild successes, spectacular failures, and everything in between. Three storytellers have been selected in advance, with more open slots for folks to sign up at the event. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, donations are welcome. For more information, visit andorstories.com. See our story about it here.

Cider Hill Farm & Music Festival

Saturday, July 25 — Waldoboro

This all-day music and food festival takes place at Music starts at 2:00 p.m. with Meghan Clark, a 15 year old singer/songwriter from Calais, Maine! Following Meghan is Lauren Crosby, a native of Georgetown. The Work Trucks, hailing from Woolwich, will take the stage at 4p.m. Jacob Augustine, a native of northern Maine, will kick of the headliners show at 5:30 p.m. while Kenya Hall, Portland, will close out the Festival at 7:30 p.m. On-site food and beverages available. Please no coolers. Chairs and blankets are encouraged. Festival grounds are open to lawn games as well. Early bird tickets are on sale now until July 24 for $12 per person. Tickets will also be available for cash purchase at the gate the day of the festival for $15. Kids under age 14 are free when accompanied by an adult. For more information, participate as a vendor or to purchase tickets, please visit our website at: www.LocavoreFestival.com.

Killer Road Trip: WERU Outdoor Concert

Saturday, July 25— East Orland

Head on down to East Orland for a spiffy good time at the WERU Open House. Running from noon to 3:00 p.m., the event will feature live music,  food, station tours and lots of nice folks. On Route 1 between Bucksport and Ellsworth. Party on! FMI: http://weru.org.

Sunday Pignic

Sunday, July 26 — Camden

Pig + Poet, Whitehall’s new restaurant is trying out a new thing. On Sunday, they’ll host a pork roast on the patio from 1-5 p.m. with a Mimosa Bar, lawn games, and music by Steady Hand String Band. No reservations required.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com

CAMDEN — It’s every organizer’s worst nightmare: what if you throw an event and no one shows up? In the case of the And/Or Storytelling event, launched in June, organizers had four folks signed up as storytellers—and only one showed up. There were nearly 85 people in the audience eager to hear stories and the only teller, Sean Durnan, a Maine Street Meats butcher, wasn’t going to be able to carry the entire show.

After his story, 10 more people in the audience offered to come up to the stage and tell their own stories, impromptu.

“The subject  was labors of love,” said co-organizer Caitlin MacRae. “We heard stories of policemen delivering babies in snowstorms, people coming to terms with the death of parents, celebrating the births of their children, folks working in drive-thru windows, traveling the U.S. as missionaries, spectacularly quitting private chef jobs and so on.”

The 10 people who volunteered to go up on stage so the show could go on impressed MacRae.

“I think all of us were impressed by the depth and range of these stories, and moved that so many people were comfortable enough to share their personal stories with us almost spontaneously,” she said. “It went for almost two hours, and I felt like more people would have shared if we hadn't run out of time. It was a really heartening moment, the way the room rallied to save an evening that could have easily fallen flat, and used their stories to help it become something really beautiful.”

MacRae and her co-organizer, Chris Michael will be hosting the next storytelling session Friday, July 24 at High Mountain Hall in Camden. July's theme is Boom &/or Bust: Stories of Success, Failure and Entropy. Big dreams, wild successes, spectacular failures, and everything in between.Three storytellers have been selected in advance, with more open slots for folks to sign up at the event.

“We are planning to continue these story nights once a month, throughout the year,” said MacRae. “I feel like it's a really unique opportunity to get to know our community better. We all tell anecdotes like ‘the time this thing happened to me,’ but the sharing of stories is something else entirely, because the focus is on transformation, how the thing that happened changed you, moved you or shaped you,” she said.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, donations are welcome. For more information, visit andorstories.com, facebook.com/andorstories, or email story hour organizers Chris and Caitlin at andorstories@gmail.com.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com