DISCOVER MAINE’S Penobscot Bay & Down East
BANGOR
ELLSWORTH
SPEND SOME TIME EXPLORING THIS ICONIC REGION OF MAINE
WHETHER you’re a lifelong Mainer or just here for vacation, Maine’s Penobscot Bay region offers so much to discover. Spanning several counties and portions of both the Down East and Midcoast regions, this area is quintessential New England. From our famed rugged coastline and stunning views of the Atlantic to the buoy-covered lobster shacks and fishing villages, throughout these pages you’ll discover what makes the Penobscot Bay and Down East regions so special.
DIVIDED BY REGION
MOUNT
DESERT ISLAND BLUE HILL
Down East Blue Hill Peninsula
Mount Desert Island & Acadia
Maine is a large and varied state, comprised of miles of coastline, mountains, forests, farmland, and urban areas. Maine’s Midcoast region includes towns and counties located along the coast of Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo counties. Where the Midcoast ends, Down East Maine begins. Down East refers to the eastern region of the state, including Washington and Hancock counties. This area is also home to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
PENOBSCOT BAY
The Penobscot Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine at the mouth of the Penobscot River. The area is filled with islands, charming fishing villages, rocky shorelines and tiny coves to explore, rolling hills, and a blend of tourist attractions and peaceful spots to enjoy nature.
This special area includes a portion of both Maine’s Midcoast and Down East regions, as well as the Blue Hill Peninsula. One of the most scenic areas of the state, Penobscot Bay is full of character, culture, delicous food, and incredible places to explore.
JUST BEYOND THE BAY
Just beyond Penobscot Bay, you’ll discover Mount Desert Island. MDI is Maine’s largest island and a major attraction for visitors, with more than 4 million people making the trek to Acadia National Park each year.
Whether you’re drawn by adventure or tranquility, this is where Maine reveals its most iconic self.
VISIT
Belfast
Don’t Miss...
BELFAST HARBOR WALK
This scenic path that meanders along the water, offering picturesque views of the harbor, an up-close view of a working shipyard, and access to parks like Steamboat Landing.
Belfast Murals Illustrate the CITY’S STORY
MEET ARTIST DAVID HURLEY OF SWANVILLE • BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
BELFAST has been splashed with a lot of color through the years, courtesy of muralist David Hurley of Swanville.
“Sometimes the design evolves, and every mural has its challenges,” said Hurley, who with collaborators, has created five scenes throughout the city. Yet he contended that big projects aren’t a problem. “Believe it or not, having skill as a house painter made me comfortable with using a large brush and large amounts of paint.”
Hurley loved art since childhood.
“We lived in a really cool house about a block away from Fontainebleau Forest in France, where the impressionist artists used to come and paint,” Hurley said. “We only had one art book in the house, which was Renaissance paintings, and I would look at it all the time.”
Hurley’s skill was immediately evident with his first project in the city — large murals on the exterior of Belfast’s United Farmers Market building. These bold panels of produce-themed motifs and more, literally make the Farmers Market stand out according to Paul Naron, owner of the market.
“They identify the place and draw attention to the building, plus we like to support local artists,” Naron said.
Then came a concrete wall at the Family Dollar, where Hurley, with the help of artists Russell Kahn and Kenny Cole, painted the wall to resemble the hull of a ship, called the S.S. Belfast, plowing through ocean waves.
To add a little more community spirit to the mural, Hurley helped secure a $4,000 grant to hold an art contest for local children. Waldo County school children were invited to submit sea-creature designs, and 21 winning entries were added to the wall.
“Public art belongs to all of us,” Hurley said. “It’s part of who we are.”
The next co-creation was a 13-by-23-foot mural that includes seven airplanes inside the Belfast Municipal Airport hangar.
“The airport mural was very challenging because we had to use sliding scaffolding,” Hurley said. “Often I would be painting on an airplane 15 feet from the ground and realize how few people have had the opportunity to paint murals. I realized that I had something in common with Renaissance painters who would paint angels, but here I was painting airplanes.” Hurley’s latest and largest project, a 34-foot waterfront mural featuring an 18-foot Atlantic sturgeon was completed two years ago. The Harborwalk Sturgeon began with research about Passagassawakeag, which empties into Belfast Bay. It translates to ‘spearing sturgeon by torchlight’ and so the idea was born.
Before Hurley took a brush to the project however, he raised about $10,000 from local donations.
“My first sketch for the mural was just a giant sturgeon, but then that felt too much like a mounted fish, so I wanted to expand the frame to include the ecosystem,” Hurley said. “The mural was challenging because it was painted on 18 different panels pieced together underneath the deck of the Belfast Yacht Club. I had to make cardboard templates and measure and re-measure to make sure it was accurate.”
He estimates it took about 300 hours. In addition, Hurley also created the mural in the stairwell of the Belfast Free Library.
“David’s murals have truly deepened the connection between people and our city,” said Dorothy Havey, director of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, “and have helped tell Belfast’s story in a way that words alone could not capture. His artwork celebrates the spirit of our community. Visitors often mention how unique and lively the murals make our downtown feel. Locals appreciate seeing familiar places and themes represented with such care and imagination.”
(Left, top) David Hurley and his mural at Belfast’s United Farmers Market building.
(Left, bottom) A catfish is part of the children’s mural at Belfast’s Family Dollar.
(Above) Hurley with his sturgeon mural.
(Right) Artwork at the Belfast Municipal Airport hangar.
PHOTOS BY ANNE GABBIANELLI
Taking in the Sights & Delights Along ROUTE ONE
ENJOYING THE DRIVE FROM BELFAST TO BUCKSPORT
BY EMILY BAER
SUMMER days tend to fill up quickly. The calendar begins to fill up as soon as — or sometimes even before — the weather turns, and then it's off to the races. But, every now and then things shift and suddenly, a day opens up. In our house, these are called treasure hunting days. A treasure hunting day is exactly what it sounds like — you’re out looking for gold. Armed with an open mind and a generous spirit, you set out for adventure.
A jaunt up Route 1, regardless of where you stop or start, makes for prime treasure hunting. Some things never seem to change, while other things (storefronts, mostly) change every time you pass them by. It’s a quirk that is comforting, confusing, and exciting all at once.
BEGINNING IN BELFAST
Not long ago I found myself on the stretch of road between Belfast and Bucksport with only one actual errand to run and plenty of time on my hands. So, I grabbed a quick cup of coffee at Downshift Coffee and headed towards the Belfast Farmers Market on my way out of town. I’d need energy for the next couple of hours and a breakfast sandwich from Spark Bagel was exactly what I was looking for. While I waited, I took a lap around the market, admiring tables full of delicious fruits, vegetables, seafood, baked goods, kimchi, and more.
STOPPING IN SEARSPORT
Soon I was back in the car and headed north, but I didn’t make it far before I remembered that Searsport’s Anodyne Books recently moved locations. As I pulled into the parking lot I smiled at the scene in front of me: an independent bookstore on one side of the lot and a fireworks store on the other. The juxtaposition is exactly what makes exploring this stretch of road so fun. Only Anodyne was open when I arrived that morning, so I made my way through the big swinging door. Housed in a former art gallery, the new store is beautiful. It is spacious and bright, with a small cafe at the back of the shop. I browsed the shelves slowly, moving from one section to the next until I’d made it through the entire store. Finally, I settled
on Paul Doiron’s latest collection of short stories and a used copy of a classic Maine cookbook. Both perfect for summer, both treasure in their own way. I grabbed a free puzzle from the swap box out front and celebrated a very successful stop.
Next I visited Pumpkin Patch Antiques, which is celebrating its 50th year this summer. Pumpkin Patch is treasure hunting of the highest order, with a meticulously curated collection of authentic folk art, antique furniture, traditional signage, jewelry, decorative art, and truly unique historical pieces. I daydreamed about filling the rooms of a beautiful old home with my favorite pieces and chatted briefly with a friendly woman who was doing just that.
I could have walked into town from there, but hopped in my car and turned off the main drag and went down towards Mosman Park. I think this little gem is one of the prettiest parks in Maine, with expansive views of the water, a playground, a ball field, and plenty of benches for those who just want to relax and admire the view. It was low tide when I arrived so I made my way down to the water to look for sea glass. It wasn’t long before I found a handful of tiny treasures, including glass, shells, and a sweet, old-fashioned love note someone had dropped on the beach.
Feeling energized by the randomness of what I’d found, I decided to try my luck once or twice more before heading home. First, I browsed the racks at The Aquarian Gift Shop, an eclectic thrift store that is full of children's clothes and toys, men's and women's apparel, jewelry, cards, and home decor. I did my best to maintain a ‘one for me, two for you’ policy and left with a small bag of gifts and garments. The proceeds from each sale go towards supporting local children and organizations, so it was twice as fun to take home what I’d found. Finally, I left downtown in search of a local icon. Treasures and Trash Barn is exactly what it sounds like, and it is not for the faint of heart. But, if you’re willing to spend the time looking, there truly are treasures to be found. On the lawn outside you’ll find all manner of or-
naments and oddities. Inside there’s everything from tools, canes, and handmade furniture to vintage glassware, home decor, and whacky knick-knacks from the days of yore. This is a place for rummaging, and you may need to get your hands dirty to find what you’re looking for. Once you start digging you’ll realize that there is an order to everything and you’ll need to stay organized as you move along.
SWING BY SANDY POINT
Having gotten my fill, I climbed back into the car and zipped up the road towards Sandy Point. This tiny, unincorporated village sits quietly on the west bank of the Penobscot River estuary and is technically part of Stockton Springs. Just off Route 1, Steamboat Wharf Road leads you down to Sandy Point Beach. Although it is often quiet now, this little stretch of land has a fascinating history. I took a stroll down the beach towards Odom’s Ledge, hoping to see seals, and looped back on one of the short walking trails. I stopped just before I got to the car and watched two young ospreys playing in the air above the water.
BACK IN BUCKSPORT
Satisfied, I decided to head home. Luckily, I had left myself just enough time to stop at the Bucksport Farmers Market to grab a quick bánh mì from Hot Choy. A lemongrass carnitas sandwich with all the fixin’s. I ordered a tropical treat from Sawyer's Shave Ice and walked down to the river. As I made my way along the Waterfront Walkway I noticed a Jolly Roger on the back of one of the docked boats. I’m not the only one treasure hunting today, and I hope everyone has as good of luck as I’ve had.
Bucksport
Don’t Miss...
BUCKSPORT’S HAUNTED HISTORY
Colonel Jonathan Buck founded Bucksport in the 18th century, establishing the first sawmill and general store. His legacy also includes a mysterious stain on his memorial, believed by some to be the imprint of a leg belonging to a witch who cursed him.
GREAT VIEWS OF FORT KNOX
Just across the Penobscot River stands Fort Knox, long believed to be one of the most haunted spots in Maine. Constructed in 1844, it is one of the best-preserved Civil War-era forts in the U.S.
A Summer’s Day in BLUE HILL
WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO SHOP, WHERE TO EAT • BY CRYSTAL SANDS
THERE is not much more lovely than a summer’s day meandering around the beautiful small town of Blue Hill. With a village feel right on the coast, Blue Hill feels almost magical on a warm day with a cool breeze coming across from the Atlantic. There is much to do, beautiful things to see, and delicious food to eat — making it a must visit here in Maine, especially for locals looking for a great place along the coast that isn’t overwhelming during the summer months.
THINGS TO DO
If you love nature, hike one of the trails on Blue Hill Mountain. Blue Hill Mountain has seven hiking trails of varying difficulty. For a map of all seven trails, visit bluehillheritagetrust.org/blue-hill-mountain.
Blue Hill offers several galleries for the art lover. Blue Hill Bay Gallery is a fine art gallery on Main Street, and the Handworks Gallery, also on Main Street, features fine art, ceramics, fiber art, and more from local and Maine artists.
Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School features some of
the best musicians from all over the world. With a summer concert series offering concerts every Friday night and Sunday afternoons throughout the summer, Kneisel Hall, which is a short walk from Main Street, is worth exploring. For a full list of concerts, visit kneisel.org.
If you are in Blue Hill around Labor Day, you will want to check out the famous Blue Hill Fair. The Blue Hill Fair is a country fair that was featured in the E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web.” Every year, the fair features livestock, crafts, shows, live music, fair rides, local vendors, and more.
WHERE TO SHOP
Blue Hill Books on Pleasant Street is a short walk from Main Street, and features books from local and Maine authors, as well events throughout the summer season. You can grab signed copies of books by local authors, attend an author talk, or pick up a copy of a book by E.B. White, who lived just outside of Blue Hill when he lived in Maine.
If you are visiting Blue Hill with your children, Out on a Whimsey Toys offers unique toys for kids of all ages. From board games and puzzles to musical toys and stuffed animals, this toy store is a great place to shop for a Maine gift for the child in your life.
Blue Hill Wine Shop, also on Main Street, provides a comprehensive wine selection at a range of prices. The shop also features quality beers and ciders, many from local breweries, as well as coffees, teas, cheese, and some groceries.
Ebb & Flow Fiber Arts is a great place for crafters and quilters to shop. The shop operates under a unique model. They accept donations of fiber crafting material,
such as quilting fabric and yarn, and then sells the products at an affordable price. The model keeps materials out of the landfill and helps create a sense of connectedness to other fiber artists. The shop is also beautifully laid out with a large selection of products.
PLACES TO EAT
When you are finished visiting the sites, taking a hike, and buying treasures, it’s time to eat — and fortunately, Blue Hill has lots of options. The Blue Hill Coop is a full grocery store with a deli and grill featuring great burgers and sandwiches. Blaze on Main Street offers woodfired pizzas, burgers, and more with outdoor seating available. Hil’s Homemade Market & Café on Main Street serves breakfast and lunch as well as frozen homemade meals to take with you.
There are many wonderful restaurants along Main Street and in the surrounding areas. For a full list of places to eat while you visit Blue Hill, check out the Blue Hill Peninsula Chamber of Commerce list at bluehillpeninsula.org/dining.
Water-lily pads dot the surface of First Pond in Blue Hill. (Below, left) Blueberries growing on the summit of Blue Hill Mountain.
PHOTOS BY AISLINN SARNACKI
“Wilbur” the pig peaks out from his pen, part of a permanent exhibit on E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” at the Blue Hill Fair.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ERIK FITCH
Blue Hill
Experience Life at Parker Ridge!
Our community is a blending of thoughtful design, excellent service, genuine caring, and many small personal touches, making Parker Ridge more than just a place to live.
There is much to do at Parker Ridge. Join friends for delicious meals, activities, outings, and creative workshops. Browse in the Parker Ridge library on blustery days. Enjoy gardening or a game of croquet in the summer sun. Explore nature's wonders along our walking trails. And when it's time to run errands, enjoy the convenience of our scheduled van service to Blue Hill and Ellsworth.
Visiting HISTORY
10 HISTORIC SITES TO VISIT ON THE BLUE HILL PENINSULA • BY RICHARD SHAW
JONATHAN FISHER HOUSE BLUE HILL
A fitting start to a self-guided tour of the region's peninsula is at this 1814 museum, the former home of the town’s leading Renaissance man. A sign in front of the 44 Mines Road landmark notes that the community’s first parson was, among other things, an artist, farmer, and inventor. Fisher’s self-made furniture and artwork are displayed in the plain building.
FIRST SETTLERS AND SEASIDE CEMETERIES
BLUE HILL
Two of Maine’s best preserved burial grounds are located a 20-minute walk apart. Some people visit both in one day to find the graves of early residents and later families. Gravestone art includes weeping willows. Ethelbert Nevin, a composer who died in 1901, and Janis Joplin’s fiance, novelist Seth Morgan, buried in 1990, are among Seaside Cemetery’s interments.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH CASTINE
One of Hancock County’s most majestic church buildings stands tall at 86 Court Street, just beyond the Town Common. The first structure went up in 1790 and was remodeled in 1831, making it eastern Maine’s oldest meeting house. It originally hosted town meetings and judicial
proceedings. A bell designed by Paul Revere’s son, Joseph, still rings on Sunday.
HISTORICAL SIGN REPRODUCTIONS
CASTINE
The dozens of historical wooden sign narratives spread throughout town are hard to miss. Dating to 1910, when they were expanded for $125, modern copies describe often bloody town events. Many detail the disastrous 1779 naval defeat by the British. Visitors should read the interpretations with a grain of salt, as they can reflect outdated history.
PENOBSCOT HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM
This impressive hands-on history center, founded in 1977, is located at 88 North Penobscot Road. A cluster of buildings includes a general store, one-room schoolhouse, farmhouse, and barn. Interactive local school programs tell nontraditional rural stories, and monthly meetings include a variety of speakers. Open 1-4 p.m. Sundays during July and August.
DEER ISLESEDGWICK BRIDGE
Since its completion in 1939, the 1,088-foot suspension bridge spanning scenic Eggemoggin Reach has been a vital peninsula link for island residents and visitors. In the coming years, a modern structure will replace the aging span, which has long been prone to wind-related stress. Construction costs are expected to be historically high.
PUMPKIN ISLAND LIGHT LITTLE DEER ISLE
A short drive down Eggemoggin Road takes visitors within sight of this privately owned lighthouse, located just off the mainland. Dating to 1854, the station was discontinued in 1933. A period keeper's house, 1885 boat house and 1904 oil house still stand. The black-and-white round brick tower measures 28 feet tall.
STONINGTON OPERA HOUSE
Deer Isle’s cultural epicenter is a 1912 former performance hall enjoying new life as a multi-use arts house. The wooden downtown landmark, which sits on a rocky knoll, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. Opera House Arts, a nonprofit, has scheduled classic movie screenings and even a jazz festival for the coming months.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RICHARD SHAW (Fisher house, sign) PHOTOS BY RICHARD SHAW (Cemeteries, church) PHOTOS BY BRIAN SWARTZ (Bridge, lighthouse) PHOTOS BY PAGE EASTMAN (Opera) PHOTO COURTESY OF ADOBE STOCK
GOOD LIFE CENTER HARBORSIDE
The final home of pioneering social activists, Scott and Helen Nearing, is open to the public for tours and workshops. Visitors can explore Forest Farm homestead, located on five acres of forested land alongside Spirit Cove. Look for signs on Cape Rosier Road in Brooksville.
HOLBROOK ISLAND SANCTUARY WILDLIFE PRESERVE
Old roads, paths, animal trails — even a small cemetery — make this 1,345-acre wildlife preserve on Brooksville’s Cape Rosier worth the drive. Part island, part mainland, it is bordered by Penobscot Bay, Smith Cove, and the Bagaduce River. Tourists often bundle a visit with stops at the Good Life Center and Penobscot’s Bagaduce Lunch, a 1946-era seafood mecca.
(Left, top) Parker Point from Blue Hill Mountain Summit circa a 1920 postcard. And a summer gathering by Blue Hill Bay in 1910. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BLUE HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY
(Above) Blue Hill Peninsula detail from a 1955 oil company road map.
To Preserve and PROTECT
CONSERVING MAINE’S NATURAL RESOURCES • BY CRYSTAL SANDS
WHETHER you are hiking a trail in the woods or taking in the ocean view from a cliff on the Maine coast, it can be easy to take for granted the natural wonders of our state. Maine’s Down East and Midcoast regions offer more than their fair share of opportunities for both Mainers and tourists to soak up the natural world. Fortunately, there are a lot of people working behind the scenes to preserve Maine’s natural landscape, encourage development that protects our resources, and educate visitors about steps they can take to ensure Maine’s wonders are here for future generations to enjoy.
Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Friends of Acadia, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust are three organizations working in the region to preserve and protect. Together, they are working to ensure the Down East and Midcoast regions balance growth and development with conservation of land, water, and wildlife habitat.
BLUE HILL HERITAGE TRUST
Founded in 1985, Blue Hill Heritage Trust is celebrating 40 years of its work preserving the greater Blue Hill Peninsula. Beth Dickens, Director of Outreach and Communications at Blue Hill Heritage Trust, said the organization was originally founded by local citizens who wanted to help find balance between future development of the area and land conservation.
“What started out then as an all-volunteer run organization, accepting its first gift of land in 1986, has grown to a fulltime staff of eight that works with over 12,600 acres (a combination fee lands and conservation easements) on more than 175 parcels spread across the greater Blue Hill Peninsula,” Dickens said.
Today, the Blue Hill Heritage Trust offers support for landowners, recreational users, and towns with a goal of establishing a stewardship ethic that helps the area now but also helps educate future generations. Blue Hill Heritage Trust provides K-12 classroom education, as well as community programs and events. This August, outreach events include a multidistance trail race.
Members of the Blue Hill Heritage team can be found at the Blue Hill Farmers’ Markets throughout July and August. You find out more about the Blue Hill Heritage Trust at bluehillheritagetrust.org.
FRIENDS OF ACADIA
Friends of Acadia is another important organization with similar goals, focusing on Acadia National Park and its surrounding communities. Established nearly 40 years ago in the late 1980s, Friends of Acadia grew out of a need for a citizen organization to support Acadia National Park. In 1988, Friends of Acadia had 300 members, and today, it boasts a
membership of more than 5,000.
Along the way, the organization has worked to secure grants, raise funds, purchase and protect land, organize cleanups, help establish an endowment for the trail systems in Acadia, co-develop and co-fund the Island Explorer bus system in Acadia, and so much more.
Thanks to Friends of Acadia, Acadia National Park and the surrounding areas are treasures for both visitors and those of us who call Maine home. This summer, Friends of Acadia will host its annual benefit on August 9, and an engaging speaker series takes place from the end of May to the middle of October. Topics include Mammals in Acadia, Climate Change and the Birds of MDI, and A Season of Wild Acadia.
For more information about Friends of Acadia, visit friendsofacadia.org
MAINE COAST HERITAGE TRUST
Maine Coast Heritage Trust is another organization devoted to preserving Maine’s land and habitats with a strong focus mitigating the impact of climate change on the Maine coast, expanding access to the coast, protecting vulnerable plants and wildlife, all while serving the coastal communities and more than 80 land trusts.
According to Amanda Devine, Senior Director of Stewardship at Maine Coast Heritage Trust, the trust was founded in
1970, “by a group of people on Mount Desert Island who were alarmed at the rate of change of the coast of Maine. Ironically enough, those folks thought MCHT would be ‘in business’ for around 10 years, assisting other entities like Acadia National Park with acquiring conservation easements [legal agreements to limit development], and then we would close up shop. As it turned out, the imperative to conserve lands and waters across the coast for ecological and community wellbeing grew, and with it grew the organization.”
Today, the trust has expanded tremendously, and in addition to its work protecting coastal communities and managing land trusts, it contributes to healthy local fisheries and economies and supports hunger-relief efforts, affordable housing, and more.
Devine said their goals, as laid out in their strategic plan, “call on us to conserve healthy coastal ecosystems and actively respond to a changing climate, contribute to the wellbeing of people and coastal communities, and accelerate the pace, scale, and impact of conservation statewide.” Devine continued, “We want all people to see themselves reflected in and to benefit from this work, to care about land and water here, and to discover the role they can play in caring for them.”
Like Blue Hill Heritage Trust and Friends of Acadia, Maine Coast Heri -
tage Trust also focuses on education, and in addition to formal programs, Besty Ham, Senior Director of Land Protection, said the organization wants to also encourage people in Maine to stop and think about the natural resources in their communities and who is working to preserve them. She encouraged people to ask themselves, “What river flows through your community? How healthy is it? What about the tidal marshes? The woods? Who is working to protect and restore the natural systems that are protecting and restoring us?”
You can learn more about the Maine Coast Heritage Trust, including information about upcoming events, at mcht.org.
We are fortunate here in Maine that we have access to so many beautiful natural spaces, thanks, in part, to organizations like Blue Hill Heritage Trust, Friends of Acadia, and Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
“We recognize that what we now call Maine is extraordinary for its lands and waters and the deep connections that people have with them,” Ham said. ”Because our natural systems are relatively healthy and intact, and because people care about them, we have an extraordinary opportunity to build our state’s resilience and ensure a healthier Maine through conservation that includes more people and achieves ambitious goals.”
VISIT
Down East Maine
Did You Know...
WHERE’S DOWN EAST?
Down East refers to the eastern region of Maine, including Washington and Hancock counties. This area is also home to Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
A rock pile called a cairn marks the trail descending from Bald Peak in Acadia National Park. The view includes the Cranberry Isles and the hump of nearby Norumbega Mountain.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AISLINN SARNACKI
We All Scream for ICE CREAM
A GUIDE TO COLD SUMMER TREATS • BY JOANNA O’LEARY
MAINE is home to a melting pot of ice cream treats, from hard-scoop waffle cones to soft-serve sundaes. But with summer so fleeting, you have to prioritize these seasonal eats, so we’ve put together a trail of creams, so to speak, to aid and abet your ice cream dreams. Grab your friends (and if necessary, some Lactaid) and embark on a dairy-liscious tour of ice cream parlors, shops, and roadside stands. These joints are dripping — not literally, of course, unless you wait too long to dig in — with delicious treats.
POLAR TREAT IN PERRY
The deceptively simply named Polar Treat belies a voluminous menu of all species of ice cream goodies, many of which can be paired with your choice of baked good (whoopie pies, shortcake, brownies) or garnished with a cornucopia of toppings (marshmallow, caramel, and butterscotch, walnuts, pecans, strawberries, pineapple, oh my!). Those looking for something more substantive should start with lobster rolls, bountiful fried fish platters, or poutine. Pro tip: Leave the cards at home and stop at the ATM en route because it’s cash-only all the time at Polar Treat.
UDDER HEAVEN ICE CREAM RETREAT IN BAR HARBOR
Ice cream aficionados flock to Udder Heaven, which promises (and delivers) a broad assortment of “not wicked, just good” frozen confections. In addition to their “congregation” of hard and soft-serve cups and cones, Udder Heaven is home to creative inspirational sundaes like the Irish Sister (mint chip ice cream, hot fudge, Andes mints) and the Nutty Convert (chocolate peanut butter ice cream, peanut butter sauce, and chocolate peanut butter cups). For something (slightly) lighter, sip on one of Sister Sarina’s old-fashioned ice cream sodas, crafted with real seltzer and your choice of syrup.
MORTON’S MOO HOMEMADE ICE CREAM IN ELLSWORTH
While in Ellsworth, and especially on a Friday, stop at Morton’s Moo for their special five-scoop ice cream flight and their
one-of-a-kind maple cream soft serve. But what really brings them in from far and near is Morton’s specialty shakes, flavors of which range from the caffeinated crowd-pleaser “Mad Cow” (coffee ice cream blended with iced coffee and topped with a chocolate swirl and whipped cream) to the sinfully salty-sweet Boom Chica Wow Cow (chocolate and dulce de leche ice creams with caramel and a mini caramel sundae on top). At Morton’s you can also travel vicariously to Italy with an affogato (meaning drowned in coffee, it’s fresh, hot espresso and their homemade fudge over vanilla ice cream) or their “soffogato” (made with soft-serve).
PUGNUTS ICE
CREAM SHOP IN SURREY
For Italophiles, the next stop on your Maine ice cream journey should be Pugnuts Ice Cream Shop, where la specialità della casa is gelato in flavors including, but not limited, to lavender honey, panna cotta, wild Maine blueberry, and stracciatella (similar to chocolate chip). Other unique offerings include Pugnuts dipped “lobster claws,” claw-shaped vanilla ice cream coated in a hard chocolate or cherry shell, and their custom gourmet gelato cakes, ideal for those fancy celebrations where Carvel just won’t cut it.
HELEN’S A LA MODE IN ELLSWORTH
Though currently under renovations, fan-favorite Helen’s A La Mode (Ellsworth) will be open for business this summer and dishing out their decadent banana splits and gooey sundaes. Not-to-be missed items include the German chocolate, a hefty scoop of vanilla enrobed in creamy shredded coconut all atop of a fudgy brownie, and the maple bacon sundae, a milky porcine concoction that is definitely not kosher but decidedly delicious.
For an even broader picture of Maine’s ice cream landscape, check out the Real Maine Ice Cream Trail (realmaine.com/activities/real-maine-ice-cream-trail), which features over 150 establishments in addition to the aforementioned.
Shop the largest collection of Maine-mined tourmaline in the state!
Tourmaline was first discovered in Maine in 1820 at Mount Mica. Since then, there have been several good finds, but none as famous as “The Big Find” of 1972–74 at the Dunton Mine in Newry. Many of our faceted gems come from that discovery and from Mount Mica in Oxford County.
But we recently discovered a very quiet find that actually pre-dates the significant discovery of the 1970s—right here on Maine’s central coast. A few years ago, we met a wonderful miner (Miner Mike) who, along with his partner, had uncovered a large deposit of stunning tourmaline in the 1960s in Georgetown,
Over 50,000 carats in stock!
near Bath and Brunswick. Life moved on—the friends married, raised families, continued to mine—and the vibrant crystals were tucked away in their basements and forgotten for decades.
When the miners rediscovered their hidden treasure, we were given the opportunity to purchase some beautiful pieces—and a true friendship was born. Miner Mike enjoyed our intense love and appreciation of his gorgeous tourmaline, and we struck a deal to purchase the entire stash of colorful Georgetown crystals. Over the past three years, he’s been carefully slicing and
polishing them, revealing vivid watermelon, bi- and tricolor gems, with some rare blues and yellows in the mix.
Watermelon tourmaline from Maine is a rare find—most of the faceted stones from the 1970s “Big Find” were sold decades ago. Miner Mike’s crystals, unearthed even earlier, are a stunning and unexpected treasure.
We are so proud to offer this extraordinary Georgetown Mine collection of pieces that have waited over 60 years to be seen. Stop in and feast your eyes on the lovely colors this remarkable collection has to offer!
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Maine-Mined Yellow Beryl and Golden
Maine-Mined Tourmaline
Maine-Mined Aquamarine