A couple of years ago, my mother called to break the news that she and my stepdad were adopting my step-sister Susie’s dog, Lincoln. I hung up the phone, sighed, shook my head in disbelief, and faced the unfortunate reality: My parents were going to be dog people.
"But, Emily, this dog is different. I promise," my mother said, barking up a very wrong tree (pun intended). "You can't NOT love this dog!"
Confession time: I've never been a dog person. There. I said it.
Now, hold on. Don't throw the magazine in the shredder just yet. I know this is blasphemy to many, but I promise this ends well…
Here's the deal. My whole life I've felt like I'm missing out on some big secret. It seems like everyone I've ever known has had a furry friend in tow at all times, and they wouldn't have it any other way. I, on the other hand, have always been completely indifferent.
Well, you can probably figure out how this movie ends. Mom was right, yet again. With one wag of his tail and one look in his big brown eyes, I was hooked on Lincoln. Fast forward to today, and every time I turn to leave after a visit back home, he cocks his head to the side and looks at me as if to say, "You're leaving again?" and I'm ruined.
So here I am, happily bringing you our Kids and Pets issue. Our editor, Becca, who doesn't understand what took me so long, couldn't be more thrilled to show off her dogs Mango and Basil, dressed in their summer best on our front cover. They have lots to share with you about where and how to get your dose of dog-friendly fun this season.
And we're not stopping at dogs. Contributing writer Peggy Keyser tells us how we can turn our love of animals into a volunteer opportunity with rescued horses through the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. And the kids? We've got them covered too, with suggestions for keeping them healthy and happy this summer, and where you can bring the whole family for an unforgettable pet and kid-friendly staycation.
As for me, I'm looking forward to even more fun during my favorite time of year, and if you see me at Yappy Hour with Lincoln, be sure to stop and say hi.
PUBLISHER
Emily Harradon | emily.harradon@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Becca Abramson | rebecca.abramson@citylifestyle.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Jennifer Hazard, Katie Hogan, Peg Keyser
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Dave Dostie, Peg Keyser, Molly McMahon
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Tiffany Slowinski
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
DIRECTOR OF FIRST IMPRESSIONS Jennifer Robinson
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Josh Klein
CONTROLLER Gary Johnson
AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kathy Nguyen
EMILY HARRADON, PUBLISHER @PORTLAND.CITYLIFESTYLE
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A l l p r o v i d e r s w i t h 7 + y e a r s e x p e r i e n c e
A d v a n c e d S k i n c a r e a n d W e l l n e s s
S e r v i c e s : P D O T h r e a d s , B o t o x , D a x x i f y , H A
D e r m a l F i l l e r s , L a s e r t r e a t m e n t s , F a c i a l s ,
C h e m i c a l p e e l s , D i a m o n d G l o w , Z O
S k i n h e a l t h , S k i n M e d i c a , V a l m o n t S w i s s
C e l l u l a r S k i n c a r e , a n d M o r e !
h t t p s : / / m a i n e a e s t h e t i c m e d i c i n e p n w d e v c o m
New to 101 Ocean St. in South Portland, Barber Bros. Meat & Provisions offers a wide range of locally sourced meats, including beef, pork, chicken, and lamb, as well as sausages, deli items, sandwiches, and other prepared foods. The shop also features a selection of cheeses, bread, and pantry items, in addition to fresh produce from local farms. barberbrosmaine.com Want
Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/PortlandME
Written by award-winning blogger Jennifer Hazard, ‘The Maine Play Book’ is the ultimate family guide for local residents, adventurous visitors, and anyone who loves the Pine Tree State. Organized by season from a mother’s perspective, this one-of-a-kind resource includes outdoor activities, local events, travel tips, and more. Find it online at Amazon, Islandport Press, or at your favorite New England bookshop.
Maine Aesthetic Medicine is an intimate and inclusive medical spa and wellness center now open in the heart of downtown Portland. Located at 163 Fore Street (Floor 2), they serve to address preventative and aesthetic concerns for all skin types. Maine Aesthetic Medicine offers injectables, PDO threads, laser treatments, advanced facials, chemical peels, DiamondGlow, microneedling, medical-grade skincare, and more! maineaestheticmedicine.com
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Photography Samantha DahlborgPortland in August is a celebration of time outside and an opportunity to try new activities with family. From exploring Casco Bay to listening to live music downtown, to trying local street food or going to a game, one thing is for certain: you and your kids will never get bored. Here are a few ideas to kick off your Portland summer bucket list.
SUNSET KAYAK WITH PORTLAND PADDLE: This two-hour sea kayaking tour begins and ends at East End Beach and is designed for ages 10 and up.
Cutter Street and Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine 04101
VISIT CONGRESS SQUARE PARK: Friends of Congress Square offer weekly summer events in this city park. Experience live music, markets featuring local makers, and more! Congress Street and High Street, Portland, Maine 04101
EXPLORE BACK COVE: Its flat, 3.5-mile scenic path is home to runners, dog walkers, and bikers looking to enjoy views of the city.
Back Cove Trail, Portland, Maine 04101
PICNIC ON THE EASTERN PROM: Enjoy bayside views and open play space. Find sushi, banh mi, gelato and more at food trucks on Cutter Street. Eastern Promenade, Portland, Maine 04101
TAKE IN A BALL GAME: Everyone enjoys visiting the Sea Dogs—the silly games between innings and Slugger’s dance moves are a joy to witness.
271 Park Ave, Portland, Maine 04102
Jennifer Hazard is the author of ‘The Maine Play Book,’ a travel writer, and mother of two who lives in Cumberland, Maine.
Portland Trust Company is a Maine non-depository trust company focused exclusively on wealth management and fiduciary services. We work with individuals and families, nonprofits, and local governments. We do everything the giant financial services organizations do while providing local and accessible attention to your specific needs.
It’s more than just a name. Portland Trust Company is the only financial institution in the state with “Portland” as its namesake. We love our hometown as much as you do! This is more than a place of business for us; this is our home and our way of life. It’s our promise to treat you as more than a client, but as a friend and neighbor.
Our customer experience is “real,” like walking next door to borrow some sugar or eggs. We’ve created a home for our clients and their assets—managing their money, their lives, and their futures—with peace of mind knowing that we are a fully regulated financial institution. Together, we embrace our Maine way of life.
Whether
ARTICLE BY BECCA ABRAMSON
A HUSBAND-AND-WIFE TEAM TAKES A MULTIGENERATIONAL APPROACH TO CHIROPRACTIC CARE
“I think working with kids can impact the whole family unit,” says Dr. Victoria Campbell of Tree of Life Chiropractic, a Portland practice that provides both pediatric and adult care. “It’s a multigenerational approach," she continues. "We’re healing generations, not just one person.”
Dr. Victoria and her business-slash-life partner, Dr. Conor Campbell, take a holistic approach to their work, placing an emphasis on stress relief rather than solely treating pain. “Even if you don’t have any specific symptoms, there are still benefits to chiropractic treatment,” says Dr. Victoria. For kids, who make up about 35% of the Campbells’ patients, those benefits include improved digestion, immunity, asthma and allergy symptoms, anxiety, sleep patterns, and
more. When working with children, Dr. Conor explains, “we’re on the floor with them, we’re crawling around, and we’re adjusting them as they’re playing so they feel more comfortable.” The Campbells even perform adjustments on stuffed animals to ease their young patients’ fears.
“When you walk into our practice, our goal is that you feel at home, not at a medical office,” says Dr. Victoria. “We’re one of the only husband-wife teams in the area, which means you get to see two doctors instead of just one,” she adds. If you’re feeling a little nervous, the Campbells’ son, Emory, is more than willing to hold your hand. “We bring our son to work with us every day, and we like to say he adds a certain flair to the office,” Dr. Victoria laughs. treeoflifechiros.com
ARTICLE BY BECCA ABRAMSON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY @SHARETHESOUL
Forgotten horses find love, attention, and rehabilitation at the MSSPA
What compels us to have a pet, to share our lives and routines with an animal? Animals provide companionship, unconditional love, and teach us fundamental lessons about responsibility and care. Committing to the care of a pet also means a commitment of time— some pets are with us for decades!
Horses are majestic, magnificent, engaging creatures, and many of us have had a love affair with horses for as long as we can recall. While a horse might seem like an awfully large pet, they make great companions. People who are lucky enough to own horses do so for a variety of reasons: to ride them, show them at horse shows, or drive them for pleasure.
When pets of any size become too much for an owner to handle, they often end up at an animal shelter. Shelters across the country do the work of providing a temporary home for these pets, a safe place where their health concerns can be addressed; the goal is that these animals can be rehabilitated, cared for,
and ultimately re-homed.
The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) is New England’s premier horse shelter where horses who have slipped through the cracks, whose care has been forgotten, come to begin the road to recovery and good health. Many horses at the MSSPA have been seized by law enforcement from situations of abuse and neglect; these horses come to the farm needing love, attention, and patient rehabilitation.
The MSSPA’s home is 124 acres in Windham, Maine, where a large, main barn consists of 25 stalls and a smaller barn hosts five. There are 19 paddocks, many with run-in sheds to provide shelter for the horses when they are outside. On any given day, the herd generally numbers between 35 and 40 horses, though that number changes constantly as horses come to the farm or are adopted to their forever homes.
Pulling in the driveway to the MSSPA means the luck of a horse is about to dramatically change. Each
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horse is assessed by a skilled veterinarian and staff—most horses present with few medical records, if any, so examining the animals closely is done both immediately and over the subsequent weeks. Seized horses often arrive emaciated and starving, so creating a re-feeding program is one of the first and most fundamental parts of that horse’s recovery. Horses (like people!) need routine dental and hoof care as well, and neglected horses often arrive with teeth and feet that desperately need attention.
When this skilled and rehabilitative care begins, the changes are incredible to see. Horses respond to a diet that is tailored to their needs, our team of farriers tend to the horses’ feet, and any medical needs are addressed with appropriate medications and supplements.
Caring for a herd of 35 to 40 horses requires a tremendous amount of work, and the MSSPA is blessed with an army of volunteers who enable the farm to be a place of healing for the horses. Our volunteers arrive each day to clean stalls, pick paddocks, sweep the barn aisle, pick horses’ feet, scrub water buckets, and so much more. Corporate, community, and school groups join in the effort as well, by painting and repairing our miles of
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fencing, scraping and prepping the barn for painting, or cleaning windows. The thousands of volunteer hours donated to the farm enable our small staff to manage the care of the horses as well as the administrative tasks of running a vital non-profit.
Everything that happens at the MSSPA—every email, every donation, every volunteer and staff hour, every meeting that is held—is all about the horses. The mission of the Society is to protect the health and welfare of abused and neglected equines, and for 151 years that work has taken center stage.
If you would like to see the farm in action, learn more about the work that happens here, or sign up to volunteer, please visit msspa.org
August in Maine is my absolute favorite time of year—the weather is nothing short of perfection and the options for outdoor fun are unlimited. Hoping to squeeze a quick staycation in before the summer escapes you? Keep the planning simple and maximize family fun in the Boothbay Harbor region of midcoast Maine. Just an hour’s drive from Portland, you’ll find a treasure trove of activities, outdoor dining, and accommodations that are both family and dog-friendly. The best part? Almost everywhere you go, there’s a stunning oceanfront landscape beckoning to become the backdrop for your next family photo.
One of my top picks in Boothbay Harbor is Linekin Bay Resort, which began as a quintessential summer camp for girls in the 1920s and evolved into a family resort after World War II. Located on picturesque Linekin Point, the 20-acre property offers guests the very best of Maine’s rugged coast aesthetic with a landscape open for exploration.
There’s a myriad of summer activities available at Linekin Bay Resort. Water adventures include sailing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing; popular on-site land activities include tennis, pickleball, beach volleyball, lawn games, and campfire s'mores by the sea—an absolute must for summer nights in Maine. If you’re ready for a more relaxing day, go for a swim in the oceanfront pool or lounge while enjoying a summer read. Children ages 4 to 12 can join Linekin Bay Resort’s Kids Camp, which takes place on the property and is chock full of activities and kid-friendly adventures (think tie-dye, slime-making, tide pool exploring, and more). Pro Tip: If you can’t stay overnight or have friends visiting for a day, the resort offers all-access day passes for a flat fee.
Linekin Bay Resort’s accommodations are located in a wooded or water-view setting, and lodging options range from standard hotel style rooms to suites or free standing cabins with one to six bedrooms (not all cabins are updated with modern finishes, and some remain rustic for guests who prefer that experience). The one or two bedroom Rustic Cabins welcome dogs for an additional $50 per stay—just be sure to mention your pup at time of booking.
ARTICLE BY KATIE HOGAN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OFThe Deck Bar and Grill, Linekin Bay Resort’s on-site restaurant and bar, offers local seafood and a variety of dishes that cater to all ages (including a great children's menu) with live music scheduled in the afternoons and evenings. After eating, kids and teens can retreat to the game area while adults enjoy conversation and remarkable waterfront views.
While you’re in town, be sure to explore the charming shops, art galleries, and restaurants in Boothbay Village. Consider jumping on the complimentary trolley that loops around the harbor—you can hop on and off as you please, and the guided tour is full of fun facts and historical tidbits. For a quintessential Maine adventure, hop on the 15-minute ferry from Pier 8 in Boothbay Harbor to Burnt Island Lighthouse, the second oldest lighthouse in the state. On the way home, make a stop at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and discover giant trolls hiding in the woods.
KATIE HOGAN
Katie Hogan is a nomadic spirit, multi-passionate individual, entrepreneur, certified life coach and champion of empowerment, self discovery, and mindset. She is currently developing her latest project, Wonder Love Travel Co., and is the founder, designated broker, and owner of the boutique real estate company Reside In Maine, which serves the greater Portland area and beyond. Find her online: @wonderlovetravelco and @resideinmaine
“AUGUST IN MAINE IS MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR— THE WEATHER IS NOTHING SHORT OF PERFECTION AND THE OPTIONS FOR OUTDOOR FUN ARE UNLIMITED.”
threeofstrongspirits.com | @threeofstrongspirits
What’s better than happy hour on the patio of your favorite distillery? Yappy Hour! On Sundays throughout the summer, Three of Strong invites pups and their owners for a howling good time from 1-7 p.m. Free puppy mocktails (puptails) are available for furry friends, and humans receive $2 off cocktails on tap. Don’t wait: order an unlimited bowl of popcorn, sip a refreshing draft mojito, and spend some time in the sunshine with fellow pet-lovers and their pals.
ARTICLE BY BECCA ABRAMSON
milb.com/portland | @portland_seadogs
Each season, the Portland Sea Dogs open up the doors of Hadlock Field to people and their pets during a series of Bark in the Park events sponsored by Trupanion. On August 8, August 23, or September 13, you and your pup can participate in a doggie parade around the warning track before the Sea Dogs hit the field. There are even Doggie Valets available to care for your pal during the game so you can grab refreshments!
cascobaylines.com | @cascobaylines
Dogs are welcomed on the Casco Bay Ferry, so why not go island-hopping with your pup this month? Hop on the boat for a day trip to Peaks and grab some lunch before heading home, or ride along to Chebeague, Long Island, or the Diamond Islands for more time on the water. Keep in mind that dogs require their own ticket (currently $4.10) and should be leashed at all times.
petrockinthepark.com | @pet.rock.in.the.park
Don’t miss the 12th annual festival celebrating fourlegged friends (and their two-legged owners) at Deering Oaks Park on August 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by radio station Whoopie 100.9 and Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care, this free event features food trucks, live music, pet-friendly vendors, animal welfare organizations, and more! Plus, representatives from local animal shelters and rescue groups will be on location, so you can adopt a pet right on site.
ARTICLE BY BECCA ABRAMSON PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVE DOSTIE
It all started with a crowdfunding campaign, as many small businesses these days do. In 2012, former Maine College of Art and Design professor Christina Bechstein decided to leave her full-time teaching job and devote herself to creating art with children. “I began doing workshops out of my apartment, and then I realized it would be great to have an actual space.” In 2018, she opened a campaign on Indigogo and hosted a launch party complete with local music, a multicultural potluck, and plenty of art making. Love Lab Studio, which uses art as a tool to co-create a better world, will celebrate its fifth birthday this fall.
“I really wanted the studio to be a place of experimentation and joy,” Bechstein explains. “I asked myself, ‘Can love be an art material?’ Like, why not?” she says. Bechstein’s studio hosts after school programs, summer art camps, and workshops for children ranging in age from four to twelve. She also runs a grown up/child group called Smoosh, where younger children (ages zero to three) can play with felt, clay, dough, and natural paints. Community connection is important for the studio; Bechstein partners with local organizations like Mano a Mano, the Portland Lantern Walk, the Portland Museum of Art, and local schools to create and run art-focused programming.
“Our mission is to empower children to see themselves as active creators,” Bechstein tells me. “We’re utilizing creativity to calm ourselves, experience joy, and be more present, but also to ask questions about the world. What’s rewarding for me is that I’m really asking the same questions with the children that I would be if I was teaching
college,” she laughs. Take this summer’s first art camp theme: strawberry joy. “We’re digging into strawberries, but we’re also talking about the season, and how do we take care of ourselves in the summer? We’re discussing the joy and complexity of baking a good strawberry muffin or creating a beautiful collage. There are all these creative overlaps that we really lean into,” Bechstein says.
Naturally, the environment and sustainability are integral themes at Love Lab Studio. “If something goes out the door and it gets in the ocean, we don’t want it to hurt anything—that’s our lens for the art that leaves the studio,” Bechstein explains. “Our connection to the ocean in Portland really helps guide this idea. If I was in Detroit or Indiana telling kids we don’t want our projects to end up in the ocean, it wouldn’t have the same effect.”
Looking around the studio, Bechstein can share stories about nearly every item in sight. “We sourced these big wooden tables from a school that was giving them away,” she recalls. Cleaned out yogurt jars sit atop the table ready for watercolor painting, and strips of colorful scrap fabric in the loom at the studio’s entrance come from local clothing company Suger. “Certain restaurants save things for us— LB Kitchen sent us two boxes of caps, and sometimes a business will tell me they have coffee beans that fell on the ground, do we want them?” Bechstein says. “We try to be really mindful about what we’re using, and energetically, I think, it changes things.”
Moving forward, Bechstein plans to make Love Lab Studio more accessible to a greater audience while continuing to share her positive outlook with the Portland community. “I’m not showing art in galleries and museums—I don’t have that identity anymore—but this brings me so much joy,” she says. “The children come in, and I get to curate these experiences with creativity all around. It’s a really special thing.”
Learn more and sign up for programming at lovelabstudio.com .
“I asked myself, ‘Can love be an art material?’
Like, why not?”
A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.
AUGUST 3RD-6TH
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Hosted by Mast Landing, Wavy Days is a multi-day celebration that brings together exceptional breweries from across the country. At Saturday’s main event, guest breweries will flock to Thompson’s Point to pour their best beers. Be sure to stop by the after party at Highroller Lobster Co., and don’t miss Sunday’s Sour Brunch with guest chefs from Nighthawk’s Kitchen. wavydaysfest.com
AUGUST 10TH
MAINE JEWISH MUSEUM | 7:00 PM
You’re invited to honor Portland’s diverse community at the Maine Jewish Museum’s summer fashion show fundraiser and live auction. Featuring immigrant, Jewish, BIPOC, and LQBTQ+ fashion designers and models, this cultural extravaganza supports the museum’s efforts to build bridges of appreciation and understanding with people of all backgrounds. mainejewishmuseum.org
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Celebrate more than 30 years of your favorite rock band at the annual Guster On The Ocean multi-day festival at State Theatre and Thompson’s Point. The incredible lineup at this family-friendly weekend event includes Bahamas, Madison Cunningham, Shakey Graves, and more, so grab your tickets before they sell out! ontheoceanfest.com
PORTLAND SCHOONER CO. | 6:00 PM
Board Portland Schooner Co.’s Timberwind from the Ocean Gateway Pier and set off on a two-hour sail where you’ll learn about Portland’s rich distilling history and enjoy a sampling of rum and cocktails from Three of Strong Spirits. Don’t forget to pack a picnic or pick up dinner from a local restaurant for your relaxing evening on the water. portlandschooner.com
HANNAFORD HALL | 7:30 PM
The Portland Chamber Music Festival’s 30th summer season concludes with Schubert’s sunny Octet, the witty sophistication of Germaine Tailleferre, and a passionately dramatic quintet rooted in Armenian folk music. Concert run time is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including a brief pause. pcmf.org
DANDELION SPRING FARM | 3:00 PM
Explore farmer Beth Schiller’s stunning produce at Dandelion Spring Farm, then sit down for a meal cooked by Chef Neil Zabriskie. The chef and co-owner of Regards, one of Bon Appetit’s 50 Best New Restaurants in 2022, Zabriskie will blend ingredients from Maine’s farmers and fisheries with the flavors of Southern Californian cuisine for a one-of-a-kind al fresco experience. outstandinginthefield.com
