Old Port magazine April 2018 by Maine Magazine

The Neighborhood Issue APRIL // 2018

Easy to find around Portland. Old Port Spirits and cigars 79 Commercial Street Delivery available. (207) 828-2337

Whole Foods market

2 Somerset Street A short walk from the Old Port. (207) 774-7711

RSVP Beverage

887 Forest Avenue Your beverage superstore. (207) 773-8808

HannAFORD Supermarkets

Because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve earned this.

295 Forest Avenue Just off 295. (207) 761-5965

Spirit prices are the same in stores all over Maine. 82 OLD PORT

oldport.com

Live well, drink responsibly. mainespirits.com

ESCAPE TO PORTLAND THIS SPRING AND EXPERIENCE THE HARBOR STATE OF MIND.

As the snow melts and the weather turns pleasant, this northern New England city comes alive! The Old Port district is perfect for a day spent outdoors. Locally-owned shops and trendy national chains are just steps away from Portland Harbor Hotel. Take advantage of the warm afternoons in our unique garden space over a delicious meal at Bluefin restaurant, located inside the hotel. shop, eat & rest at Portland Harbor Hotel

PORTLAND’S ONLY P ORTL AND’S ONLY ALL-SUITE WATERFRONT HOTEL ALL- SUITE WATERFRONT HOTEL

Located inLocated downtown Portland, just steps from the shops, restaurants, galleries, in downtown Portland, just steps from the shops, restaurants, and attractions galleries, and attractions ofof thethe city’scity’s historichistoric Old Port. Old Port.

145 Fore Street, Portland, Maine 04101 145 Fore Street, Portland, Maine 04101 ToTo reserve your room, 207-761-1660 or 1-800-MARRIOTT reserve your call room, call 207-761-1660 or 1-800-MARRIOTT OrOr visitvisit our web at marriott.com/pwmdt oursite web site at marriott.com/pwmdt

Get to know your neighbors. MATTY OATES

PODCAST

#332

Matty Oates is the former program director for Tall Ships Portland, and he currently works as media manager at Shipyard Brewing Company. He and his brother also host a podcast called Bach to Bock, in which they discuss both classical music and beer.

CHELLIE AND HANNAH PINGREE

PODCAST

#336

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree represents Maine's 1st District in Congress. Her daughter, Hannah Pingree, served four terms in the Maine House of Representatives. Hannah now works as the business manager of her family's inn, restaurant, and farm, and manages North Haven Sustainable Housing.

JUDY CAMUSO

PODCAST

#336

Judy Camuso is the director of wildlife for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. As director, Camuso oversees the management, protection, and enhancement of the over 500 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians living in Maine.

SPONSORED BY

In episode, Dr. BelisleĂ&#x2018;incoming Editor-in-Chief at Maine Media CollectiveĂ&#x2018;introduces you to our neighbors, one conversation at a time. Hear what they have to say. Welcome to our community.

lovemaineradio.com

JUNE 4-9

EST 1984

KENNEBUNKPORTFESTIVAL.COM #KPTfest

Produced by Maine Media Collective

JUNE 4-9 MONDAY JUNE 4

GRATITUDE

A party to thank all the people who make Kennebunkport Festival possible. At Stripers Waterside.

TUESDAY JUNE 5

WEDNESDAY JUNE 6

COCKTAILS AT THE BURLEIGH

A cocktail party in the lounge and spilling onto the patio in the heart of Dock Square. At the Kennebunkport Inn, sponsored by Pack Maynard and Associates Real Estate.

THE ART OF DINING DINNERS

COCKTAILS AT THE COLONY

A cocktail party with an ocean view on the wrap-around porch. At the Colony Hotel, sponsored by Kennebunk Beach Realty and Piscataqua Landscaping & Tree Service.

A series of intimate dinners prepared by top chefs in private homes in the Kennebunkport area. Each dinner showcases work by an Art Collector Maine artist.

THE ART OF DINING DINNERS

Hurlbutt Residence Chef Pierre Gignac of Ocean.

Old Vines Wine Bar Chef Joel Souza of Old Vines Wine Bar.

KPT Historical Society Chef German Lucarelli of Ports of Italy.

Pear Tree Farm Chef Peggy Liversidge of Kitchen Chicks Catering.

Feingold Residence Chef Avery Richter of Black Tie Catering.

On the Marsh Bistro Chef Peter Pappas of On the Marsh Bistro.

Harrington Residence Chef Joseph Schafer of Earth.

Raffaelli Residence Chef Harding Lee Smith of The Rooms Restaurants.

Kuehnle Residence Chef John Shaw of The Tides Beach Club. Molloy Residence Chef Romann Dumorne of Northern Union.

A series of intimate dinners prepared by top chefs in private homes in the Kennebunkport area. Each dinner showcases work by an Art Collector Maine artist.

Turner/Bull Residence Chef Rick Shell of The Cliff House.

Heard Residence Chef Guy Hernandez of Lolita.

Matthews Residence Chef Cory Labrecque of Portland Hunt + Alpine Club

Marquis Residence Chef Adam Flood of Grace.

Manetti Residence Chef Rian Wylie of Little Giant.

THURSDAY JUNE 7 HINCKLEY RECEPTION

An open air cocktail party on the deck and docks. At Chicks Marina, sponsored by the Hinckley Company.

PUTTING ON THE GLITZ

A rock ’n roll evening of fine food and good spirits. Hosted by Chef David Turin and Wallace Events under the tent at the Pilot House Boatyard. Sponsored by Wallace Events, Maine Spirits, Terrapin Landscapes and The Pilot House Restaurant.

THE AFTER PARTY

The night continues in this bustling pub overlooking the riverfront. At Federal Jack’s Restaurant & Brew Pub with live music.

FRIDAY JUNE 8

Rice Residence Chef Emil Rivera of Sur Lie. Sullivan Residence Chef Matt Ginn of Evo Kitchen + Bar.

SATURDAY JUNE 9

MAINE ART HILL BLOCK PARTY

GRAND TASTING

CHEF'S NIGHT OUT

MAINE CRAFT MUSIC FESTIVAL

Get the evening into full gear with this fun new event. Tour multiple art galleries including Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture, Maine Art Shows, Gallery at the Grand and Kennebunk’s new micro-galleries. Live music, food trucks, art and more! A culinary experience featuring guest chefs from Maine and beyond joining forces to create a multi-course, family style seated dinner in a candlelit barn at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. Hosted by chefs Justin Walker and Danielle Walker of Walkers Maine. Ticket includes Sweet Soiree (see below). Sponsored by Richard Moody & Sons.

SWEET SOIREE

Save room for dessert! This dessert extravaganza will knock your socks off! Sample a number of sparkling wines and Champagne while you enjoy your just desserts. Ticket to Sweet Soiree included with ticket to Chef’s Night Out or purchase Sweet Soiree tickets separately.

An afternoon tasting event under a tent on the water with offerings from over 20 different chefs plus wines, beer and cocktails. Under the tent at Pilot House Boatyard. Enjoy an afternoon of original Maine-made music on the River Green at the Captain Lord Mansion, featuring live music by Spencer Albee and The Mallett Brothers Band as well as food trucks and craft beer. Sponsored by Seaport Development Group and Shipyard Brewing Company.

GRAND FINALE

Wrap up the 2018 Kennebunkport Festival with this fun night featuring incredible spreads of food and drink, music and dancing. At On The Marsh Bistro, sponsored by Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating.

From the kitchen to the dining room. Susan Axelrod, a former restaurateur and now Food Editor, writes about one of her great passions: amazing meals. @eatmaine + themainemag.com

Little Giant | Portland

JUNE 8 | 6PM | $225 AN EPICUREAN EVENING. BEGINNINGS & MAINS

9PM | $45

A special ticket just for sweets & bubbles by the above acclaimed chefs, starting at 9pm.

April 2018 THIS PAGE “TKTK” –TKTK

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

PORTLAND REALTORS SHARE UNFILTERED THOUGHTS ON THE CITY'S HOUSING MARKET. by Katy Kelleher Photography by Sean Thomas

DINE: BLUEFIN

SEAFOOD HAS THE STARRING ROLE AT THE PORTLAND HARBOR HOTEL'S INTIMATE, RELAXED RESTAURANT. by Susan Axelrod Photography by Ted Axelrod

CHARACTER AND SOUL

A YOUNG PORTLAND ARCHITECT GIVES A MIDCENTURY-MODERN HOME THE LOVE IT DESERVES. by Debra Spark Photography by Myriam Babin

34 15 TAKE NOTICE

NEWS, NOTES, AND MORE

28 PROFILE

QUINCY HENTZEL LEADS THE PORTLAND REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN SUPPORTING THE AREA'S SUCCESS.

24 36HRS PORTLAND CONNECTING WITH HISTORY

67 GATHER

NATIONAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE'S POLAR BEAR DIP & DASH; WINTERTIDE

70 A-LIST

DID YOU KNOW ... PORTLAND?

IN EVERY ISSUE 09 10 13

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NOTE STAFF INSIGHTS TALENT ROSTER

ON THE COVER TKTK. Photography by TKTK

PUBLISHER & CEO | Andrea King CFO | Jack Leonardi

YOU ARE ENERGETIC. YOU ARE CURIOUS. YOU ARE ADVENTUROUS. And you’re just getting started.

Karen Bowe, Ryan Hammond, Peter Heinz, Kerry Rasor, Tom Urban, Emily Wedick PRODUCTION MANAGER | Nichole Heady DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING |

Reven Oliver

DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE GIVING & VISIBILITY |

Shelbi Wassick

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS | Brittany Cost, Kate Gardner COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER |

Casey Lovejoy

Ageless MAINE

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WRITERS | Dr. Lisa Belisle, Katy Kelleher, Debra Spark PHOTOGRAPHERS |

Ted Axelrod, Myriam Babin, Jane Berger, Liz Caron, Dave Dostie, Kyle Dubay, Lauren Lear, Erin Little, Nicole Wolf CIRCULATION | Sarah Lynn

Did you know that people over 50 control

51% of consumer spending?

ART COLLECTOR MAINE |

Ann Caudle, Jack Leonardi, Taylor McCafferty, Kendra McDonald, Emma Wilson THE BRAND COMPANY |

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Spencer Albee, Dr. Lisa Belisle, Brittany Cost, Paul Koenig, Casey Lovejoy, Shelbi Wassick MAINE HOME+DESIGN MAGAZINE |

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Paul Koenig, Joel Kuschke AGELESS MAINE MAGAZINE |

Susan Axelrod, Heidi Kirn

MOXIE MAINE MAGAZINE |

Brittany Cost, Heidi Kirn

Why wouldn’t you want to reach the ones connected to Maine?

Ageless MAINE Advertise. AgelessMaine.com or call Jeffrey D’Amico, Director of Sales, 207 517 3848

SUBSCRIBE | oldport.com

Old Port is published twelve times a year by Maine Media Collective LLC. Editorial and subscription information: phone 207.772.3373 | fax 888.836.6715 16 Middle Street | Suite 501 | Portland | Maine | 04101 Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher, staff, or advisory board. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Old Port nor any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copyright © 2018, Maine Media Collective LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission, in writing, from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. oldport.com

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Editor’s Note PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED AXELROD

very morning on my way to work I turn onto India Street and there it is—Portland Harbor. Even on a blustery winter day, when the water is gray instead of blue, the sight makes me smile, especially if there’s a boat going by. I’m no longer a newcomer to this city, but I will always be amazed by the fact that my home and office are so close to a working waterfront, where fishing boats and merchant ships unload their cargo onto the docks. Students of Portland history know that because the deep-water harbor is closer to Europe than any other port on the East Coast, it was a major shipping hub until the Great Fire of July 4, 1866 destroyed large sections of the city. Boston stepped into the breach to become the primary port in New England, but Portland still merits its descriptive name. In recent years, our waterfront has become even more

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vital, with the construction of Ocean Gateway to welcome cruise ships on the eastern end and the establishment of Icelandic shipping company Eimskip on the western end. These developments bookend commercial fishing operations, restaurants, and shops—Portland’s waterfront has something for everyone.

through his company, Soli DG, but he also has big plans for Portland. Involved in enterprises ranging from aquaculture to art, Arnold believes that through smart development of its waterfront, the city can become a major player on the international stage (Opportunity Accelerator, page 34).

In this issue, we explore the waterfront's past, present, and future, through the experience of people who play an active role there. Phin Sprague has lifelong ties to the shores of Casco Bay, a legacy he and his wife, Joanna, continue by serving the boating community at Portland Yacht Services (Sea Worthy, page 44). When Tony DiMillo bought Long Wharf in 1978, it was barely standing. Today, the busy restaurant and marina his family operate are the waterfront’s best-known landmarks (All Hands on Deck, page 28). Patrick Arnold is contracted to run the Maine Port Authority

When he and Joanna returned to Casco Bay in 1977 from four years of sailing around the world, Phin Sprague says, “Portland didn’t realize the asset it had” in its waterfront. That has thankfully changed, and our city is the better for it.

SUSAN AXELROD Managing Editor saxelrod@oldport.com

APRIL // 2018

Staff Insights WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE PORTLAND WATERFRONT? “The Eastern Prom Trail. I love looking out toward Casco Bay at Fort Gorges and beyond when I’m running along the trail. You also get to see a variety of people enjoying the waterfront, from playing with their dogs on East End Beach to casting fishing lines off the rocks to anchoring sailboats off the shore.” Paul Koenig Managing Editor Maine magazine pkoenig@themainemag.com

“Our waterfront is special because it is a working waterfront. Between the ferries and the fishermen we are able to see the local men and women doing the work that brings us to the waterfront in the first place. We wouldn’t be able to enjoy the amazing seafood at all the waterfront restaurants without these hardworking people. The waterfront isn’t just a beautiful place to enjoy a drink, it provides a livelihood for many Mainers.” Casey Lovejoy Community Development Manager clovejoy@themainemag.com

I just love the smell of the sea air and sounds of the seagulls when I'm walking around. I love being able to grab a lunch and sit on the Eastern Prom or down on one of the piers off Commercial Street. Heidi Kirn Art Director Maine Home+Design, Moxie Maine, Ageless Maine hkirn@mainehomedesign.com

WE GIVE BACK.

Our mission is to make a substantial and unique commitment to supporting Maine’s nonprofit community both statewide, regionally, and at the town level. We believe that the work Maine’s nonprofit organizations do, individually and collectively, makes our lives better and Maine a better place to live. With limited budgets, Maine’s nonprofits need help boosting awareness of their specific causes and help to raise the funds they need. We have established long-term relationships with over 120 nonprofits and community-based organizations. We give to these organizations by providing, free of charge, services ranging from advertising, graphic design, brand development, marketing advice, online announcements, and social media engagement. We often include nonprofit organizations in our editorial coverage through feature articles and/or recaps of their events. You’ll find the latter in our “There + Then,” “Turnout,” and “Gather” sections. Over the past year, we have made cash and inkind donations and services of more than:

$1,930,463 WE ARE PROUD OF OUR AFFILIATION WITH THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:

SUBSCRIBE | oldport.com

Old Port is published twelve times each year by Maine Media Collective LLC Editorial and subscription information: phone 207.772.3373 | fax 888.836.6715 16 Middle Street | Suite 501 | Portland | Maine | 04101 Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher, staff, or advisory board. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate, and neither Old Port nor any of its staff is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copyright © 2018, Maine Media Collective LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission, in writing, from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. oldport.com

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JEAN JACK A P R I L 5 - 2 9, 2 018 O P E N I N G R E C E P T I O N , A P R I L 5 , 5 - 7 PM

Jean Jack | Farm Blue | 48”x48” | Oil on Canvas

1 5 4 M I D D L E S T R E E T, P O R T L A N D , M A I N E 0 4 1 0 1 A R TC O L L E C TO R M A I N E . C O M

TO REQUEST A PRIVATE VIEWING PLEASE CONTACT EMMA WILSON AT 207.956.7105 OR EWILSON@ARTCOLLECTORMAINE.COM

MARCH 8 - APRIL 20, 2018 Jaclyn Jacunski, Lay of the Land (2017-18), process detail, 2017-18

On View at MECA’s ICA through April 20, 2018 You Never Know How You Look Through Other People’s Eyes integrates artist works into new contexts toward some kind of antagonistic equilibrium. The works in the show employ various methods of photography, performance, sculpture, installation, land art, social practice, digital art, and painting proposing a state of coexistence that is both sympathetic and at odds with itself.

Curated by artist Scott Patrick Wiener. Artists include: Sonia Almeida, Paul S. Briggs, Caleb Charland, Sean Downey, Sean Fader, Sean Glover, Jaclyn Jacunski, AJ Liberto, Lilly McElroy, Eric Petitti, Scott Patrick Wiener.

For more information contact ica@meca.edu or 207.699.5025 Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 11AM–5PM, Thursday, 11AM–7PM

522 CONGRESS STREET | PORTLAND ME, 04101 | meca.edu/ica | 800.699.1509

Talent Roster

THE PEOPLE BEHIND OLD PORT MAGAZINE

KATY KELLEHER

Katy Kelleher is a writer, editor, and educator who lives in a log cabin in Buxton, Maine. When she's not at home reading, she can be found in Portland, enjoying the city's abundance of good food and even better company (Supply and Demand, page TK).

REVEN OLIVER

Director of Events and Experiential Marketing, Reven Oliver moved to Maine from Wellfleet, Cape Cod in 2016. She spent over 14 years working on international sporting events including professional tennis and three Olympic Games. She now lives in Bowdoinham with her wife, Elyssa Cohen, where their two Alaskan Malamutes are learning to be sled dogs

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TED AXELROD

An editorial and commercial photographer, Ted Axelrod has photographed countless food stories and nine cookbooks on subjects ranging from Portuguese cuisine to beer. His work has taken him to extraordinary kitchens around the country, but his favorite place to cook is in is in the old Yarmouth farmhouse where he lives with his wife, Susan, and their two crazy dogs. (Dine, page TK)

KAREN BOWE

Advertising account manager Karen Bowe has been with Old Port magazine since its inception. She, her husband, Scott, and their five-year-old twins kids live in Portland's North Deering neighborhood. Her favorite part of Portland is home because there are tons of kids of all ages. When the first child steps outside to play, droves of them follow. Karen loves to see them all pretend and have fun in a safe space along the beauty of Portland Trails. APRIL // 2018

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Take Notice

CREATE BIGGER

N E W S, N OT E S, A N D M O R E

VETS FIRST CHOICE is building a $20-milliondollar corporate facility in Portland. Funded through a $9-million-dollar grant from Maine Technology Institute’s Lightning Round awards, the new space will feature an automated fulfillment center, specialty pharmacy, and a center specializing in science, technology, engineering, and math. Founded in Portland in 2010, Vets First Choice provides healthcare services for companion and equine veterinary practitioners.

BRAND

photo by Greta Rybus

ANGELA ADAMS is opening a new studio and showroom at 71 Cove Street in East Bayside. Like the previous shop in the Old Port, the new space will feature textiles, handcrafted furniture, and artworks, including sculpture, and customers can visit the studio to witness the design work behind Angela Adams products.

BOW STREET BEVERAGE has moved to a larger retail space at 495 Forest Avenue in Portland. Previously located in Portland’s Public Market House, Bow Street Beverage offers a wide selection of locally produced and hard-to-find wines, beers, and spirits.

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photo by Peter Frank Edwards

THE PORTLAND MUSEUM OF ART (PMA) has received a gift of twelve Winslow Homer artworks. Based in Denver, the Berger Collection Educational Trust donated the artworks in recognition of the PMA’s efforts to preserve Homer’s studio on Prouts Neck, which the PMA owns. The gift primarily consists of oil and watercolor paintings, along with drawings in graphite and chalk. Highlights include Returning from the Spring (1874), an oil on panel in which a young girl carries a basket in a colorful field, and Young Farmers (Study for Weaning the Calf ) (1873-1874), an oil on canvas depicting two boys on a farm.

APRIL // 2018

It’s about a new direction. thebrandcompany.me 207.772.3373

WHEN THIS PARTY GETS STARTED, you'll want to be there. SATURDAY JUNE 9 7 - 10 PM On The Marsh Bistro Kennebunk A waterfront evening-intothe-night party with incredible spreads of food, fun drinks, live music, and dancing.

M E E T . M I N G L E . E AT . D A N C E . R E P E AT .

THURSDAY, JUNE 7 6:30 - 10 P.M. $135 YOUR HOSTS:

C H E F D AV I D T U R I N & WA L L A C E E V E N T S JOINING CHEF TURIN: Josh Berry, Union at the Press Hotel D a n i e l D u m o n t , T h e Fa r m a t Ea s t m a n ’ s C o r n e r Norm Hebert, Bintliff’s Ogunquit Restaurant Germán Lucarelli, Ports of Italy H a rd i n g L e e S m i t h , T h e R o o m s R e s t a u r a n t s SPECIAL MUSICAL GUESTS:

G e t re a d y t o d a n c e t o s o m e h i g h - e n e r g y c l a s s i c r o c k .

LET’S GET THIS PARTY STARTED.

Dine

W H E R E TO E AT N O W BY SUSAN AXELROD

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY TED AXELROD

BLUE FIN S E A F O O D H A S T H E S TA R R I N G R O L E AT T H E P O R T L A N D H A R B O R H O T E L’ S I N T I M AT E , R E L A X E D R E S TA U R A N T.

he Portland Harbor Hotel’s annual Ice Bar is one of the most popular winter events in the city, drawing sell-out crowds and raising money for local charities. Year-round, the hotel offers an equally noteworthy venue for dining, drinking, and making merry—minus the DJ and ice luges—at its restaurant, Blue Fin North Atlantic Seafood. Last fall, the intimate dining room and bar were rebranded to coincide with a significant redecoration of the hotel’s rooms and public spaces. Those who remember the restaurant as Eve’s at the Garden will notice that while the furniture has been reupholstered to match the rest of the hotel’s chic yet relaxed, nautical-inspired look, the cozy, warm feel of the space remains the same. A double-sided gas fireplace serves as a divider between the dining

room and lounge, and a wall of windows looks out to the central courtyard, which is filled with greenery in the summer, and where a large fire pit blazes on chilly evenings. The most significant change is on the menu, which is now focused on fish and seafood. “We say North Atlantic because that offers us a very wide range,” says executive chef Tim Labonte, adding that much of what he procures is local. All of Blue Fin’s lobster, for example, comes from Potts Harbor Lobster in Harpswell; other sources include Portland's Harbor Fish Market and Browne Trading Co. Labonte, who has been in the Portland Harbor Hotel’s top culinary position for six years, says it was “an easy decision” to rebrand the restaurant as seafoodcentric. “We’re a block from the Portland

waterfront, and it’s what our hotel guests expect,” he says. Those looking for a lobster roll will find Labonte’s signature lobster popover, available at lunch and dinner. The airy, slightly warm popover, seasoned with fresh chervil, is generously filled with large pieces of perfectly cooked lobster meat lightly dressed with lemon-thyme crème fraîche, for a delicious and memorable riff on the classic sandwich. Also on the lunch menu: the fresh catch taco—meaty swordfish on my visit—with crunchy coconut slaw and curry glaze; and Labonte’s take on fish and chips, beer-battered cod with baked potato fries. I’m usually a skinny-fries fan, but these wedges of baked potato, soaked in paprikaseasoned buttermilk, coated in rice flour and

Opposite page: Blue Fin's rendition of fish and chips: beer-battered cod and baked potato fries with malt-vinegar slaw. This page: Chef Tim Labonte's signature lobster popover is served with homemade salt and vinegar chips. APRIL // 2018

This page, clockwise from top: Dining room supervisor Erdem Ankarali mixes a Champagne Cosmo. Seared sea scallops with leek and pistachio pesto on wild rice with cauliflower puree. Swordfish tacos with curry glaze and coconut slaw. Opposite page, from top: Executive chef Tim Labonte. Brandade, a savory spread of salt cod, potatoes, and olive oil, with a Negroni.

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Dine

“ WE'RE NOT JUST A PLACE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS.” – TIM LABONTE

fried, are crispy outside, creamy inside, and win me over. Labonte also serves them with the steaks on the dinner menu. Blue Fin’s bar boasts comfy, high-backed stools and an intriguing “bar bites” menu to nibble with drinks, such as the Champagne Cosmo—vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and lime juice topped with bubbly. Grill and Chill Shrimp features plump, garlic-oil-glazed shrimp with basil yogurt and tomatoes—both the presentation and the flavors are bright and fresh. Savory, warm brandade, a Provençal dish of salt cod and potato whipped with olive oil, is rich and luscious spread on crostini. I could happily spend an evening at the bar with a glass of wine, the brandade, and perhaps one of Labonte’s creative salads—a practice the chef encourages. “We’re not just a place for special occasions,” he says. “We want people to know they can come in for a dozen oysters and a beer, or choose a few appetizers or bar bites and a specialty cocktail.” A 1999 graduate of the College of Culinary Arts at Johnson and Wales University, Labonte worked for many years at resorts in Key West before returning to Maine. His large plates, which are both imaginative and restrained, offer evidence of that training and experience. Seared sea scallops topped with grilled leek and pistachio

pesto are nestled on a bed of wild rice and pureed cauliflower, a creamy, earthy match for my favorite Maine seafood. Slabs of ginger-basil glazed grilled yellowfin tuna loin, left rare in the center, are presented on top of a crispy udon noodle cake with baby bok choy and perfectly round pools of peanut sauce decorating the plate, for an exciting combination of flavors and textures. Desserts, too, are special without going over the top. Lightly spiced and airy pumpkin panna cotta is playfully served with toasted waffle triangles, and a slab of chocolate-hazelnut pâté is appropriately rich without being tooth-achingly sweet. With fewer than 40 seats, including a trio of especially cozy, semicircular booths along one wall, Blue Fin’s vibe is at once sophisticated and comfortable. Guests can also dine in a section of the lobby called the “crow’s nest,” which offers a birds-eye view of the bustling Old Port, in the 20-seat bar and lounge, or in the summertime, out in the pretty, secluded courtyard. I’m willing to bet that by the time it’s in bloom again, Blue Fin will no longer feel like Portland’s best-kept secret. Blue Fin Portland Harbor Hotel 468 Fore St. | Portland 207.775-9090 portlandharborhotel.com/portlandharbor-hotel-dining

APRIL // 2018

PORTLAND DRY GOODS CO. PORTLAND, MAINE

237 Commercial Street, Portland, Maine 04101

www.portlanddrygoods.com

M a i n e ’ s F i n e s t P r i n t e d T- s h i r t s

LIBERTY GRAPHICS 10 Moulton Street in Portland: 207-518-9599 • lgtees.com

A B R I L L I A N T LY R E S TO R E D H I S TO R I C FA R M N O W AC C E P T I N G B O O K I N G S F O R T H E 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 S E A S O N S . S TO N E B A R N M A I N E . C O M

36hrs

CONNECTING WITH HISTORY

JEFFREY D'AMICO

DIRECTOR OF SALES

A boutique hotel with stories to tell is home base for a weekend of exploring the West End. 01

FRIDAY

AFTERNOON

The Francis on upper Congress Street is one of Portland’s newest hotels. The 15-room property is named for architect Francis Fassett, who designed the brick mansion in 1881 as a home for Mellen E. Bolster. It has been renovated with modern amenities while retaining its period charm. I am greeted upon arrival by Tony Delois, who co-owns the hotel with his brothers Nate and Jake, along with Jeff Harder. We take a tour of the first floor and are shown to our sleek and comfortable room, which is decorated with photographs by local photographer Nicole Wolf. My fiancé Sarah Mather arrives and we get settled in.

EVENING

We have reservations at David’s in Monument Square, where we are meeting my colleague Chris Kast and his husband Byron Bartlett for dinner. To accompany our perfectly mixed cocktails, we start with two of chef David Turin’s signature appetizers, yellowfin tuna tartare and steak tartare. A creature of habit, I once again enjoy the consistently excellent open-faced seafood “ravioli” with Maine lobster, day-boat scallops, and white tiger shrimp, with 32 OLD PORT

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a rich sherry-lobster cream sauce. After dinner we still have a little room left for dessert. We stop at Nosh, which is famous for unique and over-the-top takes on burgers and desserts. We order the Buttercrunch Burger—Gifford’s vanilla ice cream and vanilla frosting studded with Pocky sticks and bits of Butterfinger candy bars on a brioche bun. Now we are full and it’s time to call it a night.

SATURDAY

MORNING

We have a great day planned so I sneak out for a coffee just across Congress Street at Tandem Coffee and Bakery, located in a former gas station. It has the greatest breakfast nook, awesome baked goods, and a chill, modern vibe. I have been trying to convince Sarah to come to Float Harder for weeks, and finally, we have an appointment to experience the benefits of floating in the facility owned by husband and wife James and Amy Harder on Washington Avenue. I find floating in a pod of highly salinated, body-temperature water super relaxing and rejuvenating, and I urge anyone who’s skeptical to try it.

After a float we are starving and head to Hot Suppa for brunch. The rumors are true that the Bloody Marys are divine, and the energy at this local favorite does not disappoint. Having chilled out and chowed down, we are ready for a self-guided walking tour of the West End using the guide available online from Greater Portland Landmarks. It includes more than two-dozen historic homes—many designed by famed architect John Calvin Stevens—and other sites, some of which we admire from the car, given the cold. Even on a winter day, the architecture and views from the Western Promenade are just beautiful.

AFTERNOON

For lunch, we’ve decided to check out a new spot in town, The Highroller Lobster Company in the Old Port, where we meet up with my colleagues Kevin Thomas and Lisa Belisle. HRLC serves local brews and some outstanding takes on Maine’s famed lobster. I opt for the lobster grilled cheese and a beer from Cushnoc Brewing Co. in Augusta, both of which are excellent. Since we’re in the Old Port, it’s a good

opportunity to do some shopping. Our first stop is Portland Trading Co., where we run into the friendly owner Kazeem Shina Lawal. I’m a fan of the shop’s fine clothing, and on this visit, I find a fun pair of Moose-themed slippers. Next, we pop across the street to The Portland Art Gallery, where we fall in love with a piece from Maine artist Allen Bunker. We then head back to The Francis for a late afternoon nap before dinner.

EVENING

In addition to rooms and a spa, The Francis

also has a charming restaurant with a bar and lounge, Bolster, Snow & Co. Chef Nick Verdisco is a veteran of some top-notch places and it shows in his excellent food. The service is equally good, and we felt well cared-for. We’ve had a busy day, so, grateful for the short walk between the restaurant and our room, we turn in early.

SUNDAY

MORNING

After checking out of The Francis, we wonder

what to do for brunch and decide to hit Thompson’s Point. We settle in at Stroudwater Distilling, where we order food from Big J’s Chicken Shack next door. Our first-rate Bloody Marys are a perfect accompaniment to the fried chicken, Mexican street corn, and other fun food. We have a blast watching the games and enjoying the company. Before heading out I pop into Bissell Brothers to grab a case of their popular beer, Substance, for my friends. It’s a fitting end to a relaxed weekend.

01The George C. West House on the Western Promenade was built in 1911. 02 The Francis Hotel on Congress Street. 03 Stroudwater Distilling's Bloody Mary. 04 The Portland Art Gallery glows on a cloudy day. 05 A grand West End home 06 Breakfast offerings at Tandem Coffee and Bakery 07 Sacred Heart Church on Mellen Street. 08 A perfect latte at Tandem Cafe and Bakery 09 A float pod at Float Harder. 10 Open-faced seafood "ravioli" at David's. APRIL // 2018

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Profile

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE PORTL AND DR. LISA BELISLE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE WOLF

PROMOTING PROSPERITY Quincy Hentzel leads the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce in supporting the area’s success.

Cranes extend above a latticework landscape of steel beams, piecing together the buildings of tomorrow. Cruise ships the size of a city block loom over the waterfront. Cars filled with commuters stream in from the suburbs, and Old Port sidewalks bustle with visitors. “Change is here, and there’s more change coming,” says Quincy Hentzel, CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. “I’m constantly in a place where I’m learning something new.” Raised outside of Chicago, Hentzel came to Maine in 2003. Soon after arriving, the newly minted attorney took a temporary job at a law firm in Portland, where she was asked if she would be interested in lobbying. “The first thing I said was, ‘Yes,’” says Hentzel. “The second thing I said was, ‘What’s lobbying?’” Hentzel began learning the ins and outs of government relations. As director of governmental affairs for the Maine Credit Union League, she split her time between Portland, Augusta, and Washington, D.C., working with lawmakers to create a favorable legislative environment for that industry. “I fell in love with the credit union movement, and the people,” says Hentzel. “I stayed in that job

a lot longer than I ever thought that I would. I blinked my eyes and all of a sudden, 11 years had passed.” During much of this time Hentzel served on the board of the Portland Community Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. With more than 1,300 member businesses, the regional chamber serves the communities of South Portland, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Cumberland, Scarborough, Portland, Westbrook, and Gorham. Hentzel became the interim CEO of the regional chamber when that position became available a year ago. In July 2017, she was offered the permanent position. She is the first female CEO in the regional chamber’s 160year history. No two days are alike at the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hentzel says. Tasked with improving business sustainability, the organization offers educational outreach programs like a monthly Eggs and Issues forum, and coordinates efforts with stakeholders like citizens and local officials. “Every day, I’m tackling a new issue,” says Hentzel. “When

part of your mission is to promote regional prosperity, that encompasses a lot of things. I get the opportunity to talk about and to be engaged in a lot of the critical and really important conversations that are taking place.” Some of the chamber’s most pressing issues are those that reflect the problems of society at large. In 2015, Portland Chief of Police Michael Sauschuck and addiction expert Dr. Steven Kassels spoke about the opioid crisis at Eggs and Issues. “It’s really heartbreaking,” says Hentzel. “You can see the impact that it has on businesses, whether it’s a business that happens to be in the area of town where there’s a lot of [drug-related] activity, or whether it’s a business that has employees or staff—or their families— that are struggling with an opioid addiction.” Portland’s recent surge in economic development has also become a topic for the chamber to tackle. “We want to see a robust economy: we want more businesses for our businesses here to serve and more consumers for our businesses to serve as well,” says Hentzel. “But there are people who are seeing that growth and getting really scared. They don't

Opposite page: Quincy Hentzel was named CEO of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce in July 2017.

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APRIL // 2018

know what this growth is going to mean for them. We’re trying to help have a communitywide conversation.” Hentzel first developed an interest in public policy and current events while in high school. Despite this, she never envisioned her future career path. Named after her father’s hometown of Quincy, Illinois—a town on the Mississippi River on the Illinois/Missouri border—Hentzel believed she was meant to follow in her father’s footsteps. He spent his career working as a corporate attorney for U.S. Steel in Chicago. “I idolized my dad. I wanted to be like him,” says Hentzel. “I had the mindset as a little kid that I was going to go to law school.” She graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana with a bachelor of arts in economics and a juris doctor. “I’ve never really practiced law, so I guess that goes to the point that maybe it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do with my life,” says Hentzel. “But it was the path that led me to where I am today.” Hentzel’s mother

and younger brother live outside of Chicago. “My mom has had a lasting impression on me as well,” says Hentzel. “She has taught me the importance of character and kindness and grace.” Hentzel has served on the boards of several local charitable organizations, including Rippleffect, Community Financial Literacy, and cPort Credit Union. She spent many years on the board for the Center for Grieving Children, and now participates in their board development committee. “This is a particular passion of mine, having lost my father in my 20s,” she says. She is also part of the Maine Community Foundation’s Cumberland County Fund committee. When Hentzel is not working, she likes to travel to locations both near and far. “There are very few places I’m not interested in visiting. You learn so much,” says Hentzel. “You also build an even deeper appreciation for where

you live. It’s nice to go away. It’s nice to come home.” Hentzel lives with her husband and three teenage stepchildren in Cape Elizabeth. In the summer, she occasionally commutes to work from their cottage on Long Island—and enjoys Casco Bay whenever possible. “We love to be on the water,” she says. Having come to Maine with the idea that her stay might be temporary, Hentzel is happy with her 15-year investment in the community. “I love the city of Portland. I love the state of Maine, and have made this my home,” she says. “I go home most days, and say, ‘Wow, I have a pretty amazing job.’ It’s very cool to have a role where my primary goal is to help build and support a vibrant Portland and a vibrant Portland region.”

Hear more from Quincy Hentzel on Love Maine Radio with Dr. Lisa Belisle. lovemaineradio.com

This page: Hentzel speaks at a meeting of the Portland Community Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Opposite page: Named after her father's hometown of Quincy, Illinois, Hentzel studied law, thinking she would follow in his footsteps.

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“ Change is here, and there’s more change coming.”

SEPTEMBER 18–22

–Quincy Hentzel

Produced by Maine Media Collective

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Supply Demand

Portland realtors share unfiltered thoughts on the city’s housing market

by Katy Kelleher // Photography by Sean Thomas

It all started with the baby boomers. For decades, people had been moving out of cities and into the suburbs. Adulthood meant a house with a two-car garage, two kids, a lawn to mow, and a pile of leaves to rake. But around the year 2000, something began to change. “People who had spent the last 20 years mulching and commuting got sick of it,” says Tom Landry of Benchmark Real Estate. “Now, many people feel like they’re done with that. They want to get back to different things. They, like everyone else right now, want a good lifestyle." "They want to travel, and to be able to explore on foot,” adds Sandra Wendland of Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty (SIR). “They want to go to the mountains for the weekend or take a quick

trip to the beach and not be tied to maintaining a property.” They don’t want to spend the rest of their lives taking care of a big house in the suburbs. They want to live in Portland, where the restaurants are excellent, the artists are active, and the great outdoors is just a hop, skip, or paddle away. By this point, you’ve read the articles; you’ve heard the news. Portland is a city on the rise, and as more people move into the city from the suburbs, and from neighboring states, we’re seeing housing prices rise, too. “Every buyer wants to buy here, and every seller wants to buy here, too,” says David Marsden of Bean Group. “Inventory is low, which is keeping prices strong. With very few exceptions, it’s a sellers’

Opposite page: One of the stately brick homes that characterize Portland's West End.

APRIL // 2018

photo courtesy of Marsden Real Estate

25 HIGH ST. - LISTED: $549,900 // SOLD: $555,840

Living Large, Living Small

market for sure.” Although the late 90s and early 2000s saw an influx of people moving into the glorious old mansions of the West End, the housing market has cooled slightly in that area. This happened for two reasons, according to Marsden. Not only is the East End “really hot” but many people just “don’t want big huge houses right now,” he says. “There are still buyers who love that architecture—those are emotional purchases for people who appreciate historic homes and have the means and want to become stewards—but that’s not where most people are looking.”

that’s one of the next big trends in luxury,” says Sue Lessard of Town and Shore Associates. “What we’re struggling to find right now are condos with outdoor spaces and decks.” Buyers who have been out-priced from cities like New York, San Francisco, and Boston are moving to Portland for the affordability and the outdoorsy lifestyle. While they don’t want houses with big yards, they do want their own slice of greenery. “Living spaces are getting smaller,” Marsden says. Some developers are responding by building condominiums and apartment buildings with shared outdoor decks.

Instead, buyers are seeking luxury condos, particularly those with amenities like valet parking, in neighborhoods on the peninsula. “I think

“While condominium sales have increased about 54 percent since 2013, residential sales have only gone up by 25 percent in that same time,”

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42 MOODY ST. - LISTED: $335,000 // SOLD: $315,000

“ With very few exceptions, it’s a sellers’ market for sure.” –David Marsden, Bean Group

photo courtesy of Marsden Real Estate

APRIL // 2018

“ Airbnb is one of the reasons our inventory is so slim right now.” –Sandra Wendland

photo by Michael Bérubé

6 STRATTON PL. - LISTED: $539,000 // SOLD: $550,000

Somewhere to Be — or to Airbnb adds Wendland. “That’s a clear indicator of a trend.” One of the reasons that Portland is so hot right now has to do with its small-town feel. Take an area like Washington Avenue in the East End. “You’ve got Island Creek Oyster Bar, Drifter’s Wife, and Maine Craft Distilling right there,” says Landry. “You can see that it’s not Anywhere, America. It isn’t formulaic. There aren’t chain restaurants—there are small entrepreneurs doing what they do best, and it makes Portland a place to be.” This drives tourism to the state, and with more vacationers choosing Portland as their next urban destination, homeowners have

realized that they can make extra income renting their unwanted apartments or housing units through short-term rental platforms. “Airbnb is one of the reasons our inventory is so slim right now,” says Wendland. “What does that do to the market?” Lessard asks, and answers: “It’s driving prices up.” Marsden adds that many landlords who would typically have sold their multi-family units are choosing instead to hold onto them and to capitalize on the market. “They’ve been able to increase rents and add an Airbnb unit within the building to further

Opposite page, from left: Blue Spoon is a popular neighborhood spot on Munjoy Hill. A resorted Victorian on the Eastern Prom.

APRIL // 2018

“ There aren’t chain restaurants, there are small entrepreneurs doing what they do best, and it makes Portland a place to be.” –Tom Landry, Benchmark Real Estate 267 BRACKETT ST. - LISTED: $595,000 // SOLD: $610,000

photo by Jonathan Reece

A view of Portland across Back Cove. APRIL // 2018

“ It used to surprise me to see millennials coming in and looking at older houses, but that’s what they want.” - Sue Lessard Town and Shore Associates 19 JEANNE CT. - LISTED: $325,000 // SOLD: $322,500

photo courtesy of Marsden Real Estate

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photo by Keith Andrews

21 CHESTNUT ST. - LISTED: $515,000 // SOLD: $500,000

Echo, Echo, Echo increase cash flow,” he says. While the rising cost of housing has been fueled by a wave of baby boomers, Landry notes that there’s an “echo boom” coming soon. “The millennials are the echo, and they’re fueling the rebirth and resurgence of our little city,” he says. As telecommuting becomes more prevalent, more young people are moving into cities like Portland, where they can enjoy the lifestyle they want while holding down jobs based in New York or even Japan. (Plus, it’s an easy 90-minute flight to New York, so plenty of buyers are keeping their old jobs and commuting south for important meetings. “They can be in conference rooms all day and still be home for dinner in Portland!” Marsden says.)

says Lessard. “It used to surprise me to see millennials coming in and looking at older houses, but that’s what they want.”

But millennials have slightly different buying patterns than their older counterparts. According to Wendland, thirty-somethings are buying in Oakdale, Back Bay, Rosemont, and Deering Center. They’re purchasing both condos and houses, and they aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. “Often, I find that they’re interested in quality and character,”

Marsden says he’s noticed a shift in the past few years. “It used to be that one partner would find a job in Maine, and so they would move to Portland, but now they’re coming and bringing their jobs with them,” he says.

“Due to HGTV, they all want to renovate and they know how,” adds Wendland. “Plus, they’re in a financially healthier position than the buyers we were seeing five years ago.” And where millennials go, their friends often follow. “I’m finding that a lot of millennials are bringing their friends with them when they move, particularly those who can work remotely,” says Lessard. “I’m working on a property right off Brighton, and since the buyers’ friends just bought a house around the corner, the location is even more attractive to them.”

APRIL // 2018

1169 WESTBROOK ST. - LISTED: TKT // SOLD: $405,000

photo by Jonathan Reece

7 ATLANTIC ST. - LISTED: $495,000 // SOLD: $585,000 52 OLD PORT

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THIS IS SO PORTLAND.

What Goes While housing prices have been rising steadily for the past five years, it’s not unreasonable to ask, like Marsden does, “Where’s the end of the run?” It’s something he has thought about a lot, and while Lessard, Wendland, and Landry believe Portland’s rise is sustainable for the foreseeable future, Marsden notes that “something has to give eventually.” “I don’t think it will happen in the next 18 months,” he says. “I believe that when the market does shift, there will be a more moderate downturn here than in other parts of the country.” Landry advises buyers to “be cautiously optimistic and don’t believe too much hype.” He suggests watching whether larger employers—such as WEX and Tilson—continue to establish headquarters in Portland. “If this happens the outlook for sustainable growth and steady increases

Up…

in property values are assured,” he says. “If not, there could easily be a phase of over-development and dropping values or prices.” However, even self-described “cautious Yankee” Marsden says that there are some factors that will keep Portland’s market from going bust too quickly. “I’ve loved watching this city grow up, and I think the opportunities do build on one another,” he says. Just the other day, he says, he walked to Thompson’s Point from his home in Deering Center to go ice skating. It was a full-moon night when he walked home, and it gave him a moment to reflect. “I’ve seen that defunct factory sit there for years, and now we’re ice skating there. They’ve got Cellardoor Winery, and Bissell Brothers brewery, and great concerts,” he says. “These experiences—that will sustain us through any blip in the market.”

JIM BRADY THINKS AHEAD

CREW CONVENES ON CASCO BAY

SPACE TO CREATE AT EAST END LOFTS

PORTLAND'S

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This page: A view of the city from the East End.

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54 OLD PORT

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Jessie Carroll of Whitten Architects lovingly restored this Douglas fir, post-and-beam house, adding period-appropriate furniture like the rosewood wall bar to the right. She lightened the house by removing green shag carpeting, dark wood paneling, and drapes, but she kept period features like the original Formica countertops, Chicklet tile backsplash, and birch plywood cabinets in the kitchen. The fixtures, chandelier, and textured white ceiling with glitter are original to the house. 62 OLD PORT oldport.com

CHARACTER & SOUL A young Portland architect gives a midcentury-modern home the love it deserves.

BY DEBRA SPARK // PHOTOGRAPHY BY MYRIAM BABIM

oon after architect Jessie Carroll moved to Portland in 2012, she went looking for a multi-family investment property. She figured sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rent one apartment for income, live in the other, and be able to walk to her job with Whitten Architects, whose office is on the peninsula. A year and a half (and several failed offers) later, she was still looking. She felt lucky to have realtor Wade R. Fleming from the Bean Group assisting her, but even though he was patient and architecturally well informed, Carroll was getting discouraged, having been outbid on so many properties. Everyone else, it seemed, was a cash buyer. Then, Fleming emailed her early one morning about a singlefamily house she needed to see. It was six and a half miles from her office, and in Westbrook, not a city Carroll was even considering. On the phone the next day, she asked if they could plan a showing for later in the week, as she was on a job site. Fleming said no; offers were flying in. Within ten minutes of getting to the house, Carrollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offer was among them. The 1,600-square-foot house in Westbrook was emphatically not like anything else Carroll had yet seen on the market. An open-plan, Douglas fir, post-and-beam design with attached carport, the house immediately made her think of the California homes that developer Joseph Eichler built largely in the 50s and 60s. They were inspired by the design work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Mies van der Rohe, and Carroll had always been a fan. Like Eichlers, as they are often called, the Westbrook home had a lowpitched roof with substantial overhangs. Unlike them, its wide gable end faced the street and was full of large paned windows. (Eichlers have

APRIL // 2018

glass gables, too, but typically they front on a back patio reached through sliding glass doors.) When Carroll bid on the house, she had one thing to offer that other buyers didn’t—a letter describing her fondness for midcentury modern design. While in architecture school at Northeastern University, she had written her graduate thesis on consumerism, the singlefamily market, and post-World War II design. She knew she’d do right by the house, helping it to become the Platonic form of what it already 64 OLD PORT

oldport.com

was: an East Coast Eichler. Or not exactly an East Coast Eichler, as Carroll learned once her offer was accepted and she’d done some research. But something quite close. The Westbrook home had been built in 1968 by a schoolteacher, and yet all save three Eichlers were built on the West Coast. How would a teacher have acquired the design knowhow to construct such a (then) forward-looking home? Carroll came to suspect (but could not

prove) that she had bought a Deck House, the name for a kit version of a house designed and produced at midcentury with similar features to Eichlers, but with better insulation and a southerly orientation for solar gains. Fabricated in an Acton, Massachusetts, factory, Deck Houses were shipped to locations throughout the Northeastern seacoast and assembled on site. (Theoretically, the houses could have been shipped anywhere. In fact, the majority were shipped to Massachusetts and Maryland, with a substantial number going to North Carolina.)

Opposite page: Carroll converted a main floor laundry room into a dressing room that holds a dresser she found on Craigslist, an Oriental rug from Portland Flea-for-All, and a storefront mannequin atop art and architecture books like Bespoke Home and West Coast Modern. This page: This view of the dining and living room shows off the glass-filled gable that faces the street. Carroll found the yellow chairs on the sidewalk in Portland. She purchased the oval teak table from Vintage Modern Maine in Cumberland.

Carrollâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house has a walkout basement that will eventually function as guest quarters. For now, she lives on the main floor, which includes a high-ceilinged, open central kitchen and living space, an ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bedroom with an adjacent laundry room that Carroll has converted into a dressing room, and a guest bedroom, where Carroll has sometimes had a roommate and sometimes uses as a yoga or TV room. Before she moved in, Carroll removed all the shag carpeting, drapes, interior wood paneling

(save for a small piece she left above the kitchen sink), and a structurally unsound back deck. She installed wood floors and drywall, then rewired and reinsulated, adding a new heat distribution system and sleek, white Runtal radiators on the main floor. Previously, the house had been dark. Now it is bright and homey. Carroll left the kitchen with its Formica counters, birch plywood cabinets, and Chickletshaped backsplash tiles untouched, although APRIL // 2018

" THE HOUSE HAS CHARACTER AND SOUL, AND I WANT THE PIECES I BRING IN TO HAVE THE SAME." –JESSIE CARROLL she purchased a new refrigerator. The blue tub and toilet on the first floor were getting moldy and leaking into the basement. She renovated the bathroom, adding a modern teak vanity from Wayfair with matching sink and mirror, white vertical subway tiles for a new shower space, and gray marble hexagonal floor tiles. Originally, the house was clad in western red cedar vertical V-groove siding. Carroll painted the wood black but left the underside of the roof overhang white. One inspiration for the look was the Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, which chars exterior wood to protect it from mold, insects, and other weathering issues. “When you live in a small space, you have to be very thoughtful about what you bring into your home,” Carroll says. She chose carefully, aiming for items that were period-appropriate and playful, while keeping to a minimalist

aesthetic. Much in the house—a rosewood wall bar, sunburst wall sculpture by Devalf, and gold framed mirror—was purchased at Portland’s Flea-for-All, a Congress Street artisan and vintage market with which Carroll is smitten, admiring co-owner Erin Kiley’s taste, and also her knowledge about what she sells. “If I am going to make an investment I want the story behind it,” says Carroll. She bought an oval teak dining room table, which extends from five to twelve feet, from Vintage Modern Maine, a website which shows furniture by appointment in Cumberland. Carroll paired the table with white steel-framed chairs upholstered in yellow vinyl, which she found on the sidewalk in the West End. Other items are from family (her grandmother’s gleaming wooden hope chest) or were left in the home (Dutch porcelain figurines in the kitchen and rust and green accordion blinds in the guest

bedroom). Still others were simply curiosities that Carroll liked (including a torso of an armless, bald female mannequin, which sits on a tall stack of architecture books in the dressing room). “The house has character and soul,” says Carroll, “and I want the pieces I bring in to have the same.” One of the surprises of homeownership for Carroll has been that she loves to garden and that she may, in the future, want an even bigger space to plant. Not that she is planning on a move. She enjoys her neighborhood, which is full of children, and her neighbors, whom she often finds outside working on their homes or in their gardens. Still, she suspects that this first of her homes won’t be the last. “I have given this house what it wanted,” she says. “And there are so many good homes in Maine that deserve a second life. I would love to do it again.”

This page: Carroll painted the house black—a look that she says is trending now—and the underside of the roof overhang white. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: A guest bedroom with a sofa from Urban Outfitters and a painting by Carroll. The bathroom was completely renovated with a Wayfair vanity that comes as part of a set with the faucet and medicine cabinet, and hex marble tile that Carroll chose for the floor because it is period appropriate to the house. Carroll and her cat in a corner of the living room with a rug from West Elm and finds from the Portland Flea-for-All, including the Devalf starburst, which is a signature mid-century modern wall hanging, and the framed mirror.

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APRIL // 2018

Stories to Tell, Stories to Sell Let the Landry team write the book on your home. Photography by Jonathan Reece

If you own an older home, you are the keeper of an archive of stories. Whether those stories are intriguing, fanciful, wondrous, or mysterious, they and the memories they imprint are a large part of the joy of living in a home with history.

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hen Tom Landry and his wife bought their turn-of-thetwentieth-century home in 2001, they found remnants of its stories—old, handwritten bank notes, a homemade, papier-mâché jack o’ lantern, a rusted birdcage. “We’ve since met former owners of our home, found old pictures, and heard many of the chapters that preceded those we’ve added to the book,” says Landry. An older home has character, charm, and a sense of place that a newer home will take years to acquire. Buying, owning, restoring, and selling a home with history takes care, attention, experience, and often an open mind. Especially if you are contemplating the future sale of an iconic older property, telling its unique story is essential to make sure that buyers understand why it is worth the asking price. “This is why long before a potential sale, the conversation between owner and trusted advisor should begin,” says Landry. Through his two companies—Benchmark Residential and Investment Real Estate and CornerStone Building and Restoration—and his long experience, Landry is perfectly positioned to be that trusted advisor. “I grew up in a Victorian era home in rural Maine and bought and restored my first home, an 1850’s farmhouse, at the age of 19,” he explains. “Now, almost 30 years later, I’ve personally bought, sold, and restored dozens more Portland area homes and helped hundreds of others do the same.” CornerStone Building and Restoration can improve your home for both current enjoyment and maximum future value. And, when you’re ready to sell, you can trust Benchmark Residential and Investment Real Estate to help tell your home’s unique story, share it with the widest pool of buyers, and ultimately ensure you sell it for the highest price. Landry and his team are eager to “write the book on your home,” he says. “We are especially qualified to help bring your home’s past, present and future stories to life.” APRIL // 2018

Old Port magazine sat down with Landry to learn about the many services offered by his team: Q.

What is the particular expertise that sets you and your firm apart when it comes to selling older homes?

First, I’m one of Maine’s top-producing brokers and have been Portland’s number one listing/selling Realtor for more than a decade. I’m also a recognized expert, contributor, and panelist for media outlets and Greater Portland Landmarks, and I have more than 30 years of experience in owning, restoring, and selling historic and older homes.

What specifically do you offer your clients who want to sell an older home?

A. We provide unparalleled marketing

expertise and advertising exposure, using breathtaking photography, full-feature video, historic research, comprehensive brochures, even personalized websites, to tell the unique story of your home. Our free staging services are available to every seller, and if your home needs some improvements before you put it on the market, our craftspeople can get the work done beautifully and efficiently.

What about someone who isn’t ready to sell their older home, but wants to do some renovation with an eye on selling it down the road?

A. That’s where my firm, Cornerstone

Building and Restoration, comes in. We are expert at solving old house challenges, and can help clients prioritize home improvements for the greatest enjoyment and value. And because our qualified craftspeople are doing the work, clients can be assured that their project is a priority.

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AUGUSTA BANGOR PORTLAND MACHIAS For more information or to register go to www.maineacademyofmodernmusic.org/camps or call 207.899.3433

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Town & Shore ASSociATeS, LLc slessard@townandshore.com t: 207-523-8119| www.townandshore.com

(Back Row): Mark Fortier, Brenda Cerino-Galli, Bob Knecht, Lucy Foster-Flight, Joi Kressbach, Whitney Harvey, Gail Landry, Tish Whipple, Susan Lamb, Pete Molloy, Sue Lessard, Jeff Davis (Front Row): Sandy Johnson, William Davisson, Dianne Maskewitz, Steve Parkhurst, Lynn Hallett.

more than 60 years of industry experience

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NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE’S POLAR BEAR DIP & DASH Photography by Dave Dostie

Each year on New Year’s Eve day, Mainers gather in the cold at East End Beach in Portland to help make a difference regarding climate change. Although the four-degree temperature caused the cancellation of the polar dip, nearly 150 runners completed the five-kilometer walk/run around Back Cove. The event raised more than $25,000 for the Natural Resources Council of Maine’s (NRCM) work to protect Maine’s environment. 01

“Our Polar Bear Dip & Dash is a fun way to raise awareness about climate change and the need for action. We are grateful for all who braved the cold in support of our efforts to address the most important environmental issue of our time.” —Dylan Voorhees, climate and clean energy project director at NRCM 06

01 Nicole Jacobsen Sundberg and Jonathan Sundberg, general sales manager at Binne Media 02 Felicity Colangelo, school-based clinician at Sweetser, and Elizabeth Berry, physician assistant at Maine Medical Center 03 Marina Urbano, personal trainer at FitWell, and Zack Bodkin, data architect at Braincube 04 Merrill Brady and Christine Eileen 05 Lorna Damren; Kim DeMado, personal fitness coach and lifestyle strategist at Kim DeMado; Felicity Colangelo, school-based clinician at Sweetser; and Elizabeth Berry, physician assistant at Maine Medical Center 06 Peggy Akers, nurse practioner, and Rob Boudewijn, physician assistant at the Alfond Center for Health in Augusta and the Thayer Center for Health 07 Geoffrey Matthews; David Fowler; and Lizzy Fowler 08 ; Bryan McCarthy; Merrill Brady; and Christine Eileen

APRIL // 2018

IF THERE WAS AN ADVANTAGE IN TIME, MONEY AND MARKETING EXPOSURE WOULD IT BE WORTH 15 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME? LET’S GET TOGETHER AND DISCUSS IT.

M AT T D I B I A SE BROKER/AGENT

485 + LIFETIME SALES

TOTALING OVER $110 MILLION “MY HUSBAND AND I COULDN’T BE MORE HAPPY WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF SELLING AND PURCHASING OUR HOMES WITH MATT. HE WAS RESPONSIVE, ATTENTIVE AND COMPLETELY RESPECTFUL OF OUR TIME. HE GOT

ZILLOW FIVE-STAR AGENT

TO KNOW US PERSONALLY, THEN HELPED NARROW DOWN ON THE DETAILS. HE SOLD OUR HOME WITHIN 24 HOURS OF LISTING AND PRIOR TO THE “FOR SALE” SIGN GOING UP. WHAT MORE COULD WE ASK FOR?” -SUZETTE M.

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BE SEEN. BE DISTINCT. BE MORE. 44 EXCHANGE STREET, SUITE 200 PORTL AND | 79 TANDBERG TRAIL, WINDHAM, ME 207-775-7653 | L ANDINGHOMESMAINE.COM

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WINTERTIDE

Photography by Dave Dostie Waynflete’s Wintertide event, a community gathering during the coldest time of the year, was held at Brick South on Thompson’s Point. Over 400 attendees enjoyed a family-style dinner and participated in live and silent auctions, raising more than $160,000 for the school’s financial aid program. Local band the Fogcutters provided entertainment. Sponsors included People’s United Bank, Bernstein Shur, and Wright-Ryan Construction. 01

“The generosity of the Waynflete community was on full display at Wintertide. We are grateful to all who supported our financial aid program, which ensures that students from a wide variety of backgrounds have the opportunity to attend Waynflete.” —Geoff Wagg, head of school at Waynflete 07

01 Austin Smith, principal at Scott Simons Architects, and Amy Cohan, vice president of outpatient and community services at Spurwink 02 Nat Thompson, president of Maine Radio and Television Co.; Lee Ramsdell, senior account executive at Clark Insurance; and Greg Boulos, partner at CBRE | The Boulos Company 03 Stephanie Gartner-Fanburg, rheumatologist at Maine Medical Center, and Jonathan Fanburg, primary care provider at Maine Medical Center 04 Anne Smith, director of merchandising at L.L.Bean; Kate Jeton, president of Waynflete Board of Trustees; and Chris Smith, partner at Verrill Dana 05 Ross Burdick, athletic director at Waynflete; McDonald Johnson, Waynflete parent; and John Spritz, Waynflete parent 06 Amanda Wood, Spanish teacher at Waynflete, and Justin Wood, group manager of business analysis at Stone Coast Fund Services 07 Alison McCormack, Waynflete parent; Darius Iranpour, graduate student at University of Southern Maine; Tracy Michaud Stutzman, lecturer in tourism and hospitality at University of Southern Maine; and Carolyn Noyes, designer at Knitwear Designs by Carolyn Noyes 08 Kate Burnham, Waynflete Board of Trustees, and Jim Ohannes

APRIL // 2018

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A-List

COMPILED BY KATE GARDNER // PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ROBERTS

Did You Know… Portland? There’s always something new and exciting happening in Maine’s largest city, but some of Portland’s most intriguing attractions are the ones hiding in plain sight. The Gothic House | West End

Nestled in Portland’s West End is The Gothic House, a two-story home with a large arched window and vine-like carvings bordering its steeply pitched roof. The home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is considered one of the earliest and best examples of Gothic Revival architecture. Built in 1845 where the Holiday Inn by the Bay is now, the home was moved to 387 Spring Street when demolition was threatened in 1971.

The Portland Observatory | East End

Standing tall in Portland’s Munjoy Hill neighborhood is the Portland Observatory, the only surviving maritime tower of its kind in the United States. The tower, which was built in 1807, was used for communication with ships coming into Portland’s harbor until 1923. At 86 feet tall, the octagonal structure now offers visitors sweeping views of Casco Bay.

First Parish Church | Downtown

As the oldest church in Portland, the First Parish Church, built in 1825, has survived a great deal, including the Great Fire of 1866. The church’s congregation was established in 1674, and when the British shot a cannonball into the church’s former building, the parishioners decided to keep it. The 12-pound ball is now embedded in the chandelier hanging over the middle of the worship space.

The Maine Lobsterman Statue | Old Port

Kneeling outside of the Nickelodeon Cinema at the corner of Middle and Temple streets, a bronze lobsterman is banding a lobster claw. The statue, which was built in 1939 by sculptor Victor Kahill of Portland, was modeled after Bailey Island fisherman, H. Elroy “Snoody” Johnson. At the sculpture’s unveiling, onlookers were disappointed that Johnson’s dog, Bruin, wasn’t incorporated. To compensate for the oversight, Bruin was given an honorary lobster license by the state commissioner of sea and shore fisheries.

The Longfellow Garden | Arts District

The secluded Longfellow Garden, which is hidden behind the Wadsworth-Longfellow House and the Maine Historical Society’s museum and research library, offers visitors respite from the bustle of Congress Street. The Colonial Revival-style garden is a great place to go for a quiet walk or to enjoy a peaceful outdoor lunch surrounded by lush greenery. The quaint space is free and open to the public May through October.

Boothby Square Watering Trough | Old Port

Between Pearl and Silver streets where Fore Street turns to cobblestone, traffic is divided by a stretch of greenery and stonework. Among that stonework is the Boothby Square Watering Trough, which was installed in 1902 to provide drinking water for horses, dogs, and goats. It was removed in 1946 after being struck by a car, but was reinstalled in 2004 surrounded by protective granite posts.

Portland Brick | India Street Neighborhood

In the India Street neighborhood, situated between the Old Port and the East End, the sidewalks tell a story. Embedded throughout are thirty handmade bricks commemorating and celebrating neighborhood events in the places they happened. Portland Brick, which was created by artists Ayumi Horie and Elise Pepple, is a creative way to learn about the history of the area, whether it happened recently or as far back as 1632.

Opposite: The Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill. Photo by Jeff Roberts APRIL // 2018

J ES SI C A L AN G DAN C E

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At Aristelle, EveryBody is a Work of Art Aristelle supports Maine Artists Come celebrate First Friday Art Walk with us Shop lingerie Drink champagne & see our collection of local art work May 4th, 2018 5pm-7pm 92 Exchange Street

APRIL //Laurel 2018 Waters 81

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