2013 MidCoast Farmers’ Markets & Local CSA’s

After a long snowy winter it’s finally getting to be that time again when fresh locally grown foods will be available alfresco.  What’s better than a trip to a Farmers’ Market on a bright sunny morning?
Here’s a list of our local markets, when they operate and where to find them as well as a list of some local CSA’s.  Buy Local!

Camden Farmers’ Market 05/11/13 – 10/26/13 Sat 9-12 & Wed 3:30-6 behind the Knox Mill, access via Washington St & Knowlton St.  On Facebook: Camden Farmers’ Market  www.camdenfarmersmarket.org  Contact: Kevin Weiser, 568-3201

Herring Gut Community Market Thurs 10-3, July and August, at the end of Lobster Pound Rd in Port Clyde.  On Facebook: Herring Gut Learning Center  Contact: Katie Gloede, ktgloede@gmail.com

North Haven Farmers’ Market 06/01/13 – 09/14/13  Sat 9-11 at the ball field.

Rockland Farmers’ Market 05/16/13 – 10/31/13
Thu 9-12:30  at Harbor Park, just off Main St near the intersection of Park St & Main St, on the waterfront. rocklandfarmersmarket.org/  and on Facebook: Rockland Farmers’ Market  Contact: info@rocklandfarmersmarket.org

State of Maine Cheese Farmers’ Market in Rockport Sat 9-12, Year Round, 461 Commercial St.  Contact: State of Maine Cheese Co. 236-8895

Union Farmers’ Market Fri 3-6, late May to mid-Oct, on the Common. www.unionfarmersmarket.org and on Facebook: Union Farmers’ Market Contact: 207.701.1069

Washington Grange Farmers’ Market 05/05/12 – 12/28/13 Year Round, Sat 10-1, 31 Old Union Rd (off Rt 220 in the Evening Star Grange #183 parking lot). Winter Season: 2nd Saturday Jan, Feb & March. Market wide summer CSA. On Facebook: Washington Grange Farmer’s Market  Contact: Sharon Turner, 845-2140

Community Supported Agriculture
Hope’s Edge Farm an Organic CSA located in Hope, Maine. http://hopesedgefarm.com/

Comprised of 100 acres of open fields and mixed woodlands, Hope’s Edge Farm is located in Northwest Hope and is committed to organic/biodynamic practices.

Membership in a CSA is based on “shares of the harvest.” The shareholders underwrite the harvest for the entire season by paying for their shares in advance. The shareholder is then invited to visit the farm once a week to pick up a bag of fresh, seasonal produce grown without agricultural chemicals.

Some Other Local CSA’s
Weskeag Farms in Thomaston
Terra Optima Farm in Thomaston
Peacemeal Farm in Dixmont
Dandelion Spring Farm in Newcastle

For a full list of Maine CSA’s visit the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) website.

LGBT Maine Wedding How To

We were delighted by the passage of Maine’s new freedom to marry law!

Same-sex couples will be allowed to get married on Saturday December 29th, 2012.

If you are planning to get a marriage license you should call your local town office to find out if they’re going to be open that day and whether you need to make an appointment.  You can find the phone number for your town office by going to www.maine.gov/local.

If you’d like to actually marry on December 29th or 31st, you should make arrangements with your local town office ahead of time.  Some towns are providing officials who can marry you and some are not.

As luck would have it we just happen to have an excellent suggestion for the perfect officiant.  A Master Mariner and Notary Public, our own Captain Ken Barnes has thirty-five years experience officiating at many marriage ceremonies, both at sea and onshore anywhere in Maine.  He looks forward to facilitating same-sex couples to be able to stand before their friends, family and community and make a lasting vow to be there for one another.  While he’d be performing a “civil ceremony”, it needn’t be devoid of special meaning or spirituality.  Your wedding day is a very special day.  Call 207-594-2364 or 596-7950 or email okesbarnes@hotmail.com

Since Captain Barnes also owns the Inn, intimate weddings can be hosted here.  He can marry you in front of the fireplace in our lovely living room, or in another venue of your choosing anywhere in the state of Maine.

Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) offers these tips on getting married:• To get a license, a couple must go to the clerk’s office in the city or town where either one lives.
• Once a license is issued, a couple has 90 days to get married.
• A marriage can be performed by a justice of the peace, a judge, a notary public, an attorney or an ordained clergy member.
• The ceremony must be witnessed by at least two people other than the officiant, and signed by the couple, the officiant and witnesses.
• The officiant must return the marriage certificate to the town clerk within seven days of the ceremony.For help with other legal questions surrounding Maine’s new marriage law, use the GLAD Legal Info Line by clicking here. Or by calling: 1-800-455-GLAD (4523).

For a more complete look at the legal side of getting married in Maine, download GLAD’s “Marriage in Maine: The Basics” by clicking here.

To view the Webinar that was co-hosted by GLAD, EqualityMaine and the Maine Women’s Lobby, click here. 

Historic Inns of Rockland is a Tourism Success Story

BROOKINGS INSTITUTION & GROWSMART MAINE RECOGNIZE HISTORIC INNS OF ROCKLAND AS A TOURISM SUCCESS STORY
Charting Maine’s Future Report spotlights four historic Rockland inn’s tourism success

Rockland, ME (9-27-12): In 2006, GrowSmart Maine brought the Brookings Institution, a nationally recognized, nonpartisan think tank, to Maine and called together people from across the state then asked “What do you love about this place?” Subsequent conversations gathered the information needed to define how Maine could grow its economy without losing those valued natural resources. Charting Maine’s Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Places resulted from these conversations including a research and action plan and a set of directives. Fast forward to 2012 and a follow up report checking in on progress was completed and announced today. Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway, aptly summarizes the progress made over the past six years on many of Charting Maine’s Future’s goals and recommendations. Today’s report concludes that despite setbacks brought by the Great Recession of 2008, there are many success stories around the state to highlight, illustrating the depth of commitment and breadth of talent in the state.  Historic Inns of Rockland, a consortium of four historic inns in Rockland, ME, including Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn, Captain Lindsey House Inn, and Granite Inn, were spotlighted as THE success story for Maine’s tourism sector and identified as the shining star among Maine’s Tourism industry. The report stated “Working together to market the Rockland vacation experience, members of Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine, have put many of their individual marketing priorities aside to cooperatively attract attention to Rockland’s premier inns and vacation experiences.”

GrowSmart Maine identified the Historic Inns of Rockland as a tourism industry leader via news stories about the organization and interviews with community leaders. Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway researchers contacted Historic Inns of Rockland innkeepers to gather information and confirm the progressive group of four inn’s investment in the community serves as an example of a strong and successful private business and community partnership.  Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway goes on to explain “the Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine, are working closely with local businesses and the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce to collectively attract vacationers through public relations campaigns, creative marketing, a wedding consortium, a central reservation line, enticing events, a collective eco-initiative, and an informative website. Businesses throughout the community have contributed to this effort. Many visitors have participated in packages offered by the Historic Inns of Rockland and many dollars have been spent within the community by people enjoying the shopping, restaurants, museums, and local attractions. This collaborative effort has helped many of the local businesses involved in tourism thrive during the turbulent past few years.” Restaurateur, Kerry Altiero, chef and owner at Rockland’s Café Miranda, calls the initiative “brilliant, selfless and absolutely one of the best things that’s happened to my business,” according to the report.  “We are incredibly honored and humbled to be spotlighted as a tourism success story in Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway,” said Cheryl Michaelsen, who was interviewed by GrowSmart Maine. “While we’re just four historic inns on Maine’s Midcoast, working cooperatively and with the community we’ve been able to make a difference in our communities with events like Pies On Parade, which has contributed more than $50,000 to the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program over its 8-year tenure,” finished Michaelsen. “It takes a village to make our promotions like Lobsterpalooza and our media outreach campaign work,” followed PJ Walter, co-owner of LimeRock Inn. “Without the enthusiasm of the community, it wouldn’t happen. We’re all in it together,” finished Walter.

Maine Open Lighthouse Day 9/15/12

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

The U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Maine and the American Lighthouse Foundation are pleased to announce the fourth annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day on September 15th.  An increasingly popular event, it’s the largest effort of its kind in the nation.

Maine treasures its 68 lighthouses, 18 of which are within a 40 mile radius of Camden, Maine. The Midcoast region of Maine is comprised of hundreds of peninsulas and many miles of jagged coastline that became both beautiful and dangerous for navigation. Maine lighthouses served as both beacons of hope and warning for wayward mariners.

While many of Midcoast Maine’s 18 lighthouses are only accessible by boat, four distinctly different lighthouses (Rockland, Owls Head, Marshall Point & Pemaquid Point) are within easy driving distance of the Inn.  In Rockland’s north end, you can walk the 7/8th-mile-long breakwater to the Rockland Breakwater Light.  A short drive south of Rockland will bring you to Owls Head Light in Owls Head Light State Park where there’s a convenient parking area near the lighthouse.

Further down the St. George peninsula you’ll come to Marshall Point Lighthouse with its small museum and gift shop. Along the way you may want to stop at the Art of the Sea Gallery to view an extensive display of nautical art and artifacts. Stop at any of the several quintessential Maine Lobster “shacks” right on the edge of the water. You know the lobster will be fresh.

From Marshall Point, detour through the village of Port Clyde where there are several shops and galleries worth a visit. This is also the port for one of the boats making trips to Monhegan.

Pemaquid Point is a short ride further south. This is one of the most photographed lighthouses along the coast and has a spectacular setting. If it looks familiar, perhaps you’ve seen it on the Maine quarter. You can travel through picturesque Damariscotta before traveling back to Rockland.

MidCoast Maine Lighthouse Map

Click on the map above or any of the lighthouses below for more information and the locations of all of  Midcoast Maine’s  lighthouses:
Browns Head Lighthouse
Curtis Island Lighthouse
Goose Rocks Light
Grindle Point Lighthouse
Heron Neck Light
Indian Island Lighthouse
Isle au Haut Light
Marshall Point Lighthouse
Matinicus Rock Light
Monhegan Island Light
Owls Head Light
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Rockland Breakwater Light
Rockland Harbor Southwest Light
Saddleback Ledge Light
Tenants Harbor Light
Two Bush Island Light
Whitehead Light

With our central location, you can make the Captain Lindsey House Inn your headquarters for immersion into the unique Maine experience. Unpack your bags, put away your stress, don comfortable clothes (there is little formality in Maine) and revel in the beauty and the peacefulness that has inspired artists, writers and poets for generations. There are few things Mainers enjoy more than sharing our maritime history.  This fascinating event only comes around once every year.  We hope we’ll see you soon.

It’s Maine Wild Blueberry Pie Time!

Homemade Maine Wild Blueberry Pie

We’re bakin’ up pies as fast as Maine Wild Blueberries are bein’ picked.   Aside from being deee-licious, wild blueberries are rich in antioxidants and great anti-inflammatory food.  An excellent source of fiber and manganese, their health benefits are known to also include cancer prevention, urinary tract health, protection against stroke, heart health, vision health, and possible helping with metabolic syndrome.

These luscious berries are one of the few fruits native to North America. Native North Americans believed the Wild Blueberry had magical powers. Atop each Wild Blueberry is the base of its earlier flower, a calyx in the shape of a five-pointed star. Legend has it that during a time of starvation, the Great Spirit sent these “star berries” down from the heavens to relieve the hunger of his children.

Capt Ellen Barnes with Wild Blueberries

Named obviously for their velvety, deep-blue color, blueberries are also known as bilberries,  whortleberries  and hurtleberries.

Fresh wild blueberries are in their prime season right now here in Maine.  A glorious, tasty garnish for most any dish, they’re fabulous when infused into your favorite spirits as well as being the star of the show in desserts and fruit dishes.

But the pies that we make for afternoon snacking certainly aren’t the only delivery system we’ve found for these healthy delectable orbs.  Our guests  enjoy them in our sumptuous breakfast incarnations from blueberry pancakes,  muffins, scones, jams or sprinkled on our famous homemade granola.

Midcoast Farmers’ Markets Open May 17th!

Camden Farmers’ Market, Sat 9-12 & Wed 3:30-6, May through Oct, behind the Knox Mill, access via Washington St & Knowlton St.  www.camdenfarmersmarket.org  On Facebook: Camden Farmers’ Market  Contact: Kevin Weiser, 568-3201

North Haven Farmers’ Market, Sat 9-11, June through Sept, at the ball field.

Rockland Farmers’ Market, Thu 9-12:30, mid-May thru Oct, at Harbor Park, just off Main St near the intersection of Park St & Main St, on the waterfront. rocklandfarmersmarket.org/  and on Facebook: Rockland Farmers’ Market  Contact: info@rocklandfarmersmarket.org

State of Maine Cheese Farmers’ Market in Rockport, Sat 9-12, Year Round, 461 Commercial St.  Contact: State of Maine Cheese Co. 236-8895

Union Farmers’ Market, Fri 3-6, late May to mid-Oct, on the Common. www.unionfarmersmarket.org and on Facebook: Union Farmers’ Market Contact: 207.701.1069

Washington Grange Farmers’ Market, Year Round, Sat 10-1, 31 Old Union Rd (off Rt 220 in the Evening Star Grange #183 parking lot). Summer Season: weekly, mid-April – mid Dec. Winter Season: 2nd Saturday Jan, Feb & March. Market wide summer CSA. On Facebook: Washington Grange Farmer’s Market  Contact: Sharon Turner, 845-2140

Belfast Farmers’ Market, Fri 9-1, May thru Oct, Waterfall Arts parking lot, 256 High St, with monthly Main St. celebrations the first Friday of each month.   http://www.belfastfarmersmarket.org/  On Facebook: Belfast Farmers’ Market  Contact:  Kevin Weiser, 568-3201

Brooks Farmers’ Market, Sat 9-1, late May to Oct, Brooks Town Office.  Contact: Lauren & Bill Errickson, 722-4324, singingnettlefarm@gmail.com

Davistown Farmers’ Market, in Liberty, Thu 3:30-6, mid-May thru Oct, corner of Rt 3 and Marshall Shores Rd (near John’s Ice Cream). Contact:  Pam or Don, Pagett Farm, 993-2500.

Lincolnville Farmers’ Market, Wednesday 2-6 and Saturday 9-12, year round, across from the Lincolnville Center General Store at the intersections of Rt 52, Rt 173, and Rt 235.  Contact:  Briar Lyons, (802) 318-6185 or briarlf@gmail.com.  On facebook:  Lincolnville Farmers’ Market and lincolnvillefarmersmarket.blogspot.com/

Searsmont Farmers’ Market, Tue 3-6 & Sat 8-1, mid-May thru Oct, in the old Town Hall parking lot across from the Post Office on Main St.  On Facebook: Patrons of Searsmont Farmer’s Market.  Contact:  Joselyn Marston, 342-4082.

Searsport Farmers’ Market, Wed 9-1, June to Oct, downtown next to Tozier’s Market, 22 East Main Street.  Contact: Dick Desmarais, 548-2868, radiosearsport@aol.com

Unity Market Day, Sat 9-1, May to Thanksgiving, Unity Community Center, 32 School St (Rt 139).  EBT cards accepted.  www.unitymarketday.org

Common Ground Country Fair Farmers’ Market, the third weekend after Labor Day (September 23 – 25, 2011) 9am-6pm on Fri & Sat, 9am-5pm on Sun.  At MOFGA’s Common Ground Country Fair in Unity. www.mofga.org

Winterport Open Air Market,1st & 3rd Sat, 10-2, May thru Sept, on Rt 1A in Winterport’s Downtown Parking Lot (next to Winterport Commercial House, 114 Main St). www.facebook.com/WinterportOpenAirMarket Contact:  Nancy Tang, wabanews@gmail.com, 207-944-6034

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Windjammer Parade

As I stroll down the atmospheric streets of downtown Rockland, Maine my mind drifts back to a day last Summer, when I boarded the Stephen Taber for a mystical week of fair winds, stunning coastal vistas and fabulous food, culminating in the spectacular Windjammer Parade in Rockland Harbor.  Suddenly, the wharf comes alive inside my head, the sounds and smells of that early Summer morning are reborn.  The gulls screech overhead as my olfactory nerves process  the combined scents of galley wood stoves, salt air and canvas – a bouquet unique to the Maine windjammer trade.  It’s so wonderful to be alive at that moment.  And to be on board the Stephen Taber.

What a week it was… the first day out, stiff and steady winds send the Taber flying up the Bay with a bone in her teeth until the end of the day, when we drop the hook just off Swan’s Island.  Not too long ago Captain Noah Barnes had fitted the Taber with a new set of sails, cut to wrench every last drop of power out of the wind, and his intuitive helmsmanship had taken full advantage, keeping her at near hull speed, over 9 knots- one of the most exhilarating days of sail I had ever experienced.

Underway

As the sun sets over the Bay, the Taber crew tucks in the sails; ducks, seals and a bald eagle make their appearance, almost as if they were sent over from Central Casting. Crew member Celia entertains us with a lovely bit of strumming and folk singing; a double rainbow graces the sky. Galley Chef Anna Miller prepares a mouth-watering dinner, one of many that week which will include hand-made fettuccine in Alfredo sauce, roast duck, seafood chowder and, of course, a decadent lobster clambake on a rocky, secluded island beach.  As the Milky Way fills the crystal-clear Maine sky, a fully sated company of passengers fall into their bunks, to be gently rocked to sleep by a benign Mother Penobscott.

Mornings aboard the Taber are special, and much to be savored.  The dew which accumulates overnight still clings to the deck and cabin tops; the aromas of coffee, bacon and wood smoke waft from the galley below to mingle with the heady dankness of canvas, three-strand manila line and salt water.  Passengers rise, conversations spark, novels are read.  Anna and crew bring up pitchers of juice, savory platters of breakfast items and urns of rich, powerful Rock City coffee.  Life is good and is promising to get even better.

Anchored Off Stonington

After morning junkets in Noah’s hand-crafted wherry, “Plain Jane” and the stowing of the morning breakfast bric-a- brac, the Taber weighs anchor and the heavy gaffs with their voluminous sails are raised. On a gaff-rigged schooner, this takes a healthy number of volunteers to make the crew’s job easier;  after many a heave-ho’s and a push from “Babe,” the Taber’s diesel-powered yawl boat (the schooner’s only auxiliary power,) we are underway.

Each day’s itinerary is determined by the prevailing wind and weather conditions; nothing is carved in stone, other than we can be assured that, at some point, a beach with a driftwood fire steaming dozens of tasty lobsters and corn-on-the-cob is in our future.  At each day’s end we wind up in picturesque coves and harbors with story book names: Stonington, Hell’s Half-Acre, North Haven, Somesville. But at the end of the week, we are in for a special treat- the annual Windjammer Parade.

Sailing In Company

Every year Rockland hosts this gathering of working sail, featuring the cream of the Maine Windjammer Association’s fleet.  Saturday afternoon we rendezvous with the other vessels to proudly gavotte past admiring spectators lined up by the Rockland Light and into the spacious harbor, a spectacular display of working sail harkening back to the nineteenth century.  It is an historic panorama that not many folks ever get to see firsthand.

Following our last dinner aboard the Taber (Anna has roasted an amazing fillet of duck with potatoes and wine sauce) we are ferried ashore in the yawl boat for an atmospheric evening of traditional and contemporary sea chanteys by two prominent troubadours of the Maine maritime folk music scene- Nick Appolonio and Gordon Bok.  It’s a perfect musical finale to a memorable week of sailing.

The following morning the Schooner Stephen Taber returns to its dockside home in Lermond Cove; we pick up our dunnage and exchange misty-eyed goodbyes with our shipmates.  At least until next year.

But, as my mind snaps back to the present, the siren song of Springtime is just a faint chorus in the wind blowing intermittently through the hills and harbors of Mid-coast Maine, as Winter grudgingly loosens her icy grip.  I take a morning stroll down to revisit Windjammer Wharf.  Nestled snugly against the quay are the schooners Stephen Taber and Nathaniel Bowditch, recognizable only from the massive wooden masts jutting out from under their winter covers. With their white-clad superstructures over the decks they more closely resemble silkworm cocoons, the vessels underneath preparing to emerge in May, when they will once again spread canvas wings and soar over the Penobscott Bay for another glorious season of rustic sailing adventure.
- a grateful passenger

Combine a Maine Windjammer Cruise with a two consecutive-night stay at the Lindsey House and receive a 10% discount off your stay at the inn and exclusive discounts to local businesses when booked in advance. Click here to learn more:
Land & Sea ‘scape Package
Windjammer Sailing Season May 14, 2012 through October 25, 2012