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As you stroll past The Works Cafe and Temple Street Parking Garage on your way to the Nickelodeon Cinemas to take in another round of the Barbie movie, you may not notice an intriguing stone object lying nearby amidst a small patch of greenery. Here lies the Face of Mirth; a lone remnant of the…

Courtesy of Natural Resources Council of Maine   I have wondered from time to time, as I sat on the deck of Luke’s Lobster at the end of the Portland Pier, if the seals know how good the food is here?  Has somebody told them?  Is that why they’re here?  Do they read restaurant reviews? …

I’m afraid of ghosts but I like to think that if I was a ghost, I would not be afraid of boots. This a picture of a boot that a coworker of mine found in her wall during a renovation here in Portland. Apparently, there is an old superstition (18th, 19th century, maybe older) that…

On July 4, 1866, Portland, Maine experiences the biggest urban fire in America to date.  Almost 2,000 buildings go to the ground and 10,000 people lose their homes in the space of a day. There’s nothing like it in America until the Great Chicago Fire which will come seven years later. The Portland Fire is…

There is a story about the roof of the old Eastland Hotel (now the Westin) in Portland, Maine. The Eastland has a lot of stories connected to it. When it was built in 1927 it was one of the most elegant, and the biggest hotels in New England north of Boston. Charles Lindberg, fresh from…

Here’s a universal rule of life. If your diet consists of garbage and discarded smelly fish, you’re going to develop self image problems later on in life. Pity the seagull!  Here’s one I recently spotted down by the Casco Bay Lines Ferry Terminal in Portland coaxing the last drops out of a nips bottle. For…

This is not a spooky subject. To prove it, here’s a ghost sign, a recent example, that is fun!  It’s the old Brian Boru sign on Center Street, closed 2018. Ghost signs are painted commercial signs of businesses that are lost and gone, usually much older than my first example. At the turn of the…

There’s a  wide variety in Portland, Maine!  Try these 5 Great Places for Adult Beverages when in town.  Portland, Maine – a perfect destination for a quick weekend getaway, a week by our beaches or even a lifetime (we won’t tell your boss).  With so many choices, you can find a speakeasy, charming cocktail spot,…

Portland, Maine has become the best city in the country for craft beer in quality and quantity. Our food and beer scene is truly award-winning. As a beer-slinging, IPA-obsessed local I know it can be overwhelming to navigate our vast brewery scene, so I am here to help! It has been a long journey for…

Healthy Holiday Meals  This holiday season will definitely be much different than it has in the past. Navigating the holiday through the COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge we all must face. To brighten your plates, we have put together three easy and healthy recipes for you to try. Here are some simple, immune-boosting recipes to consider serving this holiday season.  Anise tea  Ingredients: -3 cups of water -2 teaspoons of anise seeds -1 cinnamon stick -2 tablespoons of honey -2 black tea bags In a saucepan, combine everything except for the blackt tea bags. Bring to a simmer for three minutes. Strain the liquid. Pour the liquid into mugs. Place a tea bag in each mug and allow it to steep for three minutes. Enjoy! Roasted Sweet Potatoes Ingredients: -2 large sweet potatoes, diced -3 tablespoons of olive oil -2…

COVID-19 Conscious Holiday Activities in Maine The holiday season this year will look a little bit different for everyone this year, but that doesn’t mean your family has to compromise their holiday spirit! While remaining safe and socially distant is of utmost importance, there are plenty of activities to do in Maine this winter. Here’s Maine Foodie Tours’ guide to a safe and fun holiday season.  Take a Walking History Tour with us! While our public Foodie Tours have been put on hold, our Walking History Tours are still running! We are currently offering private and public Walking History Tours, and private Food Tours. Our Walking History Tours are a great way to enrich yourself in the stories our cities have to tell. You may also get a chance to see the town’s holiday decorations! Book here now. Kennebunkport’s Christmas…

Tis the season for holiday parties, which also means lots of holiday beverages, and we’ve got a tasty, new recipe for you to try! Our friends at Captain Jefferd’s Inn in Kennebunkport were recently featured on our “Prelude” festive Happy Hour Tour and were kind enough to share their family recipe for Swedish Glogg with us. It was so delicious, we’re paying it forward and passing it on to you.  This festive beverage simmers on the stovetop with mulling spices and raisins to fill your home with mouth watering aromas and, served hot, it warms the cockles of any heart. A perfect drink for entertaining your guests this winter. We encourage you to wet your whistle (repeatedly) with this one! Swedish Glogg From the kitchen of … Captain Jefferd’s Inn Kennebunkport, Maine INGREDIENTS:   Makes about five 750ml bottles 1.5 –…