Life + Culture

Pull Up a Seat

Inside Man & Oak, Portland's private bottle club Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Lauren Lear Walk down Oak Street in the Old Port and you might miss it—tucked discreetly behind frosted glass, with nothing to announce itself but a subtle logo. But inside Man & Oak, a members-only bottle club founded by whiskey enthusiast and industry veteran Michael Meir, something exceptional is happening. “It’s not that I pay to drink my own bottles,” one member told Meir. “I pay to share my...

Food + Beverage

Sipped, Savored, Selected

Man & Oak director Michael Meir picks five whiskeys that hit all the right notes Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Lauren Lear William Larue Weller  “My #1 all-time favorite bourbon. It’s high proof with mouth moisture wicking elements—a real flavor bomb—yet easy to drink. The mark of excellence!” EH Taylor Barrel Proof  “I’m a sucker for the history of this brand and a nerd for the history of the spirirt itself. Taylor is the godfather of bourbon for good reason, and no...

Arts + Culture

Brotherly Harmony

Sean Oshima talks music, Maine, and what it means to be a good man in a boy band Article by Becca Abramson For Sean and Jamie Oshima, music didn’t begin with a record deal or a viral hit. It started in rural Maine—at musical gatherings, family jam sessions, and homes filled with instruments rather than formal lessons. “Our parents are musicians and artists,” Sean says. “We grew up surrounded by songs. There were no lessons, but there was a lot of music.” Now, the Japanese-Italian Oshima...

Life + Culture

Worn Wild

How Sambob’s custom fleece became the outdoors’ most personal layer Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Kim Chapman When Sam Roberts, founder of Sambob, traded bird banding and backcountry hikes for a sewing machine and stacks of Polartec fleece, he wasn’t trying to launch a business—he was just trying to make the perfect hoodie. “I got kind of into the ultralight backpacking world of gear,” Roberts says, recalling his days as a wildlife biologist crisscrossing national parks in Utah...

Food + Beverage

The Next Course

Reo Miyake introduces Aomori, a family affair in Japanese comfort food Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Courtesy of Reo Miyake You’ve grown up in and around the restaurant world. Was it always the plan to follow in your father’s footsteps? I’ve always loved food. When my dad opened Miyake and Pai Men, I started helping out during middle and high school. I enjoyed it at first, but working weekends and holidays eventually wore on me. I moved to Tokyo to study international business...

Local Services

Beyond Skin Deep

Bibi Pillet O’Connell’s journey into medical tattooing and its life-changing impact Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Lauren Lear When Bibi Pillet O’Connell first discovered medical tattooing, she had no idea it would become her life’s work. Initially a journalist, her journey took an unexpected turn when she began assisting her father, a veterinarian, in tattooing identification numbers on puppies. That early experience with precision and ink sparked something in her. “I was always...

Local Services

Redefining the Glow-Up

Brooke Harris is blending science and self-care in the world of aesthetic medicine Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Samantha Dahlborg / Studio Citrine Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to start Maine Aesthetic Medicine?  I was raised in the small town of Lee, Maine and knew from 5 years of age I wanted to be a nurse. I graduated in 2015 from University of Maine at Fort Kent and immediately entered the workforce in both the hospital and aesthetic setting...

Local Services

Vivid Vision

Hallie Mitchell on building a business and elevating Maine’s visual landscape Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Vivid Design Studios Hallie Mitchell’s journey into the world of design wasn’t exactly conventional. As the founder of Vivid Design Studios, a thriving Portland-based creative agency, her path has been one of unexpected turns, relentless ambition, and a deep commitment to the local creative community. Mitchell’s interest in art and design took root early, though...

Home + Design

A New Blueprint

Shannon Richards's approach to streamlining real estate, supporting creatives, and leading by example Article by Becca Abramson Shannon Richards doesn’t just build homes—she builds possibilities. The founder of Hay Runner, a real estate, architecture, and construction firm, Richards is redefining what it means to own and maintain property in Maine. With a commitment to simplifying homeownership and fostering a strong creative workforce, she has become a force for innovation in an industry...

Home Services

The Ultimate Home Tech Guide

Stephen Tucker shares the best smart home, security, and entertainment upgrades for a modern, connected lifestyle Article by Becca Abramson For over 35 years, Tucker & Tucker Audio Video by Design has been a frontrunner in integrated home technologies that elevate comfort, security, and entertainment, offering bespoke solutions that cater to the modern homeowner's needs. From state-of-the-art audio/video systems to comprehensive smart home automation, their services are designed to enrich your...