Sports + Recreation

Walk This Way

Five scenic routes for dog owners looking to shake up their routine Article by Becca Abramson Capisic Pond Park Part nature escape, part neighborhood secret, this park feels worlds away from the city. Winding trails, wooden boardwalks, and abundant wildlife make it a favorite for curious pups eager to follow every new scent. Presumpscot River Preserve When summer heats up, this shady riverside route is a go-to for those in-the-know. Gentle trails wind through the woods alongside the...

Life + Culture

Raising Maine

Lisa Bazinet's mission is simple: help families spend less time searching and more time making memories together Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Real Maine Mom Lisa Bazinet, the mother behind Real Maine Mom, has become a trusted resource for families looking to make the most of life in Maine. What began as her personal passion project grew into a hyperlocal guide connecting parents with family-friendly activities, businesses, and experiences across the state. We caught...

Arts + Culture

The Art of Belonging

Side x Side's approach to education is resonating with students, teachers, and families across Maine Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Side x Side Walk into a Side x Side classroom and you're bound to find something unexpected. Maybe it's a flock of first graders elbow-deep in paper mâché, carefully sculpting birds they've spent weeks researching. It could be a group of fifth graders carving fossil stamps with the focus of professional artists. Or perhaps it's third grade...

Life + Culture

Play is the Point

Brick by Brick gives children space to experiment, imagine, and learn through play Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Brick by Brick On a recent Saturday morning, the Brick by Brick Maine studio in Falmouth was filled with the familiar sounds of childhood: excited chatter, ideas being shared across tables, and the click of LEGO bricks snapping into place. Around the room, children were hard at work creating everything from animals and vehicles to entirely original...

Food + Beverage

The Spirit of the Coast

How the makers of Marine 01 are bringing a distinctly coastal flavor to Maine cocktails Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Evan Kalman There’s something undeniably Maine about a spirit shaped by the sea. With the launch of Marine 01, Portland-based Bold Coast Spirits is bottling that coastal connection in a way that feels both inventive and deeply local. The new small-batch vodka, created by co-founders Jay Lombard and Stuart Littlefield, is the first release in the brand’s Marine...

Arts + Culture

A Stay Worth Framing

Inside Portland’s newest “living gallery” at The West End Collection Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Casco Bay Artisans As Portland’s hospitality scene continues to evolve, one beloved West End property is entering a new era without losing sight of the artistic spirit that made it memorable in the first place. This spring, The West End Collection unveiled a year-long renovation of the former Pomegranate Inn, pairing elevated boutique accommodations with a new partnership...

Life + Culture

Birds on Tap

An unlikely pairing became one of Portland Explorer’s most beloved local experiences Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Portland Explorer For more than a decade, Portland Explorer (formerly the Maine Brew Bus) has built its reputation on showing people a different side of Maine. This version of the state is rooted less in bucket-list tourism and more in curiosity, connection, and local discovery. Even by Portland standards, though, combining birding with brewery hopping...

Life + Culture

Cruise Control

Set sail, haul traps, and soak up summer across southern Maine with these excursions that offer a fresh perspective on some of the state’s most iconic scenery Article by Becca Abramson Lucky Catch Lobster Cruises luckycatch.com For a quintessentially Maine adventure, hop aboard a working lobster boat with Lucky Catch Cruises. The 80- to 90-minute excursion takes passengers through Casco Bay while crews haul traps and share insight into the state’s storied lobster industry. Along the way...

Food + Beverage

The Bagel Guy Next Door

Blue House Bagels is a homegrown operation with a devoted local following Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Lauren Lear On a quiet stretch off Portland’s peninsula, there’s a moment when the neighborhood starts to stir. A dog barks, a car door shuts, someone heads out for coffee. Inside one house, though, the morning has been underway for hours. Ryan Mash is already baking. The dough he’s working with isn’t new—it’s been resting, developing, quietly doing its thing for nearly two...

Life + Culture

3,600+ Miles to Go

As he turns 80, Portland chocolatier Dean Bingham sets out on another cross-country journey Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by courtesy of Dean Bingham As he approaches his 80th birthday, Dean Bingham, founder of Dean’s Sweets, isn’t slowing down. Instead, he’s gearing up for his next goal: a cross-country bike ride from the Pacific to the Atlantic, an ocean-to-ocean journey fueled by grit, curiosity, and purpose. “I think it’s a challenge,” he says simply. “There’s something pretty...