Style + Beauty

Merry & Chic

A curated mix of shimmer, polish, and play—built to take you anywhere this holiday season Article by Angela Smith | Photography by Kim Chapman Photography One Blouse, Two Ways A chic reminder that versatility is the ultimate style statement. Add a red scarf and polished pants for a festive daytime look, then trade them for a skirt and jacket when the temperature drops—or the night heats up. Sophisticated yet fun, it’s the perfect outfit formula for Maine’s holiday season. The New Black  ...

Food + Beverage

Joy Baked In

Meet Ann Bayer, the heart behind handmade cookies that invite presence, deepen connection, and spark joy. Article by Angela Smith | Photography by Finn O'Connell Q: How did Mama Bayer Cookies begin? A: It started with a family trip to New York City. We stopped at this gourmet store—and I saw cookies shaped like a taxi cab and the Statue of Liberty. I was in awe. I checked a book out of the library when we got home, taught myself, and practiced until I got it right. Q: You mentioned...

Shopping

Stocking Stash & More

Our favorite stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and books by Maine authors. Article by Angela Smith Consider this your shortcut to thoughtful giving. We scouted Maine shops and makers to find small delights for stockings, gracious host gifts that travel well, and a shelf of Maine books curated by PRINT: A Bookstore. From kitchen keepers to page-turners, these picks feel personal and useful, with a spark of joy. Shop local, wrap with care, and send a little bit of Maine with every gift. And be...

Food + Beverage

Seven Fishes Feast

Italian Christmas Eve, the Maine way, with a little help from Browne Trading Company Article by Angela Smith There’s something timeless about a table built around the sea. For generations, Italian families have gathered on Christmas Eve to celebrate the Feast of the Seven Fishes —seven seafood dishes shared in gratitude and abundance.  A Tradition Anchored in the Sea Here in Maine, the tradition takes on its own flavor, blending old-world recipes with the best of our local waters. While...

Life + Culture

The Science of Gratitude

A conversation with Dr. Robert A. Emmons, the world's leading scientific expert on gratitude Article by Angela Smith Before gratitude lists were a thing, a scientist who put gratitude on the map started his journey in Maine. Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., UC Davis psychologist and a leading gratitude expert, earned his degree at the University of Southern Maine. He recently shared with us what gratitude is—and how to live it. In our Q&A, Emmons brings gratitude from the Hallmark aisle to the lab...

Health + Wellness

Air. Ground. Gratitude

Care in motion. Gratitude in person. How LifeFlight brings the ICU to patients, then helps complete the circle. Article by Angela Smith | Photography by Henry Frank and Mark Fleming LifeFlight of Maine brings the ICU to patients. By helicopter. Plane. Specialty ground ambulance. They meet people on the hardest days of their lives and move them toward care. In one of the most rural states, bases in Bangor, Lewiston, and Sanford let teams reach 90% of Maine within 45 minutes — shrinking long...

Life + Culture

Mainers Talk Thanks

Four Community Members Offer Their Perspective on Gratitude Article by Angela Smith We recently caught up with four Mainers, neighbors you might recognize, to talk about gratitude. We asked two simple prompts that open big doors: 1. What does gratitude mean to you? 2. What’s something you’re grateful for right now? Their answers are personal and practical, reminding us that gratitude is both a mindset and a daily practice—shaped by the work we do, the communities we serve, and the people and...

Arts + Culture

Kindness Delivered

Local shops for cards that carry connection and joy Article by Angela Smith The art of a thank-you note is simple and mighty. It’s gratitude, love, and empathy, tucked inside an envelope. Putting words on paper and sending mail lands differently. Cards carry connection, evaporate distance, and affirm worth. Writing and sending cards takes time. Presence. It’s a personal act that goes a long way. Cards surprise and delight people. They land on a counter or desk and deliver lift every time...

Food + Beverage

From Farm to Table, Feasting the Maine Way

At Wanderwood, a harvest meal blends food, farming, and community. Article by Angela Smith A Harvest Escape at Wanderwood Tucked into Maine’s midcoast, Wanderwood feels like the kind of place you don’t just visit—you step into. Guests arrive by way of a path that winds through blueberry fields and open pasture, the land alive with the season’s rhythm. At its center, an 1870s barn and 1920s farmhouse set the stage for evenings that bring food, farm, and community together in one...

Food + Beverage

Chocolate Silk Pie

A melt-in-your-mouth pie for any occasion Article by Angela Smith | Photography by Josh Samson & A.V. Crofts In one pie-baking competition Anita Verna Crofts entered, chocolate pies were banned because judges feared they’d overshadow humble fruits and custards. While Anita agrees a key lime or peach can rival any dessert, she believes her Chocolate Silk Pie would’ve been unbeatable. Silky and rich, it’s adapted from her grandmother’s legendary recipe, stored in the tin she received from her...