Local Services

Protecting What Matters Most

The big—and sometimes little—changes in life are worth an insurance check-in Article by Becca Abramson One minute you’re buying your first home; the next, there’s a baby in the backseat. Maybe you’ve started a business, inherited a family property, or entered retirement. The milestones themselves are exciting—often the very things we’re most thankful for—but they can also be a good reminder to take stock of what needs protecting. According to Cailyn Healy of Comparion Insurance, these moments...

Food + Beverage

Last Call, First Stop

The people behind Portland’s bars reveal where they go when the workday ends Article by Becca Abramson When the shift is over and the last tab is closed, where does Portland’s bar crowd go? We asked local bartenders to share their favorite post-shift haunts, from late-night bites to neighborhood watering holes. Consider this your insider’s guide to where the industry unwinds after hours. Couper Jepson / Lucky Cheetah I specifically like to go to Blythe & Burrows, as they have a phenomenal...

Life + Culture

Stitched Together

What started with one unfinished sweater has become a global community built on generosity, connection, and the simple act of helping Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Winky Lewis There is something wonderfully Maine about helping without making a big production of it. You bring a casserole to a neighbor who’s having a hard week. You shovel the walkway before anyone asks. You know someone who knows someone who can fix the thing that needs fixing. And if you happen to know how to knit...

Arts + Culture

A Life Well-Lived

Erin Flett on finding home, inspiration, and a slower rhythm at The Yellow Field Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Carney Abbott You’ve written that “home” is your theme for 2026. With the year coming to a close, how have you found yourself embracing that theme? For so many years I was running—raising girls, building a business, making payroll, making things, dreaming up the next thing. Always moving. This farm, the Yellow Field, has somehow asked me to stop, or at least slow down...

Food + Beverage

Let's Taco 'Bout It

Bird & Co.’s new infused avocado oils bring a little restaurant magic home Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Bon Vivants Creative & Nicole Wolf At The Bird & Co., the philosophy has always been simple: You Deserve Tacos . Now, the Portland taco shop wants to make good on that promise in your own kitchen. The Woodford’s Corner restaurant, opened by Wills Dowd and Jared Dinsmore in 2019, has launched The Original Taco Oil, a line of avocado-based infused oils designed to bring a little...

Food + Beverage

A Better Birria Taco

Bird & Co.’s Roja Taco Oil takes the cheesy, crispy classic to the next level Article by Becca Abramson, recipe courtesy of Bird & Co. | Photography by Nicole Wolf Birria tacos are beloved for their crispy, chile-red tortillas, juicy shredded meat, melty cheese, and bold, savory flavor. This streamlined version brings all those craveable elements to the table with a generous dip and drizzle of Bird & Co.’s Roja Taco Oil. Whether you use shredded beef or pork carnitas, the result is a crisp...

Home + Design

Setting the Mood

Medrek Design gives a landmark Portland space a fresh identity while letting its original character shine Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Ryan Garrigan The Marquis feels like it has always belonged on Park Street. Warm light spills through its windows, inviting passersby inside, while the historic bones of the Lafayette Hotel give the space a sense of place that can’t be manufactured. But creating that atmosphere took more than choosing the right paint color or furniture. For Kevin...

Food + Beverage

The Thai Pantry, Unpacked

Nonglack Thanephonsey of Dok Mali shares the Thai staples every home cook should know Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Lauren Lear What are some Thai ingredients you wish more home cooks in Maine knew about?  Galangal, lime leaves, Thai basil, fish sauce, and tamarind—these ingredients can completely change the character of a dish. Galangal, for example, looks like ginger, but it has a sharper taste and a citrusy aroma. Lime leaves add an incredible floral fragrance and flavor to...

Life + Culture

Hidden in Plain Sight

The thoughtful details behind one of Maine's most meaningful children's brands Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Zack Bowen When Sarah Piasecki and her sister Christine Bitetti set out to create Izzy Lee's, they weren't fashion designers. One worked in commercial real estate, the other was a physician assistant. They were just two sisters, home during the uncertainty of the pandemic, searching for a way to transform unimaginable loss into something that could bring comfort, beauty...

Style + Beauty

Homegrown Confidence

Jessica Candage proves individuality never goes out of fashion Article by Becca Abramson | Photography by Kim Chapman Photography What parts of your Maine upbringing shaped who you are today? I started pursuing makeup and music while still living in Maine. The support from the community was always huge for me, and I still feel it living in Nashville. I hope to make my Maine people proud! Mainers are so loyal and kind, and I bring that into my world everyday. When you come home to Maine...