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2023 Seafood Cooking Contest at the Maine Lobster Festival
Watch this video of the Seafood Cooking Contest at the 2023 Maine Lobster Festival held in Rockland , Maine. Over 100 applicant sent in recipes, from which 5 contestants were selected. The amateur chefs in person prepare, cook, and present their seafood creations to a panel of judges ( extra samples are made for those in the crowd who have been able to watch this whole procedure). Amateur chiefs this year came not only from Maine, but also from Colorado, New York, and South Carolina.
Why Should Northern China Worry About Flooding?
If you’re thinking, “There’s no way China’s situation could possibly get worse,” you may need to talk to mother nature about the rains and typhoons causing flooding in northern China.
To understand the problem, we need to rewind about 2500 years. The Chinese crop of choice was and still is rice (although corn and wheat would have been quite productive given the Yellow River’s sediment makeup and the region’s arid climate). To produce rice, you must precisely control when and how much water is introduced throughout the growth cycle
Meet the Rockland Maine Breakwater
Check out our new page on the Rockland Breakwater with the live Breakwater Cam along with other information, pictures, and videos!
It’s a great place to view, people watch, boat watch, hike or just be literally out on the water.
An Iran Deal We Can Live With
There’s finally a deal on the table between the US and Iran that everyone can live with…it even looks like Israel has given it the green light. So what does this deal actually look like?
On the surface, this deal looks like the US is getting back those American prisoners who were unjustly detained and releasing $6 billion of frozen Iranian funds. However, this isn’t just about a few people who got caught with dime bags; it’s about the broader relationship at hand.
Why Can’t We Trust the Media?
Propaganda only works when you have an uninformed society, and if you haven’t looked up in a while, we can’t even agree on what color the sky is anymore. So yeah, propaganda is doing just fine here in the States. But how did we get here?
2023 Maine Lobster Festival Big Parade
Watch this video of the complete 2023 Maine Lobster Festival Parade, featuring Co-Grand Marshals , long time volunteers and Directors Bob Oxton and Sharon Lombardo. The 2023 Parade Theme was “The Spirit of 76”, for the 76 years of the Lobster Festival which has been made possible by the 1000 volunteers who work timelessly every year to make this community event as success. This year’s parade features bands, commercial floats, representatives of the US Coast Guard and the US Navy, and much , much more!
Russia’s Largest Port Comes Under Fire
The Ukrainians and Russians had a hectic weekend, so let’s get caught up.
On Friday, the Ukrainians used a naval drone (a motorboat loaded with a crap ton of explosives) to hit a Russian vessel in the port of Novorossiysk. These naval drones have been successful so far; just look at the Kerch Strait Bridge. However, a naval drone hitting Novorossiysk would signal a considerable range increase OR that a third party is involved.
2023 Coronation of the Maine Wild Blueberry Queen at Union Fair
Watch the 2023 Coronation of the Maine Wild Blueberry Queen at Union Fair. The ceremony includes music, speeches, and introductions of many other representatives of festivals and pageants in Maine. Congratulations to the new Wild Blueberry Queen, Crown Princess, Miss Congeniality and all the contestants.
Opening Day Highlights from Union Fair 2023
Watch this video of some Opening Day Highlights at the Union Fair 2023. Included are Opening Day Ceremonies with Union Fair President Matt Elwell, a tour of the livestock barns and interviews with some of the livestock handlers, the Youth Showmanship Class with Belties, and the judging of the Berry Pie Cooking Contest. Lots more was going on at the Union Fair so these are just some of the highlights. Come see the Fair for yourself next time!
Preview of Union Fair July 26 – 30, 2023
Watch this Preview of what’s going on at Union fair this year, 2023. Charlie interviews Brittany Anthony, Blueberry Queen Coordinator, Rick Elwell, President of the Union Fair Committee, and Rick Butler, Head of Public Relations. Remember, the dates for the Union Fair changed last year. The Fair is held a month earlier than in past years; now at the end of July instead of the end of August.
Let’s Talk Turkey (BIG Strategy Changes) || Peter Zeihan
There’s been a lot of movement in Turkey’s neck of the woods, so the Turks have had to change their stance on several issues. Given Turkey’s strategic positioning and importance, expect huge regional implications.
Bring Fidium Gigabit To your City/Town
The next step in Internet is Gigabit connections. In Maine, Fidium is active in over 100 Cities/Towns.. Fidium is expanding to more towns with the most interest in being on high speed Internet. You can influence where they expand to next. They want to get this...
Rockport Donut Festival 6/3/2023
Experience the fun of the First Annual Rockport Donut Festival held at Harbor Park on Beautiful Rockport Harbor in Maine on June 2 & 3, 2023.
The Festival included donut decorating, a variety of food trucks, a concert on the harbor Friday night, a 5 K run Saturday morning, a Donut Festival Parade, a Homemade Donut Contest, history of the origin of the donut, a catered Saturday evening dinner, and lots and lots of donuts! Be sure to attend next year!
Camden’s Montgomery Dam Falls make Down East Magazine List
The July 2023 issue of Down East Magazine has a short description of Camden, Maine's Montgomery Dam and Falls as part of an 8-page feature on Maine's waterfalls. The spectacular Montgomery Dam Falls were included among Down East's five "Convenient Cascades" that...
Thomaston Fourth of July Parade 2023
Watch this Midcoast Maine Favorite Event – the Thomaston Fourth of July Parade and Celebration. The parade was led by the American Legion Color Guard and the 2023 Grand Marshall Bob Watts. The theme of the parade this year, “Freedom & Fireworks”, was carried out by the many floats, bands, automotive entries, kids on bikes, and community participants. Be sure to watch the end of this program for an interview with a representative of the Boothbay V.E.T.S. , Inc, an organization that is providing temporary, transitional housing for homeless vets in Maine.
Putin Admits the Wagner Group is an Arm of the Russian State
The Russian state has kept a degree of separation from the Wagner Group for the past decade, but years of war crimes and avoided sanctions are about to come crashing down on Putin…
North American Fires Cause a Smoky Start to Summer in the US
Let’s just say that our old friend Smokey Bear wouldn’t be too happy with the Canadians this past week. And these fires are likely only the beginning of a very long summer of low air quality.
We’re getting hit with the trifecta right now. Wildfires (which are as essential a part of BC’s natural ecosystem management as they are to California’s chaparral) in Northern Alberta and Eastern BC, fires (which happen very rarely) in Quebec and the Maritime provinces, and agricultural fires (yearly slash and burns) in Mexico. These are all large enough to cover a vast swath of the US with smoke individually; adding insult to injury, the smoke from multiple fires is overlapping at different elevations.
Post-COVID China: Will the Economy Bump or Slump?
As countries across the globe peeled back COVID restrictions, many of those economies saw huge (and much-needed) bumps. With China approaching six months since lifting its lockdown, the question on everyone’s mind is why hasn’t the world’s second-largest economy seen an economic bump?
I won’t hold my breath, and the Chinese shouldn’t, either. There is simply too much going on in the Chinese system for reopening to fix everything magically. Between countries pulling their manufacturing needs from China in favor of reshoring, a growing anti-China sentiment, and a terminal demographic situation…China isn’t looking so hot.
Gelato Alert! in Rockport
We welcome Rockport’s newest addition, Freya’s Gelato and Sorbet and Crepes!
Freya’s gelato flavors rotate frequently according to season and ingredient availability. Freya’s gelato is made with milk and cream sourced from Maine farms and includes fresh local ingredients when available.
Dear Friends: Images From Maine #148 — Peter Ralston
Last summer I was out on Vinalhaven in the course of one of our Raven trips when I spied this old propellor lying amidst all the other stuff that inevitably accumulates on working wharves.
I was instantly drawn to it…love at first sight. Perhaps it’s the patina that comes with oxidization, surely the dents, dings and holes have a lot to do with it, but all-in-all, I could feel the many years of hard use it had endured.
I was very pleased by this latest instance of an image and a host of stories finding me and I made a few exposures…but then I was faced by a moral dilemma.
The Ukrainian Counter-Offensive Is Upon Us
There are three main assaults to follow: one of strategic importance and the others being a mix of strategic and emotional significance.
Of Ukrainian Dams and Damn Trolls: A Reflection by Peter Zeihan
By Peter Zeihan A deep dive into the Kakhovka Dam that was destroyed by the Russians. Who probably did what and why. Also an interesting discussion of what has been happening with Russian Internet trolls. https://youtu.be/XlrUkIRCSWI
Thomaston Green (former Maine State Prison Property) and Voter Supression
Why would people be interested in a small town election? Because in Thomaston, Maine, there is a case of voter suppression and deafness on the part of the Select Board to the demands made by the community at a recent Public Hearing on June 1.
Ethanol Free Gas Available in All of Maine.
Maine has long been the home of many lawn mowers, chain saws, outboard motors, jet skis, snow mobiles, automobiles and other gas powered devices. In the southern part of Maine it has been illegal to sell ethanol free gas except for airplanes and race cars. This law...
Going Places 2023 : Toppers Rhum Distillery St. Maarten
In this 2023 episode of Going Places with Charlie & Penny, we visit a top tourist destination in St. Maarten – Topper’s Rhum Distillery Tour. Learn all about rum distilling and bottling and all the various specialty rhums ( French spelling) that Topper makes. In upcoming episodes, we will have more from the friendly island, St. Maarten.
Ukraine War Q&A Series: Why Worry About Ukraine’s Agriculture Exports?
Ukraine’s preferred route for its bulk wheat and maize exports has always been water—specifically via the Black Sea. Now you’re probably thinking, “Even with seaborne export routes being blocked by Russia, can’t Ukraine just send stuff by rail to neighboring countries?” Theoretically, yes, but there are a few problems.
Ukraine War Q&A Series: Why Does Russia Have Oil Supply Issues?
Like CA or NY, most Russian oil is produced in one area, refined in another, and then needs to be shipped to its final destination. For the Russians, thousands of miles separate each of those steps. To complicate this supply chain even further, most of this stuff must be trucked into Ukraine since the Kerch Strait Bridge rail capabilities are gone.
Are We Being Bamboozled by Bamboo?
Bamboo cloth is commonly known as bamboo rayon. Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose, and bamboo rayon is produced by extracting cellulose from bamboo plants and then processing it into fibers. The process involves breaking down the bamboo pulp into a viscous solution, which is then extruded into filaments and spun into yarns to create bamboo rayon fabric.
Ukraine War Q&A Series: What Happened to the 500k Russian Soldiers?
By Peter Zeihan Question number one of the series is...what happened to the half million Russian soldiers I predicted would hit the battlefield by June? This goes without saying, but the data we're working with is shaky. The video could stop there...but it's also...
DEP proposes “risk-based” approach to metal mining
Maine has a number of deposits of crystals that could be similar to the ones in Newry, as well as rare earth elements and the country’s largest reserves of manganese.
A legislative committee tasked with evaluating a slate of mining-related bills made no recommendation on which one(s) to advance after a work session on Thursday, with members insisting they needed more time to weigh the proposals.
Shocked and Baffled
I was shocked and baffled by the letter, published in the April 18 Free Press and other local publications, from a Mr. Robert Wasserstrom.
How our 2022 Select Board subverted Camden’s democratic governance
You may not remember, but back in December The Camden Herald offered readers “A look back at 2022” summarizing significant events that occurred in Camden during the year. Odd as it may seem, apart from noting that voters last June “approved changes to town meeting process”, the article made no reference to what has to be the most profound change to occur in our town’s governance in over 200 years. But, now, with 2023’s Election Day not far off, wouldn’t it be a good idea for Camden’s voters to look back at what legislative powers they might unwittingly have relinquished back on June 14, nearly a year ago?
A landscape dotted with pastures, grazing sheep … and self-storage facilities
“Used to be a time, you could stand in the pulpit talking about Jesus being a good shepherd and look out the window to see sheep grazing right there,” said Ernest James, a town selectman for 40 years – and from time to time the assessor, road commissioner and cemetery caretaker.
But changing lifestyles are driving the demand for self–storage facilities, with more than 50,000 scattered across the country, according to Forbes. At last count, and climbing, Maine had 211 facilities, reports SelfStorage.com, an online self-storage comparison and reservation site. Garages, attics and basements are overflowing, and the self-storage industry is reaping the benefits.
Portland says “we’re pushed to the brink” by mounting homeless crisis
On a recent afternoon in Portland’s Bayside neighborhood, the after-work crowd began to trickle into one of the area’s many craft breweries and locally owned restaurants. Teams arrived at Bayside Bowl, the upscale bowling alley with a popular rooftop bar, for the Wednesday night league. Shoppers packed the parking lots at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.
But a few hundred feet away on Somerset Street, sandwiched between the two grocery stories, was evidence of the mounting homeless crisis in Portland and the surrounding region. As many as 84 tents lined the Bayside Trail, a city official said Tuesday, with more than 30 new ones in just a week.
The World’s Largest Desert… Where You’d never Expect IT!
This place is often overlooked as a desert, but it is in fact the world’s largest desert.
Russian Intelligence Capabilities in Decline
The Soviets once boasted the most intricate and prolific human intelligence network in the world, but things have taken a turn since the end of the Cold War. So why can’t Putin’s Russia keep pace with its predecessors.
Vintage High School Basketball 2002 : Camden Hills Girls vs. Lincoln Academy Season 7, Game # 9
Watch this Vintage High School Girls Basketball game between the Windjammers of Camden Hills and the Eagles of Lincoln Academy. This game was played at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport in January 2002. The starters for Coach Jay Carlsen’s Windjammers were Charlotte Croce, Megan Dailey, Aimee Hoffman, Lauren Withee, and Andrea Blanchard. The starters for Lincoln Academy were Maranda Hope, Tanya York, Katie Harger, Justine Flagg, and Maggie Mara.
The Story Of Two Maine Towns That Fought For 200 Years.
As my subscribers know I lived and worked in Camden and Rockport Maine for almost 25 years. I became as much as an outsider could, a Mainer or Maniac. The town of Rockport asked me to make a film for the 200th anniversary and this clip is a portion of it.
For those of you who grew up in this area, there will be many familiar faces.
Lawmakers mull state-backed bill removing open-pit metal mine size limits
A bill prompted by the discovery of a world-class lithium deposit in Newry would dramatically change Maine law to allow mining of metals in open pits of any size, with up to 100 acres actively mined at any time.
The Mega-Prison of El Salvador, Be Careful of What You Wish for
From Peter Zeihan, the demographic expert on the move around the world.
Today we’re talking about El Salvador’s new ‘mega-prison’ that will be filled with gang leaders, drug traffickers and the worst of the worst. In theory, this sounds great…lock up the bad guys and throw away the key…but the reality is that they may have just opened a can of worms.