Damariscotta B&B holds Open House

    The fabulous Oak Gables Bed and Breakfast will be holding an open house celebration this Sunday, October 29, from 1 to 3 in the afternoon.

   If you have ever stayed at Oak Gables you know what a wonderful Bed and Breakfast it is. Located on 11 acres overlooking the Damariscotta River and within walking distance of the Village,  Oak Gables features a stately Main House with several over night rooms and a separate river view apartment. There are two apartments available in the Carriage House and a wonderful, private cottage that sits away from the house. There is also a Boat House at the rivers edge with a small game room and a deck that looks like the perfect spot to spend a summer afternoon with a good book.

   At one time the owner, Martha Scudder, ran a highly regarded pre school in the Main House and is affectionately known to a generation of local children as "Miss Martha". Now, she is better known for her breakfast muffins and the peaceful oasis she has created here.

   If you have never stayed at Oak Gables or have always wondered what was behind the stone pillars at the end of Pleasant Street, don't miss this chance! Refreshments will be served and I'm told there are some great door prizes!

Jim Cosgrove

Paul Sullivan Trio in Newcastle

   The fabulous Paul Sullivan Trio will be appearing this Saturday evening, October 21 at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle for the benefit of Skidompha Library.  A resident of Brooklin, (the one in Maine, not the one in New York that's spelled funny) Sullivan is a Grammy winner and a 3 time recipient of the Independent Music Award or "Indie" as it's called.

   The popular jazz pianist and composer has worked with such musical luminaries as Benny Goodman, Tommy Flanagan and Glen Velez, and has performed all over the world. He has also worked extensively in the dance world where his credits include writing music for the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes and the Pilobus Dance Theater.

   The Second Congregational Church is located on Route 1B (Main Street) in Newcastle. The concert will be Saturday night from 7:30 to 9:30 and tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Contact Skidompha Library (563-5513) for tickets.  All proceeds from the concert will benefit the library. Stars Fine Jewelry, The Damariscotta River Grill and Newcastle Square Realty Associates are proud to sponsor this wonderful event for this most worthy cause!

See you there!

Jim Cosgrove

Pemaquid Oyster Festival

   Making plans for the weekend?  Be sure and remember the Pemaquid Oyster Festival this Sunday September 24.  There will be boat rides, educational exhibits, guided kayak trips on the Damariscotta River , live music from 3 different bands and over 10,000 Pemaquid Oysters!

Coincidentally, oysters are featured in a piece in Octobers Vanity Fair magazine. There, we learn such interesting facts as Casanova ate 50 oysters a day and Napoleon favored them as his pre battle snack (who knew dictators had pre battle snacks?). I was disappointed to learn that Hemingway ate his oysters with a dry white wine.  Everyone knows the beverage of choice with an oyster is a cold Pemaquid Ale.

   The money raised at the Pemaquid Oyster Festival benefits the Edward A. Myers Conservation Fund. Ed Myers was a wonderful man, well known in our area and the "godfather" of modern aquaculture on the Damariscotta River. In 2005 over $14,000 was raised at this Festival, to be used for conservation efforts in the Damariscotta estuary.

   For more information and a schedule of events visit the Lincoln County News website.

"Captain" Tom Field

Our Colonial Past

   If you have an interest in history (or are just looking for an excuse to visit the prettiest part of the world) you may wish to visit the Colonial Pemaquid State Historic site this Saturday and Sunday.  A large group of military re-enactors or "living historians" will re create some aspects of a military installation in coastal Maine to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the start of the French and Indian War.

   Warfare between the French and British and their Native American allies actually lasted from 1756 to 1762 in North America but was part of a larger conflict that played out in Europe, India and the Caribbean.  1759 is now considered by historians to be the pivotal year in this conflict and the year where the advantage swung to the British.  Without a British victory at that time the history of our own country would have been very different.

   Presently know as Fort William Henry, the fort and the historic site will feature a period encampment and visitors will have a chance to see portrayals of Native American, English and French life at Pemaquid in the 18th century. There will be demonstrations by colonial crafts persons and militia re-enactors.  I'm told that most of the action will take place on Saturday with some events on Sunday morning. For more information and better directions than I can give visit the website of the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid .

   Our area is rich in colonial era history and architecture and Newcastle Square Realty has been fortunate to broker the sales of many important properties from that era.  I am constantly amazed at the level of workmanship and quality that was practiced at that time and can't help but wonder at how some of todays homes will look in 250 years!

Jim Cosgrove

   

Mid Summer Festival

   The Damariscotta Newcastle Rotary Club presents the third annual Mid Summer Festival this weekend, August 4, 5 and 6th.  What started as a modest little event has grown to be one of the highlights of the summer for residents and summer visitors alike. Held on the grounds of The Lincoln Home overlooking the Damariscotta River. you can see the big white tents as you come off Route 1 into town. 

   This summers festival is the biggest yet and starts on Friday morning at 10 with the Maine Art Gallery Show in the halls of The Lincoln Home itself. This will go on all day so stop by anytime. The real fun starts at 4:30 when they will begin to serve Caribbean style food under the big top.  The Atlantic Clarion Steel Band will play at 6 PM, and The Rotary Clubs famous decadent desserts will be available!

   On Saturday at noon the now famous Dog Show will begin registering canines.  This originally started out as a side show to the festival but has grown in popularity to become one of the focal points of the weekend. Last year there were 38 entries and the big top was packed with every seat taken and latecomers standing outside peering in. This years show promises to be even bigger and better and will be preceded by a demonstration of the police dogs of the Lincoln County Sheriffs Dept. Rotary Club President Gary Speers has volunteered to play the part of the bad guy and get mauled for the crowds entertainment. The Dog Show itself will kick off at 1 PM with the Parade of Pooches followed by such serious tests of skill and training as Dog with the Waggiest Tail, Loudest Barker, Best Trick and Best Costume. Great fun and all proceeds go to local animal shelters. Yours truly will host this event so be sure and say hi!

   Saturday evening is another night of terrific music beginning at 4:30 with the very talented local jazz group Cross Town Traffic followed at 6 PM by the nationally acclaimed Black Eagle Jazz Band. Chowder, hamburgers and hot dogs will be available or bring a picnic supper and enjoy an evening of great jazz on the banks of the Damariscotta River.

   On Sunday the Maine Obsolete Automobile League will parade through the Twin Villages to the grounds of The Lincoln Home where the antique autos will be available for viewing from 1 to 4.  CrossTown Traffic (how appropriate is that?) will again be on stage so it promises to be a great afternoon.

   Tickets to the various events are available at The Lincoln Home, Maine Coast Bookstore, Skidompha Library or from any Rotarian. The dog show is free to spectators and there is a small fee to enter your dog.

   Don't miss this fun weekend brought to you by the Damariscotta Newcastle Rotary Club. Every dollar earned will go toward a good cause and you and your family are guaranteed a lot of fun.

Jim Cosgrove

   

Ellis Island Photographs

   Well known local photographer Christopher Barnes will be showcasing his fabulous photographs of the immigration center at Ellis Island in a show at Gallery 170 at 170 Main Street, Damamriscotta next to Skidompha Library. These photographs will be exhibited at the Ellis Island Museum later in the year and will travel to museums nationwide. The local exhibit kicks off Friday night July 21 with a reception from 5 to 7 and will continue through Sept. 4. Chris is a terrific photographer and the pictures I've seen from this exhibit are quite evocative of another time. You can almost hear the echoes of hundreds of people speaking different languages in the empty spaces. Don't miss this show!