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Glimpse into island living: Nonprofit brings guests to remote community

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Glimpse into island living: Nonprofit brings guests to remote community


FRENCHBORO, Maine (WABI) – Director of Island Services Douglas Cornman describes the goal of the Maine Seacoast Mission succinctly: “It’s about helping them access things that are hard to gain access to when you have an ocean separating you.”

Providing access has been pivotal to the Northeast Harbor-based nonprofit since beginning in 1905, as they bridge the gap between mainland and island communities.

“Our programs are geared toward what the community needs,” explains Cornman. “From the Sunbeam, our Mission vessel, we support healthcare, education, community engagement, community development on the islands.”

For the past year and a half, Simone Babineaux has been the Mission’s Family Nurse Practitioner, traveling to islands aboard the Sunbeam.

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“As soon as we pull up to a dock, I typically grab a backpack and start making house calls,” Babineaux describes of her usual visits.

Like most initiatives of the Mission, her work is dictated by the needs of those she is caring for. Immunizations, preventative care, and mental health services are just some of the services she provides.

“I feel like my job is to find these ‘onesies’, like these little things that seem insignificant, but finding these things,” she says. “I can help them so that they don’t have to get off the island, leave their work, leave their homes.”

On Saturday, Maine Seacoast Mission brought along board members, fill-in crew members, and friends of the nonprofit for a trip to Frenchboro, a town on Outer Long Island that is about an hour and a half boat ride away from Northeast Harbor.

“Frenchboro is one of the most remote islands in regards to access getting there,” Cornman explains of the small island town. “They have a Maine state ferry that runs just a few times a week. And you can either get to the island or you can leave the island, it’s not a round trip ferry.”

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While summer sees a population of about 100, Frenchboro only houses 30 people or less in the wintertime.

Tyler Lunt, 18, grew up on Frenchboro from 3rd to 5th grade.

He describes attending the one-room schoolhouse on the island: “When I was in school, there was nine kids in my class and none of them were in the same grade, and I was related to every single one of them!”

In the 1970s, Dean Lunt attended school in Frenchboro. By the time he hit 7th grade, he says he was the only student in attendance and his lessons were taught at his teacher’s kitchen table in the winter months.

With an ocean separating them from the mainland, islanders rely on the Sunbeam to make sure that the resources that they need are accessible.

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“I’ve got my flu shots because of the Maine Sea Coast Mission,” comments year-round resident Eric Best. “We’ve had conversations that they’ve kind of sponsored around community issues.”

Lunt says when he was growing up on Frenchboro, it was an “extremely poor island.”

“So the support they brought through clothing and dentists and healthcare was huge. They also were very instrumental in providing all the teachers, the teachers came through the Sea Coast Mission,” Lunt reflects. “The times have changed, the sort of finances situation of the island has changed, the needs have changed. But they’ve been there the whole time.”

Despite the challenges island living presents, Frenchboro residents revel in the abundant natural beauty, quiet surroundings, and tightknit community that has been formed over the decades.

For Babineaux, her work is a way to give back to those who are usually overlooked: “I think it’s so vital because of the work that the islanders do, the services they provide to everyone else on the mainland and to the culture of this state. I think that we’re there to preserve their culture and to help support them.”

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This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

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This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak


Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

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Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

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Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

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And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.

You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods

Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

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How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities


BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

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Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner

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Arizona Sen. Gallego endorses Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine Democrat Graham Platner has picked up another high-profile endorsement in his bid to flip a key Senate seat blue, marking another sign of the oyster farmer and combat veteran’s political resiliency even as he continues to face controversy throughout his campaign.

Arizona Democrat Ruben Gallego announced Monday that he was backing Platner, saying that the first-time candidate “reflects the grit and independence that defines Maine.”

“Graham Platner is the kind of fighter Maine hasn’t seen in a long time, someone who tells you exactly what he thinks, doesn’t owe anything to the special interests, and wakes up every day thinking about working families,” said Gallego, who won a Senate seat in Arizona in 2024 by more than 2 points while Trump carried the state by nearly 6 points.

Platner has previously been endorsed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, and New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Democrat.

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However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has endorsed Platner’s main opponent, Maine Gov. Janet Mills.

Both Platner, 41, and Mills, 78, are hoping to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins, 73, a five-term incumbent who announced last month that she was running for another term. A victory in Maine is crucial for Democrats’ efforts to take back control of the Senate. The Democratic Party needs to net four seats to retake the Senate majority, and they are aiming to do that in Maine, North Carolina, Alaska and Ohio.

READ MORE: Maine’s Graham Platner thinks voters will overlook his past to support a new type of candidate

Platner has gained traction with his anti-establishment image and economic equality message. He’s pressed forward despite controversies over old social media posts and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol, which he recently had covered up.

Gallego is among the Democrats named as possible 2028 presidential contenders. Last fall, he stumped in New Jersey, Virginia and Florida, where he campaigned for Democrats who went on to win their elections.

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“I have an immense amount of respect for him and I’m looking forward to joining him as a fellow Marine and combat infantryman in the U.S. Senate,” Platner said in a statement.

Kruesi reported from Providence, Rhode Island.

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