We’re so fortunate here in Maine to have an array of activities at our disposal. Whether you’re into climbing mountains, watching dirt track racing or listening to the powerful waves of the north Atlantic crash off the jagged coastline, there is literally something for everyone.

Last night, while I was watching the Boston Celtics crush the Dallas Mavericks in game 5 of the NBA finals to shore up banner 18, I had a wicked-unique ad come through my Facebook feed. It was for the Schooner Appledore out of historic Camden, Maine.

The Schooner Appledore Star and Appledore II are sailing vessels that have a rich heritage in Maine and Florida and have even circumnavigated the freakin’ globe! And now, those magnificent windjammers are offering Maine residents and tourists alike a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

According to their website, these large sailing vessels are based out of Camden, Maine in the warm summer months and offer an array of affordable cruising options for your family or the perfect date night.

The schooners offer day cruises starting at $59.95 for adults and sunset cruises beginning at $64.95 for adults.

However, one of the coolest experiences of the summer is sure to be their 4th of July Fireworks Cruise out of Camden, Harbor next month. The cruise will depart the evening of July 4th and will take about an hour and a half.

The sailing cruise will head out into the harbor and beyond to watch the fireworks take to the skies. The cost (for all ages) is $89.95. However, we’d expect this is booking fast, so if you’d like to secure your spot, just click here!

The History of Appledore and Appledore II is also quite amazing. According to The Schooner Appledore website,

Whether seeking an exciting day sail or searching for that perfect sunset, you will find your answer on the Appledore II. She is a swift and stable wooden schooner built in 1978 at the famous Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol, Maine. On her inaugural sail, the Appledore II circumnavigated the world stopping at exotic ports along the way. Join us in Camden or Key West for your own exciting voyage on this amazing ship.

QUINCY — The Maine Course, 626 Maine, announced in a press release on Monday the closing date of the restaurant and regular dining services will be Wednesday, July 17.

“The Maine Course has decided to pivot in a different direction,” Kevin Minnick, owner and head chef at the Maine Course, said in a press release. “The Maine Course has run its course.”

After almost 13 years of regular dining service, Minnick says his business will instead focus more on private dinner parties and catering, as well as offering an event space.

“This adventure was a labor of love,” Minnick said. “I can’t thank Quincy enough for the continued support, from the patrons to our former and present staff who have allowed us to accomplish so much over the years. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Minnick said his focus continues to be on creating the best food possible with the best-sourced ingredients. He said the website, www.mainecoursequincy.com, will be updated. He will announce on social media platforms on the services that will be offered and how to contact Minnick in the future. 

For more information, contact Minnick at 217-222-6244 or themainecoursequincy@yahoo.com.

An additional 54 Maine communities will receive grants to help prepare for climate change and cut carbon emissions as a part of a $2.4 million expansion of a state climate change response program.

The funds will benefit projects across the state, including installing electric vehicle chargers and rebuilding roads vulnerable to storms, Gov. Janet Mills announced Monday.

This is the fourth round of grants in the Community Resilience Partnership, which has awarded more than $8.5 million to 226 cities, towns and tribal governments since 2021.

“While Maine communities continue to recover from recent devastating storms, it’s vital that we strengthen vital infrastructure for future severe storms, expected to become more frequent with climate change,” Mills said in a prepared statement. “These grants will help 54 Maine communities improve their resilience to intense storms and other impacts of climate change, reduce carbon emissions and boost energy efficiency.”

The grants were unveiled ahead of the Maine Climate Council’s June 18 meeting. Mills formed the 39-member council of scientists, business leaders and local and state officials in 2019 with the goal of creating a statewide climate plan.

Several southern and mid-coast Maine communities are among those benefitting from the grants. Cape Elizabeth, Gardiner, Gray, Lewiston, New Gloucester and Sanford were each awarded $50,000 for various projects. Gardiner, Sanford and New Gloucester each received grants to complete climate risk assessments.

The influx of funds comes following severe storms across the state this past winter, which racked up about $90 million in damage to Maine’s public infrastructure.

With extreme precipitation comes major flooding. The Maine Climate Council estimated in 2020 that climate-related flooding from overflowing rivers and streams could cause up to $2.4 billion in building damage alone.

Grant recipient Gardiner experienced historic flooding in December along the Kennebec River waterfront.

“Downtown Gardiner has seen more major flooding events in the past 12 months than it has in the prior 20 years.  Along with our historic downtown buildings, and the businesses and residents who occupy them, critical municipal infrastructure is also at risk from the increased frequency of rising floodwaters,” said Melissa Lindley, Gardiner economic development director and public information officer. “Data from this assessment will be used by the municipality to implement informed strategies in planning for and preparing our community to adapt to a changing climate.”

Other recipients include Cape Elizabeth, which received grant funds for a LED energy efficiency project. The city of Lewiston’s funds will go toward planting trees. The town of Gray is planning on using its $50,000 to protect vulnerable watersheds.

As of 2021, Maine’s greenhouse gas emission levels were down 30% from 1990 levels, per a June 2024 Department of Environmental Protection report.

Maine is required by state law to achieve statewide carbon neutrality by 2045 and lower emissions by 45% from 1990 levels by 2030 and 80% along the same scale by 2050. The state surpassed its goal to reduce emissions to 10% less than 1990 levels by the start of 2020.

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