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Maine may not be New York — but at least it has patriotism

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Maine may not be New York — but at least it has patriotism


Yes, Maine is great, but . . .

Despite the opinions of our editors, I have returned. I am back.

Listen, I needed a holiday. Even my computer was tired of me. Being patriotic, it being July 4, I went to re-live where our beloved country began. I schlepped to Maine.

Vacationland

Why Maine? Because my forever friends whose ancestors — its earliest settlers — are honored in the state’s museum and in whose original farmhouse I have stayed are there. What it was like when great great great grandma Ballard practiced midwifery there in the 1600s and 1700s, who knows. What it’s like now, I know.

Nobody in that state blows their Social Security on wardrobe. A potpourri of pensioners, the average age is deceased. Gents need a divining rod to locate their private parts since most stomachs reached to Iowa. And if ever I see another lobster I’ll crack it over the head of Elon Musk.

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Maine has air. Sky. Birds. Marshes. Miles of white sand beaches. Bright blue sky. Puffy fluffy white clouds. Celebs from that state include our VP in 1861 Hannibal Hamlin. Also Althea Quimby who ran a temperance operation. Also Anna Kendrick and soccer player Colby Quiñones. Plus others who are less well known.

Plus for instance, it’s not Arizona. The northeasternest state’s bird is the black capped chickadee. There’s lighthouses in wherever’s West Quoddy Head, rocky coastline, maritime history, the end of the Appalachian Trail, and something called the white Pine Cone flower which absolutely nobody sends anybody for somebody’s birthday.

Sun & scoops

A popular city is Bangor, 31,000 population. One doctor’s waiting room in NYC has more. Outdoor ice cream stands where people gather at night for scoops. I looked for scoops, but mine were for print.

Songs exist extolling this state’s glories. Like one we all know and hum — “The Reach” written by Dan Fogelberg. Forget trying to hear this at the Met. BUT — it has patriotism. One famous tourist area is Old Orchard Beach. Go along its main drag. Every home, each one fronting the roadway with its back facing the ocean, flew the American flag. It’s a city ordinance.

The area began before big-time electricity. Thus, fronting each house is a telephone pole. Every one flew an American flag.

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New York will always be best

So: Let that big mouth jig elsewhere — not New York where he’s hustling to be mayor, not in the greatest country that God created — let this nothing friggin’ nobody dance in Russia, Syria, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela. Let him team up with that female bartender, allow Bernie Sanders to spit into the camera, have Donald stuff him into the 19th hole.

Let this zero whom nobody heard of before tell us how to clean the streets, free up the roadways, reinforce bridges and highways, collect garbage, clear snow, lower taxes, show how to save the city, remove bodies sleeping on sidewalks, reopen shops, clean the subways, fight hate, stop with casinos and cheap semi-legal shops, help cops, jail what DA Bragg frees.

And if looking for youth, no problem the Menendez brothers may soon be available. Or, fresh from kindergarten, grab Buttigieg whose last job was mayor of a town so small that more people are in my bathroom. He wants to be president. His husband — met via a dating app — told me: “In the White House we’ll play loud music every day.”

BUT — and here’s the big but — Maine has patriotism.

So would I leave NYC and move there? What’re you — nuts?

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Maine

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

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Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition


For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.

That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.

So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.

It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.

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But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.

Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine

Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.

Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.

Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.

There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.

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Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter

While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.

Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.

All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine

Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.

This list was updated in March of 2026

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Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

Top 15 of The Most Powerful People in Maine

Ever wonder who the most powerful players are in Maine? I’ve got a list!

Gallery Credit: Getty Images





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Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

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Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money


BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

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The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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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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