Maine
New “Learning from Maine” documentary special spotlights innovation and achievement in Maine schools
FARMINGTON — An in-person screening of “Learning from Maine” is also scheduled for Thursday, October 30th at 5:30pm at The Forum at Mt. Blue Campus in Farmington.
Hosted by former Maine principal Derek Pierce, each 10-15 minute “Learning from Maine” story focuses on what’s happening and what’s possible in Maine schools. Each segment focuses on promising educational strategies, including an apprenticeship model at Farmington’s Foster Tech Center that is re-engaging many Maine youth and connecting them to meaningful careers. The hourlong “Learning from Maine” special will also feature stories from Bethel, Portland and Limestone.
While individual episodes of “Learning from Maine” have been released online since September, the first season will culminate on November 6th at 8 p.m., when a “Learning from Maine” video special will air on Maine Public Television. A rebroadcast will air November 7th at 2 p.m.
The project is produced by Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS), a statewide campaign led by a coalition of educational organizations, with a goal of sharing stories of educational innovation and achievement from inside Maine classrooms with families and communities.
“It’s been a great honor and joy to see what our teachers and students are up to around the state, and I can’t wait to share these inspiring stories with all who care about Maine’s public schools,” said host Derek Pierce, who was also the founding principal of Portland’s Casco Bay High School.
“We hope that Learning from Maine will provide a deeper view into what our educators see every day: the transformational power of education to bring communities together and change the lives of our kids and families,” said Eileen King, the executive director of the Maine School Superintendents Association, one of the core organizations helping to lead the effort.
Maine Public has committed to co-producing eight more Learning from Maine stories, with more episodes planned for broadcast in 2026. A full list of screenings and more details can be found here.
About Maine Loves Public Schools (MLPS): The mission of Maine Loves Public Schools is to “document, curate and share stories from within our school communities.” The campaign is spearheaded by: Maine School Boards Association (MSBA); Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA); Maine Principals’ Association (MPA); Maine Curriculum Leaders’ Association (MCLA); Maine Association for Career and Technical Education (MACTE); and Maine Association of School Business Officials (MEASBO). For two years, MLPS has solicited and shared stories from hundreds of ambassadors – educators and community members who share stories from within their classrooms. “Learning from Maine” is the latest step to document and share these stories across Maine.
Maine
Tennessee forward & Maine native J.P. Estrella enters transfer portal
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella, a Scarborough native and former South Portland standout, announced earlier today that he is entering the transfer portal.
Estrella shared the news in a social media post, writing that his time at Tennessee “means more to me than I can put into words” and that he’ll “cherish the time I spent there.”
Maine
This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!
This iconic spot is a “road-trip-worthy” Maine destination, but can you handle their newest addition?
Spring has sprung, which means plenty of people will take a well-deserved break from the daily grind and hit the open road. If you’re heading out to explore some cool Maine traditions—and you love lobster rolls—we’ve found the perfect stop.
The Taste of Maine restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood since 1978. They’re famous for a few things: a giant inflatable lobster that covers about 75% of the roof, and their claim to fame—the “World’s Largest Lobster Roll.”
These legendary lobster rolls are 22 inches long, and over the years, many customers have taken on the dare of finishing one. If you succeed, you earn membership in the “Clean Plate Club”—no easy feat given the size of this lobster roll.
But this year, Taste of Maine has gone even bigger. Introducing the “Monster” Lobster Roll: 3 feet long, packed with 2½ pounds of fresh Maine lobster meat—tail, claw, and knuckle—all on a 6-inch roll. This colossal creation carries a price tag of $259.99.
Read More: Maine Amusement Park Reveals New Family Attraction For 2026
Located at 161 Main Street in Woolwich, Maine, Taste of Maine is now open for its 48th season.
One of the best things about Taste of Maine is watching people take on these enormous lobster rolls. Guests love filming themselves attempting to finish them, including a Guinness World Records titleholder for “World’s Largest Mouth Gape.”
Spring Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
To see just how long Taste of Maine has been a local favorite, check out this classic TV commercial from the 1980s!
New Arcade in Brewer, Maine Opens This Month
Game on, Brewer! The arcade of your dreams is almost here. Get ready to press start!
Gallery Credit: Arlen Jameson
12 New Restaurants That Opened in Maine in February 2026
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
Maine
Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare
LettersToTheEditor-640×400
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families.
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families. At Penquis, we serve 270 children from 266 families across dozens of communities through our child development programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care. We see firsthand how access to child care determines whether parents can work, pursue education and build long-term stability for their families, particularly in communities facing workforce shortages and rising cost of living.
Child care availability alone is not enough. We can have programs and facilities in place, but if care is not affordable, it remains out of reach for families who are already struggling.
Without it, the cost of child care places an unsustainable burden on Maine families, consuming as much as 29% to 39% of income for single-parent households and 10% to 13% for two-parent families. CCAP is one of the few tools that effectively addresses this challenge by ensuring child care costs are affordable, capping costs at 7% of income for those with the lowest incomes, and expanding access for many more families.
Investing in CCAP supports children’s healthy development, enables parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthens Maine’s economy. We urge state leaders to prioritize this $15 million investment in the supplemental budget and ensure that affordable child care is accessible to the families who need it most.
Kara Hay Penquis
Bangor
president and chief executive officer
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