Maine
Running a Maine Resort This Summer Was No Vacation
BAR HARBOR, Maine—On a latest Wednesday on the Bar Harbor Inn, basic supervisor Jeremy Dougherty’s day began with a textual content saying an worker had Covid-19 and can be out sick, including to a summer time pileup of absences and staffing shortages.
There was rainwater leaking from the ceiling of the lodge restaurant and an worker who wanted to crash on the lodge following a dispute along with her roommate. Throughout Mr. Dougherty’s patrols of the property, which is nearly absolutely booked from Mom’s Day to mid-October, he picked trash off the grass and scooped up room-service trays from hallways.
Days like this are not uncommon at this standard New England trip spot. “Day by day is full-capacity and we merely should make it occur,” mentioned Mr. Dougherty, the lodge’s basic supervisor.
A surge in demand, prices and costs collided this summer time with extreme labor shortages, resulting in some robust decisions for hospitality properties throughout the U.S. Inns minimize housekeeping, eating places minimize hours and a few providers grew to become automated—sometimes by robots. Costs for labor and provides rose whereas homeowners and managers struggled to recruit again staff laid off earlier within the pandemic.
The Bar Harbor Inn, which began within the 1800s as a social and literary membership, grew to become an inn in 1950. It has 153 rooms.
These identical trials examined the Bar Harbor Inn, a historic property in Maine that opens from mid-March via November every season. Surrounded by rocky seashores and lobster boats, it started as a social and literary membership in 1887 that drew rich summer time guests such because the Vanderbilts and Pulitzers. Throughout World Struggle II, it grew to become an commentary headquarters for the Navy, and in 1950 opened as an inn. One standard draw for the 153-room, five-building complicated is close by Acadia Nationwide Park, which spans greater than 37,000 acres and attracts hundreds of thousands of holiday makers yearly.
Like virtually all motels across the nation, the Bar Harbor Inn closed through the early phases of the pandemic and had restricted demand as soon as it opened for the 2020 season. Bookings skyrocketed in 2021 when lockdowns lifted and remained sturdy this 12 months as Individuals scratched their journey itch, aided by the financial savings they’d amassed in lockdown. Occupancy is up 11 proportion factors via August in comparison with the final prepandemic season, in 2019. Labor prices are up 24% from 2021 because the lodge pays staff extra, however room charges additionally rose to maintain tempo with surging inflation. Room income is up 12.7% via August in contrast with the identical interval final 12 months.
The duty of managing the present surge in demand falls to Mr. Dougherty, 41, an Military veteran and ultramarathoner who obtained his begin within the hospitality trade as a safety guard and labored his technique to administration roles at motels within the Phoenix space. He set himself a aim of changing into a basic supervisor by the age of 35 and achieved that at 33 with a startup lodge firm in Tempe, Ariz. In 2017, he, his spouse and their two youngsters moved throughout the nation to Bar Harbor so he might take the highest job on the Bar Harbor Inn, which is owned by Maine-based Witham Household Inns.
Jeremy Dougherty obtained his begin within the hospitality trade as a safety guard. He grew to become basic supervisor of the Bar Harbor Inn in 2017.
The brand new environment had been an adjustment. One shock for Mr. Dougherty, he mentioned, was that some workers had “lumberjack beards.” One other was how laborious it was to seek out youthful seasonal staff in a state that has the very best median age within the nation, in line with the newest U.S. census information. That obtained even harder as soon as the labor market tightened through the pandemic.
The lodge has raised wages in an try to lure and retain extra staff. In 2019, front-desk attendants made $13 an hour, and now they start at $17 an hour—nicely above the state’s minimal wage of $12.75. But this 12 months not a single individual got here to the three job gala’s Bar Harbor Inn held on totally different days in numerous places. Up to now, Mr. Dougherty says at the least 75 folks would present as much as every one.
Like many companies in Maine, the Bar Harbor Inn has lengthy relied on staff, primarily from Jamaica, who come to the U.S. on seasonal employee, or H-2B, visas. The H-2B staff now make up about 35% of the inn’s workforce of roughly 160.
However Mr. Dougherty discovered that recruiting international staff isn’t a surefire technique to fill positions, both. Though the lodge employs about 30% extra H-2B staff than it did in 2019, the variety of staff who can return is unsure 12 months to 12 months. The federal authorities instituted a nationwide lottery for these visas in 2019 resulting from what it says was intense competitors, and the inn has struggled with staffing shortages whereas ready for accredited staff to reach, Mr. Dougherty says.
One such worker in that place this 12 months was Alax McCalla, a 31-year-old seasonal employee from Jamaica, who has been working summers on the Bar Harbor Inn since 2016 and depends on the job for many of his annual revenue. He says he often arrives in March, however this 12 months wasn’t in a position to arrive till early July as a result of the nationwide lottery reached its preliminary cap with out awarding him a visa. He obtained it as a part of an extra spherical of approvals designed to assist alleviate the nation’s labor scarcity.
The server now picks up additional shifts to make up for the months he misplaced and sends cash residence to his grandmother, who’s going via most cancers therapy, and to his girlfriend, who’s anticipating a child in September. He’s “at all times working,” he says. “That’s what I’m right here for.”
Bar Harbor Inn basic supervisor Jeremy Dougherty, left, meets with colleagues on the resort throughout a morning workers assembly. In the course of the lunch hour, visitors and different patrons pack the patio on the resort’s Terrace Grille, proper.
The employee shortages go away the lodge with roughly the identical variety of workers members it had in 2019, in line with Mr. Dougherty, regardless of the rise in demand for rooms over the past two seasons. If he might, Mr. Dougherty says, he would rent 20 to 25 extra staff. He hopes to usher in 15% to 25% extra H-2B staff for subsequent 12 months.
Many workers are logging additional hours so the lodge can provide every part it offered earlier than the pandemic, from day by day housekeeping to room service. This 12 months, workers are projected to work greater than twice as a lot additional time than in 2019, the final supervisor says. The corporate presents staffers the chance to work one other job on the lodge as a substitute of looking for second jobs elsewhere, which offers them with extra additional time. That observe, which began final 12 months, comes on the danger of workers burnout, says Mr. Dougherty, whereas noting that many of those workers would hunt down a number of jobs even when the lodge didn’t provide them.
A method Mr. Dougherty works to spice up morale is by approaching workers on his rounds to debate every part from profession ambitions with school college students to homesickness with staff from different international locations. On this present day, he additionally stopped to see a cook dinner who talked about he wanted assist protecting some overdue dental work. Mr. Dougherty advised him he would look into contributing among the firm’s worker aid fund—which presents as much as $1,000 per request and is funded by worker and firm donations.
“We find out about every part that’s occurring in folks’s lives,” Mr. Dougherty says.
Discovering seasonal staff and preserving them wholesome and motivated is tough sufficient. Touchdown them a spot to remain is one other riddle Mr. Dougherty has to unravel. Accessible housing is so scarce that Mr. Dougherty mentioned that he let an worker sleep in his above-garage residence earlier this 12 months whereas he seemed for house. Provide is tight partly as a result of staff should compete with vacationers for leases every season.
Jeremy Dougherty, left, likes to ask after workers on his rounds. Right here he talks with Fitzroy Walters, a breakfast line cook dinner.
The lodge proprietor, Witham Household Inns, has tried to unravel the problem by creating housing for its staff. It bought its first residence for that goal in 1987, and presently owns six single-family properties, 4 duplexes and 23 residence models. In these areas it homes 235 of its 430 workers who work for its eight properties within the space. This 12 months it charged them $65 every week for a shared house, up barely from $60 every week in 2018.
Witham Chief Government David Witham additionally labored with native officers to present detailed enter on zoning adjustments for worker dwelling quarters in Bar Harbor. This was finished to assist relieve strain on denser residential neighborhoods dominated by year-round residents. Witham now plans to construct a $6 million worker dorm-style constructing in Bar Harbor that can home roughly 84 staff.
As a result of about half of Bar Harbor Inn’s workers dwell in worker housing, Mr. Dougherty says 20% of his job is dedicated to managing points that consequence from these lodging, although some days it takes up 100%. Relying on the day, the drama can get difficult. On this specific Wednesday in August, he needed to navigate a dispute between workers sharing an area.
“It’s like ‘The Bachelor,’” he says.
Mr. Dougherty has to fret in regards to the satisfaction of holiday makers, too, as demand for rooms surges whereas the ratio of staffers to visitors drops. The Bar Harbor Inn is charging 10% to fifteen% extra for rooms this 12 months than final. Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Witham say they may cost extra, however don’t wish to elevate expectations past the service they will present or alienate their buyer base. Summer season room charges vary from $449 an evening to $1,000 an evening.
Mr. Dougherty oversees greater than a dozen managers who work with the seasonal workers. In a gathering with a few of these managers, Mr. Dougherty distributed packets of each visitor remark and the rating rating left on suggestions surveys for every part from room situation to meals high quality, after which proceeded to learn every of the handfuls of feedback aloud.
Many praised the friendliness of the workers, day by day housekeeping and the fistbumps from bellmen Errol England and Harry Blair. Some additionally complained in regards to the choices on the continental breakfast. Mr. Dougherty nonetheless hears in regards to the gradual Wi-Fi, despite the fact that it was upgraded final 12 months.
The Bar Harbor Inn overlooks Frenchman Bay and is close to Acadia Nationwide Park, which attracts hundreds of thousands of holiday makers annually.
The excellent news is that sure visitor scores measuring the efficiency of workers and repair both stayed constant or rose. However the general worth rating capturing what visitors really feel they obtain for what they paid has declined just a few factors since June.
“The place final 12 months they had been like, ‘Hey thanks a lot for simply being right here.’ Now it’s like ‘I’m paying extra money. You must have every part right here,’” Mr. Dougherty says.
Some visitors have made annual pilgrimages to the Bar Harbor Inn for many years, with one celebrating a sixtieth annual keep this summer time. These visitors ship photographs and handwritten notes to Mr. Dougherty, and name forward a 12 months prematurely to e-book the identical room over the identical dates.
However customer patterns are altering, Mr. Dougherty mentioned, with folks taking a number of journeys to totally different places as a substitute of 1 massive household pilgrimage to the identical place annually. Mr. Dougherty hopes to make visitor stays memorable sufficient that they return sometime.
Share Your Ideas
What has been totally different about your lodge stays this summer time in contrast with prior years? Be a part of the dialog beneath.
One in all these newer guests was Christie Malayil-Lincoln, who was on the Bar Harbor Inn along with her household for the primary time. The 46-year-old Houstonian initially thought the worth was steep earlier than she arrived, however the radiologist says she feels she obtained her cash’s price. She cited the situation, cookies within the foyer each afternoon and free stuffed animals given to her two youthful youngsters.
Mr. Dougherty says he is aware of there are some visitors who gained’t be joyful, regardless of greatest efforts. He expects complaints from visitors a few pool heater that broke down earlier within the week. He and his crew scrambled to seek out one other heater, however the pool took time to heat again up.
He returned to his workplace on the finish of the day and checked on the 2 workers who had their roommate dispute, confirming that one can be quickly staying on the lodge as a substitute. Two buckets had been now amassing rainwater from the restaurant roof, which he knew can be repaired within the off season. His dad and mom had been resulting from go to within the morning. Tomorrow can be one other busy day.
Write to Allison Pohle at Allison.Pohle@wsj.com
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Barred owl at Deering Oaks Park in Portland on Jan. 11, 2019. Jeff Cherry photo
Maine winters can be dark and barren, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great time to see birds.
The colder months herald the arrival of dark-eyed juncos, the snowbirds, and other visitors such as finches (pine siskins and pine grosbeaks), which follow the cyclical crops of conifer tree cones. And they aren’t alone. Plenty of cold-adapted resident species, such as crows and blue jays, stick around, too.
For those unwilling or unable to venture out, snow can draw birds to backyard feeders en masse, making them easy to observe from the warmth of indoors. Plus, they are easier to spot. With few leaves on many trees and a monochrome landscape, winter birds often make themselves known.
The menagerie of winter species can vary depending on the weather, what your yard looks like and where you live. But there’s often a nest hidden nearby. And one might wonder how they manage to survive.
“The more people become aware of the birds around them, the more they awaken to the natural world,” said Nick Lund, Maine Audubon advocacy and outreach manager. “[They gain] an improved understanding of their habitats, which trees particular birds prefer, how they move based on the weather, what they like to eat and how they eat.”
Staying curious can make a difference.
For those embarking on Audubon tours or birding at their leisure this winter, Lund pointed to phone apps like eBird and Merlin Bird ID, resources he said have broken down barriers to ornithological pursuits.
Now, people can track avifauna while contributing to a broader scientific database. Researchers receive data from millions of worldwide users, leading to information on bird movement and trends. Among the findings: Some species in Maine that used to head for warmer climates are staying put.
Eastern bluebird (sialia sialis) at Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust Salt Bay Farm in Damariscotta on Dec. 13, 2016. Jeff Cherry photo
Pemaquid Peninsula birdwatching
Jeff Cherry, president of the Midcoast Maine Audubon Chapter, lives in Newcastle, where he spends most of his time birding within a 15-mile radius of his home.
A retired woodworker and antiques dealer, his passion for avifauna began as a Bowdoin College student pursuing ornithology. In 1976, his class visited Damariscotta Mills, where they spotted bald eagles — a rare sighting before the population rebounded from its seriously endangered status.
From that moment on, he was hooked.
Yellow-bellied sapsucker (sphyrapicus varius) on Lewis Point Road in Newcastle. Jeff Cherry photo
The Midcoast Maine Audubon Chapter aims to facilitate two monthly bird tours, which Cherry often leads in Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties.
Sometimes, there are only a handful of participants, and others, upwards of 30 people tag along. While attendance fluctuates depending on the destination, time of year and weather conditions, Cherry said the variety of enthusiasts’ skill levels stays consistent.
“We have regulars who join us,” Cherry said. “But we also welcome newcomers. There’s nothing better than watching their eyes light up their first time out.”
He described winter as one of the most magical times for birding, grouping common species into three categories: those that are present year-round (chickadees, crows, blue jays, various seagull species, and mallard and black ducks), migratory breeds (warblers) that migrate south but return to breed, and others (common goldeneye and the American tree sparrow) that arrive from farther north.
“This time of year, downy woodpeckers with their tidy red caps frequent the feeder,” Cherry said. “They swoop in to feast. If I ever get around to hanging a garland this year, I will try to arrange it to mimic the arc of their flight.”
In Cherry’s opinion, the blue jay’s plumage appears even bluer against the backdrop of snow. One of his favorite events is when dark-eyed juncos return to snack on safflower seeds that the tufted titmouse pushed out of the feeder in search of sunflower seeds, which they prefer.
In neighborhoods along the Pemaquid Peninsula, hawks perch in the bare branches of trees, in plain view. Meanwhile, the crows, aware of their presence, remain in constant surveillance.
Lesser black-backed gulls (larus fiscus) in New Harbor, Bristol, on Feb. 20, 2024. Jeff Cherry photo
Watch, learn and snap a photo
When birdwatchers understand the habitats and behaviors of species, they can identify specific trails for spotting them. To find a scarlet tanager, one might hike through mature deciduous forests where these birds are known to breed.
That said, various factors, like weather, can hinder that predictability.
“You will always find something if you approach birdwatching with an open mind,” Cherry said. “It’s almost impossible not to spot birds — even rare species. Forty years ago, eagles were uncommon. If you spend time outdoors now, you’ll notice they’re everywhere.”
He pointed to the cardinal, red-bellied woodpecker, turkey and bluebird populations, which have also significantly rebounded.
In Cherry’s opinion, witnessing the return of northern shrikes — whether through binoculars, cameras or the naked eye — is an inspiring experience. He encouraged locals to familiarize themselves with neighborhood birds this winter and to track their observations.
A pair of evening grosbeaks at William Broussard’s backyard feeder. Purportedly, their eastern population has decreased substantially, but they can be found in small numbers breeding in New England, and their numbers will swell in some winters during “irruptive” years. William Broussard photo
Brunswick, Topsham, Bath birdwatching
Brunswick birder William Broussard dates his love for birds back to childhood. He used to identify birds for fun — a hobby that, although solitary, “felt very social.”
“Birdwatching means observing how species interact with the environment and studying their behavior,” Broussard said. “Growing up, my mother was a gardener, so I spent a lot of time tuning into the insects and flowers — and, of course, birds. At my home now, I’ve arranged shrubs and bird feeders to attract birds to my space, so I can watch them from inside, too.”
Putting his garden to rest this winter, Broussard admired blue jays storing seeds under bark and in the ground.
“In the fall, their brains increase in size to help them remember where they stashed their seeds for winter,” Broussard said. “In the spring and summer, they’ll grab a peanut from the feeder and eat it immediately. But when the weather turns, they’ll take one, fly off, dig a hole in the ground and bury the peanut. They can remember where it was buried after snowfall and dig it up months later.”
Behavior isn’t the only thing that changes. In winter, birds’ diets change from insects or worms to fruits and nuts, as do their nesting habits.
Before snipping goldenrods or weedy plants, Broussard urged locals to consider the white-throated sparrows that seek refuge. He has seen Carolina wrens create homes in even the strangest spots — like coffee pots and canoes left outdoors.
“We play a role in advocating for the birds,” Broussard said. “What we do in our yards matters.”
Brunswick, Bath and Topsham residents can attract tufted titmice, black-capped chickadees and northern cardinals by placing sunflower seeds in their feeders this winter. Adding suet can also attract hairy, downy and red-bellied woodpeckers.
Even without feeders, the Midcoast will inevitably witness the arrival of dark-eyed juncos, pine siskin and pine grosbeak finches searching for spruce and pine tree conifer seeds.
William Broussard’s favorite duck, the wood duck, breeds in Maine and winters farther south — a few stick around the Lewiston-Auburn area. William Broussard photo
‘It’s not like having pets; it’s more like reverence’
Like Cherry, Broussard has recorded his observations on eBird since 2013, which has allowed him to track notable shifts.
For example, most sparrows tend to leave during winter, although he has noticed that they have stayed for the past three years, which he attributes to a warming climate.
“It’s not like having pets; it’s more like reverence,” Broussard said. “When you notice the birds in your backyard, you realize you coexist with something much greater. Seeing them evokes joy, and studies have found that observing birds in nature can reduce stress and improve your mood — it’s a natural form of medicine.”
To ensure birds remain in the environment, Broussard has planted native plants and shrubs in his yard to create a suitable habitat.
“Birding moves you beyond people and politics,” Broussard said. “It allows you to enjoy the presence of other beings even in the harshest of seasons.”
For those hoping to embark on their expeditions, Broussard shared some of his favorite local trails:
• The Bowdoin College Schiller Coastal Studies Center in Harpswell, abundant with sea ducks, shorebirds, eiders and gulls.
• Green Point Wildlife Management Area in Dresden, which offers access to brackish tidal water habitats along Merrymeeting Bay.
• Sabattus Pond, purportedly an excellent spot for duck watching.
First-time users of eBird can start a free account to chart their observations or follow along with Cherry’s adventures near the Twin Villages @JeffCherry or Broussards’ Brunswick-Bath outings @WillBroussard.
A mainstay on Ogunquit, Maine’s Marginal Way since 1963, the Oarweed Restaurant says it will do “whatever it takes” to reopen for the 2025 season after a blaze destroyed much of the building Saturday night.
“Even though there is devastation and sadness, there is hope… rainbows, rum punches, stuffed potatoes, and more hope, for 2025 opening day!” the restaurant posted on Facebook Sunday.
Firefighters were called to Perkins Cove, a historic fishing cove and top tourist destination, at 7:17 p.m. Saturday for a reported structure fire on Perkins Cove Road, according to Seacoastonline.
When they arrived, they discovered heavy fire in Uniques and Antiques, the business that abuts the Oarweed, and the restaurant.
Amid freezing temperatures, a second alarm fire was declared and several surrounding fire departments in southern Maine responded.
Uniques and Antiques, known for its sale of Christmas heirlooms, posted on Facebook Saturday night: “This is a heartbreaking shock and we appreciate everyone who has reached out. We ask for continued prayers for all, including our neighbors at Oarweed Restaurant and our other friends in the Cove. Thank you to first responders. We will update more when we can.”
The Oarweed, a classic Maine seafood restaurant that first opened in the summer of 1963, was closed for the season when the fire struck.
In a hopeful Facebook post Sunday, just a mere hours after the blaze was put out, the restaurant said employees will be “working hard” for the 2025 season. They cited cubing potatoes for chowder, prepping the “blueberry splash” and loading up the bar, despite the devastation caused by the fire.
“Everyone is safe and ready to do whatever it takes to make our beloved Oarweed ready to go on!” the Oarweed wrote. “Thank you to all for your support and love.”
In March, Real Simple magazine named the town of Ogunquit the No. 1 vacation destination of 2024.
Ace Flagg is a power forward on the Greensboro Day School boys basketball team. Flagg will attend the University of Maine next year. Auden Forsberg/Greensboro Day School
It was a hard decision to make. For a while, at least.
The summer before Ace Flagg’s senior year was nearing its end, as was the time to make a decision on his college basketball future. He had plenty of options to choose from — Division I colleges from across the country had made their pitches.
One, though, always stood out.
“When I started weighing all the options and everything that it meant to me, I think it became pretty obvious, pretty quickly,” he said. “I knew I wanted to come home.”
It’s been nearly two months since the Newport native announced his commitment to the University of Maine men’s basketball team.
It made news around the country, and fans celebrated when Flagg made his homecoming official. After all, Ace and his twin brother, Cooper — a freshman star at Duke — have captivated the state since their high school debuts at Nokomis Regional High three years ago.
“I liked everything about it. It was great to see the attention it got, and all the support and love from all the Mainers,” he said. “It was amazing. It helped me so much. It made the whole thing a lot easier. I’ve been blessed to be able to play in Maine and have the support of everyone there.”
Flagg feels fortunate, as does his future team.
“I just love what he brings to the table, in terms of his toughness, his basketball IQ, his inside-out skill set,” Maine coach Chris Markwood said. “He’s our type of guy. He’s a Maine guy, hard-working, tough, hard-nosed and a great feel for the game.”
The announcement, though, was only part of what’s been an eventful season for Flagg. He’s also at his third school in four years, playing his senior year for Greensboro Day School in Greensboro, North Carolina. He’s adjusting to life without Cooper, on the court without his brother for the first time.
Ace Flagg averaged 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds through his first 15 games for Greensboro Day School. Auden Forsberg/Greensboro Day School
Everything has been new: the environment, teammates, coaches and friends. He’s had to learn a new game, one that’s going to better prepare him for the college level that awaits him, and embrace a new role as a team leader.
“So far, so good,” Flagg said in a phone interview this week. “I wouldn’t say I was anxious. More just interested … to see what it would be like.
“It’s been a smooth transition, and I honestly feel like I’ve been here longer than I have.”
‘He’s unique’
Flagg said Greensboro reminds him more of the schools he grew up attending than Montverde Academy in Florida did.
“It feels a lot more like a public school, almost,” he said. “Greensboro has a more open kind of feel to it. … (There are) a lot of local kids, and not a lot of kids from all over the country.”
The kid from Maine, however, can only blend in so much.
“They do like to call me a Yankee, that is true,” he said. “They like to try to be country boys, but I tell them north is country, south isn’t. Which they don’t like.”
Flagg has made it a point to ingratiate himself with not just the team, but the community. Several of his closest friends aren’t basketball players. When Greensboro coach Freddy Johnson hosted a rec league with teams of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, he asked Ace to work with a couple of the teams. Flagg instead spent hours working with all six.
“He’s unique,” Johnson said. “I like being around him, because he’s just such a good kid.”
Cooper Flagg, left, and his brother, Ace, share a laugh during a youth basketball camp on Aug. 10 in Orono. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel
He’s also had to adjust to not sharing the court with Cooper for the first time since middle school. Flagg said there’s now more on his shoulders, which can help him as he prepares for college.
“Playing with Cooper makes the game easier,” Flagg said. “After playing with him for so long, not having him just makes everything tougher. You have to do a lot more on your own when you don’t have a player like him with you. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s going to push me to be even better than I would have been before.”
Being Cooper’s brother, let alone twin, creates a shadow that is tough to escape, given Cooper’s status as the country’s most coveted college prospect. Ace, however, said there were “no hard feelings at all” on his part as he watches the buzz around Cooper soar.
“I’m super proud of him and everything he’s doing. He deserves everything that he’s got, he’s worked so hard. Seeing all this attention for him is just amazing,” he said. “I want him to succeed more than maybe he does. I have nothing but love for him and hope nothing but the best for him.”
Growing his game
Johnson didn’t have much of a scouting report on Flagg when he came aboard in July.
“I really didn’t know much about him, other than he was a good basketball player,” said Johnson, who earlier this month became the sixth high school coach to reach 1,200 career wins. “He has a lot of respect from a lot of different people.”
Johnson quickly saw the tools Flagg had, and the set of abilities that have helped him average 12.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game (as of Tuesday) while leading the 13-2 Bengals in minutes.
“His feet are unbelievable,” he said. “He has such good movement, he knows how to fake and get guys up. He can go around a 6-9 guy. … He passes like a point guard.”
It’s been a season of adjustment and acclimation, however. A pure forward who played as a big man with Nokomis and Montverde Academy in Florida, the 6-foot-7 Flagg has been playing more on the perimeter for a Greensboro team that likes to run and has four players around the center playing positions based on matchups.
“I’ve started to play out further, closer maybe to a 3 (small forward) than a 4 (power forward), and playing a lot out on the wing,” he said. “It’s one of the things that I needed. Playing that 4, 5 role at 6-(foot-)7, it doesn’t usually work out. I knew I needed to start transitioning outside and sharpen up my skills there.”
Ace Flagg looks for an open teammate while playing for Montverde Academy during a game in Portland on Jan. 6. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
It didn’t click right away. Flagg was unselfish to a fault while playing with his new teammates, and Johnson spoke to him about taking over with the ball.
“Around game 5, 6, I reminded him that he needed to be more assertive,” he said. “He wanted to keep all his teammates happy by sharing the ball, and I explained to him that we’re not running five plays for him to catch the ball and throw it to somebody else. We want him to take it and score.”
The chat worked.
“If you saw him play the first three games and you saw him play the last three games, he’s a totally different player,” Johnson said.
A home state spotlight
It’s not as if Ace doesn’t generate his own hype and attention. Johnson said attendance at Greensboro games, both home and away, has climbed, and that the opportunity to cheer or jeer the player they’ve seen in stories and video clips online is likely what’s brought the fans out.
“He has his fan section that comes to cheer against him,” Johnson said. “We draw more on the road than we ever have.”
When he committed to Maine on Oct. 30, the news stretched beyond the state and even landed as a headline on ESPN’s homepage. He’s been in the spotlight for a while, but Flagg said those moments don’t get old.
“It’s definitely a little weird,” he said. “Growing up, you’re always watching games on ESPN. Seeing yourself on there is definitely a strange feeling.”
Flagg announced his Maine commitment on Instagram, sharing a SportsCenter post, and the post has garnered 215,000 likes and 710 comments. News quickly reverberated around the state and zipped through the Orono campus.
“When the news hit, that was the big talk around the rec (center). ‘Ace is coming, Ace is coming,’” said Landen Chase, 19, a UMaine sophomore. “I had a friend who texted me, he doesn’t know a lot about basketball, but he texted me and his whole family was curious about why Ace was coming and what happened. It was cool. It was all around campus, everyone was talking about it.”
It’s buzz that hasn’t been there for a program that went 28-105 between the 2017-18 and 2021-22 seasons.
Ace Flagg drives to the basket while playing for the Greensboro Day School boys basketball team. Flagg will attend the University of Maine next year. Auden Forsberg/Greensboro Day School
“They want to win (at Maine). It’s a winning mentality there,” Chase said. “People feel like, with Ace, this is going to step up our program and make games more enjoyable, and give us a better chance to win.”
That’s Markwood’s interest as he continues to try to build Maine into a contender in America East. Sure, having more eyeballs on the program is nice, and Markwood knows the Black Bears’ profile got a boost when Flagg signed.
“There’s obviously a major buzz behind him and obviously his brother, Coop. In Maine, those two guys, everybody’s watching them grow and evolve in the highest level,” he said. “I think everybody’s excited for Ace and for us, that we’re able to get a player of Ace’s caliber to come back home and represent our state.”
What Markwood is most interested in is what Flagg can do on the court, and how he can help continue the upward trend of a team that’s gone 36-39 since Markwood took over in 2022.
“He’s got a really good knack inside, he grew up as a big man, so he’s got great touch around the rim from 15 feet and in, and now he’s really added and developed his game around the perimeter,” Markwood said. “You’ve seen the evolution, and he’s still only scratching the surface.”
That’s Flagg’s focus as well.
“I’ve never played basketball in my life with the intention of not winning,” he said. “I’m trying to bring everything I can to win. That’s what I want to do.”
The pressure’s already there. Markwood said he won’t want to add to it.
“I want Ace to enjoy the process on his own journey, at his own speed,” he said. “I don’t want him to feel like he’s got to come in right away and be Michael Jordan. He’s got to come in and be himself.”
Whatever expectations await him, Flagg knows he’s ready for them.
“I look at it as a positive,” he said. “Being able to be recognized by anyone is a blessing. … I would never take it for granted. I think every day that I’m blessed for everything I have.”
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