MacMillan's Bowdoin bound for Arctic!

For those who know that Donald MacMillan attended school in Freeport and grew up in the house that became White Cedar Inn, here's big news...his schooner, the Bowdoin, is setting sail for the Arctic.

The Bowdoin, named for MacMillan's alma mater Bowdoin College, is heading out for the first time since 1994 to the frigid Arctic waters. The 16 person crew consists of seasoned sailors, new graduates and students at the Maine Maritime Academy. For all it will be the trip of a lifetime.

These links will take you to the following sites:

Follow along with blogs from the Bowdoin.
Read the Captain's log.
Track the course of the Bowdoin.
The Bowdoin's homepage.

Freeport in Down East magazine in May and July!

If you got the 'Where to eat now' issue, you know that the Mediterranean Grill made the 'Runner Up' list as an eatery 'worthy of note'. The Mediterranean Grill is on School Street. They have a great deck and the bar area has huge sliding glass doors that open up onto the deck in the summer. You can't miss it...look for the tiki torches!

We really like the donar kebabs and the Turkish coffee. The appetizers are a meal in themselves. Be sure to put the Mediterranean on your list for dining this year!

One of the top 50 was the Thai Garden, an often overlooked restaurant just south on Rt 1 (in the same strip as Cuddledown). Perfect for take-out, it's about 2.5 miles from White Cedar Inn.

Also mentioned, but not a restaurant, were martinis made with Cold River vodka, just south of the Thai Garden about 2 miles. Stop in for a tour. Who knew potatoes were this good?

In 'Maine's Hidden Beaches' Down East lets on what the locals already know...Freeport has a beach. It's a small beach, certainly not Ogunquit or Wellsian in stature, but our own little beach just the same.

If you're looking for a spot to take your Thai spring rolls, Winslow Park is about 3 miles from Rt 1. From the Thai Garden, either head south to the Big Indian and turn left or head north and turn right on Pine St. Turn at Staples Point Road and go to the end.

It's a great spot to walk along the trails and look for osprey. There is a small play area for children. No dogs on the beach between April 1 and October 31. Dogs must be leashed on the trails.

Wicked Whoopies comes to Freeport!

Out for my walk today and decided to take a chance and duck into the newest store on Main St, Wicked Whoopies. Uh oh, this is going to be one tough store to just walk past on my walks! Amy, the owner and chief whoopie pie baker was on hand to show us around and explain the makings of a whoopie pie.

These are just decadent little (or big, there was one there that looked about 12" across!) pies with 2 cake shells with a fluffy cream filling in between.

I got the original flavor which is chocolate cake with the white cream filling. (There is also a peanut butter cream filling!) If chocolate cake with cream filling is not enough chocolate for you, this one also comes dipped in chocolate! Tried the banana one as well. The banana version tastes just like banana bread.

Amy also has coffee and drinks as well as a large selection of Wicked Whoopies in 7 different flavors.

You've got to stop by when you're in town. The shop is located just across the street from Reebok and around the corner from The Body Shop (down that little set of stairs) where the RD Allen tourmaline jewelry shop used to be. (RD Allen has moved to Middle Street, across from Rite Aid.)

In case you've never seen a whoopie pie (WHERE have you been???) here's a pic I got from the Wicked Whoopies Website. If you realize when you get home that you just have to have more Wicked Whoopies, you can order them online!

If Wicked Whoopies sounds familiar it's probably because you've seen them on Oprah, Good Morning America or Unwrapped. If you haven't seen them there you can watch the film clips on the website.

With Wicked Whoopies, Wilbur's Chocolates and Simply Divine Brownies, Freeport will be the chocolate capital of Maine pretty soon.

Freeport Cabaret Opens! Nightlife Comes to Freeport

This weekend was the grand opening of the Freeport Cabaret on Depot St. Finally, nightlife comes to Freeport! I had the opportunity to speak with the owners, Gar and Betsy, as well as the 'host with the most,' Mike.

Gar has some terrific ideas for the space. Just looking at the calendar for the rest of May, I see open mic nights, jazz nights and a lot of local talent. We spoke about dance classes so everyone can get out there and shimmy, comedy nights and the great combo of local and 'imported' acts that Gar wants to bring in. It sounds great to me!

The menu is short and sweet (no pun intended) and includes light appetizers like the yummy fruit and cheese round we had at our table and a dessert list that last night included an Oreo cheesecake, strawberry rhubarb pie and blueberry pie. The menu is posted online, so be sure to check out the great food, 'Lobster Martini' anyone? [A quick update here, the menu has now expanded to include dinner from 6-8 PM, cocktails from 5 PM on. Happy Hour at 5 PM, perfect spot to unwind while waiting for the better half to be done shopping!]

There is a full bar as well as a decent wine & beer list.

It's an easy walk there and back from White Cedar Inn and, as there is limited parking, it's a good idea to leave the car here when you're a guest and stroll through town. We are really happy to see this upscale, fun venue in town. We danced, we laughed and we met new friends. All in all, a great evening. Pick up a coupon here for a discount on your dinner and cover charge for the shows.

There's a lot more on tap and the summer schedule is looking good! The Cabaret opens at 5 PM and the shows start at 8. Phone: 207-865-1780 for more info. 5 Depot St, Freeport, Maine.

Freeport, Maine Area Restaurants

This is just a quick link to the White Cedar Inn's web page with a list of local restaurants. We have made it our goal to try each of these this year. Of course, we've made a good dent in the list already. Bon Appetit!

As always, if you have a favorite place to eat, let me know and I'll add it to the list!

10 Things to See and Do on Route 1

OK, here it is, the long-awaited '10 Things to Do on Route 1'. Two weeks ago we drove from Freeport to Camden and these are some things we stopped to do along the way. Some are just fun places I thought you'd like to visit and others are places we always like to go. Read away! It's a 2 hour drive from here to Camden, give or take, depending on traffic. Sometimes we can make it in an hour and a half. The mileages I listed are from the front door of our place, White Cedar Inn. (Click the bold names for links to their websites.)

1. Frost Gully Gallery (Freeport)- An eclectic mix of artists. Gallery open 12-5, weekdays. Just 1 mile from here.
2. Shelter Institute (Woolwich)- Learn how to build your own timberframe house at one of their classes, buy the tools you need or just revel in the joy of the home building craft at its finest. 23 miles from here.
3. Montsweag Flea Market (Woolwich)- Mostly outdoors, some tables under cover. Seasonal, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun 6:30 AM (yes, AM!) to 3 PM. 23 miles from here, just past the Shelter Inst, on left.
4. Avalon Antiques Market(Wiscasset)- 3 floors of everything you could imagine. I went back yesterday to buy a pair of 'Feathered Bird' pictures that Rock really liked that we had seen on the trip to Camden. They are simply a painted backdrop on which are added 'birds' made with real feathers. Why he likes these 'works of art' is anyone guess, but he does! My friend, Shellie, (see Claiborne House blog) said they were generally made in the Philippines and were a common wedding gift from 1920-1940. Oh joy, there must be millions of them out there. 25 miles from here.
5. Red's Eats - famous for years, this really is worth the stop for one of the best lobster rolls we've ever had. Seasonal. 37 miles from here. 
6. Fawcett's Toy Museum (Waldoboro)- We haven't stopped in here, yet, but are planning to do so before summer. It just sounds too interesting to miss! Seasonal. 49 miles from here.
7. Lie-Nielsen Toolworks (Warren)- I have heard grown men wax lyrical about this 'tool shop'. It's a toy box for the serious wood crafter. 8:30 AM- 5 PM, M-F, Saturday hours in July & August only. 50 miles from here.
8. Maine State Prison Store (Thomaston)- There are some truly unique items in this store. Even if you aren't planning on buying anything, you should at least stop by to see the 'Biker & Mermaid' carving in the window. Open daily 9-5, with holiday and snow day exceptions. 57 miles from here.
9. Maine Lighthouse Museum (Rockland)- For the lighthouse lover! Check hours before stopping in.
10. Down East Magazine (Rockport)- You've read the magazine for years, now's the time to stop in and look over all those books you keep meaning to order!

And that's it...10 things to do between here and Camden. Of course, that is a really, really short list!

Happy travels!

White Cedar Inn Bed and Breakfast 178 Main St Freeport, Maine 04032

www.whitecedarinn.com

Flavors of Freeport Festival

The Fourth Annual Flavors of Freeport Festival will be focused on all the 'Flavors of Freeport'! The festival will take place in various locations around Freeport on March 25-27, 2011.

The flavors will include:

• Wine, beer and vodka tastings;
  
• The fabulously successful 'Chef's Signature Series' that showcases the local Freeport talent, combined with the above-mentioned libations;
• The Third Annual Freeport B&B Dessert Challenge where all Freeport B&B's are invited to bring their best dessert recipe to the table;
• A 10x10 Art Show and sale on Friday night at the Chef's Signature Series;
  
• The First Annual Celebrity Waiter Lunch on Saturday.
  
• Other events based on participation.
  

This year's Chefs' Signature Series on Friday night (from 6-9 PM) will include wine, beer and vodka pairings with each presentation. (Be sure to check out the Historic Freeport B&B dessert table with dessert wines!) Tickets are $25/person (same as last year).

Saturday at lunchtime, enjoy the inaugural Celebrity Waiter Lunch with local celebrities doing their best to entertain and amuse you during a 3-course lunch. Tipping your celebrity waiter will benefit 2 local charities- Freeport Community Services and Habitat for Humanity. The more tips, the bigger the donation! And, the server who collects the most tips will win the soon-to-be-coveted Celebrity Waiter Award. Tickets are $38/person which includes your 3 course lunch, soft drinks, coffee and tax.

There's something for everyone at the Flavors of Freeport. Book early for the best room selection!

To purchase tickets to the events, please go to the Flavors of Freeport website. Advance ticket purchases are advised. Tickets are also available at the door. Seating for the Celebrity Waiter Lunch is limited.

White Cedar Inn Bed & Breakfast 178 Main St Freeport, Maine 04032