One of the most popular drives in Maine is along Route 1, for several reasons. One of those reasons is the Antique shops, both on Route 1 and just off Route 1. Many of these have changed names and owners over the years since I was a child, and the quantity of shops has increased offering today’s shopper an abundance of great shopping opportunities and competitive pricing.

Vintage Photographs

Space does not permit me to list every antique shop along Route 1, but here are a few to get you started. We recommend that you call to be sure what days and hours the shops are open as some have different hours according to the season of the year.

Cattails Antiques – 154 Port Road – Kennebunk, ME 04043 – 207.967.3824
York Antiques Gallery – 746 US Route 1 – York, Maine 03909 – 207.363.5002
Douglas N. Harding – Route 1 North, 2152 Post Rd., PO Box 184 – Wells, Maine – 207.646.8785
R. Jorgensen Antiques – 502 Post Rd., US Route 1 – Wells, ME 04090 – 207.646.9444
Rocky Mountain Quilts – 130 York Street – York Village -York, ME 03909 – 1.800.762.5940
Bell Farm Antiques‎ – 244 US Rt. 1 – York, ME 03909 – 207.363.8181‎
The Blacksmith’s Mall – 166 Main St. – Ogunquit, ME – 207.646.9444
Carriage House Antiques‎ – 1399 U.S. 1 – Cape Neddick, ME – 03902 – 207.363.5480‎
Bell Farm Antiques‎ – 244 US Rt. 1 – York, ME 03909 – 207.363.8181‎

Antiques come in all sizes, from the tiny to the huge. Most Antique shops will hold your purchase for a few days if you need to arrange transportation to pick up that dining room table or bedroom suite you found!

Ever since I was a child, I loved those Sunday’s when we took rides on Route 1. We would go from So. Portland all the way to Kittery. My father was never in a hurry and we knew there were several stops we could count on each time we made the Route 1 ride. Our first stop was at Len Libby Chocolates (We called it Libby’s candy!) where we were allowed to pick out some of our favorite candy. If you’ve never stopped into Len Libby’s (419 US Rt 1 in Scarborough) you need to add it to your Maine Bucket List… it’s that special. Since I was a child they have added Lenny! Lenny is a life-size chocolate moose. Being a moose lover and a chocolate lover, I think Lenny is the best.  You can see him on the Len Libby web site.

Bike and Pedestrian Trail Through the Salt Marsh

After Len Libby’s it’s a short ride to Scarborough’s beautiful salt marsh, which I have loved since the first time I saw and smelled it. Birds were everywhere (and still are) My favorite then was the red-winged black birds I saw sitting on almost every cattail stock. Today, all the birds are my favorites. Once again, times have changed things, and probably for the better (though secretly I long for the things the way they were in my childhood). Today the marsh is protected, and that’s a good thing.  At the Audobon Center you can rent a canoe or kayak, take your camera and go on a nice little photo trip through the 3,100 acre salt marsh. Don’t forget your binoculars. Watch for egrets, herons,  glossy ibis and others . When the summer moon is full, the center runs evening, guided canoe tours. You’ll find a list of events on the Audobon Website.

Kayaking the Scarborough Salt Marsh

By the time we left the marsh, we would be getting hungry and my dad would head to Old Orchard Beach where his cousin had a hamburger stand in the summer and the best french fries with white vinegar. After filling up on burgers, fries and drinks we would take a little walk on the pier before climbing back into the car. The ferris wheel and bumper cars would have to wait for another day.

Old Orchard Beach Pier

Back in the car we would head south again. Now it was time to watch for the gift shops, used book shops and antique shops for Mom. Then, as now, most of the shops had outside displays on nice days so we would call out the items we saw and when she heard or saw something of interest my dad would pull into the shop. The owners and names have changed over the years, but there is still an abundance of wonderful shops filled with memories of days gone by, books with musty leather covers and brand new gifts, many made in Maine. More on route 1 in the next post.

Charles Asbury Stephens

Born in Norway, Maine in 1844, C. A. Stephens went on to become a prolific writer, with over 1500 of his short stories published in “The Youth’s Companion.” We have chosen his work entitled “When Life was Young at the Old Farm in Maine,”  to be the first book we produce in full on MaineUSA. One of the great things about this book is that each of the thirty chapters is a complete story, so you can read one in its entirety every day. Maybe during your lunch hour!

Learn more about C. A.Stephens here and start reading. New chapters are going up each day and all should be up by the end of next week.

McLaughlin Garden

May 7th is National Public Garden Day and gardens around the country are having special events. In So. Paris, Maine, (Main St.) McLaughlin Garden will be open from 10am to 5pm, celebrating this event with an open house. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. The gift shop open and the plant shop. Check out their website

Scarborough Salt Marsh

Scarborough Marsh Clean-up Day
April 24th
9am to noon at the Audubon Center
(207)  415-8331 to register

Here is a great opportunity for you and your family, club or group of friends to pitch in and help with the annual clean up day sponsored by Audubon and Toyota. In Maine we are privileged to have some of the most beautiful salt marshes. They have been a favorite since I was a child. I remember the smell of the marsh at low tide and I just loved it so much. It’s changed a lot since then and much has been done to preserve the marshes for generations to come.

Comerants and Gull at Scarborough Salt Marsh

You can help to continue this legacy by spending some time helping with the preparation for the upcoming season. It will be a day you won’t forget. More Information

Kayaking the Scarborough Salt Marsh

Make May Day a Family Day

May 1, 2010

Kennebunk’s 12th annual May Day celebration. A fun-filled day of activities for the whole family!

• May Day Parade – 1:30
• Antique and Classic Cars
• Shriners
• Shoe String Puppet Theatre
• Make a May Basket at the Brick Store Museum
• Book and bake sale at the Kennebunk Free Library
• Art and Crafts show at Lafayette Park
• Try your hand at chalk art
• May Pole Dancing
• Rock Climbing Wall
• Live bands
• Shops, restaurants and food vendors
• Much more than stated here

Plan to spend the day! There is something for everyone, plus great food, shopping and plenty of live music.

Mark your calendar today!!

Kitchen Tour – Kittery and Kittery Point
May 1, 2010

A self-guided tour in historic seacoast towns of Kittery and Kittery Point, Maine. Tour includes kitchens of all kinds. Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Cost: $23 in advance; $25 the day of the event. Information and tickets: 603-436-2400 or visit www.themusichall.org

May 15, 2010
3rd Annual Maine Grains and Grapes Festival -  Many Maine Brewing companies will be featured.  For more info phone (207) 783-2009

May 15 thru Jun 12

Moose Mainea is a month-long series of events for children and adults. Events include a Moose River Canoe Race, Kid’s Fun Day, Moosterpiece Craft Fair and Famous Moose Tales. For info phone (207) 695-2702.

Beautiful Maine Garden

From the day the seed catalogs arrive in January, Mainers start planning their gardens. Flowers, annuals and perrenials, are plotted and planned by height, color, fragrance and attractiveness to bees, butterflys and birds. There is a lot to consider, not to mention the outlay of money! If you’d like to learn more about garden design, you can learn from some experts at Coastal Maine Botannical Gardens.  On May 5th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm they will conduct a program entitled, “Design and Plant a Mixed Bed Garden.”  This is a hands on class where you will learn “techniques to prepare soil, position the plants, and install a well-orchestrated symphony of color and texture.”  You’ll work with Gardens Plant Curator Bill Cullina and the horticulture staff as your instructors. Make your plans now!  $25.00/members and $30.00/non-members.  Purchase tickets here  and visit their website  for more 2010 events.

Pemaquid Point Light went into service November 29, 1827

Pemaquid Point Light by JHRphotoART

The lighthouse is located on the west side of the entrance to Muscongus Bay, in New Harbor -Maine. Its height above water is 79 feet,with a range of 14 nautical miles.

Pemaquid Point, with its dramatic streaks of granite reaching to the sea, shaped by massive movements thousands of years ago, is a fascinating place to visit even without its pretty white lighthouse.  The spot is one of the most frequently visited attractions of the Maine coast, receiving about 100,000 visitors each year.

This beautiful photograph of Pemaquid Point is the work of Janusz of JHRphotoArt.  Janusz is best known, by friends, as Yani. He is a self taught photographer and art designer. After receiving his basic education in New York Institute of Photography “Yani” has continued his education on his own to acheive his goal in the world of photography striving for originality to create his images into an artform. His dream and goal is to change career paths and become a professional photographer in the near future.

“Yani says, ” I am photographer by passion for years. I like the photography of landscape and nature in particular. Always in search of the best light and of the most original angle, I “hunt” all the time for the most beautiful places which surround me.”

“Yani” also like optimizing and working his images with software, such as: Photoshop, Nik Software, Photomatix Pro.

Pemaquid Point Light Greeting Card

This beautiful Pemaquid Point Light artwork is available in several print styles and sizes as well as greeting cards and postcards. CLICK HERE  to purchase.

See and purchase more of Yani’s art in prints or on products at the following websites.

• Redbubble
• SmugMug
• Flickr
• Zenfolio

Here’s a list of some things happening in April in Maine and links to more info when available:

Brick Store Museum:
April 24, 2010
Vines in the Vaults – 4:30- 6:30PM

A signature wine-tasting event like no other! With Nat Saywell of Portland’s R. P. Imports as your knowledgeable guide, sample wines from around the world in the truly unique, behind-the-scenes setting of the Museum’s collections vaults!

Bangor Garden Show – Bangor
April 23, 2010 to April 25, 2010
Landscapers will design verdant and colorful displays, and the show awards prizes in categories such as Best in Show and People’s Choice. Location: Bangor Auditorium, Buck Street.

Northern New England Home, Garden and Flower Show — Fryeburg
May 14, 2010 to May 16, 2010
The show offers flower lovers a variety of exhibitors, speakers, artists, crafters, and demonstrations.

BioDiversity Research Institute website