Month: May 2024

The J.W. Deering Cottage at Cape Arundel

Architect John Calvin Stevens designed at least 5 Cape Arundel Cottages that are still standing. Though he wasn’t a Maine native, his family moved from Boston to Portland when he was just two years old. After finishing high school, Stevens entered the Portland architectural office of Francis Fassett. He worked his way up from office...

May 30, 2024May 30, 2024

Frank W. Handlen 1916-2023

On this the fourth Thursday of May, I am acutely aware that my dear friend, Frank W. Handlen has been gone a whole year. Frank was a gifted marine artist, a shipbuilder, and a sculptor in heroic scale. His Kennebunkport legacy is all around us. You might remember when he launched his handmade ferro cement...

May 23, 2024May 23, 2024

Fisherman Fredonia Replica: The Spirit of Massachusetts

The Spirit of Massachusetts has been hauled out of the Kennebunk River to a berth on the lot near the new Pilot House Restaurant in Lower Village Kennebunk and reportedly will be accessible from the eatery. The Spirit was modeled after an 1889 Gloucester fishing schooner designed by Edward Burgess and built by Moses Adams...

May 16, 2024May 16, 2024

Happy Birthday, Dear Jane!

Join me in wishing our own Jane Morgan a wonderful birthday. The talented and beautiful sister of Kennebunkport Playhouse founder Robert Currier turned 100 years old on May 3, 2024. Florence “Flossie” Currier grew up at the Kennebunkport Playhouse. She worked in the box office, helped out as Treasurer, and often made appearances on stage....

May 9, 2024May 9, 2024

Strawberry Island Mysteries

Every year at this time, I start getting inquiries about the history of Strawberry Island. When I was reading through the August 8, 1923 issue of Turn O’ the Tide the other day, looking for something else, of course, I came across an article about Strawberry Island titled, OH, YES, THEY HAVE NO STRAWBERRIES BUT...

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024