Get Outside
Ritual & Remedy
Winter adventuring, whether it’s your jam or not
We’re now looking at the snowy season in Maine—the time of year that ushers in a whole new lens to see endless places to explore like a big snow globe. If you are one of those who prefers to hunker down during these next few months, I hope to inspire you a little to take a chance on getting outside this year.
Skating Dreams
The Journey of Ice Dance International
Ice Dance International (IDI) has emerged as a beacon of artistry and community engagement in the world of ice skating. For over a decade, this dynamic company has been captivating audiences with its unique blend of grace, creativity, and athleticism. At the heart of IDI is its founder, Douglas Webster, whose vision and passion have transformed a childhood dream into a thriving artistic enterprise.
When the Playground Becomes the Classroom
How WinterKids helps turn frozen fields into laboratories and libraries for Maine’s students
In most places, when the first snow falls, recess gets shorter,and outdoor education moves indoors. But here in Maine? That’s just when things start to get interesting.
Get Outside
Ritual & Remedy
Winter adventuring, whether it’s your jam or not
Hello again, Maine. I hope you all had a chance to get outside during the fall season and maybe even took my recommendations from the last issue on where to bike, hike, and raft.
Winter is for the Birds
Root & Bloom
Not all fly south—meet the species that brighten Maine’s coldest days
Winter is an exceptional time to get to know the birds that stay in Maine all year long. While many species migrate south, a remarkable number remain with us year-round, adapting with resilience and resourcefulness to the cold. We can assure you that winter birding offers some of the most rewarding encounters of the year. In this piece we’ll explore the species most commonly seen during Maine’s cold months and establish how to recognize them.
Out & About
Feast & Toast
Artisan cheesemaker Sarah Parsons Spring created a post-pandemic champion
While Shakespeare’s Juliet refers to sweet roses, her question about what’s in a name can also be asked about stinky cheeses. The name of a cheese encompasses many things: time and place, intrinsic ingredients and those pulled from thin air, longstanding technical tradition, and turns taken by today’s artisans.
Central Maine’s Cosmic Treatment
Worth the Drive
With noctourism on the rise, Maine is poised for a nocturnal renaissance
Out-of-state visitors have a new reason to add Maine to their travel bucket lists, but it requires ditching the famous coastline, heading inland, and abandoning any fear of the dark.
Cooper Flagg: Maine’s Leading Man
The basketball player’s journey from Newport to national spotlight.
Surely, by now, you’ve heard the story: a small town kid from Maine takes the basketball world by storm. But what might feel like the climax of a Hollywood script is, in reality, just the beginning chapters of Cooper Flagg’s incredible journey.
From Snowed In to Night Out
Fashion Statement
Baking Spirits Bright
Feast & Toast
Chef Tara’s guide for cookie-tin delight
Our Favorite Things
2025 Holiday Gift Guide
The Art of theSoft Christmas
Make Yourself at Home
Forget red and green—think candlelight, velvet ribbons, and a table that glows like a winter’s dream
After decades of blindingly bright, Crayola green-and-red Christmas décor, I have finally retired from grandma’s colorama explosion. Now, the vibe has shifted from “Santa’s workshop on a sugar rush” to “elegant winter retreat with hot cocoa and a Pinterest board.”
Winter Festivals & Gatherings
Worth the Drive
Creating Luxury in Everyday Life: The Maine Gift Edition
Mrs. West Approved
Admittedly, I start thinking about Christmas in September. The crisp chill in the air, the woodsy smell of fall leaves, pumpkin carving, and hot apple cider are all just foreplay for the main event of the year—and for me, that’s Christmas.