So, here’s why I made my career in radio and television:  If you’re working fir a newspaper or magazine - print - you can quickly fall behind. Which is what happened last week.  No sooner had I finished the weekly column, plugging Midcoast Provisions than Tony Bickford pulled the plug.  Perhaps hoping to capitalize on the fact many of us  got used to take out food during the pandemic, Midcoast would offer gourmet-to-go and offer deliveries.  In an email, he told a customer there was ‘lack of interest’ in his three-month-old venture.  Bickford said he’ll be in business at the Gardiner Road location, to explore opportunities in wholesaling - perhaps developing a line of branded menu choices.  For now, the Web site says “Temporarily in Transition.”

Meanwhile, the former Ship’s Chow Hall on Route 1 is under new management.  Jodie Roquemore has opened Jodie’s Cafe and Bakery.  The Lincoln County News said she’s offering a few tastes of Southern cooking, including “awesome” grits, a shrimp po’boy. and banana pudding. 

At Red’s Eats, it’s business as usual - except !!! --- prices are lower.  Last summer, Red’s was asking $38 for a  Lobster Roll.  This year .. it’s $31.

Speaking of lobster, this being the July 4th weekend, I’m intending to eat some.  Me and my family, that is. “Family” is not a word I’m used to, since rather than children Donna and I have raised eight dogs.  But my sister, in Bolingbrook Illinois, mothered two boys, each of whom birthed three children - and they’re all here this weekend. I’ve spent the last two weeks building an agenda of things to be done for a group that ranges from 8 years to 78.  It includes a train ride and dinner At the lavender farm , SeaLyon, in Alna, .  We’ll also do a schooner sail in Boothbay, parade down Federal Street on July 4, kayak on the Sheepscot, play Cornhole, and visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

And then I’ll sleep.

But I’ll be up and at ‘em Thursday for a Matt Nakoa concert at the Opera House, to be followed Saturday by “Wiscasset Homes on Tour”.   The tour will feature a selection of beautiful and historic locations including an early 19th century village home once owned by a wealthy ship captain and another stately home built by a Civil War veteran, according to the Wiscasset Creative Alliance which has organized the first annual event.

Tour hours are 11am to 4pm.  Buy tickets online or at the Sprague dock downtown.

And then I’ll sleep

A few thoughts. Comment?

• .Sprague’s Pier looks a little empty this year.  The Maine Prison store wasn’t there this week. The old jelly and jam shop was.
• I understand the Ancient Cemetery on Federal Street will soon get a  new sign and entrance.
• And the Town Manager raised a good point at the open meeting to consider a development of White’s Island for recreational use. Dennis Simmons said  it makes sense to consider the future of White’s in concert with the town’s Comprehensive Plan.