By LCN Staff
The readers and editors of Down East Magazine have made their choices, and Lincoln County businesses are well-represented in the publication’s annual “Best of Maine” issue.
The list covers everything from best ice cream to best used car dealer, voted in by over 5,000 readers and highlights selected by the magazine’s editors.
“This year thousands of readers nominated their favorites across Maine,” said Down East Editor in Chief Kathleen Fleury in a press release. “To be included in this list selected by the readers of Down East or the editorial team here means that you truly are part of what makes Maine so great. Our readers and team take the task of selecting the Best Of very seriously. It really is an honor.”
An awards banquet hosted by Down East was held in Portland June 19 at the Portland Club to recognize recipients of the 2014 Best Of honor.
Two Lincoln County locations made the editors’ picks for lodgings – the Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse in Southport and Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson are grouped in with other novelty lodgings such as cove-moored houseboats, a 19th century castle, and a locally-provisioned bed and breakfast.
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Two-Dog Hut is one of the three places to stay at Hidden Valley Nature Center, Down East Magazine’s 2014 Editors’ Choice for Best Remote Winter Retreat. (LCN file photo) |
Hidden Valley Nature Center was the Editors’ Choice for the Best Remote Winter Retreat for its two cabins and yurt tucked in along the trails that crisscross the 1000 acre property.
The diverse landscape of the property, which includes gorges, bogs, vernal pools, and the only public access to Little Dyer Pond, is the backdrop for hiking, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, and the variety of educational programs held at the center throughout the year.
Visitors to the center can rent out the yurt, a round hut of Turkish design that sleeps up to six; Two- Dog Hut, a small log cabin that sleeps two and was built in one of the early woodworking programs held at HVNC; or The Hermit Hut, a retrofitted building that came with the property. The Hermit Hut sleeps six but has space for tents around the building.
“We were pleasantly surprised to be named the best remote winter retreat. We’re thrilled by it, we think we have a really great product,” said Andy McEvoy, HVNC’s director. “People enjoy our rustic huts and our yurts.”
Hidden Valley Nature Center is located at 131 Egypt Rd. in Jefferson. For more information or to reserve a rental, call 200-8840 or visit http:// hvnc.org.
Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse was named the Editors’ Choice for Best Lighthouse Lodging.
For the first time in history, the Cuckolds-a pair of granite islands off the coast of Boothbay Harbor, is open to guests for overnight stays, island tours, and other education and recreation activities.
The Inn is a rebuilt lighthouse keepers’ quarters attached to the 19th century offshore lighthouse, which committed local citizens, the Cuckolds Council, rescued and restored over the last decade. The unique inn offers luxurious accommodations and breathtaking 360-degree ocean views, according to a press release.
“We are elated to be honored by Down East magazine as the best lighthouse lodging in Maine,” said Janet Reingold, founder and vice president of the nonprofit Cuckolds Council. “Maine has so many wonderful lighthouses and B&Bs, so to be singled out as Editors’ Choice Best Of Maine 2014 is truly an honor.”
Reservation inquiries for the Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse are now being accepted via the website, http://www.innatcuckoldslighthouse.com, or by calling (855) 212-5252.
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Down East Magazine’s 2014 Editors’ Best Of choice for crab roll is King Eider’s Pub in Damariscotta. Partner-owners, left to right, are Melissa Organ, Cynthia Weiss, Jed Weiss and Todd Maurer (Sarah Maurer not pictured). (Tim Badgley photo) |
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King Eider’s Pub received the Editors’ Choice for Best Crab Roll in Down East Magazine’s 2014 poll of readers’ favorites.
This is the second time the restaurant has been honored with a Down East Magazine Best Of award. In 2010 the pub received a Readers’ Choice award for Best Lunch.
Located at 12 Elm St. in Damariscotta, King Eider’s Pub was acquired in 2003 by current owners Todd and Sarah Maurer, Jed and Cynthia Weiss and Melissa Organ.
The pub was originally established in 1996, according to Todd Maurer.
The five owners in a written statement said, “We have always believed that starting with the best Maine product, prepared by talented people, served by the friendly, caring staff for our friends and neighbors is our mission and our pleasure.”
The Maine-sourced crab is supplied to King Eider’s Pub by Maine Shellfish out of Belfast, Maine, according to Cynthia Weiss.
“As our menu says, the crabmeat is mixed with an herbed mayo and served on a split-top roll which is much larger than the traditional hot dog roll,” Weiss said.
The five partners also own and operate the 1812 Farm at 1297 Bristol Road in Bristol, Stone Cove Catering and Ducklicious Fine Foods, according to Maurer.
Treats in Wiscasset received mention for its variation of the doughnut. Treats baker Josh DeGroot’s creation of the Bronut, which is a doughnut made brioshe then filled with pastry cream and topped with chocolate, captured the attention Down East Magazine.
“It’s always wonderful be mentioned in Down East. It’s very exciting,” said Treats owner Stacy Linehan.
The fact is Linehan said the Bronut isn’t made as often as a lot of other items because of the time required to make it. However, now that it has been recognized by Down East Magazine Treats will have it more available in the future, she said
Linehan takes great pride in the fact all her baked goods are made from scratch and said the Bronut is just one of the many items that could have been recognized.
“The art of making things from scratch is falling by the wayside,” she said.
Treats, located on Main Street in Wiscasset, has been in business for 30 years. Linehan has been the owner for the last nine years. The store is open year-round, seven days a week. For more information about Treats visit http://treatsofmaine.com.
Waldoboro-based The Jojoba Company was selected as the Editors’ Choice of Best Personal Care Product.
The company was founded by Bob and Sally Butler 20 years ago, who started as growers of the desert plant jojoba, and now deal in the plant’s extract.
The extract, also known as jojoba, has a number uses including skin care, as a base for aromatherapy, and in industrial applications.
“We’re really pleased to receive this award, credit for which must go to our growers, our processors, and all of our employees who’ve worked so hard during the past 20 years to bring a pure and versatile personal care product to the professional and to the consumer,” said Bob Butler in a press release. “The award supports our view that personal care products should be pure, safe, and effective.”
The company’s products, sold under the retail brand names HobaCare Jojoba and Jojoba Baby, are available locally at Community Pharmacy in Waldoboro, Rising Tide in Damariscotta, and Rheal Day Spa in Rockland.
For more information, visit The Jojoba Company’s website at http:// www.jojobacompany.com or 1-800- 256-5622.
Baobab Organics, a family-owned organic clothing company in Waldoboro, was selected as the Editors’ Choice for Best Green Children’s Garb.
Vero Poblete-Howell, an experienced textile designer and buyer, created the company’s line of sustainable organic cotton and recycled cotton children’s clothes after having trouble finding similar products for her daughter Sofia.
The Baobab name comes from an African and Indian tree by the same name, which often serves as a community gathering place, Poblete- Howell said.
“My mission is doing quality garments that are meant to last, instead of adding more disposable clothing into the waste stream,” said Poblete-Howell.
The company uses all USA-made materials – locally sourced, if possible – and six Maine seamstresses to sew the garments as part of Poblete- Howell’s commitment to sustainable fabrics and reducing the impact of the textile industry on the environment.
Poblete-Howell hopes her company’s recognition can spur other manufacturers to work in a similar manner.
Baobab Organics are available for purchase on the company’s website, http://www.baobaborganics.com, Etsy, and locally at Medomak River Community Market in Waldoboro, Bonnie’s Place in Rockport, Jane Alden Gifts in Camden, and Lisa- Marie’s Made in Maine in Bath.
For more information, visit the above Baobab Organics website or call 790-2025.
Dresden’s Maine Medicinals’ Anthroimmune Organic Elderberry Syrup was recognized in the “magic elixir” category for its effectiveness to strengthen the immune system and help customers through the cold and flu season.
“We are thrilled to be selected as an Editor’s Choice,” said Edie Johnston, founder of Maine Medicinals.
Johnston said the entire production of the syrup takes place in Dresden. The berries are raised and cultivated on Route 27 and the syrup is made on the second floor of the Johnston home in Dresden Mills.
Not only is the elderberry syrup safe and effective for all ages, it tastes great, said Johnston. Some customers take the syrup every day to build up their immunity, while others take it during the cold and flu season, Johnston said.
Johnston said she and her son, who is the director of operations, launched their product in the fall of 2009 at the Common Ground Fair. From there the demand for the product quickly grew and is now available at most natural food stores in Lincoln County and online. For more information about Maine Medicinals visit http:// www.mainemedicinals.com or call 737-8717.
Eight other local businesses were selected as by readers to make Down East’s “Best Of” list:
Diner – Moody’s Diner, 1885 Atlantic Hwy., Waldoboro. 832-7785 or http://www.moodysdiner.com.
Bargain Store – Renys, Main Street, Damariscotta. 563-3177 or http://www.renys.com.
Book Store – Maine Coast Book Shop & Café, 158 Main St., Damariscotta. 563-3207 or http:// www.mainecoastbookshop.com.
Gift Store – Gifts at 136, 136 Main St., Damariscotta. 563-1011 or http:// www.giftsat136.com.
Lobster Roll – Red’s Eats, 41 Water St., Wiscasset. 882-6128.
Theater Venue – Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater St., Damariscotta. 563-3424 or http://www.lcct.org.
Used Car Dealer – Norm’s Used Cars, 774 Bath Rd., Wiscasset. 882- 7476 or http://www.normsusedcars. com.
Women’s Boutique – Mexicali Blues, Route 1, Newcastle. 866-329- 0639 or http://www.mexicaliblues. com.
Down East Magazine’s July 2014 issue hit newsstands June 24.
