In what year was Raye’s Mustard founded in Eastport?

A. 1875   B. 1900   C. 1925   D. 1950

Keep your answer in mind. You’ll find it at the end of this issue.

Welcome to our first Downeast Voice. I’m Sandy Smith, and I’m glad you’re here.

This is a weekly place to find things to do, useful local details and people worth knowing across Hancock and Washington Counties. From the Blue Hill Peninsula and Mount Desert Island to Schoodic, Machias, Calais, Eastport and Lubec, there is a lot of ground to cover—and a lot worth sharing.

We begin with an early-morning tradition in Bar Harbor, holiday shopping in East Machias and an Ellsworth festival built around local flavors. There are also ways to lend a hand, a Castine football matchup and a Maine business conversation worth hearing.

Have an event or a story we should know about? Write to sandy@mainethrive.org. I’d like to hear from you.

Some newsletter illustrations are created with AI; adoptable-animal photographs are real.

Plan for changeable November conditions

Across Ellsworth, the Blue Hill Peninsula, Mount Desert Island, Machias and Eastport, coastal wind and chilly evenings can make outdoor plans feel colder than the daytime temperature suggests. Bring a warm layer and rain protection for the weekend's markets, trail visits and games.

For a current town-by-town forecast, including rain timing and coastal conditions, check the National Weather Service in Caribou before setting out. Specific daily temperatures are intentionally omitted until a fresh forecast is confirmed.

Wednesday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Holiday hours may affect municipal offices and community services. Call ahead before making a special trip to an office or pantry that day.

Bar Harbor early birds: Shopping starts at 6 a.m. Saturday; the bed races come later, from 10 to 11 a.m. You can plan for either—or both.

Festival planning: The November 14 guided cider and cheese tasting is sold out, but the Festival Market at Woodlawn (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) is free. The history talk on November 13 is free with RSVP. Check the organizer's current schedule before visiting.

Washington Academy Holiday Craft Fair · East Machias

Saturday, November 14 · 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Gardner Gymnasium, 66 Cutler Road.

Washington Academy’s Student Council hosts its second annual holiday craft fair, with 45 vendor spaces listed. Expect handmade shopping, basket fundraising, door prizes and concessions. Free Santa photos are part of the program; admission to the fair itself is not specified in the listing.

It is a chance to get an early start on gifts while supporting a school event close to home.

Washington Academy fair details

Cider & Cheese Festival Market · Ellsworth

Saturday, November 14 · 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Barn at Woodlawn, 21 Black House Drive.

Make the festival market part of your Ellsworth outing. It is one piece of Heart of Ellsworth’s broader celebration of cider, cheese and local food.

See the festival program

Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival · Ellsworth

The festival runs November 9–14, with several opportunities still ahead during our issue week.

Friday, November 13 · 5–6 p.m.: Learn about Downeast apples and cider at the Barn at Woodlawn. The history program is free with RSVP, with in-person and Zoom options.

Saturday, November 14 · 10 a.m.–2 p.m.: The free, family-friendly Festival Market at the Barn at Woodlawn brings cider makers, cheesemakers and other local producers together for shopping. The separate 6–8 p.m. guided tasting ($30, ages 21+) is SOLD OUT according to the organizer. Do not plan on walk-in tickets.

The Downtown Cider Crawl follows participating businesses’ hours, so build your route from the organizer’s program.

Explore the festival

A mystery with a comic twist · Eastport

Haven’t a Clue, Jude Kempe’s comedic mystery, comes to Eastport Arts Center, 36 Washington Street. Performances are Friday, November 13, 7–9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, November 14–15, at 3 p.m. General admission is $20 plus a $0.50 ticket fee; ages 17 and younger are $15 plus $0.38.

Performance details and tickets

Blue Hill music · Wednesday, November 11, 7–8:30 p.m. Harpist Lily Neill and guitarist Clive Carroll perform at Bagaduce Music Performance Hall, 49 South Street. Food begins at 6 p.m.; the suggested contribution is $15–$35. Concert details.

Hunters Breakfast · Brooksville · Saturday, November 14, 7–10:30 a.m. Brooksville Community Center, 1 Black Bear Road. The town lists the time and venue; contact the organizer for the meal price. Town event listing.

Seaweed Squishies · Blue Hill · Saturday, November 14, 10–11 a.m. Shaw Institute, 55 Main Street. Ages 6 and older can make a seaweed-based toy. Cost is $10 per person making one, with materials included. Register each maker. Workshop registration.

Open mic · Blue Hill · Saturday, November 14, 1–3 p.m. Blue Hill Co-op, 70 South Street. Free. Co-op calendar.

Tapestry workshop · Eastport · Tuesday, November 17, 1–4 p.m. Debra Thomas teaches Tapestry 101 at Eastport Arts Center, with supplies included and room for six participants. Cost is $90 plus a $2.25 ticket fee. Workshop details.

Paint-a-Pokémon · Ellsworth · Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The Pack Shack invites fans to a free themed painting event at 112 Main Street. Heart of Ellsworth event details.

EXPANSION ANNOUNCED — Mount Desert Island Ice Cream · Ellsworth

The Bar Harbor-based ice cream business has purchased the Koller Building at 204 Water Street, Ellsworth, to expand production. Founder Linda Marie Parker announced the purchase in early November. This is not yet a confirmed retail ice cream shop; any storefront at the new building would be no earlier than 2027. The added production space is also intended to help the company reopen its lower Main Street Bar Harbor shop. Bangor Daily News, November 9.

NEW OPENING — Aroma Joe’s · Bucksport

The drive-through coffee shop opened Monday, November 2, at 80 Route 1, Bucksport, next door to Dunkin'. Local franchise owner Mark Breton reported a busy first morning. Advertised hours are 5 a.m.–9 p.m. daily. Bangor Daily News, November 3.

RELOCATION AND REOPENING — Stowaways Town Tavern · Blue Hill

After leaving its former Bucksport Main Street location in September, Stowaways Town Tavern opened in Blue Hill at 40 Main Street in October. Owner Rob DeGennaro has retained the family-style menu and introduced weekend breakfast offerings. The building formerly housed Sandy's Blue Hill Cafe. Bangor Daily News, October 23.

MAJOR RENOVATION — Ellsworth Candlepin Bowling Alley · Ellsworth

Owner Autumn Mowery's historic candlepin bowling business has completed upgrades to flooring, seating, accessibility ramps and other areas after a crowdfunding campaign raised more than $340,000. More work, including lane refinishing, is planned for spring. The change is an expansion of facilities and improvements, not a new business opening. Bangor Daily News, November 2.

COMING SOON — Home2 Suites by Hilton · Ellsworth

The new 83-room hotel at 6 Downeast Highway is accepting reservations for November 13, 2026, and beyond on Hilton's official site. Hilton currently labels the property Coming Soon, so reservation availability should not be reported as proof the hotel has already opened. The hotel lists suites with kitchens, complimentary breakfast and an indoor pool. Hilton official listing.

PLANNED RESTAURANT — 30 Water · Ellsworth

Developer Jonathan Bates is renovating the former Chloe's Café building at 30 Water Street into a steak-and-seafood restaurant with a speakeasy-style bar. A possible soft opening is targeted for winter 2026–27, with a larger launch anticipated in spring 2027. It is not open yet. Star 97.7 citing The Ellsworth American.

Practical training for real estate professionals · Bar Harbor

Friday, November 13 · 10 a.m.–noon
ArtWaves Dance Studio, 1345-A State Highway 102.

Aware & Prepared is a two-hour, hands-on self-defense workshop designed for real estate professionals. The program covers awareness, boundaries and practical skills, with no previous training required. A single registration is $25; a group of ten is $200. Wear clean indoor gym shoes and bring water.

ArtWaves workshop details and registration

A networking date to save

Ellsworth Chamber lists Loaves and Fishes Business After Hours for Thursday, November 19, 5–7 p.m. That falls after this issue’s week, but gives business owners time to plan ahead.

Business After Hours listing

Brooksville Selectmen · Thursday, November 12 · 7–8 p.m.
Town Office, 1 Town House Road. Town calendar.

Ellsworth City Council · Monday, November 16 · 6 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers, 1 City Hall Plaza. Council calendar.

Hancock County Commissioners special meeting · Tuesday, November 17 · 8:30–11 a.m.
Commissioners Meeting Room, courthouse, 50 State Street, Ellsworth. Public welcome. County meeting listing.

Brooksville Harbor Committee · Tuesday, November 17 · 6–7 p.m.
Town Office, 1 Town House Road. Town calendar.

Hancock County Budget Advisory Committee · Wednesday, November 11 · 6–8 p.m.
Hancock County Courthouse, 50 State Street, Ellsworth. Check the county's meeting calendar for the latest agenda. County calendar.

Agendas and participation instructions can change. Use the linked official notices before attending.

Blue Hill Winter Market · Saturday, November 14

Stop by Mainescape at 48 South Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the Saturday winter market. The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets lists SNAP/EBT as accepted. Some vendors take credit or debit cards. Mainescape market details

Reversing Falls Preserve · Pembroke

At Reversing Falls Preserve, the tide does the moving. Downeast Coastal Conservancy’s 191-acre preserve overlooks the exchange between Dennys Bay and Cobscook Bay, where shifting water gives this stretch of shore its name.

It is a place for a shore-side pause: watch the current, take in the surrounding woods and coastline, and give yourself time to notice how the water changes. Conditions depend on the tide; a dramatic display is not guaranteed at every visit.

Keep well back from the water and do not enter the current. Review trail and road conditions before heading out, especially after rain or a cold snap. The preserve description is the best starting point for planning your visit.

Explore Reversing Falls Preserve

Home tip: give carbon monoxide alarms some attention

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends maintaining CO alarms on every level and outside each separate sleeping area. Follow the alarm manufacturer’s directions, and keep furnace, dryer, stove and fireplace vents clear of debris. Portable generators belong outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents. CO safety guidance.

Wellness tip: make room for a little movement

Choose a short walk that fits your day—a few minutes before lunch, a trip around the block, or a gentle stroll with a friend. Daylight can make the outing easier to plan in November. On streets, use sidewalks where available and cross at intersections or crosswalks. Walking-safety reminders.

A Castine matchup worth circling

Saturday, November 14 · noon
Maine Maritime hosts Husson at Ritchie Field in Castine. The Mariners list the game as Senior Day, Spirit Day and Castine Day—a busy afternoon for the home crowd.

Football schedule and game-day updates

On the road: Maine Maritime men’s basketball is scheduled at UNE in Biddeford on Saturday, November 14, at 5 p.m. Men’s basketball schedule.

Eight-player football state championships · Saturday, November 14

Large-school final · 11 a.m.
Old Town (9–1) faces Yarmouth (10–0) at Edward Little High School in Auburn. The Coyotes advanced by beating Mount Desert Island 56–6 in the northern regional final on November 7.

Small-school final · 2:30 p.m.
Orono (5–4) faces Old Orchard Beach (10–0), also at Edward Little. Orono reached the championship with a 55–52 win over Stearns.

In the eight-player North brackets, Washington Academy, Bucksport, MDI and Ellsworth have finished their playoff runs. Updated tournament brackets.

A Bar Harbor 5K to put on your calendar

The MDI YMCA’s Catch That Turkey 5K is an annual Sunday-after-Thanksgiving run. This year that falls on November 29. The YMCA lists a 9 a.m. start and a head start for the runner dressed as the turkey. MDI YMCA race information

Patricia Nielsen of The Furniture Gallery · Maine Thrive Voices, Episode 17

What does it take to grow up in a family business, then help lead it? Patricia Nielsen joins Sandy to talk about The Furniture Gallery, working beside her father, and what personal service means when people are choosing something for their home.

She started with warehouse work and grew into the business her father built. Their conversation offers a look at the people behind a Maine company—and the care involved after a customer has made a purchase.

Listen to Patricia’s conversation with Sandy · Explore Maine Thrive Voices.

Woodlawn Winter Market · Ellsworth · Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Put the next market date on your calendar if you cannot make this week’s festival outing. Woodlawn information.

Many Hands Holiday Shop · Ellsworth · November 24–December 24. Heart of Ellsworth lists the seasonal shop at 16 State Street. We’ll bring you useful shopping-hour details as opening approaches. Heart of Ellsworth calendar.

A community feels a little smaller when we know where to show up. A school craft fair. A pantry volunteer shift. A local performance. A game with neighbors in the stands.

That is what I hope this newsletter helps with: finding one thing this week that gives you a reason to get out, say hello or lend a hand.

If someone comes to mind who would enjoy Downeast Voice, share our free signup page with them.

Thanks for being part of our first issue. Send your events, community news and story ideas to sandy@mainethrive.org.

See you next Wednesday,
Sandy

B. 1900. Raye’s Mustard was founded in Eastport in 1900. Read the company’s history.