In the early 19th century, Wiscasset was an important shipbuilding port on the U.S. East Coast. In 1808, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned a series of blockhouse fortresses to protect important American port cities from British attack.

Defying meteorological science, Saturday, Aug. 8 was a stellar weather day for the 2026 OBD Williams-Fossett 13th annual Vintage Car Show. Forty-five fascinating vehicles competed for six trophies determined by popular vote.

The first-place trophy was awarded to Jim Olson of Nobleboro for his 1952 Ford Customline sedan. Second place went to the Williams family from New Harbor (Williams-Fosset Vintage Car Show) for their 1930 Ford Model-T Woody and third to Nobleboro’s Greg Olson for his 1960 Austin-Healey (Bugeye) Sprite MK-1.

One of the Midcoast’s favorite summer traditions is back! The 54th annual North Nobleboro Day will take place on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the North Nobleboro Community Hall on Upper East Pond Road. Now in its fifth decade, this lively community celebration continues to draw crowds of locals and visitors with a winning mix of food, music, and community spirit.

“The annual plein air show at Maine Art Gallery is always something special,” an artist selected for the exhibit commented at the opening reception last Saturday. “We get to go out and do the thing we love most – paint in the open air – and then show them in this beautiful space.”  

East Boothbay artist Andrea Peters has been with Gleason Fine Art for more than three decades. With each year’s new work, she has dazzled us with her passion for oil paints–her yellows sizzle, her reds pop, and her blues are breath-taking.

For this summer’s show, “35 Years of Color,” which opens on Aug. 6 and runs through Sept. 8, we decided to give her many fans a treat. With Andrea’s help, we have chosen outstanding paintings from across her stellar career, including several early paintings from her first days with Gleason Fine Art.

 Self-guided journeys ... led by an art lover’s imagination. Paintings ... sculpture ... mixed media ... assemblage art ... photography ... pottery ... weaving ... fiber art. Participating galleries feature new work, hold open houses with refreshments, studio tours, and more. Take a walk - on the creative side! 

BOOTHBAY HARBOR

Bands for Books is the major annual fundraising activity for The Friends of the Wiscasset Public Library.

John Vander splits his time between the Maine coast and Tuscany, Italy. He's done this for 35 years and while moving from one side of the Atlantic to the Mediterranean can be a logistical challenge, the paintings he creates seem to get more intense and richer every year.

Working on paper, his "ingredients" vary from oil pastels, colored pencils, watercolors and collage; a mixed bag of colorful delights. These paintings capture the depth of history and the profound nature of what he experiences in his beautiful Tuscany.

Our thanks to Wiscasset photographer Bob Bond of 40 Federal Studio for these images from the July 30 Wiscasset Art Walk. 

Merrymakers of all ages are invited to shake it all out at Jailhouse Rock, an evening of food, fun and foot-tapping tunes at Wiscasset’s Old Jail on Federal Street. The rollicking  music will be provided by the jazz-rock-blues band Leopard Girls, beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, rain or shine.

The water, the wind, and the wonder of a summer day in Maine set the vibe for the new August Member’s Show at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF). The exhibition is now on view through Aug. 23 at the BRAF Gallery, located at 1 Townsend Ave. in the heart of downtown Boothbay Harbor.

New monthly series, library programs, and Common Ground Country Fair appearances highlight a growing literary community.

The Waldoboro Public Library launches its new Poet's Corner this September, opening the door to a month of readings, new programs, and literary gatherings that reflect the remarkable growth of Midcoast Maine's poetry community.

The Cody Sisters bring their distinctive brand of bluegrass to the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Maddie and Megan Cody have been making music together since ages six and eight, respectively. Raised on the Colorado folk and bluegrass scene—with encouragement from their dad, who often played guitar around the house and was the original bass player in the band—festivals like RockyGrass were high notes amidst a lifelong musical awakening filled with live performances, songwriting, and travel.

Bands for Books 2025 was a wonderful event, and we realized our highest profit.

A night out at the theatre became an opportunity to nourish neighbors across the Midcoast when The Waldo Theatre partnered with Veggies to Table during its June production of “Don’t Dress for Dinner.” Through a silent auction and raffles held across the production’s four performances, the community raised $2,530 for Veggies to Table, supporting the nonprofit farm’s work to grow and donate organic produce and flowers to people experiencing hunger and needing joy.

Elegant cakes, intriguing experiences, and a treasure trove of raffle items await the guests at Lincoln County Historical Association’s annual Preservation Party. The event, which takes place this year on Sunday, Sept. 13, provides vital support for the organization’s mission.

In celebration of our country's 250th anniversary, Maine Historical Society (MHS) is on the road with its Dunlap Broadside of the Declaration of Independence Statewide Tour through October. MHS is traveling to all 16 of the state's counties, and on July 24 and 25 the tour arrived in East Boothbay at Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences.