MAY 21, 2026 | ISSUE 18

VIEW THE 2026 REGIONAL GUIDE HERE

Please join us in welcoming the Northport Landing to the Belfast Area Chamber of Commerce!

Located on RT 1 in Northport, the Northport Landing is a vendor mall where history, charm, and creativity come together. They are home to a unique collection of vendors, each bringing their own style, stories, and carefully curated treasures. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just enjoy the beauty of the past, we ensure you'll find something you love there! Stop by, they can't wait to see you!

FIND THEM:



👉 FACEBOOK

📍1330 Atlantic Hwy, Northport, ME

📞 (207) 338-2067

📧northportlanding@gmail.com

VOTING IS LIVE!

VOTE FOR ARTS IN THE PARK FOR BEST

CRAFT FAIR

We’d be so grateful for your support—cast your vote and help shine a spotlight on Belfast! Winners will be announced in the September issue and online.

👉 https://vote.downeast.com/

Thank you to everyone who has helped make Arts in the Park such a vibrant and lasting tradition for 30 years!

Let’s bring this one home! 🌟

The Lincolnville Improvement Association (LIA) will be having the first meeting of 2026 tomorrow, 5/21, at the Lincolnville Historical Society building at 33 Beach Road at 5:30. 2026 is going to be full of informative talks and delicious food. It is hard to believe, but this Thursday, May 21st, is the third Thursday of the month, the traditional meeting day for the Lincolnville Improvement Association. As usual, the meeting will begin with a potluck supper and a chance to meet new folks and catch up with friends and neighbors you haven't seen all winter. 

We have a wonderful speaker lined up. Nyasha Millard, local fungi fanatic, owns and operates Mid Coast Mushrooms, a solar-powered gourmet mushroom farm in Belmont. He started 3 years ago, growing his business in tents on his 48-acre homestead, then building a solar-powered barndominium with a 2400 sq ft indoor growing facility. Nash will tell us how he got started, the growing process, the sustainability of his farm, medicinal benefits, and how you can grow your own gourmet mushrooms. 

 As is the LIA custom, we welcome everyone to attend. Come, bring a friend or neighbor, and a dish to share for our potluck supper. Iced Tea and lemonade will be provided and we encourage you to BYOB if you would like. We look forward to seeing you Thursday night at the Lincolnville Historical Society meeting room, at 5:30, 33 Beach Road, just up from Lincolnville Beach.

Celebrate the start of the season at the Penobscot Marine Museum. Join us on campus for an evening of light refreshments, conversation, and a first look at this year’s exhibitions. Meet museum staff and fellow supporters while exploring the museum and enjoying the start of another season of maritime history.

May 21 @ 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm on the PMM Campus, admission is free.

Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman was a summer resident of Northport for decades. He was a genre-defining voice of observational documentary film who turned his lens on the Belfast community in October of 1996. Fred passed away on February 16, 2026, leaving a tremendous archive of films as his legacy. The Colonial Theater will have a special screening of "Belfast, Maine", a film about ordinary experience in a beautiful old New England port city. It is a portrait of daily life with particular emphasis on the work and the cultural life of the community. Among the activities shown in the film are the work of lobstermen, tug-boat operators, factory workers, shop owners, city counselors, doctors, judges, policemen, teachers, social workers, nurses, and ministers. Cultural activities include choir rehearsal, dance class, music lessons and theatre production.

Tickets can be purchased HERE

"Belfast, Maine" Documentary Film Panel Discussion

Tuesday, May 26th at 6PM

at the Belfast Free Library

As a follow-up to the screening of "Belfast, Maine" on May 23rd, this panel discussion will focus on the legacy and impact of the film, featuring journalist Jay Davis and Tim Hughes historians and co-authors of A History of Belfast in the 20th Century; AO Scott, critic at large for the New York Times; documentary film aficionado and Belfast resident Alex Giblin; and moderator Michael Hurley.

Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and Belfast Bay Fiddlers Team up for June 6 Concert in Belfast

The Belfast Bay Fiddlers will share the stage with the Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra in a concert Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast. The groups’ performances will include jigs, reels, waltzes, strathspeys, and other music from Scottish, Cape Breton, French Canadian, Irish, and American traditions that get feet tapping and soothe the soul. Performers play fiddle, penny whistle, button accordian, cello, guitar, piano, and other instruments. 

The Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, under the direction of Neil Pearlman, is the performing group of the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club (BSFC). The Club was co- founded in 1981 by Neil’s father, fiddler Ed Pearlman, and Barbara McOwen. The mission of the non-profit BSFC is to preserve and share the joys of Scottish and Cape Breton music and musical culture. The Club sponsors teaching workshops, youth classes, and jam sessions as well as the BSFO. Like the Belfast Bay Fiddlers, the Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra is made up of community musicians. Its third CD will be released this spring in time for the celebration of the 10^thAnniversary of the Orchestra. More information about the group can be found at its website, bsfc.org.

For nearly 20 years the Belfast Bay Fiddlers have held informal, weekly jam sessions open to the public for players of various instruments who want to learn fiddle tunes and play with other musicians. Members of the popular group, led by Rick Fitzsimmons, perform around the region every year at the Maine Celtic Celebration, Arts in the Park, summer concert series, and other public events. The group’s website, belfastbayfiddlers.org, has more information. 

No advance tickets are necessary for the concert. A suggested donation of $20 can be made at the door of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 37 Miller Street, Belfast. Information: Belfastfiddlers@gmail.org. 

Booksigning by Maine author Caitlin Shetterly at Left Bank Books on Tuesday, June 16, at 7 pm.

Reservations are required for Caitlin's talk. Reserve your seat HERE.

The Waldo County YMCA is hiring:

>MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

The Membership Director is responsible for overall supervision and leadership of membership operations for Waldo County YMCA. The Membership Director is responsible for revenue and membership growth and retention, fiscal management for membership, financial development, facility cleanliness, hiring, training and supervision of membership staff. 

The position is responsible for demonstrating YMCA leadership competencies to ensure the mission, purpose, image and core values of the Waldo County YMCA is conveyed. Responsible for supervising direct reports, including Membership Service Coordinator, Front Desk Staff. 

Marketing experience and willingness to learn is a plus.

The Successful Candidate Will Achieve Excellence in the Following Areas:

● Customer Service and Fiscal Management

● Develop and Implement a Membership Growth Plan

● Develop and Manage the Membership Staff Team

● Advocate the YMCA Vision within the Community

>CUSTODIAL STAFF SUPPORT

The Waldo County YMCA currently has a part-time opening for Custodial Staff Support. We’re looking for the best and brightest to take our WCY Facility to the next level. This position supports the work of the WCY, a leading charity committed to strengthening the community. Cleans and sanitizes assigned areas, including such duties as mopping, dusting, and trash removal.

If you have a passion for housekeeping or janitorial expertise, the Y may have a position for you!

Shifts Include: The following shifts are available: Weekdays, Weeknights, Saturdays & Sundays.

Visit the website HERE FMI or to apply!

The OHTM is excited to share that consignments are now open for the 48th Annual New England Auto Auction™, taking place August 21–22, 2026, at the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine.

As one of the Northeast’s premier collector vehicle auctions, the event brings together classic car enthusiasts, collectors, and bidders from throughout New England and beyond. We would greatly appreciate your help sharing the attached graphic and information with your members and community through your newsletter, social media, or event calendar.

Consignments are currently being accepted for classic and collector vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, automobilia, and select specialty vehicles.

More information can be found here:

https://auction.owlshead.org/

The Homeport Tavern is looking for a Sous Chef & Line Cook:

Sous Chef - $29 / HR

The Sous Chef is responsible for assisting with inventory, daily specials, and oversight of daily kitchen operations, and reports to the restaurant manager.

40 hours per week for Lunch and Dinner shifts

Line Cook - $21/HR

The Line Cook is responsible for supporting the restaurant manager in daily menu prep. Should be comfortable on fry, grill, and saute stations. 30+ hours per week for Lunch and and dinner shifts.

Interview in person. Please reach out to Arnaud, c. 617.904.8029 OR o.207.548.2259

Dorothy Havey, Executive Director

Director@belfastmaine.org

Kim Grindle, Member Relations Coordinator

ChamberOffice@belfastmaine.org

Board of Directors

President: Michelle Curtis, First National Bank

Vice President: Ryan Harnden, Mathews Brothers

Treasurer: Terri Tower, Camden National Bank

Secretary: Megan McAvoy, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital

Haley B. Hall, Esq., Camden Law

John McKeith, The Belfast Center

Mary Tripp, Bank of America

Staff Photography by Dave Waddell, Down East Magazine