Lobster Shack of Ogunquit. Restaurant review...

It takes an American lobster 6-7 years to get to an edible size, but that is just the beginning. Lobsters are long-lived animals, and are thought to be capable of living over 100 years.

                                                     -Lobster Facts

It's the place where local folk and visitors frequent in Ogunquit. The Lobster Shack is THE quintessential Maine lobster shack. If you are visiting Ogunquit, this is a must. It's lobster in the semi-rough.

The Shack, once a lobster bait shack located deep in Perkins Cove near the wooden draw bridge, offers a simple menu: fresh Maine lobsters, Steamers, lobster roll, crab sandwiches, hot chowder and cold beer. It's a very casual where you place your order at the counter and the server brings to you. Seating is limited: tables with benches. Lots of napkins,  and fresh drawn butter.

I went to dinner with my buddy, Ogunquit Selectman Bobby Winn, and Diana. We wanted something easy and not too fussy. 

Owner Jason Evans, mans the counter and greets guests. I picked my lobster, a pound & halfer! Jason's family has owned and operated The Shack since the 80's.

We feasted on steamers, lobster, chowder and sandwiches!

The Details:

The Lobster Shack

110 Perkins Cove Road

Ogunquit, Maine 03907

Telephone 207 646 9800
http://www.lobster-shack.com/

MasterCard/visa accepted

Reservations not needed. Casual dining.

Old photo of the "Lobster Shack". Building is in the middle of the picture.

Frannie Peabody 5km Race - Ogunquit Maine

A race with drag queens in high heeled sneakers? Only in Ogunquit!

Today marks the 4th annual Frannie Peabody Center 5 kilometer run/walk for AIDS.  The Frannie Peabody center assists over 1500 clients that have AIDS in Maine. Frannie Peabody also sponsors outreach and AIDS testing in Maine. I am proud that the people of  Ogunquit provide so much monetary support for this wonderful agency. Once again the amazing Jimmy Lucibello raised over $8000 in donations.

After 31 years on our cultural landscape, AIDS is still a reality. Many people that attended the race have friends that are living with HIV or AIDS. The virus does not discriminate and education and awareness are essential in today's modern world.

It's also nice to have a 5 kilometer race in my adopted home town; I run some part of this course virtually every day. Race started on the beach, then north on Route One/Main Street (escorted by Ogunquit's Finest) then a right on to Ocean Ave, and then 1.5 kilometers of hard packed sand on Ogunquit beach!

(Running through the village centre.  Picture courtesy of Rick at Moon Over Maine)

This little race packs a lot of schwag.  Yoga stretches, and a goodie bag with t-shirt and snacks. Food from  Julies Provisto and Bread and Roses Bakery. The race ended at the beach with an old fashioned healthy cookout from Nancy's Catering. Entertainment provided by a DeeJay and  3 AIDS Awareness drag queens.Topped off with perfect weather and big waves! It doesn't get much better!

(Ogunquit's Mark Register & Bobby Winn)

I came in fifth overall with a time of 20.24/6.34 per mile. First place winner was elite runner and Ogunquit selectman Bobby Winn, followed by Ogunquit's Bryan Wilson and Mark Register. The race was professionally timed, and once again Bobby Winn set the course and built the starting gate!

Frannie Peabody 5k Beach Race Ogunquit 2011

Race against AIDS....

                                                                                                        (photo courtesy of Anthony Defeo)

Its hard to believe that it has been 30 years since the  AIDS pandemic reached our cultural radar screen.  AIDS has also affected the little hamlet of Ogunquit, as it has it many communities.

The Frannie Peabody Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive services to people with HIV/AIDS. This organization does amazing things for many people in the Ogunquit area.

Today marks the 3rd Annual Frannie Peabody Beach to Bay 5km Race for AIDS and 5k Walk.  The race is administered by Ogunquit's Jimmy Lucibello.

Over the  past 8 years I have done a variety of races for all kinds of causes.  However, the Ogunquit race is a bit different. For a small town race, it's actually quite festive. The whole weekend is devoted to AIDS awareness with functions and events taking place throughout the town.  The AIDS race featured:  a barbecue, food, massage therapists, deejay, yoga, goodie bags with t-shirt, and a giant piñata shaped as an AIDS ribbon. And of course there were drag queens to entertain and enlighten the masses. The AIDS memorial quilt was also on display at the Dunaway Center.

The race course was a bit different this year. It was a combination of beach, street, sand and wooden footbridge race.

The Ogunquit Police Department gave the runners and walkers an escort through town.  Ogunquit selectman Bobby Winn,  measured and set the race course. Winn is not only town selectman, he is also an elite runner, placing first at today's event.

I came in 4th overall with a time of 20.36. Not bad for a mixed course of sand, beach, and road. I averaged 6.38 minutes a mile. There was a modest headwind for the last mile on the beach.

The day was perfect: bright morning sun, great run on the beach with friends, food, entertainment and a lot of monetary support for the Frannie Peabody Center.....

See the results here....

For more information: http://www.peabodycenter.org/

To contact or find out about men's support group Click Here

Laudholm 5km off Road Race, & EcoDay at Wells Reserve

Be Active, Be Fit, Go Green....

It's patriots day weekend in Maine. Patriots' Day commemorates the first battles of the Revolutionary War, and the famous "Midnight Ride" of Paul Revere. It's also Marathon weekend in Boston.  However, there was another race on this long holiday weekend:  Laudholm 5km off Road Race at the Wells National Estuarine Reserve.

The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is a National Estuarine Research Reserve listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The sprawling 2250 acres (9.1 km2) of protected land, estuaries, beaches, trails and fields. The Wells Reserve is open to the public and also conducts research with NOAA.

Today was a bit chilly for mid-April, but overall a great day for a nice off road race. We started with Yoga Stretches from Yoga guru Kristina Hupp of Sacred Movement Yoga. The race was officiated by Ogunquit Selectman and elite Runner, Bobby Winn.

The course is off road, through fields, wooded trails, crumbling country roads and small hilly areas at the Wells Reserve.

My pace was 6.49 minutes for the first mile-not bad for trail running. I came in 6th overall with a time of 21.50 minutes, and placed 2nd in my age category, and 5th in the men's division. The weather was a bit blustery, with a northeast head wind. Cool enough that I had to wear gloves.

Crossing the finish line!

EcoDay also featured a Green Expo, volleyball tourney, natures walks, yoga demonstrations, kite flying and other nature/green events. It wasn't the Boston Marathon, but, I am quite happy with this little trail race. Funds raised help preserve the National Estuarine.

The 5km race was only $18 to pre-register, and  that included yet another T-shirt to my collection, a live band, good food, entertainment and  free admission to the National Estuarine. Overall pretty good schwag for 18 bucks!

The Details:
Wells National Estuarine at Laudholm Farm
342 Laudholm Farm Road
Wells, ME 04090
Telephone: 207.646.1555
http://www.wellsreserve.org/

Admission is free, but donations are graciously accepted.

There is over 2200 acres of trails, woods, vernal pools, forest, estuaries, and beaches. There is a beach and parking is available. Membership is $25, which includes beach parking. This is truly a nature preserve, and a gem on the southern Maine coast, just a couple of miles north of Ogunquit village.

Directions: From Ogunquit Beach Inn drive north on US Route One 7 miles (11.5 kilometers) to Laudholm Farm Road. Take a right and follow signs.

Tony relaxes after a good finish. Post race food:  bagels from Dunkin Donuts, fruit and other snacks!

After the finish line......