Ogunquit's Richard Perkins

Restaurateur, writer, and Ogunquit native Richard Perkins is truly an Ogunquit institution. He single handily brought fine dining to Oguquit over 50 years ago mixing local fare with Continental flare....

His restaurant, Poor Richards Tavern was a mainstay for locals and visitors alike. His restaurant inspired many other fine dining establishments in Ogunquit.

Richard was not only a foodie, but he was also a keen observer of life in Ogunquit. He wrote many stories, poems and odes about the fabled little town of Ogunquit.

Here is one ode that I particularly like:

Ode To Dear Old Ogunquit

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If I had a preference for an avocation

I’d select Ogunquit for a perpetual vacation

It isn’t very big but offers an awful lot

I’m inclined below to offer some bon-mots!

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Our beautiful beach with its soft white sand

Probably the finest in the land

The Marginal Way will take your breath away

When you stroll it at any time of day

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Certainly most unique is Perkins Cove

A charming place for one to rove

Shops and restaurants and lobster boats

With an eye catching footbridge that seems to float

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The Ogunquit Museum of American art

Its breathtaking view will give you a start!

A fabulous and diversified art collection

Truly an Ogunquit perfection!

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The Winn House Museum on Obeds Lane

A restored old house of Ogunquit fame

Featuring the towns history on display

Once your inside you’ll want to stay

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The beautiful Ogunquit Playhouse of renown

The first thing you see when coming to town

Stars on the stage and in the audience too

When in Ogunquit it is the thing to do!

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Traditional Maine Baked Stuffed Haddock Recipe

Living on the ocean in Maine, there is always plenty of fish. Everyone knows that fish is good for you and has a lot  protein and vitamins. In the summer Haddock is plentiful and reasonably priced. Many fine restaurants use Haddock for: Classic Fish & Chips, Chowder, and  Baked Stuffed Haddock.

Haddock is found on both sides of the cool north Atlantic waters. This clean white fish is popular in Scotland, Scandanavia, New England and the Canadian Maritimes. Young, fresh Haddock and Cod fillets are often known as Scrod (or Schrod).  SCROD is a Maine acronym  for "Seamans Catch Received on Deck". Which is whatever white fish was caught that day!

The recipe for Baked Stuffed Haddock is easy. We use the the traditional Maine recipe and start with a pound  fresh Haddock fillets  off the dock!

Ingredients:
One Pound (.5 kilo ) of fresh haddock fillets
One "stack" of Ritz Crackers, crushed finely
half pound of baby shrimp
half stick of melted butter
6 large garlic cloves
Lemon
1/4 cup White Wine
Salt & Pepper
Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees
In baking dish add 1/4 cup of white wine, garlic and a "little" bit of butter. Place haddock on top of mixture. Salt and Pepper to season.  Squeeze lemon for taste.

Mix Ritz Crackers, salt & pepper,  melted butter and baby shrimp together and add the stuffing on top of the haddock. Squeeze lemon and  bake for 350 degrees for  @ 20 minutes 'til fish is flaky and bread crumbs are brown.  Serve with Rice Pilaf and vegetable.

Ogunquit viewed through a different lens

It's fun to see how people from "away" view Ogunquit. Yes, they take pictures of the  beach, Marginal Way, and other sites throughout this bustling village. However,  people from away often see things different, or see things in plain view that local people in Ogunquit do not take notice.

One frequent visitor is Dean. Dean hails from upstate New York. Dean travels to Ogunquit at least 4 times a year, catching each season, and enjoying all it has to offer. Dean is very much a keen observer to Ogunquit's beauty.

The welcoming sun shines over School Street and another day in the village begins.  Often when Dean stays in Ogunquit, I will join him for an early morning 6 mile run.

 As local people know, and  seasoned visitors like Dean know, this is best part of the day. The beach is crisp, there is an absence of people and vistas are amazing. The early morning sun glistens on the wet untouched sand on the beach. This is the making of fine photography!

Photography is being at the right place at the right time, and playing with light.  Dean wanders through town and catches a parachuter enjoying the July 4th festivities.....

One location features Lions,

Otters,

And Bears,.........oh my!

Not all Bears are found in the village centre's watering holes, bars and disco's. Some are found at the  Ogunquit Museum of Art in the sculpture gardens. The museum is well worth the visit. The views are amazing, the sculpture gardens entertaining, and the building is a piece of mid-century architecture.

All photographs taken by Dean Rogers using an Apple iPhone.

Ogunquit Fire Company Museum

Ogunquit is known for the Ogunquit Museum of American Art and the Ogunquit Heritage Museum,
but there is one museum that is in plain view that people often overlook.....

The Ogunquit Fire Company Museum is located on the corner of Shore Road and Cottage Street next to the Fire Station.  This miniature museum houses an antique fire engine and other accoutrement from a bygone era.

The engine is a horse drawn steam boiler from 1883 called Little Lulu.  Little Lulu was manufactured by the Button Fire Engine Company of Waterford New York. The Engine was made for the Reading Massachusetts Fire Dept. In 1966, the steam engine was given to the Ogunquit Fire Company by retired Reading Fire Chief Hugh Ames.  Ames retired in Ogunquit and became a member of the Fire Company.

The engine was coal fired, and three horses were needed to pull the steamer. Lulu could pump 500 gallons per minute with the piston pump. The original cost of the steam engine was $500 in 1883. The estimated value is now @ $1,000,000.

Also housed at this micro museum, is a collection of firemen's hats from days gone by; a collection of trophies from fire musters that Ogunquit Fire Company has participated in, and other fire related apparatus. The museum is located in Firemen's Park next to the Fire Station.

Today's firefighters in Ogunquit are trained professionals that serve a four square mile town with up to 50,000 visitors a day. The Fire Department and Company respond to medical, rescue and fire calls. The Company also sells unique Ogunquit Fire Company Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts for $15.

Ogunquit Square in flames.