A lot of whales and other marine mammals have been seen off the Maine coast this summer, some even as far up the Penobscot Bay as Searsport. While right whale sightings have been rare this year, humpback whale sightings have been a delight for those who have the good fortune to see them, whether from the shore or on the water. Why are they here? A visiting humpback draws onlookers at Bayside in Northport. Midcoast Villager photo. Humpbacks got their Latin name for their long pectoral fins and...

Freeze-dried foods are increasingly common. You can buy such things as blueberries and strawberries, corn and peas, scrambled eggs and coffee, even pot roast and chili ready to reconstitute and eat. And now you can enjoy freeze-dried green crabs. Gina Mannarino and a selection of Maine freeze-dried strawberries. CME photo. Gina Mannarino, founder of Green Gean's, a freeze-drying company in Old Orchard Beach, began her company with common Maine foods as a way to conserve their nutritional...

What does it mean to be a member of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA), the state’s oldest fishermen’s advocacy group? “It means I’m informed on anything I need to know — regulations, gauge increase plan, anything,” said Erick Harjula, a South Thomaston lobsterman. Harjula is surprised that all lobstermen aren’t MLA members. “The MLA helps us in the long run. “I learn new things every time I read the newspaper [Landings]. I don’t understand why more don’t sign up.” There are as many...