Emily sits for an extensive and deep conversation with Kelly, Anil and Keiran Roopchand of Pumpkin Vine Family Farm, a goat dairy and creamery in Somerville, Maine. Imagine your feet planted on verdant rolling pastures while learning why a small family has nurtured the preservation of an extraordinary piece of rural Maine farm history. Contemplate how they honor two hundred years and six generations of another family whose legacy is embedded deep in this soil. Discover the Roopchand’s dreams first taking shape on the Caribbean island of Trinidad, and how its vibrant culture informs the progression of their distinguished herd of Alpine and Nubian dairy goats today. Cherish this family’s generosity of spirit and witness its reflection in their love for each other, the goats, the farm and connecting community to the land.

Links

Pumpkin Vine Family Farm’s website ~ learn about the superior goat herd, the creamery, their Sunday farmers market, goat hikes, events & the Roopchand Family:

https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/

Discover: The 200+ year history of the farm and the Crooker-Kennedy-Hewett Family:

https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/history/

Discover: Kelly Payson-Roopchand’s book Birth, Death and a Tractor:

https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/book/

Watch: Goat Hikes on the Farm with Keiran & Sarita Roopchand (3 min.):

https://pumpkinvinefamilyfarm.com/goat-hikes/

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/

Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode:

https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/

Emily sits with Elaine Mack, artisanal baker and owner of Just Crackers based in Belfast, Maine. Indulge in an exuberance of recollection from this cellist, author and teacher as she shares the fascinating journey that led her to coastal Maine. Endearing anecdotes of the early years embarking on a professional cello career, palatable discoveries made across the globe teaching English and life here in the Pine Tree State, which ultimately informed a true calling ~ the purveyance of contemplative, hand-made creations of pure cracker bliss.

Links

Elaine’s sells her artisan crackers and biscuits Just Crackers at the United Farmers Market of Maine:

https://www.belfastmarket.com/

Elaine uses heirloom grains from Maine Grains to make her hand-milled crackers and treats:

https://mainegrains.com/

Explore: Mentioned in the episode, The Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine is a special event much looked forward to every year:

https://www.mofga.org/the-fair/

Explore: While not in print currently, this archival review from 2016 offers a rich description of Elaine’s first book Black Classical Musicians in Philadelphia:

https://www.artsjournal.com/sandow/2016/02/black-history-week-2-black-classical-musicians-in-philadelphia.html

Watch and Listen: The original 1946 film Instruments of the Orchestra, for which Benjamin Britten commissioned Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, a record that influenced Elaine’s childhood and career as a professional cellist:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkwgihr1hMM

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/

Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode:

https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/

Emily sits with Noah Kleiner, rock and ice climber, multi-pitch instructor and owner of Equinox Guiding Service based in Camden, Maine. Come to know the sport of climbing and the magnificence of Maine’s unique geological features from the point of view of a person whose life, being fully immersed in it, has been transformed by it. Discover how the physical sport of ascending and descending crags ~ and teaching this to others ~ facilitates benevolence, trust and knowledge of self.

Links

Equinox Guiding Service website:

https://equinoxguidingservice.com/

Equinox Guiding Service on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/equinoxguidingservice/

Equinox Guiding Service YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@equinoxclimbing/featured

Watch: In 2019 Noah teaches a first-time rock climber (5 min.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYA9wdwUiIc

Explore: Maine’s rock and ice climbing crags and routes on Mountain Project:

https://www.mountainproject.com/area/105948977/maine

Read: An in-depth survey “Bedrock Geologic History of Maine” (long length):

https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mgs/explore/bedrock/facts/geol-hist.htm#:~:text=In%20summary%2C%20the%20geologic%20history,bedrock%20that%20we%20observe%20today

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/

Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode:

https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/

Emily sits with Jessica Shepard, wood-fired oven baker, artisan chef and owner of The Uproot Pie Company based in Thomaston, Maine. While sharing her endearing recollections and heartfelt vision, this passionate 6th generation Mainer’s ‘raison d’être’ is revealed. Simply mix together equal parts of: a genuine love for people and communal connection in beautiful settings, outstanding pizza-making & baking techniques, dedication to sustainable farm fresh Maine ingredients and the comfort of a wood-fired oven. The end result? A rustic gastronomic experience that enraptures the senses while expanding the heart and mind.

Links

The Uproot Pie Company’s website:

https://www.theuprootpieco.com/

Watch: A beautiful behind-the-scenes video short of The Uproot in action at an al fresco coastal Maine gathering (2 min.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l62hGlMUtbY&t=43s

Read: An archival article from 2012 featuring The Uproot’s beginnings, with wonderful details about the design & construction of the first wood-fired mobile oven (medium length):

https://www.mofga.org/stories/organic-business/uproot-pie-company/

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/

Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode:

https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/

Emily returns to Crow Point in Walpole for a visit with Barnaby Porter, woodworker and essay writer. They look back at a point in time that spanned six years, when Barnaby cleared 1.5 acres of thickly wooded white pine alongside the Damariscotta River and built the family home. Discover all that unfolded as trees were cut down, logs were hewn, cement was poured, and shingles were nailed. It all started with six stakes in the ground, sacred points that evolved into not only a house, but as Barnaby puts it, “a place that sings”.

Links

Find: a pre-owned copy of the book “Twelve Miles From the Rest of the World” by Barnaby Porter and Al Trescot:

https://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Miles-Rest-World-Damariscotta/dp/0976732106

Read: a collection of Barnaby’s essays is featured in Barnaby’s Blog on the website of Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust:

https://www.coastalrivers.org/category/barnabys-blog/

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/

Follow TMC on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into each episode:

https://www.instagram.com/themaineconversationpodcast/

Emily sits with Sean and Jamie Oshima of the band Oshima Brothers, at their home and studio in Portland, Maine. Join them as the curtain is pulled back to reveal interesting and witty anecdotes behind their down-to-earth, poetic and graceful virtuosity. Discover influences that inform and fuel the brothers’ richly layered sound and savor a first-hand glimpse into a song writing and video making process that continuously recalibrates a genre-splicing audial and visual experience. Filled with contagious joy, this episode just may leave your heart feeling as full as the moon.

Links

Oshima Brothers web site:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Read: article about their latest album “Dark Nights Golden Days” from April 2022 (medium length):

https://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/music/sibling-revelry-maines-oshima-brothers-release-dark-nights-golden-days

Watch: entire collection of their videos on Oshima Brothers YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOrUVb5ASpY_mD3QdMULNmg

Watch: “Run to the River” (live) video:

https://youtu.be/eKvRb3_wEQs

Watch: “Hearts as Full as the Moon” (one shot) video :

https://youtu.be/4BLfyNHdTyM

Watch: “These Cold Nights” video:

https://youtu.be/oRLBWUIZSLY

Watch: “Calling Your Name” (live) video:

https://youtu.be/hvjZ80FGC1A

Watch: “Cadence” (official) video:

https://youtu.be/8rY9vtuIXj8

Watch: “Dance With Me” (official) video:

https://youtu.be/8GncMf4Rtmk

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for exclusive emails:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/

Emily sits with Katherine Dunn ~ artist, writer and owner of Apifera Farm, an elder animal sanctuary in Bremen, Maine. Join them in the barnyard, situated amongst the animals, and discover how the vivid creative intellect of an artist & storyteller merges with the special creatures she cares for. Apifera is a real place with real animals whose unique personalities live on forever in the stories and visual art crafted from Katherine’s intrinsic devotion and profound connection to them. Experience a rare glimpse into the endearing goings on within the bucolic pastures of Apifera Farm and learn about its unique 501c nonprofit work of engaging the animals with elder people of the community. Ruthie the turkey, Harry the llama, and many others, will steal your heart.

Links

Katherine Dunn of Apifera Farm:

http://www.katherinedunn.us/

Meet the creatures of Apifera Farm:

http://apiferafarm.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_14.html

Apifera Farm’s entertaining Instagram page:

https://www.instagram.com/katherinedunnapiferafarm/

Read: Tails & Tails by Katherine Dunn (short length):

https://issuu.com/katherinedunn/docs/10.26.22_r1

Read: An interview with Katherine in Spirituality & Health magazine from 2022 (short length):

https://www.spiritualityhealth.com/featured-artist-katherine-dunn

Read: “The Blessings of Being an Animal Caretaker” by Katherine Dunn in Spirituality & Health magazine from 2022 (short length):

https://www.spiritualityhealth.com/blessings-animal-caretaker

Read: “I Believe in the Healing Power of Donkeys” by Katherine Dunn in Modern Farmer magazine from 2014 (medium length):

https://modernfarmer.com/2014/12/farm-confessional-believe-healing-powers-donkeys/

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast & sign up for email alerts:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/

Emily sits with Dr. Stephen Kress, world-renowned ornithologist and founder of National Audubon Society’s Project Puffin, for a conversation while overlooking the waters of Muscongus Bay, Maine. This special two-part episode shares a chronicle spanning half of a century. In Part 2, listen to Dr. Kress recount memories of steady progress and major milestones of his revolutionary idea: Project Puffin ~ an attempt to restore a lost colony of Atlantic Puffins to their southernmost habitat in the United States. Discover how wild card elements couldn’t deter what amounted to an improbable and uplifting outcome that continues to thrive and captivate the world today, while informing us about the health of our great oceans.

Links

Visit the Project Puffin & Seabird Institute website for: a map of the research islands with detailed info on Eastern Egg Rock, info on Hog Island Audubon Camp, the Project Puffin Visitor Center, how to adopt-a-puffin & more:

https://projectpuffin.audubon.org/

Puffin FAQ’s:

https://projectpuffin.audubon.org/birds/puffin-faqs

Hardy Boat/National Audubon Puffin Watch Cruise:

https://hardyboat.com/cruises/puffin-watch-national-audubon/

Watch: Project Puffin Live-Cams in Maine:

https://explore.org/livecams/puffins/puffin-boulder-berm-cam

Watch: Steve in 1979’s “Return of the Puffin” from Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom television show (23 min.):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPbpSRHJPGE

Read: Maine Magazine article from 2016 about Steve & the history of Project Puffin

(medium length):

https://www.themainemag.com/hope-thing-feathers/#close

***

TMC’s theme song “Hearts as Full as the Moon” is courtesy of Oshima Brothers:

https://www.oshimabrothers.com/

Visit TMC’s website to discover more about the podcast:

https://www.themaineconversation.com/