The magic of Eastport, Maine

Eastport, established as a town in 1798 and incorporated as a city in 1893, is one of Maine’s more fascinating locales. In this episode of Chasing Maine, we present a cross-section of Eastport by interviewing three very different people in the community.
Laura Stanzyck, a former theater casting director in New York City, now owns the Phoenix Fine Wines bar. Don Dunbar, a lifelong resident, is a photographer and gallery owner. And Vittoria Chierici, an internationally known artist, talks about the history and serenity to be found in Eastport.
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[@jimhowaniec]

The most beautiful place on Earth.

[@joannesheaffer9522]

My husband and I + our two beagles spent a summer in Eastport....2001? When we pulled up to the IGA, I felt like it was 1964. When we walked the dogs at night, there were skunks everywhere. It's a miracle we went 4 months without a spray! At nighttime, the beautiful abandoned houses were truly spooky---chills. We went for several sails on the Sylvina Beal (sp). Beautiful, beautiful. When we lived there, creative people were moving in by the handfuls. We've maintained several friendships there. Sadly, it seems (seems) like people who want a dramatic change of pace, discover the Eastport will always be isolated. Then it's time to go. Grass is greener kind of thing. Long live Eastport! We look forward to seeing you again.

[@bimiup1]

We saw The Cottage last fall! It was fantastic! Laurel Bell Bundy is our local hometown girl! Great show!

[@mikecook_author]

Mr Dunbar is a real Eastporter: there by birth, stayed by choice. It’s nice that the “outastatah” artists choose to move to my hometown. Without that influx it would be even less populated. Great video.

[@tattootikigreen191]

And I dream of being able to move back to my home of Maine. Miss it so much. Especially after this horrible summer in Texas.

[@carryeveryday910]

So go back lol. What the hell brought you to Texas from Maine? The weather is completely opposite.

[@edwarddemedeiros3607]

I've had the pleasure of visiting Eastport, Maine twice! Loved it both times. Even fished Mackerel there with some of the locals who taught me how to fish for them. Nice, friendly people, awesome restaurants and shops. Now I want to go there again!

[@duncanseuropeanautomotive8123]

I hope Eastport can continue to thrive and grow, a reasonable pace of course. There's something really special about Eastport

[@TiaTickles]

Hello Don. He is a Great Pirate too!!

[@michaelschonauer7238]

Great video... My partner and I travel to Eastport several times a year. The people have become dear friends, and there isn't a day goes by that I don't think of Eastport. Hi Laura!!

[@user-hx2jx2vc5q]

in 1986 i went on a fishing trip to perry maine , had a blast, seems the pottles were everywhere.

[@ocean1233]

Fabulous Video Thank you

[@joelcampbell1491]

Love ❤Eastport .My wife and I second home

[@PM2024-]

Sweet ❤

[@christinekrebs2420]

❤

[@hughmaxwell8143]

A long time ago I used to live in dennysville. Is the Waco diner still there? Was a regular stop at lunchtime.

[@woxyroxme]

Still there

[@Roadtripmik]

Is this place closer cultured to Canada or New England?

[@burntReynoldz]

but it is becoming Bar Harbor unfortunately

[@sadjaxx]

I haven't been back there since 2019. Its amazingly beautiful, wonderful clear air. It would take a hella change to make it Bar Harbor. LOVE ROSIES" hot dogs!

[@burntReynoldz]

@@sadjaxx I have been in Eastport for 30+ years and I can definitely agree with you on most of this ! And it's been awhile since I had some Rosie's always loved it and the nostalgia that comes with it as well!

[@woxyroxme]

The people from away are coming in and driving the housing prices through the roof, I am close to retirement and I have been wanting to come back and I may not be able to afford to do so. My grandparents old house on Water Street sold for $40,000 just over 20 years ago, this was when almost every store front on Water Street was vacant but today that house would sell for 10 times as much. My grandparents and great aunts and uncles lived in the houses overlooking the old ferry landing and my great uncle used to have his old fishing shack at the shore. We used to go tub trawling and wrinkling when I was a kid. It’s a totally different place now.

[@burntReynoldz]

@@woxyroxme I couldn't agree more honestly, it's not that a have a problem with people from away moving here BUT I dont like all the change that's come with it. and the change that's going to keep happening as people from away continue to own more of Eastport than The actual people of Eastport itself. And the efforts to attract even more people to the island is almost reaching the point of gimmicky tbh , that might upset some people to hear me say that but it's true. I miss the Eastport I grew up with decades ago

[@woxyroxme]

@@burntReynoldzamen, I am in SW Ohio right now and we have the same problem with the McMansion developers building in every cornfield they can buy up. I was in Eastport in 2018 and I was talking to this guy who lived in Eastport all his life and he said that the whole character of the town has changed. I have a subscription to the Quoddy Tides and I don’t think I can afford $330k for a 1 bedroom 1 bath cottage with no basement, these places are sold for air bnb. I also saw a letter to the editor saying that they grew up in Eastport and they made a trip back and they were walking along the same shoreline they did as a kid only to have a homeowner scream and cuss at them, this would have never happened in the old days

[@hughmaxwell8143]

A long time ago I used to live in dennysville. Is the Waco diner still there? Was a regular stop at lunchtime.

[@rogermccord]

You bet it is! I. rate it 5 stars for a good meal at a good price...