“A recipe is a story that ends with a good meal.” – Pat Conroy
I sometimes sit and think about the people I have met, the recipes they have shared with me, and the interesting roads folks have taken to Harpswell. Those thoughts started tumbling around in my mind after I read an article on Joe Henry in the Portland Press Herald. (Editor’s note: A reprint of this article appears on Page 20 of the July 2023 edition of the Anchor.) Joe is a singer-songwriter who has written more than 200 songs in his career. Being a product of the ’60s and ’70s, I have a love for folk music. His story was like others I’ve read. The struggles, the successes, the Grammys he has won. He talked about his grueling time on the road, his health challenges and the loss of his dear friend John Prine.
Joe and his wife fell in love with Maine when they visited Portland in 2019. They found some property in Harpswell with water views and built their home in 2021. Today, they reside here, like many who have migrated north to this beautiful area.
That article made me think about the people I’ve met, both native Mainers and those who have moved here, and about the stories I have heard along my journey of sharing recipes in the Harpswell Anchor for Cooking at 43° North. Whether from a longtime resident of Harpswell or someone who chose to live in this beautiful town, every story was unique and interesting.