Bar Harbor Flower Shops

Bar Harbor ME News

Feb 3, 2016

Sugar High

Available online at bixby bars.com or in stores statewide.Ben & Bill’s Chocolate EmporiumBar HarborSince the early 1980s, Ben & Bill’s in Bar Harbor has been synonymous with two things that are a part of any perfect coastal vacation: ice cream and candy. On the candy side of things, the best way to enjoy these sweet treats is to go into the shop, located at 66 Main St. in the heart of downtown Bar Harbor. Barks, brittles, clusters, truffles, fudge and their world-famous buttercrunch, piled high in glass cases. Can’t you smell it from here? The store is closed for the winter, but re-opens in mid-March.Dean’s SweetsPortlandFor more than a decade, Dean Bingham has beautiful candies out of his Portland kitchen — the aesthetics of which reflect his previous career as an architect. He’s best known for his truffle, each a thing of beauty, though in the humble opinion of the Bangor Metro staff, the Maine Potato Chip candy bar and the Bacon Buttercrunch are out of this world. The shop is open seven days a week on Fore Street in Portland’s Old Port; all of Dean’s many sweets are available online at deanssweets.com as well. Haven’s CandiesPortlandHaven’s Candies last year celebrated its 100th birthday, making it one of the oldest continually-operating candy makers in New England. And with good reason — this most traditional of candy makers offers up good old fashioned chocolates, fudge, saltwater taffy and peanut brittle as well as Valentine’s Day specific chocolate-dipped strawberries and fancy hearts, in each of its three locations (Portland, Westbrook and Scarborough). In fact, to celebrate its centennial, in August of 2015 they crafted a 90-inch long, 418 pound chocolate lobster. No word on how long it took to eat that one.Monica’s ChocolatesLubecThe story of Monica’s Chocolates is as extraordinary as the beauty of its Lubec setting. Monica Elliott, a native of Peru (the country, not the Maine town), learned the art of chocolate from her family. Now, having lived in Maine for decades, Elliott supplies chocolate lovers statewide with bon bons filled with Sicilian pistachio creme, Peruvian liqueur, caramel-filled “sea urchins” and Maine fruit truffles. Available at the Lubec shop year-round, or online at monicachocolates.com.Wilbur’s of MaineFreeportThe most Maine-centric of the makers on this list, the folks at Wilbur’s cater to the throngs of shoppers in Freeport by offering stuff like chocolates shaped like Bean boots, Maine mud hot fudge, Maine pebble candy, Moxie and blueberry-themed gift packs and a huge array of Valentine’s Day specific treats, like a chocolate umbrella, chocolate flowers, and, of course, a Wilbur the Moose, a half pound, milk chocolate moose. Available online at wilburs.com or on Main Street in Freeport.Nelson’s CandiesCornvilleEqually venerable is Nelson’s Candies, located in the village of Cornville, just outside of Skowhegan. For more than 100 years these folks have crafted candies in their kitchens, and are best-known for their peanut brittle and butter crunch, as decadent a treat as there is. Traditionally made fudge like penuche and chocolate walnut are pretty easy to eat, too. Heck, it’s all good. Nelson’s is available at their shop in Cornville; check nelsonscandies.com for hours. You can also buy online. (BangorMetro)

Jan 8, 2016

Former Redding Fire Commissioner, Constable Passed Away in Maine

Chip was housebound, yet he seldom complained. His house sits on the ocean’s edge and he deeply enjoyed watching the lobster boats, Bar Harbor-bound cruise ships, and marine life; and he often reported on same to his neighbors and friends. Chip was extremely appreciative of the first-responders, local firemen, and home health aides who assisted him during times of illness.Chip had a strong philanthropic bent and contributed to many local volunteer groups. In lieu of flowers, Chip and Lucille request that donations in Chip’s name be made to the Schoodic Community Fund (c/o Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main Street, Ellsworth, ME 04613), the Gouldsboro Fire Department (c/o Town Office, PO Box 68, Prospect Harbor, ME 04669), or the Redding Fire Department #1.A celebration of Chip’s life will take place in Connecticut this spring and in Prospect Harbor next summer.Across Connecticut Trending Across Patch ? Subscribe to the free daily newsletter from Patch ... (Patch.com)