editor's note
by Susan Grisanti Kelley, Editor-in-chief, and Kevin E. Thomas, Publisher
The weeks since the launch of Maine magazine have been a blur. We threw a killer party, opened our new offices, sent October’s Maine Home+Design to press, and produced this issue of Maine. The days were long, and when we weren’t actually working, we were still pondering ways to improve. In our first issue we talked about the ground we covered during one busy week in August. For one week in September, we stayed in Portland and still felt that we touched a big portion of the state.
Thursday, August 20One week to the Launch Party. Andrew Ingalls has graciously allowed Maine to take over the newly completed Wright Ryan building on 100 Waterman Drive. The Facebook chatter exceeds our expectations.
Friday, August 21
We’re checking in with our event collaborators each of whom did not hesitate to say yes when we presented the idea of a BIG party. On today’s list: Jim Ciampi, Cityside Events; Leslie Oster of Aurora Provisions; Brett Johnson, Maine Street Designs.
Monday, August 24
Citiyside Events has moved tables and chairs into the space and set up the stage for the bands. Mitch Deblois and his crew from Lighting Concepts begin three days of wiring and hanging custom lighting.
Designers Nicki Bongiorno and Anna Greenglass/Spaces Kennebunkport, Linda Banks and James Light/Banks Design, Ari Gregg/Arianna Fisher Design and Brett Johnson/Maine Street Design move their furniture and accessories up to the 4th floor. Magically the raw space becomes a city loft.
Tuesday, August 25
The crew from Thos. Moser arrives. David Moser is painting backdrops as we talk to him. We begin to hear from readers that the launch issue of Maine magazine has arrived in mailboxes. The buzz builds.
Wednesday, August 26
The transformation of 100 Waterman is nearly complete. The bar where mixologist John Myers will make his signature cocktails is finished. The third floor is now a nightclub ready for the bands to take the stage.
Thursday, August 27
Folks from Figa, the Salt Exchange, the Corner Room, and El Rayo arrive at various times to set up. Nathan Deyesso delivers custom-designed bars and almost immediately they are filled with wine and beer. One by one the bands show up: Gypsy Tailwind, the Jason Spooner Trio, Sean Mencher and his Rhythm Kings, and Scott Ryan. The building buzzes with last minute preparations.
6 pm. Arrivals are slow at first but soon the line ends up snaking back to the parking lot. Even as waiting guests are encouraged to skip the line, most wait to say hi to the Maine magazine crew.
Later the line thins out and ceases to exist. The next morning we discover that over 750 people had come to celebrate the launch of Maine magazine. It seems a good time was had by all. We’ve been asked to do it again but we think we’ll stick with publishing a magazine for awhile.
