Samuel Van Dam was a painter long before he studied architecture at two of the Northeast’s most venerated educational institutions: Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In MH+D’s March feature, “The Effects of Careful Observation,” Van Dam delves into the art of architecture and the architecture of art.

In Bath, a little city flush with fine Federal, Greek Revival, and Italianate architecture, there are many men involved in the industry of boatbuilding. On Front Street, the city’s main thoroughfare, there is one man involved in the industry of food: Esau A. Crosby II. In MH+D’s March Feast feature, “Layers of Flavor,” we explore story behind Solo Bistro Bistro and the visionary in its kitchen.

This week, the Portland Museum of Art kicked off a stunning new exhibition. The show is something of a rarity for the PMA in that it features the work of a living Maine artist. “Bright Common Spikes: The Sculpture of John Bisbee” is a bold, inspired show by one of the most exciting sculptors at work in the state today. It was a true pleasure to interview Bisbee last month for the Maine HOME + DESIGN feature “Something Will Be Revealed” [January/February, 2008].

I woke early on the Sunday morning I drove to Bethel to visit with Karl and Kym Wadensten and gather notes for our January/February cover story, “Snowbound in Bethel.” I was on the road north before seven. As the sun rose and cast a glow over that rare mid-November day, I couldn’t help but pull my car over several times and capture the scenes that caught my eye as I raced up Route 26.

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to see several amazing plays at the Portland Stage Company. Last year’s brilliant per- formances of “Noises Off” and “Augusta” come to mind immediately—like all good theater, The Stage Company seems to consistently offer plays with a varied range of tone and emotion.