May 2009

Developer Ron Gan

By Carol McCracken

Ron Gan, representing 202 Washington Avenue, requested a meeting with the planners to solicit their comments prior to his investing in the design and engineering for the project.  He described the building as a 4 -unit development which would require the destruction of a single-family home and garage on the site.  All four units will be facing the water view and have polished concrete floors, in-floor radiant heat and conform to LEED for home guidelines.  Gan described it as a “New York-Chicago loft style” develoment.  The development itself starts 25 ft. back from Washington Avenue which provides a “staging area.”  The starting price will be $595.000.

In his presentation, Gan said that over 70% of the land is vacant.  The site is better for residential use than commercial use; there’s more of a residential feel.  It’s close to the Trail system, highways and the public bus system.”  The area, according to Gan, has no established architectural style with which it must conform.  Gan said he will be marketing the development toward “empty nesters.”  However, before he can proceed with the building, he needs to pre-sell two  of the four units because of the economic situation and the difficulty in retaining bank loans in this economy.

Still outstanding, as well, is the  resolution of a boundary dispute with a neighbor over which a lawsuit to quiet title has been filed by the title company.  Gan was the developer for the 7-unit Federal Street Townhouses on Federal Street which were completed early last year.  The average price for those units was $700,000.

With the exception of the lack of large side windows, planning board members generally liked what they saw.  Lee Lowry, III said:  “It’s a very nice and exciting project.”  Bill Hall said, “It might not appeal to everyone, but I think it would be an enhancement to the property and in terms of the future building there.”  Chair David Silk said:  “It’s a good start.  The scale and massing is apropriate to the neighborhood.”

Following the workshop, Gan said he was pleased with the feedback he received from the planning board.

Share on Facebook

Memorial To Major Charles J. Loring, Jr. - Located On The Eastern Promenade

Share on Facebook

Shelly At Work At The East End Beach On The Eastern Promenade

By Carol McCracken

The ‘good news’ is that Shelly is back at the East End Beach.  She’s selling her great hot dogs, cold sodas and chips.  The ‘bad news’ is she doesn’t open full time until Saturday, June 20th.  That’s because her day time job doesn’t end until late June.  But, you’ll see Shelly below the Cutter Street lots on weekends, weather permitting until her grand opening on June 20th.

Shelley works full-time for the Westbrook School system.  School is out for the summer on Friday, June 19 and she will be on the job sellling her yummy dogs the following day.  Last year was her first year at this occupation.  She had to invest in her cart which she bought in Connecticut and pay other start -up costs, so she made no money last year.  “I’m practicing for retirement,” she says laughing.”

In the meantime, she’s come up with new menu items  to please her many customers.  The Reuben Dog – inspired by the classic Reuben Sandwich.  For the many (real) dogs  who pass by her cart on  leash,  Shelly will be offering Hot Dog Bits -all reasonably priced.  Crew members of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Co. & Museum reported to MHN they made an unprecedented stop at Shelly’s to “fuel up” for the day’s work ahead.  Crew member of the narrow gauge train, Terry Miller, reported:  “Her dogs are great and her prices are as well.  I’ll be back.” he said.

Shelly will be back, weather permitting. tomorrow Memorial Day.  Shelly lives in the greater Munjoy Hill area.

Share on Facebook

Mark Honan At The North Star Cafe

By Carol McCracken

Fresh from his debut performance at the Good Theater on the Hill, actor Mark Honan met with MHN at the North Star Cafe earlier this month.  At the Good Theater, he played Carlton Fitzgerald, a play director who has opted to mount the stage production of a new writer in the theater.  The complexities associated with a such a risky decision made for good back stage drama and some humor.  One of the highlights of the production was the performance of veteran actor Mark Honan – bringing a new and fresh face to the Good Theater – as well as an English Voice that is a truly delightful experience. 

Marks hails from near London.  As a teenager, he became involved with a professional theater group – the Salisbury Playhouse.  Later he attended the Webber & Douglas Academy in London.  There he met two acresses well known to American audiences – Mini Driver and Julia Ormond.  At that Academy, the emphasis was on the voice – how to project it.   He says it was an “old style drama school” – an experience which he values greatly today.

Mark has lived on the Hill for ten years and has moved six times in those years.  “Moving is a hobby of mine,” he says laughing.  “I’m a transient renter.”  But in those ten years he’s been busy supporting himself and his 14 year old daughter, Charolotte, pretty much by acting on the stage,  radio commercials and talking books.  He says it’s a “meager” living, but he loves what he does and he loves living on the Hill.  He’s been a frequent actor at Portland Stage Company where he most recently played the loud and snorting Troll King in the production of Peer Gynt.  Charlotte, his daughter is headed toward a career in acting.  She appeared in Peer Gynt as well as in other productions with her dad. At times Mark supplements  his “meager”  income by serving as a concierge at Seventy Five State in downtown Portland.  He does a lot of listening to the older population living there – something else he’s good at!

Brian P. Allen, who directed Mark in “Light Up The Sky” said in an email recently:  “Mark brings so much to his roles.  He’s very skilled, he creates delicious characters and he’s a team plahyer.  All in all, a consummate professional.”  Mark said he had a wonderful time as a member of the Good Theater cast and he hopes to be a member of     another Good Theater production soon.  “I audition for every role I play.  There are no giveaways by anyone.” 

But it isn’t quite that simple for Allen.  “Since Mark is a member of the Actors’ union, we have to do a special contract for him and he costs considerably more than non-union actors.  The role has to be a perfect fit for Good Theater to incur the additional expense of hiring a union member.  We loved working with Mark and we will definitely use him again in the future.”  Meanwhile, Allen has just announced his schedule of plays for the upcoming 2009-2010 season.  It includes:  “Frost/Nixon,” “The Little Dog that Laughed,” (with Paul Drinan,) “The Spitfire Grill”, and “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Let’s hope that Mark Honan makes the cut for the upcoming  Good Theater season.  He and his English Voice are a real pleasure to watch and listen to for theater audiences everywhere.

Share on Facebook