"Your disguise can't hide all the features Of marginal…read morecreatures at best" (Little Feat) While we were exploring coastal Maine, we kept hearing rave reviews about Ogunquit--and especially the Marginal Way. So, on our drive home, we made a little detour and stopped in to see what all the fuss was about. Ogunquit was packed with tourists. A friendly police officer directed us to a parking lot near town hall, so all we needed next was to find the Marginal Way. That wasn't easy to do, because whatever on-line addresses we found for the entrance didn't work out. A friendly passerby gave us solid directions, and we soon found a small entrance sign. So, what on earth is the Marginal Way and where did that bizarre name come from? Well, it owes its existence to a remarkably generous donation. Back in 1925, Josiah Chase, Jr. donated a strip of oceanfront land to Ogunquit, kick starting what would become one of Maine's most beloved seaside strolls- a 1.25 mile cliff hugging path with some serious Maine-like scenery. Think of crashing waves, beach flowers, rocky cliffs, and even a lighthouse. We loved our scenic stroll along the flat wide paved path. I did see some more adventurous souls climb down toward the water, picking up rocks, setting up tripods for photo shoots, or filming Tik-Toks or Instagrams videos for "likes". One more thing: why is it called the "Marginal Way"? The name refers to its location on the margin between land and sea.

We visited the Marginal Way one very hot morning in May. Parking at Perkins Cove is by the hour in…read moreone lot (pre-pay) or by the day for $20. Our one hour parking was about 6.50 through the Passport parking app. Most of the trail is exposed to full sun so a hat, sunscreen and water are highly recommended. There are several staircases down to the water along the pathway. A garden lines one side of the pathway close to town, part of a 'rewilding' project. There are two sections where the trail has a steep incline/decline. Otherwise there are gentle changes in elevation. Benches dot the pathway to sit and enjoy the views. The other end of the path exits street side near downtown where you will find plenty of gift shops and food options. Perkins Cove also offers a few shopping/food options. If you are staying in town this is a nice addition to your itinerary. The trail is paved and well maintained.

"What greater gift than the love of a cat." ~ Charles Dickens…read more It's not every day a thrift shop greets you with a curious feline stretched out on a bookshelf or peeking from behind a stack of vintage linens. The cats live right in the store, and they're unmistakably the stars of the show. The shop is full of character, with a mix of antiques, secondhand finds, and seasonal surprises. Prices are fair, and the volunteers are warm, helpful, and clearly invested in the mission. Every purchase supports Safe Haven's no-kill shelter work, and that sense of purpose makes the place feel extra special. If you're anywhere near Wells, it's absolutely worth stopping in. You might leave with a vintage lamp, a great book, or just a little more joy than you came in with.

I have shopped at many thrift shops across Maine and Safe Haven is by far my favorite one. I love…read morehow they have thrift items as well as antique and vintage items and their prices are very affordable. The kitty running through the shop is an extra bonus for us cat lovers. All the staff are volunteers who donate their time to this no-kill cat rescue and the proceeds totally support the rescue.

Love the new location! Since they moved, they new place has a lot more space for the thrift store,…read moreis more organized and now they have everything in one place - the thrift store, the social service offices, and the food pantry in the accompanying building. You can get some really good deals on just about anything. I never leave there empty handed. One word of caution - don't go on Thursday afternoons - that's when the food pantry is open and parking is a nightmare. They are open 10-5 seven days a week.

Really clean store, no odor in the place, very well organized and I like the merchandise!read more

Small for goodwill store but it's neat and orderly. They do need to update their carts though…read more Wheels bump, lot of cart handles are broken so the edges are a little sharp. Parking was smooth! Looks like they recently paved the lot so that's a plus.

Lots of canvases which is what I was hunting for. All of the clothes and most every besides…read moreglassware and furniture were not organized at all. Trying to look through the clothes in my size (I'm plus sized) was basically like looking through the larges and not the 1x/2x sections.

In my opinion the Good Shepherd Food Bank is one of the best non-profits in all of Maine. The…read morethings they get accomplished for our state is nothing short of phenomenal and I'm proud to support them in any way I can.

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry is a non-profit organization run by Wakefieldians for…read moreWakefieldians. This volunteer association provides food to any Wakefield resident in need. They have a "supermarket" on the bottom floor of the Americal Civic Center where they host drop in hours. A personal shopper will help you choose your food and check out! It's a great place to get food if you need some, or to volunteer or donate as well. To learn more about it, check out their website and follow them on facebook. Wakefield is lucky to have such a great organization!

Here at Crossroads, there are different rules for different people. Rules are different depending…read moreon wich staff member you talk with. Staff gets irritated when asked about the flip flopping rules. The night staff is very argumentative when asked to do something like give a covid test or check on someone snoring that is not using their sleep breathing machine. Last but not least, the covid tests they are using expired on 12/22/2022. Whats up with that. Basically we are treated like we are in jail, we don't have a voice because they won't listen to you. They just cut us off and get irritated.

I'm disabled and need help with a few things. This place said they couldn't help because "we not a…read moremedical facilitie"you can't even talk to someone without the staff thinking there's something going on.

The Place does have great resources, like for being a volunteer for the shelter making sure the…read morecats are doing well, they have 4 rooms you can go to except room 5 witch is for farel cats, and the real workers go their so you'll be fine as long as you where you are the first time, and they also have a coffee machine, so you can make coffee or hot chocolate, to help your self from staying awake, even after 6PM when the shelter is closed.

We have nothing but absolutely positive things to say about Hart. The staff is so wonderful,…read moreresponsive, and kind. The facility is immaculately clean inside, freshly painted outside, and filled with the cutest most perfect feline friends you've ever seen. We first contacted Hart in an effort to get children involved in community service, and we wanted to donate cat toys and food. In this process, we have discovered the gem that Hart is. The staff is monumentally kind, selfless, and just the exact people you would want to take care of any animal. The entire place is so clean in every corner, that you can be assured any pet you adopt from here has had exceptional care and love. Andy works there and he is one of those people who just glows with compassion. He was so kind and patient with our children, informative and clearly loves all the animals. If you are looking for a new family member or a place to donate to, this is THE place. This place is an important part of our community and they have earned and deserve so much support.

There are just so many good things to say about this place that I'm not sure where to start…read more First, it is not a "shelter" in the typical sense of the word, and the staff and guests do not refer to it as a "shelter". They consider themselves a "community", and act as such. There are NO lines for anything at the WLP. The women are served their meals at their tables by volunteers, and their materials are bussed for them once they are done, unless they choose to self-bus. The food. Oh heavens! WLP prides itself on serving nourishing, FRESH food. Each meal will have all nutritional requirements met, and there is always a veggie option. We're not talking canned goods or sandwiches here, folks. No, this is chopped and diced fresh veggies, prime cut meats, the finest ingredients. If you're a good cook and after you've volunteered a few times, they are happy to let you get in the kitchen and help whip up stuff. The resident chef there, Gina, is wonderfully creative in the kitchen (and very nice), and from time to time, other professional chefs from local restaurants come in to put together a meal. The WLP isn't jsut a food place, although that's the highlight of the day. It also provides the women with full time advocacy support to help with finding housing, food, or other services. There is a computer room/resource room that the ladies may use. There is also a nap room where women can go to get sometimes some much needed rest, and also a quiet room for just some peace, solitude, and maybe reading or reflecting. Women are also able to get various toiletries and clothing that they may need. They may do their laundry and take showers. The Program Manager, Heather (also very, very nice and competent) has done a great job of making sure that there are interesting activities for guests if they choose to participate: yoga, painting, field trips, knitting, etc. Since the WLP is run as a "community", the staff are INCREDIBLY patient with the women, and if a guest is being disorderly or breaking a rule, she is not immediately tossed out, but is counseled and given more than one opportunity to redeem herself by correcting her behavior. Throwing someone out is a last option at the WLP. WLP treats its volunteers as the valuable commodity we are. We are appreciated, thanked, and made to feel a part of the "team". Added Perk: They also have really incredible volunteer thank you events! I enjoy volunteering here. I learn something new and meet new people each time I go. I don't have a lot of spare time to volunteer, but when I do, the WLP gets me all the time, every time. It's important to know that this place could not be so great without us- the community at large supporting it through donations, volunteering, contributions, etc. The staff, Regina, Linda, Joanna, Lauren, Linnie, and Cheryl are terrific- go meet them! This is just a wonderful, wonderful place. You will not leave here without your heart being touched in some way.

Just to add to the great review by Adrienne -- The Women's…read moreLunch Place is an amazing community run by dedicated and caring people. I've volunteered there many times, and the experience was wonderful. The staff is as open, kind and welcoming to volunteers as they are to their ladies. The ladies? Wow. Having the opportunity to really get to know some of the women in this community is a real blessing. The WLP is one of my favorite volunteer opportunities. Try it out!