Restaurants Continue “Stimulus Package”

By Magen Petit
Staff Columnist
YORK COUNTY —
News headlines display it. Civilians are frightened by it. Most everybody is affected negatively by it. The fact is the country’s economy is failing. Many people are facing foreclosures of their homes and businesses, banks are closing, and the rate of unemployment is skyrocketing. Now, more than ever before, more and more restaurants in the area are continuing their own version of a stimulus package.
With feature guest Tommasi Viticoltori, Bintliff’s Restaurant, located in Ogunquit, will carry The Wines of Italy on Friday, Jan. 23. Besides cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a four-course dinner, Bintliff’s also features Thursday night specials all winter long. For only $17,95, you can choose three entrées, demi-salad, glass of wine, and Chef’s choice dessert.
Just a few miles up the road in York on Clay Hill Rd., the Clay Hill Farm Restaurant, which features modern cuisine and a classic setting, has January winter warmer specials where Wednesday nights are wine nights and two people can eat for just $59 and that includes soup or salad, a choice of five entrées, dessert, coffee and/or tea, and a bottle of wine. People can enjoy prime rib and popover night for under $20 on Thursdays. If you want to take your loved one out to dinner, Clay Hill offers date night on Fridays where the second entrée is half price.
Over a couple towns in Kennebunkport, The Port Tavern & Grille, which is at the Kennebunkport Inn offers a two-for-one special where every Wednesday night, through the spring, you can purchase one entrée and receive a second for free! As Kennebunkport’s only steakhouse and seafood grille, The Port Tavern & Grille carries a neighborhood appreciation special on Wednesdays and Thursdays where all entrées are priced under $16.
Some places like the Bull and Claw, located in Wells, has a $7.95 comfort menu and offers a free six-piece shrimp cocktail. The cocktail bar features signature drinks like The Nubble Light, The Perkins Cove, The Wells Jetty, and Grey Goose Combos.
All you can eat fried haddock and clam strip dinners are under $12 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at The Barn Seafood and Grill in York. A one-pound lobster is just $12.95 from Wednesday through Sunday.
Sundays are special at Spring Hill in South Berwick because you can relax to the live jazz music of Vivando and you can buy one entrée and receive the second free.
When you purchase the first lunch at regular price at Chef’s Cove Café in Kittery, you get the second lunch at half price. They also feature luncheon specials like chicken cordon bleu on ciabatta. If that doesn’t make you hungry, I’m not sure what will!
Finally, you can enjoy a neighborhood bistro in downtown Kittery at Anneke Jans, which is open seven nights from 5 p.m. to close.

Former Civil Air Patrol Cadet Robert Piazza Receives Mitchell Award

YORK —
The General Billy Mitchell Award, the first of four major Civil Air Patrol cadet awards, was recently presented to former Cadet Robert Piazza in a ceremony in the office of Col Richard Martell, NHANG Commander. Piazza earned the award three years ago when he was a cadet in the Seacoast Composite Squadron, but due to his going away to college it was never presented. The ceremony was attended by his whole family as well as Squadron Commander, Maj. Nic Goupil, Deputy Commander Maj. Mike Hall, and former cadet Tim Brennan who is now attending the Air Force Academy.
Piazza the son of Charles and Cheryl Piazza of York is now a junior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. where he has chosen double majors in nuclear and mechanical engineering. Upon completing high school, he received a four year Naval ROTC scholarship to RPI. At Rensselaer Piazza is active in the American Nuclear Society, Rensselaer Christian Association of which he is vice president and the NROTC trick rifle team. He also volunteers weekly at a local food pantry in Troy and teaches a Bible study class at church.
Cadet Piazza earned eleven ribbons including the Mitchell while a member of Seacoast Composite Squadron, CAP which he joined his sophomore year in high school to gain leadership training and experience and to learn more about aerospace fields. His two brothers also joined CAP. Michael now attends the US Air Force Academy and Matthew is a Cadet Airman First Class having just recently joined the squadron.
After graduation in 2010 from PRI Piazza will receive his commission in the US Navy where he hopes to become a submariner.
Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer auxiliary of the United States Air Force and is tasked with 95 percent of the inland search and rescue missions. It also serves local, state and federal agencies in disaster relief, homeland security and counterdrug missions. It also has an outstanding cadet program for young people ages 12-18.
Photo caption: NROTC Cadet Robert Piazza with Col. Richard Martell, NHANG Commander (Lt. Cheryl Piazza, CAP photo)