On January 28, 2021 the MDI Historical Society held its annual Community Bean Supper online, featuring beloved storytellers Earl Brechlin and Dennis Damon, telling stories old and new. Damon and Brechlin both collect stories to carry on a long tradition of gifted men and women who share our collective history through tales of adventure, humor, mishaps, and the occasional haunting. They were joined by Dr. Bill Horner, founder of the Society’s bean supper, offering a humorous explanation of the gastronomical impact of consuming beans, and Sharon Joyce, owner of Ambrosia Cooking School and author of “A Culinary History of Downeast Maine,” sharing recipes and ingredients found among Downeast bean recipes. Participants share some of their tips and secrets for cooking the best beans, even if those are “beans from away.”

In addition to the virtual presentation, the Society compiled a digital cookbook of the most beloved recipes from the annual event. The book includes many varieties of traditional New England baked beans, in addition to recipes of “beans from away,” brown bread, side dishes, and pies and cookies. The ebook can be purchased HERE