Wandby Landing: New Italian restaurant pays homage to Kennebunk history

Portsmouth Herald
·3 min read

Greetings,

Reporter Shawn Sullivan is taking a much-deserved vacation this week.

So, I will be filling you in this week on the latest news in the York County Coast Star territory.

New Italian restaurant pays homage to Kennebunk history

A new eatery called Wandby Landing opened this month at the former site of the On the Marsh Bistro.

The name may sound familiar. It was 101 years ago the SS Wandby crashed on the rocks off the coast of the Kennebunks and as the story goes its stranded crew was showered with housing, food, and entertainment by locals.

Co-owners Mariah and Matt Dyer recently opened Wandby Landing, a new restaurant in Kennebunk on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.
Co-owners Mariah and Matt Dyer recently opened Wandby Landing, a new restaurant in Kennebunk on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Owner Matt Dyer said he wants the restaurant to live up to its name and shower customers with fine wines, cocktails and an Italian menu built around handmade pasta.

I, for one, am ready for that.

Check out the menu by chef Michael Bergin!

What's causing seal deaths?

The deaths of dozens of seals off the coast of Maine has been deemed an "unusual mortality event," sparking a federal investigation into strandings that appear linked to avian influenza.

Kennebunkport issued a notice to residents earlier this month about the elevated number of seals stranding on their shores over the past few weeks.

A harbor seal pokes its head out of the water in Casco Bay, Thursday, July 30, 2020, off Portland, Maine. An usual number of seals have been getting stranded and dying off Maine this summer, and avian influenza is to blame, the federal government said Tuesday July 5, 2022.
A harbor seal pokes its head out of the water in Casco Bay, Thursday, July 30, 2020, off Portland, Maine. An usual number of seals have been getting stranded and dying off Maine this summer, and avian influenza is to blame, the federal government said Tuesday July 5, 2022.

"Please, do not approach any animals on the beach as it might be hazardous to your health," the notice stated. "The town is working to address the issue with guidance from state and federal officials, and we will provide more updates soon."

Maine's first case of monkeypox identified in York County

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention last week identified its first case of monkeypox in Maine.

The person who tested positive for the virus, according to the CDC, is a male resident of York County.

“While this is the first case of monkeypox identified in Maine, Maine CDC has been preparing for a case for several weeks given the international outbreak,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “This disease is rare and the risk to the general public remains low."
“While this is the first case of monkeypox identified in Maine, Maine CDC has been preparing for a case for several weeks given the international outbreak,” said Maine CDC Director Nirav D. Shah. “This disease is rare and the risk to the general public remains low."

Here is what you need to know about the disease that the World Health Organization declared as a "public health emergency of international concern."

A hit of a fundraiser

Don't forget the Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation Wiffle Ball Tournament takes place on Saturday, July 30.

Opening pitch for the Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament is 8 a.m. Saturday, July 30.
Opening pitch for the Tommy McNamara Wiffle Ball Tournament is 8 a.m. Saturday, July 30.

The event will feature 34 teams in three competitive divisions, each playing to win the coveted Tommy Mac Wiffle Ball Championship Cups.

All funds raised go to the Tommy McNamara Charitable Foundation which funds recreational facilities and programs in the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport community. They are behind the River Tree Arts’ new portable dance stage for youth dance programs, Mobi-Mat wheelchair access pad at Mother’s Beach and the inclusive playground at Kennebunk Elementary School.

Please tell friends and family about us

Each week in this newsletter, Shawn Sullivan highlights the best stories from the latest issue of the York County Coast Star. Please forward the newsletter to your family, friends and acquaintances who might be interested. You can sign up to receive this newsletter here. And If you are a subscriber, thank you for helping to make our work possible. If you don’t subscribe, please consider supporting Seacoastonline.com and Fosters.com today.

As always, thank you for reading. See you next Friday!

Patrick Cronin

York County Coast Star editor

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Wandby Landing: New Italian restaurant in Kennebunk