Brian Ross–or Chef Brian, as he’s known around Hampden, where he lives–started the Facebook group Quarantine Kitchen in March 2020 so people could share pantry recipes during the lockdown phase of the pandemic. His network of foodie friends around Maine signed on as charter members. Two weeks later, the group had 8,000 members. Now with 11,000 members from 75 countries, Ross’s Quarantine Kitchen sustains itself with a steady supply of home cooking photos and kind words for each other’s efforts.

Portland Press Herald food and dining reporter Tim Cebula talks with Ross about the feel-good stories coming out of the Quarantine Kitchen.

From tips on how to identify native Maine species to the best locations in Maine to find the most exciting birds, Maine Audubon Naturalist and Press Herald nature columnist Doug Hitchcox shares his vast knowledge in a lively discussion with outdoors reporter Deirdre Fleming.