Blog

We always look forward to Memorial Day as an unofficial start to the summer season. Kennebunkport celebrates Memorial Day on Monday, May 28th with an old-fashioned parade of military veterans, floats, and the high school marching band. You might even see George H. W. Bush (#41) and Barbara participating in the ceremonies. The celebration brings the community together and is equally enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Another fun upcoming event is the 3rd Annual Flower Power Fashion Show - Caring in Full Bloom presented by the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 31^st from 5-8:00pm at The Colony Hotel. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served from 5-6:30pm. The event will feature a runway style fashion show showcasing the latest styles from Kennebunk’s finest in fashion. There will also be a silent auction and goody bags with many great prizes! Some proceeds from the event will benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. Tickets can be purchased through the Chamber website: http://www.visitthekennebunks.com/events/2012_flower_power_fashion_show/

You also won’t want to miss the opportunity to check out the Designer Show House at the former Kenneth Roberts Estate, Rocky Pastures, in Kennebunkport. From Saturday, June 23, through Saturday, July 14, the Kennebunkport Historical Society is sponsoring the Show House. The Kenneth Roberts Estate is a sprawling stone house that was built for Kenneth Roberts in 1938 by the architect Frazier Forman Peters of Westport, CT.  Set in rolling meadows and wooded areas with ancient stone walls, Rocky Pastures is a 6,000 square foot house with 12 rooms that was recently updated, combining old world charm with modern conveniences.  The property is a stone’s throw from Kennebunkport’s picturesque Ocean Avenue.  It was here that Kenneth Roberts penned his popular novels of historical fiction that earned him a 1957 Pulitzer Prize in the Special Awards and Citations category. This is the first time the house has ever been open to the general public.  Tickets are $20 per person and are available through the Society, the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, and the Nonantum Resort.

Ever dreamed of running a bed and breakfast? The idea is heavily romanticized, especially when it comes to New England. Folks often have the idea that they will wile away their days sharing wine, cheese, and interesting stories with folks from all over the world. And while that is certainly part of the equation, the reality of innkeeping has a lot of other moving parts.

Just last weekend we were proud to host one of the B&B Team’s “Better Way to Learn Innkeeping™” seminars (http://bbteam.com/seminars/). The seminars provide an immersive experience for aspiring innkeepers, covering everything from acquiring the right property to the ins and outs of zoning restrictions. The goal of each seminar is to help attendees determine if running a bed and breakfast is truly the right fit from both a business standpoint as well as a matter of lifestyle.  B&B Team founding partner Peter Scherman and partners and former innkeepers, Janet and Rick Wolf guided the seminar.

Some of the topics discussed during the seminar included:

• - Innkeeping 101 – industry overview
• - Building the profile of your inn – make it right for you
• - Due diligence – know before you buy
• - Finding and acquiring the inn – the process
• - Inn financing – what you need to know
• - Inn valuation – is the price right?
• - Business planning – your road map to success in starting a bed and breakfast
• - Marketing – blogging, social media, websites, print, networking
• - Operations – a day in the life of an Innkeeper

We had a wonderful time hosting the attendees and it was very interesting to hear about all of their hopes and inspirations. From the conversations we had it seemed like everyone who attended was leaving with a deeper understanding of the many intricacies and nuances involved in running an inn. One of the attendees was kind enough to share this feedback:

“Mary Ann and I had a great weekend with you.  The seminar was informative and helped Mary Ann and I tremendously.  The Band B team provides a unique understanding of the entire business from acquisition, operation and disposition.  I have never been able to determine which leg of a three legged stool is the most important. Accounting & Legal, Marketing, and Operations must all be attended to or a business will be face down on the ground and this weekend addressed them all.

A great big thanks to all the Inns that brought us in for a tour and shared their knowledge and experience.  They are “Inspiring Innkeepers for Aspiring Innkeepers.”

If you are inspired by the idea of owning your own inn then we highly recommend you attend some sort of innkeeping information session and also work with a knowledgeable inn broker. It is important to dream, but it is equally important to have a solid foundation upon which you can start to build those dreams.

If you love hanging baskets as much as we do for their endless possibilities and visual appeal but hate having to water them every day, then this is a great tip for you. Not only will it drastically cut how much water you use, it will save you time as well!

Fiber planters are great from both an aesthetic and compostable point of view, but their porousness allows moisture to rapidly evaporate. As a way to mitigate this, line your fiber planter with a sheet of plastic with just a few small holes punched in it. This will allow excess water to drain off but the plastic will help hold in moisture. We have found that it cuts how often we need to water from once a day to once or twice a week. That is quite a savings in both water and effort! Now granted, plastic isn't the most earth friendly material, but you can always save it and reuse it each year as we do. We recommend a heavier gauge plastic that you can buy in sheets at your local hardware store. That's our Gardening Green Tip for April.

As crocus and daffodils begin to muscle their way through the soil after their long winter nap, another kind of awakening is taking place in town. After taking breathers of anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, many local restaurants are throwing their doors open again for business. We are very fortunate to have an absolutely amazing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from humble lobster shacks to white tablecloths and china to pretty much everything in between. So wake up your palates and come sample some of the wonderful food that can be found in and around the area.

Some places that recently opened for the season or will open soon are:

Arrows - Opening April 7th - Arrows is a true country restaurant:  proscuittos and charcuterie are created on premise, fish of all types are prepared in the onsite smoke house, breads and pastries are created by a master pastry chef, and Arrows organic garden provides up to 90% of the restaurant’s produce needs. www.arrowsrestaurant.com

Bandaloop - Opening April 17th - Bandaloop is known for its use of organic and local foods, many vegetarian and vegan options, and an array of appetizers, entrees, and sauces to choose from. Everything is created in house, from the organic bread and sauces straight through to the desserts. www.bandaloop.biz

Cape Arundel Inn - Recently extended their hours to include Tuesday - Saturday from 5:30-9 PM and Special Sunday Suppers from 4-7 PM. - Cape Arundel Inn offers a combination of inventive Maine cuisine paired with warm, professional service and breathtaking ocean views. Be sure to arrive early to have a cocktail in their cozy living room or on their ocean view porch. www.capearundelinn.com

Hurricane - Opening April 6th - Hurricane serves only the freshest seafood and lobster and they feature many satisfying vegetarian dishes. Steak and chop lovers will easily find something on the menu to tempt them and their in-house pastry chef will delight your sweet tooth. www.hurricanerestaurant.com

Kennebunkport Inn's One Dock - Opened March 30th - After a total off-season makeover One Dock is now open with a fresh new look. Situated in a wonderful location overlooking the Kennebunk River, One Dock offers creative, contemporary New England cuisine and traditional Maine favorites with a bold fusion flair. www.onedock.com

Mabel's Lobster Claw - Opening April 5th - Owners Stephanie and Robert Fischer take great pride in serving the freshest quality pieces of  fish, steaks, and lobsters available.  Homemade pies, blueberry bread, and corn muffins are baked every morning on the premises. www.mabelslobster.com

On the Marsh - Opening April 5th - Ethnicity of cuisine flows through On the Marsh's menu which features the freshest products from local growers. All of their cuisine is prepared in house with a focus on the individual's palate. www.onthemarsh.com

Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub - Opened March 17th (of course!) - This Irish Pub is the real deal, serving up plates of Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and loads of potatoes!

The warmth of a crackling fire? A sense of romance? Soaking up quintessential coastal New England? We asked folks to let us know why they would love to come to Kennebunkport and the Captain Jefferds Inn during the winter. First prize in the contest was a gift certificate for a two-night stay in one of our rooms with a fireplace. Second Prize was a gift certificate for a single-night stay in one of our rooms with a fireplace. Third prize was a $100 gift certificate. We accepted emailed submissions through February 29th (yes it is Leap Year!) and randomly drew the three winners from the submissions we received. We unexpectedly received an entry from a pair of internet savvy dogs so we added a special category for canines with an additional $100 gift certificate award. The lucky winners are below:

• First Prize: Sandi Pearl-Ehrlich
• Second Prize: David and Amy Veling
• Third Prize: William D. Prout
• Canine Prize: Bailey & Sophie Rusack

We received countless wonderful responses and so appreciate everyone's participation in the contest! Here are excerpts from the winning entries:

". . . Then in 2007, we decided to spend New Year's Eve in Maine. Yes, our friends thought us crazy - why would anyone go to Maine in the depth of winter? Snow instead of palm trees? That was the first time we stayed at the Capt. Jefferds Inn. The morning after we arrived, we woke to a significant snowfall, close to a foot of the most brilliant white blanketing the grounds. The sun made it sparkle! It was magic for me - though I'm sure not so sweet for the residents. Charles drove me all around, stopping every few minutes so I could jump out and take another must-have photo. Hours later, red-cheeked, feet soaked (Uggs not so water-proof), we returned to warm up in front of the fire with tea and cookies and share our stories with other guests. Kennebunkport at its best!"

" . . . The Captain Jefferds has played a role in many of the most important events in our life together: our engagement, anniversaries, birthdays...it is the first place we think of when we make special plans."

"My wife and I have been married for over 40 years and for over 20 of them we have visited Maine for "relationship" building and romantic escapes-mostly during off season. It began many years ago when my wife decided we needed some "time alone" away from my stressful job. She "kidnapped" me with an elaborate hoax , including telling my secretary to "cancel " all my appointments. Our destination was Kennebunkport and as we drove over the bridge from New Hampshire we felt the "stress" release, similar to when we first walked in to Captain Jefferds Inn . . ."

". . . our friend Eloise, the Inn's dog, lives there; she is always so much fun and she tells us about the best places in Kennebunkport where we can play (we love Goose Rocks beach). Upon arrival we're always greated by their friendly staff and best of all when we go into our luxurious room there is always a delicious cookie waiting for us. Last time we even found a brand new tennis ball for us! After taking a long stroll down Ocean Ave. in the winter mom & dad always seem so cold, we often think 'where are their fur coats...' but when we get back they always seem to enjoy the room where they get hot tea and cookies; looks kinda cool but we're not allowed in there. It's always sad when our vacation comes to an end because we love Captain Jefferds and the hospitality of Sarah and Erik but we're quickly cheered up with a walk through the downtown and a visit to Scalawags on our way out and knowing we'll be back soon."

If you primarily associate March in Maine with mud and the still real and present danger of snow squalls, you may want to recalibrate your thinking. Marking its fourth year of providing a late winter culinary pick-me-up, Maine Restaurant Week kicks off February 29th and runs through March 10^th, offering the perfect opportunity to cozy up and flirt with all of those restaurants with whom you keep meaning to make a date.

Restaurant Week is more than just a celebration of the depth and breadth of Maine’s fantastic food scene. The buzz it generates gives restaurants a much-needed boost by getting people excited about eating out during what can be a slow time of year. Plus, thousands of dollars have been raised for local non-profit organizations since the inaugural Maine Restaurant Week in 2009.

A list of participating restaurants is available at www.mainerestaurantweek.com.The list will continue to expand through March 1, 2012. At this point, over 70 restaurants throughout the state are confirmed for this year from towns including Portland, Kennebunkport, Kennebunk, Lewiston, Auburn, Camden, Brunswick, Bangor and more. As in years past, the three-course dinners range in price from $20-$40 per person and some restaurants will be offering three-course lunches for $15. Restaurants also have the ability to identify vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options on their menus.

The Signature Event will launch Maine Restaurant Week on Wednesday evening, February 29th from 5:30-8:30 pm at the Portland Harbor Hotel, 468 Fore St., in Portland. This event will once again feature a People’s Choice competition for best cocktail and a People’s Choice competition for best dessert. New this year is the introduction of a professionally judged cocktail and a People’s Choice award for best table display. Tickets to The Signature Event start at $35.

The Incredible Breakfast Cook-off will take place Friday morning, March 9th at the Seadog Brewing Company, 125 Western Ave in South Portland, 7 am - 9 am. The Good Table, Cape Elizabeth, will return for the third year to defend its two-year title of People’s Choice winner with its decadent Crème Brulee French Toast.

For more information go to www.mainerestaurantweek.com.

Event tickets are available through www.mainerestaurantweek.com/events or www.brownpapertickets.com.

Stay informed through www.facebook.com/mainerestaurantweek and www.twitter.com/dineme.

Maine Restaurant Week is sponsored by the Swan Agency-Sotheby’s International, US Cellular, L.L. Bean, Down East Magazine, Shipyard Brewing Company, Native Maine Produce, Maine Today Media and Cumulus Radio.

Two weekends of magic and merriment in the Kennebunks help kick off the holiday season.

On October 1^st my mother and I had the honor and the pleasure to join Loryn Kipp and Finn Mcdonald in celebrating their lifetime commitment to each other.  We came to know Loryn and Finn when they were the innkeepers at the Captain Fairfield Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine just a block away from The Captain Jefferds Inn.

 I drove down River Road in Kennebunkport one day and this is what I saw!

It seems as though there is a compost pile under this tree where the owner has disposed of pumpkins in years past. The vines then climbed the tree, seemingly unassisted and now it seems as though we have our very own pumpkin tree. Authentic and so cool! Just a little confusing when I try to explain to the three year old I nanny for that pumpkins grow on a vine on the ground and all he sees is them growing on a tree!

When I moved here I thought I would desperately miss my proximity to all my favorite retail stores. I am by no means a shopaholic, if I had to pick between shopping or walking on the beach, the choice would be easy, sand over shopping any day. But let’s face it, there comes a time in every girl's (and guy's) life where they need or would like a new piece of clothing to spice up their wardrobe. Little did I know that this fabulous town I was moving to had everything I needed within walking distance!

Yesterday I had an hour break during nannying and I was able to walk into town, get a gorgeous vineyard vines top, cute white capris, and black peep toe heels for the next night’s charity event. The whole shopping experience was effortless and relaxing. Now it does help that I'm a local so I know Caroline who owns Green and Pink Tangerine and she knows exactly what I love, but regardless she is good at what she does. She knows clothes, she knows fashion, and she carries all the designers I could hope for! And to top that off, she’s nice, personable and has great taste!  At Port Shoe I didn’t know the girl that helped me personally but she too was knowledgeable, accommodating, and extremely friendly.

The Closet, in downtown Kennebunk is always advertising the new in-style jeans, along with great tops and dresses for a fun night out on the town. Zen and Company in lower village Kennebunk has the most comfortable dress, shirts and skirts anyone could ask for. Then there is Carla’s, a unique boutique with fine clothes for everyone, and where my mother got her “mother of the bride” outfit, which was fabulous by the way! For the men, it is more limited, but what man needs numerous options anyway! Green Tangerine carries the essential vineyard vines men's wear, Dock Square Clothier has a great men’s section and for the more sophisticated man, Kings Wharf always has something for an outing. Portmanteau also carries great weekend and sports outside gear for men and women!  The list can literally go on and on.

So whether you need a Kennebunkport memento or a fabulous outfit it's all within a short walk into town (or a quick car ride away if you want to go to Kennebunk) and the experience will always be enjoyable.

Memorial Day weekend was a gorgeous start to the Kennebunkport season. My mother and I went to the beach every day which, if you know us, isn’t exactly unusual, but this past weekend was the first time I put my feet in the water and it was a welcome relief to the sudden hot weather. We went to Gooches Beach in Kennebunk on Saturday and Sunday and it was full of children swimming and dogs frolicking. Until June 15^th dogs can go anytime so we have been trying to go at all times of day to take full advantage of it! After June 15^th it isn’t impossible, we have before 9:00am and after 5:00pm which during the busy season I prefer because then the beach isn’t as crowded. It is fun to give my four-legged ladies a mid-day romp though!

Monday it turned foggy so we ventured over to Goose Rocks Beach in Kennebunkport, which is a little less dog friendly but we figured due to the weather there wouldn’t be many people and we were right. The fog was coming in and at the end of our walk it had fully taken over. Although this certainly wasn’t the first time we had been to the beach when it was foggy, somehow it was still mesmerizing watching it roll in and we couldn't help but stop and take it all in.

Kennebunkport it slowly becoming green again! As I look out now, staring actually at the Captain Jefferds Inn I can finally see the vibrancy coming back from the dull colors of winter. The Inn’s tulips are blooming in the corner garden and my father has been busy planting in the flower beds and painting our new white fence. Captain Jefferds has been cleaned literally from the top to the bottom for our annual spring cleaning. Kennebunkport also seems to be tidying itself up, re-painting the streets, fixing sidewalks, and re-paving roads all in preparation for a soon to be great season in Maine!

Another new restaurant in lower village Kennebunk has opened, right over the bridge next to HB provisions; Ryan’s Pub is the new local hot spot. The owner is kind, with a true Irish accent, and the beer was cold and delicious. I tried Smithwicks for the first time and I can’t wait to go back for another pint! Dianna went with a friend and said the crab cakes were delicious! I’m eager to go back, but I just bought a new “Kate” car so I think my eating out days are numbered!

The Schooner Eleanor is back, docked at the Arundle Wharf Restaurant per usual and I can’t wait to start working. It will be my 6th year working there and the scenery never gets old. I recommend experiencing the Maine coast on this beautiful green-hulled boat for a two-hour sail. I get so excited when I see it back in the water!

It is official the old Manhattan room is now….the Wyeth room! Named after Andrew Wyeth, a famous Maine Artist, who I actually met when I was 9, fishing off a dock in Port Clyde! Congratulations Kelly and Jacob Tabor for coming up with the new name! The pictures below are just a glimpse of what this new room has to offer. Professional pictures will be posted later this spring!