Where Can You Find The Books in Kennebunkport?

Bev and I are pleased to announce the arrival of Kennebooks, a brand new bookstore which is located on Route 35 on the approach to Kennebunkport.  It was not delivered by the seagull sitting on the roof, but rather by a swarm of construction workers who transformed the building which formerly housed Greg Alexander Gifts.  After Greg closed his business and sold the building, it went through a series of owners, each deepening the gloom of that part of town!  Now the Kennebunk area has a completely renovated and restored building which is brightly painted and offers a welcoming entree to Kennebunkport.  I love the atmosphere of this new bookstore.  It is warm, welcoming, cheerful and well-stocked.  I also love the fact that they have been aggressively promoting different authors with many personal appearances.  There is an event this Thursday, July 22nd for The Fairy Houses of the Maine Coast.  Bev and I need to attend; maybe we could get some ideas about adding a fairy house to one of our many gardens here at the Captain Lord Mansion!  When you are visiting us, please pick up a discount coupon to help with your shopping at this welcome addition to the shops in the Kennebunks.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Where Can You Meditate With The Franciscan Brothers in Kennebunkport?

The Franciscan Monastery is located almost directly across the Kennebunk river from the Captain Lord Mansion.  Bev and I enjoy walking the expansive grounds which includes shaded, wooded paths along the river bank.  There are several shrines located throughout the grounds, including one from the New York World's Fair.  The large piece of statuary, which is dedicated to Lithuanian martyrs, was recently restored to its former beauty.  There is also a large grotto with seats for outdoor services.  One of the most thrilling times at this grotto is the candle-light caroling during the annual Christmas Prelude celebration, the first two weeks of December.  Bev and I always get a thrill seeing spreading out from the lawn to the grotto a sea of candle lights rendering some warmth to the cold night air.  Often there is a light sprinkling of snow which adds to the magical atmosphere.  On your next visit to Kennebunkport, we highly recommend you spend an afternoon wandering the beautiful grounds of the Franciscan Monastery.

Your Innkeeper, Rick Litchfield 

Wow! A Fodor's Choice Award to a Kennebunkport Bed & Breakfast Inn!

We are thrilled to announce that The Captain Lord Mansion has been named a Fodor's Choice establishment for 2010.  This is the second consecutive year we have been the recepient of this prestigeous award. 

Fodor's is a leading publisher of guidebooks for American travelers. 

Travelers love to share their favorite discoveries, and so does the Fodor's team. From hidden-away restaurants to can't-miss museums, Fodor's Choice selections recognize the top sights, properties, and experiences that we've found while traveling the world. These places are the "best of the best," providing remarkable experiences in their price range, destination, or category.

With the collective expertise of our Fodor's team, including travel editors, more than 700 professional writers, and opinionated travelers like you in our robust Fodors.com community, we are the globe-trotting friend you can always rely on for top-notch travel advice.

For an unforgettable experience every time you travel, look for the orange stars that indicate Fodor's Choice recommendations. You'll find them throughout Fodors.com and the entire range of Fodor's travel guides.

"Thank you" Fodor's editors and our guests for believing in us and giving us this award.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Where Can You Find Botanical Gardens Along Coastal Maine?

At Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, you’ll discover stunning ornamental gardens and exceptional natural beauty, waterfalls, and incomparable stonework and sculpture.  Miles of trails allow you to experience waterfront and woodlands that are quintessentially Maine. You’ll find events and programs for many interests, year-round; and the seasonal Kitchen Garden Café and Gift Shop offer delightful – and delicious – selections.

Bev and I have not visited these gardens yet; we have been too busy maintaining the gardens at the Captain Lord Mansion and the Captain's Garden House!  However, we do plan to make a visit to these gardens this summer; they sound wonderful. 

When you are visiting the Mansion this summer, please stop by the office for tickets to these gardens.  In addition to tickets, we can give you good driving directions. 

Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

What is Playing at The Arundel Barn Playhouse This Summer ?

The Arundel Barn Playhouse offers live, professional, musical theater productions, each running  from June to Labor Day.  The Playhouse enjoys an enthusiastic and loyal audience of Maine year-round and summer residents.  Tourists visiting the southeastern Maine area find an evening of old time summer theater in a barn irresistible.  Adrienne Grant, Producing Artistic Director, describes the experience of the Arundel Barn Playhouse as ‘an evening in the Mickey Rooney / Judy Garland tradition providing the best professional entertainment in a beautiful New England environment with old-fashioned hospitality'.

Bev and I enjoy the plays and the atmosphere at the Arundel Barn Playhouse.  Adrienne Grant always secures young, talented and enthusiastic performers for the plays she produces.  Many summer evenings we come away from a play wondering where the performers get such energy and enthusiasm.  If you could bottle that energy, you could make millions!   Also, we totally enjoy the old-barn atmosphere; it really is like stepping back in time.

Playhouse Interior 

The next two shows (The Producers and then Annie) are sure to please any theater-goer.  Let us at the Captain Lord Mansion make your ticket reservations for you.  You might even see Bev and I in the audience! 

Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Where Can You Rent Scooters in Kennebunkport?

This is not Bermuda!

You now can rent scooters from Harbor Village Scooters which is located at Coopers Corner (the junction of Routes 9 & 35) in Kennebunk’s Lower Villageat the Sunoco Station.  The Kennebunkport area has miles of flat roads and lots of beautiful scenery.  Don’t struggle finding a parking space at the beaches; tour the Franciscan Monastery grounds, or scoot out to Cape Porpoise to see the lobster fishermen bring in their daily catch of lobsters. Doing this by scooter is so much more refreshing; you are in the open air and out of your car.    There is a per hour charge with a 2 hour minimum.  Also, you may rent by the day or by the week.  Whether your are an experienced rider or novice, Harbor Village Scooters will do all they can to make sure you're comfortable and confident before heading out for a fun time on your scooter. Our staff members at the Captain Lord Mansion are pleased to reserve your scooter for you. Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Winter Has Arrived in Kennebunkport! Jingle Those Bells!

  Dashing through the snow
In a one (2)horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
We got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot

Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh yeah

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh

Have You Seen The Victoria Mansion Decorated for Christmas?

Christmas at Victoria Mansion
November 27 through
January 3, 2010.
Daily 11-5.
Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.
Victoria Mansion is lavishly decorated for the holidays by professional designers, decorators, and florists, making this a festive time of year to plan a tour. Visitors go through the house at their own pace, on self-guided tours using a printed program. Room stewards are available to answer questions. Guided tours are available for groups of ten or more, and can be arranged by calling the office.

During the holidays, Victoria Mansion is transformed into a spectacular holiday wonderland by local designers and florists. This year's holiday theme is "Let the Christmas Bells Ring: Celebrating 25 Years of Christmas at Victoria Mansion!".

Bev and I visited the Victoria Mansion last Christmas with our niece and her husband.  The theme last year was "We Three Kings" and I was overwhelmed by the beautiful decorations.  The Victoria Mansion's elaborate interior decor and magnificent woodwork is only enhanced by the Christmas decorations.  We plan on making a trip to see this year's decorations sometime before Christmas.  If you are visiting The Captain Lord Mansion in the next couple of weeks, we encourage you to add the Victoria Mansion in Portland to your "must see" list.  Downtown Portland, where the Mansion is located, is only about a 45 minute drive from Kennebunkport.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield, Innkeeper

When Does Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude Begin?

Carriage Rides at Christmas Prelude  

History of Christmas Prelude, The 28th Celebration Of Which Begins This Weekend, December 4th, 2009

It was the early spring of 1982 when local giftshop owner Henry Pasco called a meeting of other business people for the purpose of discussing ways for the business community to give thanks to the residents of Kennebunkport and Kennebunk for supporting them. Henry suggested a Christmas Festival of some sort to create a sense of community spirit. At the time Nantucket and Marblehead were staging Christmas Festivals. The goal was not to duplicate these events but to stage our own unique festival. Committees were formed and the name Prelude was suggested.

The first Prelude included a tree lighting ceremony, a River Tree Arts concert, a chowder luncheon, candlelight caroling and an event unique to Kennebunkport, Santa’s arrival by lobster boat. We now have three tree-lighting ceremonies – Dock Square in Kennebunkport, Lower Village of Kennebunk and the lobster trap tree in Cape Porpoise; about a dozen Art and Craft Fairs; approximately 12 venues serving either breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner; programs sponsored by the Historical Society; and 12 programs of music celebrating the season. Santa still arrives by lobster boat escorted by two very special “lobster elves”. The Kennebunkport Business Association’s Christmas Prelude is now in its 28th year. For each of these years, business people have worked with the community to recreate the spirit and joy of the Christmas season.

Behind the scenes of Prelude is a cast of hundreds. Year after year, virtually every aspect of our community gets involved. Participating in Prelude activities are the churches, schools, civic and community groups, which make Prelude the centerpiece of their fund-raising activities. Many groups support their charity work from the fairs and feasts held on the two weekends. One of the biggest events is held by the Washington Hose Company that serves breakfast and dinner to hundreds of people. The firefighters turn the money they generate from these events into rescue equipment, which otherwise would have been purchased with tax dollars. The very purchase of their rescue boat, the outfitting of it and the upgrading to technical equipment is a direct result of monies raised over Prelude.

Prelude would not be the celebration that it is without the thousands of volunteer hours that go into the preparations. The KBA plans and pays for the decorations for Kennebunkport and Lower Village. In good weather or bad, you will find these hardworking volunteers devoting two days of their time in dressing the villages in their holiday finery with sparkling lighted Christmas trees, seashell decorated wreaths, and garlands of greenery and ribbon.

Carolers in the snow at the Captain Lord Mansion 

New Bookstore Opens In Kennebunk Near Kennebunkport!

 

Kennebooks is a brand new, year round, full service store designed to serve residents and tourists alike who are living and traveling in this area of Maine.  Located in Kennebunk’s Lower Village, it’s a quick stroll from downtown Kennebunkport, on the way to all the beaches, and provides plenty of parking.  With more than 11,000 books, Kennebooks also carries a variety of unique gifts for young and old — gifts that can be paired perfectly with a book, or stand alone.

I recently visited this new business and was thoroughly entranced by the coziness of the store and the wide selection of books.  I don't want to denigrate the big-box bookstores, they serve a purpose; however, this is the type of bookstore you would imagine being located in a town like Kennebunkport.  When you visit us at the Captain Lord Mansion, I heartily encourage you to visit Kennebooks!  This weekend they are having an open house and several authors will be there to sign their books.  Your Innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

 

 

21^st November

OPEN HOUSE at Kennebooks

 

10:30 AM Signings

 

Matt Tavares

Gingerbread Pirates

 

1:00 PM Signings

 

Carol Lambert

Sea Glass Chronicle and Passion for Sea Glass

 

Mimi Carpenter

Women and the Sea and What the Sea Left Behind

Giclée reproductions

Offset Lithograph Reproductions

 

Beth Alison Maloney

Saving Sammy