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

The New ABCs of A Kennebunkport Summer Vacation! And New Links!

Summer Vacation in Kennebunkport offers you a plethora of activities to entertain, educate and expand your horizons!  And to just have fun and relax!

Activities include

• Art Galleries, Antiquing 
• Beaches, Bicycling
• Canoeing, Carriage Rides,
• Day Trips
• Engagements
• Fishing
• Golf
• History , Hiking
• Interesting & Joyful Sights
• Kyaking
• Lighthouses,  Lobsters,  Lobster Boat Tours 
• Museums
• Narrated Trolley Tours
• Other Stuff
• Picnic Spots 
• Running
• Sailing, Shopping, Spas, Summer White House (Bush 41)
• Theater
• Whale Watches
• XYZ There's lots more!

Bev and I enjoy summer in Maine and especially Kennebunkport because there is so much to do.  There is hardly time to fit it all in!  Call the Captain Lord Mansion today to discuss your vacation plans and how we may assist you in planning the perfect vacation.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield.

 

 

Spring Arrived Early In Kennebunkport!

Welcome Early Spring!  The weather has been unusually warm, spring flowers are blooming early, robins are plump and plentiful around the inn's grounds and we have cleaned the gardens of the winter detritus!  We've pressure washed the lawn chairs and put them out on the lawn.  Also, the Memory Garden fountain has been cleaned and is now gurgling away matching the songs emanating from the garden waterfall.  Imagine sitting in the sun while on our delightful garden swing listening to the sounds of spring.  Bev and I look forward to welcoming you to the Captain Lord Mansion some time this spring.

Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

What Do You Know About The Statue on Kennebunkport's River Green?

This statue graces Kennebunkport's River Geen which is located in front of the Captain Lord Mansion.  Frank Handlen, the artist and sculptor of this magnificent bronze is a personal friend of ours.  There is quite a story concerning the creation of this statue.  Frank had actually begun crafting the clay model of "Our Fore bearers of the Coast" in another barn which did not have ceilings high enough for the full model.  We met him at a local artist's function at Mast Cove Gallery where he shared his plans to create the statue and the difficulty he was facing finding adequate space for the full size clay model.  We offered the Carriage House at the Captain Lord Mansion for his use.  In exchange, he painted a mural of the Kennebunk River, circa 1880, which is installed in our guest room, "Ship Harvest".  Frank worked all one winter in our unheated barn making the clay model.  The barn ceiling was sufficiently high enough to allow Frank to create the model in one piece.  Fortunately, in one of Maine's coldest winters on record, he was able to section off with plastic sheeting a small area which he heated with a kerosene bullet heater.  Also, he stuffed newspaper into oversize rubber knee-boots to keep his feet warm.  After making the clay model, Frank had the statue cast in bronze by the "lost wax method" at a Maine Foundry. We are proud of the part we played to help Frank achieve his dream of creating this statue.  When you visit the Captain Lord Mansion, please take some time to visit the imposing bronze statue of a fisherman and his wife casting their eyes seaward.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Photos by Robert Dennis

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

Captain Lord Mansion has a face on Facebook!

Everyone is doing it, doing it, doing it; putting their face on Facebook.  Well, we have too!  Once you are signed into your Facebook account, this link takes you to The Captain Lord Mansion Facebook page. We would love to have you sign on as friends.  I have linked our blogs into the page, so folks can keep up with the events and activities in and around Kennebunkport as well as at the Captain Lord Mansion.

What Is The Select Registry and Where Do You Find It In Kennebunkport?

The Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America is the premier guide to exceptional travel and lodging and has been a useful tool for travelers for 21 years.  Before it's incarnation as "The Select Registry", it was a wonderful travel guidebook called "Country Inns & Back Roads" written by Norman Simpson.  Norman began traveling New England in the mid-1960's and wrote a little booklet about his favorite small, owner-operated lodging establishments.  Norman was the "father" of the bed & breakfast business.  During the United States bicentennial in 1976 there was a renewed interest in New England travel and the country inn lodging.  Additionally, a few folks were starting bed & breakfast inns in areas such as Kennebunkport that were well-served by restaurants.  The Captain Lord Mansion actually was put into "Country Inns & Back Roads" in 1975!  That was long before computers, cell phones, fax machines and credit cards.  Wow!  Bev and I remember those days when we took only cash and personal checks!  Also, we sent you a post card confirmation.  How times have changed!  The Select Registry now has an excellent website where you can find inns all over the US and Canada.  Also, there are interesting travel itineraries available, as well as other benefits such as the "Golden Quill Club" which is a frequent stay rewards program.  Bev and I purchased the Captain Lord Mansion in June of 1978 and we are thrilled to share stories about the early years of inn keeping!  Looking forward to stamping your book! Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

The ABCs of A Summer Vacation in Kennebunkport!

Summer Vacation in Kennebunkport offers you activities to entertain, educate and expand your horizons!

Activities include Art Galleries, Beaches, Bicycling, Canoeing, Carriage Rides, Day Trips, Fishing, Food, Golf, History, Kyaking, Lighthouses, Lobsters, Museums, Sailing, Shopping, Spas, Summer White House (Bush 41), Theater and Whale Watches.

Bev and I enjoy summer in Maine and especially Kennebunkport because there is so much to do.  There is hardly time to fit it all in!  Call the Captain Lord Mansion today to discuss your vacation plans and how we may assist you in planning the perfect vacation.  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield.

Three Reasons to Take A Southern Maine Coast Lighthouse Tour!

The Captain Lord Mansion of Kennebunkport, which is located on the southern coast of Maine has several itineraries to assist you with a self-guided tour of lighthouses located from Nubble Light  in York to Portland Head Light in Portland.  The first reason is that these historical buildings are situated along the coast only a short drive from our B&B.  Second, they offer you a great opportunity to tour the picturesque rocky southern coast of Maine for terrific sight-seeing and picture-taking.  Pictured here is the famous Nubble light located in York, ME.  Third, we offer a picnic lunch package to accompany your tour.  Bev and I enjoy visiting these lighthouses and their adjacent parks ourselves.  Last fall we had  delightful day exploring Fort Williams Park where Portland Head light is located.  There were many families enjoying picnicking, relaxing, and flying kites in the brisk breezes flowing off Casco Bay.  When you come to Maine, we encourage you to avail yourself of one of these tours.  Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper.

Art Guild of the Kennebunks "Salute to Summer" Art Show

Kennebunkport Art Show This Weekend!

The Art Guild of The Kennebunks represents over 75 artists.  It was founded in 1980 by a local group of artists led by Ron Goyette to foster camaraderie, mutual support and professional stimulation.  In 1981 Barbara Bush cut the ribbon at the opening of the first annual summer membership exhibit held at the Chapel Gallery on Route 35.  Each summer since then, the AGK has held exhibitions at various locations in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport.  The 2007 Art Guild of the Kennebunks summer exhibit opens tonight, Friday, August 10 at The Community House which is locate on Temple Street, across from the Kennebunkport Post Office.  The show will run Friday, 2-7pm, Saturday, 10-7pm and Sunday, Noon-4pm.  The public is invited and admission is free.

Bev and I enjoy visiting these shows to see the wonderful variety of pictures and terrific group of talented artists that reside in this area.  Also, we have our personal collection of paintings from some of the artists on display at the Captain Lord Mansion. I look forward to seeing you at the show!  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield