What Are The Names of The Children In The New Captain Lord Mansion Garden Sculpture?

Thank all of you who submitted suggestions of names for the children depicted in our new garden sculpture.  We had 99 entries with many folks offering unusual and different names, as well as interesting reasons for each suggestion.  Names people suggested included names of their children, their grandchildren, names of Captain Lord’s family members and other thoughtful ideas such as commemorating famous citizens of K'port.  Of course we had several suggestions of Kenny, Bunky and Portia!  Just a little too cute!

 Originally, we had hoped to choose the names for the 4th of July weekend.   Bev and I apologize for the delay in making the decision; however, I was away in Oxford, UKfor a seminar from July 2nd until the 11th.  We just couldn’t make the decision until I returned because we were still receiving suggestion right up until the 4th.   

 

The winning names are Caleb, Lily and Molly.  We thought that these were sort of old-fashioned names which would be appropriate for the age of the inn, 1812!  Additionally, we had a suggestion of “Snickers” for the bird.  Although naming the bird was not part of our contest, we thought that was a splendid name!  There were 2 submissions for Caleb; 6 submissions for Lily and 5 submissions for Molly.  Each winner has been sent a $100 Gift Certificate to be used at a future stay at the Mansion. 

 

It was a fun contest and we certainly appreciate everyone who took the time to participate.

Sincerely, Rick & Bev, Your innkeepers

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 

What Is One of Rick's Kennebunk Area Restaurant Raves for 2010?

Bev and I recently ate at a new restaurant named "Local 50" located in downtown Kennebunk, Maine.  It is a refreshing change from the "dimly-lit, romantic, barn-type establishments throughout the Kennebunks.  It is bright and cheerily decorated in shades of grey and silver with chrome chairs and tables.  The food is as refreshing too.  Owners, Merrilee and her husband Chef David have created a menu that is filled with items from local farms.  In fact, they feature a chalk board listing the various items of produce used in the preparation of dinners each evening, as well as the name of supplying farm.  That certainly is taking "locally supplied ingredients" to the max. We were impressed with their commitment to their name "Local 50"!  A local restaurant will not succeed unless the local residents support it.  It is a long winter without many tourists!

We started our dinner with the fried calamari which was lightly breaded, very tender and quite delicious.  It was some of the best calamari we've ever had; we order it often, as it is one of Bev's favorite dishes. After freshly-prepared salads, we truly enjoyed our maine courses.  Bev had chicken and I had the pork chop. It was an inch thick chop that was grilled perfectly; it was tender and juicy and was placed neatly on a bed of mashed potatoes and that was topped with baby asparagus and balsamic grilled onions. Not only was my meal great tasting, but it was beautifully presented. It was served on a large white square dinner plate including a spiral bead of balsamic sauce.  I personally loved the balsamic flavoring.  Bev's half a chicken was properly roasted to be tender and flavorful and it was situated on a bed of field greens.  No dried out chicken here!  We skipped dessert because we enjoyed a bottle of wine.  Their wines are fairly- priced and there is a good selection of popular choices.   Actually, the restaurant is a good value with modestly priced entrees.  Our dinner including a bottle of wine, one appetizer, two salads and two entrees with tax was just over $80.00. 

Merrilee told us they plan to be open year round; that is excellent news for fall and winter when there is less dining selections in the Kennebunks for our guests.  Next time you are here at the Captain Lord Mansion as our guest, let us make you a reservation at Local 50, you won't be disappointed!  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

When Are The Captain Lord Mansion Summer Garden Parties?

Come to Our Garden Party!

    This will be our second summer hosting complimentary wine and cheese "Garden Parties" by the waterfall in our beautiful garden.  Shaded by the ancient Chestnut Trees, we’ll sip wine and share our 32 years of innkeeping knowledge of the area and get to know our guests in a more relaxed setting.  Most Saturday evenings beginning at 5:00 pm stroll out to the gardens to find other couples engaged in animated conversations.  Join us for a relaxing getaway at the Captain Lord Mansion some weekend this summer and add a garden party to your escape.  If the weather doesn't permit fellowshipping in the garden, we'll gather in the Mansion's large "Gathering Room".  See you by the waterfall!  Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Do You Know Who Abbott Graves Was?

Abbott Graves was an American artist who lived and painted in Kennebunkport during the early 20th Century.  The Kennebunkport Historical Society just opened an exhibit of his paintings.  The show runs from early June through Aug 30th, 2010.  Graves was a prolific painter of buildings; he loved New England's old homes.  However, he also loved painting flowers and gardens.  This exhibit features examples of both types of his work.  Here is a link that will take you to a press release and descriptive write-up about the current exhibit; it is featured at Seascoastonline.com. 

Bev and I learned about Abbott Graves when we first came to Kennebunkport and The Captain Lord Mansion32 years ago.  We had a neighbor, Janet Gould, who lived in the 1799 home which is located next door to the Mansion's Carriage House.  Janet was a gracious, friendly neighbor; Bev used to take her fresh vegetables from our garden.  On several occasions Janet gave us a tour of her home where we saw a large (approximate 30" x 40") Abbott Graves painting of two women on a summer day in a small row boat.  The painting was rich in color and light.  You could almost believe you were there in the painting experiencing that long-ago day as you looked at the painting.  It was mesmerizing!  Such was the talent and God-given ability of Graves.  Janet claimed to know the women in the painting; Bev and I often wondered if one of the women was Janet herself!  I took this image off the Internet and believe this is a copy of Mrs Gould's painting.  It was sold at auction after her death. 

Bev and I know that you'll enjoy spending a couple of hours visiting the Historical Society and seeing this exhibit.  Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper

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

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.