Fall Foliage in Kennebunkport

Fall is My Favorite Time of Year in Maine

Although fall doesn't officially arrive until September 21, the crisp, cool evenings here in Southern Maine tell us that fall has arrived! Bev and I were driving some back roads this weekend and were slightly surprised that there are already a few trees showing some areas of bright reds and yellows. Wow; summer flew by!

In the fall, colorful country drives, clear blue skies, warm days and cool evenings draw travelers to the Captain Lord Mansion and Maine to view lots of beautiful foliage. In fact, we have several printed itineraries to help you maximize your foliage viewing. The photograph at right is from the Maine Department of Tourism website and was taken by Paul Strasenburgh. That website will keep you appraised of the color levels in each section of the state.

As I write this blog, I can almost taste the freshly-picked apples or apple cider. There are several delightful family orchards nearby where you can purchase fresh vegetables, different variates of apples and cider. This website gives you a list of nearby apple orchards.

Let us help plan your fall trip to Kennebunkport and southern Maine. Your innkeeper, Rick Litchfield

Kennebunkport Offers You Excellent Fishing!

Do You Like to Fish?

Fishing in the waters off the coast of Kennebunkport offers you terrific opportunities to catch striped bass, bluefish, cod, haddock, mackerel and even shark. Local fishing outfitters will give you customized four, six or eight hour guided trips. No license is required and all bait and tackle is provided. You just need to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, warm clothes (offshore breezes can quickly chill you), and a hearty desire to catch fish. There are three local fishing-charter companies that are represented by these pictures. Tidewater Fishing Charters, Cast-away Fishing Charters, and Lady J Sportfishing. Each captain is USCG licensed and each has his favorite fishing spot and great fish stories!

If you call the Captain Lord Mansion, we can assist you in scheduling a trip. We'll never forget the morning Bev was making breakfast and a guest came into the kitchen to apologize for putting his fish in the Mansion's refrigerator! He had caught several sizable bluefish and put the cleaned steaks in our refrigerator the previous night. That was the day we served bluefish for lunch to both staff and guests! We look forward to helping you catch some memories! Rick Litchfield, Your innkeeper

Kennebunkport Beaches Are Delightful!

Kennebunkport and Beaches are Synonymous!

Summer fun in Kennebunkport, Maine includes a trip to one of our local sandy beaches. Goose Rocks Beach is about 6 miles east of the village of Kennebunkport. It is a crescent shaped, white sandy beach that offers tolerable swimming in Maine's cold waters. The beach is fairly shallow so the water warms up quite nicely in the hot summer sun! Personally, Bev and I enjoy walking the beach; our grandson was recently here and we helped him search the beach for seashells. He filled a bucket with beautiful iridescent shells that he took home as Maine treasures. Occasionally, you can find beautiful sand dollars; however, the day we went to the beach, we found none.

At the Captain Lord Mansion, we'll help with your trip to the beach by providing beach towels and beach chairs. However, be sure to stop by the Kennebunkport Police Station to buy your parking pass! Parking tickets tend to spoil your day of fun. Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper

Kennebunkport Lighthouse Tour

The Captain Lord Mansion of Kennebunkport has printed itineraries to assist you with a tour of local lighthouses from Cape Neddick in York to Portland Head Light in Portland. These historical buildings are situated along the coast only a short drive from our B&B and 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. We also offer a picnic lunch package to accompany your tour. Bev and I enjoy visiting several of these lighthouses every year. Last fall we had a pleasant day touring Fort Williams Park. There were many families enjoying picnicking, relaxing and flying kites in the brisk breezes flowing off Casco Bay. When you come to visit Maine, we encourage you to avail yourself of this tour. Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper.

What is "Certified Maine Lobster"?

If it’s not certified, it just might not be authentic Maine Lobster.

The Maine Lobster Promotion Council developed the Certified Maine Lobster (TM) program so that customers can be sure they are getting the authentic Maine Lobster that they want. If customers don't see the Certified Maine Lobster(TM) brand on their lobster, they can't be sure of what they are receiving.

The criteria for a Certified Maine Lobster(TM) are:

• Harvested off the Maine coast by licensed Maine lobstermen who adhere to strict conservation methods
• Sold by licensed Maine lobster dealers
• Processed by Maine seafood companies and distributors

At the Captain Lord Mansion, we recommend several different types of restaurants that serve these succulent Maine lobsters. Whether dining elegant or casual, on your next visit, allow us to recommend one of Kennebunkport's great restaurants. We and our staff are pleased to share our favorites with you. Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper

Fine Art at the Wells Reserve to benefit Laudholm Trust

A Painterly Day returns on July 15, 2007

Fine artists paint in open air around the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm capturing its magnificent scenery and structures. Their works are featured at a catered evening reception and auction. Proceeds are shared by the artists and Laudholm Trust.

The public is welcome to view artists at work during The Painterly Day . The Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm is open from 7 am to sunset. July admission is $1 for those 6 to 16 and $2 for those over 16 (Laudholm Trust members get in free). To bid on an artist's work, you must attend the auction.

Bev and I enjoy touring the Reserve during the day of the event to see the many different views being painted by the artists. We are always amazed at how each of the different artists interprets the various landscapes. There are always beautiful paintings that you want to bid on and own!

We at The Captain Lord Mansion have been financial supporters of this exceptional preserve since its inception because we are grateful to have such an extensive natural area for the benefit of both locals and tourists. The preserve provides both hiking trails and cross-country ski trails in the winter. Often you can see deer grazing in the fields at Laudholm Farm.

Laudholm Trust was formed in 1982 as a grassroots effort to protect historic Laudholm Farm in Wells, Maine. Within a few years, the Trust's vision expanded and, with exceptional community support, the group spearheaded the establishment of the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve. In the years following its initial success, the Trust has continued to support research, education, and management activities at the Wells Reserve. Laudholm Trust has about 2300 members.

Rick Litchfield,

your innkeeper.

"Wind Sculptures" come to the Maine Art Gallery in Kennebunkport

"Wind Sculptures" TM by Lyman Whitaker

"The undulating movements of theses sculptures reflect the mood of the wind. In groupings large or small, the sculptures dance to the rhythms of nature. Captivating and magical, these fine sculptures will be enjoyed for generations" Bev and I have to agree with this statement from the brochure accompanying the printed announcement of this show by Maine Art Gallery. We were captivated by the beautiful display of sculptures as we drove by the Maine Art Gallery which is located on Route 9 as you arrive into Kennebunkport. We are seriously considering adding a piece to our garden area at The Captain Lord Mansion. If you are visiting us this summer, we heartily encourage you to experience this wonderful display of visual art.

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Intimate Weddings at The Captain Lord Mansion

Allison looks pretty as a picture in this recent photo taken in the Captain Lord Mansion cupola. Couples choose the Mansion for small intimate weddings and to renew vows.

Michelle, our wedding coordinator, helps couples secure the "Justice of the Peace", flowers, cakes, music, photographers and can arrange for a romantic carriage ride after the ceremony to travel to dinner. The ceremony is usually held in our large "Gathering Room" in front of a crackling fire. As you personal coordinator, Michelle arranges the room with select flowers, candelabra and a silver service and glasses for the champagne toast. If this sounds like the kind of small service you desire, please give Michelle a call at 800-522-3141. There is a minimum charge of $250.00 for coordination services.

The photographer for Allison and Mark's pictures was Sea Glass Photography. Also, I was priviledged to offer the toast for this young couple, wishing them much happiness. Small weddings are a chance for us to show the special attention to personal service for which we are known. Personally, I find it fun to do something out of the ordinary at the inn! Rick Litchfield, your innkeeper

Captain Lord Mansion goes Green! What does that mean?

For some time we at The Captain Lord Mansion and our companion property, The Captain's Garden House, have been very concerned about the chemicals we use for cleaning. This month, after thoughtful research, we switched to "Green Cleaning". The term "Green Cleaning" is often misunderstood. Our effort is composed of environmentally-preferable or reduced risk products combined with our regular, exacting cleaning and maintenance schedule. We believe that we have implemented a properly designed "green" cleaning program and that it will have a positive impact on the health of the employees and guests. The "green" products we are using have the following characteristics:

• No persistent, bioaccummulative or toxic chemicals
• No ozone-depleting compounds
• No or low volatile organic compound content
• No hazardous waste characteristics
• No phosphate or phosphates
• No carcinogens, mutagens or antigens

The benefits of our "Green Cleaning" program using chemicals from the Spartan Chemical Company:

• Improved air quality
• Healthier inn for employees and guests
• Minimized exposure to adverse chemicals
• Reduced water and air pollution
• Reduced packaging waste

Also, we've had an extensive recycling program in effect at the inn for many years. There are small refrigerators in each guest room with complimentary bottled water, sodas and juices. Additionally, we sell wine and champagne. We encourage guests to recycle bottles and cans by placing small, blue recycling containers in each guest room. In addition to material from guest rooms, we collect plastic, glass, cardboard and newspapers from other inn operations for weekly disposal at our local recycling center in Kennebunk. We seem to grow cardboard and newspapers like they were grass! I am amazed at how much waste we produce and recycle each week and the effort required by staff to sort the various materials and haul them to the recycle center. Then, I think positively about how much waste we prevent from being dumped into landfill or being burned!

Additionally, we have converted to low energy use fluorescent light bulbs throughout the inn. However, low energy does not mean you don't have decent light to read by. Every room has plenty of lights and adequate wattage too!

What is Kennebunkport Arts in the Inns?

KENNEBUNKPORT, June 2007 - Artists from Kennebunk and Kennebunkport are partnering with seventeen local area Inns to present the 3nd Annual Art in the Inns, June 1-3, 2007. The Kennebunkport area is famous for its art community and Inns and the combination results in a unique venue for the artists in the beautiful setting of some the finest Inns in Maine.

The award winning artists' portfolios on display in the Inns include oil, watercolor, and acrylic paintings, relief sculptures as well as driftwood sculptures and multi media. The Inns are making a cash contribution to the Brick Store Museum and the Kennebunkport Historical Society and public donations are welcome during the event.

The weekend schedule at the Inns is as follows:

• Saturday June 1: 1-5pm with artist receptions from 3-5m
• Sunday June 2: 12-3pm

The public is invited anytime during the exhibition hours to see the art displays and enjoy the hospitality of the inns. To meet the artist, be sure to attend the receptions in each inn on Saturday afternoon. In most cases, the art is available for purchase. In addition, many of the Inns are offering special rates and packages for this event.

The participating Inns are: Captain Fairfield Inn, Captain Jefferds Inn, Captain Lord Mansion, English Meadows Inn, Kennebunkport Inn, Maine Stay Inn and Cottages, Nonantum Resort, Waldo Emerson Inn.

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The Rooms At The Captain Lord Mansion