Ogunquit Fireworks Take a Village But They Return This July 4th

Ogunquit has always been know for its fireworks. As a little girl, I have wonderful family memories of gathering up blankets, packing snacks in a picnic basket and rolling in our red radio flyer towards Ogunquit Center to catch the best spot. (It used to be on the wall of the Sparhawk - right across from the little house, now a storefront, that we rented. And yes - the red radio flyer was necessary - it was easiest to get three kids across one busy street and entertained for hours with a cart of distraction. My mom was a smart cookie.)

Now, I suspect the many families visiting Ogunquit Beach for July 4th feel the same - the Independence Holiday is a time for vacation memories, picnic baskets and a great fireworks show. Well, fireworks are back. It's true - after a two year hiatus - Ogunquit's famous fireworks show will return and with a bang.

However, it take a village, as Hillary Clinton says, to put on a show for tens of thousands of people. The Spirit Committee worked for a year with the Town, Ogunquit Chamber, residents, State of Maine, Fireworks company, businesses, media and the Enviromental Protection Agency (We have Piping Plovers, an endangered species, that nest along the beach. So if you're coming this year - respect the roadblocks and volunteers - they are protecting an important part of our beach's ecosystem). That's a lot of heads in a room, chefs in a kitchen - however you like to say it. A tremendous thank you is owed to the Spirit Committee for spearheading the efforts and to the other groups for taking the time to work through a solution and bring back fireworks. Ogunquit has a pulse - it throbs in the summer. Last July 4th, Ogunquit's pulse needed CPR. This year, we are happy to see the return of fireworks and the summer pulse beating!

So in the end, the Meadowmere says thanks to all and happy Fourth of July 4th! Enjoy the show!

Ogunquit Goes Green - Quick Tips on what you can do

Becoming a Maine Environmental Leader hotel and 'going green' was a remarkable process at our Ogunquit resort. We really took on the challenge of Save the Planet or Else - as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Newsweek cover shouted. We worked hard, but also had fun - such as starting a Surf 'n' Stay Package and having World Ocean Day celebrations.

Transitioning to an eco-friendly hotel starts with the back of the house and continues on with adding up the little things. For us, efficiency in our heating and cooling systems and lighting was first, then a review of our pools and housekeeping supplies, and onto front of the house eco-efforts such as recylcing bins and eco-friendly in room amentities. So when a guest asked me about how we did became a green hotel and if we found the process overwhelming, I answered what steps we took and said 'Nope! Going green was simple.'

But that guest had a point - living, working and being environmentally responsible can be daunting. What is a Carbon Challenge? Should I think about a hybrid, bio-fuel or a bicycle? Will I have to hug a tree? Well, I still think a good approach is to take it one step at a time and make going green simple. On our Environmental page are some helpful sites and check out some quick tips from Newsweek's How to Live a Greener Life - a nice article. The little things add up and each step makes a difference!

A Presidential Visit Times Two

If one were to wiki Ogunquit, one would find it's a pretty small village.  The year round population is an astounding 1,200. Really - check it out here.  Even so, some very familiar faces seem to like stopping in and seeing the sights of Perkins Cove and Ogunquit Beach.

Last fall our fearless Patriot's quarterback, Tom Brady, dined along the water in Perkins Cove. For a few summer's in a row, Sally Struthers has graced the stage at the Ogunquit Playhouse. And rumor has it Rachel Ray caught a quick bite to eat at Oarweed's where the Marginal Way begins.

That's pretty good for these parts. But now, we're going Presidential - times two! A local paper, Foster's, reports that President George W Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin are heading to Kennebunkport this weekend for July 4th festivities in Southern Maine.

Well, with weeklong July 4th events and fireworks at Ogunquit Beach - we hope they stop through and say hi!

Ogunquit's Restaurants -A Surprise Vacation Souvenir

Recently – today in fact! (We check our e-comment cards everyday – we can’t help it. Guest feedback is good information.)  - I received a guest’s request to please closed most of the restaurants during their next visit.

Well, I was quite surprised. Ogunquit has fabulous restaurants – why would someone want to miss out?!? Right in our backyard is Arrow’s Restaurant – Bon Appetit’s pick for a top 50 restaurant in the United States. Barnacle Billy’s is a favorite of George Bush Sr for steamed Maine lobster (Rumor has it George W. Bush and Putin will be making a stop this July 4th!). The burgers and raw bar at MC Perkins Cove are wonderful - and that’s not just because of the ocean view of Marginal Way. Mike’s Clam Shack has clam chowder that’s creamy and delicious. And Bintliff’s brunch in the morning is fabulous – the Bintliff’s Scramble with Asaigo Cheese makes me jump out of bed. Plus the Village Food Market in the center of town always has fresh blueberry muffins and homemade scones if one just has to make it to Ogunquit Beach right away in the morning. What could possibly have gone wrong? How could Ogunquit have failed him, restaurant mecca and foodie heaven that it is? Very disconcerting.

Turns out, this guest had gone home to discover a souvenir from the Ogunquit vacation – 5 extra lbs! This guest then went on to say they were just kidding about closing the restaurants (phew!), but certainly not about the 5 lbs. Understandable – Ogunquit restaurants provide endless dining options here. Our front desk could go on and on – whether it’s for a mom, dad and the little ones or newly weds. Our little beach town has a lot of choices packed into a village.

In the end, my response would have to disappoint this guest – We wouldn't be able to close all of the restaurants in Ogunquit for the next stay. However, I would offer that we have a wonderful award-winning health club, complimentary with stay and all of the restaurants located downtown on Shore Road and in Perkins Cove are within walking distance from our resort. It might help make sure that the only souvenir one discovers when they get home is a great tan!