Maine Apple Picking - Top 5 To Visit When in Ogunquit

Fall in Ogunquit! Complete with Maine Farmer's Markets, fall festivals, and more. Many people visit the area for Ogunquit Beach and Marginal Way. However, the best colors of Fall are seen if you head a little west to our neighbors -Springvale and the Berwicks.

For a real treat, visit Mt. Agamenticus, the highest point in Southern Maine. From the viewpoint on the top, you can see the ocean and miles of the best foliage in Southern Maine. Then, spend the day enjoying one of our favorite fall activities - apple picking.

Here's a list of the Top Five Best Apple Picking near Ogunquit. A great list to keep handy when heading to Southern Maine this Fall. Most are only a short drive from the Resort to enjoy - Delicious!

Best Top Five Apple Picking Farms Near Ogunquit, Maine

1. McDougal Orchards, Springvale, Rt 11A Phone: 207-324-5054. U-pick or ready-picked fruit. 14+ varieties on mostly dwarf trees. Pumpkins and sweet cider in season. Hayrides on weekends. Farm animals too! This one is annual staff favorite. If you've been in our Lobby, you've probably enjoyed a McDougal apple!
2. Spiller Farm, Wells, Rt 9A Phone: 207-985-2575. U-pick apples and pumpkins. Hayrides, corn stalks, gourds and fall veggies. Clolest to the Resort and great if you are pressed for time and want to make a quick trip.
3. Pine View Orchard, Berwick, Pine Hill Rd Phone: 207-698-5891. The farm boasts an excellent view of the mountains and valleys. Perfect for seeing great Fall foliage! Another plus, the farm specializes in semi-dwarf trees for easy picking with the kids.
4. Libby & Sons, Limerick, Sawyer Mountain Rd Phone: 207-793-4749. Apples, blueberries and more - this farm is a little bit further, but well worth the drive. The blueberries (pictured above) are outstanding.
5. Romac Orchard Sanford, Rt. 109 toward Acton Phone: 207-636-3247. Apple picking with views of the White Mountains and blue lakes. Great Macouns and Cortlands. Another plus - hay rides!

Ogunquit Fest - Calendar of October's Festival Events

OgunquitFest 2007 – Schedule of Events There’s tons of events this year for Ogunquit’s popular fall festival. Remember to book early and catch the Ghost Tours!

SCARECROW CONTEST – Starts October 1! Cast your ballot!

Friday, October 19, 2007

GHOSTLY TOURS 6:30 & 7:30pm. Brand new route for 2007! A ghostly walk through the streets of Ogunquit. Are they myths or is there more to Ogunquit’s nightlife than meets the eye? Tours conducted by the Friends of the Winn House. Tours originate at the Winn House, 86 Obeds Lane. $5.00 adults, children under 10 free. Sponsored by Meadowmere Resort. Refreshments provided by Julie’s Ristorante

BATS IN THE BELFRY BONFIRE 9:00pm, Ogunquit Beach. Sponsored by Sevigney-Lyons Insurance

Saturday, October 20, 2007

KIDSTOWN CARNIVAL 9:00am-5pm, in the parking lot across from Ogunquit Resort Motel, 724 Main Street. Train ride, swing ride, play area, bounce ride, games, and traditional carnival food! Ride prices posted. Additional parking available at Vinny’s East Coast Grille & Bar. Sponsored by Ogunquit Resort Motel, Revelations, and Mariner Resort.

MONSTER MALL MARKETPLACE 10:00am-4:00pm, Dunaway Center. Crafters, artists and local retailers will have that one of a kind special item – get an early jump on your holiday shopping! Concessions sponsored by Joseph Romano, of Sysco Food. Bring in a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry or pet food for the Animal Welfare Society, and receive a free cup of coffee/soda.

HORSE-DRAWN WAGON RIDES 10:00am-4:00pm. Rides originate at Veteran’s Park Corner of Beach & Main Streets. $5 per person.

GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH PRESENTATION 10:00am-Noon. Upstairs at the Ogunquit Firehouse. A fall delight for kids of all ages. Pumpkins, paints, markers, stickers, etc. No carving please. All parents will receive a ChildPrint ID Kit. Sponsored by Raspberri’s Restaurant, Gorges Grant Hotel, Juniper Hill Inn, and The Milestone.

KIDZ ZONE 11:00am-3:00pm, Dunaway Center. Face painting, fake tattoos, ring toss, and more. Sponsored by Juniper Hill Inn, The Milestone, Raspberri’s Restaurant, and Gorges Grant Hotel, Juniper Hill Inn, and The Milestone.

KIDS’ TREASURE HUNT 1:00p. Appropriate for ages 7-12. Follow clues throughout town to find the treasure. All children will win a prize, and all parents will receive a ChildPrint ID Kit. Registration at the Norseman Resort. $5.00 per team. Sponsored by Norseman Resort.

TREASURE HUNT 1:30pm. Appropriate for ages 13+. Follow clues throughout town to find the treasure. Registration at the Norseman Resort. $5.00 per team. Sponsored by Norseman Resort

CHILDREN’S FALL STORY TELLING 3:00-4:00pm. Upstairs at the Ogunquit Firehouse. Listen to local storyteller Diana Abbott tell tales of spooks and haunted happenings. All parents will receive a ChildPrint ID Kit. Sponsored by Pink Blossoms Family Resort

Sunday, October 21, 2007

KIDSTOWN CARNIVAL 9:00am-4pm, in the parking lot across from Ogunquit Resort Motel, 724 Main Street. Train ride, swing ride, play area, bounce ride, games, and traditional carnival food! Ride prices posted. Additional parking available at Vinny’s East Coast Grille & Bar. Sponsored by Ogunquit Resort Motel, Revelations, and Mariner Resort.

MONSTER MALL MARKETPLACE 10:00am-3:00pm, Dunaway Center. Crafters, artistsm and local retailers will have that one of a kind special item – get an early jump on your holiday shopping! Concessions sponsored by Joseph Romano, Sysco Food. Bring in a non-perishable food item for our local food pantry or pet food for the Animal Welfare Society, and receive a free cup of coffee/soda

SCAVENGER HUNT 10:00am, The Milestone. Appropriate for children up to 6 years. Find a variety of nature items from a list. $1 per child. All children will win a prize and all parents will receive a ChildPrint ID Kit! Sponsored by The Milestone, Gorges Grant Hotel, Juniper Hill Inn, and Raspberri’s Restaurant. Refreshments provided by Genesis Day Spa

GRAVEYARD GOLF 11:00am, Footbridge Beach. Miniature nine-hole golf for adults, on the beach! Bring your putter. Prizes will be awarded. $5 per person. Sponsored by Hillcrest Resort and Almost Home Inn Ogunquit

KIDZ ZONE 11:00am-2:30pm, Dunaway Center, Face painting, fake tattoos, ring toss, and more. Sponsored by Juniper Hill Inn, The Milestone, Raspberri’s Restaurant, and Gorges Grant Hotel

COSTUME PARADE 11:30am-12:30pm. Costumed kids, adults, and canines welcome! Ogunquit Square to the Winn House. (Weather permitting. Rain location: Upstairs at Fire Station – sorry, dogs are not allowed at the Fire Station.) Registration at 11:00am.Sponsored by People’s Insurance, Almost Home Inn Ogunquit, and Captain’s Quarters

POST-PARADE RECEPTION 12:30pm. Winn House. Treats will be available for parade participants. (Rain location: Upstairs at Fire Station – sorry, dogs are not allowed at the Fire Station.) Refreshments sponsored by Huckleberry’s Restaurant

PAWSITIVELY OGUNQUIT GRAND ADOPTION AUCTION! 6:00pm. Ogunquit Playhouse. The culmination of our year-long public art project. 16 of the artistically painted animals will go to their “forever homes”. Reception at 6pm; auction at 6:30pm.

Tickets: $25 each can be purchased in advance by calling 207-646-1279.

Gordy is Ogunquit's Biggest Red Sox Fan

It's true - we go a little crazy for fall around the Meadowmere. Hay stacks, pumpkins, gourds, carts, home made cider, over fifty bunches of corn stalks and fresh apples. Then four years ago when OgunquitFest was started, we really got excited - a month long Scare Crow contest! Our autumn decorating dream comes true!

Last year, we introduced Gordy - a towering Scare Crow placed right at our entrance. Initially, he stood 14 feet tall and was so popular bus loads of people took pictures. Literally - a bus really did stop and unload everyone to take pictures.

But then came heavy rains and Gordy the First lost his head - right into the outdoor pool. And his body - right across Route One. Obviously, we needed to rethink this whole Scare Crow thing. Just like Humpty Dumpty, it took quite a few men, but Gordy the First couldn't be put back together at 14 ft again. Instead, he only had the two remaining good hay bales and suffered defeat in the Scare Crow contest. A tragedy we at the Meadowmere will mourn (with admittedly some laughter) for many years to come.

This year, Gordy is back. Weather proofed, strapped down and an impressive 12ft tall, we did Gordy a favor and gave him a hat this year to protect him from a little (or a lot of!) rain. But not just any hat - a brand new Red Sox cap. Gordy is Ogunquit's Biggest Red Sox fan. And just like the Sox, he is in the Hunt for October. Only his version is the OgunquitFest Scare Crow contest. He's in mean shape this year and we think he'll go deep into the season. Maybe even all the way!

And like any good politician, he's out working the many visitors to Ogunquit with a wave and corny (yep, it really is corn) smile - looking to get the people's (choice) vote!

Your Ogunquit Hotel is Ahead of the Game

An Ecomment Card from our new friends in Melrose, MA - Thanks for giving our resort a try this Fall!

"We usually stay at a different hotel in the area which was over booked last weekend. We made reservations at the Meadowmere and had a fantastic stay and will be back! Great Staff!! We have young children and loved the idea that we could reach the pool and Roman Spa from inside as the weather is getting chilly. Loved the movie theater and pub amenities as well as health club/spa (we did not get to use but love the convenience and will take advantage next time). The room WAS IMMACULATE, furnished beautifully...our first response after opening the door was "wow this is really nice" (with huge smiles)this was true of the entire property..loved the autumn decorations! Very kid friendly and peaceful. By the way, we recently had a horrible experience at a NH B+B this Summer and have never received feedback! We are thrilled that you CONTACTED US First! We are planning my mothers 70th at your place this Summer. Just a question...Your resort is fabulous....any chance you will add another outdoor pool or possibly enlarge the present one...(we had an awesome room overlooking the pool) as I am sure the Summer must be very busy? Honestly, just a suggestion on our wish list. By the way, the linens smelled fabulous.... and were soft! Wireless internet SUPERB, lastly, loved the opportunity for a later check out for extended stays....The continental breakfast and coffee 24/7 was WONDERFUL and so convenient and a must with little ones. Great quality food and selection. You are on Target and ahead . Thanks so much...way ahead of your game."

Actually, we really have to thank you! Although unfortunately, we cannot increase our pool sizes - Your feedback helps us keep improving. See you soon!

Jonathan's Restaurant in Ogunquit

First, apologies are in order for the long delay between postings - even those of us in the business need to take a vacation (though you bet we check out the places we stay at!) and then play a bit of catch up upon return. So now, back to work!

For many of our guests, our neighbors next door at Jonathan's Restaurant is wonderful and a long time favorite. Several first time visitors have a little bit of trouble though understanding that we are not the same business (as happened this weekend for guest joining us from Marlboro, MA). Yes - it is true that we have been partnered so long (since the 1980's) that weddings, functions, meetings and dining packages all appear seamless. However, Jonathan's is still owed and operated by a different family.

On the rare occasion that something may not be to your liking, please give Jonathan's a call or speak up at dinner - they are very understanding. But please, do not wait until check out or your ecomment card. While we do send the feedback over, it can take time to reach someone - often well after you must pay for your stay at check-out. We would rather see any problems fixed quickly for you.

And on the more frequent occasion of a rave review - direct customer kudos is the best! We wouldn't want Jonathan's to miss out on anybody remarking on their wood fired steaks, baked stuffed haddock or legendary lobster ravioli. The delicious menu is what makes Jonathan's our most popular choice for our Eat, Drink, Be Merry package (2 nights, late check out, dinner for 2 - also includes breakfasts on the weekends).  Happy to say, our off season dining package has returned -so if you haven't given Jonathan's a try, pick a weekend and head on up to Ogunquit. You'll smell the wood fired grill on your way over to say hi to our neighbors!