Christmas Prelude in Kennebunkport is Here!

One might wonder, at our Ogunquit hotel, why we get so excited about Christmas Prelude. After all, all the festivities happen in Kennbunkport - 20 minutes north. Well, here in Maine, we like our neighbors and think they kick off the holiday season pretty good. Ayuh. So in the festive mood of Prelude, we're sharing a poem sent to us from a little shop up there called Beach Grass Shop . Check them out over the holiday weekend this Friday and Saturday and say hi!

'Twas the Night Before Prelude, 2007

Twas the night before Prelude and the shops were aglow
With twinkling lights and flakes of white snow.

At Beach Grass and Shell Shack the elves were at play,
Preparing the stores for the folks the next day.

They cleaned and they polished with the greatest of care
So each gift would be special and perfect and rare.

It was the twenty-sixth year of Prelude, you know,
They'd been planning for months this big holiday show.

You'll love the seashell ornaments made by our elves,
and our tradition of cheeseballs that fly off the shelves.

Aunt Sadie's pine Holiday Candles are here,
And a salute to Bamboo if you're thinking "green" this year.

Baby Boomers will love our trip down memory lane,
And there's cocoa and gourmet marshmallows to drive you insane.

Last, but not least, is our signature beach style,
All inspired by the coast and sure to make you smile.

So, don your Prelude hat and bring your friends
To the Beach Grass shop "Where Summer Never Ends."

And then visit Shell Shack, our sister store,
Where "We Sell Seashells by the Seashore."

Happy Prelude and Happy Holidays to All!

Top Ogunquit Outdoor Family Activities in the Winter

As an Environmental Leader hotel, our Ogunquit resort often receives e-newsletters, emails and snippets on green hotels, eco-efforts and various environmental news. It is fascinating and exciting to see the ideas and innovations coming out of the green movement.

Recently a friend of the Meadowmere sent along a website on legislation for getting kids outdoors. It seems there is a movement out there called 'No Child Left Inside'. The premise is that we should help our children connect with the outdoors (which oddly sounds like a nice way of saying 'Kids - Get outside and play! You're driving me nuts!'). However these formal outdoor programs go beyond giving mom some relief from cabin fever and also offer environmental education - topics like water safety, identifying wildlife and historical trails. All in the efforts of curing 'Nature deficit disorder', according to authors and articles.

Here are Top Outdoor Winter Activities in Ogunquit. Now, go outside and play!

1) Sledding  - Who doesn't work up a sweat reaching the top of a hill and a good laugh flying down? Enjoy local sledding at the York Country Club and at Cape Neddick Country Club - both are just minutes from downtown Ogunquit.

2) Ice skating - A classic winter sport and tons of fun at the Lobster Park on Route 1 in Ogunquit. Directly across from Beach Plum Farm, once the ice is good, signs go up and let the skating begin!

3) Explore Laudholm Farm  - Just north in Wells, Laudholm provides year round educational programs, including Owl Prowls and Winter Animal Tracking. Winter Family Fun days are an opportunity to learn more about this National Estuarine Reserve. Or plan your own special outing with guided tours such as Tremendous Trees and Signs of Wildlife Walk.

4) Cross Country Ski  - At Harris Farm in Dayton, there are over 500 acres of dairy and tree farm to enjoy. The warming hut house offers a cozy wood stove and homemade treats. Not into skiing? Try snowshoeing or sledding too.

5) Horseback riding - Tally hoe! Mount up at Walker Stables in Ogunquit and take a trail ride through the Maine woods or giddy up on Ogunquit Beach. If you're not yet ready to ride off into the sunset, enjoy a lesson - group or private are available.

6) Surf Ogunquit Beach with Liquid Dreams - Yes, we surf in the winter in Maine - And we enjoy it too! Check out pictures of winter surfing in Maine. With today's wetsuit technology, you'll be toasty as you hang ten!

7) Outlet Shopping in Kittery - With all the walking store to store and lifting those full shopping bags, we had to include the Outlets. With miles of stores and great deals, you can finish your holiday shopping along America's Maine Street for Shopping. (This one's more for Mom!)

8) Walk Marginal Way - This ocean walking trail is open year round and has spectacular views of crashing waves, Perkins Cove and Ogunquit Beach in the winter. Bring a camera - the surf is amazing!

9) Sleigh Rides from Rockin' Horse Stables - Sleigh bells ring, are you listen', in the lane snow is glisten', a beautiful sight, happy tonight, in a Winter Wonderland! With miles of trails, gather the family and take a sleigh ride in the peaceful woods of Maine.

10) Meadowmere's Outdoor Jacuzzi - We realize not everyone wants to put on a rubber suit, grab a surf board and hang out in 40 degree water - even if it is an effort to 'connect with nature'! For those who are a little less adventurous, stop by the front desk, pick up a pool towel and settle into the 103 degree waters of our outdoor hot tub. So Mom, even if you can't get the kids outside, just sit back, breathe that Maine air and relax - at least you're outdoors in Ogunquit.   

Maine Says Thank You!

The holidays can remind us of many things. An email arrived this morning to our Ogunquit hotel from our friends at the Links at Outlook in South Berwick. Jeff and his team at this wonderful golf course have had a busy year. They run golf outings, tournaments, lessons, leagues and also opened an outstanding function and event facility in 2007 - The Red Barn at Outlook Farm.

For those of you who have been to Outlook Farm, this family business is a working partnership of many minds. Overlooking the beautiful vista of Mt. Agamenticus, our guests have enjoyed the 18 hole Championship course for many years (We offer a Tee & Sea Golf Getaway that includes their GPS golf carts and dinner). This year, they opened the Red Barn for weddings and functions from event dinners to Sunday brunch.

As one of the largest event facilities in Southern Maine, the Red Barn was quite an undertaking to build. A post and beam building with just over a year to complete and has already been home to weddings, parties and more. One can imagine that the year was very busy for the Link at Outlook team.

Yet the email this morning was not about a successful season or booking a wedding in Maine. Instead, the email simply encouraged their patrons to visit the site Let's Say Thanks. Choose from many designs made by children across America and Xerox will send a card saying thank you to soldier this holiday season.

Enjoy friends and family and all the best for safe and happy travels. And if you get a moment in the hustle and bustle, send a thank you to a soldier this holiday season.

Thanks to the folks at Outlook for their email - and Happy Thanksgiving from Ogunquit!

Stonewall Kitchen - Maine's Retailer of the Year

Many years ago, in a kitchen far, far away . . . we first had Stonewall Kitchen's Wild Maine Blueberry Jam. We promptly smeared every baked good in sight with this taste treat and sang the praises of those delicious little Maine blueberries. Tiny and tart and our morning muffin's new best friend.

Then came pancake mix, apple cranberry chutney (we're still not sure what a chutney is - other than really good on Thanksgiving) and a maple chipotle grilling sauce that rivaled that blueberry jam. Stonewall Kitchen has invaded our taste buds. Then back in 1995, the rumor was that the company would be headquartered in York - right next to Ogunquit and only 7 miles from our hotel.

And just like that, Stonewall Kitchen appeared - a lifetime supply of jams and jellies just moments away. So we are thrilled to hear that Stonewall Kitchen's has won the Maine Retailer of the Year award for 2007. With 8 retail stores, over 6,000 wholesalers and that favorite Maine marketing vehicle - a catalog - growing, we know that a lot of people also are smearing many a baked good.

If you are visiting Ogunquit this holiday and want to share some Stonewall goodies (or maybe just stock up), the company store is located on Route 1 in York, at the 95 exit light. Inside you will find every imaginable product (all for the tasting!), cooking demonstrations, fabulous utensils and the Stonewall Kitchen Cafe - very yummy. They are open year round and you can sign up for a factory tour to learn how the get all those little blueberries into those funny little jars.  It's the perfect place to spend a few hours during your Ogunquit vacation. Trust us - your taste buds will thank you.

Congratulations to Stonewall Kitchen! Keep on jamming in Maine!

Ogunquit Wedding Packages on the Ocean

One of the most frequently asked question about planning a wedding in Ogunquit is 'Where can I get married by the water?'

Actually, an oceanside wedding is easy in Ogunquit depending on what you have in mind. If you are planning a small, intimate ceremony with no frills and a Justice of the Peace, Ogunquit Beach and Marginal Way are beautiful wedding locations. In fact, quite perfect with crashing waves and the romance of the sea.

However, for most of the brides-to-be that ask us about seaside ceremonies, the vision is a bit more grand. And now, that's okay. We've figured out how to make an oceanfront wedding happen by developing the Oceanmere Wedding Package. The package offers a ceremony setting on Marginal Way overlooking the Atlantic for 80-120 people, reception, guest accommodations, trolley program and the ever important Honeymoon Suite.

But that's not really what got us . . .

What is really impressive is that the wedding package is a collaboration between three family businesses - all in at least their second generation. The ocean front ceremony site is provided by the Beachmere Inn, with over 70 years of family run innkeeping with the Mace Family. The reception and champagne toast is provided by Jonathan's Restaurant, with over 80 years in hospitality with the West Family. The guest accommodations and Honeymoon Suite package are provided by the Meadowmere Resort, with over 25 years (yes, we are the baby of the bunch!) as an Ogunquit hotel with the Cavaretta Family. I guess one could say, the Oceanmere Wedding Package is a historic event!

2008 will mark the beginning of this partnership and will bring the first - of what we hope are many! - Oceanmere bride. We'll keep you posted on this neat new offering from us old timers - til then, happy travels!

Veteran's Day at Our Ogunquit Hotel

Today is beautiful in Ogunquit - gorgeous sunshine and cool crisp late Fall weather. Families are bundled up to head out to walk Ogunquit Beach and Marginal Way. Many are taking advantage of our November Is For Shopping stays and using over $500 of coupons to the Kittery Outlets - probably to buy an extra sweater!

Those that are staying at the Resort (a sell out crowd!) are packed into our game room and swimming in our heated indoor pool.  Some are departing us after a wedding (Congratulations to Amy & Tanner!) and others are just checking in on this Veteran's holiday.

As people are out and about in Ogunquit today, we hope they visit Veteran's Park located in the center of town and a memorial dedicated to those who have served. It is interesting to note that the memorial is at the busiest intersection in town (yep - the one with all that traffic): The memorial of those who fought for our freedom has been placed in the town center - where we all must pass by as we enjoy our daily lives and specials vacations.

Over the weekend many speeches were made and parades were held - great acknowledgements to the great people that have served and continue to serve. But one show about a famous dad who took his daughter to a VA hospital and just said thank you was the most touching tribute we saw. It was telling that each soldier cried - perhaps no one had said that before. So today would be a very good day to stop and say thank you at the memorial in Ogunquit Center, to shout out thank you at the parade you watch or quietly say thank you to the veterans that you see. They helped make today a beautiful day in Ogunquit and beyond for all of us.

To all the Veteran's and to their families too - Thank you.

Great Pumpkin Contest Winner at our Ogunquit Hotel

We know it was said in 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown' that "There are three things in life that should never be discussed with people: Religion, Politics, and the Great Pumpkin."

Well, we can't help ourselves. We simply have to share who this year's winner of our hotel's Great Pumpkin Contest was! Bet you were a little scared it was one of the first two as we head into 2008 - but nope - we just want to talk pumpkins.

Congratulations to Paul McQuaid of Massachusetts who had the phenomonal guess of 168 1/2 lbs! The pumpkin's actual weight was 168.6 lbs so you can't get much closer than that!

For those of you who are not familiar with the Great Pumpkin Contest, the prize is a free night's stay at our Ogunquit resort (much better than Charlie Brown's sack of rocks). Guests who join us in October guess the weight of the Great Pumpkin (make sure you guess on the right pumpkin - it's always by the contest sign!) and the winner is selected after we review each guess. This year we had over 500 guesses - phew!

And the best part - there's no sitting in a pumpkin patch all night!

Weddings at Our Ogunquit Hotel - Congratulations to Chris & Lisa!

Congratulations to Chris & Lisa from Wells, Maine on their beautiful wedding on October 27th!

Chris and Lisa have been long time friends of our hotel - It was a pleasure to be a part of their celebration. You may recognize Lisa - she's been a friendly face at the Front Desk and the West Meadow Pub over the years.

When the day arrived, the rain was falling - pouring actually. But the weather didn't dampen anyone's spirits. Mom, Bride and Bridal Party visited the Freedom Spa in the morning for hair and nails (The Freedom Spa is located at the Meadowbrook Plaza on Route 1 in York and is one of the best for bridal parties in the area. Great staff who work right on time - very important for bridal nerves!). Later, Lisa, Mom, Dad, bridesmaids and more, had pictures taken in the Honeymoon Suite and lobby before taking a limo to St. Mary's Church in Wells for the ceremony.

Afterwards, the rain cleared for pictures at Laudholm Farm. With Fall's gorgeous colors, the pictures were stunning and the back drop of the Farmhouse was romantic (visit photographybydenis.com to see Chris & Lisa's photos. Denis was excellent - candid shots and big laughs out of everyone).

For the reception, Jonathan's Restaurant provided excellent hospitality. The room was set with Fall leaves, chestnuts, acorns, candles, mini-pumpkins and deep red water goblets. And the food was outstanding -  fresh salads, New York sirloin, home grown squash and Maine red potatoes. The wedding packages at Jonathan's are outstanding (check out their menu here) and most of their food is source from local growers. We saw quite a line at the buffet!

Finally, the happy bride and groom departed to beautiful (and warm!) Mexico for their Honeymoon. Best of all, they enjoyed their special day with friends and family. Congratulations again and here's to Chris & Lisa!