Marginal Way Reopens in Ogunquit

After last year's Patriots Day storm, Marginal Way was left in desparate needs of repairs. Yesterday, the famous ocean side path reopened - complete with ribbon cutting ceremony in the rain. Even the local Channel 6, an NBC affliate, was there to cover the story.

Over the last year, the Town of Ogunquit created the Marginal Way Committee to meet the challenge of raising $3 million dollars and forming an endowment to maintain the path. Thousands visit each summer to see the beauty of Marginal Way and it is estimated that in a single year, 2 million people will walk the path. Imagine if every person gave one dollar - the goal would be almost met! The committee is certainly enthusiatic enough and the cause is a great one. Marginal Way is a favorite spot for locals and visitors.

Often we get asked about the path - Here are some key points about Marginal Way in Ogunquit:

• The path is a mile and quarter in length
• Josiah Chase donate the land to the town in 1923
• The north end begins at Shore Road and Obeds Lane
• The south end begins at Perkins Cove
• Marginal Way is one of the most painted landscapes in Maine (In fact, it helped make Ogunquit a favorite for artists, poets, writers and actors.)
• Formations along the path represent almost a half a billion years of history
• Waves gradually erode the rock, forming the beaches of Ogunquit and Moody
• The path is handicap accessible, is paved and has several dedicated benches from which to see the outstanding views of the Atlantic Ocean

Congratulations to Noah & Weatherly!

Our best wishes to Noah and Weatherly who joined us in June to celebrate their big day. The setting was at Arrows Restaurant in Ogunquit and the day and the bride were beautiful. As one of the top restaurants in the country, Arrows is a spectacular location for a ceremony and reception in Ogunquit.

To see pictures of Noah and Weatherly's day, check out Christy Murray's Photography site.

Congratulations from the Meadowmere!

Stu's Reviews . . . Grey Gull Inn

The Grey Guy Inn is a staple in the area. Many of our guests know this quaint Victorian inn on the ocean in Wells as a romantic place to venture to. Our fearless Stu returned to the Grey Gull Inn to check out this season's offerings and report back. Here is Stu's Review!:

"The greeting was excellent - such a nice homey atmosphere when one walks in. And it always helps to see a smile! The seating is quaint - very cozy and a definite inn feel. Almost every table will give you an ocean view, which is a spectacular setting. The food fits the decor - comfort food focused on seafood (we are by the ocean after all!) and beef. Overall the menu had good choices and I went with the Prime Rib - and had a very generous portion. And the service was very attentive without overdoing it - there was no sense that the service was intrusive to the meal or the view.

With the quaint setting and romantic ocean views, I'd recommend this restaurant for couples - definitely not for the little ones."

Overall, a Stu Review of 4 1/2 of of 5!

Creative Tips for Green(er) Weddings

We recently came across some good tips on how to make your wedding green - or at least greener. Interestingly enough, this Newsweek article was next to planning a trip to the Andes Mountains. While backpacking the honeymoon is certainly an eco-friendly way to go, maybe the suggestions below are a little easier to work into the wedding plans!

Greener Weddings Tips

• Have extra entrees and other courses donated to food shelters and groups like secondharvest.org or our local Good Shepard Food Bank of Southern Maine.
• Use local, in season flowers to avoid the shipping and refrigeration of more exotic choices. Local flower shops can help with this - such as Bette Jean's, Brenda's Bloomers and Calluna's Fine Flowers
• Donate bridesmaids dresses, mom's dress or even the bridal gown to charities that reuse them (suggestions were glassslipperproject.org and donatemydress.org - but ask you bridal shop about others. You may find options that truly connect with you and make it easy to part with your gown)
• If you already have one of every kitchen gadget and matching towel sets, have guests donate to charities that reflect causes you care about and support. (If you are getting married in Southern Maine, consider involving local charities - such as the Marginal Way Fund, Ogunquit Heritage Museum, Clean Beaches, the Ogunquit Playhouse, Greater Works Land Trust, or the Ogunquit Museum of American Art.)

On the other hand, if you are booking that backpack adventure want to go green from rehearsal to honeymoon, wedding planners that specialize in green weddings include vibrantevents.net and angelweddingplanners.com. Also, our friends at Clay Hill Farm have gathered green offerings from each of their vendors as part of their Environmental Leader efforts. Just ask your reception venue - they may be greener than you think!

Our Summer Newsletter is Here - Check out what's happening in Ogunquit

Just out - our 2008 Summer Newsletter!

Check out the latest about our Ogunquit inn and upcoming events in Ogunquit and the surrounding area.

Quick highlights about hotel include:

• Joining the Marginal Way Fund (a great cause - millions have enjoyed this ocean path. It's also important to geology studies. The path needs help to be repaired - you can learn more at their site.)
• All housekeeping cleaners go green with Green Seal products
• Our West Meadow Pub is open for the season with great eco-updates
• Meadowmere was invited to be a part of Madeline's Bridal Event Central, a group of the best Seacoast wedding vendors
• Our Ogunquit hotel has become a part of New England Inns & Resorts Association - giving you more opportunities to enjoy hot deals and InnCrowd special

Great Ogunquit escapes for this summer include:

• Our July 4th Getaway - Just picked by BudgetTravel.com as a Real Deal
• Ogunquit Playhouse Package - don't miss the Producers and My Fair Lady this summer
• Jonathan's Concert Series - Melissa Ferrick, Nick Costa, Paula Poundstone and more
• Learn to Surf Package - Just picked as a New England Travel Deal by about.com

And this newsletter's winner - Kristen Golden of Fall River! Congratulations!

New! Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School

Now we're cooking in Maine - literally. Stonewall Kitchen's just opened it's brand new cooking school and the place is amazing. Check out photos of the school classroom - Click here.  The evening courses prepare a full meal and pair wine with the menu - it's going out for dinner with a special twist (now wouldn't that make a great first date!). Lunch and day courses are more hands on - teaching skills (such as knife skills - probably not the first choice  to pick for a date, but Dinner For A Week sounds like a winner) and quick menus (we really like the Impress Your Boss and Ladies Who Lunch - very Kim Cattrall as Samantha)

Classes are booked first come, first serve. You can sign up online with their registration page or call them directly. Even better - you can make a culinary vacation out of your next trip to Ogunquit. Stonewall Kitchen is giving 10% off any classes to our guests - That's delicious!

Tips from Clay Hill Farm on Green Weddings

Jennifer and her team at Clay Hill Farm are experts in weddings. They have won numerous best of the best awards and are also members of Madeline's Bridal Event Central with our Ogunquit hotel.

Recently, Clay Hill Farm became an Environmental Leader and the first restaurant in country to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation. The historic farmhouse is set on a 30-acre tree farm and is really beautiful. We've seen some spectacular wedding photos and many happy couples - And it's wonderful to have them join us as an Environmental Leader for Maine.

Jennifer recently shared in the Portsmouth Herald her tips on planning a green wedding. Click here to read the full article. Her recommendations are great:

Choose a venue that can host both your ceremony and reception on-site. This reduces transportation, cutting down on your carbon footprint while adding convenience for your guests.

Consider a naturally beautiful venue: wildlife preserve, botanical garden, state park or local green space.

Think solar power - Plan an outdoor brunch or early afternoon wedding in the sun to enjoy New England's lush natural light. Your pictures will be gorgeous and you'll reduce energy consumption. Stock up on lead and paraffin-free beeswax candles for candlelit evening celebrations and inclement weather.

Ask for local, seasonal, organic, wild-harvested and vegan menus items add flavor to your celebration. Personalize the menu with delicious options including local vineyards, microbrews and spirits.

Keep floral selections local, pesticide-free and consider keepsake potted plants as centerpieces.

Check out more green tips and websites at our hotel's Environmental Resources page.

July 4th Getaway is a Budget Travel Pick!

This just in  - our Ogunquit hotel's July 4th getaway is a Budget Travel Real Deal Escape. The online article promotes New England Inns & Resorts Association's July 4th packages and highlights the Meadowmere:

The Meadowmere Resort, from $159 per room per night
Ogunquit, Maine
You'll get more than just fireworks with the July 4th Celebration at the Meadowmere (although you'll see those, too). Enjoy a continental breakfast and free Wi-Fi. You'll also receive discount passes to York's Wild Kingdom Zoo and Amusement Park—just a five-minute drive away—for every day of your stay. Or you can stay in; the resort features a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and a TV room with stadium seating. Two can't-misses are Ogunquit Beach, three miles of white sand perfect for surfing, volleyball, and sunbathing (and just a 15-minute walk from the resort), and Perkins Cove, at the southern end of the village. Here you can find artists' shacks, gift shops, and working lobstering boats. Rates start at $159 per room per night. When July 1-6, 2008. Details Does not include taxes of 7 percent. No single supplement available. Kids 5 and under stay free; each additional guest is $15 per night. Contact 800/633-8718, meadowmere.com.

Check out the full story by clicking here. Check out our Ogunquit July 4th getaway by clicking here.

Congratulations to Bob & Kim!

Over this past weekend Bob & Kim celebrated their wedding with us in Ogunquit. The ceremony was set at the Beachmere Inn with a small reception to follow onsite. Guest enjoyed both the Meadowmere and Beachmere during their visit as part of the Oceanmere Wedding partnership. To see more great wedding photos taken by Jeff Newcum Photography, click here.

Best wishes to the happy couple and thank you for letting us be a part of the big day!

Liquid Dreams gives surfing start up tips

Mark at Liquid Dreams is a guy who loves what he does. From outfitting the little ones for surf camp to finding the best boards to cool clothing like Andy Davis tees, he's way into surfing. Today in the York Country Coast Stay, Mark and fellow surfers share some tips on learning to surf.

Here are the surf tips from the article:

) Steer clear of other surfers. You don't need the biggest or the best waves, so don't hog them. You can still get a good ride closer in and other surfers will thank you for it.

2) Make sure you have the right equipment. Full wetsuits at least 3 mil thick are best, and longboards make it easier to get yourself up. Pass up the pointy-ended boards, too - you're not ready for those yet.

3) Know your tides. Long Sands in York, Wells and Kennebunk beaches are good in any tide, while Ogunquit waves are better at low tide.

4) Check out the web site www.gomoose.org for wave conditions before you head out. The site has everything you need to know about tides, wind and waves.

5) Consider taking a few lessons. You can learn on your own, but a few good lessons will save you months of hard work.

Check out Liquid Dreams surf lesson schedule and if you want to learn to surf but aren't from the area, there's also our Learn to Surf getaway package.

And like the article says - don't worry about the water - wetsuits are a must and will keep you plenty warm!