Captain Jefferds Inn
An Embarrassment of Richness 23 May 2012, 5:00 pm
Is there really anyone who doesn’t like ice cream or its close cousins? What could be more perfect than cooling off on a warm day with a palate pleasing cone of Chai Cardamom ice cream or a delectable dish of Vanilla Bean gelato. If you are looking for something a bit less guilt inducing, you can even score fat free frozen yogurt. Kennebunkport and the Lower Village of Kennebunk are fortunate to have a wealth of frozen treat establishments. While not a comprehensive list, below are some of the many places in town to indulge in cold, creamy comfort food.
Rococo Artisan Ice Cream - 6 Spring Street, Kennebunkport, ME - 207-251-6866
Rococo Artisan Ice Creams are made from fresh, real ingredients and hand-crafted in small batches at their shop located in Kennebunkport. They are committed to using only the best ingredients and all natural dairy from local farms to create unique flavors like Honey Vanilla, Ginger Trifecta, Strawberry Basil and Chai Cardamom.
Aunt Marie’s - 10 Ocean Ave., Kennebunkport, ME - 207- 967-0711
Aunt Marie’s features Maine-made Gifford’s ice cream. Made from fresh cream and top-quality ingredients, it has an old-fashioned, super-rich “ice cream stand” flavor. The history of Gifford’s Ice Cream goes back five generations. Flavor favorites include Maine Maple Walnut and Maine Wild Blueberry.
Ben & Jerry’s - 5 Union Street, Kennebunkport, ME - 207-967-2322
Ben & Jerry’s is a New England original offering unique flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt. The ice cream has a high milk fat content that makes it super-creamy. Though it has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings in a converted gas station in Vermont, the company maintains its mission to create high quality all-natural products while promoting business practices that respect children and families, the environment and sustainable agriculture on family farms.
Willard Scoops - 21B Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME - 207-232-3618
Willard Scoops offers homemade ice cream and ices made fresh daily on site. They use specialty ingredients in many of their flavors and strive to be as all natural as possible.
Dock Square Coffee House - 18 Dock Square, Kennebunkport, ME - 207-967-4422
Dock Square Coffee House features gelato from The Gelato Fiasco’s Creation Kitchen in Brunswick. The gelato is created in small batches using only the best ingredients. From Stracciatella to Strawberry and Vanilla Bean to Rocky Road, you’ll find a rotating list of flavors that is simply delicious.
H.B. Provisions - 15 Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME - 207 967-5762
H.B. Provisions serves up Shain’s of Maine premium ice cream. Cones, cups, shakes, etc, take your pick as you dive into unique flavors like Maine Survivor or familiar standbys like Butter Pecan or French Vanilla.
Yo Goody’s - 13 Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME 04043
Yo Goody’s features five self-serve machines that hold either fat-free frozen yogurt or soft serve ice cream. Flavors can be dispensed individually or combined in a “twist” to create combinations like Strawberry Cheesecake. Yogurt and ice cream are sold by weight and a wide array of mix-ins are available, including things like Cocoa Puffs cereal, Snickers, Oreos, almonds, and fresh fruit.
May and June in the Kennebunks 15 May 2012, 5:00 pm
The end of May brings Memorial Day and the unofficial start to the summer season. There are also a host of fun happenings in the Kennebunks during May and June.
Better Way to Learn Innkeeping Seminar 25 Apr 2012, 5:00 pm
Ever dreamed of running a bed and breakfast? The idea is heavily romanticized, especially when it comes to New England. Folks often have the idea that they will wile away their days sharing wine, cheese, and interesting stories with folks from all over the world. And while that is certainly part of the equation, the reality of innkeeping has a lot of other moving parts.
Just last weekend we were proud to host one of the B&B Team’s “Better Way to Learn Innkeeping™” seminars (http://bbteam.com/seminars/). The seminars provide an immersive experience for aspiring innkeepers, covering everything from acquiring the right property to the ins and outs of zoning restrictions. The goal of each seminar is to help attendees determine if running a bed and breakfast is truly the right fit from both a business standpoint as well as a matter of lifestyle. B&B Team founding partner Peter Scherman and partners and former innkeepers, Janet and Rick Wolf guided the seminar.
Some of the topics discussed during the seminar included:
- - Innkeeping 101 – industry overview
- - Building the profile of your inn – make it right for you
- - Due diligence – know before you buy
- - Finding and acquiring the inn – the process
- - Inn financing – what you need to know
- - Inn valuation – is the price right?
- - Business planning – your road map to success in starting a bed and breakfast
- - Marketing – blogging, social media, websites, print, networking
- - Operations – a day in the life of an Innkeeper
We had a wonderful time hosting the attendees and it was very interesting to hear about all of their hopes and inspirations. From the conversations we had it seemed like everyone who attended was leaving with a deeper understanding of the many intricacies and nuances involved in running an inn. One of the attendees was kind enough to share this feedback:
“Mary Ann and I had a great weekend with you. The seminar was informative and helped Mary Ann and I tremendously. The Band B team provides a unique understanding of the entire business from acquisition, operation and disposition. I have never been able to determine which leg of a three legged stool is the most important. Accounting & Legal, Marketing, and Operations must all be attended to or a business will be face down on the ground and this weekend addressed them all.
A great big thanks to all the Inns that brought us in for a tour and shared their knowledge and experience. They are “Inspiring Innkeepers for Aspiring Innkeepers.”
If you are inspired by the idea of owning your own inn then we highly recommend you attend some sort of innkeeping information session and also work with a knowledgeable inn broker. It is important to dream, but it is equally important to have a solid foundation upon which you can start to build those dreams.
Gardening Green Tip 2 Apr 2012, 5:00 pm
If you love hanging baskets as much as we do for their endless possibilities and visual appeal but hate having to water them every day, then this is a great tip for you. Not only will it drastically cut how much water you use, it will save you time as well!
Fiber planters are great from both an aesthetic and compostable point of view, but their porousness allows moisture to rapidly evaporate. As a way to mitigate this, line your fiber planter with a sheet of plastic with just a few small holes punched in it. This will allow excess water to drain off but the plastic will help hold in moisture. We have found that it cuts how often we need to water from once a day to once or twice a week. That is quite a savings in both water and effort! Now granted, plastic isn't the most earth friendly material, but you can always save it and reuse it each year as we do. We recommend a heavier gauge plastic that you can buy in sheets at your local hardware store. That's our Gardening Green Tip for April.
Spring Awakenings in Kennebunk and Kennebunkport 2 Apr 2012, 5:00 pm
As crocus and daffodils begin to muscle their way through the soil after their long winter nap, another kind of awakening is taking place in town. After taking breathers of anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, many local restaurants are throwing their doors open again for business. We are very fortunate to have an absolutely amazing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from humble lobster shacks to white tablecloths and china to pretty much everything in between. So wake up your palates and come sample some of the wonderful food that can be found in and around the area.
Some places that recently opened for the season or will open soon are:
Arrows - Opening April 7th - Arrows is a true country restaurant: proscuittos and charcuterie are created on premise, fish of all types are prepared in the onsite smoke house, breads and pastries are created by a master pastry chef, and Arrows organic garden provides up to 90% of the restaurant’s produce needs. www.arrowsrestaurant.com
Bandaloop - Opening April 17th - Bandaloop is known for its use of organic and local foods, many vegetarian and vegan options, and an array of appetizers, entrees, and sauces to choose from. Everything is created in house, from the organic bread and sauces straight through to the desserts. www.bandaloop.biz
Cape Arundel Inn - Recently extended their hours to include Tuesday - Saturday from 5:30-9 PM and Special Sunday Suppers from 4-7 PM. - Cape Arundel Inn offers a combination of inventive Maine cuisine paired with warm, professional service and breathtaking ocean views. Be sure to arrive early to have a cocktail in their cozy living room or on their ocean view porch. www.capearundelinn.com
Hurricane - Opening April 6th - Hurricane serves only the freshest seafood and lobster and they feature many satisfying vegetarian dishes. Steak and chop lovers will easily find something on the menu to tempt them and their in-house pastry chef will delight your sweet tooth. www.hurricanerestaurant.com
Kennebunkport Inn's One Dock - Opened March 30th - After a total off-season makeover One Dock is now open with a fresh new look. Situated in a wonderful location overlooking the Kennebunk River, One Dock offers creative, contemporary New England cuisine and traditional Maine favorites with a bold fusion flair. www.onedock.com
Mabel's Lobster Claw - Opening April 5th - Owners Stephanie and Robert Fischer take great pride in serving the freshest quality pieces of fish, steaks, and lobsters available. Homemade pies, blueberry bread, and corn muffins are baked every morning on the premises. www.mabelslobster.com
On the Marsh - Opening April 5th - Ethnicity of cuisine flows through On the Marsh's menu which features the freshest products from local growers. All of their cuisine is prepared in house with a focus on the individual's palate. www.onthemarsh.com
Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub - Opened March 17th (of course!) - This Irish Pub is the real deal, serving up plates of Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and loads of potatoes!
Why Winter Is The Best Time To visit 29 Feb 2012, 4:00 pm
The warmth of a crackling fire? A sense of romance? Soaking up quintessential coastal New England? We asked folks to let us know why they would love to come to Kennebunkport and the Captain Jefferds Inn during the winter. First prize in the contest was a gift certificate for a two-night stay in one of our rooms with a fireplace. Second Prize was a gift certificate for a single-night stay in one of our rooms with a fireplace. Third prize was a $100 gift certificate. We accepted emailed submissions through February 29th (yes it is Leap Year!) and randomly drew the three winners from the submissions we received. We unexpectedly received an entry from a pair of internet savvy dogs so we added a special category for canines with an additional $100 gift certificate award. The lucky winners are below:
- First Prize: Sandi Pearl-Ehrlich
- Second Prize: David and Amy Veling
- Third Prize: William D. Prout
- Canine Prize: Bailey & Sophie Rusack
We received countless wonderful responses and so appreciate everyone's participation in the contest! Here are excerpts from the winning entries:
". . . Then in 2007, we decided to spend New Year's Eve in Maine. Yes, our friends thought us crazy - why would anyone go to Maine in the depth of winter? Snow instead of palm trees? That was the first time we stayed at the Capt. Jefferds Inn. The morning after we arrived, we woke to a significant snowfall, close to a foot of the most brilliant white blanketing the grounds. The sun made it sparkle! It was magic for me - though I'm sure not so sweet for the residents. Charles drove me all around, stopping every few minutes so I could jump out and take another must-have photo. Hours later, red-cheeked, feet soaked (Uggs not so water-proof), we returned to warm up in front of the fire with tea and cookies and share our stories with other guests. Kennebunkport at its best!"
" . . . The Captain Jefferds has played a role in many of the most important events in our life together: our engagement, anniversaries, birthdays...it is the first place we think of when we make special plans."
"My wife and I have been married for over 40 years and for over 20 of them we have visited Maine for "relationship" building and romantic escapes-mostly during off season. It began many years ago when my wife decided we needed some "time alone" away from my stressful job. She "kidnapped" me with an elaborate hoax , including telling my secretary to "cancel " all my appointments. Our destination was Kennebunkport and as we drove over the bridge from New Hampshire we felt the "stress" release, similar to when we first walked in to Captain Jefferds Inn . . ."
". . . our friend Eloise, the Inn's dog, lives there; she is always so much fun and she tells us about the best places in Kennebunkport where we can play (we love Goose Rocks beach). Upon arrival we're always greated by their friendly staff and best of all when we go into our luxurious room there is always a delicious cookie waiting for us. Last time we even found a brand new tennis ball for us! After taking a long stroll down Ocean Ave. in the winter mom & dad always seem so cold, we often think 'where are their fur coats...' but when we get back they always seem to enjoy the room where they get hot tea and cookies; looks kinda cool but we're not allowed in there. It's always sad when our vacation comes to an end because we love Captain Jefferds and the hospitality of Sarah and Erik but we're quickly cheered up with a walk through the downtown and a visit to Scalawags on our way out and knowing we'll be back soon."
Maine Restaurant Week - A Holiday for Food-Lovers 20 Feb 2012, 4:00 pm
Maine Restaurant Week kicks off February 29th and runs through March 10th, offering the perfect opportunity to cozy up and flirt with all of those restaurants with whom you keep meaning to make a date.
Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude 11 Dec 2011, 4:00 pm
Two weekends of magic and merriment in the Kennebunks help kick off the holiday season.
Kennebunkport Innkeepers move on and MARRY 14 Nov 2011, 4:00 pm
On October 1st my mother and I had the honor and the pleasure to join Loryn Kipp and Finn Mcdonald in celebrating their lifetime commitment to each other. We came to know Loryn and Finn when they were the innkeepers at the Captain Fairfield Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine just a block away from The Captain Jefferds Inn.
You know it’s fall in Kennebunkport when… 29 Oct 2011, 5:00 pm
I drove down River Road in Kennebunkport one day and this is what I saw!
It seems as though there is a compost pile under this tree where the owner has disposed of pumpkins in years past. The vines then climbed the tree, seemingly unassisted and now it seems as though we have our very own pumpkin tree. Authentic and so cool! Just a little confusing when I try to explain to the three year old I nanny for that pumpkins grow on a vine on the ground and all he sees is them growing on a tree!