MAINE

NEWS (Towns and Cities follow after the News)

There's lots going on in Maine during January

Check Out the Bar Harbor Events

Andrew Wyeth: Witches, Ghosts and Mischief at the Farnsworth

Andrew Wyeth may well be Maine's most famous artist but a new exhibition at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland reveals a different side to the painter. Andrew Wyeth: Witches, Ghosts and Mischief, which runs through March 1, 2020, shows how Wyeth engaged with Maine's shifting seasons. Responding to the annual cycle of death and rebirth, Wyeth blended carefully observed details with his imagination and memory. Many of the resulting paintings of storms, wet leaves and peculiar figures are infused with an eeriness that can leave viewers unsettled and questioning. The drama and excitement of Halloween exhilarated Wyeth, who reveled in the scarecrows, pumpkins, costumes and pranks of the night when spirits of the dead can supposedly mingle with the living.

Sunday River News

Sunday River Resort is installing four new surface lifts in preparation for winter 2020. These surface lifts will include three covered conveyor lifts to access the learning terrain on South Ridge, as well as a T-bar on Locke Mountain for alpine race and boardercross training and competitions. With the new and beginner skier in mind, the resort will replace the existing surface lift on the Sundance trail in South Ridge with three new covered conveyors, which will allow for easier access to the learning terrain, and the ability to implement more progressive steps to the learning process. Go to Sunday River for more info.

News About Portland's Food Scene

A new food hall is headed to Portland at 58 Fore, the former Portland Company Complex. Expect upwards of 30 restaurateurs and purveyors offering prepared and specialty foods, as well as produce, meats and seafood in the complex. The award-winning Evo Kitchen + Bar is planning on moving to the Pattern Storehouse, expanding to a 100-seat restaurant. Helm, a new oyster bar and bistro, is planned to open in December on the first floor of the new WEX building on Thames Street. The focus will be on the bounty from Maine's farmers and fishermen and they will offer natural, biodynamic and organic wines. Expect Maine brews on draft and classic cocktails. Ada's Kitchen will open soon on Congress Street near Longfellow Square. It will offer an open kitchen and counter service serving pizza and house-made pasta, as well as a retail store and olive oil tasting room. Pizza and pasta-making classes are planned. Anoche, a cider and spirits bar serving Basque cuisine, will open soon on Washington Avenue.

Sailing on a Themed Windjammer Cruise

The Maine windjammer fleet has a busy roster of sailings this summer, breezy multi-night excursions in Penobscot Bay that show off the best of coastal Maine. But perhaps less well known is that many of those sailings are built around a single theme, aimed at bringing like-minded sailors together. For example, there are cruises that focus on photography, geology or seamanship. Other sailings draw craftspeople and are themed around knitting. There are windjammer cruises that appeal to kayaking enthusiasts or yoga practitioners. Of course, there are also cruises centered on beer, chocolate and wine, with tastings to match. The Maine Windjammer Association has a complete list of themed cruises for 2020.

Whitewater Rafting

This past winter brought a deep snowfall to Maine and naturally, that translates to an awesome spring rafting season. The challenging whitewater of the Penobscot, Kennebec and Dead Rivers will keep thrill-seekers happy for the next few months. Book now for prime rafting periods with leading outfitters like Northern Outdoors, Northeast Whitewater, North Country Rivers and Penobscot Adventures to find the perfect river trip. The season, by the way, should be a long one, extending from early May all the way through October. Go to Visit Maine for more info.

For more information please contact the Maine Office of Tourism, 59 State House Station, 11 Sewall Street 3rd Floor, Augusta, ME 04333

More New Restaurants

What's new on the Maine dining scene? The last few months have seen the debut of Elda on Main Street in Biddeford, a new fine-dining restaurant by Chef Bowman Brown. Brown most recently cooked at Forage in Salt Lake City and was nominated for Best Chef: Southwest by the James Beard Foundation six times. You might find seaweed and brown rice crackers with clam dip, grilled squid with green onions and roasted chicken vinaigrette, or spinach and pea tendril salad with seaweed and buttermilk. Rover Wood Fired Bagels & Pizza is also in Biddeford, where a morning stop can yield freshly baked Everything or Anadama bagels and the afternoon yields goodies like a mushroom pizza with mozzarella, fontina and shallots. The Highroller Lobster Co., which started as food truck, now has a brick and mortar location in Portland, serving lobster rolls, lobster tacos and crab rolls. Further up the coast, Chef Marc Provencher has returned to Brunswick with his new Greek restaurant, Taverna Khione, which serves authentic tavern-style classics.

Coastal Fishing

For those eager to get into the sport of saltwater fly fishing, the Maine coast offers incredible opportunities for both striped bass and bluefish. But learning how and where to fish for these species takes local knowledge and effort. The easiest way to get on the water is by hiring a Registered Maine Guide who specializes in saltwater fishing. Some of these outfitters focus on sight-fishing Casco Bay's tidal flats, while others offer small boat excursions that get anglers on tidal rivers. A day with a guide can seriously raise the level of both casting and fishing technique.

Events in Bar Harbor

As a four-season destination, Bar Harbor, Maine, has events to suit visitors of all ages and interests. Whether an adventurer, stargazer, beer enthusiast or foodie, there is something for everyone.

For more information visit the Maine Office of Tourism, 59 State House Station, 11 Sewall Street 3rd Floor, Augusta, ME 04333

More Maine Happenings:

Maine's Challenging Golf Courses

Maine has more than 100 golf courses, ranging from mountain courses and island courses to stunning seaside courses. Impressive oceanside courses include Sebasco Harbor Resort Golf Club and Samoset Resort Golf Course, overlooking Penobscot Bay. The Bar Harbor Golf Club is a links-style course while the Belgrade Lakes Golf Club is known for its scenic beauty. Among notable designers, Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed the Sunday River Golf Club while the Sugarloaf Golf Club in Carrabassett Valley is routinely singled out by GolfDigest as one of the best in the state. The Maine Golf Trail can help visitors plan their vacation around some of the state's most famous links. Visit Maine has more info.

Bonding in Bar Harbor --The Perfect Multi-Generational Vacation

Check Out the Great Sailing Adventures & Events at the Maine Windjammer Association

Leaving the Coast for a Great Maine Lobster Roll

18,000 Facebook friends suggested delicious lobster rolls north of Route 1 and away from the coast. Here are five of their favorites:

Eagles Nest Restaurant (207-989-7635) on Route 9 in the eastern Maine city of Brewer serves a toasted hot dog roll smothered with big chunks of lobster mixed with mayo. Save room for the strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream and a fresh biscuit.

The Country Bakery (207-425-4140) on Route 1 in the Aroostook County town of Bridgewater is known for its fresh doughnuts, breads and pastries. And once a week (usually on Wednesday) during the summer, many customers also line up for the area's best lobster roll.

There's a good chance that a roll or two from Soup To Nuts (207-746-5499) on Route 11 in East Millinocket have made it to the summit of Mt. Katahdin. The sit-down restaurant near Baxter State Park is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Chicken baskets and mocha shakes draw crowds to Belanger's Drive-In & Dairy Bar (207-453-2447) on Route 201 in Fairfield, but it's also a favorite lobster roll destination in central Maine.

Sideline Variety in Norway is a convenient stop on the way to lakes and hiking trails in western Maine. The seasonal, large lobster roll here is just $9.99.

For more information about Maine's early summer events, go to www.visitmaine.com.

Diving to See a Lost Lighthouse

Tour boats give passengers close-up water views of Maine lighthouses, but the best view of Crabtree Ledge Light is under the water. The 37-foot tall cast iron light that once marked a dangerous ledge off Hancock Point in Sullivan was discontinued in 1933 and fell into the ocean in 1950. DiveDowneast leads dive trips to the wreckage site where the partially intact tower rests amid crabs, starfish, sea urchins and lobsters.

JANUARY HAPPENINGS IN MAINE

Carnaval Maine

Late January is when the inaugural Carnaval Maine kicks off, a three-day festival of ice sculptures, light shows and igloos on Portland's Eastern Promenade, the 78-acre, Frederick Law Olmsted-designed green space overlooking Casco Bay. Modeled after Quebec City's annual Carnaval, the Maine event will host light shows, art displays, ice sculptures, bonfires, and a rail jam constructed by Sunday River resort. The event, which starts on January 30 and goes through February 1, 2020, will feature a giant inflatable igloo to house the Bites & Brews events, showcasing Maine's nationally recognized restaurants and artisan breweries. These include Allagash, Bissell Brothers, Maine Beer Box, Maine Beer Co., Rising Tide and Shipyard breweries, collaborating with Urban Farm Fermentory, Central Provisions, Highroller Lobster Co., Luke's Lobster, Scales and UNION. A signature event is the Carnaval Maine Bicentennial Snow Ball on January 30 to mark the 200th year of Maine's statehood. For more info, go to www.carnavalme.com. 

Maine Mineral & Gem Museum
The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum has just opened in Bethel in western Maine. Filled with exhibits of minerals, gems and meteorites, this new scientific museum is due to the sponsorship of philanthropists Lawrence Stifler and Mary McFadden who have dedicated themselves to helping preserve western Maine's rich mining history. The museum is comprised of 10 major local collections of minerals, gems and rocks. The 15,000-square-foot museum displays about 3,000 of its finest minerals in interactive exhibits that highlight the stories and the people behind the specimens. The museum is also home to a world-class meteorite collection that includes the five largest pieces of the moon found on earth. It houses the largest known piece of the Vesta asteroid and an igneous rock that, at over 4.5 billion years old, is said to be the oldest known volcanic rock in the solar system. For more, go to the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. 

Rufus Porter at Bowdoin College Museum of Art
The Bowdoin College Museum of Art is exhibiting Rufus Porter's Curious World: Art and Invention in America, 1815-1860 through May 31, 2020. This exhibition celebrates the artist and inventor Rufus Porter (1792-1884), an imaginative polymath and entrepreneur curious about art, science and communication technologies. This special exhibition includes more than 80 paintings, inventions and publications by Porter and a number of his contemporaries, including Samuel F. B. Morse, Robert Fulton, Charles Bird King, and Winslow Homer. Described posthumously as a "Yankee da Vinci" by Time magazine, Porter is under recognized compared to these contemporaries. This exhibition and the accompanying catalogue demonstrate that he merits broader attention in both the history of American art and of American science.

Classic (& Not So Classic) Maine Diners
Winter is when the comfort food offerings at Maine's classic diners are especially welcome. The Brunswick Diner is located in a converted railroad car, complete with working jukeboxes at each table, and has been serving Bowdoin students since 1946 with fare like French toast, lobster rolls and liver and onions. Moody's Diner in Waldoboro is ideal for a lobster roll, fried clams and a whoopie pie for dessert. Dysart's in Bangor is a haven for long-distance truckers, who swear by the Yankee pot roast, fried whole-belly clams, a hot Thanksgiving sandwich and blueberry pie. The A1 Diner in Gardiner is a venerable dining car perched above the Kennebec River with an eclectic menu that includes Reubens, poutine, mojito duck and Korean BBQ sliders alongside their take on more traditional diner fare. At the Palace Diner in Biddeford, the classics are revered, from the cheeseburger and fries to the Lumberjack Breakfast; a stack of silver dollar pancakes, two eggs, Palace Potatoes and bacon, ham or sausage that's served all day. Even downtown Portland carries on the tradition at Becky's Diner, the place to get homemade clam chowder, broiled Atlantic scallops in lemon butter and crumbs and grapenut pudding for dessert. Go to Visit Maine for more info.

Perfect Inns for a Winter Getaway
Winter is the time to get cozy in a Maine inn. The Bethel Inn Resort, close to Sunday River, dates from 1913 and offers cross-country skiing, fat-tire biking, ice skating and comfort food at The Millbrook Tavern. The Camden Harbour Inn, a Relais & Chateaux property, features harbor views and fine fare at Natalie's, an AAA Four Diamond restaurant. Cape Elizabeth's Inn by the Sea is perfect for a wintery walk on a sandy beach and offers 61 luxuriously appointed fireplace rooms, and one and two bedroom suites. Chef Andrew Chadwick is at the helm at Sea Glass Restaurant, with spectacular ocean views and inventive seafood. Finally, The Kennebunkport Inn offers modern accommodations in a vintage inn, dining at The Burleigh, and a fantastic location in the heart of town. For more info, go to Visit Maine.

Maine Restaurant Week

Portland will once again serve as the headquarters for the annual Maine Restaurant Week from March 1-12, 2020. The event showcases outstanding restaurants and great chefs around the state. New for MRW 2020 is an optional MRW dining experience with some participating restaurants serving a specially priced cocktail and appetizer pairing. Maine Restaurant Week will offer multi-course meals at fixed prices, ranging from $25, $35, $45 and $55 per person, depending on the establishment. Participating restaurants can be found all over the state and typically number more than two dozen. This year's early sign-ups include BlueFin North Atlantic Seafood in Portland, Hartstone Inn in Camden, MK Kitchen in Gorham, and Nonesuch River Brewing in Scarborough. The Incredible Breakfast Cook-Off on Friday, February 28, at Sea Dog Brewing in South Portland, is a charity event that kicks off the festivities. For more information, visit Maine Restaurant Week.

Winter in State Parks
Maine state parks are an incredible resource for outdoor winter adventures, with cross-country skiing, winter hiking and snowshoeing opportunities. Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park, a mere five-minute drive from Freeport's L.L. Bean flagship store, offers snowshoeing along the shores of Casco Bay. Parks such as Mount Blue State Park offer extensive trails and winter recreation opportunities, including winter camping, miles of snowshoe trails, groomed and ungroomed cross-country ski trails, and snowmobile trails, as well as an ice-skating rink, sliding hill and warming hut on Center Hill. Down East lies Cobscook Bay State Park, where the inner coves support a quarter of Maine's wintering black ducks and the state's highest concentration of bald eagles. Way up north, Aroostook State Park was founded in 1938 as Maine's first state park and offers a wilderness cross-country skiing experience. Visit Maine's Bureau of Parks & Public Lands for more information.

BAR HARBOR

What to See & Do

Get Your Adrenaline Pumping with these Action-Packed Outdoor Activities in Bar Harbor

As one of the top places to visit in New England, Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island feature some of the most exceptional and thrilling outdoor activities available. Whether you enjoy testing your abilities on a sheer rock face or executing the perfect downward dog while floating on a lake, Bar Harbor has the terrain to mentally and physically challenge you.

Come see what you're capable of. 

• Angling to get more than the traditional tourist experience when visiting Bar Harbor? Deep sea fishing excursions are exhilarating fun for the experienced fisherman. Off the shores of Mount Desert Island you may catch black sea bass mackerel, redfish, and cod, and maybe even a variety of shark or wolf fish. Local charters are available and recommended. By using a guide, you're guaranteeing yourself a safe, memorable and educational trip. 

• Check an item off your bucket list with rock climbing at Acadia National Park. All ability levels are welcome at the park and guides are recommended. Climbers can conquer South Bubble, one of the most popular spots, or test expert level abilities with Great Head, which features an overhang. Equipment rental is also available on the island.
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• Stand-up paddle board yoga session. by Amy Young

• Getting bored with your stationary yoga mat? Switch up your routine with a stand-up paddle board yoga session. Classes are offered in the morning and evening several times a week on Echo Lake. All ability levels are welcome and no previous experience is necessary. This session will be harder than most yoga workouts because you'll be engaging muscles that will help you keep your balance on the lake's surface. Getting wet and having fun is all part of this unique yoga class.

• See the island on two wheels. Acadia National Park has 50+ miles of hard-packed carriage roads looping around the eastern side of Mount Desert Island. One of the most challenging trips is pedaling up Cadillac Mountain, the highest point in Acadia. This is a four-mile auto road and it is recommended to ride during low traffic times. No way to transport your bike? No problem, there are plenty of bike rentals available on the island.
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• Tandem kayaking around Mount Desert Island. by Coastal Kayaking Tours

• Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island feature some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on the east coast. While paddling your sea kayak, you may catch a glimpse of seals, porpoises, osprey, and a variety of sea life. All ability levels are welcome and some outfitters give you the choice of having a solo or tandem kayak. Tours range from a couple of hours to full day excursions.

For more information on any of these outdoor activities, rental locations, or guides, call (207) 288-5103 or visit www.barharborinfo.com.

Where to Stay

Bar Harbor's Bluenose Inn 

Just minutes from Acadia National Park, "Good Morning America's" 2014 "America's Favorite Place," the Bluenose Inn has cultivated a loyal following of repeat guests thanks to its personalized service and distinctive amenities.
 
Guests enjoy a manager reception at the Bluenose Inn in Bar Harbor.
General Manager Jim Ash, who says a great percentage of inn guests return for another stay, adds, "We work hard to provide our guests with a memorable experience that will make them want to come back again and again. Having traveled extensively myself for years, I believe we know what satisfies most guests. It is all the little things, a lot of caring and personal touches."
 
Upon check-in, every guest receives a handwritten note from Ash thanking them for their stay. Guests staying five nights or more are also treated to locally made chocolates or Maine made Fiore olive oils and balsamic vinegars as a special thank you for their extended stay.
 
Special amenities at the AAA, four-diamond inn include gourmet box lunches to go for guests who plan to spend the day exploring. There is also an onsite, locked storage area designated for bicycles, an added convenience for guests who rent or bring their own bikes to cycle the park's 45 miles of bike-friendly trails.
 
The inn's restaurant, The Looking Glass, which serves breakfast and dinner, is a short walk from the inn's guest buildings, but guests may opt to be chauffeured to and from their meals on the Bluenose golf cart, adding comfort and fun to their dining experience, which also includes a panoramic view of the ocean.
 
Each night in the Great Room, noted pianist Bill Trowell, now in his 18th season, plays music on the inn's grand piano and is always happy to take special requests from guests. The inn also welcomes other special requests for birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones.
 
Evening manager receptions featuring complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres are held twice weekly. House-baked cookies are served in the lobby every afternoon and locally roasted Wicked Joe's gourmet coffee is available 24 hours a day. There is also a 24-hour business center and a 24-hour gift shop on site.
 
For people who like to travel with their pets, sister property Wonder View Inn, located next to the Bluenose, welcomes dogs and cats. Each pet guest receives a bowl and a gourmet treat from Bar Harbor pet boutique Bark Harbor. The property's 14 acres also provide plenty of room for pet walking and playing fetch. Pets are also welcome to join their humans on the deck area of The Looking Glass for breakfast and dinner.
  
About the Bluenose Inn
The AAA, four-diamond Bluenose Inn is situated on a bluff overlooking Frenchman Bay. The property features two guest buildings. The luxury 52-room Mizzentop also houses the inn's registration office, business center, Great Room piano lounge, gift shop and Vista Room meeting facility. Stenna Nordica features 45 well-appointed rooms and a glass-front elevator. A third building houses the Eden Spa, an indoor heated pool, hot tub, steam room, and fitness center. The inn's grounds feature an outdoor heated pool. The original building on the site of the Bluenose Inn was constructed in 1884 as a summer estate of Mrs. William Morris Hunt, an artist's widow. The stonework from this palatial "cottage," which she named Mizzentop, remains beneath the building that bears its name. The inn is located at 90 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, Maine. To learn more, visit www.barharborhotel.com.

Bar Harbor’s Balance Rock Inn Opened On Frenchman’s Bay

Balance Rock Inn (circa 1903) is open to guests who enjoy the privacy and serenity of Frenchman’s Bay and the opulence of days gone by. Built as a family ‘cottage’ 109 years ago, when wealthy tycoons selected the most desirable locations along the rocky, island-studded Maine coast for their summer season mansions, the Balance Rock Inn today presents romantic ambience and luxurious amenities to new and returning guests through the end of October.

The Inn celebrates the “balance rock”, a precariously positioned boulder and a huge remnant from an ice age. On the Inn’s sloping lawn down to the shoreline, guests can gaze from the veranda past the glistening swimming pool, flower gardens and nearly three acres of sweeping lawns framed with stately trees to where the property connects with the historic Shore Path walk along the water’s edge.

The Balance Rock’s 21 rooms and suites and 3 apartment-style luxury suites are tastefully outfitted in harmonious colors, handsome wall coverings and handcrafted furnishings. Each accommodation is unique with features such as ocean views, fireplaces, whirlpool baths, saunas and private porches. Guests have been returning season after season to pamper themselves in the luxury and amenities that set the Balance Rock Inn apart from the expected!

A lavish Breakfast buffet is prepared for guests daily where they can dine and relive the splendor of the Gilded Age in the dining room, sundeck or verandah ~ featuring impeccable service and a full hot and cold menu. The well-stocked Verandah Bar is a popular spot to relax and meet other guests throughout the day with cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres presented nightly.

Only a block from the restaurants, shops, galleries, museums and outdoor activities that define Bar Harbor, The Balance Rock Inn is a perfect getaway to experience scenic bike riding, granite peak hiking, sightseeing boat tours to view whales or seals or to indulge your taste for lobster within steps of the front door.
For generations, the shingle-style building has been an icon of comfort, grace and style. As guests walk the historic Shore Path, winding from the seaport’s pier along the ocean’s edge and past many glorious mansions built over a century ago, it’s obvious why visitors recognize the Balance Rock Inn as a gem of hospitality, spectacular scenery and innate charm.

For more information or reservations contact: Balance Rock Inn, Bar Harbor – Maine
21 Albert Meadow, 04609 USA
800-753-0494 or 207-288-2610
www.BalanceRockInns.com

CAMDEN

Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center --

The performance stage, step dancing stage and piper's perch at the Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center in Carthage, Maine. This is the only venue in New England built specifically for Celtic music. The 250-seat concert hall has a warm maple and oak wood interior with a Celtic cross made of timbers built into the wall behind the performance stage. There is also a step dance stage and a piper's perch for bagpipers. World class and emerging artists from Ireland, Scotland, the Canadian provinces and the U.S. play, sing and dance at Skye, which is also the home of New England Celtic Arts.

Relax and Renew at Nurture Through Nature Eco-Retreat 

"Nurture Through Nature...a beautiful, earth~friendly retreat in the heart of the mountains and lakes of Western Maine. Eco-retreats and getaways for individuals, couples & groups. Experience how to live more simply, peacefully and sustainably
while retreating in a beautiful setting.

Bathe yourself in Maine's magical fall foliage season. Practice simple and powerful tools for lasting peace. Have fun, sing, explore, connect. Be who You really are. Join the circle on our annual Harvest Your Soul Retreat. 100% guarantee you will walk away on Sunday feeling significantly lighter and more free. 

Create your own personal retreat in a private cabin or yurt at Nurture Through Nature  unplug and enjoy the nature's beauty. Do you remember who you are without your phone?

Location: Nurture Through Nature, 77 Warren Rd, Denmark, ME 04022

What to See & Do

Ride the Rails & Visit the Seashore Trolley Museum

Experience history in motion as you enjoy a scenic 25-minute ride through the Maine woods; visit the exhibit barns to see more of the world-famous collection; see magic happen in the Town house Restoration Project; and plan on stopping at the Museum Store for a unique selection of books, collectibles and souvenirs.

Open rain or shine from Memorial Day to Columbus Day and weekends only in early May and late October. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last ride is at 4:15 p.m.). Also offered are sunset/icecream rides on Wednesdays & Thursdays during July & August at 7 p.m.

For information call l207-967-2800 and check web site www.trolleymuseum.org for special events. The Seashore Trolley Museum is at 195 Log Cabin Road, P.O. Box A, Kennebunkport, ME 94046; 207-967-2800.

Theatre at Monmouth

The Romanesque and Queen Anne-style architecture of Cumston Hall, home to the Theater at Monmouth, is a striking sight in rural Monmouth, Maine. Cumston Hall is a striking sight when driving down Main Street in the rural town of Monmouth. The cream-colored building, built in 1900, mixes Romanesque and Queen Anne-style architecture and is dominated by a soaring tower on its right front corner. The staircase up the tower leads to the theater, originally an opera hall that features elaborate plaster carvings and a fresco mural ceiling. Plays are performed in rotating repertory from early July through September by a cast of professional and local actors. In 1975 the Theater at Monmouth was designated by the Maine Legislature as "The Shakespearean Theater of Maine," and at least one work of William Shakespeare is performed each summer.

Lakewood Theatre

The oldest summer theater in the United States sits beside a lake in central Maine, and has been in operation since 1901. Lakewood Theatre was once the top testing ground for plays hoping for success in New York's biggest theaters. That notoriety brought Groucho Marx, Betty White, Phyllis Diller, and John Travolta to the stage on the shore of Wesserunsett Lake. Today, Lakewood is known for its ambitious lineup of productions (18 plays and musicals during the past two summers), and a veteran group of actors and directors committed to providing top quality theater.

Wherever your summer journey to Maine takes you, there is a performing arts venue with a show that will take you back in time, tickle your funny bone, or get you swaying in your seat. Go to www.visitmaine.com to find a venue near your Maine destination.

What to See & Do

What to See & Do

Where to Stay

Maine's Historic Black Point Inn Is Open for the Season With Lodging Deals, Special Events and Green Updates

Black Point Inn (www.blackpointinn.com) has opened its doors to a season full of events, activities, and attractive lodging specials. With updated guest amenities and a continued investment in being “green,” Black Point Inn is committed to enhancing guests’ experiences while remaining faithful to the original, historic property's design and ambiance.

Enjoying its 132nd year of continuous operation, the Inn is the last remaining of the grand hotels which once called the scenic, oceanside area of southern Maine’s Prouts Neck home. Built in 1878 at the peak of America’s Gilded Age, the resort property’s colorful history includes patrons ranging from rail barons and political leaders to visiting celebrities and one of Maine’s most famous native sons – world-renowned artist Winslow Homer.

With breathtaking views, fabulous food, first-class accommodations, tennis, miles of sandy beaches, a private beach club and heated swimming pool, Black Point Inn provides an exceptional Maine getaway experience. Guests at the Inn are welcomed at the 18-hole, private golf club abutting the property, a walking-only course with five oceanside holes, and one widely regarded as the best example of a “links course” in the state of Maine.

Recently labeled “Best Seaside Resort” by New England Travel Guide, Black Point Inn has been included on the prestigious National Registry of Historic Hotels of America list, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Inn has been featured by the likes of Travel + Leisure, The New York Times, Fodor’s, and National Culinary Review. Additionally, the scenic property earned in 2008 a spot on National Geographic Traveler magazine’s inaugural “Stay List,” and recently was named an “Editor’s Pick” by Condé Nast Traveler’s concierge.com.

Dining at the Inn
Meals are a central component of a visit to any property, and the cuisine offered at Black Point Inn upholds the highest cuisine and hospitality standard. Trap Landry, executive chef at the Inn’s two onsite restaurants, The Point and the more casual Chart Room, has two decades of fine dining kitchen experience to his credit. Known for his focus on local and seasonal cooking, this Austin, Texas, native turns out first-rate American-European classics using Maine’s freshest ingredients from local farmers and suppliers.

Since the Inn’s relaunch in 2007, both The Point and Chart Room have earned excellent reviews from a persuasive variety of national, regional and local press. The open-air Chart Room bar, hand-crafted of mahogany, opens up onto the Inn's gorgeous, spacious decks overlooking the sea, and is an especially popular stop for guests looking for a relaxing summertime cocktail.

Nightly Specials and Activities

Sunday through Wednesday evenings, visitors will enjoy the Inn’s popular Social Hour from 4:30-6 p.m., featuring appetizer and drink specials each evening. Inn guests also will enjoy the complimentary General Manager’s cocktail party every Sunday evening from 5:30-6:30 pm. Wine Tasting Wednesdays at Black Point Inn, free to the public beginning Wednesday, will feature an array of wines and light hors d’oeuvres from 4-6 p.m.

Creature Comforts
Black Point Inn also features spa amenities for guests, including a sauna and outdoor swimming pool. As part of the Inn’s ongoing “green” commitment, the sauna and pool are heated by the Inn's new geothermal wells system.

Additionally, the Inn outfits every room with luxury linens and Aveda products, and private, in-room massages are available from on-call therapists at the Inn. Many of the Inn’s bathrooms have been renovated in time for the 2009 season, including the addition of all-new tiles, showers and appliances. Flat screen television sets are discreetly placed in all guest rooms. During work this past winter, Inn staff has faithfully retained the nuances, colors, and history of the spacious, dark-wood lobby, but has refreshed the wallpaper and original wood trim and furnishings.

Green Initiatives
When the Black Point Inn relaunched in 2007, the Inn’s owners took painstaking measures to make the Inn as environmentally friendly as possible, making important renovation decisions that greatly reduced the carbon footprint of the Inn, while being faithful to its characteristic New England charm and ambiance.

As a result, the Inn earned Green status/full certification as Environmental Leader in the lodging industry by the State of Maine's Department of Environmental Protection. In keeping with Maine’s connection to healthy living and unspoiled surroundings, the Inn achieved full certification as Environmental Leader in the lodging industry by the Department of Environmental Protection of the State of Maine.

This winter the team at Black Point Inn continued its green initiatives:

The Inn moved from fossil fuel to geothermal heating and cooling systems, reducing the property's carbon footprint. Today, there are four geothermal wells that create a fully closed loop system. The Inn also installed 90 new e-glass, double hung windows that help insulate the Inn from cold and heat, also reducing its environmental impact.
The Inn’s two restaurants also align well with environmental goals and mindset. The kitchen staff at the on-site restaurants purchases the bulk of meat, cheeses, sustainable fish and fresh produce – much of which is either organic or naturally grown – from local farmers and producers.

About Black Point Inn
Black Point Inn is a part of the Migis Hotel Group, which includes Migis Lodge in South Casco; The Inn at Camden Place in Camden; and the AAA Four-Diamond Award-winning Inn at Ocean’s Edge, along with its oceanside restaurant, The Edge (both located just 4 miles north of Camden in Lincolnville).

Call (207) 883-2500 to make reservations at Black Point Inn. For more information on rates and packages, visit www.blackpointinn.com.

Penobscot Marine Museum  

The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport will celebrate three quarters of a century this year with the exhibit 75 for 75 - 75 Choice Items from 75 Years of Collecting. The exhibit will show the most important, valuable, beautiful and rare items from its permanent collection, including marine paintings, small craft, personal effects of ship captains, and the gifts they brought back to Penobscot Bay from the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.MotionVR, LLC (www.motion-vr.com) has announced that Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway, a Penn National Gaming facility, located in Bangor, Maine, has become the first Maine-based property to debut revolutionary online “walk-through” MotionVR Tours. Maine’s premier entertainment destination, and the only state gaming facility, now offers prospective guests an online walk-through experience of the property’s offerings including guest rooms & suites, the gaming area, and much more.

Stonington Opera House

Stonington: Drive south on Main Street, look up away from the water, and you can't miss the Opera House perched on a hill overlooking Stonington Harbor. The Opera House was built in 1912 as a dance hall and was later transformed as a space for music concerts, theater productions and movies. National jazz critic Larry Blumenfeld puts together the annual lineup for the Opera House's Deer Isle Jazz Festival, and Wednesday night "Live For $5" shows draw big summer crowds to see nationally touring musicians and plays.

THE FORKS

10 Reasons to Whitewater Raft in Maine

Riverside barbecues, moose sightings, and natural waterslides are just some of the reasons people travel from near and far to experience whitewater rafting in Maine.
Whitewater rafting has been growing in popularity throughout the United States. This season, Northern Outdoors Adventure Resort, located in Maine, is celebrating their 40th anniversary and was recently recognized as Yankee Magazine's "Best of New England" Editors' Choice for Best Adventure".

Here are ten reasons why Maine's whitewater rafting is the best in the country.

1. Pure Adrenaline-Pumping Adventure: Rafting is Mother Nature's perfect rollercoaster ride. With some of the highest class whitewater rivers, Maine will test any adventure-seeking guest. Whether a first-timer, family, or high-adventure enthusiast, guests will find the perfect rafting vacation in Maine. Already love whitewater action? Don't miss four special release trips. The Kennebec turbine test high release will be featuring 8,000CFS water flows, which is nearly double the normal release volume.

2. Affordability: Maine wants everyone to be able to experience rafting in this beautiful state. Many outfitters offer extensive discounts to help more families afford the experience, with many offering early booking and mid-week deals. Northern Outdoors even offers half-price rafting for kids on weekdays.

3. Wildlife Sightings: A highlight to any rafting trip is spotting moose, eagles, otters, and other wildlife in their natural habitats. A visit to the Maine woods is always a good idea for a chance to see some of these magnificent creatures.

4. Wicked Good Food: A whitewater rafting trip just isn't complete without a riverside barbecue. Northern Outdoors' full-day rafting trips take a short break around noon to pull over to a remote beach for lunch. Enjoy grilled steak, chicken, or salmon before setting off for the second half of the river adventure. Many outfitters are accommodating to dietary restrictions with advance notice.

5. Scenery: Raft the Penobscot River for incredible views of Maine's highest peak, Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, or travel through deep, rock-walled gorges on the Kennebec River before the landscape broadens out to carpets of forest. The Dead River features a wide open basin allowing for optimal views during the fall foliage season. Many rafts stop at natural waterslides to give guests opportunities to experience Maine's natural playgrounds and swim in the fresh pools of water.

6. Knowledgeable Guides: All guides are registered Maine rafting guides with safety as their #1 concern. After safety is taken care of, guides keep their rafters entertained with a lot of laughs and unique Maine history and wildlife lessons.

7. Daily Dam Releases: Daily dam releases from local hyrdo stations allow consistent conditions for rafting all summer long. Rafting trips are available from early May to mid-October. Raft in May to add excitement and adventure to the spring months, or save the trip for October to experience the fiery colors of the Maine fall foliage season. Wetsuits are available to keep guests warm all season long.

8. Trips for Ages 8 and Up: Maine has options for all over the age of eight. A lower Kennebec River float trip can be enjoyed by three generations. Younger families can opt for a half-day trip through calmer rapids while adventurous members of the family can embark on action packed, class V sections.

9. Three Rivers to Pick From: Maine has three unique whitewater rivers for rafting: the Kennebec, Penobscot, and Dead rivers. The Kennebec features consistent class II-IV rapids ideal for first-timers and younger families. The Penobscot River features class IV and V+ rapids perfect for experienced rafters and those looking for serious whitewater action. The Dead River offers a limited number of releases but has more continuous whitewater than any other eastern river, with class III, IV, and V rapids. Northern Outdoors' predecessor, Northern Whitewater Expeditions, pioneered rafting on the Kennebec and Penobscot rivers.

10. Unplug and Relax: Maine is an oasis filled with untouched natural landscapes and without hustle and bustle. A rafting trip in Maine rejuvenates guests and helps grow their relationships with friends, family, teammates, and coworkers.

Maine's beauty and adventure activities attract individuals and families from around the world. Whitewater rafting is one of the most thrilling ways to experience the natural beauty of this amazing vacationland.

For more information on Northern Outdoors and to book your rafting adventure, call 800-765-7238, or book online at www.northernoutdoors.com.