Port Talk

Port Talk
Vol. 178
Published by the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport
December 18 –24, 2015
Sightseeing Highlights
Walker’s Point and Spouting Rock
Stroll along scenic Ocean Avenue and
take in some of the most beautiful homes
in Kennebunkport. The home of former
president George Bush “41” is located
about 2 miles from the center of Dock
Square. Along the way, check out Blowing
Cave and Spouting Rock. The best time
to view these natural phenomena is about
halfway between high and low tide, when
the tide is on its way in.
Franciscan Monastery
Beach Avenue, Kennebunk Beach
Features trails and gardens along the
Kennebunk River designed by Frederick
Law Olmstead. Open from sunrise to
sunset. Free admission.
The Wedding Cake House
Summer Street, Kennebunk
One of the most eye-catching local
buildings, this unique, Federal-style brick
house was built in l825 by shipbuilder
George Bourne. He added the lavish,
ornamental “frosting” about 25 years later.
The house is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places; it is now a
private home.
The Inn at English Meadows
The Historic Inns of Kennebunkport:
Blogs and Journals
1802 House Inn
www.1802house/blog
Captain Lord Mansion
www.captainlord.com/blog/
Captain Jefferds Inn
www.captainjefferdsinn.com/blog/
The Inn at English Meadows
http://englishmeadowsinn.com/blog/
Maine Stay Inn & Cottages
www.mainestayinn.com/blog/
www.kennebunkporthistoricinns.com
EVENTS
The Art of the Theft
Friday, December 18, 11 AM
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress Square, Portland
Art theft is one of the most profitable criminal enterprises in the world,
exceeding $6 billion in losses to galleries and art collectors annually.
Drawing on his extensive experience as lead investigator in
Boston's Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum’s famous 1990
heist, lecturer Anthony Amore will offer an exhilarating
look at the black market of art theft and how it compromises some of the greatest treasures in the world.
FMI www.portlandmuseum.org.
Northern Lights Celebration
Northern Lights Celebration
Friday, December 18, to Thursday, December 31
courtesy L. L. Bean
Freeport
Music and caroling, beautiful light displays, horse-drawn wagon rides,
kids’ crafts and more. Musical holiday light show nightly, 5 to 9 PM,
every half hour.
Home for the Holidays: 11th Annual Festival of Trees
Friday, December 18, noon to 8 PM
Saco Museum, Route 1, Saco
Continues to December 31; Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, noon to 5 PM;
Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 8 PM (Friday, November 28, 5 to 8 PM);
Saturdays, 10 AM to 5 PM; closed Mondays and
December 24 and 25. Free admission.
Christmas at Victoria Mansion
Friday, December 19, to Sunday, January 3
Victoria Mansion
109 Danforth Street, Portland
Experience Christmas at Victoria Mansion. No admission is required to visit
the Carriage House Museum Shop for unique Victorian-inspired holiday gifts.
Hours: Monday, open at 11 AM, last admission at 6:30 PM; Tuesday to Sunday, open at 11 AM, last admission at 4:30 PM. Mansion will be closed on
Christmas and New Year's Day. FMI www.victoriamansion.org.
Holiday Open House
Friday, December 18, 4 to 7 PM
Brick Store Museum
117 Main Street, Kennebunk
Features music, holiday treats, holiday history and a cup of hot chocolate
or a glass of wine (for adult visitors). Free admission. Great Bay Sailor's Yuletide Concert
Friday, December 18, 7 PM
Jefferd's Tavern
Museums of Old York
3 Lindsay Road, York
FMI 363-4974 or www.oldyork.org.
Southern Beer Crawl Tour
Saturday, December 19, 2:30 to 7 PM (arrive by 2:15)
The Craft Beer Cellar
111 Commercial Street, Portland
Explore three breweries south of Portland: Tributary Brewing
Company in Kittery, Banded Horn Brewing in Biddeford, Barreled Souls Brewing Co. in Saco. Price is $65/person.
FMI www.themainebrewbus.com.
20 Myrtle Street, Portland
Join a Kotzschmar organ family tradition that
features holiday music throughout the centuries.
This performance features municipal organist
Ray Cornils celebrating 25 years at the helm of
Kotzschmar, as well as the Kotzschmar Festival
Brass, the Parish Ringers and Oratorio Chorale.
FMI 842-0800.
Carols on Ice, a Sing-a-long and Skating Party
Sunday, December 20, 2 to 4 PM
Waterhouse Center
51 Main Street, Kennebunk
Join local musicians and choral groups for an afternoon of
holiday music, including a sing-a-long to favorite Christmas
carols. Free. Refreshments available. FMI 604-1335.
Irish Night
Wednesday, December 23, 7:30 PM
Blue
650 Congress Street, Portland Acoustic Irish music is featured at 7:30 with Kurt
Kish and Lynne Cullen. An Irish session from
9 to 11 is “a gathering of Irish traditional musicians for the purpose of celebrating their common
interest in the music by playing it together in a
relaxed, informal setting, while in the process
generally beefing up the mystical cultural mantra
that hums along uninterruptedly beneath all manifestations of Irishness worldwide." The general
session scheme is that someone starts a tune, and
those who know it join in. Good session etiquette
requires not playing if one does not know the tune
and waiting until a tune one knows comes along.
In an "open" session, anyone who is able to play
Irish music is welcome.
FMI www.portcityblue.com.
Wine and Food Walk in Ogunquit: Sparkling Wines
Sunday, December 20, 2 to 4 PM
Bintliff’s
Route 1, Ogunquit
Join sommelier Erica Archer, CWP, WSET Advanced,
for a guided viticultural tasting and walking tour of Ogunquit's
vibrant restaurant scene as you explore some delicious examples
of sparkling wines from around the world paired with delicious
foods at four wonderful establishments. Discover new restaurants and taste great wines and foods...all while indulging in a
wine class. Learn about sparkling wine, how regional influences
and production methods impact wine styles and quality, gain
confidence knowing how to evaluate, select and pair wines and
describe what you smell and taste. Plan to learn a lot about wine,
discover some delicious wines and restaurants and have a great
time doing it. FMI Erica Archer 207-619-4630
or http://www.winewiseevents.com
Christmas in the Stable
Sunday, December 20, 6 PM
Ever After Mustang Rescue
463 West Street, Biddeford
Dress warmly, bring a chair and a flashlight.
Light refreshments to follow in the indoor ring.
Ever After Mustang Rescue, Education and
Training Center, an all-volunteer effort, rescues and rehabilitates
previously adopted mustangs from slaughter or abuse. After
proper training, the rescue transitions the mustangs to new approved homes and useful lives. For horses considered unadoptable for whatever reason, the rescue offers them a lifetime home.
FMI 284-7721, www.mustangrescue.org.
Winter Solstice Celebration
Tuesday, December 22, 7 PM
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
114 Main Street, Kennebunk
Drumming, singing and dancing. Percussion instruments welcome. Please bring finger food to share and items for the local
food pantry. FMI 985-3700 or www.uukennebunk.org.
Christmas with Cornils: A Kotzschmar Christmas
Tuesday, December 22, 7:30 PM
...continued
Merrill Auditorium
Annual Noel Dinner
Thursday, December 24, 2 PM
St. Martha’s Parish
Route 1 north, Kennebunk
Complimentary Christmas dinner, open to all;
reservations are suggested but not required.
Presented by Community Harvest. Volunteers and
monetary donations needed. FMI or reservations,
207- 967-1911.
Book Sale at the Graves Memorial
Public Library
18 Maine Street, Kennebunkport
More than 5000, including hard covers, paperbacks, best sellers, mysteries and magazines.
Bargains from 25 cents and up. Open during
library hours: Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM;
Saturday, 9:30 AM to noon. FMI 967-2778. Farmers’ Market: Saco River Market
Saturdays, 9 AM to 12:30 PM, year round.
110 Main Street (Saco Island), Saco. www.sacoriverwintermarketblogspot.com
Nearby Lighthouses
Goat Island Light, Kennebunkport, sits on Goat Island at the
entrance to Cape Porpoise harbor. It was constructed in 1835 and
then rebuilt in 1859. It has recently been renovated to its appearance in the 1950s. A covered walkway, bell tower and oil house
that had been destroyed were reconstructed. The lighthouse can
be seen from the wharf in Cape Porpoise Harbor.
Cape Neddick Light, also known as The Nubble, York. It was
built in 1879 and sits on a small island, or nubble, and rises 88
feet above mean high water. It is one of the most photographed
lighthouses in the nation and can be viewed from
Sohier Park in Cape Neddick.
Boon Island Light, which is six miles off the coast,
can be seen from Sohier Park. At 133 feet, it is the
tallest in New England.
Wood Island Light, Biddeford. The lighthouse can be seen from
East Point Sanctuary at the eastern end of L.B. Orcutt Boulevard in
Biddeford Pool. This lighthouse guards the entrance of Saco Bay. A
conical white tower made of granite blocks, it was built in 1808 and
rebuilt in 1858.
Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth. The lighthouse, built in
1791, was commissioned by George Washington. The rubble
stone tower still stands as one of the four colonial lighthouses
that have never been rebuilt. It is probably Maine’s most famous
lighthouse. It sits at the entrance to Portland Harbor and surveys
more than 200 islands. The lighthouse is on the grounds of Fort
Williams State Park, open from sunrise to sunset daily.
Portland Breakwater Light (Bug Light), South Portland.
Guarding Portland Harbor, Bug Light was erected in 1855 as a
wooden tower and in 1875 was rebuilt in cast iron to resemble a
4th century B.C. Greek monument with six Corinthian columns.
There is free parking near the lighthouse at Bug Light Park in
South Portland; it is possible to walk to the tower, but it is not
open to the public.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Art & Museums
Brick Store Museum
117 Main Street, Kennebunk Historical, fine and decorative art exhibits in a block
of restored 19th-century buildings that celebrate life
in the Kennebunks and the surrounding area through
the presentation of its art, history and culture.
Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 4:30 PM;
Saturday, 10 AM to 1 PM.
FMI 985-4802 or www.brickstoremuseum.org.
Saco Museum
371 Main Street (Route 1), Saco
Fine and decorative arts and historic artifacts.
Open year round. Free admission.
FMI 207-283-0684, www.sacomuseum.org.
Portland Museum of Art
7 Congress Square, Portland Fine and decorative works of European and American
art from the 18th century to the present.
FMI www.portlandmuseum.org.
Perry-MacMillan Arctic Museum
Hubbard Hall, Bowdoin College,
9 South Campus Drive, Brunswick
The museum is built around material donated by Donald B.
MacMillan during his long career as an arctic explorer and
researcher, plus a collection of contemporary art and crafts
from the Arctic. FMI 207-725-3416, www.bowdoin.edu/
arctic-museum/information.
Maine Maritime Museum
243 Washington Street, Bath
Experience Maine’s rich seafaring history along
the Kennebec River from watercraft and lobstering,
to shipbuilding and sea trade. Open daily.
FMI 443-1316, www.mainemaritimemuseum.org.
Mount Agamenticus, Mountain Road, York. At 692 feet, Mt. A
offers spectacular views from the summit with a variety of trails
from the summit and the base. There are 8 trails ranging from
moderate to difficult. Open during daylight hours. Trail maps
available online; www.agamenticus.org.
Antiques
East Point Sanctuary - Mile Stretch Road and then Lester B.
Orcutt Boulevard for another 1.7 miles, Biddeford Pool. The trail
through the 30-acre sanctuary is short but spectacular with views
of Wood Island Light and Saco Bay and an excellent bird-watching site; round trip is .9 mile. Dogs are not permitted. On-street
parking. Arundel Flea Market
An outdoor flea market at the corner of Log Cabin Road and
Route 1 in Arundel. An array of antiques and collectibles. Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm, 342 Laudholm Farm Road,
Wells. Reserve protects 2250 acres of coastal habitat and features 7 miles of trails. FMI wellsreserve.org.
Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Route 9, Wells. “Carson Trail,” a one-mile walking trail, is handicapped accessible; open daily, dawn to dusk. Headquarters is
open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Free. FMI 646-9226.
Antiques on Nine, Route 9, Kennebunk Lower Village
10,000 sq. ft. featuring furniture, lighting, quilts, fine linens,
gifts and elegant trifles for the home and garden.
Antiques USA, Route 1, Arundel
Maine’s largest antique superstore.
Americana Workshop, Route 1 south, Kennebunk
Americana Workshop offers a wide selection of country
furniture and antique accessories.
Cattail Farm Antiques, 1784 Post Road (Route 1), Wells
This group shop has nearly 10,000 square feet of barn to
explore with something for everyone.
50 Local 985-0850
Mon. - Sat., 5-9 PM
Restaurants
On The Marsh 967-2299
Open Wed.. - Sun., 5 PM - Close
Alisson’s 967-4841
Mon. - Thur., 11 AM - 9 PM
Fri. - Sun., 11 AM - 10 PM
Pedro’s 967-5544
Sun. - Thurs., Noon - 9 PM
Fri. and Sat. open until 10 PM
Angelina’s Italian Restaurant
Ogunquit 646-0445
Daily 4:30 - 10 PM
Pier 77 967-8500
Daily, Lunch, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Dinner 5 - 8 PM
The Ramp: Wed.-Sun.,11:30 AM - 8 PM
Bandaloop 967-4994 Tues. - Sat., 5 - 9 PM
Closed Dec. 22–26,
and from Jan. 1 to April 2016
Billy’s Chowder House 646-7558
Daily 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Clay Hill Farm 361-2272
Sun. - Fri., 5 - 8 PM (closed Tuesday)
Sat. 5:30-8:30 PM
David’s KPT 967-8225
Daily, Breakfast 8 - 10:30 AM
Lunch 11:30 AM - 3:45
Dinner 5 PM - Close
Federal Jack’s Brew Pub 967-4322
Daily 11:30 AM - 10 PM
Hurricane Restaurant 967-9111
Open for dinner 5 - 10:30 PM
Joshua’s 646-3355
Tues.-Sat., Dinner 5 PM - Close
Closed Nov. 15 to 26
Kennebunk Inn 985-3351
Tues. - Sat., 11:30 AM - 9 PM
Maine Diner 646-4441
Daily 7 AM - 8 PM
Mekong Thai 967-8827
Closed Mon. and Sun.for lunch;
Lunch & Dinner other days
Old Vines Wine Bar 967-2310
Open Tues. - Thurs., 5 - 11 PM
Fri. & Sat., 5 PM - midnight
One Dock 967-2621
Sun. - Thurs., 5 - 9 PM;
Fri. - Sat., 5 - 9:30 PM
Ports of Italy 204-0365
Wed. - Sat., Lunch 11 AM - 3 PM
Dinner 5 - 9 PM
Brunch Sundays
Port Lobster 967-2081
Daily 9 AM - 5 PM; Fri. until 5:30 PM
Ryan’s Corner House 967-3564
Wed - Fri., 3 PM - Close
Sat. - Sun., Noon - Close
Stripers 967-3625
Daily, Noon - 9 PM
Tia’s Topside 967-8821
Thurs., 3 PM - Close
Fri. and Sat., 11:30-Close
Sun. brunch, 10 AM - Close
The Steak House 646-4200
Closes for the season Dec. 13
The Tides 967-3757
Daily 5 - 9 PM; closed Mondays
Varano’s Italian Restaurant 641-8550
Daily 4:30 - 9 PM
Village Tavern 604-7954
Daily 4:30 - Close (no reservations)
Wayfarer Restaurant 967-8961
Open 7 - 9 PM
Closed Sundays for dinner
Closed Mon. and Tues.
White Barn Inn 967-2321
Mon. - Thurs., 6 - 9:30 PM
Fri, - Sun., 5:30 - 9:30 PM
Reservations required
THINGS TO DO INDOORS. . .
L.L. Bean, Freeport
Easy and inexpensive ways to try out new
sports. A variety of courses are offered including archery, fishing, skate skiing, GoPro
clinic, compass navigation, hunting, winter
sports and more. FMI and to register,
1-877-755-2326.
Candlepin Bowling • Opens daily at 9 AM
Vacationland Bowling Center
812 Portland Road (Route 1), Saco
FMI 207-284-7386,
www.vacationlandbowling.com
Maine Indoor Karting
23 Washington Avenue, Scarborough
888-2-GO-KART (1-888-246-5278),
207-885-0058, www.maineindoorkarting.
com.
Casco Bay Cruises
Mail Boat Run (2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours)
Daily, September 2 to December 31,
10 AM and 2:45 PM
Sunset Run (2 1/2 - 3 hours)
Year round, 5:45 PM
Sunrise Run (2 - 2 1/2 hours)
Mon.-Fri., 5:05 AM
Casco Bay Lines
56 Commercial Street, Portland
FMI, 774-7871; info@cascobaylines.com;
www.cascobaylines.com.
Brewery, Distillery & Winery Tours
The Kennebunkport Brewery
Shipyard Shops, 8 Western
Avenue, Kennebunk Lower Village.
See the local ale being brewed, by appointment, preferably a day in advance,
year-round. FMI 967-1261.
Allagash Brewing Company 50 Industrial Way, Portland Free 30-minute tours of Allagash
Brewery.Tastings are available in the
retail store. Reservations recommended.
FMI www.allagash.com, 878-5385.
Maine Craft Distilling
101 Fox Street, Portland
A farm to flask distillery producing small
batch spirits. FMI tours & tastings, call
798-2528 or www.mainecraftdistilling.com.