Groundhog's Day

It's official, Puxatony Phil saw his shadow and scared the little guy back into the ground giving "at least" 6 more weeks of winter.  Even though it is still winter up here in the frozen tundra, the days are getting longer and Spring is almost in reach.  There are still so many things we can do this time of year that allows us to enjoy the rest of the season.  Kate and I have a big weekend planned that includes going to Dunegrass Country Club Friday night to listen to some live music and have a tremendous meal.  Dunegrass is also my new employer where I am the Head Golf Professional.  Look for great rates in the warmer months!  Sunday, we plan on going to Harris Farm and snow shoe on their trails!  

 Staying warm up here in Kennebunkport,

 Sam

Weening days of January...

It is only the middle of January, but the thought occurred to me today that Valentines Day is quickly approaching.  When I was single I used to dread this day, but now I can't help thinking about all the fun things Kate and I can do together.  I can remember our first Valentines Day together when we went to one of our favorite restaurants, Bandaloop .  This year I am thinking about surprising Kate and taking her to Rocking Horse Stables in Kennebunkport where we can go for a romantic sleigh ride!  We men do not do the romantic thing well at times, so this time of year we should really rack our brains on how to do so. If I did not live in Kennebunkport, I would take Kate to the Captain Jefferds Inn where they have some great deals for the month of February which include:  Upon booking a room, guests receive a 1/2 bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, fresh cut flowers and 10% off an in-house massage.  Being the great and thankful son-in-law that I am, I'm going to take Kate and her parents out for dinner at Bandaloop .

 The "got the band booked!" almost son-in-law,

Sam

Happy New Year!

 There are so many things that we are looking forward to this year around the Captain Jefferds Inn!  My new job as Head Golf Professional at Dunegrass Country Club, the wedding of Kate and I on May 22nd, a strengthening economy, and the confidence of knowing that this year it will not rain for the first two months of summer!

Although it is a quiet time around Kennebunkport, there are still so many things to do.  Kate and I broke out the snow shoes and love to walk the bridal path with our dogs.  What a workout!  We also love going to the beach on a daily basis for a good walk.  

 We are also very excited about a couple of great restaurants that are remaining open throughout the winter.  Old Vines, which was established this past year is a quaint place with a tremendous wine list and small but very delicious lite fare.  The Kennebunkport Inn is also staying open and on Wednesday's donating 15% of their revenue to local charities. 

 Will keep you updated as January progresses! 

December 14th

One Year Ago Today, we in the village of Kennebunkport were still waiting for the power to come back on after an ice storm caused it to go out for 5 days including the 2nd weekend of Christmas Prelude.  It was a rough time for a lot of people and all of the local businesses including the Captain Jefferds Inn...

Today, we are all celebrating what many say was the best Christmas Prelude ever!  The weather was perfect for the tree lighting in Dock Square and the streets were packed.  The highlight was when the speaker during the tree lighting paused and proposed to his girlfriend (she said yes).  There were various carolers the best of which was the Kennebunk High School chamber choir who helped create a very festive and truly special atmosphere.  The weekend was capped off by everyone waking up to sunny skies and about 5 inches of snow that had fallen for the first time of the season as well as Santa and Mrs. Clause (you must have been quite cold in that skirt Cheryl!) coming into dock square on the lobster boat.

What a great couple of weeks!  

Can't wait for Erik to open his Christmas Present!

~Sam, the "oh my gosh it's almost here!" son-in law

Thanksgiving time...

I have not muttered in more than a month!  Sorry Sarah!  As I sit here and look out over the historical district in Kennebunkport from home I am reminded of all the things to be thankful for this year (in no particular order of importance and seriousness)

• A cozy roof over the heads of Kate and I
• My mom and stepfather coming to visit this weekend
• Food on the table
• The Ramp being open all year round!  Can't wait to have the best burger in town tonight
• Employment
• In-laws that live right across the street!
• Tremendous in-laws that live right across the street!
  
• A wedding date that is quickly approaching
• To be an American and the freedoms that it allows including the ability to mutter
• The season of the Minnesota Vikings thus far (not a big deal in the whole scheme of things but being from Minnesota we do not have a whole lot to root for).
• Our girls Riley and Eloise-often seen around the inn chewing on bones and playing with squeeky toys
• Most Importantly -All of the friends and family that live near and far whose love keeps me strong

Happy Thanksgiving!

October 6th

As much as I love to "mutter" about living across the street from my future in-laws, this afternoon I was greeted with a wonderful surprise.  A couple of their guests who visit annually from Southwest England greeted Kate and I with a wedding present!  They are the friendliest folks whose thoughtfulness is warmly appreciated.  Sarah then reminded me that I have not given an update to our wedding plans.  Kate and I (mostly Kate and Sarah) are planning for a May 22, 2010 wedding here in Kennebunkport.  I have been told that there are going to be a great deal of lilacs!  Our ceremony will be held at South Congregational Church with a reception to follow at the Captain Jefferds Inn.  We can not think of a more beautiful spot than right here in town.  Current negotiations include the band and honeymoon destination :)  When I solicit advice from people there is about a 100% agreement between men and women to simply "stay out of the way" during this process! 

 Thank you so much to our guests who make Kennebunkport and the Captain Jefferds Inn a very special experience. 

Autumn, 2009

Mutter, mutter, mutter...The official start of fall does not begin in September, but rather when the future son-in-law (me) spends Sunday afternoon taking out the air-conditioning units here at the Inn.  I must confess, that I did not take all of them and did leave the top floor rooms appropriately A/C ready so no worries third-floor guests.  To me, this day marks the official start of fall.  These are the days when it is cool enough during the day to enjoy a good book out on the terrace and have the best of nights sleep during the crisp nights.  This is also my favorite week because the leaves haven't really started to fall of the trees and the rakes are still in the back of the garage! 

August 14, 2009

As the quick summer in Kennebunkport winds down within the next few weeks, I will speak on behalf of the "locals" and tell you why the autumn months here is the best time to come visit or call this place home.  Here are my top 5:

1)  The warm days with the crisp fall air and the cool nights that makes sleeping with the windows open ideal.

2)  Every business in town is still open for business; BUT

•      There is no need to make reservations at the restaurants
•      There are plenty of parking places!
•      The prices are cheaper!

3)  The beaches are open to dogs all day long after September 15th!

4)  The golf courses including Cape Arundel and Webhannet are in the best condition of the season.

5)  We can't wait to build that first fire in the fire place and stay in the baxter room at the Inn.

There are many reasons to come to Kennebunkport over the next few months, but I think that it is the feeling in the air that has persuaded many visitors to the Kennebunks to become residents as well.

I look forward to seeing you around town soon!

 The future son-in-law, Sam

July, 2009

So I did something today that I have been promising Kate I would do for a long time, I went on the Schooner Eleanor.  The Schooner Eleanor is a double masted schooner owned and captained by Rich Woodman and also the summer employer of my fiance' Kate.  Three times a day, 7 days a week, Captain Woodman has two hour sailing cruises off the rocky coast of the Kennebunk's; better yet it is only about a 9 iron away from the Captain Jefferd's Inn!  Because of the location of the Inn, every local attraction is within walking distance.  Even though mother nature has not cooperated for the first part of the summer, there are still a few months left of warm weather to enjoy all that the Captain Jefferds Inn and Kennebunkport have to offer! 

June 19, 2009

In Between the Rain Drops.  What a great weekend here in Kennebunkport.  The stormy skies parted just in time for Mr.Bush to make the skydiving jump on his 85th birthday.  Now that the jump is over and everyone is safe and sound I can relay a quote he made about his jump a couple weeks ago.  When asked why he was jumping into St. Ann's Church; Mr. Bush stated with his humorous wit; "That way if something goes wrong, I don't have very far to go!"  Thank goodness everything went well and the entire Walker and Bush family had a tremendous weekend.  My soon-to-be father in law, Erik even had the opportunity to meet President George W. Bush here at Cape Arundel Golf Club.  The family has now left and brought all the sunshine with them unfortunately.  It looks like a promising weekend, however and I encourage all guests to enjoy the wonderful grounds at the Captain Jefferds Inn; Erik has truley out done himself this year.

June 11, 2009

The big jump is almost here!  Kennebunkport's most famous resident, President George Herbert Walker Bush turns 85 tomorrow and plans to celebrate it by jumping out of an airplane.  For a quiet spring weekend, the town is definitly a buzz with all of the attention that will be brought to this jump.  The entire Bush family plans on attending and I am sure we will see a motorcade or two over the weekend.  Whether one is a fan of the Bush family or not, everyone must admit that for an 85 year old man to be jumping out of an airplane is pretty neat.  When I am 85; I just hope to be on the right side of the grass.

Tomorrow I will blog about how awesome Erik's gardens around the Inn look but I need to take some pictures that will do them justice.

Talk Soon,

 The "living too close to the future in law's" almost-son-law

Memorial Dayish, 2009

A time lapse in the mutterings.  On behalf of my future mother-in-law I must apologize for the tardiness of my latest mutter.  To be honest, the pace of life around Kennebunkport has gone from 0 to 60 like a Corvette!  Life at Cape Arundel Golf Club is in full swing with many of our members returning from their warm winter spots back to "The Way Life Should Be" here in Maine.  This means lots of lessons and maybe an extra dinner or two with my fiance, Kate and the future outlaws Sarah and Erik.  We are excited about a new book store that has just opened up.  The first is Kennebooks, a book store and cafe that has just opened within walking distance of Dock Square.  Knowing the owners Gary and Patricia Koch, I know that this new venture will be a great addition to the area. I can't wait for the author signings this summer! 

Life at the Inn is also going great!  Erik has finished the renovation of the dining room which came out amazing.  If he's not careful, Kate and I are are going to hit him up to do some home improvements when we get our first house.  In my next blog, I will include some pictures. 

 Off to the Links for now, but I will be back to mutter again soon.  Go Twins!

~The future son-in-law

Mid-April, 2009

When I sit down and write these blogs, I always try to think about new and fun stuff to talk about. The funny thing is the first thing that comes to mind most of the time is the weather.  I realize I can't always talk about the daily forecast, but the weather up here in Maine is directly correlated to the life-blood of the economy and therefore a very important topic indeed.  Kate and I went to Palm Beach a couple of weeks ago for a little relaxation before my final PGA testing and the weather was perfect everyday; 80's and sunny.  As nice as it was, I have got to think that it must get awefully boring to have the sunshine everyday.  The local meterologist in Florida must have a difficult time deciding whether it's going to partly sunny or partly cloudy the next day.  During all months of the year, we Mainah's toon into the 6 p.m. news every night with eager anticipation of the upcoming forecast.  The past two weeks has seen some interesting weather headlines: 

Two Weeks ago:  " High temperatures in the 30's with snow accumulation expected in the mountains and Aroostook County."

12 Days ago:  "Warmer temperatures has prompted warnings of localized flooding due to snow melt. Temps in the low 50's."

7 Days ago:   "Brush and Grass fire warnings for most western Maine counties due to lack or rain and high winds."

Today:  "After 3 inches of rain, Mainer's cautioned to be careful on the roads" (Due to pot holes and puddles).

Forecast for the next 6 days:  "Sunny with temperatures in the 70's on the coast near 80 inland with light and variable winds!" 

One of the biggest reasons we live here is because of our weather.  The feeling of that first 75 degree day has the entire state beaming with excitement and anticipation.  Can't get that down in the "Sunny" states.

~The Son-in-Law

March 31, 2009

Arrivaderci to the dulldrums of winter!  We here in Maine consider the 31st of March the unofficial last day of winter; no matter what the weather.  In years past, this day has brought us anything from green grass and sunny skies to snow piles that seem they will never go away.  On March 31, 2009 we have sunny skies and temps in the 50's.  I played golf today just 30 minutes away in New Hampshire and we plan to open Cape Arundel Golf Club here in Kennebunkport next weekend.  Many people who live in Florida will have a difficult time appreciating why we "Mainah's" love the first few weeks of Spring:

• The first warm day in March when the sun feels so euphoric that everyone comes out of their winter cabin's and enjoys the great outdoors.  You will be hard-pressed to find someone not in a tremendous mood on this day.
• Gotta love all the volunteers planting flowers in Dock Square and areas around town.
• Although some Mainah's might disagree...There are so many more out-of-state license plates around now! 
• Today I saw Bill Guay, the owner of the local service station, setting up the motor scooters that are for sale during the summer (I am trying to talk Kate into letting me get one).
• I am pretty sure that the town of Kennebunkport actually vacuums the streets to make them clean after a tough winter of salt and sand.
• Mud-season is here and tick-season is not too far behind!
• We can actually "feel" the season.
• In the morning, the first thing I hear are the birds chirping; a sound much missed during the winter months.

Sunny Days are ahead!

 Sam

~Also, can't wait for my little sis Marcella to come out from California to visit next week!  You don't know it yet, but you are taking care of the dogs!

March 10, 2009

Our front yard is snow-free as of today!  As we work our way out of the dull drums of winter here in Kennebunkport, I was reflecting with Kate last night about why we are so blessed to live here in the Kennebunks.  Here are our top 10:

1. We walk Riley and Eloise into town where they receive lots of TLC and treats from the ladies at Kennebunk Savings Bank, Gary at Colonial Pharmacy, Karen at DayTrip Society, and Melissa at the local floral shop "Fleurant."  There are others, but we are watching the waistlines of the pups...
2. After every snow storm, the town of Kennebunkport has all of the sidewalks cleared for easy walking.
3. We live within 5 minutes of three great beaches; Goose Rocks Beach for a super long walk, Kennebunk beach for a medium walk, and Parsons Beach for a lazy walk, but the most romantic (Also where Kate and I got engaged).
4. A few weeks ago I accidentally left my car parked in the street during a snow storm parking ban, the local police department called my cell phone in the middle of the night to ask me to move it before they had to plow around it or tow it.  How cool is that!  Only in a nice small town like this.
5. Within an 1 1/2 hour drive, we can: Have lunch at Cheers in Boston, ski one of four mountains at Sunday River, or climb Mt. Batty in Camden & Mt.Washington in New Hampshire.
6. Including great schools, elegantly manicured parks and beaches and abundant flowers, the town provides strategically placed doggie clean-up bags throughout the village!
7. We can still have a charge account at the local grocery store, Bradbury Brothers Market (Thank you Erik and Sarah!)
8. Love driving down the road and giving the hello salute to all the people we know driving toward us.
9. The "Ramp."  It opens next week!  Can't wait for Pete's chowder and the best burger in town.
10. The increasingly almost affordable homes for sale for Kate and I...first time home buyers.
11. Cape Arundel Golf Club opens weeks from today!  In the mean time I am looking forward to Tiger Woods coming back for the next two PGA Tour events.  Maybe we can get him up to the club this autumn...maybe he would need a place to stay?  I would suggest the Baxter Room.

 Warm Wishes,  Kate and Sam

February 24, 2009

Today is Erik's birthday...Happy Sixty ____ Birthday Erik!  Tonight, Kate and I are taking her parents out for a birthday dinner in Portland at one of our favorite restaurants, "The Back Bay Grill."  I heard that they are now serving a new Pinot Noir that is supposed to come close to matching the Angeline pinot that we have here at the Captain Jefferds Inn, I can't wait!

Erik has just started a new project here at the inn, which begins with the refinishing of the dining room table and will conclude with a renovation of the entire dining room.  Erik spent his entire career as a contractor in Connecticut; building, restoring and painting homes much like the Captain Jeffereds Inn.  When he and Sarah bought the Inn in 2005, Erik found a place that he could always have an opportunity to return to his craft.  My favorite project however, was one he comleted this past summer in which he created a water feature in the back lawn that is absolutely tremendous.  Many of the guests can sit out and relax by the babbling stream running down the rocks.  Most do not even know that it is man-made!  On his birthday, I wanted to make note of all the hard work that Erik does to make the Captain Jefferds Inn the special place that it is.  Erk, Sarah, Kate and I are truly looking forward to this upcoming season here in Kennebunkport!

Sam, the "almost" son-in-law

February 17, 2009

With snow on the ground and still 6 weeks until golf season resumes at Cape Arundel, here are some things I have been pondering here in Kennebunkport:

*What a great Valentines Day Weekend here in town.  It was heart-warming to see that in times like these all of the inns were full and all of the restaurants booked.  The shops were full of people from near and far; a very nice blessing.

*In the past week our new dog Riley was able to experience the feeling of walkways free of ice and snow for the first time.  We can even see some grass now!  (Forecast for 12 inches of snow tomorrow, however). 

*I am happy to see Eric and Sarah have followed my advice and put some new LCD tv's in the outside entrance rooms at the inn.  Sarah was thrilled with the amount of space they save, Eric and myself are thrilled with the great picture quality.

* "The Ramp" opens exactly one month from today.  The Ramp @ Pier 77 is one of our favorite restaurants in town.  Kate loves "Pete's Chowder" and I feel they have the best burger I have ever had.  Being from Minnesota that says a lot!

*For the first time ever, I had Eggs Benedict.  Eric made it here at the inn for the guests and it was amazing.  I had eggs benedict again at a restaurant recently and it couldn't even begin to match what Eric made.  Personally, other than the beds, I feel that Eric's breakfasts are the best part of staying at the Captain Jefferds Inn.

Warm Wishes,

~Sam, the "Before you know it, its going to be here" almost son-in-law

Groundhogs Day, 2009

I heard today on the television that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow which means that we now have six weeks of winter remaining; sounds great up here in The Kennebunks.  Kate and I enjoyed a nice warm day today at the beach with our new dog Riley!  Eloise and her played and played and played and Riley told me how much she is looking forward to seeing grass again.  She came from down South and is a little confused about this snow and ice thing.

 With our new addition to the family, Kate and I feel even more fortunate to spend this romantic holiday month here in Kennebunkport.  We plan on going to Bandaloop for Valentines dinner where I am sure the owner Scott will prepare an amazing meal as he did last year. 

The days are getting longer and the temperatures warmer....maybe only six weeks until Spring?

~Sam