Antiques in the Garden- Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

Antiques in the Gardens show and sale returns to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens on Friday & Saturday, July 23 & 24. There will be a Gala Preview Party on Thursday July 22nd from 5-8:00PM.

At the show 30 premier dealers from the Maine Antiques Dealers Association will be selling items of every description. Attendees to the Preview Party event will be able sample food and beverages from some of Maine and New Hampshire’s finest purveyors, it is the party of the year.

Leigh Keno, a luminary in the field of antiques and whose knowledge and standing in the world of antiques are unparalleled, will be the honorary chair of this Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens event.

The Antiques in the Gardens show and sale is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $12 for the show alone and $20 for the show and Gardens. Tickets for the show will be available only at the Gate.
Tickets to the Thursday Night Gala are $75, which also includes entry to the show and the Gardens can be purchased online, by phone (207) 633-4333, or in person at the Gardens.

The Antiques in the Gardens at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, now in its third year, just keeps getting better and better. A show like this is something well worth traveling to Maine to see. While you are planning your trip for this event, give us a call at our Newcastle Maine bed and breakfast for a wonderful nights rest.

Peonies in Maine

The peonies in the Newcastle Inn garden this year are blooming like crazy. Last year the heavy rains knocked them flat and I never got any cut to bring inside. This year, the combination of warm, sunny days with just enough rain, has resulted in a bumper crop of these beauties. They are standing tall in their supportive cages and looking beautiful.

This week, Christian Giannelli will be here for a two day photography shoot. I first started talking with Christian before I even owned the inn and now he will be here to work his magic. Can't wait to see what he comes up with!

Summer in Newcastle, Maine - already?

This past week we experienced two days of very summer-like temperatures here in Newcastle, Maine. One day it was 87 and the next day it hit 90! We don't often see temps that high here, and certainly not in May. The day that it was 90 was a strange one weather-wise because a cold front moved through around 3:00 in the afternoon and within three hours it was 70 outside.

I have been busy working in the gardens here at Newcastle Inn getting things planted and moved around. The landscaping crew was here and put in the mulch and things are looking nice. Because of the incredibly warm weather we have had all Spring, things are blooming far ahead of schedule. One of my favorite spring flowers is the Columbine. I have a few that I have planted and I look forward to seeing them every year.

I also love Fuschia, even more so after seeing hedges of them growing by the roadside in Ireland. This little plant that we put in our hanging baskets and nurture through the summer grows in these immense hedges 10+ feet high and extending for many feet. I have planted my fuschia in the window boxes this year. We'll see how they do.

Alewives Return to Damariscotta Mills

One of the sure signs of Spring in the Newcastle, Maine area is the return of the Alewives to Damariscotta Mills. The fish move up the Damariscotta River and then climb the fish ladder to Damariscotta Lake where they spawn. This annual spring event attracts birds of prey, which in turn brings professional photographers from all over who are hoping to capture that perfect picture of an osprey catching dinner. It is an amazing thing to see with osprey, herons and seagulls all gathering for the feast.

Another sign of Spring is boats being put in the water. Last year a beautiful boat was often moored on the Damariscotta River straight out from the Newcastle Inn. It was as if they put it there just so that Newcastle Inn guests could have a picture perfect vista to look at. Well, the boat is back again this year and several guests have already taken advantage of relaxing in the Adirondack chairs while taking in the view.

The Hospitality for Habitat special continues for two more weeks, ending on May 27. Don't miss out on these great savings and the chance to support a very worthwhile cause.

Spring In Newcastle, Maine & Hospitality for Habitat

I have been a bit hesitant to put the snow shovels away because I was afraid that if I did that, I would put a "hex" on the incredible spring weather that we have been having here in Newcastle, Maine. But, this morning I bit the bullet and the snow shovels are stored away and hopefully I won't need them again until much later this year!

With beautiful Spring weather, comes another sign of Spring, the return of "Hospitality for Habitat". In a nutshell, you stay for two nights in a room priced at $200 or higher at 50% off the posted rate. In return, make a donation to Habitat for Humanity for $35.00. Last year, Newcastle Inn guests donated $2,985.00 to Habitat for Humanity!!

I don't know the name of these little purple flowers. I just know that every spring I look forward to seeing them, along with the Johnny Jump-ups (as my grandma called them).

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Newcastle Inn!!

It is an absolutely gorgeous St. Patrick's Day here in Newcastle, Maine.  The sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky and the temperature is a balmy 58 degrees!

I have friends coming for dinner tonight and and we will be sitting down to enjoy our "Irish Feast". So, the preparations are underway. I've got a lovely beef brisket cooking on the stove, a loaf of Irish Soda Bread just came out of the oven and Guinness is in the refrigerator. Sounds like a great meal to me.

I had mentioned in a previous post that I would shed some light on the Celtic Knot in the logo and the other hints of Irish-ness that are scattered around the inn.  Since I was a young girl I have had a keen interest in Ireland.  I don't really know where that comes from since I'm 50% Dutch and the other 50% is mostly German, with something else thrown in, perhaps some Irish?

While living in Milwaukee I became involved with Milwaukee Irish Fest and that is where I met Tom and Colleen.  We formed a partnership and purchased Newcastle Inn in May 2008. While developing a new logo for the inn we wanted to include something Irish and that is how the Celtic knot got incorporated.  I have been collecting Irish art, books, etc. for years and they have now found their way into the inn.

Newcastle Inn Hosts Aspiring Innkeeper Seminar

Another beautiful spring-like day today. I think that this makes it five in a row! The garden buds that I wrote about last time are soaking up the sun and growing more each day. Some of the little Snowdrops are just about ready to bloom.

For all of you out there who have thought about owning a Bed & Breakfast someday, you should check out the two-day seminar, Inn Your Dreams, taught by Don Johnson. The seminar will be held at Newcastle Inn from April 10 - 12, 2010. This is an information packed two days that will answer a lot of questions and help you to decide if being an innkeeper is right for you.