Maine Vacation And Wedding Blog

Top Wedding Photos of 2011

2012-02-14T10:17:46-05:00

One of our favorite things to do is review photo submissions for our annual photo contest. We reflect back on great memories that were forged at Newagen Seaside Inn, we remember with fondness the spectacular celebrations and most importantly the incredible families we had an opportunity to serve. What a year it was! With that said, we are excited to share with you, the Top Photos of 2011, in no particular order. Drum roll please...

Photo Courtesy of Rachel Olson Photography©

Photo Courtesty of Robert Mitchell Photography©

Photo Courtesy of Michele Stapleton©

Photo Courtesy of Sara Wilmot©

Photo Courtesy of Michele Stapleton©

Photo Courtest of Felice Boucher©

Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Armstrong©

Photo Courtesy of Michele Stapleton©

Photo Courtesy of Blush Imagery©

Photo Courtesy of Amy Salerno©

Photo Courtest of Karen Lewis©

Photo Courtesy of Michele Stapleton©

What's your favorite photo? Click here to visit our Facebook Fan page and vote for your favorite.

Newagen Seaside Inn Weddings: The Best of 2011

2012-02-07T14:24:01-05:00

Jason Schlosser

Newagen Seaside Inn Receives 2012 Brides' Choice Award

2012-01-24T12:32:32-05:00

{Southport,ME} – January 24, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce Newagen Seaside Inn has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Ceremony & Reception Venue!

The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, Newagen Seaside Inn was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.

Newagen Seaside Inn is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate Newagen Seaside Inn for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”

We are happy to announce that Newagen Seaside Inn is one of the very best Ceremony and Reception Venues within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Project Wedding, Brides.com, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for taking the time to review our business on WeddingWire. Thanks to their positive feedback we were able to receive the WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ for 2012.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/newagen-seaside-inn-southport/abd2261b90226db2.html.

Southport Island featured as one of 15 Secret Island Getaways

2011-11-16T07:47:40-05:00

Photo Credit: Just Us 3 - Flickr

Thanks to our good friend and fabulous photographer, Michele Stapleton, we discovered this great story on Southport entitled 15 Secret Island Getaways from www.10best.com. Here's what they had to say about our Island:

"Experience the charm and simple beauty of New England's coastline without the hustle and bustle of the busier tourist towns. Southport Island offers all the best of Maine - including the unbeatable seafood and cozy accommodations - without the flocks of tourists typically found among the region's more popular vacation destinations."

For more information on planning a Southport Island vacation, contact Newagen Seaside Inn at 1-800-654-5242.

Newagen Seaside Inn is Wedding Wire Rated for 2011

2011-11-14T13:10:00-05:00

Newagen Seaside Inn is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011.

Southport Island, Maine - November 11, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding technology company, is pleased to announce that Newagen Seaside Inn is WeddingWire Rated 2011 for Wedding Reception Locations. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence. Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to find the best local businesses for their wedding.

Newagen Seaside Inn has 12 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making the most informed decisions for their big day.

"We are delighted to unveil the 5th annual WeddingWire Rated program," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. "Newagen Seaside Inn has made a commitment to capturing their clients experiences on the nation's leading wedding review site."

As the largest site for wedding reviews, WeddingWire empowers engaged couples with the most comprehensive and trusted review system available. The WeddingWire Rated program provides Newagen Seaside Inn with a simple platform to capture customer feedback from their wedding planning experience. Newly engaged couples can easily access all of the reviews for Newagen Seaside Inn on WeddingWire.com. We would like to thank our newlyweds for our WeddingWire Rated 2011 recognition.

For more information, please visit Newagen Seaside Inn on WeddingWire at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/newagen-seaside-inn-southport/abd2261b90226db2.html .

For more information on WeddingWire Rated 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including ProjectWedding.com, MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Weddingbee.com, and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

A Summer Wedding at Newagen Seaside Inn: Aerial video courtesy of Sperry Tents

2011-08-17T15:45:21-04:00

Jason Schlosser

Tafelski Mellen Polar Plunge at Newagen Seaside Inn

2011-07-23T14:40:19-04:00

The heat has been oppressive in the east the last week, however temperatures near coastal Maine and at Newagen Seaside Inn have been much cooler. Mike Tafelski and Anne Mellen are celebrating their wedding weekend from "hot-lanta" and hoped to escape the heat. While the air temperatures were record breaking and hard to control, one sure way to cool off is through an icy plunge into Newagen harbor, which has become a tradition at Newagen Seaside Inn. Don't think it's polar? Watch this video and listen for the jubilant reactions from the Mellen Tafelski entourage as they hit the frosty surface. Or for a closer look, join the alumni, visit the Inn and enjoy the plunge yourself. Congrats Anne and Mike, hope the weekend was all you imagined it would be.

A Summer Wedding in Boothbay Harbor at Newagen Seaside Inn

2011-07-04T16:19:01-04:00

Video courtesy of Dan Debruin from Northeast DJ's

Maine Attractions and Events: Fireside Tales at Newagen Seaside Inn with Becky Rule

2011-06-02T12:35:27-04:00

Rebecca Rule loves stories and she's been collecting them around and about New England for most of her life, and telling them to appreciative audiences for fifteen years, give or take. "Stories speak to us of community," she says, "They hold our history and reflect our identity. They connect us. In the oral tradition, the more you give a story away, the more it belongs to you. I love nothing more than giving stories to audiences, and, on the best nights, receiving stories in return."

At Newagen Inn on Wednesday, June 15 at 7:30, she’ll tell some stories -- her favorites are the funny ones -- and invite audience members to contribute a few of their own. No pressure -- just the fun of being together and laughing together.

Rebecca Rule's latest book is Headin’ for the Rhubarb: A New Hampshire Dictionary (kinda). Other books include Could Have Been Worse: True Stories, Embellishments, and Outright Lies; and Live Free and Eat Pie: A Storyteller’s Guide to New Hampshire.

Come join us each Wednesday this summer for Fireside Tales with some of New Englands most interesting storytellers, historians and characters. For more information on staying at Newagen Seaside Inn, just minutes from Boothbay Harbor, visit us at www.newagenseasideinn.com.

Southport Island & Newagen Seaside Inn featured on the Today Show as a "Secret Island Getaway".

2011-04-06T13:58:09-04:00

Jason Schlosser

Bob Charest Band: Maine Wedding Band

2011-03-18T20:00:00-04:00

It's always a treat to have the Bob Charest Band at the Newagen Seaside Inn. They feature all styles of popular music, from tasteful dinner music to high-energy dance sets. Along with superb performance quality, bridal couples and their guests love how Bob reads each crowd, responding to what they're enjoying and playing to their tastes. The band members - three lead singers, rhythm section, and horn players - add to the fun by being very inclusive and interactive with the crowd. In addition to providing the perfect soundtrack for your wedding reception or party, smaller ensembles, from solo piano to an instrumental jazz trio, are available for your ceremony and cocktail hour. Playing just the right blend of multi-generational music, the Bob Charest Band is the perfect complement to your special event.

For more information contact the Bob Charest Band at www.bobcharestmusic.com

Family Travel Abridged

2011-03-17T12:03:06-04:00

Locating quality travel tips online can be overwhelming. If you enter the term "family travel tips" you'll discover 412,000,0000 results. By the time you surf through those results you'll be hosting your grandkids for a sleep over!

We were excited to see a neatly compiled blog post, Keeping Your Kids Safe - 25 Top Travel Trips, from an unlikely travel source called Masters in Public Health. Probably not your next great Travel Blog, but nevertheless, the article reduces an oversaturated travel blogosphere and provides help for the web weary travel trip explorer.

For other travel tips, check out Surviving the Drive: 10 Tips for Low Stress Car Travel and 10 Ways to Get More Bang for Your Travel Buck. Or, if you are planning a trip to Maine, why not pick up the phone and call Lin Koch, our resident travel expert at Newagen Seaside Inn, at 800-654-5242.

Emily Carter: Maine Wedding Florist

2011-03-10T20:00:00-05:00

Emily Carter Floral Designs brings innovative designs to each client's wedding while tying in little personalized details unique to the couple and their style. Whether it is through her specialty line of rentals or incorporating elements native to Maine, it seems certain that when a client selects ECFD they are ensured to be overwhelmed with delight from start to finish.

“The various qualities of the seasons are amazing in New England: the vibrant colors of Summer, rust tones of Fall, pristine white and grays of Winter and the pastel charm of Spring. I love taking advantage of the seasonal flowers and using them in ways that ring true to Maine and there is no greater place to do this than seaside at Newagen,” quotes Emily.

Looking for a Maine Wedding Florist, visit www.emilycarterflowers.com.

Planning Your Maine Wedding: Meet the Livingston Quartet

2011-02-07T11:20:39-05:00

This past summer we had the privilege of hearing the Livingston Quartet at a September wedding. The Livingston Quartet offers an unparalleled jazz experience. Having studied with faculty at New England’s elite music institutions, Nathan Joseph (guitar), Molly Ridley (piano), Jasper Boyd (bass), and Fhiwa Ndou (drums) perform at weddings, charity events, and university functions as well as jazz clubs in Boston and Portland. Livingston Quartet showcases a repertoire that ranges from classic to contemporary, and the group is equally comfortable providing a tasteful backdrop as it is taking center-stage. For more information contact Nathan at njoseph@bowdoin.edu.

For more information on planning your Maine Wedding, contact Jason Schlosser at jason@newageninn.com

Jason and Hannah's Coastal Wedding at Newagen: An Amazing Day and An Epic Arrival

2010-10-27T14:39:15-04:00

Jason Schlosser

2010 in Review: A Sunny Season Sets Over Newagen Seaside Inn

2010-10-11T12:00:00-04:00

Photo by Nina Sharma West (Fall photo contest entry)

The summer season of 2010 is now a memory and goes into the annals as one of the most spectacularly sunny seasons on record.

Of 22 weddings staged at the Inn over five months, only one reception had to be moved indoors due to inclement weather. The few Saturdays that started out stormy cleared up by afternoon so that outdoor ceremonies, poolside cocktail parties and tented receptions came off without a hitch. Brides, sleek in long white gowns, enjoyed brilliant azure skies, soft salty breezes and the sparkling sea as a backdrop for their romantic weddings. Tuxedoed grooms and groomsmen hopped on the Inn’s bicycles for action photos while guests milled about in the sun savoring crab dip or a signature cocktail.

Each week was an exciting chapter in the life of the Inn, seeing families and friends joyfully reuniting to celebrate life’s milestones – anniversaries, weddings, and birthdays – or arriving just to unwind and create family memories. Many hugs, chuckles, and ebullient chatter were observed at the front desk by folks both arriving and leaving.

Kids and dads took the challenge to jump into the cool Atlantic early on Thursday mornings during the summer Polar Plunge. One Saturday a troupe of 30 wedding guests and bridal party members rocked the dock and nearly submerged it as they all took the plunge. A few show-offs even swam out into Newagen Harbor.

Lobsters fresh from local waters were steamed in seaweed and served at picnic tables dressed in green-and-white checkered cloths (the tables, not the lobsters), boasting of Maine’s tasty traditions. The lobster bakes were a popular feature on Tuesdays for the public as well as a typical wedding rehearsal dinner on Friday nights. Bonfires and s’mores drew guests to linger on the lawn, hear stories and reconnect with friends and relatives. Newagen is, as one magazine described, “a summer camp for adults.”

But it was not all sweetness and light this season. Hurricane Earl threatened to dampen vacations, forcing the hauling of the Inn’s rowboats and dock and the battening down of all hatches and screens. Fortunately, Earl was a no-show and the Inn soon returned to its sunny self.

The only other uninvited guests were a red squirrel, a chipmunk and an amorous moose, which all made their way onto the premises.

Nature, which surrounds the Inn and is a showstopper any day, performed spectacular encores this season as a meteor shower rained down silver streams from the night sky in August and bioluminescent algae glowed in the leaden sea by the dock on many September nights. And each day brought blazing orange sunrises and purple painterly sunsets over the water – glorious!

As the sun sets on the 2010 season, the Newagen staff looks forward to 2011 and to welcoming all of our far-flung friends back to the Inn and “the state of unwind.”

Author: Robin Beck, Newagen Seaside Inn Guest Services

Traditional Newagen Lobsterbake at Newagen Seaside Inn

2010-09-16T13:59:40-04:00

Jason Schlosser

A Focus on Dan Stevens, Head Chef at Newagen Seaside Inn

2010-07-30T12:04:17-04:00

His goal is to be fresh. Farm-fresh and sea-fresh, that is.

Head chef Danny Stevens enjoys playing around with foods and gets a kick out of introducing new dishes to appreciative diners. But what he especially loves about menu-designing and cooking for Newagen Seaside Inn guests is that he can talk to farmers or fishermen and have locally grown and harvested vegetables and seafood in hand and on the table the next day.

“Freshness and farm-to-table is our emphasis,” says Stevens, adding that he can pick lettuce or other greens right from the Inn’s own gardens. Lobsters that are served one night were likely caught right off Southport Island that morning.

“Maine has some of the best seafood in the world,” says the native of Bethel, Maine who has returned to cook at Newagen every summer for nine years. When he started at the Inn in 2001 he was still a student at Southern Maine Community College, where he earned his associate’s degree in culinary arts and an award for culinary excellence in 2003.

“I love the coast, the water, and what Newagen is all about – focusing on a small number of guests or on one wedding per weekend,” he says.

Stevens has also worked at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. Most of his winter seasons, dovetailing perfectly with his summers at Newagen, have been spent at the Key Largo Anglers Club in Key Largo, Florida, where he fixes “lots of fresh yellowtail snapper – five or six different ways,” he says.

At Newagen, his signature dish, and a bestseller, is the pan-roasted halibut with matchstick veggies and fingerling potatoes, all finished with a dill vinaigrette.

When he is not chopping, frying or braising, which is six days a week, Stevens is an avid motorcyclist and basketball player. Time spent with family, including a young niece and nephew, is important to him and another reason he comes back to Maine. In fact, it was his cousin Kate, former Newagen innkeeper, and her husband Eric Botka, former chef here, who introduced him to both a culinary career and to the Inn.

Family and flavors combine in the casual elegance of the water-view Newagen Inn dining room where Chef Danny’s influence is tasted in the warm reception at table and the freshness of coastal cuisine on the plate. Bon appétit.

For more information on dining at Newagen Seaside Inn and to view the Chef's farm fresh menus visit us online at www.newagenseasideinn.com

Story written by Robin Beck. Guest Services Specialist and Rockin' Reporter Extraordinaire.

His Way, Her Way, Their Story - A Coastal Maine Wedding at Newagen Seaside Inn

2010-07-16T13:00:58-04:00

Amy and Kevin met on the softball field, playing for opposing teams.

“Amy was playing second base, and I hit a double and easily cruised into second,” says Kevin. “I tried to make a joke, but Amy’s team was losing at that point and she only scowled at me. That’s how it started.”

At some point, Amy says she had a crush on Kevin and “he finally looked in my direction.”

Amy and Kevin were Newagen Seaside Inn’s first bride and groom of the 2010 season, tying the knot on May 22 in an outdoor ceremony overlooking the blue Atlantic, followed by a poolside cocktail party, reception dinner and an after-party.

In between their meeting and their marriage, these active New Englanders had become a couple sharing a love of athletics – working out, running, biking and hiking together – and a love of travel. Amy, who had traveled widely since she was a kid, introduced Kevin to travel and he caught the bug. When they met they were both working for Reebok, and after it was acquired by Adidas Group, they upped and moved to headquarters in Germany, where they live and work in Nuremberg.

They have traveled all over Europe and the U.S., and have been to parts of Africa and the South Pacific.

When they started looking at venues for their wedding, they considered a destination wedding in Europe and looked particularly at locations in Italy.

“We love Tuscany and thought it would be really cool to try to do something there,” says Amy, “but the more we thought about it, the more we wanted to be in a place that is us…”

“We wanted to be sure we had all of our family and friends,” says Kevin. “After deciding that we wanted to marry in the States, we knew we wanted a place by the ocean. More importantly, we didn’t want to share a venue with strangers.”

They spent months searching online from Germany and visited places when they were home for the holidays, but found nothing that spoke to them. Then they found Newagen online and, says Kevin, “we fell in love with it.” They sent Amy’s mom to check it out and she reported it was as good as it looked online. After speaking with innkeeper and event coordinator Jason Schlosser, “we knew we had found the place we wanted. It offered a beautiful landscape along with the satisfaction of knowing that we would be the sole focus of the facility.”

They also liked the fact that they would have the flexibility to create the wedding they wanted. “We weren’t stuffed into a ‘package’ like some of the other places we looked at,” Kevin says.

They did create the wedding they wanted which highlighted their unique personalities and played on their shared passions. Travel was a theme of their weekend, with foods offered from around the world, favors presented to their guests of customized luggage tags, trip photo albums placed on the dinner tables and large photos of their adventures decorating the back porch.

They played up their individuality by choosing a menu of appetizers and entrées prepared “His Way” and “Her Way.” For example, appetizers included mini pizzas with meats (His Way) and with cheese (Her Way) and tzatziki with pita (His) and with veggies (Hers). Entrées include gourmet macaroni and cheese with chicken (His) and with five cheeses (Hers), pulled pork Cuban style (His) and Hawaiian style (Hers), and pasta with meat sauce (His) and vodka pomodoro (Hers).

Even the unique luggage tags were imprinted with slogans they each selected: “Live, laugh, love” and “There are no shortcuts to places worth going” (Hers) and “Next time I’m flying business” and “Do not leave me unattended” (His).

The international theme even made its way into downtown Boothbay Harbor when friends from Germany arrived for the rehearsal dinner wearing traditional lederhosen and dirndls.

Tradition was personalized to include the German wedding cup as part of their ceremony while removing the usual DJ announcement of wedding party so as to not “bog down” the guests with formalities.

For their active friends and family members, the weekend at Newagen included tennis, biking, rowing, and bowling in the Inn’s two-lane alley during the after-party. A highlight was also the photo booth the couple brought in which captured funny moments many guests will long remember.

The couple honeymooned in Africa, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro where at the summit they posed for a photo wearing their Newagen Seaside Inn ball caps embroidered with “Bride” and “Groom.”

“The wedding itself was perfect,” says Kevin. “The best part was that it was exactly as we wanted it. Not a single compromise. The reception and the after party were amazing, and most of it had to do with the location – stunning!”

“Honestly, when I look at pictures of our wedding weekend I still get choked up,” adds Amy. “It was just so perfect. I was never the type of girl to dream about her wedding day, a big white dress, etc. I really had no idea what I wanted other than to just be with Kevin. Our weekend was the best days of my life. Everything was just more than I could have ever imagined, dreamed, or wanted. I feel so truly lucky and blessed to have our memories of our day and the entire weekend!”

From the field to the seacoast to the mountain top, celebrating each other while uniting and committing to life as a team, Amy and Kevin are off on a remarkable journey, and Newagen is pleased to be a part of their memories.

Story written by Robin Beck. Guest Services Specialist and Rockin Reporter Extraordinaire.

Photos courtesy of Beth Fitzgerald from Blush Imagery. For more information on innovative, natural and stylish photography contact Beth today.

For more information on planning your unique Maine wedding contact Jason Schlosser today at jason@newageninn.com. We look forward to being of service to you.

10 Off the Beaten Path Adventures in the Boothbay Region

2010-06-30T15:12:53-04:00

Courtesy of www.lighthouse.cc

1. Barrett Park, Lobster Cove Rd., Boothbay Harbor

2. Maine State Aquarium, McKown Point, Boothbay Harbor

3. Shipbuilders Park, School Street, East Boothbay

4. Town of Boothbay Walking Path, Grimes Cove, Ocean Point

5. Hendricks Head Beach Lighthouse, Beach Road, Southport

6. Seashell Museum at Dolphin Mini Golf, Hardwick Rd., Boothbay

7. Knickerbocker Lake Public Access, Barter's Island Rd., Boothbay

8. Porter Preserve, Kimballtown Rd, Boothbay

9. Ovens Mouth Preserve, Dover Rd. Extension, Boothbay

10. The Pine Room, Newagen Seaside Inn (sorry, for guests of the Inn only)

For more information on these great adventures or to book your Maine vacation contact us today at 1-800-654.5242. Relaxation... Now taking reservations.

Places to Stay in Boothbay Harbor - A Great Deal on the Maine Coast

2010-06-30T14:55:52-04:00

Are you planning a trip to Boothbay Harbor this summer? Consider Newagen Seaside Inn located just minutes from Boothbay Harbor on scenic Southport Island. Book now, lock in a great deal and save 15% instantly off your stay. Click here for more information on rooms or call us at 1.800.654.5242. All stays include a full breakfast.

Authentic Maine Lobsterbake in Boothbay Harbor at Newagen Seaside Inn

2010-06-26T23:07:48-04:00

Join us every Tuesday at 6PM this Summer for an authentic Maine Lobsterbake. That's right. A real Maine Lobsterbake. Lobster, clams, corn on the cob and potatoes, all steamed together in seaweed over the open fire. Savor the one-of-a-kind taste that can only come from the Maine shore. Bring friends and family. This feast provides memories that will last a lifetime. Join us for a unique Maine dining experience. The price is $30 for adults and $15 for children. Call us at 207-633-5242 to make reservations. Get crackin'!

Relaxation... Now taking Reservations - Great Deals on the Maine Coast

2010-06-26T22:49:08-04:00

Take a much-deserved break from the tension of your everyday life at one of New England's most scenic destinations. Let the ocean breeze, farm fresh food in a casual coastal setting, and breathtaking views become your priority.

For a limited time only, enjoy 15% off midweek or 25% off a two-night stay at Newagen Seaside Inn located just minutes from Boothbay Harbor on Southport Island. Visit us at www.newagenseasideinn.com to make reservations or for more information on great deals.

Boothbay Harbor Summer Season Update - Newagen Seaside Inn Off to a Warm Start

2010-06-04T09:04:07-04:00

After weeks of painting, planting and preparing, Newagen Seaside Inn has opened its doors and started off the bustling 2010 season with two weddings, a lobster bake and the Portland String Quartet spring workshop. The early summer-like weather with clear blue skies provided an auspicious beginning and resonated in the cheerful faces of guests and staff alike.

Guests and neighbors are commenting on how nice the inn looks. Spring storms took down a slew of trees on the inn property, which has opened up more space for grass and sunshine. A vegetable garden has been planted for Chef Dan Stevens to use greens that are as fresh as can be. Our garden expert Wendy has created a new rose garden by the pool and expanded other flower gardens so that they are teeming with color. The inn, the pool and even the skiffs have all received new paint jobs and are sparkling.

New on staff this year are dining room manager Lucas and front desk staff Rebecca, Wendy, Robin and Brenton who join Lin and innkeeper Jason in helping guests feel welcome.

This Thursday, June 3, the inn hosted the annual Southport Firemen’s dinner; the firemen served a four-course meal with a farm fresh focus. After a morning visit to the local farmers market, the culinary team walked away with fresh produce from Oyster Creek Mushrooms, Goranson Farm's Fresh Produce and Hahn's End Cheese. Guests raved about the beer battered fiddleheads, Statler chicken with a rhubarb jam and petite peanut butter chocolate tartlet to name a few.

Speaking of dinners, the dining room, in keeping with the inn’s ad campaign of “discover the state of unwind,” will turn to a dress code and atmosphere of coastal casual to promote relaxation and the state of unwind. One guest last week said she had entered the inn “all wound up” and within a few hours she reported being “unwound.” As young folks say, that’s good stuff!

The first fireside chat will be stories of Burnt Island Light by Southport friend and lighthouse keeper actor Howard Wright on Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. by the fire pit on the lawn, weather permitting. Come relax by the bonfire and hear tales of life of a coastal keeper.

For more information on Newagen Seaside Inn explore the State of Unwind online by clicking here.

Author: Robin Beck, Guest Services Coordinator and Boothbay Harbor Blogger

Things to do while in Boothbay Harbor - Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

2010-06-02T11:54:00-04:00

Pemaquid Point, with its dramatic streaks of granite reaching to the sea, squeezed and shaped by massive movements thousands of years ago, would be a fascinating place to visit even without its pretty white lighthouse. The spot is one of the most visited attractions of the Maine coast, receiving more than 100,000 visitors each year.

The picket fence, which is a work of art, is worth the trip alone. The light keeper's house is now a museum, and there is an art gallery at the park, but the best part of this trip is climbing around on the point itself, enjoying the spectacular scenery and taking the inevitable photo of the light reflected tidal pool. The Lighthouse is open in season from 9am to 5pm

Things to do while in Boothbay Harbor - Farnsworth Museum

2010-05-26T12:30:00-04:00

The Farnsworth Art Museum offers a nationally recognized collection of American art in its elegantly appointed galleries. Such great names in 18th and 19th-century American art history as Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, Thomas Eakins, Eastman Johnson, Fitz Hugh Lane, Frank Benson, Childe Hassam, and Maurice Prendergast are represented in the museum's permanent collection entitled Maine In America.

The museum also houses the nation's second-largest collection of works by premier 20th-century sculptor Louise Nevelson and has opened four new galleries to showcase contemporary art. Its Wyeth Center exclusively features works of N.C., Andrew, and Jamie Wyeth - Americas first family of Art.

The Farnsworth also owns two other buildings open to the public. The Farnsworth Homestead, located behind the museum, offers a glimpse into the life of prosperous Victorians. A 25 minute drive away in th village of Cushing is the Olson House, perhaps Maine's most famous home, which was immortalized in Andrew Wyeth's notes painting Christina's World. Ask at the museum for directions or information.

The museum is open daily 10am to 5pm.

16 Museum Street, Rockland, Maine

(207) 596-6457

www.farnsworthmuseum.org

Whale Watching in Boothbay Harbor - Maine's Most Popular Attraction

2010-05-05T13:18:00-04:00

If you have been to Boothbay Harbor, you have no doubt seen or heard of Cap'n Fishes Whale Watch and Nature Cruises. Cap'n Fish and Whale Watching in Boothbay Harbor go together like... well, like Fish and Chips. The Fish Family are the originator of Whale Watching in Boothbay Harbor and have over 80 years of experience operating passenger vessels in the Boothbay Harbor Region. Combine that experience with some of the latest technology and that translates into high probability that you will see whales.. If no whales are spotted on a Cap'n Fish Whale Watch they offer a rain check good on any of their other cruises. Based on previous years records, it is unlikely that one would not see whales.

For more information on Whale Watching and their other cruises visit them on the web at www.mainewhales.com. To begin planning your next Maine vacation, why not check out Newagen Seaside Inn, a member of Historic Hotels of America, located just minutes from Boothbay Harbor on scenic Southport Island.

Historic Video of Newagen Seaside Inn & Boothbay Harbor from 1959

2010-03-31T14:51:20-04:00

Last week was full of nostalgia. A former guest, Barbara Lugton, shared this incredible video of the Inn which features Newagen, Boothbay Harbor and one of our famous and very traditional Lobsterbakes. The footage is priceless.

We also received this quote from a long time guest, Marijo Dougherty, "I just wanted to comment on how much I enjoyed seeing your website and the aerial view of Newagen. I spent each summer there in the 1950's as my parents rented 'Pine Cottage" each summer. My mother, Josephine Dougherty was a great friend of John Brooks..she called him "Brooksie"...and he loved it when she was staying there. He loved to take us out in his cabin cruiser. On Friday nights when the big lobster bake was held down on the rocks Brooksie would let us eat in the dining room...as my parents were not seafood fans...We were the only ones in the dining room! At that time Newagen was referred to by we teens as being for the "newlyweds and the nearly deads". I see that has changed...good for you."

Thank you to the Lugtons and Dougherty's for sharing some memories.

"The Snails Have Something to Tell You..." The Winning Engagement Story

2010-02-19T10:21:00-05:00

Everyone's engagement story is unique and amazing and it was difficult for us to choose just one. At the heart of a good story is it's ability to live on even after the event has ended. In Susan and Chad's story they celebrate the moment and have a personal historic monument where they can revisit and celebrate.

Here is their story....

The only clue I had was that he wouldn’t let me pack his kayak, which I always do. And, I suppose, looking back on it, it was strange that my mother didn’t call me back all week, after I’d tried her several times. On a gorgeous July afternoon, we paddled across Turbat’s Creek in Kennebunkport, Maine, where I had first met Chad’s family five years before. And, where I had been encouraged by his father, whom I’d met just hours before, to leave my wet bathing suit hanging on the line at the cottage before heading out for a moonlit swim. We paddled over to Vaughn’s Island and set up our camp on the point looking out towards Stage Harbor with its snugly moored colorful lobster boats. We had brought out a piece of salmon to grill and a bottle of wine. I started to begin dinner preparations, when Chad disappeared for a moment. After he’d been gone for longer than seemed usual, I called out to see if he was okay and he replied in the affirmative. Suspecting perhaps a stomach ailment, I dismissed it. But, then, he called out, “Come on out here, there’s something I want to show you.” Being a marine biologist, I was expecting some strange creature on the reef. Indeed, we did find a blue lobster the next day. But, instead he pointed down to the sand and said, “The snails have something to tell you.” I could tell that there were snail shells arranged in a pattern and looked down, puzzled, for several moments, before Chad gently rotated me to adjust my viewing angle. My first clue was the bungee cord at the end, which was shaped like a question mark. Then, I finally made out the rest of the words. I apparently forgot to answer for long enough that Chad finally said, “So? What’s your answer.” “Yes, of course, yes,” I said. He then got down on his knee, teetering on rocks and seaweed and asked me in his own words and presented me with a ring. It took quite a bit of effort to get the ring on my finger, as I had apparently at one point blurted out my ring size and had been quite wrong. But, we got it on, despite salty, swollen fingers. That night, we sat on the beach and watched fireworks in the distance, which we later found out were for Bastille Day, but seemed planned just for us. And, we called our parents, who knew the plan all along and were afraid to spill the beans. Afterwards, we collected the snails and put them in the now-empty bottle of wine we’d brought out. For the last seven years, nearly every night we have lit that bottle-turned-oil lamp on our dinner table and often recounted the story to curious dinner guests.

Online Contest: Your Amazing Engagement Story Please

2010-02-03T11:54:16-05:00

Richard Bach said "True love stories never have endings."

With Valentines Day only 11 days away and the wedding planning season in full swing, it seems like a good time to unveil a new online contest. We are inviting you to share with us your amazing, funny, romantic or surprising engagement story. Please submit a favorite photo of you and your spouse by Friday February 12 and limit the entry to 500 words or less. Send your inquiry to amazingstories2010@gmail.com. The winner will receive 2 nights including breakfast and dinner at Newagen Seaside Inn. Looking forward to hearing from you!