Hippo Snout

Even before Madame Pompadour ate truffles, vanilla, and celery to heighten her attraction to Louis XIV, food and desire went hand in hand. Nearly every food from artichoke to passion fruit has been considered an aphrodisiac at one time or another.  Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, an aphrodisiac is a food, drink, drug, scent, or device that supposedly has powers to increase libido. The ancient Romans were especially fond of hippo snouts and hyena eyeballs, traditional Chinese medicine espoused the use of shark fin soup and rhino horn, and the Arabs were keen on camel’s hump.

Lab Rats

Today studies reveal a variety of substances such as Cihuapatli, the Mexican zoapatle (Montanoa tomentosa) or Curculigo orchioides rhizomes (Golden-eye grass) have been responsible for the gleam in the eye of more than a few lab rats.  But when has infertility been a huge problem with rats, lab or otherwise?

Because they’re high in zinc which controls progesterone levels (known to have a positive effect on the libido) oysters are among the world’s oldest reputed aphrodisiacs.  But if the idea of slurping back slimy bivalve molluscs curdles your cockles, wheat germ, veal liver, tahini, and cold lozenges also contain a healthy amount of zinc.   (Good luck sexy-ing up that menu.)

Chocolate!

In most countries chocolate is associated with romance, and with good reason, it was thought by the Aztec’s to have aphrodisiac qualities, invigorating men and making women less inhibited. Consequently when it was first introduced to Europe, little wonder chocolate quickly became the ideal gift for a man to bestow on a loved one.  At one point in time, chocolate was believed to be so potent that nuns were forbidden from eating it and French doctors used it to treat “broken hearts.” Stands to reason that chocolate is toxic to dogs because they’re already so full of love.

In Excess...

Alcohol often makes aphrodisiac lists. While it’s true, in moderation wine enhances a wonderful meal, reduces inhibition, and can lead to a lovely romantic interlude, in excess it usually becomes the star of all too many “What was I thinking?” stories.

Many people claim that peppers put them in the mood. Capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers spicy, will also raise your heartbeat, cause you to perspire, and release endorphins that may trigger feelings similar to those experienced during sexual arousal. Another less titillating side effect triggered by capsaicin – heartburn.

Avocados

Avocados have long been considered an aphrodisiac. Its ancient Aztec name (again with the over-sexed Aztecs?), ahuacatl, actually means “testicle,” and the fruit was associated with fertility.

Strawberries too made it into the pantheon of erotic foods for its suggestive shape.  To multiply their aphrodisiac powers, dip them in warm chocolate and feed them to your lover

Honey, I’m home! They don’t call it a “honeymoon” for nothing! Ancient customs encouraged newlyweds to drink mead, a fermented drink made with honey, to increase fertility and add sweetness to the marriage.

Cinnamon Rolls

Many experts attribute the mythical properties of aphrodisiacs to the power of suggestion. In other words, if you believe a certain thing will turn you on, it probably will. And it isn’t just eating foods that can put you in the mood — according to researchers at the Chicago-based Smell and Taste Foundation, studies reveal that certain smells can also be sexually arousing. They cite as examples lavender, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, and licorice.

Nigerian Couple

A boom in the sale of aphrodisiacs in northern Nigeria is attributable to men trying to keep several wives happy and women competing with co-wives for their husbands’ attentions. Jealously-guarded special recipes  handed down from father to son are purported to be finger lickin’ good.

Your Perfect Vacation

Looking for a unique gift this holiday season? Why not give a fabulous Maine adventure to someone you love? Customize a gift certificate to include a luxurious stay at the Captain Lindsey House Inn along with a windjammer cruise on the Schooner Stephen Taber. It may be chilly outside now but just imagine a glorious cruise aboard a classic coasting schooner. Whether in June when longer days stretch into soft, sun-lit evenings, or September when the hills and islands are clad in autumn’s brilliant palette or any time in between, we can customize the perfect getaway for your special someone.

Windjammers are historic vessels that harken back to the days of wind and muscle power. More than a cruise, it’s a voyage. Imagine sailing out of the harbor with the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse off your port side, a perfect picture that could have been made a century ago. Guests are treated to an insider’s tour of Maine’s Penobscot Bay, one of the most acclaimed cruising grounds on Earth, in a comfortable and casual atmosphere that makes it easy to unwind.

Traditional Lobster Bake

The Taber is renowned for spectacular galley fare, which has earned a reputation of its own, featured on The Food Network’s Best of… series, PBS’ Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert and the Food Network’s Rachael Ray’s Vacations. And no trip to Maine would be complete without a traditional Lobster Bake.

Fall asleep underneath a star-studded sky, the Milky Way laid out above you like a twinkling blanket, wake up shrouded in a thick fog then sail into clear skies propelled by a strong wind that gives you the feeling of flying across the sparkling sea.

Combine a land-stay at the Captain Lindsey House with your windjammer cruise and enjoy early check in after your sail or luggage storage while at sea. Breakfast is our specialty at the Lindsey House. 

Lindsey House Breakfast

A large English breakfast is served buffet-style every morning. We source food locally: eggs, vegetables, fish, meat and coffee are all bought from local purveyors. Our intention is to offer the most delicious food without losing the hearty flavors people come to Maine to experience. And after breakfast enjoy convenient access to all the treasures that contribute to Rockland’s award-winning community.

In addition to a relaxing adventure aboard an historic sailing ship and a land stay at our luxurious inn guests receive $50 in Midcoast Money, 2 tickets to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, 2 tickets to the Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center, a handmade Chocolate Seascape, tokens to the All Aboard Trolley to tour of Rockland’s historic district, and a signed print created by Capt. Ken Barnes commemorating your week on Land and Sea.

If you are interested in designing a personalized gift certificate, please contact us via phone or email and we will be happy to assist you.

film by Digital Salad USA

Deer Crossing the Road

Fall is here so what better time to remind motorists that deer are more active during the fall, increasing the likelihood of vehicle crashes involving deer.

Fall is the busiest season for these crashes as deer seek mates and food sources. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk so we recommend drivers have a heightened sense of awareness especially during these times.   If you see a deer crossing the road, there are likely more to follow.  Don’t assume it is safe to speed up after one deer crosses your path.

Suggestions for motorists to avoid deer-vehicle accidents include:
Reduce speed and be prepared to stop on roads where deer may be present.
Deer may cross the roadway and double back across the road surface.  Make sure deer have moved away, before proceeding.
Be mindful that several others may follow a single deer near or across a road.
Keep track of locations where deer have been seen in the past, to avoid being surprised by deer crossing roads.
Avoid swerving into oncoming traffic or off the road if deer are on the roadway.  Instead, slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move along.
Drivers encountering deer on the roadway should try flashing their headlights from bright to dim or honking their horn to encourage the deer to move on.

If a deer-vehicle accident does occur, drivers and passengers involved should provide assistance to anyone injured.  Contact local, county or state law enforcement.  Do not attempt to remove a dead or injured deer from a busy roadway.    Visit Maine’s DOT website or click on this link for more information.

Come On In!

Tired of the same old stark hotel or motel room? Why not choose a B&B?  The biggest reason to leave your old hotel behind is… Cha Ching – the added value.  Today’s B&Bs are simply a better way to stay for travelers seeking more for their travel dollars.  Take a peek at the top ten reasons bed and breakfasts and country inns make a better and a more affordable way to stay.

Reason 10:  Put the $5 bill for the bottle of water back in your wallet! No mini bars here!  Research from BedandBreakfast.com reveals that more than 92 percent of B&Bs offer complimentary afternoon refreshments, wine and cheese/hors d’ouevres receptions or evening desserts.  More than 50 percent of B&Bs offer stocked snack and beverage pantries 24-7 and we’re sure that 100% of today’s B&Bs will offer you a glass or bottle of water and tell you to put the cost toward your vacation!

Reason 9: Complimentary wi-fi & calls.  Say goodbye to that $20 daily fee for wi-fi access.  Nearly 90 percent of B&Bs and country inns offer complimentary wi-fi according to BedandBreakfast.com surveys.  The other ten are working on getting it. Nearly 100% of today’s B&Bs offer complimentary local or long distance phone calls.  When’s the last time you saw a pay phone anyway?  They’re a dying breed.

Breakfast anyone?

Reason 8:  Great rates!  According to the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII – (pronounced PIE) don’t you just love that a B&B organization is named after a yummy treat?) the average daily rate for B&Bs is ???.  When we compared this to city hotels of like levels, the B&B rate came in lower, and that doesn’t take in to consideration all the extras.

Reason 7:   Face time with your hosts.  Read our reviews.  Inngoers rave about the fabulous hospitality and friendship that innkeepers offered during their stay.  In fact, for many B&B travelers, the innkeeper was what made the stay special.

Reason 6:  Free parking.  OK, we’ll admit, not all B&Bs offer free parking, but last time BedandBreakfast.com surveyed innkeepers, 95.3% said they did. Even in the city, B&B rates for parking average around $25 vs. as high as $50/nightly in hotels.

Reason 5:  Flat screens & fireplaces: Usually reserved for the Presidential Suite in a hotel, increasingly B&Bs offer amenities including flat screen TVs, in-room fireplaces,  and multi-jet showers.

Down Pillows and Comforters

Reason 4:  Looking for fabulous beds?  Nearly 100 percent of B&Bs offer high thread count sheets, feather beds, pillow libraries and down comforters at no additional cost to guests.

Reason 3:  A gourmet Breakfast for FREE!  Take a family of four to the breakfast buffet at a resort hotel, and you’re looking at upwards of $100 to feed the whole family.  Bed and breakfasts all offer breakfast – it’s their signature selling point and half their name.  From five course candlelit breakfasts to lavish continentals, most innkeepers offer a breakfast to fuel you for the entire day.

Reason 2:  Arrive at 2am, and you may not see a cherry innkeeper greeting you, but you will always find a personalized welcome, no matter what time you arrive from innkeepers who genuinely care about your safe trip and will call you by name.

Reason 1:  Cookies, yes!  Cookie cutter?  No.   No two B&Bs are alike. As independently owned small lodging properties, each one offers something new and different.  No big box look to B&Bs ranging from urban chic to historically preserved mansions and homes.

Visit our specials page to see how we can show you a wonderful time and save you money!

Camden Harbor Arts, Juried Arts, and Crafts Show

October
October 1st and 2nd come enjoy the annual Camden Harbor Arts, Juried Arts, and Crafts Show of the season featuring 100 plus artists and craftsmen displaying and selling their wares in our harbor park and amphitheater overlooking Camden Harbor. October 6 Conservation Bus Tour. Warren, ME. Knox-Lincoln Conservation Bus Tour: Travel on a luxury coach to 4 scenic destinations that highlight local conservation. October 7 Crooked Still in concert. Strand Theatre, Rockland. Crooked Still is at the forefront of a new generation of young string bands redefining traditional American music. October 8 & 9 enjoy the Foreign Auto Festival at the Owls Head Transportation Museum. Vintage vehicles from around the world featuring Volkswagen. Fun for the whole family. On October 29-21st , Camden will host POP!Tech Conference…Visionaries from around the world in in dialogue about science, technology, and the future of ideas.

Festival of Lights Parade - Ye Olde Pie Shoppe Float

November 
November 6th Showcase of Cakes…the Ultimate Cake Showdown…local award-winning pastry chefs present delectable cakes for judging and tasting. Hosted by the Camden Rockport Historical Society. November 11 Grammy Award Winning Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones are appearing at the Strand Theatre in Rockland.  Festival of Lights Celebration November 25 – 27 Celebrate the Holidays in Rockland. Santa arrives by Coast Guard Boat at the Public Landing, Historic Inns celebrate with Open House Tour, Famous Lobster Trap Tree Lighting Ceremony, Downtown Festival of Lights Parade, Family Pancake Breakfast with Santa, Meet Santa at his Workshop, Free Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Santa’s Mailbox, Gingerbread Houses, Holiday Music, Share the Wonder at the Farnsworth Art Museum, Eat Drink and Be Merry. Come to Rockland to Shop, Dine and Stroll. November 26 32nd Annual Festival of Lights Craft Fair. Samoset Resort, Rockport. The Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber’s Juried Craft Fair will be held from 9am-3pm. with artisans and craftspeople selling Maine made crafts and unique gifts that have been reviewed for the highest quality.

Santa Arrives at Camden’s Christmas by the Sea

December December 1st & 18th the Strand Theatre in Rockland hosts The Collaborators presented by The National Theatre in London.  December 2-4th is Camden’s 25th Annual Christmas by the Sea. A weekend of shopping, celebrating, music, a parade with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, the “Nutcracker,” fireworks…and a “Walk through Bethlehem!” December 2-3 Home for the Holidays Open House. Edgar Stackpole House, Thomaston. include a Preview Reception on Friday from 5-7pm with music, wine and hors d’oeuvres, and an Open House on Saturday from 10am-3pm with a Silent Auction held throughout the 2 days. Proceeds go to the Historical Society’s Knox Farmhouse maintenance and Museum acquisition fund. Dec 2 Thomaston Tree Lighting. Thomaston Mall, Main Street, Thomaston. The annual tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6pm. December 3 – 4 Hometown Holiday. General Henry Knox Museum – Montpelier, Thomaston. Annual Open House from 1-4pm with traditional Christmas decorations and fragrant fruits. People are invited to tour the 1790s kitchen where women with their spinning wheels welcome conversation.

Pies On Parade Samplings

January
Pies On Parade! On January 22nd the whole town of Rockland will go  “pie-wild” to celebrate 2012 NATIONAL PIE DAY from 1:00 – 5:00pm when the Historic Inns of Rockland are joined by Rockland, ME businesses and restaurants to welcome hungry pie eaters to the town for the 8^th Annual Pies on Parade Pie Tour.  Sample  more than 45 different pies at restaurants and inns throughout Rockland and enjoy  tours of common areas and some guest rooms at the inns.

Tickets sell out quickly, are available from participating inns only (not additional participating Rockland businesses), and include some take-home recipes and plenty of pie to sample.  Why not make a weekend of it? After all, friends don’t let friends drive under the influence of pie! Take advantage of exclusive pie add-ons like wine and pie pairings and special museum tours and tastings. Click here for a full description of the one or two-day Pie Tour packages. Pies on Parade 2012 to be the biggest pie event in New England.
So you see, aside from the shops, galleries, museums, restaurants, sailing, lighthouses, scenery (well, you get the picture) there are so many reasons to come to stay with us here at the Lindsey House, whatever the time of year.

Capt. Ken -
You may or may not remember me. This is Chuck Harvey, the retired FBI agent from Indianapolis. I’m the guy who with you at the wheel of the Taber on 9/11. We were telling jokes, probably somewhat off color, when one of your crew came back and told us that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. We instantly knew that things would be changed forever.

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the fact that the Taber was probably the most appropriate place on earth to receive news of such a tragedy. Not having instant access to the media was frustrating and, on that first day, we had to rely on a couple transistor radios and cell phones for updates. I think it was the next day that we made it ashore and silently crowded around a grainy TV for our first images of the tragedy. However, the absence of  access to the media was more than compensated for by what happened that night on the Taber. I’ll never, ever, forget the impromptu memorial service you and other schooner captains organized in that secluded cove. The echoing of the music – weren’t there some members of the Philadelphia Philharmonic on board? The stillness of a clear night. The absence of con trails that we never really thought about before, just took for granted. We hugged, we cried together. I was never prouder to be an American. The seclusion and absence from the hub bub of everyday life gave us time to reflect, pray, and try to reorganize our priorities in life. And yes, we did have some goods laughs together for the remainder of the cruise.

The Taber experience set the tone for our long drive back to Indiana. Those tiny towns along the U.S./Canadian border. Hundreds and hundreds of American friends planted along the road, towns whose populations were probably only in the dozens. Stopping at restaurants and service stations where Canadians would deferentially ask, “Are you Americans?” Their reply was always the same,”We’re so sorry.”

Any way Ken, I hope this finds you and Ellen well. I’ve developed some health problems over the years but would love to do the Taber one one time. I just felt compelled to tell you what that Taber experience meant to me and the impact it has made on my life.

Chuck Harvey

From: Captains Ken & Ellen Barnes
To: Chuck Harvey
Subject: RE: 9/11 on the Taber
Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 10:37:57 -0400

Dear Chuck,

I do remember you, and am so glad to hear from you.   Thank you for sharing your thoughts and emotions of that fateful day ten years ago.  It was a day of contrasts without equal.  We were the first to sail off the anchor at Fort Point with the Heritage not far behind us getting underweigh.  It was the perfect morning and perfect weather with a fair breeze and fair tide and the entire fleet astern.  And then the unimaginable news reached us.  The tragedy was immediately close to home because a gentlemen on the Heritage had a son on the first plane to strike the towers.  There are moments in all of our lives that mark our progress.  I recall as a small boy the excitment of VE and VJ days; where I was when Kennedy was killed, Armstrong stepped onto the Moon.  That day will stand out as a beacon.  I am grateful to have had good people such as yourself to share and support such sadness.

Ellen and I are well and enjoy watching our son, Noah carry on the Barnes tradition with the Taber.  He and his wife, Jane have a three year old named Oscar.  Who knows, he may take over from his dad one day.  We certainly hope to see you again on the Taber.  It really is quite a large family after all.

Again, thank you for your kind and I feel profound reflections.
Sincerely,
Ken

Capts Ken and Ellen Barnes

Marshall Point Lighthouse

The third annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day will take place rain or shine Saturday, Sept. 17, with many of the state’s coastal, island and river lighthouses planning to welcome the public.

Eighteen thousand people visited 25 open light stations during last year’s event, and 5,000 people climbed up light towers for the lantern room view. The event is coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard, in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism and the American Lighthouse Foundation. It is the largest event of its kind in the country.

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

Maine lighthouse fans can learn about participating lights and share their Lighthouse Day plans on the new event Facebook page.

Most lights will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for guided or self-guided tours of keeper’s houses and light towers. Some light stations will have limited accessibility or special restrictions. For details about visitor hours, fees, activities and transportation to each participating lighthouse, visit www.lighthouseday.com or contact the friends group of an individual light.

More than half of the 60-plus working lighthouses in Maine are accessible to the public during the summer months thanks to the landmark Maine Lights Program passed by Congress in 1996.

Owls Head Lighthouse

The program transferred the ownership of lighthouses from the Coast Guard to local preservation groups and organizations like the American Lighthouse Foundation, and served as a model for the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

Can’t make it to Rockland for Open Lighthouse Day?  No worries.  Our all-inclusive packages include lighthouse or museum tickets, lectures, boat trips and discounted room rates .  Visit our website for several economical options.  Select the special that suits you or just click here to check room availability and give us a call at 800-523-2145.

So far, the heat wave at hand is nowhere near as severe as the five worst recorded since 1980, when the National Climate Data Center began compiling such data.   Little consolation, then again it’s only mid-July.  Not fer nuthin’ but it’s 4:00 pm and it’s only 75° here in Rockland, Maine.

Maine has one of the most comfortable summer climates in the United States. Temperatures average in the 70′s, the scorching 90′s are rare, and the 100′s?  Fahgedaboudit!

Different parts of Maine have distinct climates. Along the coast, where we are in Rockland, the temperatures are tempered by the ocean , which makes for a different weather pattern than inland.  Tornadoes and earthquakes are rare and we have about 15 thunderstorms a year on average.

Rockland’s the retail center of Midcoast Maine.  You’ll find ferry service to the islands, dozens of specialty stores, more than 25 outstanding restaurants, beautiful art galleries, the Farnsworth Art Museum, and the new Maine Lighthouse Museum located in the Maine Discovery Center, the region’s beautiful new visitor center. Rockland is known for its spectacular waterfront summer festivals—the Maine Lobster Festival, the North Atlantic Blues Festival, and the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show. After fifty years’ absence, Maine Eastern Railroad has restored rail service and rebuilt historic Union Station.  And let’s not forget those glorious Windjammer cruises!  Click here for wonderful Maine vacation attraction ideas.

So c’mon, come to Rockland this summer to beat the sweltering heat!

As the cook/owner of the Stephen Taber from 1979–2003, Captain Ellen Barnes made that grand old schooner famous for its galley fare. That tradition continues each morning in our cozy kitchen at the Lindsey House. We source food locally: eggs, vegetables, fish, meat and coffee are all bought from local purveyors. Our intention is to offer the most delicious food without losing the hearty flavors people come to Maine to experience.

A large English breakfast is served buffet-style every morning. Coffee and teas are up by 7:00 a.m. with a hearty array of homemade granola, fresh baked breads, yogurt, juices, breakfast meats, egg dishes, Belgian waffles, fruit compotes, and more.