We Earned a 2013 TripAdvisor CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE!

Honored as a Top Performing Hotel/Inn as Reviewed by Travelers on the World’s Largest Travel Site

Forgive us for blowing our own horn but we’re pretty proud.  We received another TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award. The accolade, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. This is our second acknowledgement in 2 years.

Only the top-performing 10 percent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award.  To qualify for a Certificate of Excellence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travelers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months.

“TripAdvisor is delighted to celebrate the success of businesses around the globe, from Sydney to Chicago, Sao Paulo to Rome, which are consistently offering TripAdvisor travelers a great customer experience,” said Alison Copus, Vice President of Marketing for TripAdvisor for Business. “The Certificate of Excellence award provides top performing establishments around the world the recognition they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most – their customers.”

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2013 MidCoast Farmers’ Markets & Local CSA’s

After a long snowy winter it’s finally getting to be that time again when fresh locally grown foods will be available alfresco.  What’s better than a trip to a Farmers’ Market on a bright sunny morning?
Here’s a list of our local markets, when they operate and where to find them as well as a list of some local CSA’s.  Buy Local!

Camden Farmers’ Market 05/11/13 – 10/26/13 Sat 9-12 & Wed 3:30-6 behind the Knox Mill, access via Washington St & Knowlton St.  On Facebook: Camden Farmers’ Market  www.camdenfarmersmarket.org  Contact: Kevin Weiser, 568-3201

Herring Gut Community Market Thurs 10-3, July and August, at the end of Lobster Pound Rd in Port Clyde.  On Facebook: Herring Gut Learning Center  Contact: Katie Gloede, ktgloede@gmail.com

North Haven Farmers’ Market 06/01/13 – 09/14/13  Sat 9-11 at the ball field.

Rockland Farmers’ Market 05/16/13 – 10/31/13
Thu 9-12:30  at Harbor Park, just off Main St near the intersection of Park St & Main St, on the waterfront. rocklandfarmersmarket.org/  and on Facebook: Rockland Farmers’ Market  Contact: info@rocklandfarmersmarket.org

State of Maine Cheese Farmers’ Market in Rockport Sat 9-12, Year Round, 461 Commercial St.  Contact: State of Maine Cheese Co. 236-8895

Union Farmers’ Market Fri 3-6, late May to mid-Oct, on the Common. www.unionfarmersmarket.org and on Facebook: Union Farmers’ Market Contact: 207.701.1069

Washington Grange Farmers’ Market 05/05/12 – 12/28/13 Year Round, Sat 10-1, 31 Old Union Rd (off Rt 220 in the Evening Star Grange #183 parking lot). Winter Season: 2nd Saturday Jan, Feb & March. Market wide summer CSA. On Facebook: Washington Grange Farmer’s Market  Contact: Sharon Turner, 845-2140

Community Supported Agriculture
Hope’s Edge Farm an Organic CSA located in Hope, Maine. http://hopesedgefarm.com/

Comprised of 100 acres of open fields and mixed woodlands, Hope’s Edge Farm is located in Northwest Hope and is committed to organic/biodynamic practices.

Membership in a CSA is based on “shares of the harvest.” The shareholders underwrite the harvest for the entire season by paying for their shares in advance. The shareholder is then invited to visit the farm once a week to pick up a bag of fresh, seasonal produce grown without agricultural chemicals.

Some Other Local CSA’s
Weskeag Farms in Thomaston
Terra Optima Farm in Thomaston
Peacemeal Farm in Dixmont
Dandelion Spring Farm in Newcastle

For a full list of Maine CSA’s visit the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) website.

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Historic Inns of Rockland is a Tourism Success Story

BROOKINGS INSTITUTION & GROWSMART MAINE RECOGNIZE HISTORIC INNS OF ROCKLAND AS A TOURISM SUCCESS STORY
Charting Maine’s Future Report spotlights four historic Rockland inn’s tourism success

Rockland, ME (9-27-12): In 2006, GrowSmart Maine brought the Brookings Institution, a nationally recognized, nonpartisan think tank, to Maine and called together people from across the state then asked “What do you love about this place?” Subsequent conversations gathered the information needed to define how Maine could grow its economy without losing those valued natural resources. Charting Maine’s Future: An Action Plan for Promoting Sustainable Prosperity and Quality Places resulted from these conversations including a research and action plan and a set of directives. Fast forward to 2012 and a follow up report checking in on progress was completed and announced today. Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway, aptly summarizes the progress made over the past six years on many of Charting Maine’s Future’s goals and recommendations. Today’s report concludes that despite setbacks brought by the Great Recession of 2008, there are many success stories around the state to highlight, illustrating the depth of commitment and breadth of talent in the state.  Historic Inns of Rockland, a consortium of four historic inns in Rockland, ME, including Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn, Captain Lindsey House Inn, and Granite Inn, were spotlighted as THE success story for Maine’s tourism sector and identified as the shining star among Maine’s Tourism industry. The report stated “Working together to market the Rockland vacation experience, members of Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine, have put many of their individual marketing priorities aside to cooperatively attract attention to Rockland’s premier inns and vacation experiences.”

GrowSmart Maine identified the Historic Inns of Rockland as a tourism industry leader via news stories about the organization and interviews with community leaders. Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway researchers contacted Historic Inns of Rockland innkeepers to gather information and confirm the progressive group of four inn’s investment in the community serves as an example of a strong and successful private business and community partnership.  Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway goes on to explain “the Historic Inns of Rockland, Maine, are working closely with local businesses and the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce to collectively attract vacationers through public relations campaigns, creative marketing, a wedding consortium, a central reservation line, enticing events, a collective eco-initiative, and an informative website. Businesses throughout the community have contributed to this effort. Many visitors have participated in packages offered by the Historic Inns of Rockland and many dollars have been spent within the community by people enjoying the shopping, restaurants, museums, and local attractions. This collaborative effort has helped many of the local businesses involved in tourism thrive during the turbulent past few years.” Restaurateur, Kerry Altiero, chef and owner at Rockland’s Café Miranda, calls the initiative “brilliant, selfless and absolutely one of the best things that’s happened to my business,” according to the report.  “We are incredibly honored and humbled to be spotlighted as a tourism success story in Charting Maine’s Future – Making Headway,” said Cheryl Michaelsen, who was interviewed by GrowSmart Maine. “While we’re just four historic inns on Maine’s Midcoast, working cooperatively and with the community we’ve been able to make a difference in our communities with events like Pies On Parade, which has contributed more than $50,000 to the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program over its 8-year tenure,” finished Michaelsen. “It takes a village to make our promotions like Lobsterpalooza and our media outreach campaign work,” followed PJ Walter, co-owner of LimeRock Inn. “Without the enthusiasm of the community, it wouldn’t happen. We’re all in it together,” finished Walter.

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Maine Open Lighthouse Day 9/15/12

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

The U.S. Coast Guard, the State of Maine and the American Lighthouse Foundation are pleased to announce the fourth annual Maine Open Lighthouse Day on September 15th.  An increasingly popular event, it’s the largest effort of its kind in the nation.

Maine treasures its 68 lighthouses, 18 of which are within a 40 mile radius of Camden, Maine. The Midcoast region of Maine is comprised of hundreds of peninsulas and many miles of jagged coastline that became both beautiful and dangerous for navigation. Maine lighthouses served as both beacons of hope and warning for wayward mariners.

While many of Midcoast Maine’s 18 lighthouses are only accessible by boat, four distinctly different lighthouses (Rockland, Owls Head, Marshall Point & Pemaquid Point) are within easy driving distance of the Inn.  In Rockland’s north end, you can walk the 7/8th-mile-long breakwater to the Rockland Breakwater Light.  A short drive south of Rockland will bring you to Owls Head Light in Owls Head Light State Park where there’s a convenient parking area near the lighthouse.

Further down the St. George peninsula you’ll come to Marshall Point Lighthouse with its small museum and gift shop. Along the way you may want to stop at the Art of the Sea Gallery to view an extensive display of nautical art and artifacts. Stop at any of the several quintessential Maine Lobster “shacks” right on the edge of the water. You know the lobster will be fresh.

From Marshall Point, detour through the village of Port Clyde where there are several shops and galleries worth a visit. This is also the port for one of the boats making trips to Monhegan.

Pemaquid Point is a short ride further south. This is one of the most photographed lighthouses along the coast and has a spectacular setting. If it looks familiar, perhaps you’ve seen it on the Maine quarter. You can travel through picturesque Damariscotta before traveling back to Rockland.

MidCoast Maine Lighthouse Map

Click on the map above or any of the lighthouses below for more information and the locations of all of  Midcoast Maine’s  lighthouses:
Browns Head Lighthouse
Curtis Island Lighthouse
Goose Rocks Light
Grindle Point Lighthouse
Heron Neck Light
Indian Island Lighthouse
Isle au Haut Light
Marshall Point Lighthouse
Matinicus Rock Light
Monhegan Island Light
Owls Head Light
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
Rockland Breakwater Light
Rockland Harbor Southwest Light
Saddleback Ledge Light
Tenants Harbor Light
Two Bush Island Light
Whitehead Light

With our central location, you can make the Captain Lindsey House Inn your headquarters for immersion into the unique Maine experience. Unpack your bags, put away your stress, don comfortable clothes (there is little formality in Maine) and revel in the beauty and the peacefulness that has inspired artists, writers and poets for generations. There are few things Mainers enjoy more than sharing our maritime history.  This fascinating event only comes around once every year.  We hope we’ll see you soon.

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Are Cold Scrambled Eggs, Limp Chewy Bacon, and Soggy Frozen Waffles such a Deal?

You’ve gone that route…stayed at a chain motel to save money.  But let’s be honest, are cold dry scrambled eggs, limp chewy bacon, and soggy frozen waffles such a deal?

This time why not stay at a Bed and Breakfast?  Staying at the Captain Lindsey House Inn is a far better value than a hotel with the same room rate.  If you place a value on all the ‘free’ benefits included in the cost of your stay, you’ll be surprised how much you’re really getting.  Check in during the afternoon so you’ll have plenty of time to get advice on dinner and activities in the area. We offer afternoon snacks and beverages, as well as tea and/or wine and cheese in the evening.

Our 9 air-conditioned rooms offer luxurious beds with European down comforters and pillows, desks, 2 comfortable reading chairs, Wi-Fi, televisions, large bathrooms equipped with hair dryers, fine toiletries, fluffy towels and bathrobes. Many of our rooms have their own fireplace. Newspapers are provided each morning. Guests enjoy afternoon baked refreshments with port wine or tea, available fireside or outside in our private walled-in garden.

A wonderful collection of pieces from around the globe offers a feel of worldly hospitality that is our trademark. Antiques and Persian rugs, amidst modern amenities surreptitiously concealed, offer our guests a combination of genuine historic feel and the conveniences of modern times.

A large English breakfast is served buffet-style every morning.

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

Our innkeeper Patricia lives on premises bringing a far different perspective to the job than someone who works a shift behind a hotel reception desk and then goes home and forgets about the customers left behind.  She will gladly help you find the best restaurant in town, point you to the most romantic spot in the nearby park, and much more.

A substantial portion of our income comes from repeat business. We depend on word-of-mouth recommendations.  And we love extending superlative hospitality to our guests.  Combine those three factors and it’s easy to see why we go out of their way to make sure your stay provides great memories.

Whether it’s a business trip,  romantic getaway,  adventure vacation, or a weekend sightseeing tour, stay with us for a memorable and economical trip in beautiful MidCoast Maine.

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What’s Happening in Mid Coast Maine October – January

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.

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Beat the Heat in Rockland, Maine

Many Americans across the US are feeling the heat, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. The National Weather Service issued heat-related advisories for residents in over 24 states, forecasting temperatures close to 100 degrees F. in the central and southern plains, and the middle and lower Mississippi Valley. In some parts of those regions, it will feel as hot as 115 degrees.

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!

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The Lindsey House Windowbox Garden

Lindsey House with Windowbox Garden

People are forever asking us about the large window boxes overflowing with plants along the facade of the Lindsey House.  What’s in there?  What do we plant?  Are they edible?  When do we plant?  How much trouble is it?

Lindsey House Windowbox Garden

Well, once the risk of frost is past we plant an array of vegetables, herbs and edible flowers right outside our kitchen windows.  Mother Nature usually handles the watering and sunning requirements.  Even when we need to lend her a hand during dry spells it’s still a sustainable, low-energy, high-yield edible enterprise.

Windowbox Garden viewed from inside our kitchen

Some items are ready right away allowing us to add phenomenal fresh, organic herbs and edible blooms to our scrumptious dishes immediately.  As the summer rolls around we’re harvesting vitamin-rich cabbages, snipping aromatic herbs and plucking ripe tomatoes from gorgeous drooping clusters.

Windowbox Garden closeup

Gardening really doesn’t get any easier.  Aside from the ecological and health benefits, growing some portion of one’s own food is a simple pleasure.  And it’s not too late to start a container garden either, nurseries still have healthy herbs and vegetable plants for sale.  As added incentive here’s the recipe for a Lindsey House favorite.

CAPTAIN LINDSEY HOUSE INN’S
WINDOW BOX EGG CASSEROLE
(Taking the “kitchen garden” to new heights)

While the oven is preheating to 450 degrees, put in 9×13 inch casserole with ½ stick of butter in bottom.
When this is melted, stir in 16 ounces fresh or frozen hash brown potatoes.
Return casserole to oven and bake about 20 minutes until potatoes are crunchy.
Meanwhile:
Brown ground sausage.
Mix 12 eggs with 2 cups milk, salt, pepper.
Clip from the window boxes: parsley, thyme, chives, kale.
Wash, dry, cut up and add to egg mixture.
Harvest tomatoes and red peppers from the window boxes.
Wash, dry and chop.
Remove casserole from oven & turn oven down to 350 degrees.
Layer sausage over hash brown potatoes, then peppers and tomatoes, then the egg mixture.
Cover top with a mixture of shredded cheeses of your choice.
Bake for one hour

ENJOY!

View video of Ellen and Patricia preparing this recipe using items from our Window box garden

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Become an Ecotourist – Stay at a Green Inn

We take environmental stewardship seriously, which is why we are so proud of our certification by the state of Maine as an “Environmental Leader” in Hospitality. We care deeply about our planet and are taking pro-active measures to save energy to minimize our collective carbon footprint. Visitors to Maine can do your part by seeking out eco-friendly businesses and Maine green lodging accommodations.

As a certified “Environmental Leader” we implement sustainable practices to reduce our environmental impact every day.   We have adopted and posted an environmental policy, serve local food, grow our own herbs and vegetables, use non-toxic chemicals for landscaping, installed energy-efficient equipment, and educate patrons about the facility’s green initiatives.  

Other green practices include:
Using all florescent and LED lighting
Allowing guests to use their towels and/or sheets for more than one day before being laundered (Using the same towels and sheets for a three night stay can save more than 50% of a hotel’s laundry emissions)

Captain Lindsey House Inn Windowbox Garden

Using Eco-friendly cleaning products that are healthier for the environment
Using recycled products when available
Using refillable toiletry dispensers
Using timed thermostats
Keeping the temperature cooler in hallways
Turning down heating / air conditioning in non-occupied rooms
Using energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
Recycling waste

It’s a good beginning but we’re continuing to strive to go beyond ‘best practices’ to employ more zero waste strategies.

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Bragging Rights

We are proud to announce that we have recently been added to BedandBreakfast.com’s Diamond Collection.  The Diamond Collection represents an exclusive group of professionally inspected and guest-reviewed luxury inns.  Each Diamond Collection property participates in a comprehensive annual inspection program, maintains top consumer reviews on BedandBreakfast.com, and offers the amenities and services required for a top-quality guest experience.

Each BedandBreakfast.com Diamond Collection property offers the following amenities and services:

Private bathrooms 24 hour per day guest access to service or staff Maintains a 4.0 or higher consumer review rating on BedandBreakfast.com Accepts BedandBreakfast.com gift cards	Free Internet service Flexible check-in or guaranteed late arrival Accepts online reservations on their website and/or BedandBreakfast.com Maintains all applicable licenses, permits, and insurance

The Lindsey House is also proud to have earned Maine’s Environmental Leader Certification in Hospitality for environmentally conscientious Green Businesses.  The Environmental Leader program is offered by Maine’s Dept. of Environmental Protection as part of its Pollution Prevention program.  It encourages lodging facilities, restaurants and grocers to implement selected initiatives to achieve points toward certification. Points are earned for practices such as adopting and posting an environmental policy, serving local food, using non-toxic chemicals for landscaping, installing energy-efficient equipment, creating a company environmental task force and educating patrons about the facility’s green initiatives.  Visit our website to take advantage of our Car Pooling is So Cool Special

For a property to meet TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence criteria, it must have averaged more than four stars (out of five) since beginning of the year. Visit the Lindsey House’s TripAdvisor site to read our reviews.  We’ve worked hard to earn a 97% approval rating but aren’t content to rest on our laurels and just be satisfied with that.   During the quiet season we tastefully renovated and updated, adding brand new flat screen televisions, stylish revamped bathrooms, and room decor.  We understand that technological conveniences are just as important to our guests as the inn’s historic ambiance and distinctive old world feel.
We can’t wait to show you what’s new and olde!

Click here to Check Room Availability

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