The Welch House Inn Blog

Windjammer Days 2010 in Boothbay Harbor

admin — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:23:57 +0000

You’re standing on our top deck, and the Harbor is a churning mass of small vessels . . . Fishing boats, sail boats, tour boats full of passengers. Kids in row boats and dorys.

All of a sudden, someone spots the first prow to appear from behind Spruce Point in Linekin Bay and gives a shout. One after another they sail into Boothbay Harbor. First the American Eagle. Then the Heritage, the Eastwind, the Lazy Jack, and the Lewis R. French. Then comes the Spirit of Massachusetts, the Nathaniel Bowditch and the Sherman Zwicker.

Talk about taking your breath away.

This year is the 48th Annual celebration of Windjammer Days in Boothbay Harbor, and we’ll have eight Windjammers sailing into the Harbor for the two-day festival to be held on June 22nd and June 23rd. You can take a cruise on the Schooner Heritage, tour the Spirit of Massachusetts or just kick back and enjoy the live music.

We will even have an old-fashioned parade, (this year’s theme is “Our Happy Harbor”) and if it like previous festivals, there will be floats, marchers, bands and the Shriners in their little cars. Really!

Is that wicked cool or what? Nothing says “good times” like those guys and their little cars.

Finally, the two-day extravaganza will crescendo with fireworks and I can tell you with certainty that there is no better vantage point in Boothbay Harbor for watching the fireworks.

Click Here for the full two-day schedule of events.

Click Here for a full list of Schooners participating in this year’s Windjammer Days Festival.

Take a look at our “Cure for the Summertime Blues” Special and enjoy a reduced room rate AND a $50 dinner gift card at McSeagulls.

(Thanks to the Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce for putting together the schedule of events and the list of participating Windjammers.)

What to do in Boothbay Harbor?

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 13:26:49 +0000

People are always asking, “But Gee . . . What do you do in Boothbay Harbor in the off season?

Well, glad you asked.

For example, 0n the 10th of April, Susan and I will walk down the hill to the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, where Jay Unger and Molly Manson are playing. If the names don’t ring a bell, these folks are fiddle players of great renown . . . Remember Ken Burn’s “Civil War”? That was them.

Don’t get me wrong . . . I am not a fan of most “country”-style music, however, their music is so much more than country or folk. It really caresses my soul.

We happen to be one of the last towns in Maine to still have an Opera House, dating from the late Victorian Era, and over the years it has grown and the types of acts matured. To give you an idea of the types of acts that Cathy Sherrill (their Managing Director extraordinaire) has booked over the years, Susan and I have seen Mark Knopfler, George Winston, Jackson Brown, Buckwheat Zydeco, and more.

You show me a town where you can literally walk down the street, have dinner and catch a live show of this magnitude.

And the Welch House Inn is still running our “Aching for Spring” special. Book two nights and I’ll also set you up with dinner at McSeagulls, all for just $250.00. Your choice of room and a delicious breakfast each morning for the two of you.

See our specials page for more information.

A Maine Winter, 2010

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:31:42 +0000

While Mother Earth and her sadist lover, Winter, beat up the remainder of the East Coast, I’m happy to say that so far the Winter in Boothbay Harbor has been almost enjoyable.

How often does DC have to negociate daily life through a meter of snow, and in Boothbay Harbor the sun is shining and it’s a balmy 48 degrees. This, however, is not a case of schadenfreude. Other people should shovel snow once in a while, too.

So why come to the Welch House and spend a few days enjoing Boothbay Harbor and MidCoast Maine this time of year? You’ve got snow. So do we.

But we also have a fantastic view of Boothbay Harbor, comfy rooms with fireplaces, and breakfasts good enough to be written up in “Getaways for Gourmets”.

Get away from your snow for a couple of days . . . Sit by our living room fireplace with a glass of wine and catch up with old friends. Or make some new ones.

Stay two nights between now and May 27th, and you’ll get a king or queen bedroom with fireplace and private bath, two fabulous gourmet breakfasts, and dinner at our favorite local, McSeagulls. It’s a short walk into town.

Just $250.00/tax per couple.

No time until summer? How about Windjammer Days (June 22nd), Boatbuilder’s Festival (August 1st) or Fall Foliage Festival (October 9th)? Visit us anytime this year and bring this postcard.

Dinner at McSeagulls is still on us.

Boothbay Harbor Artists

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:50:06 +0000

Remember last blog I said “Art, Art, Art . . . You can never have enough good Art”?

Well I meant it. In Boothbay Harbor (and yes, East Boothbay, Boothbay and West Boothbay, too) we have some extremely talented artists, many who keep their galleries open in the off season.

Today I want to feature John & Lynne Seitzer of Joy to the Wind Gallery.

You can’t really stuff John & Lynne’s styles into a box . . . They do Seascapes, Landscapes, Abstract, Inpressionist, depending on their mood. One of the things that I like the most about John & Lynne is that the way they express themselves artistically is as varied as what they want to say.

Consequently, their styles and mediums change to suit their voice at the time, so their art has a very personal and fresh feel.

Here’s one of Lynne’s that I like alot entitled “Sunrise”:

I’m a sucker for warm colors and an image depth like this (and shiny objects, too).

And here’s one of John’s that I really like called “Tied Up at the Coop”:

He is very, very good with his light, shadow and reflections.

In addition to being excellent artists, they are also two great people with a genuinely positive outlike on life. I tap into them when I need physic full-up (but do not Top Off).

Take a look at their gallery at Joy to the Wind Gallery, or when you’re in Boothbay Harbor, drop in and take a look. Thier gallery is located at:

34 Atlantic Ave
Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538
207-633-7025

Right across the harbor from The Welch House Inn.

Winter at the Welch House Inn

admin — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:10:37 +0000

Winter is great at the Welch House Inn. It’s quiet. It’s pretty.

Snowy Islands from the Welch House Inn.

I grew up in New England, and let me tell you that even if you didn’t spend your youth driving around wicked fast on the back roads, you can still have a great time in Boothbay Harbor in the winter.

“Traveling w/o reservations, made the call because of the ad @ an information center. Michael, your kindness on the phone made the sale - being open in January helped. We had a great night! Breakfast was super!”

Richard & Jeanne Lynn

Yukon, OR

OK, the fact that they were from Yukon, OR might have had something to do with their comfort in the snow, but other guests are having just as good a time.

In addition to the breathtakingly beautiful setting, we have several really good restaurants within walking distance, McSeagull’s (our local hangout) stays open ’till the plows come home. Ralph and Illana have a wicked cool menu that’s quite different from your usual pub fare. The Thistle Inn offers a real “non-descript-lower-European” Comfort Food menu. Lamb Shank, Short ribs, Brisket. Michael (their Chef) still has wonderful seafood on the menu, but the meat dishes are what bring me every time.

Shopping your bag? Just walk down the hill. A Silver Lining (owned by Goldsmith Tony Heyl) is fabulous and has a great selection, including his “Maine Bracelet”.

The House of Logan and Jansons Clothing Store have everything from the über-fashionable to traditional foul-weather gear.

Art. Art. More art . . . You can’t have enough good art. Try Joy to the Wind Gallery. John & Lynne are extremely talented artists, good conversationalists and damn fine people. Mung Bean has an increadible selection of Maine-made crafts and art that will keep you browsing for hours.

And what can I say about staying at the Welch House Inn? Fireplaces, snuggly comfort, great breakfasts. We have been designated a “Fodor’s Choice” location and written up in “Get-aways for Gourmets”. Go to our Specials page to see how you can take advantage of our “Little more for a little less” offer.

Your Boothbay Harbor Maine Getaway-The Annual Boat Builders Festival

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:27:58 +0000

Come to Boothbay Harbor, Maine on Sunday, August 2nd for the 7th Annual Boat Builders festival. Tour Washburn & Doughty, world-class builder of Tugboats and Hodgon Yachts builder of high quality, state of the art, custom built composite yachts.

Visit the Marina and Sail Loft, watch the boat parades, enjoy local seafood and sit back and listen to the bands. Go to The Boothbay Region Land Trust to see a complete schedule and download a .pdf flyer (with directions) click on Page 1 and Page 2

Antiques in the Garden

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:43:14 +0000

The Maine Antiques Dealers Association in partnership with the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens presents Antiques in the Garden on Friday, July 10th and Saturday, July 11th from 10am to 5pm at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.

Attend the Gala Preview Party on Thursday, July 9th from 5pm to 8pm.

Click Here for directions.

The Harvey Gamage

admin — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:58:32 +0000

On Sunday, May 31st the Harvey Gamage will be docking at Wooton’s Wharf in beautiful Boothbay Harbor at one o”clock.

The Harvey Gamage has just returned from four months at sea with a full crew of High School students. Working with partner schools, the Ocean Classroom Foundation offers a multitude of programs on it’s three ships, including the “Semester at Sea” program and Seafaring Camps.

Congratulations to all our sailors and thanks to the Ocean Classroom Foundation for the use of the photo of the Harvey Gamage!

Yankee Magazine’s Favorites

admin — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:59:03 +0000

Well, the results are in . . . What are Yankee Magazine’s Top 20 best attractions in Maine? Well, you’ll find 2 of the right here in the Boothbay Region.

The Burnt Island Lighthouse here in Boothbay Harbor was rated the best Lighthouse tour, and with more than 60 Lightouses on our coast, that’s a pretty big deal.

Only accessible by boat, you can join a small cast of interpreters that represent the last lighthouse family to live on the island circa 1955. Thursday and Sunday evenings from June 28 through August 30.

Best Seaside Fragrance goes to The Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. More than 250 acres of beautifully planned and maintained gardens, sculpture and access to the Sheepscot River.

Free tours, an excellent cafe and georgous gardens and forests that seem to go on forever.

And talking about their Top 20 choices, 2 of the Top 20 Events are right here, too.

June 23rd - 24th is Windjammer’s Days, with fully rigged schooners that sail into the harbor. There are tours, waterfront concerts and fireworks. Plus some really fine food.

Last, East Boothbay’s Boatbilder’s Festival is held August 1st & 2nd.

Art sales, demonstations, nautical lectures, both working and pleasure craft on display and a seafood festival. Come and see how we build boats in Maine!

What can we do in Boothbay Harbor, Maine?

admin — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:45:40 +0000

I wanted to take several blog entries to talk about all of the activities going on during the summer in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. This entry will deal with our favorite ocean activities, because, well, we live in a Harbor.

Cabbage Island Clambakes - A very well-run operation that combines a harbor tour with a true New England lobster bake on a privately owned island.

Schooner Sailing - A must for anyone visiting the Maine coast. See it the way the first visitors did - aboard one of the traditional wooden sailing vessels that call Boothbay Harbor home. Schooner Eastwind, a traditional wooden windjammer captained by world voyagers (and outstanding hosts) Herb & Doris Smith; Schooner Lazy Jack with Captain Joe Tassi; or Bay Lady, a friendship sloop run by Balmy Days Cruises.

Blackjack Sport Fishing - Captain Dan Stevens grew up on the bays and inlets of this region, and you won’t find a more knowledgeable or experienced guide. If its stripers you’re after, he’s your man. (207-633-64452 or cell: 207-380-5445)

Burnt Island Lighthouse Tour - A limited schedule, but worth going out of your way for this living history tour, seen through the eyes of the last lightkeeper’s family.

Go to the Welch House Inn’s “Innkeeper’s Picks” page to see more choices for great activities in the Boothbay Harbor region, or read what the Boston Globe has to say about our fair town.