The Apple Distinguished Program has named The Middle School of the Kennebunks an award winner for the second year in a row! The program “Growing Up Green in Kennebunkport” was started in 2005 when Nonantum Resort General Manager Tina Hewett-Gordon’s daughter  Kyleigh was a student in Mary McCarthy’s art class. When the class looked for a project within the  community, Hewett-Gordon stepped forward and offered the class the  opportunity to decorate a real hotel room. The class was given a $5,000 budget from the Nonantum Resort and the edict to use  environmentally friendly techniques as much as possible.

Since that time students have learned not only artistic and  decorating techniques, but they also have learned the fine arts of  compromise and working on a budget. They research color palettes, eco-designs, prices, artwork and feasibility of designs. There are  field trips to Ikea and Pottery Barn where professional decorators meet  with the students and talk about making their dreams rooms a reality.

 In addition Apple has partnered with the program  and podcasts are created that are posted on the Nonantum Website as  well as in that tell teens about activities in the area and this is the section of the project that won the “Apple Distinguished Program” award. The pod casts help to market The Nonantum in a way that appeals to teens.

Congratulations to the 8th Grade Students in Mary McCarthy’s Talented Artists Program!

About a month ago I went to sneak a peek at my Facebook account and when I clicked the familiar icon the password page came up with an e-mail similar to mine, but not mine. At the time I thought it a little odd. Little did I know that I would be in Facebook Exile for the next three weeks!

It turned out that there are people out there who hack in to people’s accounts and change their e-mail and password so that the true owner of the page can no longer enter. I have since learned that this has happened to many of my friends (when you get a friend request and think to yourself I thought I already was friends with them – now you know why! They are rebuilding their page!)

The good news is that I have learned four ways to avoid having this happen in the future so you can go to school on me and hopefully never have to deal with this! Here they are:

1) Always have letters and numbers in your password. Not just letter and not just numbers. Some of each!

2) You should have another administrator on any work or group pages. Sadly I am the sole administrator for 6 pages and I have to rebuild all of them too. Not fun!

3) That little box that says keep me logged in? Do not check it! Yes it is a bother to always type in your e-mail and password but believe me it is a lot easier than rebuilding your page!

4) Do not link all your accounts together. In other words, you will need a different password for each account you are in charge of. Again, it makes things harder than they need to be but if you can avoid the gymnastics I have been going through, it is worth it! You might want to consider roboform.com to keep track of all your passwords.

Please do not be hopelessly naive as I was and think you can call Facebook Customer Service and have them help you. Just so you know, there is not such thing. No 800 number. No e-mail. No matter how desperate your plea, (and believe me mine were desperate!) they will not respond!

So please do me a favor and “Like” Nonantum Resort on Facebook! And if you have any ideas how to avoid those pesky hackers, could you send them my way?

For many of our guests, fall is their very favorite time to visit! The days are warm and lovely, and the evenings are cool – perfect sleeping weather! The trees are just starting to change color here in Kennebunkport, so there is still plenty of time to head to The Nonantum and enjoy all that fall has to offer in Maine!

“Although complete trees in bright reds, oranges and yellows are scarce, a significant percentage of hardwoods are showing some form of transition,” said Rick Henion, a Maine Forest Service Ranger in the downeast town of Stueben. “Both birches and poplars are showing a fair amount of understory yellowing, and maples and ashes are transitioning to more golden hues in upper and exposed branches.”

Currently, the Nonantum is offering a Pick Your Own” package which is perfect for Leaf Peepers. This offer is available Sunday-Thursday 09/29-11/03 $179 Carriage House Inn $209 Portside Lodge

If you are tired of not being able to find a special or package that fits all of your needs you need  look  no further! At The Nonantum you can custom design your own! Included in the above special rates are three activities of your choice, breakfast each morning, all gratuities, and fall memories from the Nonantum Resort.  Choose three items from our list of activities and create your own adventure.

1)Picnic Lunch:Enjoy a delectable lunch to bring with you during your activity packed day.Served in a environmentally friendly reusable cooler tote bag for your keeping.
2)Pumpkin Painting with our activities department.
3)Take a hayride to a pumpkin patch at Spillers Farm and pick your own pumpkin
4)Scenic drive through the countryside to McDougal’s Orchard to pick your own apples
5)Gas prices got you down?Fill up at Guay’s Sunoco in Kennebunk.
6)Flower arranging lesson with our onsite gardener
7)Sing the Great American Songbook and after choose the CD of your choice in our gift shop.
8)Cooking Class—Pumpkin Bisque served in sugar pumpkins.  Work hands on with one of our award winning Nonantum Resort Chefs to create this holiday dish.
9) Mixology Presentation- watch, learn, and enjoy seasonal specialty mixed beverage is created.

Here is the fine print - This offer is  based on availability.  It cannot be applied towards a previously booked reservation.  Rooms are best available at the time of booking.  Excludes Suites and Specialty Rooms.  Rates are based upon two adults.  Additional adult charges may apply.  Pricing can be booked for more than one night.  Limited to three activity choice per evening booked.  No further discounts apply.  Value of each activities is up to $25.

Many nights have already sold out so call today to make your reservations for a fall vacation at The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport!

This past weekend my dear niece Jenny was married to her long time beau Dan. They had their reception at The Nonantum and I was lucky enough to be a guest!

I must say I was very impressed by the friendly, efficient staff. Now granted, I work with these folks everyday, and I know they are all hardworking and dedicated. But I was astounded at how incredibly accomidating these poeple are! No matter what happened, the staff were totally unflappable! No request was too much!

The setting was perfect and the food was completely over the top! Many of the guests went and took a walk along the shore and looked at the boats. What a nice relaxing interlude between courses!

Overall, it was a perfect way to celebrate the coming together of two families!

As we transition from a busy summer in to an equally crazy fall I realize that all of us at The Nonantum have so much to be grateful for! I read the following over the weekend and thought others would enjoy reading it too! Please let me know your thoughts!

“I am thankful for…

The mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

The taxes I pay because it means that I am employed.

A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

My shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.

The spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.

All the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.

My huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

The lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.

The alarm that goes off early in the morning hours because it means that I am alive.

The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby

Weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.”

(This reflection first appeared in the newsletter of First Presbyterian Church in Lyons, New York. It was reprinted in Family Circle magazine in 1999.)

Enjoy this beautiful weather!

The following quites are from some recent guests. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!

Very welcoming and enjoyable. Stayed in an Ocean view room with a Queen and a
twin bed. Everyone was courteous and professional – from check-in, to seating at
breakfast, to answering questions etc. I loved the location – close to Dock
Square but yet far enough away to be isolated (Also recommend Hurricane and Old
Vines for Dinner/Tapas). Stayed with wife and my 16 year old daughter but
noticed a lot of activities for smaller children too. The Nonantum appeals to a
wide demographic based on the the guests that I saw. I would return without
hesitation.

We stayed at the Nonantum Resort for a wedding this past weekend and had a
wonderful time. The InnKeeper was so gracious and kind during our stay and the
rest of the staff was very friendly, professional and accomodating to our needs.
The room was very clean, beds turned down at night, the property was beautiful
and the breakfast was great! The food, music, and beautiful setting made the
wedding a hit- even ended the night with giant sparklers!We will definately be
back and would highly recommend this resort.

We checked into the Nonantum on Saturday and extended our stay until Tuesday
because of the excellent environment. We stayed in one of the newly decorated
rooms in the Carriage building; I am a bit of a critic when it comes to the
cleanliness of a room and I must say, it exceeded my expectations. The room was
lovely, very comfortable and the staff was extremely accomodating from checking
in/out to early morning coffee in the lobby. The breakfast was more than we
planned on, we didn’t even realize it was part of the room rate. Our reason for
the stay was to attend a wedding……….Excellent venue!!!!!!!

We have 4 children, ages 5-9 and have been staying at the Nonantum for over 5
years. Our oldest child has many food allergies, so we contacted the hotel staff
in advance this year to see if we would be able to dine in the restaurant. The
staff was unbelievable in making sure our son’s needs were met and our dinner
was a wonderfu experience. One we will remember for many years to come. There
are always great activities for the kids when we visit! The staff organizes fun
games while the kids take breaks from swimming. There are also options of
kayaking and boating. There is never a lack of things to do for our family at
the Nonantum and it’s a very short walk into town. We look forward to many more
years of visits!

Some days I just have to pinch myself and wonder how I got so lucky as to work everyday in Kennebunkport! Today is one of those days. The temperature is a perfect 80 degrees with no humidity. The sun is shining and the sky is that beautiful crystal blue that makes you think you can see forever!

The Sand Bar still has a prominent place on our lawn. We use it now for weddings and special events. Yes, it really is made of sand and no, the rain doesn’t hurt it!

The picture just isn’t doing it justice! You will have to come down here and see for yourself!

The Carriage House at The Nonantum Resort was part of the original inn that opened in 1884 in the home of sea captain Henry Heckman. The original Nonantum Inn opened on July 4, 1884, with 28 rooms and 10 staff members.  In 2008 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and opened Heckman’s Pub in the Carriage House. We like to think Henry is flattered that our guests spend so much time socializing and enjoying this special little corner of the hotel.

We also have a mascot here named Henry Heckman. Henry is a Harbor Seal and he even has his own Facebook page. Make sure you friend him!

Henry the Harbor Seal can also be seen at the Nonantum Sundays at Breakfast, Monday at Pool Lunch, Tuesday at the Guest Appreciation Reception, Wednesday morning at kids camp and throughtout the week. Our little guests flock to him for a hug!

Each year on the day after Memorial Day we gather all of our staff together and have a discussion and briefing of the year ahead. Each year I feel very overwhelmed when I see all of the different folks from all the different departments all together in one spot! All told, in the course of a season, we will have nearly 200 different folks on our payroll.

The first spring I worked here I remember thinking that we are almost like a little city. We have kitchen workers, maintence people, waitstaff, front desk staff, sales people, gardeners, administrators, accountants, chefs, housekeepers, consierge and laundry people. All of us need the others to do our jobs sucessfully. Our meetings always emphsize teamwork and trying to see things from another persons point of view.

As always we started our meeting by having everyone introduce themselves, tell us how long they had been at The Nonantum and what their job is. It is always mind blowing to see how many people have been here for a very long time! We have several who have been here over 20 years and next year Sandra Gendron will celebrate her 30th anniversary with us!

The Fire Chief came and talked to us about what to do in an emergency and we also listened to the three boat captains tell us about their boats and the fact that employees get to ride for free!

This year we had ML Hannay as our guest speaker. ML is a wonderful motivational speaker and she gave us all  lots of great ideas for even better guest service than we already have! We did lots of fun ice breakers and learned a lot about our fellow employees!

The meeting concluded with pizza and lot of conversation. Another year is off to the races!

Many of you have asked me about this whole phenom known as Fairy Festivals. How did this ever get started? Why are children (and adults) so taken by this? Where can I go to one? I will use this post to fill you in!

“When the first baby laughed for the first time, the laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies. And now when every new baby is born its first laugh becomes a fairy. So there ought to be one fairy for every boy or girl.”

James Matthew Barrie (Peter, in Peter Pan, act 1)–

Once the Fairy’s arrive here on earth, they need to have a place to live. That is where Fairy Houses come in!

Author Tracy Kane explains it perfectly in this quote: 

“Fairy Houses are small structures for the fairies and nature’s friends to visit. Sticks, bark, dry grasses, pebbles, shells, feathers, seaweed, pine cones and nuts are just some of the natural materials used. Ranging from rustic to intricate ‘Fairy Mansions’, these whimsical habitats are built by children, families, gardeners and nature lovers reflecting their creativity, joy and pride.

The simple challenge of creating a fairy house gives children a unique activity that encourages them to go outside and connect with the natural world, nurturing care and respect for the environment.”

Here is an interview with Tracy:

Tracy will be at The Nonantum Resort on Friday June 17 and Saturday June 18 for our annual Fairy Festival. For more information, check out our website at

http://www.nonantumresort.com/sites/default/files/content/images/Fairy%20Festival%202011.pdf

Hope to see you at The Nonantum Resort’s 2nd Annual Fairy Festival!