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The gardens at the Captain Jefferds Inn have sprung to life, making it truly feel like spring is here. Maine gardeners, weary from months of cold and snow, look forward to springtime and a chance to work outside in a sunny garden. Bright, cheery flowers and the feeling of renewal that they bring is worth the wait. However, gardening in Maine can be a challenge since the growing season is short the winters can be harsh, making it tough for plants to survive. The best strategy for putting together a beautiful garden is to combine a variety of winter hardy perennials with flowering shrubs, rosebushes, spring flowering bulbs and annuals. Choosing the “right plant for the right place” is an important consideration for all types of landscaping. Even the best planting practices will not help a plant to thrive if it is poorly suited for a particular site. It is also important to know the mature height and width of selected plants so that they will not outgrow the space allotted to them.

Some site conditions to keep in mind when selecting landscape plants include:

• light availability, intensity and duration (full sun to deep shade)
• water availability, both quantity and quality
• exposure to wind and temperature extremes
• soil type, drainage, compaction
• hardiness zone

It is also important to remember that low-maintenance landscaping does not mean that no maintenance will be required, as all plants will require some routine care in order to succeed.

Speaking of gardens . . . how's that for a segue, the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport will be hosting their second annual Garden Party in conjunction with the Kennebunkport Festival. On Saturday, June 8th from 1:30pm - 5:30pm, each of the six member inns of the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport (HIK) will be serving wine, tea and hors d'oeuvres as guests peruse their gardens. It is an excellent way to see and experience the unique flavor of each historic inn. The Garden Parties are only open to guests staying at one of the HIK inns: 1802 House, Bufflehead Cove Inn, Captain Jefferds Inn, Captain Lord Mansion, the Inn at English Meadows, or the Maine Stay Inn. Transportation between the inns will be provided. There is a $5 suggested donation to support Share Our Strength. So book your stay to get your fill of lovely gardens as well as all of the other fantastic happenings hosted by the Kennebunkport festival.

The Schooner Eleanor sheds its shrink-wrap and the crocus muscle their way through the frozen ground. After a particularly snowy winter, we are very glad to see these harbingers. Soon, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth will eclipse the crocus and water will be flowing in our water garden. Opening Day for the Red Sox has come and gone, which is another signal that spring is truly upon us. Our favorite sign, however, is the proliferation of ones that say "Open" hung cheerily in the windows of local restaurants and shops, many of which are awakening from their annual winter slumber. Hurricane, Mabel's Lobster Claw, Bandaloop, and On The Marsh have either opened or will open later this month, adding to the wonderful variety of places to grab a bite to eat in Kennebunkport and Kennebunk.

Spring is always a time of anticipation, renewal, and change. This spring is no different with a handful of area staples being reborn as new ventures. After sixteen years of serving delicious, northern Italian fare, Grissini Italian Bistro will soon reopen as Abbondante Italian Eatery under the steady hands of Local restaurateurs Merrilee Paul and David Ross, who also created 50 Local and Owen's Farmhouse. The venerable Cape Arundel Inn is reinventing its namesake restaurant as Ocean, helmed by Chef Pierre Gignac whose Ogunquit restaurant 98 Provence was an area favorite for 17 years. Another new restaurant set to open this summer is David's Kennebunkport which will be located in a brand new waterfront building that has risen on the spot that used to be the Landing Hotel and Restaurant. Acclaimed Portland chef, David Turin's latest venture will offer creative, contemporary cuisine in a prime spot overlooking the water.

Other changes are afoot in Dock Square where a handful of shops and galleries are set to open for the season with new names and fresh offerings. Stay tuned for updates as the tides of time continue to pull us toward warm days filled with sun and surf.

We always look forward to Memorial Day as an unofficial start to the summer season. Kennebunkport celebrates Memorial Day on Monday, May 28th with an old-fashioned parade of military veterans, floats, and the high school marching band. You might even see George H. W. Bush (#41) and Barbara participating in the ceremonies. The celebration brings the community together and is equally enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

Another fun upcoming event is the 3rd Annual Flower Power Fashion Show - Caring in Full Bloom presented by the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, May 31^st from 5-8:00pm at The Colony Hotel. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served from 5-6:30pm. The event will feature a runway style fashion show showcasing the latest styles from Kennebunk’s finest in fashion. There will also be a silent auction and goody bags with many great prizes! Some proceeds from the event will benefit the Maine Cancer Foundation. Tickets can be purchased through the Chamber website: http://www.visitthekennebunks.com/events/2012_flower_power_fashion_show/

You also won’t want to miss the opportunity to check out the Designer Show House at the former Kenneth Roberts Estate, Rocky Pastures, in Kennebunkport. From Saturday, June 23, through Saturday, July 14, the Kennebunkport Historical Society is sponsoring the Show House. The Kenneth Roberts Estate is a sprawling stone house that was built for Kenneth Roberts in 1938 by the architect Frazier Forman Peters of Westport, CT.  Set in rolling meadows and wooded areas with ancient stone walls, Rocky Pastures is a 6,000 square foot house with 12 rooms that was recently updated, combining old world charm with modern conveniences.  The property is a stone’s throw from Kennebunkport’s picturesque Ocean Avenue.  It was here that Kenneth Roberts penned his popular novels of historical fiction that earned him a 1957 Pulitzer Prize in the Special Awards and Citations category. This is the first time the house has ever been open to the general public.  Tickets are $20 per person and are available through the Society, the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce, and the Nonantum Resort.

Ever dreamed of running a bed and breakfast? The idea is heavily romanticized, especially when it comes to New England. Folks often have the idea that they will wile away their days sharing wine, cheese, and interesting stories with folks from all over the world. And while that is certainly part of the equation, the reality of innkeeping has a lot of other moving parts.

Just last weekend we were proud to host one of the B&B Team’s “Better Way to Learn Innkeeping™” seminars (http://bbteam.com/seminars/). The seminars provide an immersive experience for aspiring innkeepers, covering everything from acquiring the right property to the ins and outs of zoning restrictions. The goal of each seminar is to help attendees determine if running a bed and breakfast is truly the right fit from both a business standpoint as well as a matter of lifestyle.  B&B Team founding partner Peter Scherman and partners and former innkeepers, Janet and Rick Wolf guided the seminar.

Some of the topics discussed during the seminar included:

• - Innkeeping 101 – industry overview
• - Building the profile of your inn – make it right for you
• - Due diligence – know before you buy
• - Finding and acquiring the inn – the process
• - Inn financing – what you need to know
• - Inn valuation – is the price right?
• - Business planning – your road map to success in starting a bed and breakfast
• - Marketing – blogging, social media, websites, print, networking
• - Operations – a day in the life of an Innkeeper

We had a wonderful time hosting the attendees and it was very interesting to hear about all of their hopes and inspirations. From the conversations we had it seemed like everyone who attended was leaving with a deeper understanding of the many intricacies and nuances involved in running an inn. One of the attendees was kind enough to share this feedback:

“Mary Ann and I had a great weekend with you.  The seminar was informative and helped Mary Ann and I tremendously.  The Band B team provides a unique understanding of the entire business from acquisition, operation and disposition.  I have never been able to determine which leg of a three legged stool is the most important. Accounting & Legal, Marketing, and Operations must all be attended to or a business will be face down on the ground and this weekend addressed them all.

A great big thanks to all the Inns that brought us in for a tour and shared their knowledge and experience.  They are “Inspiring Innkeepers for Aspiring Innkeepers.”

If you are inspired by the idea of owning your own inn then we highly recommend you attend some sort of innkeeping information session and also work with a knowledgeable inn broker. It is important to dream, but it is equally important to have a solid foundation upon which you can start to build those dreams.

As crocus and daffodils begin to muscle their way through the soil after their long winter nap, another kind of awakening is taking place in town. After taking breathers of anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, many local restaurants are throwing their doors open again for business. We are very fortunate to have an absolutely amazing selection of restaurants in the area, ranging from humble lobster shacks to white tablecloths and china to pretty much everything in between. So wake up your palates and come sample some of the wonderful food that can be found in and around the area.

Some places that recently opened for the season or will open soon are:

Arrows - Opening April 7th - Arrows is a true country restaurant:  proscuittos and charcuterie are created on premise, fish of all types are prepared in the onsite smoke house, breads and pastries are created by a master pastry chef, and Arrows organic garden provides up to 90% of the restaurant’s produce needs. www.arrowsrestaurant.com

Bandaloop - Opening April 17th - Bandaloop is known for its use of organic and local foods, many vegetarian and vegan options, and an array of appetizers, entrees, and sauces to choose from. Everything is created in house, from the organic bread and sauces straight through to the desserts. www.bandaloop.biz

Cape Arundel Inn - Recently extended their hours to include Tuesday - Saturday from 5:30-9 PM and Special Sunday Suppers from 4-7 PM. - Cape Arundel Inn offers a combination of inventive Maine cuisine paired with warm, professional service and breathtaking ocean views. Be sure to arrive early to have a cocktail in their cozy living room or on their ocean view porch. www.capearundelinn.com

Hurricane - Opening April 6th - Hurricane serves only the freshest seafood and lobster and they feature many satisfying vegetarian dishes. Steak and chop lovers will easily find something on the menu to tempt them and their in-house pastry chef will delight your sweet tooth. www.hurricanerestaurant.com

Kennebunkport Inn's One Dock - Opened March 30th - After a total off-season makeover One Dock is now open with a fresh new look. Situated in a wonderful location overlooking the Kennebunk River, One Dock offers creative, contemporary New England cuisine and traditional Maine favorites with a bold fusion flair. www.onedock.com

Mabel's Lobster Claw - Opening April 5th - Owners Stephanie and Robert Fischer take great pride in serving the freshest quality pieces of  fish, steaks, and lobsters available.  Homemade pies, blueberry bread, and corn muffins are baked every morning on the premises. www.mabelslobster.com

On the Marsh - Opening April 5th - Ethnicity of cuisine flows through On the Marsh's menu which features the freshest products from local growers. All of their cuisine is prepared in house with a focus on the individual's palate. www.onthemarsh.com

Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub - Opened March 17th (of course!) - This Irish Pub is the real deal, serving up plates of Bangers and Mash, Shepherd’s Pie, and loads of potatoes!

Kennebunkport it slowly becoming green again! As I look out now, staring actually at the Captain Jefferds Inn I can finally see the vibrancy coming back from the dull colors of winter. The Inn’s tulips are blooming in the corner garden and my father has been busy planting in the flower beds and painting our new white fence. Captain Jefferds has been cleaned literally from the top to the bottom for our annual spring cleaning. Kennebunkport also seems to be tidying itself up, re-painting the streets, fixing sidewalks, and re-paving roads all in preparation for a soon to be great season in Maine!

Another new restaurant in lower village Kennebunk has opened, right over the bridge next to HB provisions; Ryan’s Pub is the new local hot spot. The owner is kind, with a true Irish accent, and the beer was cold and delicious. I tried Smithwicks for the first time and I can’t wait to go back for another pint! Dianna went with a friend and said the crab cakes were delicious! I’m eager to go back, but I just bought a new “Kate” car so I think my eating out days are numbered!

The Schooner Eleanor is back, docked at the Arundle Wharf Restaurant per usual and I can’t wait to start working. It will be my 6th year working there and the scenery never gets old. I recommend experiencing the Maine coast on this beautiful green-hulled boat for a two-hour sail. I get so excited when I see it back in the water!