Have you met Scupper?

Lounging poolside!

When you arrive at Hidden Pond, you’re greeted by our wonderful front desk staff and you can feel stress melting away as you begin your Maine vacation.  And you may also be greeted by Hidden Pond’s unofficial mascot, Scupper, a 3 ½ year old lab mix, who just knows which guests are dog lovers. Scupper is the wonderful dog of our General Manager, Christy Reid, and recently became a big canine sister when Christy and her husband welcomed baby Levi into the world in July 2010.

 As you can see in the photo, Scupper loves soaking up the rays at Hidden Pond’s pool, and all over the grounds.  She has been roaming and exploring the property since before the resort was finished, knows every corner, and loves just laying in the middle of the road.  It’s a dog’s life for her, between lounging in the office or the sand, chasing chipmunks, running after and riding in the golf carts, and welcoming guests to Hidden Pond.  She knows when there’s another dog on TV, and will jump off the couch and bark at them!

 Scupper is a true Maine native, born in Cornish, Maine on Christmas Day.  For her birthday, her wish is for guests to have a little extra in their breakfast baskets and share with her! Scupper’s dad was a 100-pound chocolate lab named Moose.  Her mother was a husky, so she has the white hair of a husky underneath her black hairs.  When she sheds, half of the hair is black and half is white!

 Scupper’s strong personality is one we can all relate to, and she does things on her own terms.  She always picks a favorite from her basket of stuffed animals to carry around, before picking a new favorite.  Christy says her current favorite is her pelican stuffed animal.

Come stay at Hidden Pond, and meet the fabulous Scupper!

Come on down to the farm for a stroll and awaken your senses; the garden is bursting with color. Take time to smell the fragrant sweet peas or cut a bouquet of relaxing lavender to enjoy in your cottage. Why not liven up your taste buds with a peppery nasturtium? Our vegetables are beginning to produce, so stop by for some fresh zucchini, Swiss chard, lettuce, and a sugar snap or two! And yes, the tomatoes are coming, they’re bountiful, but still need some time to ripen. We always learn from nature and gardening is a lesson of patience.

Check out our new ride, a 1957 Ford Station Wagon. In mint condition this classic ride has been transformed into our new beach shuttle holding up to nine passengers. “Bessie” gets us from point A to B safe and sound and in a rather stylish manner. You might get a few looks from the jealous type as you cruise down to the beach having a blast in a car from the past. We provide daily shuttles to Goose Rocks Beach from Hidden Pond and we also take care of all the necessary beach accessories so you don’t have to worry about a thing when it comes to a day at the beach. You can order a “beach goers” lunch package pack it in our coolers and have a picnic in our beach chairs under a sun umbrella.  We even provide the beach towels so all you need to bring is your swim suit.

 We’re officially in our summer 2010 season and with that comes a lot of great activities to keep you busy here at Hidden Pond.  The latest and greatest addition to Hidden Pond activities is the Tai Chi class held every Thursday at 9 am. Tai Chi at Hidden Pond will be a relaxing form of martial arts that consists of slow motion movements performed in harmony with the group.  This is a great way to stretch and get your mind and body awake as you get ready for another exciting activity at Hidden Pond. We will also be offering Yoga on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 am and Farm Fitness on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday at 9 am. Farm Fitness allows you to train with a professional trainer at our Hidden Pond workout facility and get the most out of your morning workout. If your interested in art classes we will have Judith putting on classes for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-4pm.

For those looking for more fun-based activities without the hassle of driving to a destination, Hidden Pond has some great suggestions. Pete’s Bike Cruisers are a great way to get to the beach which is only a beautiful one mile ride over to Goose Rocks Beach. Our game shed has plenty of fun games to get the whole family involved. From croquet to badminton we have what you’re looking when it comes to outdoor games.

Looking for something a little more relaxing? How about a stress melting massage in our forest spa tent? With a wide variety of massage styles to choose from you’re sure to find the one that will hit all the right spots. Perhaps you’d rather sit by the pool or in our wonderful pillow embedded day beds all the while enjoying a special Hidden Pond cocktail. If your into cooking yourself, don’t forget we have a farm with fresh produce! We have seasonal herbs and vegetables in the garden that become more and more lush as the summer moves along. Picking yourself a nice basket of fresh produce can really enhance your cooking experience in your cottage. By the way did I mention your cottage comes with a complete kitchen to prepare your own meals?

You might be wondering; what can I do that’s a little more adventurous? Well aside from the fun I’ve already mentioned there’s kayaking, whale watches, trolley rides, charter fishing trips, brewery tours, scenic sail boat cruises, lighthouse tours, charming shopping villages, elegant fine dining, delicious casual seafood, and let’s not forget enough antique shops to make your head spin. We can set you up with it all, the excitement is here at Hidden Pond in Kennebunkport, Maine. The only remaining question is why wouldn’t you come and stay with us?

It has been a beautiful spring season so far in sunny Kennebunkport, Maine. With weather already reaching over 90 degrees, we anticipate a gorgeous Memorial Day weekend. The sun is shining, the sand is warm, and our drinks are cold as guests have been enjoying the Hidden Pond lifestyle poolside.  With plenty to do in Kennebunkport during the weekend you will never run out of new experiences to try. The coast of southern Maine is getting ready for a fun filled weekend.  With live music being played in many restaurants and parades marching through the streets you’ll be sure to find the right place to enjoy your holiday weekend.

Kick off your shoes and help us celebrate the Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival with this exclusive offer, just for Hidden Pond guests!
The Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival June 3-6, 2010, is an early summer fine food, art and wine festival.  Hidden Pond guests will have access to the three premier events of the weekend for just $95 per person.   Thursday, enjoy the Festival’s Opening Reception where you will have the chance to greet artists, chefs and winemakers while sipping complimentary flutes of champagne, courtesy of Tattinger.  Friday, get dressed up and sample delicious canapés at an outdoor garden party from the renowned White Barn Inn at the spectacular Twilight Soiree.  End your weekend on Saturday with the Grand Tasting and Showing; here you will have the opportunity to taste fine wines and a selection of the region’s finest cuisine.  In addition to the tasting, the area’s top chefs will demonstrate their skills in preparing dishes from start to finish.   For more information on the Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival please visit www.finelivingfestival.com.

Book Your Favorite Cottage Today 

Kick off your shoes and join us in celebrating our grand opening for our 2010 season for just $299 a night on May 14^th and 15^th.  Relax in the comfort of your own private two bedroom cottages and enjoy Hidden Pond and all it has to offer.  Included is a delicious bakery basket with daily newspaper delivered each morning to your cottage.  A Maine inspired artesian gourmet basket awaits you upon arrival and relax with a 1 pm check out on Sunday so you can take full advantage of your weekend at Hidden Pond.  Join us on Saturday evening for icy cold signature Hidden Pond cocktail and tasty appetizers at the Back Porch bar to help us ring in the start of our 2010 season, Hidden Pond style.

If you find yourself so relaxed you want to stay longer we welcome you to enjoy this special rate through the week.

Hidden Pond Explorers:  Offered during the months of July & August for children ages 3 to 12.

Kids camp at its finest.  Join our team for a Kennebunkport children’s adventure not to be forgotten.  Let your children explore Hidden Pond as kids do best.  Nature Hikes, Beach adventures/Tidal pool exploration, kite flying, Gardening & Flora and Fauna, Lawn games and Arts & Crafts.

Your children will experience the wonders of imagination, the joy of learning, the thrill of new challenges and the fun of making new friends.  They will enjoy the friendly and safe environment of Hidden Pond while pursuing their passions and give the adults a chance to pursue some of their own.

As cliché as it may be, it’s true: all good things must come to an end.  Fortunately for Hidden Pond, the end of the 2009 season simply means that the 2010 season is right around the corner!  So tonight, Halloween, is the final night to enjoy Hidden Pond before the new decade.

Throughout the past season we’ve witnessed 184 bonfires, 146 issues of the daily newsletter, 118 Hidden Pond martinis consumed, and countless memories with unforgettable guests.

Our guests have enjoyed swimming in the heated saltwater pool, roasting marshmallows on starry nights, Beach Safaris to Goose Rocks Beach, gourmet dinners prepared by talented personal chefs, riding bikes to the Farm and soothing massages in the Spa Tent.

When thinking of the perfect vacation for next summer, perhaps Hidden Pond will be first on your list.  Or, maybe you’re planning that your New Years resolution will be to spend a week in one of our cottages next autumn.  Either way, we all deserve a little “ME” time — and Hidden Pond is the perfect place for it.

We are currently taking reservations for 2010, and will continue to do so even while Hidden Pond is hibernating for the winter.  For reservations or general information, please call 1-888-967-9050 or email us at info@hiddenpondmaine.com.  We look forward to sharing the Hidden Pond experience with you in 2010!

Happy Halloween.  Happy Vacationing.  See you in the new year!

Fall is the perfect time to experience all of the delights of Kennebunkport and Hidden Pond….here’s just a few:

Hit the Links: Hitting the links at Cape Arundel Golf Course is a perfect way to enjoy a crisp autumn afternoon. The course is over a century old, and has seen the likes of George HW Bush, Richard Nixon, Babe Ruth and Phil Mickelson (who happens to hold the course record). So, whether you’re looking to break Phil’s record or simply play golf at a classic Maine course, Cape Arundel GC is a great choice. For more information, please visit: http://www.capearundelgolfclub.com/

Take Your Pick: Apple picking is a quintessential Maine autumn activity – a chance to experience the Maine outdoors while getting an authentic taste of Maine. Nearby Spiller Farm offers apple and pumpkin picking, freshly pressed cider and hayride farm tours. On your way, stop at the Café at Merriland Farm for a delicious brunch overlooking sweeping greens.

Hike Kennebunkport: Kennebunkport and the southern Maine coastline is a hiker’s paradise offering seaside strolls down Ocean Avenue, wildlife walks at the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and hilly hikes through the Kennebunk Bridle Path. Scenic Ocean Avenue winds through Kennebunkport offering views of public and private beaches, rocky jetties, oceanfront estates and the famed Walker’s Point. The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge totals 50 miles of coastline throughout York and Cumberland counties. The portion in Kennebunk and Wells is comprised of forested upland, barrier beach/dune, coastal medows, tidal salt marsh and the distinctive rocky coast. The Kennebunk Bridle Path is an old railroad bed from the 1880’s about 3 miles in length from the Kennebunk Depot to the Webhannet Golf Course. A section from Sea Road to Route 9 is wheelchair accessible for those with wide-tread tires. This path is a birdwatcher’s paradise and a wonderful nature walk for the family.

Tour de Cuisine: Food loving guests surely won’t want to miss a tour de cuisine of the local restaurant scene; sampling some of America’s finest seafood and produce throughout town is a “foodie’s” dream. Bandaloop, Pier 77 and The Ramp create culinary treats from fresh, local ingredients that are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.

Sail the Seas: If you’re looking to test out our sea legs, Kennebunkport offers plenty of nautical excursions! The Rugosa Lobster Boat holds daily lobster boat cruises allowing guests to explore the coast of Kennebunkport, pull lobster traps and learn about the lifecycle of lobsters. The Schooner Eleanor is an authentic 1920’s style yacht that sails the seas for about 2 hours.

Take a History Lesson: For history buffs, the Kennebunkport Historical Society offers personalized tours to educate visitors on the depth of our town’s history. Walking tours, historic residence tours and museum exhibits will stimulate your mind and transport you back in time. Through October 10th, the KHS offers an hour-long tour that allows guests an opportunity to “become intimately acquainted with some truly pristine examples of Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian Homes”. If a structured tour doesn’t suit your style, there are self-guided walking tourbooks available at a local gift shop for your purchase.

Explore the Lighthouses: For lighthouse lovers, Kennebunkport is home to its very own guiding light and is surrounded by four others within a 20-mile radius. Goat Island Light in Cape Porpoise can be see from Cape Porpoise Harbor (right near Pier 77 and the Ramp). To read more about this lighthouse, please see my previous Blog post. Within the area there are 4 others: Wood Island Light, Nubble Light, Whaleback Light, Boon Island Light. Although not all of these lights are accessible by car or foot, all but one can be viewed from land and are perfect photo opportunities for your next holiday or family greeting card.