The Art of Cheesemaking class

February 20, 2010 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

March 28, 2010
12:00 amto2:00 am

Innkeeper will make all class arrangments for you!! Get a discount on class rate when booking a room at the Camden Windward House.

The Art of Cheese Making with Jennifer Betancourt Sunday 11-2 $50/person  Sunday March 28, 2010 join cheesemaker Jennifer and mozzarella queen Amanda as they divulge their secrets on how to make beautiful fresh handstretched mozzarella and whole milk ricotta.  Using these freshly made cheeses, the class will then make and enjoy delicious caprese salads and delectable homemade canolis.  Class will meet at the Vineyard tasting room in Lincolnville from 11am-2pm.     $50/person   Jennifer Betancourt’s Bio   Jennifer co-founded Silvery Moon Creamery with Smiling Hill Farm, and was head cheesemaker there for six years, served as President of Maine Cheese Guild for two years, and is currently on their Board of Directors.  She is currently consulting small farmstead cheese operations in ME and NH, spending time with her two year old daughter and making cheese and yogurt for her family!  She loves living in Maine where there is such easy access to farm fresh milk.   Mozzarella Queen Amanda’s Bio  

Amanda entered the wonderful world of cheesemaking when she joined Jennifer at the Silvery Moon cheesevat two and half years ago.  This girl loves cheese, and has a way with curd (her background in Environmental Science doesn’t hurt either).  Amanda even made cheese while on a vacation in Washington State!  She has done numerous mozzarella demonstrations to rave reviews.   At this point she has handstretched more mozzarella by hand than anyone else in the state, and her mozzarella is beautiful!  She is Maine’s very own Mozzarella Queen!

Live Art Dance Party

February 19, 2010 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

March 20, 2010
7:00 amto11:00 am

Performances by Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids, Jonathan Wood, Hip Hop DJ Terry Frank, and live art by Rob Dyer. Cash bar – proper ID required (adult supervision required for 14 and under). In the 3rd floor gallery at the Camden Opera House – doors open at 7:30 pm.
Tickets are $10. Innkeeper can have your tickets for you upon arrival.
“We like to call our music tribal-acoustic-folk funk,” said Ross (Stiff Whisker and the Driftwood Kids). “It’s music that’s very easy and fun, but still has a kind of soul to it. You can dance to it, you can sing along to it. We want people to think, ‘That’s a damn good song’ when they hear us.”

Winter Bike DownHill Race

February 16, 2010 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

February 21, 2010

Camden Snow Bowl This is an elimination style 4-Cross bike race. It is one of three events held in New England this winter for downhill bike racing coordinated by Ernie’s Cycle Shop in Westbrook, ME. It is open to anyone, even if you are not interested in the point series, and it’s as much fun to watch as it is to race! Plenty of thrills and spills. After the 4-Cross there will be a timed Speed Run contest.

8:00 – 9:30 AM Registration in lodge
9:00 – 10:00 AM Practise Runs
10:00 AM Race Start 
The Speed Run will take place after the completion of the 4-Cross, time permitting.
Registration Fee: $35.00 includes lift ticket.

Camden Cookies for a Cause

December 4, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

The Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast is hosting its first Cookie Walk. I baked 84 cookies today and prepared cookies dough for another 100 to baked off tomorrow. Tomorrow is the kick off to the Christmas By the Sea Holiday in the Mid Coast of Maine. It is a wonderful time to visit the area. There will be a parade in the downtown and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. Saturday, Camden Windward House is the sponsor of Santa coming to Camden Harbor by Lobster Boat @ 11:30am. Santa motors in and then walks up to the Camden Public Library (12:00pm) to read the Night Before Christmas to the children. at 1:00 The Camden Windward House will host the Cookie Walk. The cookie fundraiser benefits local school nurse Judy Clossey. Judy has been helping area children for over 35 years.

1st coookie for the WALK:

White Chocolate and Rasperry Cookies:
11 ounces white baking chocolate
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp Salt
2 eggs
2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup seedless jam
1/2 tsp shortening
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Melt 4 ounces of white baking chocolate and let cool. Ta ke another 4 ounces of white chocolate and chop int small pieces.
2. Beat in  butter, sugar, baking soda and salt, beat until combined. Beat in eggs and melted white chocolate. Beat in flour, and then stir in extra 4 ounces of chopped white chocolat.
3. Drop by tsp onto cookie sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes. Bake until brown around the  edges and bottom. Let stand for 1 minute on the sheet then cool on rack.
4. Before serving, melt jam over low hea. Spoon onto of cookie. Heat the remaing 3 ounces of white chocolate and the shortening. Dizzle over the cookies, refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm.
ENJOY!!!

Market Basket Cooking Class

December 3, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Cooking Class featuring the owners of Lily Bistro. 2 hour course for $55.00. Stay at the Camden Windward House Bed and Breakfast while you are in town for this great cooking class. Market Basket is a fun upscale deli in Rockport. Stay in wonderful Camden Maine downtown.

Market Basket Cooking Class

December 3, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

January 3, 2010
5:00 am

Cooking class featurng: Richard from Ephemere Wine Bar and Cafe. The Market Basket is wonderful upscale deli in Rockport Maine. 2 hour course for $55.00.  Stay in wonderful downtown Camden Maine where ephemere restaurant is. Go to the cooking class during th day and enjoy Ephemere for dinner.

Bok Amphitheatre Ceremony Photo Blog

March 27, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Bok Amphitheatre Ceremony Photo Blog

Ceremony of Bride at the Bok Amphitheatre, Garden Weddings in Camden Maine

Schooner Olad Sandwich at Camden Deli

March 14, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Last week was fun with champagne and Irish Music, I was so moved by the Irish music that I became reminiscent of the past and have been practicing Irish dancing. I was a Staten Ireland Dancer in Staten Island New York for about 8 years. I signed up to teach an after school enrichment program here in Camden Maine about Irish step dancing to 2nd and 3rd graders. My daughter says no one is going to be interested. I told my daughter that I didn’t care because even if no one came, I would be dancing in the school cafeteria by myself and that would be fun.
The Irish Dancing is not the only thing I am excited about this week,  this week I became privy to the Camden Deli new menu ideas. The Camden Deli is my favorite lunch place. Tom and Angela (Owners) have a wonderful spot right over the waterfall and the best view in Camden. They use Boars Head products for their sandwiches and do a great job! I was excited to find out that the Camden Deli summer 2009 new menu will include sandwiches named after local boats. Angela was so excited about the Schooner Olad Sandwich. The Schooner Olad Sandwich will be: Sour Dough Bread, Mustard, and Cheddar cheese, grilled onions, roasted red peppers, sliced chicken breast all grilled together.  Sounds delicious. I wonder if Captain Aaron of the Olad knows about this dedication.  I am sure he will be thrilled. You can sit by the big picture window or deck and eat an Olad sandwich as you watch the Olad set sail on the Penobscot Bay.

Camden Deli

Schooner Olad

 

 

Kiosk of Local Events

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Kiosk of Local Events

Camden Village kiosks all over town advertise anything you might need, want to do or see while in town.

Small Wonder Gallery

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Small Wonder Gallery

One of Camden Maine’s hidden treasures is small wonder gallery, just off the public wharf

Library

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Library

View of harbor from east side of town

Bayview Lobster

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Bayview Lobster

Lobster and ice cream at Bayview Lobster in Camden Maine- although in 2009 this will be gone, as the owner is building a larger building with a hotel.

Live Maine Lobster

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Live Maine Lobster

Bayview lobster keeps the lobsters in a tank just outside.

Camden Public Library

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Camden Public Library

Sitting atop a hill with a great view and Mt. Battie in the background is the Camden Public Library

Ice Cream Stand

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Ice Cream Stand

What could be better after a lobster dinner than ice cream?

Olad Ticket Table

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Olad Ticket Table

Camden Village continues Maine’s sailing tradition with its fleet of historic schooners. You can take a 2 hour daysail on one of the many boats in the harbor.

Boats & Island Camden Harbor

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Boats & Island Camden Harbor

Curtis island sits like a centerpiece in the middle of Camden Harbor always surrounded by beautiful sailboats

Atlantica Restaurant

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Atlantica Restaurant

Camden Village’s Atlantica Restaurant is a wonderful place, a great deck overlooking the water and superb food can’t be beat

Antique Clocks

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Antique Clocks

Camden Village has many antique shops. Here is a picture of the sign outside of Downshire House

Waterfront Restaurant Deck View

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Waterfront Restaurant Deck View

The view from Waterfront Restaurant’s deck

Waterfront Restaurant

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Waterfront Restaurant

Camden Village’s Waterfront Restaurant has an excellent deck overlooking the harbor.

Sailboats in Penobscot Bay

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Sailboats in Penobscot Bay

View of harbor

Camden Harbor

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Camden Harbor

Camden Harbor with harbor park in the background

Laite Beach

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Laite Beach

Camden Village has a beach. In the summer there is a small raft for bathers. It is a great place to watch the boats sail by.

Natalies Restaurant View of Town

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Natalies Restaurant View of Town

Natalies Restaurant has a wonderful view of the town and harbor with the mountain in the background, making it a really nice special occasion restaurant.

Mt Battie Camden Harbor

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Mt Battie Camden Harbor

View from Bay View street, up on the hill Camden Harbor

Camden Church

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Camden Church

Camden Village is a traditional New England seacoast town. We have almost as many churches as bookstores and almost as many churches and bookstores as we have people

Camden Opera House

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Camden Opera House

Camden Opera House features many great acts throughout the year, but primarily in the Summer months. Completely restored, its so intimate every seat in the house is the best one

Mt Battie from Village Green

February 9, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Mt Battie from Village Green

Camden Village

Before Kayaking, Biking, Hit the Deli

February 7, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Before Kayaking, Biking, Hit the Deli

Typical Maine summers include much biking and kayaking…

No Ferns at Mariners

February 7, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

No Ferns at Mariners

This small diner boasts that it has no ferns (the plant) and that locals eat here…

Boynton Mckay

February 7, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Boynton Mckay

Luncheonette with pet waiting for owner…

Sterling Silver Sailing Ship Earings Schooner

February 3, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

schooner earrings

schooner earrings

Schooners of the Midcoast Series, By Maine craftsman, Russel of Camden these beautiful sterling silver earings have many intricate details.  $65.00 plus tax, free shipping in the US on this item.

Kayaking in Camden Harbor

January 1, 2009 by Kristen · Leave a Comment 

Kayak, Paddle the Penobscot – Using One of Our Great Kayak-Tour Outfitters is Highly Recommended

Kayaking the Maine coast is the perfect way to see it. From the vantage of the surface of the water, the hidden coves, island estates, precipitous ledges, all the colors and contours of Maine’s unique drowned coastline open up to the Kayaker. It’s also a great way to see Maine’s coastal wildlife. The Penobscot Bay is home to Atlantic Puffin, Porpoises, Cormorants, Harbor Seals, Eagles, Osprey, and many other ocean dwelling creatures that you simply will not see while driving up Route 1.

Kayaking Day Trips

Despite the fact that Kayaking Maine’s coast can be a wonderful experience, it can also be challenging and requires preparation in order to be enjoyable. Thankfully, for those who are not trained and experienced in kayaking the Maine coast, or those experienced kayakers who simply want to enjoy the area without all that preparation, there are several tours and outfitters that provide wonderful guided completely outfitted kayak tours. Camden Maine is home to some of the best Kayak tours around, and letting the tour guide outfit you is not only a great introduction to Kayaking the Maine coast, but even for experienced Kayakers, it takes the hassle out of the enterprise.

Kayak day trips permit you to experience the Penobscot Bay, while still being able to take a nice bath or shower at your Bed and Breakfast that night. Also, touring with an outfitter-guide permits you to have all the proper equipment, without carrying it with you on your trip. The tour operators take care of the myriad details, and have seen every kind of condition on the water, so there is nothing for you to do but sit back and enjoy the paddle. Most tour-outfitters have guided paddles for every level of kayaker, from the casual to the experienced.

Here is a list of the issues that you should be aware of , that your kayak tour outfitter will know before undertaking a kayak tour of the Penobscot Bay:

  • You should possess and be familiar with the local charts. Maps are for land, and charts are for anyone using the waterways.
  • Camden, Rockport, Rockland Charts: National Ocean Service (NOS) Charts for the Camden-Rockport area are Charts 13305 Penobscot Bay (1:40,000) and 13307 Camden, Rockport and Rockland Harbors (1:20,000).
  • Chart kit: 65, 68A, 20
  • Maine Atlas locator map: 14

Camden, Rockport, Rockland Tides:

The tides change, there are neap tides and spring tides, and the size and duration of the high and low tides vary by the phase of the moon. You can pick up a local tide chart from Maine Sport Outfitters, or better yet, take a tour with one of their expert guides, and let them worry about the tides.

Charts are navigational aids for kayaking around Camden, and Rockport and some of the aids indicated on the charts are the Seal Ledge Beacon, and the Graves and Curtis Island Light. Charts are full of useful information such as landmarks, depths, rocks, islands and points of entry, including all tide points of entry to land. But, no need to worry about sea charts, because, any of the kayak tour services listed below can provide them and are fully familiar with the ones pertaining to the guided routes.
For those do-it-yourselfers, we have listed a number of wonderful Kayak the Maine coast tour books that are full of information.
Wildlife: Another reason it is advisable to take a trip with a kayak tour outfitter is to assist you in being a good steward of the bay by helping kayakers to follow precautions to keep the areas precious wildlife and archeological treasures preserved for future generations to enjoy. Tips to be a good steward of nature include being wary of nesting birds, honoring signs that designate areas closed for nesting birds, not bringing dogs on your trip, avoiding known seal ledges, watching all wildlife from a safe distance. Do bring binoculars and waterproof cameras to help you enjoy while keeping a distance. Never approach seal pups, even if you think they might be abandoned. Most often, of course, they only look like they have been abandoned, and approaching them will necessarily disturb the care of their mother. Stick to the established paths, picnicking in established sites. Never light fires, and do not walk or dig in shell middens. You should always carry all trash out with you.

There are several great places to see from the water, and several really nice kayak trips in and around Camden Harbor. The land in public or conservation ownership which a kayaker may visit is Curtis Island Park, Mark Island, and Goose Rocks, which is closed during bird nesting but open to careful day use afterward.

Launching your Kayak in Camden Harbor

The all-tide boat ramp is on Sea Street, that overlooks Camden’s outer harbor but the kayak tour outfitters have their own places to disembark. Directions to the Camden Maine all-tide boat ramp are as follows: if you’re heading north on Route 1, at the intersection of Route 52, or Mountain Street, your landmark is the Camden Public Library on the right, bear right continuing on Route 1 North. Turn right on Sea Street, which is 0.1 mile north, a very short ride. Go 0.3 miles along Sea Street (follow the left turn). Turn right on Steamboat Landing drive. There is room only for a couple of cars, and it is better to park on Avey Drive, where there is a small lot for boat launchers. Avey Drive is back to Sea Street, turn right, the road curves left and the lot is on the left.

Links, and Contact Information for Penobscot Bay, Camden, Rockport or Rockland Maine Kayak Tour Outfitters:

Breakwater Kayak
Mailing address: 6 Megunticook St., Camden 04843
Located in Rockland, Breakwater Kayak specializes in tours focused on natural history. Offers professionally guided trips in Penobscot and Muscongus bays. Trips available for all ages and skill levels. Leads two-hour tours of Rockland Harbor, four-hour trips to Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, and full-day trips to Owls Head State Park and Lighthouse. Multi-day trips feature tent camping or accommodations in bed-and-breakfast inns.

Phone: (207) 596-6895
E-Mail: info@breakwaterkayak.com
Web: www.breakwaterkayak.com

Camden Kayak
Based in Camden, Camden Kayak guides trips in Penobscot Bay or Muscongus Bay, either for a day or for overnight trips.

E-mail: info@camdenkayak.com
Web: www.stormloader.com/camdenkayak/

Maine Sport
Based in Rockport, this Outdoor School has a wide range of courses, tour, clinics and instructor and guide certification. Day trips include tours of Camden Harbor and Friendship Harbor. Family tours include paddling the St. George River or Megunticook Lake. Maine Sport does rent kayaks as long as you can demonstrate that you have paddling experience.

Phone: 800-722-0826 or 207-236-8797
E-mail: outdoorschool@mainesport.com
Web: www.mainesport.com

Hurricane Island Outward Bound School
Based in Rockland, the School offer sea kayaking courses in Penobscot Bay. Most courses are one or two weeks long.

75 Mechanic Street
Rockland, ME 04841
Bus: 1 (207) 594-5548
Bus 2: 1 (866) 746 9771
Bus Fax: 1 (207) 594-9425
E-mail: info@hurricaneisland.org
Web Page: http://www.hurricaneisland.org

Other Useful Online Articles on Sea Kayaking in the Penobscot Bay

This article Entitled Paddling Possibilities in Maine’s Penobscot Bay by Kayakshops gives short descriptions of the islands and dimensions of Penobscot Bay.

Books on Kayaking the Maine Coast

Kayaking the Maine Coast: A Paddler’s Guide to Day Trips from Kittery to Cobscook, Second Edition (Paperback)
by Dorcas S. Miller (Author)
(A Backcountry Guide)
Guide to Sea Kayaking in Maine, The Best Day Trips from Casco to Machias
Shelley Johnson and Vaughan Smith
(2001 Globe Pequot Press)
Sea Kayaking Along the New England Coast 2nd Edition
Coastal Paddling Adventures from Down East Maine to Long Island Sound
Tamsin Venn
(2004 Appalachian Mountain Club Books)
Quiet Water Maine 2nd Edition,
Alex Wilson and John Hayes
(2005 Appalachian Mountain Club Books)
Strange Maine
Edited By Charles G. Waugh, Martin H. Greenberg and Frank D. McSherry, Jr.
(1986 Lance Tapley)