Founded in 1987, the Camden Conference is a nonprofit, non-partisan educational organization whose mission is to foster informed discourse on world affairs.
The 23rd Annual Camden Conference, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India – Crossroads of Conflict, will take place February 19-21, 2010. Most of the activities take place at the beautiful Camden Opera House, located on Elm St. in downtown.
The whole Migis Hotel Group -Black Point Inn, Migis Lodge, The Inn at Ocean’s Edge and The Inn at Camden Place -are heading down to the Boston Globe Travel Show at the Seaport World Trade Center this weekend. Come by and visit!
Ever wonder – what do people do in Maine in all that snow in the winter?
Here we are, middle of February, and I have a treat for you!
Right here, in Lincolnville, ME – Blockhouse Pursuits Dogsledding Adventures! Click on the photo to see and read more.
The Inn at Ocean’s Edge is joining in. The program, started in 2004 by the Maine Innkeepers Association, is designed to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. The need is great and you can help!
Here’s how it works: Between May 7th and May 28th, 2010, we will offer a designated number of rooms at half the regular rate, in exchange for a $35 check payable to Habitat for Humanity. It’s a feel-good win-win situation: you get the discount and help this wonderful organization build homes for those in need. What do you get? A stay in an oceanview Traditional Room with a king size bed, jacuzzi, fireplace and a gourmet breakfast. This offer is available Monday through Thursday and a reservation must be made 7 days in advance. Availability is limited, you can check here if rooms are available for the date of your visit.
More about the program: These funds will be distributed among the nine local chapters of Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity International is dedicated to eliminating poverty housing. Founded in 1975 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife Linda, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates in more than 3,000 communities in 92 nations have built more than 300,000 homes for partner families around the world. Their website is www.habitat.org.
Hospitality for Habitat - click to book
It’s the middle of winter, which means a lot of grounds and building maintenance as well as catching up on things like sorting through the thousands of photos taken during the summer, both by our staff and guests who send in theirs. I’ve been postponing this photo organization project for a few weeks now, but was prompted to go through a bunch of them yesterday when I got a call from the Camden Rockport Lincolnville Chamber of Commerce, looking for a particular shot. Throughout the winter, as I come across them, I’ll share some of the best, beginning with this one:
Fast Tube by Casper
20th Annual National Toboggan Championships take place February 5 – 7, 2010 at the Camden Snow Bowl. Sign up your team of 2, 3 or 4 brave souls and get ready to slide down a wooden chute, twice to qualify and once more in the Finals. Creative team name is a must to keep up with tradition. Here’s a recap of last year’s blog:
Chute Happens.
2 Old 2 Know Better.
Ice-Kids-Pades.
In-Laws.
Night of the Living Sled.
These are just some of the team names from this National Toboggan Championships held at the Camden SnowBowl. There is a handful of, shall we say, colloquial ones as well, not quite rated for this family blog. But it’s all in good fun and good fun was to be found everywhere this weekend.
See all the photos on our Flickr page.
Saturday were the tryouts and at least, a perfect day! In the 30’s F and sunny, who could ask for better weather when a competition on ice is involved? The past several years have seen the weather during this weekend in the extremes – completely freezing temperatures penetrating every layer you thought will protect you when you got dressed in the morning, and the rainy days which caused puddles to form on the lake, delivering a spray as each sled hit the ice from the chute.
The 2009 season at The Inn at Ocean’s Edge wrapped up with a big party for the Pop!Tech conference. Now we’re taking a break, putting away pool furniture, putting the edge back into our edgeless infinity pool by draining it in preparation for Maine’s famous snowfall. The Black Point Inn is finishing its season with a Thanksgiving dinner, and Migis Lodge has already stowed their boats preparing for winter.
Our only property which remains open is the Inn at Camden Place, in downtown Camden. Check it out for quiet, comfortable accommodations in the heart of a busy little harbor town.
What happens to the staff? Some have taken off for college a couple of months ago. Others migrate south to Florida and the islands for seasonal jobs in other luxurious hospitality locations. And yet others stay around in Maine, working out new menus for the 2010 seasons, performing maintenance on equipment and staffing the office to answer calls and emails about reservations for the coming season. We catch up with our families during the holidays and begin the countdown to Mother’s Day weekend – May 7, 2010 – our opening date!
Enjoy your winter! Happy Holidays!
A room at The Inn at Camden Place
Fireplace in the Tantalus Lounge at The Edge
We’re hosting a Tweetup at The Edge tomorrow night, Thursday, at 7pm. PopTech sessions end around 6:30, so c’mon over. Find us on Twitter @InnOceansEdge
The Edge at night
When: Thursday, 10/22, 7pm
Where: At The Edge Oceanfront Restaurant at The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, 4 and 1/2 miles north of the Camden Opera House. Plug in 2268 Atlantic Highway, Lincolnville, ME into your GPS – detailed directions
This week’s menu if you want to grab a bite – dining, casual, sweets, drinks
Farmers’ Fare just opened in the neighboring town of Rockport. In the open letter greeting visitors on their site, they welcome us, “We at Farmers Fare want to bring a contemporary interpretation to traditions that have always enriched our lives. We will host Sunday suppers, pig roasts, pumpkin carvings and other fun events. We pledge to provide a welcoming atmosphere, and scrumptious local food and products of highest quality. We will provide rooms for lectures and informal meetings about food, cooking, and growing healthy crops.” We visited one afternoon last week to check it out. One open large space serves as a market and a cafe. One of the walls has been painted with chalk paint, where many a recent visitor has left his mark.
Along the southern wall of the room stand coolers stocked with drinks and meats. The last one in line says, “Pay It Forward”. Hmm? What a wonderful idea! One can help themselves to a sweet frozen treat and, optionally, leave a dollar – “feed the cow”. Or put a buck in now and pick up your treat another time. Treats come in a variety of flavors including lemon, multi-berry and one labeled “???” – mystery flavor! Yum!
Stop by and visit our new neighbors, on Route 90, within a half mile of its northern intersection with Route 1 in Rockport.
The Juice Conference connects leaders of the creative economy to foster growth and prosperity. Weaving together the arts, technology, and entrepreneurship, Juice inspires innovation by bringing talented people together from widely different backgrounds to build on Maine’s traditions. Juice is a forum where attendees can learn, exchange ideas, share success stories and provide input to shape the development of strategies for Maine’s future.
The speakers’ list has just been announced and includes Nick Spitzer, Governor Baldacci, Liz Lerman, Marci Rossell and many others!
View of Camden from Mt. Battie in Camden Hills State Park
From Black Point Inn From Migis Lodge From The Inn at Camden Place
