Gossip from the Kitchen
In December 2009, we celebrated the second anniversary of owning the Bellmard Inn. The days, months sure slide by so quickly. We have spent many hours working on our upgrades with changing rooms around, setting up new beds, and overall enhancements. In fact, one weekend, my sister and brother-in-law came to visit and really gave us an energy boost with help on our many projects.
Also we have our kitchen set up so that we can offer meals. We have done a lot of cooking over the years and look forward to getting back into it. We checked prices of local eating places in order to set a fair value at the inn. It is a bit harder for us because we are small and have to pay the going market price for groceries.We truly appreciated the wide range of guests who chose the Bellmard Inn.
A number of workers from the new border crossing stayed with us through the entire year. They were really nice fellows and we enjoyed having them here. The border crossing is done and so going through the border to Canada should be much quicker
We had quite a few ice fishermen come in too. We are close to a number of lakes that are great for ice fishing.
Everyone thought the mill in Baileyville was closed for good but it did re-open and we had a number of workers come and stay here.
There were quite a few fishermen who came in as well. This area’s historic salmon fishing on Grand Lake Stream has been a draw since the 1800’s. Also the lakes here have some of the best bass fishing on the East coast.
More and more people are finding the St. Croix River and taking weekend or week long camping trips. We had groups return from last year to stay with us as well as new groups and families. Many times they would stay here for the first night, leave their vehicle and then stay the last night of their journey.
A number of guests came in from Canada using us as a stopping off place before heading back or down state. We always keep our rates at par with the Canadian dollar.
More and more people are taking to motorcycles. We had a number of riders stop and stay. This is a great area to cruise. Spencer Richie, President/Editor of RideMaine magazine stopped by and we had a good visit. There are many wonderful family groups and they are welcomed here. Not only do we offer group rates but additionally, we offer under cover parking for motorcycles in our barn.
Then there are always family celebrations locally. We had many family members stay here. The best one was for a 50th birthday. Mom and dad and brothers and sisters stayed here so it was a total wonderful surprise event for the birthday gal.
Also I had a high school reunion in Massachusetts and a couple of my classmates came with their husbands and stayed. That was so nice to be able to visit with them here. Additionally, a co-worker from an assisted living home where I worked in NH came and stayed a week with her family. It is fun to be able to chat with her as well.
Then my daughter and grandchildren came for their summer visit. We spent a day in Eastport and all had a good time. I was really surprised by my eleven-year old granddaughter...I took her to my favorite place...Donald Sutherland’s Earth Forms pottery. Over the years we have purchased many of his bowls and we admire his large art pieces. She really appreciated his work too. Eastport has many special events and one of the largest July 4th celebrations in the area. We did get to go and even stay for the parade.
We never got to put in a garden because the spring was just so wet but our two blueberry bushes kept giving and giving. Every day we would go out and get a couple of quarts. Still have some in the freezer and a nice blueberry cake will be appreciated in the middle of winter.
The last weekend in July, we had a number of guests as well as artists/craftsmen who were attending The Grand Lake Stream Folk Art Festival. There are over fifty artists and craftsmen, as well as entertainment and a display of antique and heirloom quilts. This is a wonderful event and we ourselves never miss it. 2010 will be their 16th year. Again check out our links for more info.
My mom did not make it until September. She is 87 and I did not think she could make the trip but she was determined to come. She was here for a week and brought her special friend, sheltie, Cherokee. He loved our little dog, Abby. Mom and I went shopping in Calais and Eastport for Christmas gifts. She loves shopping here because she is always able to find very nice gifts for a reasonable price.
Also, we have been working all year long with area businesses to get more interest in our small Grand Lake Stream Area Chamber of Commerce. Our core group has been able to set up a new website, increase membership and this year we are sponsoring a new event August 14 and 15: The Tribes of the Dawn Land Cultural and Heritage Days. This will take place down the road on Route 1 on the Passamaquoddy Tribal Lands and will be the first of its kind in this area. There will be many members of the Maine Basketmakers Alliance (some of their baskets are in the Smithsonian) as well as native wood carvers, beaded/quill jewelry makers. These native crafts will be for sale as well as having demonstrations. Also presented will be native drumming, dancing, story telling. This will be a very very unique and special event.
There now is a wonderful museum on the tribal lands and plans by tribal basket makers for a gallery and a place for workshops on basket making.
The last story is about Abby, our black Schipperke, who is now two years old. We were moving some furniture around in the upper story of the barn and she got through the door and into the barn. In a few seconds she was standing at the open loft door and an instant later jumped out/ten feet down. I raced to the opening and looked down and she was just running around like nothing happened. We kept a close watch on her but she was fine. Yikes! Flying dogs!