Coming off a very busy summer season, we welcome the changing of the season and anticipate the always inspiring fall colors of Maine as well as the many familiar and new guests who will come our way.

After a one year hiatus due to the travel schedule of the Chef ~ Owners, The Kennebunk Inn Halloween Party returns on October 29, the Saturday before Halloween. Come in your most creative Halloween garb and enjoy great food and drinks and the entertainment of a live band—Straight Lace.

Once again this year, The Inn’s restaurant will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but families are invited to pick up their entire dinner or selected items (turkey, stuffing, gravy, vegetables, pies etc.) Thanksgiving morning at The Inn. Advanced reservations are required. As in the past, The Inn is open for overnight guests throughout the Thanksgiving week-end; both Academe and the Tavern will be open again for regular hours starting on Friday after Thanksgiving.

Starting with the always popular Kennebunk Christmas Prelude Week-end, the first week-end of the month, December will see a wide range of holiday happenings at The Inn. Decked out with colorful Christmas decorations, The Inn will host numerous corporate, community and private functions throughout this special season of the year. Advanced reservations are recommended especially for Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners. Chef ~ Owner, Shanna O’Hea, will also have her traditional Yule Log available for purchase.

The previous edition of The Quarterly commented on The Inn’s inaugural season of co-ed summer softball. Contrary to the predictions of some and due to the effective blending of Inn staff and patrons, The Inn team performed with remarkable competitiveness, making it into and through the first-round of the post-season playoffs. An active off-season is expected by the team’s executive staff as free agents are pursued and an extensive work-out regimen is instituted to prepare for an even more aggressive run at next year’s title. One of the team’s biggest challenges could be the replacement of pitcher (and Sunday bartender), Skip, who has signaled his intention (a la Roger Clemens) to retire from the game – not the bar.

We are gratified by the enthusiastic comments of many of our guests. Here are some from the recent season:

“Wonderful atmosphere, stellar service!” (Brett and Darlene, Manchester, NH) …“Exceptional dining experience! Great place for a retreat; warm hospitality.” (Carol, Lomgmeadow, MA) …“Outstanding service and the food is WOW!” (Vicki and Peter, Ossining, NY) … “Wonderful way to celebrate our first anniversary!” (Linda and John, Ruston, LA) … “Great cuisine and staff” (Elsa, Lexington, MA) … “Yah! Hooray!!” (Liz and Chris, Van Nuys, CA) … “Fabulous!” (Bonnie and Evan, Shannock, RI) … “It is good to return again!” (Carolyn and Philip, Las Vegas, NV) … “Best dinner in last two years – great!” (Jim and Jen, Louisville, KY) …“This was truly a great place to stay.” (Dana, Wally, Bobby, Julie, William and Gracie, Austin, TX and Boston, MA) (Johanna, Miami, FL)