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Romantic Kennebunkport Maine
By: Norm Goldman
Artist: Lily-Azerad Goldman
Kennebunkport- what an unusual name for a town!
 According to the town’s historical society the name is
of Native American origin. It translates from kini-banek “long cut bank,”
and refers to the “Great Hill” or a grassy high cliff projecting into a
large body of water.
Located on the southern coast of Maine, about twenty
five miles below Portland, it is 88 miles from Boston, 298 miles from New
York and 188 miles from Hartford.
History tells us that at least five centuries before
the first Europeans arrived here, and perhaps even thousands of years
earlier, Native Americans inhabited Kennebunkport.
In 1630, it was called Cape Porpus (Porpoise), and in
1719, it was changed to Arundel.
Finally, in 1820, when the town was a very busy port
playing a pivotal role in the maritime industry second only to Portland, it
became known as Kennebunkport.
 Prosperous sea captains, merchants and shipbuilders
vastly contributed to the town’s fortunes, and were instrumental in building
some of the prettiest homes and churches in the region.
They also were influential in creating one of the
wealthiest villages in the state.
Seizing the many opportunities, the Europeans believed
that the new world was only an extension of their old homeland.
Consequently, the homes they built, the communities that evolved and the
names they gave to the various villages and towns only reflected their own
cultural heritage.
Today, you can still view some of these Colonial
residences if you meander along the tree- lined streets that surround
Dock Square in the center of its historic district.
When the shipbuilding era ended in the 19th century,
the age of the summer visitor followed.
During the latter part of the 1800s the idyllic and
romantic image of Maine with its rugged and scenic beauty played an immense
role in attracting Kennebunkport’s earliest summer visitors.
The Boston and Maine Railroad transported several thousand-summer
visitors to Kennebunk, where a station had been established.
In 1900 the Atlantic Shore Line trolley system was
constructed carrying visitors to their various destinations and making
access easy.
Interesting to note is that Maine’s publicity slogan,
“Vacationland,” can be traced to the publicists of the Maine Central
Railroad in the late 1890s.
These summer visitors, as do the visitors of today,
enjoyed the various
beaches located in and around Kennebunkport, such as Gooch's Beach,
Goose Rocks Beach, Mother’s Beach and Middle Beach.
It was fishing that attracted the earliest settlers,
and this attraction has continued today, as the excellent fishing spots
located in and around Kennebunkport lure many a traveler.
Only minutes away is Cape Porpoise, where you can watch
lobster fishermen unloading their catch for the day and even purchase all
the fresh lobster you can eat right out of the traps.
ATTRACTIONS
One of the most popular attractions of this seafaring
town is a drive along Ocean Avenue, where you can participate with many
others in Bush-watching.
The 11-acre estate of former President George Bush and
his wife, Barbara, is located on Walker’s Point overlooking the ocean.
How about experiencing an old fashion trolley ride?
Check out
the Seashore Trolley Museum, where you will be able to catch one of
these rides.
Take a
scenic cruise down the Kennebunk River for a romantic jaunt.
There are also the many art galleries to explore,
guided kayak tours, whale watching and nature charters, the Kennebunkport
Brewery, and summer theatre in and around Kennebunkport.
In Kennebunk just minutes away from Kennebunkport you
will find the most photographed home in Maine, the
Wedding Cake House.
ROMANTIC DINING
Once you have explored this charming little town, you
may want to experience a dining establishment that according to its owner,
Denise Rubin, “is not only a feast for the palate, but also a feast for the
eyes.” And that it is.
On The Marsh, located in a restored farmhouse and barn on three acres of
tidal marsh, has been named for the past two years by People’s Choice as the
most romantic restaurant.
It has also been honored with the Wine Spectator Award
of Excellence for superb cuisine, wine cellar and ambiance in 2003’.
If you have a glance at its European country classic
cuisine you can well understand the magic quality that makes
discriminating diners zero in on this restaurant.
As soon as you step into the front door you are amazed
at how a dilapidated building, previously known as the Salt Marsh Tavern,
had been transformed into a first class dining establishment by its owner
Denise Rubin. In one word it can only be described as “magnifique.”
Rubin, with a keen eye and a very vivid imagination,
realized the potential of having a restaurant overlooking marshes, where
tiny white lights adorning the property’s cedar and pine trees, would be
nothing less than stunning.
What caught Lily’s artistic eye was Rubin’s knack of
incorporating a Harlequin touch in the restaurant’s décor, such as the black
and white diamond table clothes, and some of the collection of art,
antiques, furnishings and collectables. Apparently all of these items are
ever changing, and all are available for purchase.
Add an elegant and exciting menu together with an
outstanding wine cellar, and you have an unbelievable romantic ambience. For
that special romantic rendezvous you can even request to be seated at a
table hidden away in an alcove, where many a wedding proposal has
transpired.
On the other hand, if you are curious about what goes
on behind the scenes, the restaurant’s staff will set you up in the kitchen,
where you can experience how one of the finest chefs and his staff carry out
their culinary skills.
There is also the owner’s table where the chef will
prepare a special menu for you including the opportunity to savor various
wines from their extensive collection.
What makes On The Marsh one of the most outstanding
restaurants in the State of Maine is its creative dishes and perfect
presentation.
This was quite evident when we had the opportunity to
sample some of the Sushi Entrees followed by the house salad of assorted
greens and crisp romaine marinated red onions, and grape tomatoes. The
principal entrée consisted of the potato and basil crusted Atlantic Salmon
Filet, horseradish-thyme beurre blanc, crushed Yukon Gold potatoes.
The pièce de resistance was the trio of crème brulée
and the lemon cheesecake.
There is no doubt that anyone who has had the
opportunity to experience this fine restaurant will return time and time
again.
On The Marsh
46 Western Avenue-Rte 9
Lower Village-Kennebunkport, Maine
Tel: 207-967-2299
Fax: 207-967-3456
Email:
info@onthemarsh.com
Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Chamber of Commerce
PO BOX 740
Kennebunk, Maine, 04043
Tel: 207-967-0857
Email:
info@visitthekennebunks.com
Norm and Lily Azerad-Goldman are a unique husband and
wife team, writer and water colorist, who write and paint about romantic
destinations.
Basically, they meld art and words in order to create
an unusual travel story, which generates interest, particularly because of
the fact that each painting appears to have been ‘custom-made’ for the
story-original story and original art.
They can be contacted at:
l.goldman@sympatico.ca
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