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John's wife, Regan is an educator from New York City. John is a former engineer, so he keeps inn in tiptop shape. There's a steam radiator for heat in winter, but it is summer, and I didn't need ceiling fans, so I popped open large windows for fresh breezes coming off saltwater bay.
The OGI has 11 standard rooms, nine with private baths, but try to get my room, #6, best room, with private bath and a king comfy bed, period-piece dresser drawers, and replicated gray-stripped Colonial Federalist wallpaper. The natural hardwoods throughout inn have been painstakeningly restored.
On ground floor, living room is stocked with books about area, with a fireplace in front of sofas to curl up in with one of those tomes. The dining area is just off to back, where Regan serves her famous quiche in morning. You can come cook for me anytime, Regan. Breakfast is from 8-9 a.m., with coffee at 7 a.m.
From 1906-1984 Old Granite Inn served as an Elks Club, but it was originally built in 1700s as a family home. The gray terrazzo floors were added after a fire gutted building in 1940s.
John and Regan Cary live in a more contemporary home attached to OGI. Regan was working hard in a computer cubby hole, designing a flyer for a rummage sale that day, taking place in basement. I checked out items for sale, and John was doing a brisk business for such an early morning start.
Get on their email newsletter at www.oldgraniteinn.com
Check out is at 11 a.m., but I was staying longer in town, so with Regan's permission I left my bags and came back later and left key in basket by door. That gave me a warm, small town feeling, and I can see why Rockland is voted one of best small towns to live in — because of people like John and Regan.
Summer Fun In Maine
The North Atlantic Blues Festival, winner of Blues Foundations "Keeping Blues Alive Award", runs in July at Harbor Park, in Rockland. I noted that Shemekia Copeland was one of headliners at 2003 event, whom I saw in Vegas, and she shouldn't be missed. Tickets are only $20 per day, $25 at door, or better yet, $35 for a weekend pass. Call 207/593-1189 or call Rockland Chamber of Commerce at 800/562-2526.
Port cargo is up 43% over prior year in Rockland port, but fishing haul is down at Portland Fish Exchange, as was number of cruise ships in harbor. The cruise ships are all going over to Bar Harbor, now, but you can still catch a family outing on a traditional coastal schooner through Maine Windjammer Association www.sailmainecoast.com. Do not miss Pirate Museum at Farrington/Wyeth Museum in Rockland. Find out why pirates capture our imagination from these imaginative portraits, murals, and seascapes. I guess there is a little of a pirate in all of us. Then you will have some jargon to swap with maties on your summer windjammer cruise. For best on Maine on TV check out "Bill Green's Maine" on Channel WLEZ www.WLBZ2.com in Bangor, Maine, or WCSH in Portland, Maine, or visit www.wcsh6.com
The Rockland Farmers' Market Association is an organization of independent local farmers, growers, and producers who offer a wide variety of locally produced farm fresh foods, plants, flowers and other products. Many of those products can be purchased in stores on Main Street.
Acadia National Park is close by, great for rock climbing with Acadia Mountain Guides: www.acadiamountainguides.com or call 800/232-9559.
Maine State Ferry Service operates from Rockland by Department of Transportation, PO Box 645, 517A Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841-0645; 207/596-2202. Call or write for a ferry schedule. The. For Aura restaurant reservations call
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Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com
Kriss Hammond, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com