By request, I have added information on gift registry for those who are interested. Here.
*** News on accommodations! ***
If you want to book a room at the Driftwood Inn, you're going to need to call and make reservations directly. We have put in our reservations and have opened up the rest of the block for other people to book.
Another good option is Cook's Island View Motel, listed below. You can book directly by calling the number below. Given that there are rumored to be other weddings on the islands that day, you will want to do this as soon as possible, however.
One last option is the Little Island Motel. They have three or fewer rooms left as of the 14th of May.
Take note, though: aside from the Driftwood, Cook's Island View, and Little Island Motel, accommodations on the rest of the islands are pretty well booked! Your next closest options, barring that you would like to camp or rent a house, are probably 30-40 minutes away, or longer.
See below for more information on accommodations. Feel free to ask (call or email!) if you have any questions after reading what we've put together!
Thanks! Now, enjoy the site...
For those driving from south of the airport, you'll need to take Interstate 95 into Maine from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. After some time in Maine, this will become the Maine Turnpike. Then, take I-295 North (formerly I-95 North). From Route 295 North take exit 28 (Formerly 22) for Coastal Route 1 to Bath and Brunswick. At the third traffic light, take a left turn to follow Route 1. Take the exit for Cook's Corner to find Route 24 South to Orr's & Bailey Islands. Pass straight through traffic lights to follow Route 24 South. Cross two bridges in 11 miles between Cook's Corner and Orr's Island. map1 map2 map3
Get ready for some spectacular views! The islands are beautiful in the summer and are everything you'd imagine Maine would be!
All Saints' Chapel (the site of the wedding) is a beautiful little chapel which will be a wonderful spot for our ceremony. It has a maximum capacity of about 120 people, so we should fill it up pretty nicely with about half that number! Anyway, it can be found just off Route 24, on Cooper Lane, as you head south after crossing the bridge onto Orr's Island. Cooper Lane and the Chapel are a left-hand turn. From the point at which Mountain Road intersects Harpswell Islands Road (Rt. 24), it is exactly 4 miles to Cooper Lane. Look for the "Episcopal Church Welcomes You" sign. map4 map5
Library Hall (the site of the reception following the wedding) is a great little hall built in the very early 20th century and patronized by the likes of Carl Jung, Horace Mann, and other luminaries of the time. Library Hall, a former library still filled with books in side cabinets, features beautiful hardwood floors, big, open, front doors, and a wonderful view of Mackerel Cove below. To get to Library Hall, you will take a left turn when exiting the Chapel parking lot at Cooper Lane, and continue south on Route 24 from All Saints on Orr's Island. You will cross the granite cribstone bridge (only one in the world!) that joins Orr's and Bailey Islands. Drive South 2 miles to Library Hall (a white building with a porch on the front) will be found on the left-hand side of route 24 directly before Mackerel Cove on Bailey Island. Access to parking behind the hall can be found directly before it on Library Hall Lane, a short dirt track. Additional parking may be made available in other spots. Check this page closer to the date for more information. map6 map7
The Driftwood Inn (one of our recommended lodging choices) is further down Route 24 on Bailey Island. The turn-off for the Inn is 2.4 miles south of the Chapel and 0.4 miles south of Library Hall on Route 24. The Inn is found on Washington Avenue, a left-hand turn, closer to the end of Bailey Island (which is called Land's End). Slowly, keeping to the right on this small road, wind your way 0.3 miles all the way down to the end of the street, where you will find parking at the Inn and along the street. map8 map9
RECOMMENDATION #1: RUSTIC INN
*** The Driftwood Inn This rustic Inn, located on Bailey Island, features the most rooms on the islands and is right on the ocean! It is only a short walk from the Giant Steps, a beautiful spot on public land. The Inn is tucked back from the main road and does not get a lot of traffic. It is a wonderful spot to spend time together with family and friends, whether just enjoying the view, walking on the rocks, or enjoying the salt water swimming pool! We liked this spot enough that we reserved the whole place -- all 30 rooms. Each building has 3 - 6 rooms in it and among those rooms there are generally 1 - 2 shared bathrooms/shower spaces. A good number of the rooms also have separate toilets and sinks. There are also some cabins which are self-contained and have their own bathroom facilities and kitchenettes (we have two of these reserved and available and two more which may be of interest).
If you'd like to book a room at the Driftwood, you'll need to call, as reservations may be made directly to (207) 833-5461. Since they don't take credit for reservations, you will need to bring cash or a check when you arrive! (Remember: no credit!) Though you may be able to make reservations later, we have booked most of the rooms at the Inn and there aren't many left -- so we can't guarantee that someone won't have snapped up the last remaining rooms, so we recommend reserving as soon as possible! Rooms vary in price from about $60 on the low end for some singles to about $120/night for the better doubles. Not to beat a dead horse, but remember that payment is cash or check only. Though there are no ATMs on the islands, you can find one in Brunswick, Maine, if you need one.
We think the Driftwood Inn would be a great place to stay -- on the islands and very close to both the Chapel and Library Hall. However, we understand that not everyone wants to share a shower, even with family or friends. There are also great options if you really don't want to (see below).
RECOMMENDATION #2: MOTELS ON THE ISLANDS
The Bailey Island Motel (207) 833-2886. Rooms $85 / $100/night. The five rooms we had blocked off at this small but nice motel have all been taken. Another wedding blocked off another five rooms here. This place is now all taken, unless someone cancels a reservation!
*** Cook's Island View Motel (207) 833-7780. Rooms $105/night plus 7% tax. April Fifteenth this motel opened up for reservations. Rooms look nice and have a nice view on both sides. Because Brunswick is largely booked up as of 15 February, this is probably your best option other than the Driftwood (above), or the Little Island (below), or a single room at some of the other hotels. So keep this place in mind!
*** Little Island Motel on Orr's Island. Double occupancy rooms, $136/night, includes big breakfast buffet. Must rent for two nights, $100 deposit. Three rooms still left as of May 14th. (207) 833-2392, leave a message if no one is there.
RECOMMENDATION #3: HOTELS IN BRUNSWICK (OFF THE ISLANDS)
SPECIAL NOTE AS OF 15 FEBRUARY: DUE TO A BIG SOCCER EVENT IN BRUNSWICK THE WEEKEND OF THE WEDDING, MOST OF THESE ROOMS ARE ALREADY BOOKED. SOME SINGLES REMAIN AND AN ODD ROOM MAY OPEN UP FROM TIME TO TIME BUT THESE ROOMS ARE NOW LARGELY UNAVAILABLE! =( SORRY!
The Captain Daniel Stone Inn, (207) 725-9898
or (877) 573-5151. Rooms $170 - $255/night.
Comfort Inn, Brunswick (207) 729-1129.
Fairfield Inn & Suites in Brunswick. (207) 721-0300.
Viking Motor Inn, Brunswick (800) 429-6661 or info@vikingmotorinn.com. Rooms $55 - $119/night.
Super 8, Brunswick (207) 725-8883 or info@super8brunswick.com
The Parkwood Inn, Brunwick Only singles left at this large independent hotel. (800) 349-7181
Econo Lodge, Brunswick (207) 729-9991.
RECOMMENDATION #4: BED AND BREAKFASTS ON HARPSWELL OR THE ISLANDS
The Harpswell Inn (207) 833-5509 or (800) 843-5509. Rooms $89 - $230/night. (The Bride will be staying here before the wedding and the Bride and Groom will be staying here after the wedding -- before their Honeymoon departure for Iceland!)
The Log Cabin Inn (207) 833-5546. Rooms $139 - $299/night. All but two(?) rooms are booked already at this B&B, although that was noted back in the winter and they may be all gone now.
RECOMMENDATION #5: CAMPING
Orr's Island Campground (207) 833-5595 or camping@orrsisland.com. Sites $24 - $35/night.
The Periwinkle Cottage, a rental house. (978) 273-1574. Weekly & some daily rates.
Tower Hill Bed & Breakfast (207) 833-2311 or (888) 833-2311. $65 - $130/night (prices may be dated).
The Captain's Watch Bed & Breakfast and Sail Charter (207) 725-0979 or cwatch@gwi.net Rooms $110 - $175/night.
The Common Table (207) 833-5564 or
comtbl@commontable.com Rooms $90 - $110/night.
Other Local Bed and Breakfasts
And there are plenty more places as well! (Especially if you are looking for a 'generic' hotel, it should be easy to find one a little farther away in Freeport, or Bath, or, even further away, in Portland, Maine.) Call (see below) if you need more suggestions!
H2Outfitters -- sea kayaking and sailing in the local area
Admiral Peary's Summer Home on Eagle Island off Harpswell. Peary was the first person to reach the North Pole. Also, there is an Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College
Cook's Lobster House in Garrison Cove on Bailey Island. People come from miles around for this (rather pricey but very nice) restaurant and lobster pound
The Giant Steps on Bailey Island -- a rock formation down by the water
The Island Candy Company on Orr's Island -- almost right next to the church! You can buy Orr's and Bailey Island souvenirs here, as well as wonderful candy.
...and at the end of Route 24 on Bailey Island at the southern tip is Land's End, site of a cheesy giftshop and some cool rock formations. A great place to take your picture and just enjoy the water!
Fishing tours from Bailey Island with Captain Terry
Take a cruise around Casco Bay
Walker Art Museum at Bowdoin College in Brunswick
Maine Maritime Museum in nearby Bath
Popham Beach, one of Maine's nicest State Parks, located near Bath.
L.L. Bean and outlet shopping in Freeport
Red's Eats in Wiscasset -- arguably the best lobster rolls in Maine
The City of Portland which has a restored waterfront, cultural events, promenades, and excellent restaurants. It's a nice city!
Take a whale watch! From many places in Maine -- Bar Harbor near Acadia National Park; Portland, Ogunquit, Boothbay Harbor, and many other places; also, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Acadia National Park -- one of the most beautiful places on the Maine coast, the perfect place to go to extend your time in Maine into a wonderful vacation
Matron of Honor: Elizabeth Hammond-Stebbins (Bride's friend)
Best Man: Thomas Elmer (Groom's friend)
Special thanks to Sue Baker at All Saints' for her copious help in making our arrangements!
We have been asked about gift registries and for the sake of those who have asked, we have included a list below. Rest assured, however, that your presence at our special day is all the gift that we want. Especially given how far most of you will have travelled to be with us!
Marshall Fields -- department store. This is where we have registered for our china, Wedgwood's Nantucket Basket, and some other kitchen items. Sixty-two stores in the midwest. Click on the link above for online shopping, or call 1-800-2-IDO-IDO.
Amazon.com -- online retailer. This is where we have registered for stainless and for some assorted kitchen gadgets, like KitchenAid mixer attachments. All orders online.
Crate and Barrel. Everyday dinnerware, glassware, cookware, and all the other stuff we'd love for the kitchen. Order at 130 stores nationwide or online by clicking the link above.
OTHER OPTIONS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS
In the Town of Harpswell and on the Islands (in no particular order)
Edgewater Cabins (978) 970-1799
or edgewatercabins@aol.com. Weekly rentals only.Other B&Bs and Hotels, On and Off the Islands
Hampton Inn in Freeport, near L.L. Bean 207-865-1400 or info@freehamptoninn.com.
Things to Do in the Area
There's too much to suggest, but we'll take a stab at it! Here goes...
People
Officiant: The Rev. Canon Charles Morris (pastor of the Bride's home church in Pottsville, Pennsylvania)
Bridesmaids: Jennifer MacLea (Groom's sister), Andrea Marcavitch (Bride's friend), and Erin Portland (Bride's sister-in-law)
Groomsmen: Robert MacLea (Groom's brother), Adrian Portland (Bride's brother), and Todd Silvia (Groom's brother)
Junior Groomsman: Patrick MacLea (Groom's nephew)
After the wedding...
We're still thinking about getting together with our friends and family who might still be in town the next morning for a breakfast. Since we're not leaving for Iceland until Sunday evening (from Boston), we probably will have a chance to join you, if you're still around, for a breakfast. No firm plans yet, but if you have time or inclination to stick around for breakfast, we'll try to make something simple happen. Stay tuned for more information as we get it!
A word about gifts
Questions
If you have further questions, please contact Kyle at (517) 974-0092 or Holly at (517) 974-3325.
Alternatively, you can reach Holly's parents, Karen and Albert Portland, at (570) 622-5533
or Kyle's parents, Robert and Lorraine MacLea, at (508) 865-7405.
Kyle and Holly can also be reached by email at <kmaclea -at- msu.edu> or <portland -at- cvmstudent.cvm.msu.edu>.
MacLea.Net 2005
