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Greetings from the Harraseeket Inn! We hope you're all healthy and well, and able to get outside to enjoy the wonderful summer weather we've been having. Executive Chef Bo Byrne's summer menu is up and running, and I can vouch for the excellence of the nightly stir fry, Lazy Lobster Fettucini and the Miso Glazed Wild Sockeye Salmon. Absolutely delicious! Check out his summer menu and also check out Chef Bo making crab cakes for the evening news. He even provides you with the recipe!
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| | Lazy Lobster Fettucini with fresh Maine lobster. Yum! |
Outdoor dining has become so popular here at the inn that we've opened the Casco Bay Terrace to dining by reservation. This lovely terrace overlooks the inn's courtyard, and is quickly becoming as popular as our patio dining outside the tavern. Plus, you can make reservations in advance, thus guaranteeing your time and table. To reserve your table, call us at 207-865-9377!
Welcome, Josh Cushing!
Way back in March, just prior to the unwelcome arrival of the Covid pandemic, we welcomed a new member to our management team, and while this announcement is long overdue, we're extraordinarily glad to be making it. Josh Cushing moved to Freeport fifteen years ago with his wife to work for the Hilton Garden Inn. At the time a five year veteran of the hospitality industry, he was eventually made Area General Manager of both the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn, right here in Freeport. He also spent some time opening the Hampton Inn Presque Isle, way up in Aroostook County! For the past five years, he's held a Regional Director position, overseeing 14 or so Hilton, Marriott, IHG and Hyatt hotels and several independent restaurants throughout the Northeast and into the Midwest.
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| | Josh Cushing |
Josh's demanding position kept him constantly on the go, but he was missing so much family time with his wife and kids that he realized he needed to make a change. Fortunately for us, he made the decision to trade in his traveling life for the opportunity to work closer to home at our family owned inn. Shortly after accepting the position of general manager here, the Harraseeket Inn was shut down as the state went into mandatory Covid quarantine. He's had to deal with what has become one of the most challenging years in the hotel industry and he's been absolutely amazing, rallying the team to the challenge and making the critical changes necessary to keep both staff and guests safe in these uncertain times. He's optimistic, experienced, calm and level headed, the perfect captain to navigate these uncharted waters. In his own words:
"I could not be happier with the decision I've made to join the Harraseeket Inn family, and I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity. The Gray family has worked so hard over the years to build this incredible business and reputation in the Maine hospitality industry, it seemed like a natural fit. Chip was looking forward to the days of stepping back just a bit and enjoying more time with his own family. (Don't worry, he's still around frequently so you can say hello and catch up like old times.) The timing just worked for all, and the wonderful Harraseeket Inn family welcomed me so quickly. I've spoken to so many of you over the phone and can't wait to meet all of you in person and help to create incredible Maine vacation memories that will be remembered always.
"You'll notice when you visit that our day to day operations are a bit different. The reality is that while we operate during this pandemic, many things have changed. Per our governor's mandates, we have moved away from buffet service for now in order to ensure we keep our guests and team members safe. In place of a daily breakfast buffet, we're now offering a served breakfast in our Maine Harvest Restaurant. Likewise, the lunch buffet is no longer being offered, but we do have an amazing summer menu, and the Broad Arrow Tavern is open daily starting at 11:30am, serving lunch and dinner. We're able to serve in the tavern, although there are fewer tables to ensure proper distancing. In addition, we've added more patio seating in the Tavern as well as created an elegant Casco Bay Terrace that overlooks the beautiful courtyard and waterfall. We aren't able to do tea service each afternoon or Sunday brunch at this point but are hoping to bring back some version of tea service later this or in early 2021. We've moved furniture around in the public areas and opened up meeting spaces to ensure guests can enjoy the inn comfortably while being able to distance themselves. Contactless check in is available should you prefer this option upon arrival.
"Masks are required throughout all public areas (we have masks available should you need one) and we have sanitizing stations as well as disposable gloves throughout, all while increasing our frequency of public area sanitizing and cleaning. We are offering housekeeping service, ice and turndown service only as requested during a guests stay. Our pool and fitness center are open daily and can be reserved for usage with our front desk in one hour blocks of time between 7 am and 10 pm for one guest or family/group to ensure guests can comfortably distance themselves. Upon departure, the cleaning and sanitizing of our rooms has been adjusted to ensure we are providing the safest guest rooms possible. We've added some chairs throughout our back lawn as well as some lawn games to allow for guests to enjoy our beautiful property here in Freeport village.
"For so many of you, we are a home away from home, and I think the team here at the Inn has created a safe, welcoming haven for
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all of our guests to get away to for just one day or for an extended stay. Our Townhouses and L.L. Bean Guest House have become incredibly popular for extended stays, providing additional space for guests while still offering the Inns wonderful amenities.
"One thing that hasn't changed and never will is our focus on true Maine hospitality. Our team works tirelessly every day to ensure all guests are our number one priority, and everyone here will always continue to go above and beyond. We are here for you and look forward to welcoming you back as our guests whenever you are ready to visit!" Josh
***COVID-19 TRAVEL ADVISORY RESOURCES***
There are still many unknowns at this time, but we're doing our best to respond to the situation as it evolves. We're monitoring health & travel advisories & mandates put forth by the federal government and the state of Maine, and we've collected some resources here for your reference. Currently, travelers from New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are not required to certify that a quarantine or negative Covid test have been completed when entering the state, and that of course applies to Maine residents as well.
Important Notice: If you're traveling to Maine from out of state, please call ahead to ask about any certification of quarantine/testing measures in effect. We'll do our best to answer any and all of your questions and help you with your travel plans. All of our guests are expected to wear masks in public areas unless seated at tables in one of our restaurants. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
 Maine remains one of the safest and most beautiful places in the nation, and to celebrate our much cherished natural and national treasure, we've come up with a great package to entice you to rediscover what makes living and vacationing here so special. See below and check out our web site for more packages:
Special Offers and Upcoming Events:
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Our "Mainer" Staycation Getaway Package
isn't just for Mainers anymore!
Enjoy a fun-filled vacation and experience all the amazing things Freeport and the Maine coast has to offer! Our Getaway Package includes everything to make your visit a truly memorable one:
*Two nights lodging (ask one of your favorite desk agents for the best available room type)
*Dinner for 2 one night in the Broad Arrow Tavern
*Lunch for 2 one day in the Broad Arrow Tavern
*Breakfast for 2 each morning in the Maine Harvest Dining room
*$50. gift card to L.L. Bean
*$25 Irving Gas Card (to fill up your tank from your drive in)
*L.L. Bean tote bag
*Two glasses of wine to relax and enjoy the roaring fire pit on our patio one evening (age restrictions apply)
Through October 25 (rates starting at):
Weekday - $695 Weekend - $795
October 26 - December 30 (rates starting at):
Weekday - $495 Weekend - $795
**subject to availability, does not include 9% state lodging tax, cannot be combined with other discounts, deluxe accommodations available for an additional charge, pet friendly rooms available for an additional charge.
***Celebrate Summer with a 15% savings off all our room rates through August!
***Visit Freeport Everything "Freeport" in one handy website. Your virtual shopping connection!
Enjoy a great selection of family oriented and educational outdoor events planned at the park, just a short drive from the inn. Beautiful wooded walking, snowshoeing and skiing trails along the rugged shoreline of Casco Bay. A perfect place to escape the chaos of our modern world. Stop by Wolfe's Neck Farm while you're out there, say hello to all the pastured animals!
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This month's trivia question is yet another easy one and the answer is in one of the links in the newsletter: How much crab meat will you need in order to make Chef Bo Byrne's crab cake recipe? All correct answers win a voucher worth $5. toward food or lodging on your next visit. You may redeem up to 12 vouchers at one time, a total of $60. One voucher per family, please, and only one set of vouchers may be redeemed per guest room. Please be patient with my replies, it takes a long time to answer hundreds of responses.
Enjoy the rest of the your summer, and we very much look forward to seeing you again very soon!
Warmest regards,
Penny Gray
The Gray family
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| | The fire pit by firelight...we'll keep the fire going for you! |
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