Khris Francis at MaineStreet Live

Some people say funny things, but I say things funny.

                                              -Don Rickles

He is Ogunquit's funny man, Khris Francis. This year's show is called "Last Man Standing". Khris Francis' show is actually the longest running one man comedy show in New England.

Khris is not only a wonderful storyteller and comic but also an amazing singer, and musician. Khris can also improvise, compose and sing a song upon request.  It is amazing to see.

His show is a mix of stand up comedy and sit down naughty-ness with an array of spicy language. His sold out shows are not for the faint of heart, and do contain adult content. Think gay Don Rickles.

Many of Khris' stories and come from his Italian heritage growing up in southern California. Khris still spends winters in southern California and tours in the winter when he is not in Ogunquit Maine.

I saw Khris' act  on opening night of the new MaineStreet Live. This new addition to the MaineStreet complex features a cabaret room with a bar, stage, VIP area and splendid roof deck that overlooks the busy Ogunquit Square. Khris works the room and actually makes patrons participate is some of his routines.This lucky guy showed everyone what he is made of, and of course what his abs are made of!  Warning: There are no sacred cows.

The Details:

Khris Francis "Last Man Standing Show"
MaineStreet Live

Main Street

Ogunquit, ME 03907

Phone 207 646 5101

Show times Thurs to Sunday 8pm $10

http://www.mainestreetogunquit.com/

Back to Ogunquit!

The ride to Maine was much easier this year with stop-overs in Savannah, and Rehoboth Beach, DE. Nevertheless, it's good to be home and out of the car.....It's good to be back home in Maine!

With morning lows of 30 degrees ( -1c) and afternoon highs of 50 degrees (10c) , you know it's April in Maine. Like other migratory birds, we have returned to our beloved little town-by-the-sea, Ogunquit Maine! Our endless summer is stalled, while we have a brief visit of Spring ( a Maine Spring, that is!).

Beautiful crisp days with bluer than blue skies, wild ocean waves and a dawn chorus of cackling birds! It's great to be home!  The sign is up to welcome guests to our 17th year as the owner/innkeepers of Ogunquit Beach Inn!

Michael has made the first batch of our famous Blueberry muffins for our guests this weekend!

If you are thinking of coming up, give us a shout at 1.207.646.1112 or email us at: ogunquitmaine@gmail.com . www.ogunquitbeachinn.com


Panoramic view of King Suite, a two room suite that sleeps two.

That time of year....end of season.....

Our season at Ogunquit Beach Inn roughly ends around the Halloween celebration.

Halloween weekend is usually a fun time. Many repeat guests re-visit Ogunquit to see the village-by-the-sea shine int its autumn colors.

It's a time for merriement and commarerderie as guests piece together their halloween costumes.

This year halloween celebrations were on the eve of Super Storm Sandy. Super Storm Sandy raged up the east coast and devistated parts of teh Jersey Shore and New York. Ogunquit was spared. Ogunquit received high winds, but little damage. Notice how high the sand it!

Sunfish on a foggy day

The fog this morning was as thick as pea soup. Warm air arrived after evening showers. This type of fog on the beach always makes my morning run a challenge.

While running on my usual beach route, I literally stumbled up this rather large marine creature. The "fish" was about four feet long and probably weighed about 300 pounds. I almost fell over it while I was running in the thick fog. I stopped and looked at it.
Was is a baby whale or Sea Cow?  I had no idea.

After my run, I went back home and got my camera and took some pictures. I needed to know what this creature was. After posting this picture on Facebook, many of my friends identified it as a Ocean Sunfish.

According to wikipedia:
The ocean sunfish, Mola mola, or common mola, is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. It has an average adult weight of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). The species is native to tropical and temperate waters around the globe. It resembles a fish head with a tail, and its main body is flattened laterally. Sunfish can be as tall as they are long when their dorsal and ventral fins are extended.

You never know what you'll find running on this long beach: Whales, large tropical fish, ghost ships. or lobster traps!

Lobster Shack of Ogunquit. Restaurant review...

It takes an American lobster 6-7 years to get to an edible size, but that is just the beginning. Lobsters are long-lived animals, and are thought to be capable of living over 100 years.

                                                     -Lobster Facts

It's the place where local folk and visitors frequent in Ogunquit. The Lobster Shack is THE quintessential Maine lobster shack. If you are visiting Ogunquit, this is a must. It's lobster in the semi-rough.

The Shack, once a lobster bait shack located deep in Perkins Cove near the wooden draw bridge, offers a simple menu: fresh Maine lobsters, Steamers, lobster roll, crab sandwiches, hot chowder and cold beer. It's a very casual where you place your order at the counter and the server brings to you. Seating is limited: tables with benches. Lots of napkins,  and fresh drawn butter.

I went to dinner with my buddy, Ogunquit Selectman Bobby Winn, and Diana. We wanted something easy and not too fussy. 

Owner Jason Evans, mans the counter and greets guests. I picked my lobster, a pound & halfer! Jason's family has owned and operated The Shack since the 80's.

We feasted on steamers, lobster, chowder and sandwiches!

The Details:

The Lobster Shack

110 Perkins Cove Road

Ogunquit, Maine 03907

Telephone 207 646 9800
http://www.lobster-shack.com/

MasterCard/visa accepted

Reservations not needed. Casual dining.

Old photo of the "Lobster Shack". Building is in the middle of the picture.

March 1st Ogunquit Storm

It's March 1st and it may be meteorological spring, but that did not stop a late winter storm that hit Ogunquit and the southern Maine coast today.

It's been a  mild winter on the Maine coast with very little snow. This year, mild temperatures prevailed that were more akin to a temperate Pacific northwest winter. However, those mild temperatures ended today, and Old Man Winter returned to show us who is boss.

Today, Ogunquit is getting pelted with 8 to 10 inches of the thick white heavy white stuff. Winds were high this morning, but it has been snowing all day.

Rick Barber of Moon Over Maine went walking through the storm and took these pristine pictures....Enjoy!

Ogunquit Beach Inn, March, 1st storm.

Wharf Lane & Shore Road, Ogunquit Camera Shop.

The Wooden Bridge, from Wharf Lane.

The Point, at Ogunquit Beach from the wooden Bridge.

Hutchin's Blacksmith Antique Mall on Main Street

The uber popular Front Porch Cafe and Piano Bar.

Tree's along Main Street in front of Village Food Market. 

Moon Over Maine with a full blanket of Snow.

Ogunquit Beach Inn, soon to re-open for year 16 this April.

Meanwhile, as the storm raged on I found solace on Ft Lauderdale Beach! I have had many a winter storm, so, I feel no guilt!

Ogunquit Memorial Library

                                The library is the temple of learning, and learning has liberated more people than all the wars in history

                                                                                                                  -Carl T Rowan
 

Many people have warm memories of their public or school library when they were growing up. For me it was the stacks of books, comfortable chairs and the sense that time stood still. At the Ogunquit Memorial Library, time has stood still. The Library is closed from Noon to 2:00 pm for lunch ( It is rumoured that it is closed for two hours because that's how long it took one of the first librarians to walk home have lunch and walk back many years ago). You also sign books out the old fashioned way: by signing your name on the card on the back of the book.

The fieldstone structure was built in 1897 by Charles Burns in the HH Richardson Romanesque Tradition. The Library is unique in that it receives no funds from the town, and financially supported by donations and endowments.

The library's charming interior, with its huge stone fireplace that was once the only source of heat, has changed very little through the years. The structure resembles a mini castle with a turret tower. Ogunquit has a long-established art colony and the library has a collection of several paintings from local artists. The art collection is worth a visit on its own. While browsing along the stacks of books, I came across a book that was donated and signed by famed Ogunquit artist Henry Strater. You really never know what treasures are behind these stone walls!

The Details:
Ogunquit Memorial Library
166 Shore Road
Ogunquit, ME 03907
Phone: 207 646 9024

Hours: Winter, Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to noon; 2:00 to 5:00
Librarians are helpful and resourceful. There are no public restrooms or computers. The library has an interesting Ogunquit art collection. There are over 18,000 books in the collection, daily newspapers, and best sellers. The annual  book sale is a must if you are visiting Ogunquit in the early autumn.