Recently the Historic Inns of Rockland were given a citation from the Rockland City Council applauding them for their contribution to help hungry families on Maine’s Midcoast.  The citation read “Be it known to all that we, the Mayor and members of the Rockland City Council join in commending the Historic Inns of Rockland’s “Pies on Parade” for raising more than $10,000 for the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry. And be it ordered that this Resolve of Commendation be sent forthwith on behalf of the City of Rockland”.  What the citation didn’t mention is the additional $40,000 raised by the Pies on Parade event organized by the Historic Inns of Rockland and donated each year over the eight-year tenure of this event.

Pies on Parade is the single largest fundraising event to support the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program.  Organized by the Historic Inns of Rockland and supported by more than 20 participating businesses, this event when matched with funding from other sources has raised enough to feed as many as 100 hungry families for a year in the past.

Hundreds of hours in planning, promoting and baking are put in over twelve months to coordinate Pies on Parade. The planning for the next one begins the day after the last one is over.  After the 8^th Annual Pies on Parade Pie Tour was over, Cheryl Michaelsen shared “Twenty two inns, restaurants and businesses donated more 600 hours of time and thousands of dollars in products and services to ensure a sizable donation could be made to the food pantry this year.”  Yet, given their creation and sponsorship of the event, the real time commitment comes from the four Historic Inns of Rockland.

While the Pie Tour undertaking is their largest, the Historic Inns of Rockland have supported a number of additional community non-profit organizations with cash and in-kind donations.  Offering $1 per guest for years to environmental groups, the Historic Inns of Rockland sought to offset the carbon footprint of their guests by offering $1 per guest to local non-profits with an emphasis on improving the environment and eco-travel. Additionally, each guest still receives their eco-friendly reusable shopping bag when they stay at one of the Historic Inns of Rockland.  Their eco-efforts are notable, so be on the lookout for that in another blog.

The Historic Inns of Rockland have supported lighthouses, libraries and chambers with donations of rooms for silent auctions and prizes.  They are regularly asked to donate to help organizations raise money through raffles and their offers of getaway prizes are often the most sought after.  Additionally, each of the Historic Inns of Rockland innkeepers has their own story of helping those in need. Cheryl Michaelsen and Mike LaPosta of the Berry Manor Inn provided a home for one victim of Hurricane Katrina for a month.  Frank Isganitis and PJ Walter came to the rescue of stranded vacationers and helped them change a tire when their car and trailer broke down in front of the inn.

Helping those in need in partnership with non-profit organizations and other businesses is the mantra of the Historic Inns of Rockland. Remember, when you stay at member inns including the Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House, Berry Manor Inn and LimeRock Inn you’re not just getting hospitality, you’re getting hospitality with a heart! Your loyalty to these inns helps them to continue helping the community, making you a traveler with a heart!  Since February is the month of hearts, the Historic Inns of Rockland offer heartfelt thanks for your indirect support to the community too.

For most of us flowers and chocolates are overdone on Valentine’s Day.  The way to really impress your Valentine is through romantic experiences.  Actions always speak louder than words. For those with everything but time for relaxation and romance, a dreamy getaway to one of the four Historic Inns of Rockland the answer to the perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

Yet this year, Valentine’s Day falls in the middle of the week.  For that reason, Historic Inns of Rockland have declared that the entire month of February is for lovers.  Visit one of the four Historic Inns of Rockland anytime in February and you can rest assured that romance will be served in large helpings.

Four ways to find romance at Historic Inns of Rockland in February and beyond

Not only are there four choices of inns to choose from, but here are four great ideas for finding romance when you stay at the Granite Inn, Captain Lindsey House, LimeRock Inn or Berry Manor Inn.

Quiet dinners
Fine dining is within an easy stroll of any of the four Historic Inns of Rockland.  In fact, all of downtown is practically right out the door of any of the four member inns.  Rockland is a town for those who walk, and for those who don’t – no worries, everything is within a few minutes drive.  We like to tell guests to savor the flavors of Rockland. Your culinary adventure will take you to romantic dining rooms featuring local cuisine, plenty of fresh seafood and lobster, harbor views and top-rated restaurants offering American and international cuisines. Enjoy quiet tete-a-tetes while you partake in an epicurean escape with the one you love on your next Historic Inns of Rockland getaway. Your innkeeper is happy to make dining reservations for you.

Couples Massages
Partake in a couples massage either at the inn or at a nearby day spa.  Some Historic Inns of Rockland can make arrangements for in-room massages too, but with a number of fabulous spas nearby, an afternoon massage followed by a visit to one of the wine bars or tapas at a restaurant is one perfect option for a perfectly blissful afternoon or early evening with the one you love. A couple’s massage offers the ultimate pampered pastime, while leaving you both glowing and positively relaxed for the first time in a long time.  Doesn’t that sound worth the splurge for Valentine’s Day?

Private breakfast, afternoon delights
Each of the Historic Inns of Rockland offer private tables for breakfasts. From a lavish breakfast buffet to three-course served breakfasts, rest assured that innkeepers know the way to a fabulous getaway starts with the most important meal of the day. In addition, each of the inns offer complimentary refreshments to guests.  Bottomless cookie jars, homemade pie and ice cream, afternoon tea and a stocked guest pantry 24-7 all offer ways to your Valentine’s Day heart through your stomach!

Outdoor Adventure & Museums
Rockland abounds with seaside attractions year round.  From the renowned Farnsworth Museum and a fine collection of art galleries to the Maine Lighthouse Museum and Owl’s Head Transportation Museum, you’ll find fascinating ways to explore Maine’s history.  Take a self-guided lighthouse tour, your innkeeper is happy to provide directions to several nearby.  Skiers can take to the Camden Snow Bowl just down the road, and those who enjoy a winter walk will find plenty of options winding through Rockland.

For more information on Historic Inns of Rockland, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com.  From there, connect to the four member inns to book your romantic February getaway.

Participating business representatives from the 8th Annual Pies on Parade Pie Tour gathered at the Granite Inn to present a check for 10,110 to the Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO) Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program. Back row (L to R): PJ Walter, Irina Erickson, Frank Isganitis, Joan Hantz, Kerry Altiero, Edwin Hantz Middle row (L to R):Kathy Beck, Dianne Couture, Ken Barnes, Cheryl Michaelsen Front row (L to R): Michael O’Neil, Florence Mathieson, Ellen Barnes, Linda Pieper. Photo by PJ Walter

In its eighth year, 398 tickets from the Rockland Pie Tour were sold, more than 50 varieties of pies were baked and an estimated 9,000 pieces of pie were consumed by pie-eyed tour goers. Twenty two inns, restaurants and businesses donated more 600 hours of time and thousands of dollars in products and services to ensure a sizable donation could be made to the food pantry this year.

“Each year we work hard to meet and exceed our goal to raise funds for the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry, while celebrating National Pie Day with the Pies on Parade event.  One hundred percent of the ticket sales are donated to help Midcoast families in need,” said Cheryl Michaelsen, co-owner of the Berry Manor Inn and Historic Inns of Rockland member.  “The donations offered by all the participating businesses are testimony to the community spirit embraced by Rockland businesses,” finished Ken Barnes, co-owner of Captain Lindsey House. “With fuel and food costs at an all-time high, we’re happy that pies will once again translate to food and fuel for the area’s needy families,” added Historic Inns of Rockland member and co-owner of the LimeRock Inn, Frank Isganitis.

As you can imagine, many hours go into planning this event.  In fact, the preparation for the next pie tour begins the day after the last one happened and continues throughout the year.  The list of tasks is long including recruiting participating businesses and partners, creating tour maps, promoting the event regionally and nationally, and then keeping everyone informed.  Next comes the push for ticket sales, and oh yes…each of these innkeepers also needs to bake 50 or more pies in between the coordination of the event.

Each business participating in the Pies on Parade tour is encouraged to prepare a sweet and a savory pie.  Restaurants, spas and retailers all get in on the fun, and eventually share their choices.  Even All Aboard Trolley joins in the fun to provide transportation for tour goers.

Each year, the Historic Inns of Rockland are amazed at the creativity and unique pie offerings included from their partners.  We’ll give you a sneak peek into some of the pies tour goers will sample this year.  Look for Gorgonzola/Spinach and Tomato Pizza and Chocolate Fudge Peanut Butter Pie from Bricks Pizza, Thyme Cheesecake pie with coconut crust and Turkey and Sweet Potato Empanadas (little pies) from Rheal Day Spa, plus Rueben Pizza-Kraut and Apples and Mascarpone on Cocoa Dough pizza pie from Café Miranda.  Of course, Fiore Oils is doing a Balsamic Pie – that just seems right.  We’ll save the rest to surprise you when you come on the tour.

Each innkeeper and business involved in Pies on Parade makes about 50 or more pies.  Those making tarts, pasties, empanadas and flatiron pies create hundreds of the little pies.  Days before the event, they begin the pie making marathon.  By the end of the tour, they’re rolling crusts in their sleep.  Innkeepers bake 50 or more pies, serving up about 600-700 pieces at each location. You know how much of a project Thanksgiving pies can be.  Now multiply that by 50 and you can imagine that Historic Inns of Rockland innkeepers and their partners are starting to get busy with their baking now.

Here’s a fun behind-the-scenes look at some of the prep that goes into making pies for Pies on Parade.  As with everything else they do, the innkeepers in this group approach pie making with humor, gusto and pride.  It’s not too late to get tickets to Pies on Parade.  Simply call 877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667) to order tickets.

Two years ago The Historic Inns of Rockland partnered with Fiore to offer guests of each in a beautiful sample of their oils and vinegars. Our guests have raved after receiving it and then venture on their journey to the store to take in the full experience, which is not to be missed! Who said that oil and vinegar don’t mix well?!

503 Main Street
Rockland ME 04841
207-596-0276
http://fioreoliveoils.com/site/
info@fioreoliveoils.com

Store Hours
Monday through Saturday 11-7
Sunday 12-6

The store is located right next to the Ferry Terminal.

It all started about eight years ago when the Historic Inns of Rockland gathered in 2004 to brainstorm ways to convince travelers to come to Rockland, Maine in the dead of winter.  Knowing that inngoers are also foodies, the group quickly turned to food holidays to provide motivation for a winter getaway.  Discovering that the National Pie Council has declared National Pie Day on January 23^rd (their President’s birthday!) they knew they had their event.  Pies on Parade was born and the group vowed to celebrate it in years thereafter on the closest Sunday to January 23^rd.

From its inception, Pies on Parade was conceived to not only be a celebration of pies but to also help those who wanted more of the pie.  From its earliest years, the Historic Inns of Rockland designated proceeds from the event to benefit the local Area Interfaith Outreach (AIO)Food Pantry. In later years as the donations grew, the event also raised money for AIO’s Fuel Assistance program too.

Initially, Pies on Parade included tastings and tours of the six Historic Inns of Rockland. In 2005 (the first Pies on Parade Tour) innkeepers baked about 50 pies to insure that hungry pie tasters would have the opportunity to taste plenty of pies.  While the smells of freshly baked pies filled the inns that first year, the blizzard of the century brought howling winds, treacherous road conditions and teeming snow on the day of the big event.  Everything along Maine’s coast was closed or cancelled, but as Cheryl Michaelsen, Berry Manor Inn co-owner said, “We’ve got 50 pies baked and ready to be eaten; the Pie Tour will go on!”.  Surprisingly close to 50 people showed up and made their way through the weather to the Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn, Old Granite Inn (now the Granite Inn), Captain Lindsey House, Waterman Inn & Gardens and the Lakeside Inn.  Looking back in hindsight, Cheryl loves to remember that while they were disappointed not to sell more tickets, she loved telling guests “Don’t take a slice of pie, take the whole pie!” In years thereafter, the Historic Inns of Rockland were careful to stipulate that the event would be held “snow or shine”!

Thankfully in subsequent years, Pies on Parade  never had to contend with blizzards again. The only storm that the event faced was a storm of interest from media and pie lovers.  In the second year  ticket sales increased by seven times the first year.  In third and fourth years of the event, ticket sales remained strong, taking a sharp increase after the 5^th annual Pies on Parade in 2009 when new venues were added. That was the year a very generous anonymous donor (who also enjoyed Pies on Parade) matched the donation made by Historic Inns of Rockland to AIO Food Pantry, netting a $10,000 donation.  Each year as ticket sales grew, the donation to the AIO Food Pantry also increased allowing the organization to feed 100 hungry Maine families for a year when donations from Historic Inns of Rockland were matched with grants from other organizations. Today, Pies on Parade continues to be the AIO Food Pantry’s largest fundraising event of the year.

In the event’s fifth  year the Historic Inns of Rockland decided to expand the tour to include venues outside the inns.  Restaurants, spas and shops quickly jumped on board, anxious to join the pie festivities.  Since that time, more than 16 additional venues have joined the Historic Inns of Rockland in the tour each year, expanding the pie offerings to include pizza pies, Shepherd’s Pie, Whoopee Pies, even healthy pies.  All Aboard Trolley has joined in the fun to provide trolley service so pie aficionados wouldn’t have to brave the cold on foot.  Pies on Parade has evolved to become a Rockland community event.  While Historic Inns of Rockland still coordinate the event, more than 20 additional businesses have jumped on board to support and participate.

But the best news of all is the outcome.  To date the event has raised nearly $40,000 in its seven year tenure, and the group hopes to hit the $50,000 donation mark with the 8^th annual pie tour.  One hundred percent of the proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the AIO Food Pantry.  Each venue donates the supplies and time to make more than 55 varieties of pie, serving up more than 10,000 pieces of pie during each tour.

Due to the size of the inns and venues, ticket sales are limited to 500 and ticket sales are presently underway.  Why not offer Pies on Parade tickets as the perfect holiday gift?  Visit http://www.historicinnsofrockland.com/pies-on-parade/ for full information on Pies on Parade and lodging packages including tickets to the tour or call 1-877-ROC-INNS to reserve your tickets.  Contact individual inns for Pies on Parade packages.

• When cooking breakfast for a crowd try preparing your coffee cake or muffins the night before (or up to 3-4 days in advance) and place it in the freezer overnight uncooked. In the morning put the cake in the middle of the cold oven, turn the temperature on and add about 7-10 minutes to the normal cooking time. The preheat cycle becomes the defrost cycle.  If the cake has been frozen for more than overnight you may need to add a little time to the total cooking cycle.  Your guests enjoy the wonderful smells of freshly baked coffee cake or muffins without you having to think!
• Try adding a slice of lemon or a mint leaf to glasses of ice water on the table.  This makes a fabulous presentation to your guests helping to set the tone for a very special meal.
• Did you know that the “wild” blueberries from Maine freeze fabulously? We buy flash frozen berries by the pounds from the blueberry farm and enjoy fresh Maine blueberries year round.  You can find Wyman or other Maine brands in your local freezer but make sure they say “Maine Wild Blueberries”.

• Wrap it up! Chances are you have framed pictures in your dining room and living room.  Wrap them as if they were a present. Use a favorite wrapping paper and use a nice matching ribbon to make a bow. Then hang it back on the wall for a nice, easy, festive touch.
• Use what’s in season. Fills clear glass vases of all different shapes and sizes and fill with fresh cranberries, pine cones, Clippings from long pines, various sized
• Make snowflakes! Remember when you were a kid and you made them in school. You’ll remember right away how fun it was and it’s a great way to spend time with kids. They will look festive and beautiful. If you want to hang them with fishing line from a ceiling use a sturdier paper.
• Wrap an evergreen garland around your chandelier and attach pine cones and poinsettia flowers to it for color.
• Do you have a fireplace? Fill it with red and green or red and gold pillar candles of all different sizes.
• Use what you get. Holidays cards! Create an archway over a doorway by attaching the cards on both sides. You can spray paint old window shutters red and hang them on the wall and put the cards in. Or you can fill a holiday themed container such as a wooden sleigh and place them on a table.
• It’s so sweet! Fill different sized bud vases and glasses with unwrapped candy canes, red m&m’s, Nonpareils, and other festive holiday candies.
• Tie large Christmas balls (one each) to a piece of fishing line and hang them from the ceiling at different varying heights (beware of head bonking)
• Wrap a bunch of different sized boxes. Use a very pretty paper and stack the boxes and tie with a ribbon. They can be used as centerpieces or places in various nooks.
• Spruce up a mirror. Hang evergreen garland, wooden red beads, a garland of Christmas Cards or snowflakes across a mirror.

The Historic Inns of Rockland have spent an entire year recruiting businesses to participate, encouraging a wide variety of pies to be made (everyone’s favorite sweet pies, plus pizza pie, Shepherd’s Pie, Meat and Seafood Pies, egg pies, Whoopee Pies, even healthy pies), creating maps, selling tickets and then giving every person who attends their own fork to cut down on waste. Hundreds of hours of time are spent on the “Pie Tour” as most affectionately call it, and the outcome is always success. Tickets sell out, and to date more than $40,000 has been raised for the AIO Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program in the seven year tenure of Pies on Parade.

Yet, Historic Inns of Rockland’s giving doesn’t stop with pies. A recent Historic Inns of Rockland Holiday House Tour raised nearly $2900 for the Friends of the Rockland Library. Thousands of dollars have been given to local environmental groups from the Historic Inns of Rockland in honor of each and every guest who came to create a little smaller footprint for each traveler. Every guest who comes to Historic Inns of Rockland receives a reusable shopping bag to help them cut down unnecessary waste one person at a time. Their commitment to sustainable travel netted them a spot in BedandBreakfast.com’s list of top ten environmentally conscious inns. Each of the four member inns are Certified Maine Environmental Leaders, a designation that comes only with stringent commitment to eco-friendly business practices. Their commitment to community and sustainable travel is their passion.

The Historic Inns of Rockland offer prizes, gift certificates and plenty of overnight stays to community organizations like Maine Lighthouse Week, Penobscot Bay Chamber of Commerce and more. Beyond staying at the inns, the group champions the idea of making Rockland the destination first, then staying in a historic inn second.

The Historic Inns of Rockland offer an inspiring model for business collaboration. As Frank Isganitis, co-owner of the LimeRock Inn cleverly tells people “I spend more marketing my competition than I do my own inn!” Some might question the logic there, but this group of four innkeepers from Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn, Captain Lindsey House and Granite Inn are committed to community and their mission supersedes all traditional notions of competition.

May the spirit of giving be with you throughout the holiday season and 2012.  Best holiday wishes from Historic Inns of Rockland.

There’s a holiday tradition captured at each one of the Historic Inns of Rockland and these traditions are captured during the Holiday House Tour. Each of the participating innkeepers have graciously shared a tip or two about making the holidays merry and bright. Read on for ideas you can use to add tradition to your holidays.

The Berry Manor Inn specializes in a Victorian Christmas and traditions of Christmases-gone-by are beautifully depicted here. Ask innkeepers Cheryl Michaelsen and Mike LaPosta about the stories behind the Peppermint Pig and the upside down Christmas tree and they’ll regale you with wonderful traditions of yesteryear. Beautifully decorated mantles are a specialty here. Cheryl, the decorator loves to start by creating the garland first then filling in with different sized candles and ornaments to match the candles color. “Finish the mantle with white twinkling lights for a dramatic finish”, suggests Cheryl.

Christmas has a nautical feel at the Captain Lindsey House, with ornaments collected throughout the world. A specialty of the Captain Lindsey House is the handmade decorations on each gift given by Captains Ken and Ellen Barnes. Those receiving gifts from Captains Barnes are slow to open them as the wrapping is often as beautiful as the gift inside. Here are a few tips for wrapping with WOW:

• Tie heirloom jewelry found on your trips to antique stores or church fairs then wrap with Victorian-style wallpaper left over from store-remnants.
• Wrap cookbooks or kitchen items in pages from old cookbooks or the newspaper food section.
• Add a small set of measuring cups or spoons tied on with kitchen string for your favorite cook.
• For the hiker in the family, tie on a small compass or water bottle.
• Save newspaper articles announcing those recently married and wrap their holiday gift in the wedding announcement.
• Dress up wine bottles in doll clothes, creating a personality for that bottle of wine you bring to the holiday party.

Gingerbread houses and nutcrackers are the highlight at the LimeRock Inn. Frank Isganitis or “Uncle Frank” as his nephews refer to him is the highlight of the family Christmas party each year as he works with his young nieces and nephews to create gingerbread houses. His advice is to think outside the box, suggesting everything from Necco wafers to Maine Needhams for decorations. The other half of the LimeRock innkeeping team is PJ Walter. PJ’s holiday passion is nutcrackers. A visit to LimeRock Inn over the holidays reveals literally hundreds of nutcrackers – from big to small – throughout the inn. Nutcrackers from all over the world with various pedigrees are seen here. It’s fascinating to view them and decide which is your favorite. Most people have a sneaking feeling the nutcrackers in the kitchen may be the favorites, as they’re the only ones that remain up all year. PJ suggests hitting the after-Christmas sales for holiday decorations and nutcrackers which he often finds discounted by 75 to 90-percent!

Holidays at the Granite Inn take on the same chic, graphic look as the décor featured here throughout the year. Graphic designer and innkeeper Joan Hantz loves to create small collections of ornaments and collectibles and display them beautifully and simply. Her advice is to find your favorite bowl or container, fill it with a few sparkling ornaments and perhaps some fresh greens, and voila! a centerpiece is made.

The four Historic Inns of Rockland offer distinctive décor throughout the year. Come during the holidays and you’re treated twinkling traditions, Rockland’s unique lobster trap Christmas Tree and a Main Street brimming with unique gift ideas. Tis the season for the perfect Midcoast getaway.