Get in the Halloween Spirit with a Night of Food, Fun & Spooky Stories

At The Daniel we love Halloween and enjoy nothing more than getting in the spirit of the spooky fall holiday. On Oct. 29, we are welcoming all to join us in the Halloween festivities for an evening of tales of the local Brunswick community at Coast Bar + Bistro from 6 p.m. onwards.

Aside from great friends, food and drink, the evening will feature spooky or historical stories about the Town of Brunswick, as well as the historical property of The Daniel, which was previously the Captain Daniel Stone Inn.

We will also have a best costume contest so don’t forget to wear you Halloween costume!

Read all about the event HERE 

The Daniel and its past as the Captain Daniel Stone Inn may not be The Overlook Hotel from The Shining but it certain has a rich and interesting history — and we know that many in the community can regal listeners with some interesting tales of yore.

The Daniel is based on a historic building that was erected in 1809 and sits on nearly two acres of land near the Androscoggin River.

The property and site both have a rich history. The site housed a log cabin built in 1628 by Thomas Purchase, the first European settler in Brunswick. Originally called by its Native American name, Pejepscot, meaning a river with long rocky rapids, Brunswick became a trading post between the Native Americans, Thomas Purchase and other English settlers. The property itself was originally built in Federal style in 1819 and has served in many roles during its nearly two hundred year history. It became a full-service hotel in the 1980s and operated as the Captain Daniel Stone Inn until 2013. 

The Federal-style home attached to The Daniel was built for Captain Daniel Stone and his family in 1819. Captain Daniel Stone became a successful merchant after he retired from the U.S. Navy in the early 1800s. He and his wife, Nancy Hinckley, had two children, Narcissa and Daniel. The captain also served as a Brunswick Representative to the State Legislature.

Captain Daniel Stone’s daughter, Miss Narcissa Stone, became a prominent figure in the community after she inherited considerable land and property from her father upon his death in 1825. She held on to her inheritance tenaciously, improving the land and developing nearby property. The Stone Family Estate, on which The Daniel now stands, was known as Narcissa’s Hill to the townspeople for the better part of the 19^th century. Narcissa passed away at the age of 76, in 1877, after having led a full life and becoming an important part of Brunswick’s history.

Any historic building in an old part of the country, such as Brunswick, will surely have a few spooky stories and The Daniel is no different.

Prior owners of the Captain Daniel Stone Inn liked to intrigue guests with tales of possible ghost sightings and haunting. And rumor has it there was even a whispered about ghost journal to compile tales of the unexplained.

The most popular spooky tale was sightings of a young man — dressed in historical attire from centuries gone by and looking similar to old paintings once displayed in the hotel — suddenly appearing to guests and then vanishing into thin air.

Another hushed-tone legend has it that when the property was excavated for hotel construction at least one gravestone was found and sections of the hotel and parking lot sit on top of an ancient burial ground. Some say the gravestone was used as part of historical-themed displays in Captain Daniel Stone Inn, inviting a link to the netherworld.

It has also been whispered behind non-believers backs that there are rooms in the hotel that former staff would never dare enter and only the bravest and unknowing guests ever set foot in.

The property’s tales are not unique in the area.

Around Brunswick there are a number of ghost stories that chill locals and give goose bumps to listeners.

The Daniel’s favorites:

• The old high school in Brunswick is said to be haunted by a former student who died while rehearsing a play on the balcony during school hours.
• There are five stone markers on River Road in Brunswick that are rumored to be associated with ancient Native Americans but are of unknown origin and haunted with sounds of voices and unrecognizable singing.

Check out some of the supposed haunted places and legends from Brunswick on Haunted Places or Ghosts of America.

Are these spooky tales of The Daniel, The Captain Daniel Stone Inn and other haunting myths around Brunswick true or not? Come on out to Coast Bar + Bistro on Oct. 29 and you be the judge!

Fall in Maine is Not To Be Missed!

Camden Harbor, Maine (Photo by Cornexo)

Fall in New England is famous for many things, but above all else, is the yearly pilgrimage of the “leaf peepers” as they are known by some. It is the time of year when the color and beauty of New England foliage draws travelers from all over to see nature in its most vibrant state.

Mid-Coast Maine has its fair share of options to see colorful foliage and we at The Daniel are more than happy to help any fall enthusiasts find their way to visions of New England at its fall finest.

The foliage traditionally peaks around mid-October in the Mid-Coast region so you still have time to plan that perfect trip.

Maine’s state parks are some of the best places to target for leaf peeping.

Camden Hills State Park provides spectacular views of fall foliage and travelers can do so from the road to the top Mt. Battie, as well as from hiking trails on Mt. Megunticook and Bald Rock Mountain. 

The Donnell Pond Public Reserved Land in Hancock County near Sullivan and Franklin offers ambitious foliage enthusiasts hiking trails up Schoodic Mountain and Black Mountain that provide vistas on surrounding woodland, lakes and Acadia National Park across Frenchman's Bay.

For most, foliage viewing is traditionally an activity on the road and viewed through the auto window and Mid-Coast Maine has no shortage of options for a scenic foliage highway.

The Daniel recommends:

• Tourism Driving Tour: Windjammers & Water Views
  Start in Brunswick and head north along the coast to Camden, then inland to Unity and south through Union and Damariscotta State Park.
• Tourism Driving Tour: Acadia Harbors & Heights
  Begins in Bangor and then travel along the coast from Acadia National Park south, with many scenic lighthouse, water and wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Million Dollar View (Route 1)
  This stretch of U. S. Route 1 offers travelers unsurpassed views of the Chiputneticook chain of lakes including East Grand, Brackett and Deering.
• The Bold Coast Scenic Byway
  The 125-miles long Bold Coast route extends from the coastal fishing community of Milbridge eastward along the coast to Lubec, the easternmost town in the United States, and then scoops around Cobscook Bay to Eastport.
• Blackwoods Byway
  The towns of Cherryfield and Franklin, which serve as gateways to this byway, offer many good examples of 18^th century and 19^th century architecture, as well as the chance to experience rural small town life. 
• Schoodic National Scenic Byway
  This route passes through the only mainland section of Acadia National Park and beautiful Schoodic Point.
• Acadia Byway All-American Road
  Following Route 3, this byway follows Route 3 into Bar Harbor, and then follows the park loop road thereafter.

If leaves aren’t your thing there are plenty of other things to do as well.

The Coast Bar +Bistro has a killer lineup of music throughout October.

On Oct. 3 is James Good Eye offering up a unique blend of alternative and rock, inspired by Lucinda Williams, Gillian Welch, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and Emmylou Harris, among others.

On Oct. 9, is Aaron Nadeau, a rising young artists from Maine who combines masterful guitar with his own blend of poetic lyrics.

On Oct., 10 is Andrew Yankowsky, a singer/songwriter from Portland, Maine, who specializes in a unique vocal style and a mix of folk, rock, reggae and jam music.

What we do expect at The Daniel is a busy fall season and the numbers back us up.

According to a recent consumer survey by AAA, the fall is a popular time to travel and that — depending on the region — as many as three of four people plan to take at least one, overnight trip of more than 50 miles in the next three months. AAA has also reported that as many as 45 percent of the public reports they prefer “off-season” based on the potential for savings versus peak travel periods.

Mark Jenkins, a spokesman for AAA, said that people like to travel in the fall because they can find great deals, a lot of this stemming to school being back in session, allowing for hotels and other attractions not being as crowded and lower rates. He added that fall travel prices can be at some of the lowest rates you can find all year.

New research from Enterprise Rent-A-Car suggests that brief road trips and long weekends — of which the fall is a popular time for — may actually be the most desired vacations of all, even more than the traditional vacation of summer weeks at the beach. Enterprise found that two-thirds of Americans prefer to take a one-day or weekend-road trip as opposed to the one-third who prefer to take a least a week-long trip.

Whatever your fancy, The Daniel is ready to be the center of your fall getaway!

As Summer Nears End, Hoteliers Ready for Busy Surge

It’s that time of year again — the kids are starting to pack their book bags and add to their wardrobe for the start of the new school year and vacationers are eying Labor Day plans for that last big summer hurrah before the fall. Like most in the hotel industry, we at The Daniel are prepping for what promises to be a big Labor Day.

Based on booking data, Expedia is predicting that Labor Day 2014 will see a considerable increase in travelers booking air tickets, hotel room and rental cars compared to Labor Day weekend 2013. AAA  is predicting 34.7 million travelers will hit the road on Labor Day weekend. Last year, AAA said 34.1 million travelers hit the road — the highest number in five years.

So if they are right, this year promises to be another watermark!

In Brunswick, and at The Daniel, late summer also means one big thing — the arrival of Bowdoin College students! When the college gets back to full swing it will bring just under 1,800 students to the area. From Aug. 26, the first arrival day, through Sept. 4, when classes start, all these students will make the trek back to Brunswick. This stretch is full of students and their families throughout Brunswick.

Bowdoin’s Class of 2018 arrives on Aug. 26 with a full day of activities and excitement to start of their collegiate careers. Orientation and First Year Programming includes Orientation Trips that send first-year Bowdoin students out into the local region for activities that including backpacking, hiking, kayaking and trips to coastal islands.

Bowdoin’s President Barry Mills will host a reception for parents on the evening of Aug. 26, which is always a big draw. Also, popular during the college’s orientation are visits to the unique Peary MacMillan Arctic Museum & Arctic Studies Center and well respected Bowdoin College Museum of Art.

Aside from those connected to Bowdoin, the local Maine community will certainly be keeping itself busy soaking up the waning rays of sunshine this summer.

Locals and visitors alike will not want to miss the last few August and early September weekends at the beach. In the Brunswick area, this often means treks to nearby Georgetown and the beaches at Reid State Park or the ever popular Popham Beach State Park in Phippsburg.

Another very popular attraction, as the heat dies down and the nights cool, is ArtWalk Maine, which allows guests to explore artist studios, galleries, museums, and assorted venues in beautiful downtowns across the state. ArtWalk Maine is a passport to discover the creative communities and working artists of Maine, from Biddeford to Bangor, Portland to Presque Isle.

Each year, about 80 communities take part in ArtWalk Maine. Traditionally, held on Friday evenings between 5-9 p.m., the events often include receptions, street performances and specials at local restaurants.

Our expectations for a busy end-of-summer stretch in Maine falls right in line with what hoteliers are expecting around the country.

In 2014, demand for air tickets over Labor Day weekend has increased 20 percent, with the majority of travelers departing on Friday, Aug. 29, according to Expedia. Demand for hotel rooms is up more than 30 percent and hotel room rates have increased as well, averaging just over $180 per night over this holiday weekend, up approximately 3 percent from 2013. While demand for car rentals has increased more than 35 percent, rental rates are slightly lower this Labor Day weekend.

While Labor Day has traditionally been more of a “stay local” holiday versus some of the summer’s other big weekends, the data suggests that it is becoming an increasingly popular travel option.

Expedia’s Sarah Gavin offers a few tips for saving over Labor Day weekend: consider off-the-beaten track destinations — the most popular destinations are often the most expensive; and be flexible with your flying schedule — consider flying on Saturday morning or extending your trip through Monday evening.

The 10 most popular destinations for Labor Day weekend are: Las Vegas; Chicago; New York City; Atlanta; San Diego, Calif.; Seattle; Orange County, Calif.; Los Angeles; Miami; and Houston.

According to Expedia, the best deals for Labor Day weekend can be found in:

Palm Springs, Calif. — Hotel rates are down 12 percent from last year
Charleston, S.C. — Hotel rates are down 10 percent from last year
Virginia Beach, Va. — Hotel rates are down nearly 9 percent from last year
Ocean City, Md. — Hotels rates are down 4 percent from last year
Austin, Texas — Average hotel rates are $177 per night, down 8 percent from last year
New Orleans — Average hotel rates are $172 per night
Washington — Average hotel rates are $145 per night
Denver — Average hotel rates are $144 per night

We at The Daniel say there is no place better for a Labor Day trip than Brunswick, Maine! Some of the most popular Labor Day activities for travelers in the U.S. include dining and shopping — which Brunswick has plenty of. For returning Bowdoin students, we say welcome back! For the new students and their parents, we hope your first collegiate send-off trip is a great one!

Coastal Living: Collection from Local Photographer offers Guests a Window into Maine’s Ocean Culture

Land's End on Bailey Island. (Pepper Gross)

Guests at The Daniel or visitors to the Coast Bar +Bistro can get a picturesque window into the soul of life on Maine’s coast and they have local photographer Pepper Gross to thank. Gross is the perfect example of the kind of local talent we want to use to inflect the spirit of the region into the guest experience at our hotel.

A native of Brunswick, Gross is in her senior year at Wheaton College in Chicago, studying international business with a minor in fine art photography and digital arts.

The 21-year-old has a passion for travel and has visited almost 30 countries throughout the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa, using her keen eye for landscape and the essence of local environment to document her travels with photos. She loves exploration, discovery and the use of photography to capture the diverse people and landscapes that the world has to offer.

For The Daniel, she turned this passion and vision toward the coast of Maine and the places she grew up. She contributed about 60 photos that are placed throughout The Daniel and the Coast Bar + Bistro.

The setting is mostly Harpswell, including Bailey Island, Orr’s Island, and popular local spot Popham Beach.

“For these photos I focused on the coastal area of Maine. I have grown up around here and I know all the scenic spots to take pictures,” Gross says. “I tried to take pictures that will engage both the locals and people who have not seen these types of places.”

The photos emphasize the variances of light in an oceanic setting, the ocean’s interaction with nature and the infusion of man-made objects representing the connection of people to the sea.

Gross calls the photos classic Maine images, similar to travel photography with a mixture of landscapes and close ups. They incorporate fine art, macro shot and still life photography techniques.

The motif of images connected to the ever-present lobster industry is common throughout the photos, as is the capture of trivial tidbits of the coast life set against the omnipresence of the ocean.

Gross’ favorite photo is a black and white capture of the statue of a fisherman in Land’s End on Bailey Island. The statue is an ode to fishermen, living and dead, and the lives they lead and the importance of their contributions to the local culture.

“That kind of just typifies the area I grew up in,” she says. “It is a classic statue that pays tribute to fishermen, who work hard all their lives.”

Another favorite is the shadow and light infused image of the Cribstone Bridge in Harpswell that connects Bailey Island and Orr’s Island. The bridge has a unique design that uses granite slabs from local quarries in an open cribbing placement that allows the tidal water to ebb and flow freely through

Cribstone Bridge, Orr's Island. (Pepper Gross)

the bridge. The bridge looms prominently in the background of the photo with a parking and boat launching sign detailing cost and payment information in the foreground.

“This picture shows the way that Maine-ards make a living off of tourism and also shows what the locals do — it is a combination of these two things,” Gross said.

The photos include both black and white, but Gross does profess a particular affinity to the black and white images. “I really love black and white. The ones that look best in black and white are generally my favorites,” she says.

One of the things Gross also loved about the assignment was the chance to revisit places familiar to her with a critical eye. “It was really neat just kind of looking at what I have grown up with in a different light,” she added.

At The Daniel we want to help our guests experience coastal Maine living and the way Gross was able to walk through the region with her photos helps them do just that. The photos have already received numerous compliments and there is no doubt they will be a talking point for all our visitors.

See below for more samples of Pepper Gross’ photos currently at The Daniel and the Coast Bar + Bistro.

Lobsterman's wharf, Bailey Island. (Pepper Gross)

Bailey Island. (Pepper Gross)

Popham Beach. (Pepper Gross)

To check out some of Pepper Gross’ other photography visit: Pepperspray.