By Kevin Thomas

Photography C.A. Smith Photgraphy

I love the Kennebunks.

My friend Bettina often notes, “you’re good there,” after checking in with me during a Kennebunkport visit. She knows what this place does for my soul, surrounded by great friends, in familiar territory, and with views and access to the Atlantic at every turn.

When I decided I had to begin a move back to Maine in 2001, Kennebunkport was where I started with my young family. With my three sons, we explored and fell in love with magical places with equally magical names, such as Cape Porpoise, Goose Rocks Beach, Cleaves Cove, Turbat’s Creek, and Middle Beach. For my kids, these were fun-filled destinations where we kayaked, collected beach treasures, or rode our bikes. For me, they became important—and unforgettable—healing places.

So, of course, I have a special excitement about sharing the stories in this issue of Maine Home+Design. On these pages we talk about the exciting work being done by Tim Harrington and Deb Lennon as they continue, in the tradition of Laurie Bongiorno, their commitment to creating a world-class destination for visitors and new dining options for full- and part-time residents. With their investment in properties such as Hidden Pond, Tides Beach Club, the Kennebunkport Inn, Old Fort Inn, Cottages at Cabot Cove, and others, as well as their focus on quality design and construction—working with the likes of Louise Hurlbutt, Ted Carter, and Kevin Lord—they are transforming the Kennebunks yet again. And, they are doing it smartly and tastefully.

Relative to the rest of the country, the Kennebunks have experienced a remarkably robust residential construction market. On page 58, we show you a Kennebunk home designed by Erik Peterson, built by Kevin Lord, and decorated by Daniel Reynolds. The timeless and comfortable design has caught the attention of all of us, and I’m sure it will captivate your imagination as well.

In a few short weeks our staff will head down to the Kennebunks for a week long celebration of food, wine, art, and music: the Kennebunkport Festival. I hope this issue will whet your appetite to visit the Festival. There is no better time to experience the Kennebunks, with dozens of local or visiting chefs, vintners, artists, and musicians converging in the area for the week. The parties range from the intimate (18 people at the Art of Dining dinners) to the large and lively (350 at Pop the Kennebunks). The events are too myriad to list here, but you can find them, and buy tickets, at www.kennebunkportfestival.com. Share Our Strength, whose mission is to end childhood hunger in Maine, benefits from the Festival.

I hope to see you there, in one of my favorite places in Maine.