Internationally best-selling author Dennis Lehane is scheduled to speak at Thornton Academy on July 29! Lehane’s books include Mystic River, Gone, Baby, Gone, and Shutter Island, the film version of which is currently in theaters starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Doors open and book sale begins at 7:00 PM at Thornton Academy, 438 Main Street, Saco, ME. Join us for lunch at the Blue Elephant on the 29th and present your ticket for the event, and receive 10% off your check!

      
As we prepare for another wedding at the gorgeous Kingsley Pines Camp in Raymond, Maine, we are revisiting one of our favorite wedding receptions from last year. Kelsey and Eric took it to the next level and entertained their guests for hours with a variety of different events during the reception, culminating in fireworks over Panther Pond after dark. What a night! We can’t wait to get back to Kingsley Pines…

      
We had a great time hosting author Mary Fremont Shoenecker as she signed copies of her most recent novel: “Moonglade”. The second in the “Maine Shore Chronicles”. “Moonglade” is set in the Saco Bay area, and the action takes place in Saco, Biddeford Pool, Ocean Park, and other familiar places. Early in the novel, two of the main characters have lunch at…the Blue Elephant! We were honored to make a brief appearance in “Moonglade” and enjoyed introducing Mary to our customers, friends, and neighbors. Congratulations, Mary, and we look forward to the next installment: “The Promised Land”, due in stores in the Fall of 2011.

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  We had another great night this week at The Landing at Pine Point. If you have not done so already - check out this great new facility! The bride and groom planned a stunningly beautiful wedding at The Landing, and guests enjoyed a great reception bathed in the bride’s favorite color: purple. From the tables and flowers to the self-serve candy bar and custom lighting - purple was the color of the day. Contact Blue Elephant Events and Catering for more information about this great site!

  
We just wanted to show you this fantastic cake that we recently ordered from Edible Delights…thank you Michelle Gonneville! It was exactly what the client ordered: a fun and elegant Mardi Gras themed cake. Check out Edible Delights on the web. They do beautiful work!

     
We had another great event tonight at The Landing at Pine Point…congratulations Donni and Robert!

  
We just wanted to take a minute and highlight one of our favorite new sites in the Portland area: The Barn on Walnut Hill. This newly renovated 1897 bar resonates with history and rustic charm. The bar itself has been decorated sparely to allow the natural charm of the structure to shine through. Wrought iron chandeliers and dragonfly sconces add a whimsical touch to the space. The original attached chicken coop now serves as the bar. Built with reclaimed barn wood and featuring antique tractor seat barstools and your favorite draughts.
The 3,000 s/f farmhouse offers fully furnished accommodations for your out-of-town guests. The house includes 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, fully stocked professional kitchen and butler’s pantry, great room and covered porch, on three floors.
The house and barn sit on 4 beautifully maintained acres that include perinneal gardens, crabapple trees, hot tub, and pickleball court.
The Barn on Walnut Hill is a truly magical experience, and we were excited to be one of the first catering and event companies to be included on their vendor list. Contact Blue Elephant Events and Catering for more information or visit the website. We would love to show you around this wonderful space! 
Photos by our friend Brea at Brea MacDonald Photography, with set designs by Maine Season’s Events.

   
Did you know that Blue Elephant Cafe is available for private dinner parties and other functions? Give us a call and host your next small gathering at our place! We’ll fix the food, you have the fun. The photos above are from a recent private party at the Cafe.

     
One recent wedding seemed to have someone looking over it! It rained relentlessly until 15 minutes before the (outdoor) wedding ceremony, then cleared completely and the ceremony took place while the sun came out and thick white fog began to pour across the bay behind the officiant. Later, the most spectacular sunset that anyone had ever seen took place during the reception. Visit Ocean Gate Resort online. This is truly a magical place!

  
We had a great time over the weekend with this Hawaiian-themed rehearsal dinner. Rehearsals can be a great way to have some fun and bond with both families before the big day. If you have a rehearsal dinner in your upcoming future - give us a call! We have lots of fun ideas for you.

   
Another party last weekend at The Landing at Pine Point - one of our favorite places to work!

   
We had the pleasure of catering an intimate summer anniversary party last week in Kennebunk. Good friends, good food and a 10 year celebration were the perfect way to finish off the month of June. We have lots of fresh and classic ideas for making your next private celebration a success. From elegant to edgy - we’d love to work with you! Give us a call.

  
Saco welcomed its 40th Annual Sidewalk Arts Festival last weekend! Hundreds of visitors came downtown to shop, browse, eat, and enjoy the beautiful weather. Congratulations to Saco Spirit on another successful event.

   
We had a great time last weekend helping some new clients celebrate their wedding near the beach in Saco. Congratulations to Debbie and Stuart, and to their friends and family that came from far and wide to celebrate with them in Maine!

Jessica McMahon was born and raised in Midcoast Maine. After graduating from Camden Hills Regional High School, she pursued her interest in the arts, while attending Emmanuel College and the University of Southern Maine. In June of 2009, while attending Southern Maine Community College, Jessica joined the Blue Elephant as an intern, learning the ins and outs of the catering world while working towards her Degree in Culinary Arts. After graduating in May 2010, Jessica was thrilled to join Blue Elephant Events and Catering as a member of the full-time staff. She brings a unique blend of skills and talents to Blue Elephant! She is passionate about creating delicious, beautiful food and artistic and elegant events.
Welcome, Jessica! We are glad to have you on the team.

We were pleased to see the following news item today from Foster’s Daily Democrat. Thanks again to Ben and Sally Gumm and to the D.A. Hurd Library for having us at Angel of the Berwicks last week!

     
We have been busy in the kitchen this season, and hors d’ouvres are on the menu! New creations, classics, and new twists on old favorites have been in high demand. Give us a call if you are planning a cocktail party - our extensive menu of hot and cold hors d’ouvres has something for everyone!

   
Blue Elephant helped its friends at Thornton Academy celebrate the beginning of summer with a farewell reception on its beautiful campus on Main Street in Saco. Thornton Academy (est. 1811), built its first-ever dormitory in 2009, and we were honored to cater in it for a beautiful end-of-year gathering for students, faculty and staff. Before we all know it, fall will be here and school will be back in session for the 2010/11 year. Hit the beach, kids! We’ll see you in September. Special announcement: starting in September 2010, special discounts at Blue Elephant Cafe will be available for Thornton Academy faculty, staff and students. Stay tuned for details.

   
We were delighted to be invited by our friends at Norway Savings Bank to cater the opening of their new branch at 569 Main Street in Saco. Previously located at Shaw’s Plaza, the new building is light, airy and open for business. Congratulations to Manager Faith Smith and her team!

      
Blue Elephant was thrilled to be at Angel of the Berwicks this week! The bed and breakfast hosted a fundraiser for “Building On Our Past”, the current campaign to renovate and expand the D.A. Hurd Library in North Berwick, Maine. Angel of the Berwicks at Hurd Manor proved to be an elegant and comfortable background for this event, and with many years of experience in and a deep affection for historic buildings, Blue Elephant felt right at home. Special thanks to owners and innkeepers Ben and Sally Gumm for welcoming us to their home! We look forward to many more successful events at Angel of the Berwicks. For more information about the Bed and Breakfast, visit their website. For more information on the D.A. Hurd Library and the “Building On Our Past Campaign”, visit the library’s website.