How’s everyone feeling? Cozy? We are striving for cozy, hunkered down for the first major northeasterly blow. The schooners are secure: extra mooring lines, chafe gear, winter covers stretched tight, decks oiled, rig tarred, and running tackle stowed in the barn. Here in the arctic hinterland, we take a breath before the holiday to look to each other, share a quick smile, warm hug, and a direct look in the eye; everyone ok? It’s good to have a check-in. This is the season to linger over dinner, call your friends, and maybe oil your boots. All of us on the Taber and Ladona wish you good heath, good company, extravagant cheese, and waterproof footwear. Maybe we’ll see you on the bay next summer?
Warmly,
Captain Noah, Jane, & Oscar Barnes
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Toasts & Highlights of 2022
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Ladona’s 100th Anniversary! This past September, Ladona made a special trip to Boothbay Harbor’s Hodgdon Boatyard, where she was built 100 years ago. We had a lovely reception with special guests Steve Lyons, Director of the Maine Office of Tourism, Nat Wilson, sailmaker extraordinaire and members of the Boothbay Historical Society. Governor Janet Mills wrote a Proclamation in honor of the Centennial, and it was a treat to be rafted next to the newly rebuilt Ernestina-Morrissey, the historic training schooner for Massachusetts Marine Academy.
In the press! We received some wonderful press articles this year; it’s awful nice to get a shout-out from the fourth estate. Here are links to the Ladona articles in Travel + Leisure, Outside Magazine, Taber in Baton Rouge Times Picayune and of course, rebroadcast from our friends at Chronicle in Boston.
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Another year of amazing Chefs on both of our vessels. Chef Anna knocked it out of the park in Ladona’s galley turning out stellar meals, while Chef Bethany really pushed the limits on what is possible on the Taber’s wood stove — with some fill in help from Chefs Jason and Randy, and Chef James from Frog & Turtle restaurant came back for his 9th year as a special guest chef on the Taber. Both Anna and Bethany plan to expand the pre-season prep (AKA Duck Day!) to make sure there is enough house-made charcuterie to last the entire season.
Speaking of food, we had some memorable experiences on Local Culinary Heroes on both Taber & Ladona in August. This 4-nighter featured sailing in company, an in-store olive oil and balsamic vinegar tasting at Fiore, and an exclusive welcome dinner for Taber/Ladona guests at In Good Company. Other highlights included a private beer tasting at Marshall Wharf Brewery in Belfast and rendezvous with Adam Campbell from North Haven Oyster in Pulpit Harbor. Of course we did a joint lobster bake on an island and played music together in the evenings. Don’t worry – this worked out so well we’re doing it again for sure!
Comfort Afloat: Soooo technically not new in 2023, but the awning game on both schooners has been dramatically updated, so if you didn’t sail with us last year, hanging out on deck, even when the weather is not perfect, just got a whole bunch more comfortable.
“But what do you guys do all winter?” While we’re taking a breather to warm ourselves by the yule log, we’re always thinking about the list of awaiting projects, like
• the acres of varnish-work to keep Ladona looking Bristol
• perfecting the Taber’s new dish station and building new deck cushions
• designing new sails for Ladona & Taber
• finishing the automatic windlass project for Taber (yes, we’ve finally bowed to public opinion)
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A Word from Captain Braugh
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Dear friends, Happy Holidays from Schooner Ladona! The 2022 season holds some great memories for our guests and crew. This summer, our “Secrets of the Outer Islands” extended theme trip went hog-wild with a close-up viewing of the spectacular Great Duck Island light station, where some startled caretakers (who looked a bit like castaways) suddenly laughed and waved to us as we sailed under their remote headland, approaching from the open ocean.
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Later that week we paused at desolate Seal island to see puffins, anchored for a sojourn on secluded Matinicus Island, and finally hiked up to the famous light station at the crest of Monhegan Island itself. The views from there that day included the high-terraced antique cemetery, neighboring Manana Island, and of course, the iconic Monhegan Island Inn, with its weathered shingles, mansard roof, and flag-poled cupola.
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As our party returned to the anchorage below that evening, we came upon some fishermen landing a 300 pound tuna. Even the Monhegan islanders had an amazing 2022 summer.
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PHOTOS CREDIT: J. R. BRAUGH
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After the trip, I asked our long-time Ladona adventurers why they picked this particular voyage out of all the others offered on the roster. They all shrugged and said, “We just love Anna’s cooking!” “That’s fair,” I said, “but don’t you realize you can have Anna’s cooking on every Ladona trip of the sailing season?!”
There I was thinking people came with us to visit Monhegan Island! Well, no matter why you sailed this 2022 season, thank you, and happy New Year!
Capt. J. R
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If the last few years are any indication, demand will remain strong for Ladona and Taber. We still have plenty of availability next summer, but for those of you who have traditionally booked later, we suggest reserving your cabins soon. Of course, there is always the chance of last-minute cancellations, and we do keep a stand-by list for cruises that are full. View our most up-to-date schedules.
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Specialty Cruises 2023!
We’re sticking to what we love: Food, Wine, Music, and exploring the hidden corners of Penobscot Bay.
Music trips: Live music isn’t just one of our favorite things, it seems all of you like it as well! Next year we are shifting the Taber house band the Charlie Nobles to a 5-night at the end of June (Taber only), and we will be featuring the delightful string trio Cattail on our Fleet Gam. Also in June we have the ever charming Jen Schott — Nashville songwriter for the Solstice. Taber has also added another music trip, the Half Moon Café with Bill Barnes in early September.
More culinary trips: As always, the Taber has the Memorial Day Weekend Wine, Dine & Chocolate 4-night, the Gourmet Gastropub 4-night with Chef James in June and July’s Culinary Explorations with Fiore Olive Oils. Also check out our annual Taber & Ladona joint trips: August’s Local Culinary Heroes, the September 6-night Wine Week. The Taber has added a July 4-night Wine, Dine & Chocolate trip for a special mid-summer treat.
Explore! Ports Unknown & Secrets of Mt Desert in July and Ports Unknown & Outer Islands in August are chances for Ladona to stretch her legs and get beyond our usual trade routes. These are proving to be some of our most popular cruises!
If there is a trip you want to join and we are full, email us to be added to the 2023 waitlist OR to be the first to book in 2024.
Ladona continues to be a popular vessel for private group charters. If you are thinking about a private charter with family and friends in 2024, please contact us at info@schoonerladona.com.
Cheese/wine list: And in case you missed it, here is the complete list of house wines and cheeses served aboard our vessels in 2022.
Don’t forget our special shore-side guest accommodations with the Elder Captains Barneses at their hilltop garden paradise. B&B-style guest suite will be available only to Ladona and Taber guests. Availability is limited, 2-night minimum; you can book by emailing us directly at info@stephentaber.com.
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