Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Q. Where can we go to enjoy Lake Christopher?
There is a public beach and dock at the end of Lake Road. In addition, there is a grassy area by the lake at The Maine House as well as two private docks along 220 feet of lakefront. Outdoor sports equipment, which is available for the use of guests at all three houses, can be found in the sports shed (see yard layout). The yard is available to guests at all three houses, unless prior arrangements have been made for exclusive use by one group (i.e., a wedding).

Q. Are pets allowed?
Because some guests may be allergic, The Maine House, The Maine Farm House and The Maine MountainView House have a strict no pets policy. Guests will be financially responsible for any cleaning fees and follow-up de-infestation treatment costs if evidence of a pet is found.

Q. What kind of watercraft are allowed on Lake Christopher?
Lake Christopher is 1 1/2 miles long and 1/2 mile wide. Canoes, kayaks, sail boats, small motorboats and wind surfers are welcome. Jet skis have been banned and are not welcome on the lake. The Houses have four canoes and one wind surfer for the use of all our guests. You will find oars for the canoes and life jackets stored in a storage closet in the yard of The Maine House.

Q. What time is check-in and check-out?
Our regular check-in time is 3:00 p.m. and check-out time is 9:00 a.m. We are extremely flexible in allowing people to check in early and stay late, providing we don’t have any other guests or groups conflicting with your stay. Please inquire before your arrival.

Q. How do we get into The Maine Houses?
Each house is usually open upon arrival. In addition, there is a push-button combination lock. See your confirmation letter for the code. In case of emergency or questions, call our off-premises manager at 665-2293.

Q. Do we need to bring our own sheets and towels?
Sheets, blankets, pillows and towels are provided. Extra blankets are located in the white bench on the first floor of The Maine House by the Wildflower Room and in the cedar closet in the Lakeside Room. At The Maine Farm House, you’ll find extra blankets on the shelves above the washer and dryer or in individual rooms. You will find extra blankets in the second floor hallway at The Maine MountainView House.

Q. What kind of supplies are in the kitchen?
Kitchens at The Maine Houses are stocked with an assortment of pots, pans, mixing and serving bowls, baking sheets, dishes, bowls, silverware, drinking and wine glasses, mugs, cooking utensils, knives, cutting boards and more. There is enough equipment to prepare for and serve up to 25 to 30 people at each house. Each kitchen has two full-size refrigerators, a microwave oven and toaster. The Maine House has two electric ovens and a six-burner gourmet gas Wolf range. The Maine Farm House offers a gourmet Wolf range with a six-burner cooktop, oven and broiler. Each suite of The Maine Farm House also has its own refrigerator, electric stove/oven and coffeemaker. The Maine MountainView House has a four-burner electric range with oven. We provide dishwashing soap and clean-up supplies. All guests are expected to wash, dry and put away the dishes they use. The Maine MountainView House has an automatic dishwasher.
Finally, we provide coffeemakers and complimentary Down East coffee (regular and Hazelnut decaf) at The Houses. A starter supply of complimentary coffee is provided for groups with discount rates.

Q. Can we dine on the wrap-around porch at The Maine House during the winter months?
Yes. The key to keeping the porch warm is to leave the French doors in the Great Room open. Be sure to leave the heat and ceiling fans on in the Great Room to help keep the dining area at a comfortable temperature.

Q. What if we want to set up tables for a nice dinner?
Each house has tablecloths, napkins and candles. We suggest you use these just for the special dinner. At The Maine House, they are located in the hutch on the wraparound porch, in The Maine Farm House, they are located under the sink on the kitchen island, and at The Maine MountainView House, they are located in the dining room in the drawers.

Q. How do the fireplaces work?
Kindling and logs are provided at all of The Houses. In addition, simple instructions are posted near the fireplace in each house that explains how to start a fire in the fireplace. We encourage the group leader to assign a couple of people to keep a supply of logs and kindling near the fireplace during your stay. We do ask that you exercise common sense safety procedures when using the fireplaces.

Q. Where do we find firewood?
The Maine House has dry kindling in the garage and large three-foot logs outside the door off the Lake Level wraparound porch. These large three-foot logs are ideal for the fireplace in the Great Room. The Maine Farm House has both kindling and firewood located in the back yard off the deck. Firewood is found off the back porch of The Maine MountainView House. Please be careful when making and using fires and note the directions by each fireplace. Always test and make sure the damper is open before starting a fire in any fireplace. In addition, please note the location of the fire extinguishers in the event of an emergency.

Q. Are there laundry facilities at The Maine Houses?
We have coin operated washers and dryers at The Maine House and The Maine Farm House. We provide the detergent and appropriate softener for you to use because of our septic system. There is a washer and dryer in the basement of The Maine MountainView House.

Q. What do we do with the trash and recyclables?
At The Maine House, we have recycling bins and a deposit container located in the entrance area of the ski-mud room. Please do not put trash in those bins. When the trash container becomes full in the kitchen, please take the bags to the lower Lake Level and place them in the garage in the trash barrels. At The Maine Farm House, recycling bins are located in the hall. A marked trashcan is located on the back porch for deposits. Please insure that the outdoor trash containers are locked so that animals do not disturb their contents. Bagged trash should be placed in the trash shed off the back porch of The Maine MountainView House. Recyclables go in the green bins.

Q. What are the phone numbers at The Houses?
The appropriate house numbers are located in the brochure. Please read this brochure for other important information.

Q. What should we do when we leave?
We would like you to turn off the lights, turn the thermostats down, wash and put away the dishes and leave the place in an orderly, broom swept manner. Our off-premises manager stops by and checks each house upon departures.

Q. What questions do you get most often from guests?
The most frequently asked questions are easily answered in your confirmation letter, our brochure and The Guide Book. People usually ask about the code to unlock the doors, which is in your letter. Be sure the first person in your group scheduled to arrive knows the code. Also, the guest phone number to each house is found in the brochure.

IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT FEED THE GEESE AND DUCKS AT THE LAKE!!!
IN CONSIDERATION OF OTHER GUESTS AT THE HOUSES, NO LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE AFTER 10 PM