Beat the Heat at New Castle’s Wentworth by the Sea
To celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday, 15 members of the Leavitt family headed to the outskirts of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and spent this past weekend at the historic Wentworth by the Sea. Considering it hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit both days in Boston, it was a good time to be on the Atlantic coast. First opened in 1874, Wentworth by the Sea is now operated by Marriott and all rooms have recently been renovated. Built as a summer resort popular with East Coast socialites, wealthy patrons, and former presidents, the hotel retains its grand feel. Our room had a scenic view overlooking a snaking river and marsh, where we were treated to a magnificent sunset on Friday night, the sky streaking orange, red, and pink. After a buffet breakfast on Saturday at the hotel, we spent most of the day in or by the resort’s pool, taking full advantage of the waiter service. But no need to dine solely at the hotel. Both New Castle and nearby Portsmouth (10-minute drive) are known for their top-notch dining. Within a 2-minute drive of the property are the Ice House and BG’s Boathouse, both known for their excellent lobster-in-the-rough options, like lobster rolls, steamed or fried clams, and scallops. On Friday night, we dined at the American tapas restaurant, Moxy, nominated year after year by the James Beard Awards for New England’s best restaurant. The small plate options included cod, fried clams, roasted beets, and a table favorite, chicken meatballs. On Saturday, we took a 1-hour harbor boat ride before beers at Row 34 (one of the best beer lists in town) and more lobster on an outside deck at Old Ferry Landing. Yes, we saved just enough room for the heavenly black raspberry ice cream down the block at Annabelle’s. Kudos to Lisa for planning a wonderful weekend getaway!
We currently have a group of 15 family members at the 
We had considered canceling our sailing trip to the BVIs earlier this month, but were grateful we pushed ahead. Classic sailing bars like Foxy’s (where we watched the Super Bowl), Soggy Dollar, Pirates on Norman Island, and Setting Point Reef Hotel on Anegada (known for their classic lobster dinner) were all open and grateful for our business. Taxi drivers, servers, and store owners all thanked us for coming so they can continue to work. Yet, everywhere you look, you find devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Irma. Upon arrival in Tortola, boats were capsized in the harbor, roofs were ripped off houses, and locals were driving cars with broken windows. The horrific aftermath of Irma would follow us throughout the trip—classic resorts like Bitter End and Peter Island in tatters, large tankers beached, homes destroyed wherever you looked. That’s why it’s important for sailors and boaters to return and thankfully they did. Over the next 2 years, it will be the sailors who can live aboard their boats that will greatly enhance the recovery of this classic cruising ground. 
It all started as the best things in life often do….pure serendipity. I was sitting in our yard near the water, in Quincy, MA, in the summer of 2011. My neighbor Barbara kayaked as close as she could to my chair and said, “I’ve been thinking about you. You’d really like yoga. I go to Healing Tree, and you should too.” I said, “Well, I’ve actually thought about that over time, maybe with your urging, I’ll go.” I had been a dancer as a kid, and fluid movement that’s about grace, flexibility, and strength has always appealed to me. I had long ago given up dance, and yearned for something to fill the void. Barbara had an answer! I walked into Healing Tree, and my yoga habit began. But a very special person – other than Barbara – made it truly possible. Checka Antifonario was one of my first yoga teachers, and I lucked out. Checka is amazing. She made my 50th birthday ultra-memorable (we together organized a weekend yoga retreat in Western MA for ~15 of my nearest and dearest friends, including Lisa and Steve). And, can I say, Checka’s yoga retreats also rock. I’ve been on several of them. 
Summer is the best time of year to book flights to warm-weather destinations this coming winter. This is especially true if you’re forced to travel during school vacations. Hesitate to book your flight and you’ll be stuck on bad connections that cost a fortune. We’re here to help with flights and suggestions. In the