Captain David Kelley House
Captain David Kelley House
Centerville, Massachusetts
Captain David Kelley House - where every breakfast is an event!
by Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong
Located just three miles from historic and scenic Hyannis, MA and the John F. Kennedy Museum, the Captain David Kelley House is a wonderfully unique find for any Cape Cod traveler. This beautifully maintained Greek Revival home is one of the most joy-filled accommodations we have experienced anywhere with owners who strive to make every guest’s stay memorable and every breakfast an event!
Owners Tom Nortz and Rick Garceau found the Captain David Kelley House in 2008 after searching for a special bed & breakfast to purchase for over three years. They searched Florida, Georgia, Maine, Vermont, New York and a number of Cape Cod properties.
“We felt drawn to the property the moment we discovered it. We firmly believed we were meant to be here, that we were being led to the home,” Tom told us.
“As owners our dream was to make the bed and breakfast a comfortable, beautiful, and upscale retreat without sacrificing its historical charm or ambiance. We hope guests find the Captain David Kelley House to be their home-away-from home, a place where they are met at the door with a warm, heart-felt welcome, a place where everyone knows your name,” Rick added.
Within months of taking possession of Captain David Kelley House, Rick and Tom replaced the roof and first floor windows, installed a new furnace, hot water tank, circuit breakers, dedicated GFI outlets in each bathroom and segregated outlets/circuit breakers for the air conditioners.
When excavating, contractors discovered a blue stone walkway buried under a foot of soil. That blue stone walkway was restored.
“Over the course of 2012 and 2013, we installed wall-mounted, ultra quiet A/C units with remote controls in all guest rooms and the common room. In 2012 we replaced the wallpaper in the foyer and a year later replaced wallpaper in the Patience guest room. Early on we added a Keurig machine providing guests with 24-hour coffee and tea service. We also installed a 25-pound ice machine for guest convenience,” Rick said.
“In our five-plus years of ownership we have brought in three beautiful, new beds from Ethan Allen - looking for replacements with a wow factor. We replaced five mattresses with Beautyrest Recharge mattress sets. Many of the dressers have been replaced with antiques. All six guest rooms have received luggage racks, bathrobes, hair dryers, CD clock radios, down-alternative pillows, Samsung flat screen televisions, ice buckets, irons and ironing boards,” Tom explained.
Rick and Tom also brought in an antique Hardman baby-grand piano. Guests are encouraged to play and Rick is happy to play on request.
Not only is Rick a pianist, he is also a Zumba instructor. During tourist season, free classes are offered to guests three evenings a week. Rick – always bringing a smile and fun to everything he does - offers the classes under his adopted persona Rico. He calls it Zumba by Rico.
No bed and breakfast is complete without breakfast and the breakfast at Captain David Kelley House is a delightful experience. Breakfast is an event in itself! Tom and Rick offer their guests what can only be described as comedy-breakfast-theater – and it is something to wake up for.
“The breakfast baking competition was our signature and probably most unique and popular addition to the house. As owners, we take turns baking scones from scratch each morning. Both of us have our own, well-guarded recipes. The morning presentation of the warm scones is orchestrated with props, music, dialogue and flair. It is intended to be funny and campy, acting as a cathartic for laughter and conversation between guests. On any given morning you may meet the likes of Doctor LivingScone or Elvis Scone-sley,” Tom told us.
"We take turns creating and serving scones to our guests. One morning, Tom came out in full costume, wearing a crown and everything and put on a whole production of serving his scones. Our guests loved it. So, the next day, I took it a little further. Now, we have a whole wardrobe of costumes and props! We serve our guests as everyone from The Scone Ranger to Frank Scone-atra!,” Rick added.
For our breakfast, Rick served us as Frank Scone-atra complete with a fedora and musical accompaniment as he playfully reworded some Sinatra lyrics. Frank Scone-atra served our scones on top of a hilariously oversized martini glass.
Some of their other "per-scone-as" include Napoleon Scone-aparte and Prince Scone-a lot.
Tom and Frank create exceptional gourmet breakfasts. Our breakfast included a fruit smoothie, coffee, orange juice, cranberry and walnut scones, sausage, toast, and a delightfully tasty spinach, broccoli, red pepper and cheese omelet.
Every evening, Tom and Rick offer turn-down service complete with your choice of dark or milk chocolate.
If guests want to enjoy Cape Cod sightseeing after breakfast, The Captain David Kelley House is centrally located in the heart of Cape Cod. Ferry service to the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are just three miles away.
“Due to our central location, we are a short drive from most everything on Cape Cod. You can stroll the lovely village of Chatham taking in its spectacular beaches and lighthouses within a half hour’s drive. Beautiful Falmouth and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution can also be experienced within a half hour’s drive as well. Provincetown (P-town) is an hour away — close enough for a day trip of cruising art galleries, enjoying fresh seafood, bicycling through the dunes or heading to open water for a whale watch,” Tom said.
Within ten minutes, you can be on scenic Route 6A - known as the old King’s Highway - with its shops, artist galleries, produce stands, restaurants, historical sites, boardwalks and popular beaches.
“In the immediate locale, guests can experience the Cape Cod rail trails; the Cape Cod Beer Company brewery tour, Cape Cod Potato Chips factory tour; the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum and the John F. Kennedy Memorial park. Hyannis with its shops, restaurants, galleries, Duck Boat Tours and marina with sightseeing harbor sailboat cruises is only 3 miles away,” Rick told us.
For LGBT travelers - The Captain David Kelley House is gay owned and operated. The owners, Rick and Tom, met in Provincetown in 1986. In 2004 they were married on their patio in the presence of friends, family & neighbors. They are openly gay, active in the community, and have put down roots in support of local causes. These are innkeepers who understand and appreciate the LGBT community and value their patronage.
“Cape Cod in general is very warm and welcoming of gay travelers. At the Captain David Kelley House, you can be yourself; fully loved, respected, and accepted. We market ourselves primarily to couples but singles are always welcome. We offer everything from a quiet, peaceful respite for recharging one’s batteries & spirit to a fun, action-packed see-and-do-all visit. Through networking we have personal connections with area spas, beauticians, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries,” Rick said.
Three miles away in Hyannis, the Embargo Martini & Tapas Bar features Wednesday night drag karaoke.
“The Captain David Kelley House is the perfect stopping off point on your way to Provincetown (P-town) to experience the rest of Cape Cod!” Tom said.
“Our promise and commitment to each guest is that their stay will be memorable. We believe our love and energy and that of the house can be transformative, that every guest will return home recharged, relaxed and ready to be a better husband/wife, mother/father, actor, musician, teacher, surgeon, carpenter etc,” Tom added.
“It is important to us that every guest feels as if they are returning to their home-away-from-home,” Rick told us. “We are fun-loving guys. The house is often filled with laughter. We recognize the healing power of laughter, that it holds health benefits and is capable of invigorating the body, mind and spirit. We incorporate it into our breakfast theatre – commonly referred to as the scone wars – accompanied by props, costumes, music, and dialogue. Laughter truly is the best medicine. It has proven to be the best icebreaker we could imagine to transpose strangers into friends. There is no greater reward for us.”
Sometimes – rarely – you run across people that are a perfect fit for their chosen career. Captain David Kelley House owners Tom Nortz and Rick Garceau are prime examples of that rare find. They love what they do and their charismatic joy and loving spirits are embodied in everything they do for their cherished guests at the Captain David Kelley House in Centerville, Massachusetts.
The Captain David Kelley House is located at 539 Main St, Centerville, MA 02632. Phone: 508-775-4707
For more information, visit http://www.captaindavidkelleyhouse.com
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong. Copyright 2014 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us. PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email:[email protected]
Keywords: Captain David Kelley House, Centerville, Massachusetts, MA, Hyannis, Provincetown, P-town, Tom Nortz, Rick Garceau, Cape Cod, Zumba, bed and breakfast, Embargo Martini & Tapas Bar, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routzong,
Centerville, Massachusetts
Captain David Kelley House - where every breakfast is an event!
by Steven Skelley & Thomas Routzong
Located just three miles from historic and scenic Hyannis, MA and the John F. Kennedy Museum, the Captain David Kelley House is a wonderfully unique find for any Cape Cod traveler. This beautifully maintained Greek Revival home is one of the most joy-filled accommodations we have experienced anywhere with owners who strive to make every guest’s stay memorable and every breakfast an event!
Owners Tom Nortz and Rick Garceau found the Captain David Kelley House in 2008 after searching for a special bed & breakfast to purchase for over three years. They searched Florida, Georgia, Maine, Vermont, New York and a number of Cape Cod properties.
“We felt drawn to the property the moment we discovered it. We firmly believed we were meant to be here, that we were being led to the home,” Tom told us.
“As owners our dream was to make the bed and breakfast a comfortable, beautiful, and upscale retreat without sacrificing its historical charm or ambiance. We hope guests find the Captain David Kelley House to be their home-away-from home, a place where they are met at the door with a warm, heart-felt welcome, a place where everyone knows your name,” Rick added.
Within months of taking possession of Captain David Kelley House, Rick and Tom replaced the roof and first floor windows, installed a new furnace, hot water tank, circuit breakers, dedicated GFI outlets in each bathroom and segregated outlets/circuit breakers for the air conditioners.
When excavating, contractors discovered a blue stone walkway buried under a foot of soil. That blue stone walkway was restored.
“Over the course of 2012 and 2013, we installed wall-mounted, ultra quiet A/C units with remote controls in all guest rooms and the common room. In 2012 we replaced the wallpaper in the foyer and a year later replaced wallpaper in the Patience guest room. Early on we added a Keurig machine providing guests with 24-hour coffee and tea service. We also installed a 25-pound ice machine for guest convenience,” Rick said.
“In our five-plus years of ownership we have brought in three beautiful, new beds from Ethan Allen - looking for replacements with a wow factor. We replaced five mattresses with Beautyrest Recharge mattress sets. Many of the dressers have been replaced with antiques. All six guest rooms have received luggage racks, bathrobes, hair dryers, CD clock radios, down-alternative pillows, Samsung flat screen televisions, ice buckets, irons and ironing boards,” Tom explained.
Rick and Tom also brought in an antique Hardman baby-grand piano. Guests are encouraged to play and Rick is happy to play on request.
Not only is Rick a pianist, he is also a Zumba instructor. During tourist season, free classes are offered to guests three evenings a week. Rick – always bringing a smile and fun to everything he does - offers the classes under his adopted persona Rico. He calls it Zumba by Rico.
No bed and breakfast is complete without breakfast and the breakfast at Captain David Kelley House is a delightful experience. Breakfast is an event in itself! Tom and Rick offer their guests what can only be described as comedy-breakfast-theater – and it is something to wake up for.
“The breakfast baking competition was our signature and probably most unique and popular addition to the house. As owners, we take turns baking scones from scratch each morning. Both of us have our own, well-guarded recipes. The morning presentation of the warm scones is orchestrated with props, music, dialogue and flair. It is intended to be funny and campy, acting as a cathartic for laughter and conversation between guests. On any given morning you may meet the likes of Doctor LivingScone or Elvis Scone-sley,” Tom told us.
"We take turns creating and serving scones to our guests. One morning, Tom came out in full costume, wearing a crown and everything and put on a whole production of serving his scones. Our guests loved it. So, the next day, I took it a little further. Now, we have a whole wardrobe of costumes and props! We serve our guests as everyone from The Scone Ranger to Frank Scone-atra!,” Rick added.
For our breakfast, Rick served us as Frank Scone-atra complete with a fedora and musical accompaniment as he playfully reworded some Sinatra lyrics. Frank Scone-atra served our scones on top of a hilariously oversized martini glass.
Some of their other "per-scone-as" include Napoleon Scone-aparte and Prince Scone-a lot.
Tom and Frank create exceptional gourmet breakfasts. Our breakfast included a fruit smoothie, coffee, orange juice, cranberry and walnut scones, sausage, toast, and a delightfully tasty spinach, broccoli, red pepper and cheese omelet.
Every evening, Tom and Rick offer turn-down service complete with your choice of dark or milk chocolate.
If guests want to enjoy Cape Cod sightseeing after breakfast, The Captain David Kelley House is centrally located in the heart of Cape Cod. Ferry service to the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket are just three miles away.
“Due to our central location, we are a short drive from most everything on Cape Cod. You can stroll the lovely village of Chatham taking in its spectacular beaches and lighthouses within a half hour’s drive. Beautiful Falmouth and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution can also be experienced within a half hour’s drive as well. Provincetown (P-town) is an hour away — close enough for a day trip of cruising art galleries, enjoying fresh seafood, bicycling through the dunes or heading to open water for a whale watch,” Tom said.
Within ten minutes, you can be on scenic Route 6A - known as the old King’s Highway - with its shops, artist galleries, produce stands, restaurants, historical sites, boardwalks and popular beaches.
“In the immediate locale, guests can experience the Cape Cod rail trails; the Cape Cod Beer Company brewery tour, Cape Cod Potato Chips factory tour; the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum and the John F. Kennedy Memorial park. Hyannis with its shops, restaurants, galleries, Duck Boat Tours and marina with sightseeing harbor sailboat cruises is only 3 miles away,” Rick told us.
For LGBT travelers - The Captain David Kelley House is gay owned and operated. The owners, Rick and Tom, met in Provincetown in 1986. In 2004 they were married on their patio in the presence of friends, family & neighbors. They are openly gay, active in the community, and have put down roots in support of local causes. These are innkeepers who understand and appreciate the LGBT community and value their patronage.
“Cape Cod in general is very warm and welcoming of gay travelers. At the Captain David Kelley House, you can be yourself; fully loved, respected, and accepted. We market ourselves primarily to couples but singles are always welcome. We offer everything from a quiet, peaceful respite for recharging one’s batteries & spirit to a fun, action-packed see-and-do-all visit. Through networking we have personal connections with area spas, beauticians, restaurants, bars, museums and galleries,” Rick said.
Three miles away in Hyannis, the Embargo Martini & Tapas Bar features Wednesday night drag karaoke.
“The Captain David Kelley House is the perfect stopping off point on your way to Provincetown (P-town) to experience the rest of Cape Cod!” Tom said.
“Our promise and commitment to each guest is that their stay will be memorable. We believe our love and energy and that of the house can be transformative, that every guest will return home recharged, relaxed and ready to be a better husband/wife, mother/father, actor, musician, teacher, surgeon, carpenter etc,” Tom added.
“It is important to us that every guest feels as if they are returning to their home-away-from-home,” Rick told us. “We are fun-loving guys. The house is often filled with laughter. We recognize the healing power of laughter, that it holds health benefits and is capable of invigorating the body, mind and spirit. We incorporate it into our breakfast theatre – commonly referred to as the scone wars – accompanied by props, costumes, music, and dialogue. Laughter truly is the best medicine. It has proven to be the best icebreaker we could imagine to transpose strangers into friends. There is no greater reward for us.”
Sometimes – rarely – you run across people that are a perfect fit for their chosen career. Captain David Kelley House owners Tom Nortz and Rick Garceau are prime examples of that rare find. They love what they do and their charismatic joy and loving spirits are embodied in everything they do for their cherished guests at the Captain David Kelley House in Centerville, Massachusetts.
The Captain David Kelley House is located at 539 Main St, Centerville, MA 02632. Phone: 508-775-4707
For more information, visit http://www.captaindavidkelleyhouse.com
By Steven Skelley and Thomas Routzong. Copyright 2014 Sunny Harbor Publishing. Contact Us. PO Box 560318, Rockledge, FL 32956. Phone: 321-446-7552. Email:[email protected]
Keywords: Captain David Kelley House, Centerville, Massachusetts, MA, Hyannis, Provincetown, P-town, Tom Nortz, Rick Garceau, Cape Cod, Zumba, bed and breakfast, Embargo Martini & Tapas Bar, Steven Skelley, Thomas Routzong,