Lakes, museums and moose
Central Maine becoming specific travel destination
Copyright © 2002 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
What first springs to mind at the mention of Maine? While sweeping ocean vistas, complete with lobster and lighthouses would seem a likely answer, statistics show it's not the only one. Maine is just as prized, by natives and tourists alike, for its mountains and woodland wilderness.
File photo According to Vaughn Stinson, Maine Tourism Association's executive director, the No. 1 question posed by potential visitors is "Where can I see a moose?" click to enlarge
In fact, the No. 1 question posed by potential visitors, according to Vaughn Stinson, Maine Tourism Association's executive director, is "Where can I see a moose?"
What makes Maine special, according to Stinson, is the depth and breadth of our state. In a literal sense: consider that one can drive from Kittery to New York City in the same time it takes to drive from Kittery to Madawaska. The Tourism Association notes that Maine's 33,215 square miles, about as big as the other five New England states combined, offer 6,000 lakes and ponds; 32,000 miles of rivers and streams, 17 million acres of forest, over 5,000 miles of coastline, and 2,000 islands.
Maine enjoys a nationwide reputation for its fresh air, clear water and unspoiled land. The honest, old-fashioned simplicity and comfort of "the way life should be" appeals more than ever to those feeling the impact of the stresses of our times.
Especially in the year that has passed since the terrorist attacks, Maine has attracted those looking for the tranquillity and balance of nature. Within the central Maine region are peaceful wooded trails for walking, biking, cross-country skiing or snowmobiling; sparkling lakes in which to fish, boat and swim; and rugged mountains for gazing or trekking. Our excellent state highway system provides convenient access to dramatically different scenery — ocean views and ultimate wilderness — a short journey beyond the central Maine area.
Interestingly, despite tourism industry concerns a year ago, the numbers remain fairly steady. "Travel patterns have changed somewhat, but not diminished," observes Stinson. Some folks are traveling less far, but more frequently — often enjoying spontaneous day and weekend trips instate.
From spectacular foliage to blueberries to lobster boats, Maine lives up to what visitors are looking for. They find, over and over again, that their journey is worth the effort. And they keep coming back for more.
In addition to its natural bounty, central Maine also offers a wealth of cultural opportunities. There are museums and libraries, theaters; galleries and artists' studios, workshops where artisans and craftsmen produce their Made in Maine treasures; and the simple pleasure of historic downtown neighborhoods waiting to be explored. Possibilities range from the expansive collections of the Maine State Museum to the two-room office of 19th century Hallowell physician (and Maine governor) Dr. John Hubbard. There are great flicks at Railroad Square Cinema in Waterville or the old-fashioned fun of an outing to the Skowhegan Drive-In Theater; live performances draw rave reviews at the Waterville Opera House, Lakewood Theater in Madison, Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center in Gardiner and Monmouth's Cumston Hall.
"There is enormous untapped potential in the historical and cultural aspects of central Maine," notes Hallowell innkeeper (and state representative) Scott Cowger. With partner Vincent Hannan, Cowger has big plans for the Maple Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast Inn that they have owned for the past 10 years.
The 1906 Victorian farmhouse is situated on a country road just three miles from downtown Hallowell, on land originally settled by the Vaughan family in the late 1700s. Maple Hill, originally the Forrest View Farm, was a horse watering stop for the stagecoach line running between Hallowell and Emery's Grove on Cobbosseecontee Lake.
Nowadays, the B&B's eight charming rooms, some with whirlpool baths and fireplaces, accommodate some 1,500 guests over the course of a year. They hail from England, Germany, the Netherlands, Israel, as well as Canada, the United States, and all over New England. On a recent weekend, visitors from Colorado, California and Wisconsin made Maple Hill Farm their home away from home, enjoying freshly gathered home cooked eggs for breakfast. Innkeepers Cowger and Hannan are seeing more and more folks not just passing through, or headed elsewhere, but actually choosing central Maine as their travel destination.
Tourists are not the only visitors. A study of the current meeting space options in central Maine and research of regional business hospitality trends has led Cowger and Hannan to develop plans for an impressive conference center at Maple Hill Farm.
The new gathering place, which will accommodate as many as 300, will feature a main hall with high cathedral ceilings and a two-sided granite fireplace, breakout rooms, an open deck and an enclosed gazebo. The proposed new kitchen will be as big as the entire original 1906 farmhouse. State-of-the-art audiovisual technology will make this a first class meeting space; clerestory windows will provide plenty of indirect, natural lighting, and recessed parking facilities will preserve unspoiled pastoral views.
Groundbreaking is anticipated to take place in November of this year, with a grand opening of the Maple Hill Farm Conference Center planned for June of 2003.
The Maine Legislature is taking notice of the value of tourism, which represents 115,000 jobs annually statewide. Six million dollars of dedicated tourism funding is expected to generate close to $350 million in revenue this year.
"People go where they feel welcomed," observes Stinson. It's clear that Maine not only has a lot to offer, but Mainers do a great job of offering hospitality and making visitors want to return again and again."