A fantastic, two-day familiarization (FAM) tour was recently given to the seven visitor center managers of the Maine Tourism Association. They included Vicki Farrell, Calais Visitor Information Center manager; William Pollard, manager, Yarmouth Information Center; Dana Roffler manager, Fryeburg Information Center; Lois Simpson, manager, Hampden North & South; Heidi Dolomont, manager, Houlton Information Center; Marcia Pevery, manager, Kittery Information Center; and Kim Spear, manager, W. Gardiner Information Center.
The tour brought the Maine Tourism Association visitor center managers to upper Androscoggin and Franklin counties to experience what the area has to offer first hand. When our visitor center managers, journalists, tour operators and travel agents experience a destination first-hand, they are able to better relay information to their readers and clients. Since their jobs involve dispersing information to large numbers of people, this is a valuable tool as participants become more knowledgeable about our region’s assets.
This particular tour was organized to showcase the many area attractions and museums, restaurants and lodging establishments throughout upper Androscoggin and Franklin counties. Planning and organization of the tour was provided by many individuals working together throughout our region.
The attractions included tours of Wilton Home and Farm Museum, with Pam Brown; Paper Heritage Museum, with Sherry Judd; Norlands Living History Center guided by Nancey Drinkwine and Kathy Beauegard; a tour of Mt. Blue State Park with Park Ranger Bruce Farnham; Sandy River Railroad tour with Bill Berry; Dead River Area Historical Society, and the Outdoor Sporting Heritage Museum.
The managers had the pleasure of meeting Betty Wyman and Duluth Wing, both of whom were born in Flagstaff, Maine, at the Dead River Area Historical Society in Stratton. Wyman and Wing are two of the last 30 surviving residents of Flagstaff. “The Valley Below” “The Story of Flagstaff Lake” was presented along with Duluth Wing’s, great collection of items from Arnold’s Wilderness March traversed between the Great Carrying Place at the Kennebec River and Lac Megantic at the start of the Chauduere River. The DRAHS is a great resource for tourists interested in both of the events.
There were outstanding performances provided by Phil McIntrye of Skye Theater Performing Arts Center featuring The Press Gang and a Franklin County Fiddlers’ performance at Calzolaio Pasta Company.
The tour was conducted by Susan Atwood, owner of Wilson Lake Inn and board member of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce; Bruce Adams from the Jay, Livermore, Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce; Judy Morton, executive director of Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce and Richard Fotter and Melody Chase, Flagstaff Area Business Association.
It was with the support and donations from many area businesses that made this great tour possible. Thank you to LaFleur’s, the Homestead Bakery & Restaurant, Calzolaio’s Pasta Company, Country Club Inn, Parkside and Maine, Rangeley Inn and the great cooks from Stratton/Eustis area for donating dinners at Tranquillity Lodge. Thank you to all the area businesses that contributed gifts to share in the welcome baskets. Thank you to Wilson Lake Inn, Comfort Inn, Rangeley Saddleback Inn, Morton and Furbish Rental and Pleasant Street B&B for providing lodging.
A great time was had by all. Some wonderful comments received from the visitor center managers included:
“I was amazed how cooperatively you all work together from town to town, and organization to organization.”
“The citizens of Franklin County are extremely friendly and have customer service down pat.”
“Thank you for the genuinely warm hospitality extended to me and all the managers,” from Vicki Farrell, Calais Visitor Information Center, Maine Tourism Association.
“I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous insight into the “treasures” of the Franklin County area and the wonderful hospitality afforded the Maine Tourism Association’s Managers on our recent familiarization trip to the area. A very busy productive time and we met a wonderful dedicated group of people. You are lucky to have that kind of enthusiasm,” by William Pollard, manager, Yarmouth Visitor Information Center, Maine Tourism Association.
“Franklin county has everything . . . Wonderful lodging, terrific food, dynamic entertainment, a multitude of museums and historic sites, a beautiful state park and hospitality second to none. Pack your bags and GO!” said Dana Roffler, manager, Fryeburg Information Center, Maine Tourism Association.
“I learned on my recent trip to the Franklin County area that it has a wealth of history, music, recreation, and beautiful scenery. It was a wonderful familiarization tour. . I am eager to pass along what I learned to my staff and I hope to be able to visit the area again soon.,” from Marcia Peverly, manager Kittery Information Center, Maine Tourism Association.
– By Susan Atwood, Wilson Lake Inn, Wilton.
Thanks Sue, Judy, Richard, Bruce & Melody. Great job. We really appreciate all your hard work on all of our behalf.
Great job up there on Frankklin County where our Salem Mountin cabin is located.