Where is the Railroad that Maine is buying? It's in the County... Aroostook County.
"State officials and members of Maine’s congressional delegation were applauding a decision made by the Federal Railroad Administration on Thursday that will allow the state to take ownership of 233 miles of rail line in northern Maine."
So I've renamed to the Maine "County" Railway. No sure about scenic rides at this time.
To show off the energy renovations we've done this fall, we having a Warm Home Party with the Maine Green Energy Alliance.
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Belfast Business owner promotes Energy Efficiency Invites public to a “Warm Home” Open House on January 27th
Jim and Patti LeClair, owners of the Maine Coast Welcome Center in Belfast will open their business and adjacent residence to the public on Thursday, Jan 27th at 6pm to showcase recent energy efficient improvements made to their property.
“After reading about the savings available to homeowners in a brochure from the Maine Green Energy Alliance (MGEA), we had a professional energy audit performed,” explained homeowner Jim LeClair. “Our auditor performed a blower door test and confirmed many energy leaks. Moving forward, we were surprised how many choices we had to become more energy efficient,” he continued. “MGEA was a great resource for helping us understand the process.”
By working with local contractors trained in energy improvements, the LeClair’s were able to combine substantial energy savings with a renovation of a 1969 era apartment and were able to do a lot of the work themselves. “Now we want to show others in the area a real project,” added Patti LeClair; “How an existing residence can be improved without having to rebuild it. I’m amazed when my weather station tells me the wind is howling because we’re so cozy inside!”
During the Open House, a short slide show will present before and after photos detailing the project from start to finish and guests will be treated to coffee and dessert. Shelby Wright, Education and Outreach Coordinator for MGEA, will be on hand to talk with visitors about the Efficiency Maine Energy Savings Program, how to get started to becoming more efficient and the benefits of doing energy efficient upgrades to their properties. Individuals that schedule an audit at the event on the 27th will receive a $50 off coupon from MGEA for their own home energy assessment. “The average homeowner can save $1,000 a year on their energy bills by installing comprehensive home energy upgrades,” Wright explained. “The LeClair’s property is a prime example of how energy efficient improvements can help homeowners and businesses save money on their energy bills and improve the comfort and safety of their properties.”
The MGEA program, which offers education and outreach staff and dedicated homeowner service is a one stop shop for finding contractors, scheduling audits, and completing necessary paperwork; the project is funded by Efficiency Maine. They have been working closely with the Belfast Energy and Climate Committee and program participants like the LeClair’s to facilitate the energy upgrades of 200 area homes by Dec. 31, 2011.
The Maine Coast Welcome Center is located at 169 Searsport Ave. (Rte 1) in Belfast. The “Warm Home” Open House is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27 from 6-8 pm. For more information call Jim LeClair at 207-930-3633 or email Jim@Maine-Coast-Welcome-Center.com or got to www.mainegreenenergyalliance.org.
Maine's Dept. of Conservation has just released a new Recreational Map & Guide to Maine's Public Lands.
Maine’s public reserved lands are remote lands managed for variety of resource values, including recreation, wildlife, and timber harvesting. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands owns more than 500,000 acres of public lands, organized into 29 units ranging in size from 500 to more than 43,000 acres and many other smaller scattered lots. These lands are available for recreation and offer unique, back-country experiences.
People ask how we come up with all those creative ideas?
We listen to our partners. They have great ideas & they share their stories with us! At the Maine Coast Welcome Center we love to share those stories as we help tourists make decisions on Where to Stay, Where to Eat, and What to Do. We talk to thousands of tourists each season about our business partners, so if you’ve got an interesting story to share, we’d love to partner with you, too.
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What Tourists Want
Happy New Year! My News Year's Resolution was to get out a newsletter sharing our experiences this past season. Here's your sneak preview. Comments Welcome!
In this edition of "What Tourists Want" we'll be talking about Newsletters and how it relates to attracting tourists.
This newsletter focuses on sharing real examples our partners use to stand out. Using creative ways to attract tourists helps you convert tourists into customers this season and many seasons to come.
Please hit reply and tell me your favorite "thing to do" to keep away the cold. I answer every email sent to me.
Regards,
Jim & Patti LeClair Maine Coast Welcome Center (207) 415-5646 & 415-5647
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www.maine-coast-welcome-center.com
I have the greatest respect for some of our partners who have weathered many storms of Maine tourism and still have the "spark". They still love what they do. I got my inspiration for a newsletter from Marian Burns in Bar Harbor.
Marian of the Mira Monte Inn has been operating this exquisite B&B in Bar Harbor for 30 years. One of our first partners, Marian impressed me from the start. She had us do a photo slide show to showcase her inn. As we talked, I confessed I hadn't stayed at a B&B for a few years, (actually back in the time when B&B's had a shared bathroom). She said, "Jim, you must stay with us to experience our hospitality so you may share it with your guests." I planned a visit the next week.
On arriving, I was impressed with the impeccably maintained 1800's building. The room had a four poster bed and large thick towels in the bathroom with a jacuzzi tub. What really impressed me, however, was the flat screen HD tv and high speed wifi ! This inn was a huge update from my experience. Marian told me, "Jim, times have changed and we've changed to give our guests what they want."
Marian celebrated 30 years in the business this past winter. To share with her guests, she sent out in her newsletter, 30 Things to Do in Bar Harbor. We used it this summer at the Maine Coast Welcome Center. I remember when I received the newsletter, what a nice thing for Marian to share her 30 years of experience with me. When I saw Marian this past spring I thanked her. I noticed the "sparkle" in her eyes. She said, "You know Jim, when guests come to visit with my list, they usually stay longer."
Click here for Marian's 30 Things to Do in Bar Harbor & here for our slide show.
This year, Miram was named winner of the chamber’s highest honor, the Cadillac Award.
