Celebrating 100 years of Hospitality in Maine`s
Transcription
Celebrating 100 years of Hospitality in Maine`s
Celebrating 100 years of Hospitality in Maine’s White Mountains Maine’s Premier Four Season Resort since 1913 ~TheBethel, Maine Bethel Inn Resort 1 THANK YOU! Dear Friends: What a privilege it is to have been part of the Bethel Inn’s history for a full one-third of its 100-year lifetime! It has been a rollercoaster ride with the Grande Old Dame: the highest of highs in growth and expansion, and the lowest of lows with recessions, bank collapses, floods, and snowless winters. But, as a fugitive from the corporate world, I cannot think of anything else I could have done with my last 33 years that would have provided the satisfaction and sense of achievement I have found here in Bethel. A long way from my big city upbringing, this resort and this part of the world have provided me and my family with the most wonderful lifestyle we could have ever imagined. Dick Rasor, Proprietor, left and Allen Connors, Managing Partner, discuss guest room and public space renovations planned for the resort’s centennial year. My sincere thanks go out to the hundreds of loyal employees over the years and especially to Allen Connors, our general manager and my business partner for the last decade. And, of course, to the 30,000 or so overnight guests we serve every year, who have rewarded our efforts with their appreciation, kind words and repeat visits. Thanks also to our business partners, who have suffered with us through the inevitable downturns in a volatile business and have stepped up to make this publication possible. It has been a wonderful, rewarding ride over the past 33 years … and it’s not over yet. Sincerely, Congratulations to The Bethel Inn Resort on their 100 Year Anniversary! Constellation is proud to be chosen by The Bethel Inn Resort as their supplier of electricity. Comfort, attention to detail, continuous improvements to service and a history of excellence! These are just some of the reasons why guests continue to choose The Bethel Inn as a top resort destination in Maine. They are also some of the reasons why The Bethel Inn chose Constellation as its energy supplier. Drawing on its strength and expertise as the nation’s leading competitive electricity supplier, Constellation helps Maine businesses intelligently buy, manage and use energy. As the endorsed energy supplier to the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, Constellation can help you develop energy management solutions to protect your bottom line. Learn more at constellation.com/bethelAD1 © 2012. Constellation Energy Resources, LLC. These materials are provided by Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. Any offerings described herein are those of Constellation NewEnergy, Inc., a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. Brand names and product names are trademarks or service marks of their respective holders. All rights reserved. Errors and omissions excepted. Dick bethelinn.com Richard D. Rasor, Proprietor www.BethelMaine.com | 800-442-5826 | [email protected] Call for a FREE Visitors’ Guide and Map Bethel Four seasons of fun! www.bethelhistorical.org Tour nine period rooms View changing exhibits Browse for books, gifts (1813-1869), including about the area or visit and special publications one with Rufus Porter our Spidell Research in our well-stocked School murals Library Museum Shop The Bethel Inn Resort Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce Maine’s most beautiful mountain village BEthEl histoRiCAl soCiEty 2 (800) 654-0125 MAiNE MiNERAl MUsEUM www.mainemineralmuseum.org Preserving important minerals, gems and the mining history of Western Maine. Open year round. Museum store featuring an extraordinary selection of Maine gems and jewelry. The Bethel Inn Resort 3 THE REBIRTH OF THE BETHEL INN A recent conversation with The Resort’s Proprietor W hen Dick Rasor bought the nearly-bankrupt Bethel Inn in 1979, the doors of the aging hotel had been shuttered for nearly three months, and it held dim hopes of reopening. With new capital and an aggressive marketing program, the Inn not only reopened, but has flourished over the past 33 years, expanding from 100 to 200 acres, 60 guest rooms to 150, nine golf holes to 18, adding a free-standing health club and conference center, and a new casual dining and pub complex. The Bethel Inn Resort has grown from hosting 3,000 overnight guests a year in 1979 to over 30,000 guests a year today. Time Line ~ 1913-2013 One of the secrets to the Inn’s turnaround was Rasor’s use of modern marketing techniques, or what he calls “accelerating the word of mouth.” He also didn’t shy away from some creative marketing opportunities. For instance, during the “no-snow” winter of 1980, he helped his friend Les Otten, then the manager of Sunday River, bring a snow-filled dump There is virtually no turnover of senior management staff, and many of the key personnel have worked their way up to senior-level positions. “Wedding Maven” Mary Brown, the resort’s wedding coordinator, started out as a bus person 32 years ago. Another goal was to generate repeat business and have guests come back to the Inn year after year. One of the ways he maintains a faithful clientele is by offering first-class amenities, but on a smaller scale. The Bethel Inn caters to guests looking for a resort with all the expected amenities, but with an affordable price tag. 1914–1920: New guest accommodations, 1940: Peter Schutt becomes manager, manager Harriet “Ma” Cilley, adding the “Oaks” guest building and installing central heating and an electric elevator. The Bethel Inn Resort As a local company, Dead River Company knows the value of providing comfort a community can count on. That’s why we congratulate The Bethel Inn Resort on 100 years of welcoming guests from all over the world. We sincerely appreciate their commitment to keeping us comfortable when we break free from the daily routine. Rasor also credits much of the success to the employees. He made it a priority to create a work culture that is based on a shared value of wanting to do everything possible to make every guest feel at home. “Our simple credo is, ‘The answer is yes…what’s the question?’” says Rasor. 1930s: Under new manager Sam Blackwood, 1928: Major improvements made under 4 truck from Sunday River to Boston Common, filling the Common with loads of man-made snow. 1913: The Bethel Inn opens its doors on July 12 to guests, mainly outpatients of Dr. John George Gehring’s clinic. “The Pines,” “The Elms,” and the “Willows,” and a lake house property on Songo pond are acquired and renovated, bringing capacity to 80 guests. Celebrating Bethel Inn’s Big Centennial the Inn stays open in the winter. Lackluster response results in losses of $100K a year. closing the Inn for winter, cutting losses to $45K annually. 1956: Another round of improvements is made, including private bathrooms, building renovations and an outdoor swimming pool. 1961: Bell Telephone constructs a commu- nications station, and the Inn houses the crew. Sunday River Ski Way begins its third season and the Inn tries again, unsuccessfully, to generate winter business. 1966: The Inn is sold back to the Bingham Trustees. 1967: Golf course is expanded to a regulation nine-hole layout. 1966–1975: The Inn continues to struggle, with decreasing numbers of wealthy guests “from away.” 1976: Harris/Cahill Partners purchase and re-open the Inn during the winter with Ernie Trembley as general manager. South Paris (207) 743-8991 Rumford (207) 364-3751 www.deadriver.com 1979: On February 28, the Inn closes its doors and Canal Bank intends to sell it off piecemeal. On May 22, Dick Rasor, corporate executive from New York, buys the Inn for $450K. 1980: A weak economy stifles growth; Rasor returns to the corporate world to generate investment income. Jim Diebel becomes interim manager, followed by Ray Moran, former local bank president. 1981–1985: Operation stabilizes, yielding double-digit annual revenue growth. 1986: Rasor returns full-time, plans and builds a freestanding conference center. 2000: Allen Connors is named general 1987–1989: Forty Fairway Townhouse 2001–2006: Thirteen luxury Millbrook condominiums are added, with guest rooms now totaling 150. Vacation Ownership Program is thriving, with 2,000 fractional owners. condominiums are sold, funding an 18-hole championship golf course and health club with year-round outdoor heated pool. 1990–1997: Continuous upgrades are made to facilities, green energy initiatives, and infrastructure improvements. 1998: Sixteen guest room/luxury suite expan- sion is completed. Guaranteed Performance School of Golf is launched. manager, then managing partner. 2007–Present: Recession takes its toll, but operating efficiencies result in growing bottom line. New financial package, including funds for improvements and upgrades, in place with Northeast Bank. The Bethel Inn Resort 5 Digital Dining copy.pdf A BRIEF HISTORY 1 11/5/12 12:23 PM HAPPY 100TH! 1913–2013 Congratulations from Digital Dining and HDSNE C your business partner for the hospitality industry M Y CM 1913: AN AUSPICIOUS OPENING MY CY The Tiffany plaque, shown above, greets guests in the main lobby of the Bethel Inn. The plaque includes the names of five patients who, in partnership with Dr. John George Gehring, opened the Bethel Inn in 1913. DR. JOHN GEORGE GEHRING, THE MIRACLE MAN OF BETHEL Dr. Gehring moved to Bethel to recuperate after suffering a breakdown. His regimen was successful, and he opened a practice in Bethel in 1895 to treat patients with nervous disorders similar to his own. Gehring House served as his home and clinic, where he treated wealthy patients from New England and beyond, most staying at the Bethel Inn. WILLIAM BINGHAM II, A RECLUSIVE PHILANTHROPIST After receiving treatment from Dr. Gehring, William Bingham purchased a home near the Gehring House. An avid philanthropist, he was the prime benefactor of the Bethel Inn, which would not have survived without the support he, and later on, his estate, provided. CMY K HARD TIMES FOR THE BETHEL INN From its opening until the 1950s, the Inn catered to its wealthy summer clientele, who returned every year to stay for “the season.” By the 1960s, the Inn’s best days were past, along with its loyal summer-long guests. Even with the continued Bingham support, a succession of new owners, and new investment, the Inn struggled. Finally, on February 28, 1979, the Bethel Inn closed its doors, perhaps forever. 1979: A NEW BEGINNING The mortgage-holder, Canal Bank of Portland, intended to sell off the 100-acre, five-building complex piecemeal. But the bank decided to make one last effort to sell the Inn as a whole. What better candidate than a 40-year-old, successful, but semi-burned-out advertising executive? On May 22, 1979, Richard D. Rasor became the sole owner of the Bethel Inn for $150,000 cash and a $300,000 mortgage. Rasor, who grew up in Manhattan and raised a family in New York and Detroit suburbs, had never operated a hotel before. Jim Diebel, Interim Manager with Dick Rasor, circa 1980 6 The Bethel Inn Resort While Rasor’s credentials weren’t exemplar y, the opportunity coincided with his two basic objectives: to live in New England where he could ski and golf, and to own a marketing-driven business where his prior career at the J. Walter Thompson advertising company would be useful. At the time, he envisioned a wonderful lifestyle and a growing business. Certainly not the reality of snowless winters, a deep recession, and a forced re-entr y into adver tising, where he commuted between Bethel and clients in New York, Detroit, Pittsburgh and London to keep investment capital flowing. For More information contact Mike Wolf 603-431-3227 www.hdsne.com Yet, by 1986 the business had grown to a point where major investment and expansion made sense. Since then, the Bethel Inn has grown into The Bethel Inn Resort: from 100 to 200 acres, 60 guest rooms to 150, nine golf holes to 18, a freestanding health club and conference center, and a new casual dining and pub complex. The Inn, which hosted 3,000 overnight guests a year in 1979, now hosts over 30,000 guests annually. POSTSCRIPT It is hard to say what the Inn’s founders would think of the resort today. Regardless, the plaque honoring them will remain in its place of prominence. The Bethel Inn Resort 7 THE BETHEL INN RESORT TODAY LODGING A hundred-year history, updated with every modern convenience today’s guests expect. Choose from luxury suites, spacious, fully equipped condominiums, traditional inn rooms, standard budget accommodations, and vacation ownership programs. The Bethel Inn Resort: The Deluxe Suite rooms are the height of country elegance. The two-room suites consist of a separate bedroom and living area, air conditioning, gas fireplaces, two TVs and a whirlpool bathtub. Deluxe rooms, which are located in the Main Inn and The Oaks buildings, vary from large single rooms with a living area to two-room suites with separate living room. All have a sofa bed, air conditioning and either two double beds or a king bed. The Millbrook and Fairway Townhomes are one, two and three bedrooms. Townhomes offer all the amenities of a private home, including gas fireplaces, air conditioning, fully equipped kitchens, a large living and dining area, sundeck, washer and dryer and daily maid service. Owning at The Bethel Inn Resort Since 1988 the resort has offered the opportunity for ownership, now with 53 completed luxury condominiums and nearly 2,000 participants in the Vacation Ownership program. 8 The Bethel Inn Resort Vacation Ownership: This program offers interval own- ership of luxury townhomes at a very affordable cost. Owners are entitled to enroll in the RCI program, which allows owners to trade among RCI’s 4,000 vacation properties worldwide. The Millbrook Tavern & Grille offers a casual atmosphere for lunch and dinner with a bar, high-top tables, booths and widescreen TVs. The menu includes extensive pub food offerings along with entrees ranging from fish and chips to New York sirloins. Guests and locals alike enjoy dining in a family-friendly, welcoming atmosphere. “Exquisite entrees… fine wines of the 1980s and 90s are recommended to accompany each meal. If elegant dining arouses your romantic senses, you’re going to fall in love at the Bethel Inn.” ~ Ski Trax Magazine Congratulations to the Bethel Inn on its 100th anniversary celebration from everyone at Curtis Thaxter Curtis Thaxter at t o r n e y s at l aw For more information contact Pete Thaxter at [email protected] One Canal Plaza, Suite 1000, Portland, ME 04101 207-774-9000 www.curtisthaxter.com The last three luxury units that will be constructed in the Millbrook complex are now available for purchase. The units are on the first hole of the golf course and just steps away from the Main Inn Building. These Townhomes offer two or three bedrooms, fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, a large living/dining area and outdoor deck overlooking the golf course and cross country ski trails. Townhouse Ownership: Participation in The Resort’s rental program is optional but can offset much of the cost of ownership, even during owner usage via lock-out bedrooms, which can be rented separately. For more information on either of these two ownership programs, contact The Resort at (800) 654-0125. DINING AT THE RESORT The Main and South Dining Rooms and Veranda offer traditional New England and Continental fare with a wide selection of appetizers, entrees and home-baked desserts. Enjoy the freshest of seafood (live lobster, of course), a signature prime rib, chicken, veal or vegetarian specialties. Attentive, friendly service combined with golf course and mountain vistas provide a memorable dining experience. The Bethel Inn Resort 9 Congratulations on your 100th Anniversary! Oxford Networks is proud to be your provider. MAINE’S PREMIER FOUR SEASON RESORT SUMMER: Time to Play WINTER: On and Off the Slopes Renowned architect Geoffrey Cornish designed our 6,663-yard, par 72 course to take maximum advantage of the mountain vistas and natural beauty of the area. Tree-lined fairways, natural hazards, welltrapped greens and five tee positions make play challenging for golfers of every ability. There is nothing quite like the off-mountain, country elegant atmosphere of this turn-of-the-century resort in the heart of “The greatest ski town in the Universe,” according to Ski Magazine. But summer fun doesn’t end with golf. The health club includes saunas, a fitness room, and an outdoor year-round heated pool. The Lake House offers swimming, canoeing and kayaking. Spa services, lawn games and tennis provide ample on-campus diversions for our non-golfing guests. SUMMER ACTIVITIES The Activities Concierge can also arrange for guided fishing and canoe trips, ATV trips, scenic ski lift and mountain zip line rides, mountain and road biking and a wealth of other summer and fall activities. 10 At the resort: Off campus: Championship Golf Fly Fishing Schools and Guided Trips Golf School and Clinics Canoe and Kayak Adventures Spa Services Har-Tru Tennis The Lake House ATV Mountain Adventures White Water Rafting Mini Golf and Waterslides Gem and Mineral Tours Mountain Bike Rentals Mountain Biking, Zipline Tours and Badminton, Croquet, Ping Pong The Bethel Inn Resort The resort’s extensive cross country ski and snowshoe network starts out the back door of the Main Inn building, and the health club offers an outdoor heated pool (heated to 90 degrees!), providing a relaxing solution to tired muscles at the end of an active day. Moose and Wildlife Safaris Canoes and Kayaks 1-888-342-7678 Bangor • Brunswick • Falmouth • Lewiston • Norway Community Banking, since 1872. Nearby Sunday River is renowned for its impressive snow-making capability and extensive trail network, while neighboring Mt. Abram is known as “Maine’s Friendliest Mountain” with family-friendly offerings, and very affordable lift and lodging ski packages. Scenic Chairlift Rides Scenic Drives, Hiking and Nature Walks WINTER ACTIVITIES The Guaranteed Performance School of golf boasts 7,000 satisfied graduates, on-course instruction, video analysis and a unique 3:1 student/instructor ratio. Just 15 minutes from 176 trails and 23 lifts and terrain for every skill level, The Bethel Inn Resort offers easy access to downhill skiing and riding and avoids the on-mountain hustle and bustle associated with ski area lodging. A complimentary ski shuttle is an added convenience. At the resort: Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing Spa Services Ice Skating Horse-drawn Sleigh Rides Off-campus: 176 skiing/riding trails at nearby Sunday River and Mt. Abram Ski Resorts Snowmobile Adventures Dog Sledding Indoor Rock Climbing, Laser Tag and Bowling Snow Tubing This 30-foot natural stone fireplace greets our Conference Center guests for meetings and special events of up to 300. Ski - Golf - Meetings Special Rates and Packages Congratulations to The Bethel Inn Resort on 100 Years in Maine! Like You, We’re Invested in Our Community. For more than a century, Northeast Bank has helped homes get built, businesses grow and families achieve their financial goals. We’re invested in the community because this is our home, too. Plan your escape to Bethel... (800) 654-0125 bethelinn.com The Bethel Inn Resort 11 Infinger Insurance.pdf ‘Everything from the accommodations, to the conference set-up, to the food was handled with professionalism and pride… your staff really went the extra mile to make our meeting a success.” MEETINGS & RETREATS T he Bethel Inn Resort’s campus-like setting, far removed from urban distractions, is the ideal venue for a business meeting or retreat, offering the perfect balance of productivity and recreation. Its wellestablished reputation among New England’s meeting planners and event coordinators has generated repeat visits from the region’s most prestigious organizations. The Resort has a range of meeting spaces available for meetings from three to 300 guests. Choose from the more formal, 3,000 square-foot freestanding conference center or the country-casual atmosphere of the Gibson Room or Library, complete with fireplaces. Clients have enjoyed the resort for decades and return year after year. WEDDINGS “We found the Bethel Inn and fell in love with its charm and character instantly… It ended eight months later with an amazing, one-of-a-kind wedding. All of our guests traveled a minimum of 3½ hours to celebrate with us and we have only heard positive responses about their time at the inn. Thank you for making our special day unforgettable.” Our freestanding Conference Center is available for your gathering of up to 300 people. Experienced professional meeting coordinators work closely with a representative from each organization to ensure that every detail is planned and executed to your satisfaction. Corporate, association and recreational group clients consistently rate The Bethel Inn Resort at 4.8 on a scale of one to five, and 99% say they would heartily recommend The Resort for either conferences or vacations. “Among the 25 best places in the U.S. to host an unforgettable family gathering” ~ Travel & Leisure Magazine If the bridal couple is looking for a celebration, not just a reception, some place exceptional rather than just expected, then The Bethel Inn Resort is the perfect place to host a remarkable wedding at a surprisingly affordable cost. ~ Major New England Medical Facility 1 11/5/12 12:30 PM Congratulations to the Bethel Inn on their 100 year anniversary C M Y CM “Our meeting went so smoothly and was a complete success, thanks to your hard work, warm hospitality and world class customer service.” ~ One of Maine’s Largest Retail Chains MY CY CMY K Infinger Insurance is a family owned business that takes pride in offering clients superior customer service. We are committed to solving your insurance problems no matter how complex. Call for more information 888-292-2174 www.infingerinsurance.com HOME • AUTO • BUSINESS • LIFE Our 43 Years in Business Is Nothing Compared to your 100! With every resort amenity imaginable and every detail planned and carried out by a caring, attentive staff, the event will be remembered by every guest long after they have departed. Congratulations From the Agren Appliance Family. From the rehearsal dinner to private hospitality rooms, from horse-drawn carriages to fireworks on the golf course, the photographer, music, cake, flowers and spectacular reception menus, everything will be coordinated by The Resort’s experienced professionals. ~ Julie L., Auburn, Mass. “Things were great. I can’t say enough wonderful things. My new husband and I look forward to celebrating anniversaries there in the future. My entire family will be planning a reunion – we want to have it at the Inn.” ~ Staci K., New Gloucester, Maine 12 The Bethel Inn Resort AgrenAppliance.com Maine’s Largest Independent Appliance Retailer. AUBURN BRUNSWICK 40 Minot Ave. 784.0235 90 Maine St. 725.0644 WALDOBORO 1401 US Rt. 1 832.2211 NORWAY S.PORTLAND 313 Main Street 743.0601 35 Foden Road 874-4739 5 YEAR SE -LRO ANTY NO WAR The Bethel Inn Resort 13 Worthing & Going.pdf 1 11/5/12 12:28 PM 2013 MAJOR EVENTS December 31 Ring in the New Year at The Bethel Inn Resort Come celebrate our 100-year anniversary with a five-course dinner in our Main Dining Room, followed by live music by The Pete Kilpatrick Band. May 3 C The 2013 golf season gets underway Golf, golf school and group getaways… start planning yours today. Congratulations to The Bethel Inn Resort for 100 years of Hospitality. M Bethel Historical Society Y The Bethel Inn Resort CM July 4 Celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks at the Inn The annual Bethel Art Fair on the Village Common is also held this weekend. Art exhibits, live music, family activities and more… all just steps away from the Inn. July 20 Bethel’s annual Mollyockett Day Celebration An arts and crafts festival with live music, family activities, demonstrations and great food. A fun-filled day topped off with fireworks and live music at the Inn. 21 Broad Street Bethel, Maine 04217 207-824-2175 MY CY CMY K Providing insightful advice so you can make informed decisions. 800-654-0125 [email protected] www.bethelinn.com 7 Portland Farms Road, P.O. Box 6477 • Scarborough • Tel (207) 883-2230 190 Main Street, P.O. Box 429 • Saco • Tel (207) 282-4171 wg-cpa.com July 26 – 28 13th Annual New England Couples Golf Championship We’re celebrating our 13th year. Sign-up today for this fun-filled weekend where couples from around New England enjoy a light-hearted weekend including a lobster bake, live music, resort activities and two-day golf tournament. Sysco Northern New England 36 Thomas Drive Westbrook, ME 04092 1-800-632-4446 August 1 – 3 The Third Annual Maine Comedy Festival Join 15+ comics from across the country, a weekend full of laughs not to be missed. September 10 – 12 The 20th Annual Fall Festival Pro-am Golf Tournament A lasting tradition at The Inn, the tournament offers over $17,000 in prize money and merchandise. October 3 – 5 24th Annual Maine Mountain – Jeep Jamboree Hundreds of Jeeps converge on Bethel, Maine for this annual weekend with trail rides, entertainment, even a parade. October 25 – 27 Ghosts and Gravestones Getaway Weekend Lectures and guided tours with the Bethel Historical Society provide an educational and enlightening weekend for ghost hunters and history buffs alike. 14 The Bethel Inn Resort Sysco Northern New England is committed to bringing new and emerging locally produced products to market and helping local farmers expand their marketplace. This commitment means that our customers can now buy more locally grown and produced products than ever before. ENJOY! Sysco Northern New England congratulates The Bethel Inn On their 100th anniversary The Bethel Inn Resort 15 RIP IT UP. WE’LL MAKE MORE. Some resorts simply pray for snow. At Sunday River, we do something about it. We make more snow — more often — than anyone else. And every year, our obsession pays off with the most dependable snow coverage in the east. So no matter what it’s doing in your backyard, it’s snowing up here. No wonder everyone is happy. Ski & Stay packages start at $69 for slopeside lodging plus a lift ticket. et sundayriver.com Find your Happy Place. 16 The Bethel Inn Resort