BETHEL

ROUTE 26

THE ROAD TO MANY MAINE ADVENTURES

LOCALS AND VISITORS FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD ARE ENCOURAGED TO GO AND EXPERIENCE THESE RARE, UNIQUE PLACES all less than an hour from each other on the picturesque Route 26 in western Maine. The road meanders through gorgeous countryside and boasts culturally, historically, and ecologically significant attractions. Just 30 minutes north of Portland, a family can spend a day or several days visiting these destinations for very little money – a true value! The gems include: The Maine Wildlife Park, New Gloucester Shaker Village, Poland Spring Resort and Golf Course, Maine State Building Museum, Poland Spring Bottling Museum, McLaughlin Garden and Homestead, and Oxford Casino and Hotel.

Fenn Park has it all! Located across from the 18-hole Poland Spring Resort, you will find miniature golf, a disc golf park with private and group golf lessons, and a deluxe driving range. Plus, you can reward yourself at the ice cream shop that serves Gifford’s Ice Cream specializing in cones, sundaes, and more!

The driving range at Poland Spring Resort stretches more than 330 yards in length with spectacular views of Mount Washington. There is a practice bunker and several different target greens for you to work on different distances and clubs in your bag. The Golf Learning Center has all facets of improving your game covered from video analysis to on-course instruction!

The Inside Scoop offers their own delicious homemade ice cream that is made on site! They have soft serve ice cream featuring flavor-bursts, fresh waffle cones, and yummy sweet treats. They also offer non-dairy treats, sugar-free ice cream, ice cream cakes and Inside Paws Treats for furry customers. You have the option of inside service with seating, a walk-up window, or drive-thru service for your convenience.

Creaser Jewelers owners Dennis and Julie Creaser have turned their love of gemstones and jewelry into a thriving small business which specializes in Maine gemstones (Maine tourmaline, Maine amethyst), fine jewelry, and custom design. Dennis has dedicated more than 20 years to gemcutting and jewelry design and the pursuit of Maine gemstones. He facets and carves gems with one goal in mind: to create the brightest, cleanest, most beautiful jewels possible. He designs jewelry to perfectly enhance and perfectly complement a beautiful gemstone. Julie has more than 12 years experience in business management and customer service and a lifetime of appreciation for fine jewelry. This, combined with her knowledge of styles and trends, both current and traditional, guarantees her customers’ satisfaction.

Fenn Park

at Poland Spring Resort

Gifford’s Ice Cream Eli’s Root Beer Floats & More! Bring your family and friends! Open until dusk All Summer! 547 Maine Street (Route 26) Poland Spring www.polandspringresort.com

DRIVING RANGE DISC GOLF MINI GOLF

Just in time for the busy summer visitation season, the Mahoosuc Sustainable Tourism Committee is supporting installation of new signs promoting The Mahoosuc Way: Embrace Our Place Pledge at busy trailheads and boat launches throughout the Bethel region.

This initiative is designed to communicate local values to newcomers, visitors, and locals to encourage collective action to protect and sustain the quality of place that makes the area an attractive area to live in and visit. By taking the pledge, visitors and residents express their commitment to behaviors rooted in five core values: Honor this Land, Explore Wisely, Show Respect, Cultivate Community, and Be Climate Conscious.

The Pledge was developed, in part, in response to the challenges of overuse and crowding at popular trailheads. The new signs will be prominently placed to encourage users to be good stewards of the area’s natural, cultural, and community amenities.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations can sign the Embrace Our Place pledge by visiting: mahoosucway.com/our-

pledge

events

Bethel

Be sure to check activitymaine.com for the most up-to-date information.

PHOTO BY GABE PERKINS

"We love hosting visitors on the Bethel Community Forest and other properties we manage,” says Gabe Perkins, Executive Director of Inland Woods + Trails. “We also understand that not all visitors are familiar with local traditions and the ways we all need to act to sustain our environment and communities. The Pledge is a great tool for engaging people both as visitors and as caretakers.”

JULY 31: 1st Annual Run and Ride

Join us for a 5K trail run and 5K mountain bike race! The fun begins at 8am at Gould Academy’s Pine Hill Trails. A kids run/ride followed by the main event at 9am. bethelouting.org

AUG. 7: 40th Annual Andover Olde

Home Days, Andover Town Common. This year’s theme is “Home of the Mow-Ta Speedway.” Live music, cookie walk, craft vendors, a parade, the famous lawn mower races, antique tractor pull, classic car display, food vendors and Horse Shows. 207-3572647

SEPT 18: Maine Brew Fest, Sunday River. Featuring as many as 100 beer selections from around Maine, plus live music, food trucks, and scenic chairlift rides. sundayriver.com. 800-543-2754.

OCT. 9-10: Fall Festival & North American Wife Carrying Champion-

ship. Takes place on Saturday and Sunday is the 7th Annual New England Cornhole Championship. Live music, the Blue Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair, and activities for the whole family. sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754