Getaways: The Balsams

t's hypnotically easy getting directions to The Balsams. "Take the Gray Exit offthe Maine Turnpike and tum left on Route 26." Then what? "That's it. You're there!"

You find yourself driving higher and higher into the mountains until suddenly the 205-room resort, ashimmer with 32acre Lake Gloriette sparkling at its lap and stocked with trout, jumps into view.

Many Portlanders have never had occa-

Story By Colin Sargent

sion to visitthis fairie castle tucked into tiny Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, 12 miles across the Maine border and closer to Portland than any other major city, but the rest of the world began discovering it just after the Civil War (the dining room, above, has been in continuous four-star

Cheverus remains committed to providing a challenging, values-based education in a Catholic environment according to the Jesuit tradition.

We are currently accepting applications from young women & young men at all grade levels.

!01\ \10!{! 11\1'OI\\1AlION (ON! ACTcIne mSIIOI', AI 774-623R

SUITE DREAMS Each suite has a living room, dining room, fully equipped kitchen, washer/dryer, pri \'ate patio and two baths as well as daily maid serVIce.

MEET WITH

SUCCESS

Our staff goes the extra mile to assure a smooth meeting, conference, ~ wedding or reUl1lon.

I ~"~. \ "- ,,< ..

Welcome to the Natural Beauty ojMaine.

Village by the Sea is the ideal home base for exploring this extraordinary part of the world. We provide eleven lush acres, private suites, well-lit, wheelchair accessible banquet facilities and sparkling indoor and outdoor pools. it's a natural selection.

VILLAGE By THE SEA

AN ALL SUITES HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER l~outl' One 30utk PO. B\lX 1lOJ P, \,{01l"" i\ldlnl' 04090 800/444-8862 207/646-1100 www.vbts.com

operation since 1866). look at the guestbook alone confirms The Balsams' excellence not simply in the hotel trade but in many categories: Stars from Jack Benny to Danny Kaye,Will Rogers, the Marx Brothers, Ken Burns, Billy Baldwin, and Michelle Phillips have come for the social season's live concerts, comedy, and lectures here (there's an impressive vaudeville theater and nightclub as well as a cinema here with fresh offerings nightly for guests)... Jerry Lewis actually worked here in the restaurant before hooking up with Dean Martin.

Babe Ruth, Ben Hogan, and Bob Cousy have come for the world-class Donald Ross-designed 18-hole Panorama golf course, famous ice skaters like Tenly Albright and Nancy Kerrigan to enjoy one of the loveliest outdoor day/night skating rinks in the world.

Businesspeople from Henry Luce (Time/Life) to George Eastman (Kodak) to Ray Krok (McDonald's) have regrouped here for rest and summit meetings (the Balsams once had three bi-planes ferrying potentates to and from ew York).

And notably, politicians including every presidential candidate in recent memory have made pilgram ages here (aswell as

electronic media pundits such as Fred Barnes, Pat Buchanan, Jack Germand, et. al., who travel in their retinue), because Dixville Notch truly is"first in the nation" - the firsttown to report in the New Hampshire Presidential Primary everyfour years (all 29 Dixville Notch residents are employees of the resort). \\!hat a setup - no wonder the national media like to hang out here!

Astronauts like Alan Bean and Alan Shepard have touched down here because The Balsams has a better viewofthe stars than they had in their space capsules.

Suffice to say,many resorts have taken pains to recapture the glory of days past; The Balsams simply never lost it.\\!hen yo\-!visita place as magic as this, the experience isso personal, and so individual, that each person arrives at his or her own reason for never wanting to leave.

Steve Barba, the thoughtful owner/partner/manager who has been part of this unique community since 1959 - meeting him isa little like having a chat with the high lama in Lost Horizon - sums it up when he recalls T.S. Eliot's "still point of the turning world."

Barba started his career hoping to be a writer before his 41-year detour at this Shangri La of the Great North Woods. Hiscreationhere maybe justasenduring a three-dimensional masterpiece. 6 Over 600 acres of tranquil beauty-landscaped grounds and gardens, unspoiled wooded trails, and Casco Bayfrontage. Lodge in our classic inn, a charming cottage, or a suite in our own lighthouse.

And so much to do! Here's just a samplet Harborside golf...tennis ...saltwater pool t Boat rentals ...fishing ...scenic cruises t Lobsterbakes, pancake breakfasts, fine dining in our bayfront restaurant, the Pilot House t Children's programs ...evening entertainment t Explore Popham Beach historic sites, Maine Maritime Museum t Askabout our historical, cultural or golf packages For information call 1-800-225-3819

SEBASCO ESTATES, MAINE 04565 • WWW.SEBASCO.COM • EARLYMAY TO LATE OaOBER

Katahdin. at Spring:.EtHigh. opposite the art museu",!;- .Comfortable food across a tantalizing culinary range, ..comfortable atmosphere Etwait staff, Etcomfortable prices. Its identifiably loyal diellfeieestablishes its credi- biJity a popularity. Trythe fisnchowder ($2.9S/3.9S), crabcakes ($13.95), grilled sea scallops wI spicy lime Et. vegetable vinaigrette ($14.95) or the chefs Blue Plate Special ($10.95). All homemade dessertsin~luding their own ice cream a sorbets. Tu-Th, 5-9:30pm: F EtSa, 5-10:30.774-7140.