The Best Essay Wins a Maine Country Inn

Psst! Wanna win a Maine Country Inn? I know who has one up for grabs. You just have to write the best darn essay ever!  That’s how the current owner got the Center Lovell Inn twenty two years ago, but now Janice Sage is ready to retire.

The inn is worth about $905,000, Janice Sage has plans to give it all away.  She posted the news on her Facebook page.

Applicants write a 200-word essay, explaining why they would be great owners and how they would run the place.There is a 125 dollar entry fee. Janice, hopes to get 7,500 paid submissions, that would cover the estimated value of the inn, plus leave $20,000 for the next owner.

Janice will select the top 20 essays then pass them on to two local residents who will judge the finalists and select a winner.

The winner must agree to operate the business for one year, and  keep the inn painted a traditional white, with green or black roofing and shutters.

So what do you get if you win? The Inn was built in 1805, the barn in 1795, and the adjacent guest house in 1985. There are 7 guest units, two dining rooms, and a screened-in wrap-around porch overlooking the mountains, all on 12+- acres.

According to the inn website you will have a bunch of work to do.  The Inn offers 10 large comfortable guestrooms each appointed with family antiques and sitting areas for relaxing and reading, (that means cleaning).

A full country breakfast is served piping hot each morning, (that means cooking). Enjoy gourmet dining in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the evening, (more cooking). The forty-seat dining room offers a crackling fire on cold winter nights, (more cleaning). In the summer, enjoy breakfast and dinner on the screened-in wrap-around porch, (more cleaning and cooking). In the evening enjoy the sunset over the White Mountains, (the guests will enjoy, you will be too tired).

If you still want to go for it, make sure you get your entries in by May 7, 2015.