Exactly what prompted innkeepers Tom and Marcey White to move from Texas to Bethel, Maine to open a one-of-a-kind inn, A Prodigal Inn & Gallery, is the question I recently asked this lovely couple.
For those of you unfamiliar with Bethel, this small town is located in the mountains of western Maine, 70 miles from Portland. Since its settlement in 1768, its population of approximately 2,360, including the surrounding school district communities, has remained fairly stable. However, during peak seasons it swells to around 6,000.
What is noteworthy about this scenic area in the heart of western Maine is its convenient location to the popular Sunday River Ski Resort, as well as snowmobiling, hunting, tubing, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, antiquing, kayaking, canoeing, golf, historical research, and not forgetting the glow of the fall foliage.
Marcey told me that when she and Tom moved to Maine, they were trying to find a way for Tom to leave the construction/carpentry field and focus solely on his art career. Apparently about ten years ago, Tom discovered that he had an innate artistic talent for sculpting and painting. Quite surprising is that Tom is a self-taught artist, he has barely taken a lesson!
Their goal was to find a piece of property that would allow them to have an inn and at the same time a place to display Tom’s artwork.
The result was the purchase of a historic 1813 property that, amazingly, Tom single-handedly renovated into a magnificent inn with an adjoining art studio. Prior to managing the inn, Marcey had experience in the food and service industries and was therefore easily able to transfer skills from him.
The inn’s more unusual name is patterned after the parable of the prodigal son, and the exquisite bronze sculpture of Tom reflects its message. The innkeepers hope that guests experience the same welcome depicted in the sculpture and story.
Initially, the property had been owned by one of Bethel’s founding fathers, the Twitchell family, who had owned it for some 150 years. For the twenty years prior to Marcey and Tom’s ownership, the inn had been billed as the first “Bed and Breakfast in Western Maine.” However, it only consisted of six rooms with a shared bathroom and kitchen privileges.
Today, the inn’s six rooms deserve top marks for their spaciousness and tasteful décor, each with its own private bathroom, and some even with whirlpool tubs. The rooms are named after the innkeepers’ sons and a grandson. According to Marcey, she adopted the personalities of each of them to reflect his favorite colors.
Peace and tranquility prevail throughout the inn. We also found the rooms devoid of uniformity and exuding a lot of warmth and elegance.
Upon entering the inn’s sitting room, we were immediately captivated by Tom’s unique and original bronze sculptures. Marcey told us that guests are invited to watch this “world class sculptor” as he creates his magnificent works of art. It didn’t take us long to take him up on his offer and we visited the adjacent studio which is set up in an adjoining converted barn.
Tom’s artistic inspiration has certainly been enhanced by the spectacular scenery surrounding the inn with its nearby meadows, rivers and ponds (the inn faces the Androscoggin River) and mountains.
It’s also no wonder why this inn has proven popular with couples holding intimate weddings in the gazebo set within the inn’s stunning perennial gardens.
By the way, leading to the front door of the inn are private hiking trails and there is access to cross country and snowmobile systems.
During the fall foliage and winter seasons, when the weather turns a little chilly, there’s nothing better than sitting in front of the inn’s wood-burning fireplace to enjoy afternoon tea and the delicious cookies that Marcey bakes for you. your guests.
Weather permitting, you can sit in the Garden Gazebo after an exciting walk in the woods and perhaps watch a deer or pick berries.
Marcey serves a delicious breakfast in the dining room with a wide variety of goodies from juices, cereals, breads, eggs, to just about any palette you desire.
ROMANTIC DINNER
Through our travels, my wife and I have noticed that every town has a restaurant that the townspeople consider to be “a cut above” the others. Such is the case with one of Bethel’s quintessential dining establishments, The Sudbury Inn. The restaurant is located in an inn dating from around 1873.
You know you’re in for a real treat when you look at the menu with its myriad of options, from veal picatta, Florentine sole, chicken Sicilian, boiled Maine lobster, pomodro red snapper to veal Tournedos.
Owners Bill and Nancy White have built their reputation on providing the best possible personal service combined with a creative menu.
Another option for Bethel residents is The Bethel Inn & Country Club, where after a round of golf you can enjoy lunch or dinner served in the club’s dining room.