What prompted innkeepers Tom and Marcey White to move from Texas to Bethel, Maine to open a unique inn, A Prodigal Inn & Gallery, is the question I had recently posed to this lovely couple.
For those of you unfamiliar with Bethel, this small town is nestled in the western mountains of Maine 70 miles from Portland. Since its establishment in 1768, its population of approximately 2,360, including the surrounding school district communities, has been fairly stable. However, during peak seasons it increases to about 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 activities such as snowmobiling, hunting, tubing, snowboarding, fishing, hiking, antiques, kayaking, canoeing, golfing, historical research, and not forgetting the brilliance of the fall foliage.
Marcey pointed out to me that when she and Tom moved to Maine, they were trying to find a way that Tom could leave the construction / carpentry field and focus solely on his artistic career. Apparently about ten years ago Tom discovered that he had an innate artistic talent for sculpting and painting. It’s quite surprising that Tom is a self-taught artist, having hardly taken a lesson!
Their goal was to find a 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 property from 1813 that Tom, incredibly lonely, renovated into a magnificent inn with an adjacent art studio. Before running the inn, Marcey had experience in the food and service industries and was therefore able to easily transfer her skills.
The inn’s most unusual name is inspired by the parable of the prodigal son, and Tom’s exquisite bronze sculpture reflects its message. The innkeepers hope that guests will experience the same welcome that is displayed in sculpture and history.
Initially, the property had been owned by one of Bethel’s founding fathers, the Twitchell family, who had owned it for about 150 years. During the twenty years prior to Marcey and Tom’s ownership, the inn had been listed as the first “Bed and Breakfast in Western Maine.” However, it had only consisted of six rooms with a shared bathroom and cooking privileges.
Today, the inn’s six rooms deserve top marks for their spaciousness and tasteful decor, each with its own private bathroom and some even with whirlpool tubs. The rooms are named after the innkeepers’ children and grandchildren. According to Marcey, she adopted the personalities of each of them to reflect their favorite colors.
What prevails throughout the inn is its peace and quiet. We also find the rooms devoid of uniformity and with a lot of warmth and elegance.
Upon entering the living room of the inn, we were immediately captivated by Tom’s original and unique bronze sculptures. Marcey pointed out to us that guests are invited to see this “world-class sculptor” as he creates his magnificent works of art. It didn’t take us long to accept the offer and we visited the adjacent studio which is set up in an adjacent renovated barn.
Tom’s artistic inspiration has undoubtedly been enhanced by the spectacular scenery that surrounds 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 celebrating intimate weddings in the gazebo located within the inn’s impressive perennial gardens.
By the way, leading to the inn’s front door are private hiking trails and there is access to cross-country skiing and snowmobiling systems.
During the fall foliage and winter seasons, when the weather turns a bit cool, there is nothing better than sitting in front of the inn’s wood-burning fireplace enjoying afternoon tea and the delicious cookies that Marcey prepares and offers. for your guests.
When the weather permits, you can sit in the Gazebo garden after an exhilarating walk through the woods and perhaps see 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 almost any palate you desire.
ROMANTIC DINING ROOM
Through our travels, my wife and I have noticed that every city has a restaurant that the people of the city consider to be “way above” the rest. Such is the case with one of Bethel’s finest dining establishments, The Sudbury Inn. The restaurant is located in an inn dating from around 1873.
You know a real treat awaits you when you browse the menu with its wide variety of options, from minced veal, Florentine sole, Sicilian chicken, boiled Maine lobster, pomodro red snapper to Tournedos beef.
Owners Bill and Nancy White have built their reputation by 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.
