Moosehead Cottage Resort under new management

GREENVILLE — The Moosehead Cottage Resort, which sits on 15 private acres about three miles south of downtown Greenville, is now under new management.

The resort has been a fixture of the Moosehead Region for 25 years. With 13 beautiful, individually designed log homes, four log-style townhouses and an inviting log clubhouse, complete with large pool, hot tub and sauna, the property has been popular with time-share owners for years and is offering the opportunity for multi-day rentals for vacationers and families wanting to enjoy a unique experience in the area.

New manager Mary Ann Lauro has come to the resort from the Academy at Penguin Hall in Wenham, Massachusetts where she spent two years as the director of dining services.

Observer photo/Shelagh Tablot
MOOSEHEAD COTTAGE RESORT — A view of cabins at Moosehead Cottage Resort in Greenville.

“I found the opportunity through the internet in an online job search in Massachusetts ,” she said. “I had been looking to settle down in a more peaceful place.” The Greenville resort is owned by the time-share owners with a nine-member board acting on their behalf. Lauro is responsible to the board.

Prior to that she lived in Italy where she spent the last 20 years in the hospitality and marketing business.

“I am excited and happy to be here in Greenville,” she said. “This is a wonderful opportunity and I look forward to serving the owners and exploring this remarkable part of the world.”

Lauro’s father was in the US Army and served much of his time in Germany and Italy, as well as Korea and Vietnam. Lauro remembers rolling tortellini and making other pastas with her Italian grandmother. “It was the beginning of my passion to create great dishes,” she said. “I have a certification in nutrition and have been fortunate to become a certified chef with the Federation of Italian Chefs.”

Observer photo/Shelagh Tablot
NEW MANAGER — Mary Ann Lauro, new manager at Moosehead Cottage Resort.

When she was asked to take on the duties of Executive Chef and Kitchen Manager at the La Bella Vista Collocated Club located on the Aviano Air Force Base in northern Italy, she realized she had a quite a task ahead – the club had been languishing for various reasons. The bottom line was it was hemorrhaging money. In three short years Lauro was able to turn things around.

“We became one of the few clubs world wide – I believe there were three all told — that was making money in food sales. I managed the operation of the dining services in addition to organizing all sorts of events.”

Being a large base, with thousands of residents, Lauro was responsible for literally hundreds of events during the year. This included entertaining numerous government officials, ambassadors, senators and entertainment personalities such as Toby Keith, Seether, and Papa Roach. Not only were great Northern Italian menus a specialty, but Lauro drew from her love of other cultures, featuring Middle Eastern, Mexican and Indian specialties.

“I especially love creating Indian cuisine,” she said. “I really enjoy exploring the different options that Indian spices can offer.”

In addition to her skills as a chef, Lauro has spent years honing skills in the marketing world, selling Apple Products as well as Software Training in Italy “I gave technical assistance and product advice to customers as well as preparing displays and implementing sales events in that part of the world,” she explained. This, along with her design skills, helped her develop successful new programs that benefited the many residents of the Aviano Air Base.

She has taken that same passion and is now focusing on improvements for the Moosehead Cottage Resort. “We have recently assembled a great team at the resort and I feel so blessed to be here,” she said. “I love the natural world, and all its creatures and this area is unique. I have been lucky to have seen three moose on three separate occasions just since I arrived.”

According to the latest newsletter sent out to property owners at the resort, Lauro has seen a substantial increase in rental revenues as well as requests for timeshare purchases. She stated that owning a timeshare means that the owner could benefit from timeshare options all over the world because Moosehead Cottage Resort works closely with Interval International, a vast network of nearly 3,200 resorts in over 80 nations.

Observer photo/Shelagh Tablot
BUSINESS SIGN — The sign at Moosehead Cottage Resort, located about three miles south of downtown Greenville.

“This adds so many options for our owners,” Lauro said. “It’s just one more thing that enhances the experience here at Moosehead Cottage Resort. My family and I are so glad to be living in this beautiful part of the world.”

For more information on the Moosehead Cottage Resort, time-share options and cabin rentals visit www.mooseheadcottageresort.com or call 695-2112