Nosin’ ‘Round Monson event June 2

MONSON — Folks who have been driving through Monson recently have most likely noticed the dramatic changes happening in that little town on Route 15 on the way to Moosehead Lake. Thanks to the Libra Foundation, the place has been getting a dramatic face-lift and Monson plans to celebrate this with a Town Wide Open House – delightfully referred to as “Nosin’ ‘Round Monson” – from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 2.

According to Rebekah Anderson, owner of the Lakeshore House in Monson, about a year ago, Bob and Roberta Jarvis formed the Monson Business Association. They, and other interested parties including Anderson, have been meeting on a monthly basis to plan ways to highlight the town. “This is our first major event,” said Anderson. “It will be great fun for those who attend. For one thing, we discovered over 40 businesses just in Monson, which is a lot!”

Here’s how it will work. People begin at the Lakeshore House on Main St., and pick up a special map with all the participating businesses highlighted. There will be roughly 25 stops, with smaller businesses under the umbrella of the bigger ones. “It will be very clear where you can go,” said Anderson. “And each place will give you a sticker to affix to the map. Depending how many places you visit you can collect raffle tickets – five visits equals 1 ticket, ten equals 2 tickets and 15 or more equals 5 tickets.” At the end of your exploration, you can turn the tickets in at the Lakeshore House and they will be placed in a drawing for merchandise or gift certificates from the participating businesses. You don’t have to be present to win.

This will be a lot more than just a brief visit to each place. For example, if you visit Sheldon Slate, a fourth generation local company, you will have an opportunity to tour their facilities and see how they make their magnificent slate countertops for kitchen or bath, investigate their flooring options and landscaping possibilities. If you stop in at the Shaw’s Hiker Hostel, you can check out the quarters where the hikers stay and visit their gear room to see a shakedown of what would be in a thru-hikers pack. Also, you will have the opportunity to tour one of the newly renovated Libra Foundation guesthouses.

“This will be an interactive experience,” Anderson said. “Visitors can just poke around and take their time. It will give them a more personal look at what we do.”

Some of the Monson businesses participating, besides the Lakeshore House, are the Monson Pottery Workshop, the Hebron Gallery, With The Grain Bowl Turning, the Red Roof Gallery, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Sheldon Slate, J. Wentworth Furniture, the Monson General Store, Turning Page Farm, Spring Creek Barbecue, As The Crow Flies, and the AIIA Institute, just to name a few.

At the end of your day you can reconnoiter to the Lakeshore House, drop off your raffle tickets and partake of light refreshment and munchies, also provided by participating businesses. “Nosin’ ‘Round Monson” will even have an official logo. For further information, call the Lakeshore House at 207/997-7069 or email them at thelakeshorehouse@yahoo.com. Although not involved directly with this event, the Town of Monson will also be posting information on their Facebook page.

Observer photo/Shelagh Talbot
NOSIN’ ROUND MONSON — Monson Town Manager, Daniel Swain and his able assistant Ellie the dog, look forward to the “Nosin’ ‘Round Monson” event on Saturday, June 2.