2012 Highland Lake Resort Blog

Tue 27 November 2012

Don't miss the
Annual Bridgton Festival of Lights!

Enjoy a candlelit parade with floats that feature colorful lights and festive decorations, live music, carriage rides, and a visit with that "Jolly Old Elf" himself!

Each year this festival gets bigger and bigger. Lots of families enjoying a holidal festival which brings out the child in all of us. Last year we brought our dog, Emily, (official Highland Lake Resort mascot) with us, and stood on the Corn Shop Trading Company's sidewalk. The shop's owner, Mark, also had his beautiful dog, Bentley, with him.

Well, kids were gathering up all the candy and treats that were being tossed from the floats, and we watched them scramble for the handsful that came their way. Suddenly, we saw some objects being tossed not at the kids, but towards the two dogs. Concerned that a misplaced toss might have put some chocolate in the mouths of the dogs, we hurried to snatch them up. To our (pleasant) surprise it turned out that the float that had tossed the goodies was that of the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, and the treats turned out to be especially for dogs!

In this case, the saying "great time was had by all" actually DID include "all"!

While we're closed for the winter, you still should come and enjoy the Bridgton Festival of Lights. Here's the link: Bridgton Festival of Lights.

Mon 12 November 2012

Well, we've had our first snowfall! Nights have been cold, and frost has arrived upon the windshield. And while it's almost 60 degrees today, we know that winter will soon be here.
For the second time in 15 years, we'll be closing down our lodging rooms for the winter, opening them again in April. We'll be keeping the Conference Room open, however, and already have numerous trainings, meetings, holiday parties, and other events scheduled this winter.
We'll be repainting rooms this winter, adding some new carpet, doing in-depth maintenance, and otherwise taking advantage of the "down time" to work around the Resort, getting everything ready for you this spring and summer.
If you've stayed with us before, and have some ideas of things we can do to make your next stay better, please let us know at info@highlandlakeresort.com. Remember, though, that major expenses mean major rate increases (unless youd like to "donate to the cause"), so be gentle.
I'll try to keep you updated on what we're doing over the winter, as well as give you notices of interesting things happening in the Bridgton area. In the meantime, have a great winter, happy holidays (all of them), and may God bless you and your family this year.

Sun 23 September 2012

Looks like we've got a little bit of color creeping into the tips of our trees! Not a lot, yet, but a harbinger of things to come. Of course, this color is right outside the door. Much more is coming into the higher elevations around us, and some road trips can catch a good amount right now.
Join us this fall for a few days of leaf peeping, shopping, eating, and relaxing. See what the foliage is like around the lake from ON the lake, using one of our free canoes, kayaks, or rowboats. Peaceful, relaxing, rejuvenating. Autumn in Southwestern Maine!

Thu 20 September 2012

With all the great events that about to take place starting next week, you might want to make room for some running, and chili!

The 13th annual Waterford Fall Foliage 5k Road Race and 1k Fun Run coinciding with the Great Western Chili Cook-off afterwards is a unique tradition that attracts people to the Maine Lakes region from all over.

It’s odd marriage at first thought, running and chili, but after thinking about it, it’s a combination that entirely makes sense.

First, a scenic run through Waterford during the crisp Maine afternoon before warming up to some of the best chili Maine has to offer. All race participants get free chili samples too! There’s no time prettier to run in Maine than the fall time, and there’s no better fall dish than a big bowl of chili!

There’s still time to pre-register for the 5k through Active.com. It’s $15 to pre-register and $20 day of, while the 1k fun run is just $5. Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce sponsors the Western Maine Chili Cook-off so you know it’s going to be a hit.

Waterford is just a few miles North of Bridgeton, so you’re very close to Highland Lake Resort.

To make a reservation at Highland Lake Resort for this busy weekend in the Bridgton area call 1-800-797-5301. Highland Lakes Resort is Bridgeton, Maine's best family vacation resort!

Sun 02 September 2012
When we switched over 3 years ago from 4-cup coffeemakers to brand new Keurig "K Cup" individual serving coffeemakers, we never expected the response we'd get! Many of our guests had heard of the Keurigs, but there was a bit of a learning curve required in first using them. Some thought you opened the cups first (nasty job to clean those things) or they didn't know they had to press the "Brew" button to start the brewing.

Although the instructions are printed in picture form on the coffeemaker, that last step isn't exactly clear. Full instructions and illustrations are contained in the "Guest Information" notebook found in each room, but not everyone checks those.

However, once people got used to them, and as more people use Keurigs in their own homes, the comments have been very positive. While we provide some medium roast coffees plus a decaf in each room, we also have strong versions, tea, and even hot chocolate K Cups at the office. And many returning guests now bring their own favorite K Cups with them. This way, they always have exactly what they want for their morning beverage.

Bring your favorite with you when you visit the Highland Lake Resort. Or, try something that we offer. Either way, you'll have a great way to start your day!

Fri 31 August 2012
I always get a bit nervous as we go into Labor Day. The weather can be great, but it can also be very cold. Last year, Labor Day was excellent for business here at the Highland Lake Resort. Unfortunately, that's because it was terrible for so many others. Last year saw Hurrican Irene come up north, and many people found themselves without power. In an area where many have wells, that also meant no water!

So, while we got a number of our annual guests for Labor Day, we filled up with the state's power company trucks and those who had no power or water at their homes. As I said, great for us, but not for others. This year, no hurricane in our area, though our thoughts are with those in the Gulf who have been hit once again.

In fact, our weather this weekend in Bridgton, Maine, is excellent! Highs in the upper 70's and sun, sun, sun! What a great way to end summer, with a great Labor Day getaway weekend in Maine! We still have rooms available, though we're a little limited in selection some nights. Enjoy all the lake front fun that the Resort has to offer, along with the Maine attractions in the Bridgton area.

Call today to get our special rate for Labor Day, and to have a fun and relaxing (or exciting) end to YOUR summer! 207-647-5301 or 1-800-797-5301.

Wed 29 August 2012
There may not be a better time to come to Maine than late September. The weather is crisp, the leaves are starting to turn, and a ton of events in and around Bridgton, Maine are happening.

From the Fryeburg Fair and the Maine Lakes Brew Fest, Bridgton won’t be short on things to do when staying at Highland Lake Resort the last week of September and into October.

The Fryeburg Fair is Maine’s biggest agricultural fair, attracting more than 300,000 people per year to the event, which is less than 15 miles West down US Route 302 from Bridgton. From Sept. 30 through Oct. 7, events and non-stop fun will take over the fairgrounds in Fryeburg.

It is truly one of the most popular events of the year in all of Maine. From Ox pulling, horse pulling, pony shows, calf shows, flower shows, dairy shows, and rides for kids of all ages, it’s a fun family event that is sure to entertain all. Nightly concerts will be also taking place too, ensuring great music for everyone.

And like any fair, there’s never a shortage on great food.

Tickets are $10 per day, or $65 for the week. Kids under 12 are FREE! Check out the PDF of the Fryeburg Fair here.

And just like any beer festival, there’s never a shortage on great beer! From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, in Casco, Maine, the ninth annual Maine Lakes Brew Fest is taking place. With 25 beer vendors and music by The Disclaimers and Random Order, it’s sure to be an absolute blast as it always is. Tickets are $25 if purchased before the event or $30 the day of.
Casco, Maine is just a short drive East down US 302.
For more information on the event, click here.

So if thinking about taking your family on a vacation in Bridgton ME, late September and early October is the perfect opportunity. Fun events, fall foliage and the beautiful outdoors of Maine, including a fine resort like Highland Lake Resort, you and your family won’t be disappointed.

Also, check out the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce for more information on these upcoming events, including the Waterford Fall Foliage Road Race and Chili Festival on October 7.

Fri 31 August 2012
Welcome to the new Highland Lake Resort Blog, where we will feature upcoming events, specials and other musings around our resort and Bridgton, Maine.
Highland Lake Resort features some of the best amenities in Bridgton, including its own waterfront dock right on the waters of Highland Lake.
Enjoy your swimming, kayaking, or row boating on the lake, or play a game of tennis at our private tennis courts courtesy of Highland Lake Resort.
But beyond our quaint resort, there are plenty of things to do in Bridgton all year round.
About an hour north of Portland, Maine, and 20 minutes from the New Hampshire border, the picturesque town of Bridgton is surrounded by Long Lake to its east and Highland Lake on its west.
Skiing in the winter, to boating in the summer, and plenty of shops and places to eat around town, it’s no wonder why this is an ever popular resort town in Maine.
Bridgton features over 17 restaurants to enjoy, dozens of unique shops that include antique shops and cool clothing stores to keep busy during the day. During the summer, festivals and events are crowded on the calendar in Bridgton and nearby lake towns. The fun doesn’t go away in the winter with Shawnee Peak, Maine’s third largest ski area, or take in a ski trail at Bridgton Highlands Country or Five Fields Farm.
Come see what the great state of Maine has to offer by staying at Highland Lake Resort in Bridgton, Maine.
Check back often for updates and to see what's new in Bridgton and Highland Lake Resort.