Examiner.com is looking for nominations for their America Inspired program. Each Examiner is asked to think about who from their category offers an inspiring story. There are many inspiring inns and innkeepers, but one that comes to mind immediately is the Historic Inns of Rockland. Not only does this group of four inns set an example for friendly collaboration, but just as important as putting heads in their beds is their mission to give back to the community. At this time of year when the spirit of giving is on everyone's mind, the Historic inns of Rockland are busy organizing their 8th Annual Pies on Parade program which will raise enough money to feed 100 hungry Midcoast Maine families for a year when matched with funds from other grant programs.
Pies on Parade was originally initiated to provide a fun event in the dead of winter in Rockland, Maine. Celebrated each year around National Pie Day (January 23), this event has grown from a six-inn tour to a town-wide event, serving up more than 10,000 pieces of pie from one end of Main Street to the other. The idea here is simple, serve pie on a cold winter day and raise money for the local Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program. Let tour goers eat pie so the hungry can too!
Each year, the Historic Inns of Rockland spend an entire year recruiting businesses to participate, encouraging a wide variety of pies (not just sweet pies, but pizza pie, Shepherd's Pie, Meat and Seafood Pies, egg pies, Whoopie Pies, even healthy pies), creating maps, selling tickets and then giving every person who attends their own fork to cut down on waste. Hundreds of hours of time are spent on the "Pie Tour" as most affectionately call it, and the outcome is always success. Tickets sell out, and to date more than $40,000 has been raised for the AIO food pantry in the seven year tenure of Pies on Parade.
Yet, the giving doesn't stop with pies. A recent Historic Inns of Rockland Holiday House Tour raised nearly $2900 for the Friends of the Rockland Library. Thousands of dollars have been given to local environmental groups from the Historic Inns of Rockland in honor of each and every guest who came and donations made to create a little smaller footprint for each traveler. Every guest who comes to Historic Inns of Rockland receives a reusable shopping bag to help them cut down unnecessary waste one person at a time. Their commitment to sustainable travel netted them a spot in BedandBreakfast.com's list of top ten enviornmentally conscious inns. Each of the four member inns are Certified Maine Environmental Leaders, a designation that comes only with stringent commitment to eco-friendly business practices. Their commitment to community and sustainable travel is their passion.
The Historc Inns of Rockland offer an inspiring model for business collaboration. As Frank Isganits, co-owner of the LimeRock Inn, cleverly tells people "I spend more marketing my competition than I do my own inn!". Some might question the logic there, but this group of four innkeepers from Berry Manor Inn, LimeRock Inn, Captain Lindsey House and Granite Inn are committed to community and theirmission supercedes all traditional notions of competition.
I nominate the Historic Inns of Rockland for an America Inspired Award. I'm inspired each day by their tenacity and selfless generosity to helping those in need within the community and for their commitment to sustainable travel. Hat's off to the Historic Inns of Rockland for putting their community needs before their business needs. Each of these innkeepers inspire me.
About Historic Inns of Rockland, ME
Historic Inns of Rockland is comprised of four distinctive inns located in Rockland, Maine’s historic district. Each offering a unique experience and décor from modern urban chic to Victorian or European styled, the four Historic Inns of Rockland offer haute hospitality within easy strolling distance of Rockland’s thriving downtown restaurant, shopping and museum district and waterfront. From luxury to pet and kid-friendly, Historic Inns of Rockland are the ideal home base for exploring all that Midcoast Maine has to offer. Simply put, it’s the Rockland Way To Stay. For more information, visit www.HistoricInnsofRockland.com or call 1-877-ROC-INNS (877-762-4667) to order Pies on Parade tickets in advance. Consult each participating inn’s website for more specific pricing and details of their Pies on Parade packages.
About Pies on Parade
To learn more about Pies on Parade, read the story from Stillman Rogers, Boston Getaways Examiner. Click here or on the link below.
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