Mark Stephens
Location: Dexter Maine (Near Bangor, Maines second largest city) Gateway to the Moosehead Lake and Mt Katahdin region of Maine
Since: 2007 — I fell in love with the Brewster Inn. Its a former State Governor and Washington Senators home where famous people such as Presidents Truman and Taft and the founder of MGM Films (Louis B Mayer) have stayed. Senator Brewster was portrayed by Aland Alda in the 5 time Oscar winning movie “The Aviator” that co starred Leonardo DiCaprio as the billionaire Howard Hughes. Being English i wanted to emigrate to a State that reminded me of England with weather and temperatures being about the same. Maine does that well (even if the winters are a lot colder here). Peace, quiet and tranquility. Location wise for a great Maine vacation, Dexter is perfect being the geographical centre of Maine. Everywhere and everything is within easy reach as I95 is just 20min away.. Belfast and the Rt 1 coastline are only 50min away, The beautiful, picturesque and unspoilt Maine Highlands, home of Maine largest lake and mountain (Moosehead Lake and Mt Katahdin) as well as the start of the Appalachian Trail that ends up In Georgia are all only 50min away. Bangor, Maines second largest city is just 40min away. Peaks Kenny State Park (25 min), Lily Bay State Park (50min), Baxter State Park (90min), Arcadia National Park and Bar Harbor (2hrs), Camden and Freeport (90min), and even the largest city in Maine, Portland is an easy 1hr 50min right down I95. You can do anything you want to do in my part of Maine like moose watching, snowmobiling, atv’s, kayaking, white water rafting, bird watching, ski-ing, snow shoeing,fishing, ice fishing antiquing, hunting, wildlife tours, biking and hiking. A true 4 seasons destination!
Age Group: 46-59
Favorite Restaurant: My favorite restaurant isn’t in Dexter. Its 25 min away in Pittsfield. Its called Vittles and when you eat there you will be amazed. They also look after my guests incredibly with VIP treatment. In Bangor, my favorite restaurant would be a wonderful Chinese restaurant right in the center of the city called Panda Garden.
Favorite Movie: Netflix is my friend and I’ve watched over time a lot of films but I have to say that my favorite “film” is 24 with Jack Bauer that I’m loving every minute of right now on Netflix.
Pets: I always wanted a Basset Hound, he was going to be called Brewster the Basset. It was going to be wonderful… work got in the way and it never happened 🙁 although for the last 15 years my main “internet” persona on forums and such like is Fred Bassett after my favourite cartoon character in the English Press, Basset Hound Fred Basset.
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time? Free time? Whats that? I’d have to say read, Netflix, have a massage or a nice meal out on the odd times I get any free time!
Favorite Season: Spring, not too hot or cold and all the leaves are on the trees and the plants are waking up in my amazing gardens.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Make sure I got ZERO publicity but after that I’d probably get myself a nice car, something sporty like a Lamborghini.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? I’d learn how to find myself some free time!
If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be? My soccer (football) team in England Cheltenham Town winning the English Premier League and then the Champions League (that’s my dream event)
Which celebrity do you get mistaken for? When I was at school it was Joe 90 but in central Maine I think I’m pretty well known myself actually inc an appearance on HGTV with the Brewster Inn of course!!
Where do you work? The Brewster Inn!
What is your title? Owner although it does make me smile when guests come and they think I’m “staff” 🙂
How long have you worked there? Since Feb 2007 when I came to the USA
What do you love most about your Job? Seeing big smiles on my guests faces, giving great tips and info so that they can have an amazing time staying here at the Brewster Inn.
What is your Experience and Background in the Travel Industry? Spent 20 years in sales and marketing in England before coming to Maine. Owned the Brewster Inn since Feb 2007 and now I’m on the board of the Greater Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau (bringing even more tourism to Maines 2nd city Bangor).