KELLY EDWARDS
Executive Director | Visit Freeport
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? My grandparents used to take us to the Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster every summer as children. I have such happy memories of spending time as a family at their bright red picnic tables, enjoying an amazing meal and watching all the boats come in and out of the Harraseeket River. Every year their opening day is one of my favorite official signs of summer.
Favorite Outdoor Activity? Seacoast Tours of Freeport. Captain Peter Millholland has lots of fun options like oyster farm tours, lobstering demos and ecological tours, but my favorite is the trip out to Eagle Island and the home of famed arctic explorer Admiral Peary. It’s such a beautiful spot and the artifacts are fascinating.
Favorite Place to indulge in a little retail therapy? I have so many favorites, but if I have to narrow it down I’d have to say Sherman’s Books & Stationery. I love to read plus they have a lovely collection of home goods and gifts. As a devoted dog mom I also love going to Pet Pantry for supplies and fun toys.
Favorite Extra? Walking the beach at Winslow Park, Paddle boarding with L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs, browsing the bright and whimsical designs at ACK ME ARTS Studio/Gallery, and enjoying a tasting and grabbing a bottle of cider to go at Portersfield Cider.
MARGARET HOFFMAN
Community Relations Manager | Visit Freeport
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? Hmm, so perhaps not what most think of dining but there’s nothing better than a great latte from Coffee By Design and some people watching from the benches along Main Street or in Discovery Park. A quick slice from Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company is a great weekday lunch on the go.
Favorite Outdoor Activity? Exploring the barns and trails at Wolfe’s Neck Center. Everytime I visit I learn something new about sustainable agriculture and the scenery is awesome. It’s also been my favorite place to camp in all of Maine since my first visit there way, way back in the early 1990s.
Favorite Place to indulge in a little retail therapy? Cuddledown of Maine for the world’s best pillows and bedding, Sweet Repeats: Children’s Consignment for gifts when going to visit my littlest cousins, and Casco Bay Cutlery & Kitchen Goods when I need a little something special just for me!
Favorite Extra? The factory tours at Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate Confections are my go-to treat when guests are in town. I’m a sucker for their Double Decadence Meltaway truffles.
SUE GRANHOLM
Information Center Manager | Visit Freeport
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? A cup of delicious lobster bisque and the town’s best french fries from the Lobster Cooker, or a great made-to-order grilled cheese & tomato sandwich from Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine’s take-out window!
Favorite Outdoor Activity? Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park doesn’t have a beach, but it does have easy, woodsy trails & great shore access! Look in tide pools & under seaweed to find a periwinkle. Hold it on your hand & sing or hum softly, it will slowly emerge from its shell so you can see its head & antennae. It’s true!
Favorite Place to indulge in a little retail therapy? I love finding bargains at the LOFT.
Favorite Extra? The best thing – being able to park (free & easy), be outside, and walk everywhere in the village. Then, if I want to, it’s a short drive to go to local state parks, or walk, ski or snowshoe the trails at Pineland Farms, eat at Harraseeket Lunch & Lobster, or commune with the cows at Wolfe’s Neck Center.
JOSH CUSHING
General Manager | Harraseeket Inn
Vice President | Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport Dining Experience? I may be biased but the Broad Arrow Tavern has the best patio and firepit area in town for a great dinner and drink, with the sounds of the water running from the water feature and the beautiful gardens all right in the action close by in the heart of the Village on Main Street. Is there anything better than a glass of wine or a local beer by a nice fire on a summer night?!
Favorite Outdoor Activity? Hiking the trails at Bradbury and enjoying the playground are a family favorite of ours. Wolfe’s Neck is also beautiful for a walk along the water or a rest on the rocks looking out at the water. We also really enjoy the trails and Pineland farms and we sometimes catch a children’s story walk which my kids love. We also really like to check out the animals all around Pineland Farms.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? My family and I love to walk along Main Street on a weekend morning, window shopping along the way. We always have to pop into L.L.Bean to check the fish pond and the fish tank. The kids also like to look around the camping department and explore the tents. Also find some fun in the kids department as there’s a few houses to play in and a chalkboard to draw on. We have done the same thing on many, many weekends and it never gets old.
Favorite Extra? On those weekend walks, we always have to get coffee for my wife and I and the kids a treat. Depending on the mood, we have a few coffee options as well as treats or ice cream. We never go wrong with a sweet out of the candy case at Wilbur’s of Maine.
JAY PAULUS
Buyer/Manager | Bridgham & Cook, The British Goods Store
President | Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? My favorite dining experience is Petrillo’s hands down. The Cuban Panino is fabulous.
Favorite outdoor activity? My favorite outdoor activity is simply sitting outside the Harraseeket Inn by the fire pit and people watching folks from all over the world.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? My retail therapy, well, that would be Brooks Brothers for a new bowtie.
Favorite extra? A pint of ale with a cup of chowder at Jameson Tavern. There are so many more wonderful places to hang out in Freeport, the Lobster Cooker is a hidden gem to enjoy a good lobster roll too!
LAURIE GILMAN
Sales & Marketing Manager | Harraseeket Inn
Past President | Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? I love the Broad Arrow Tavern at the Harraseeket Inn. A close second is ordering a wonderful fresh sandwich from Bow Street Market, grabbing a drink & chips and heading down to Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park for a picnic.
Favorite outdoor activity? Birding at Florida Lake and of course at Mast Landing Audubon Sanctuary.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? L.L.Bean Home Store
Favorite extra? My favorite sweet is a toss up between a Betty ReeZ Pumpkin Whoopie Pie and anything from Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolate. I really like Maine Beer Company too!
EMILY KIRKTON
Owner | GearME
Events Chair | Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? My family loves picnics. We go to Bow Street Market where I get a sandwich from the deli and the kids get fresh-made snack packs. Then we bike to the nearby elementary school playground (if school’s out), or we head to Wolfe’s Neck State Park to eat lunch on the rocks overlooking Casco Bay. When it’s time for adult date night we love going to the Tuscan Brick Oven Bistro.
Favorite outdoor activity? Bradbury Mountain State Park has always been a favorite for our family. Even very young kids can make the hike to the summit, and it’s a perfect way to introduce them to hiking. The reward for their hard work is an impressive view, rocks to climb on and a snack, of course. We’ve also done some great beginner-friendly mountain biking there, and the trails are great for snowshoeing and skiing in the winter.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? My kids are in the birthday-party-every-weekend stage, and we always go to Island Treasure Toys for gifts. It’s so easy to find great, affordable toys. Our other favorite kid-centered shop is Sweet Repeats Children’s Consignment where we buy just about all the kids’ clothes. We love shopping second-hand!
Favorite extra? A special treat for me is a stop by the Fiore Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars tasting room. I love sampling all the amazing balsamic vinegar flavors, and I always walk out with several new flavors for my collection.
CHRIS CUMMINGS
General Manager | Mexicali Blues
Ex Officio Director | Visit Freeport Board of Directors
Favorite Freeport dining experience? I have always enjoyed the Flavors of Freeport event every February where I am able to sample dishes and desserts from all of my favorite Freeport eateries in a celebratory atmosphere.
Favorite outdoor activity? One of my favorite outdoor activities is camping at Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment. Such a beautiful spot on the ocean to walk around and visit the farm animals.
Favorite place to indulge in a little retail therapy? I enjoy walking around L.L.Bean. There are so many choices and it is always educational.
Favorite extra? Wilbur’s of Maine Chocolates is our neighbor and I have little self control when it comes to delicious handmade treats.