LOCAL RESIDENTS OPEN WOODLAND
GARDENS BED & BREAKFAST

Woodland Gardens, a Bed & Breakfast just two miles from the thriving resort area of Ogunquit, Maine, officially opened its doors for business November 19th to the public. The B & B just built 1½ years ago is fully licensed by the State of Maine and is located at 86 Josiah Norton Road, Cape Neddick. Situated on four acres of landscaped grounds, spectacular lush gardens, and surrounded by hundreds of acres of pristine woods, Woodland Gardens can offer what no other B & B in the area can . . . moose, deer, wild turkeys, and fifty species of birds, all easily viewed from the tall-windowed rooms of the property. The innkeepers are hoping to offer sleigh rides in the future once the B & B becomes well known for its down-to-earth Maine hospitality, charm, and serene country life.

Special rates are available for the annual Ogunquit's "Christmas by the Sea, " a weekend celebration jammed with activities and events hosted by the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce. Visitors then can enjoy tree lighting, caroling, a chowder fest, concerts, theatre, a crafts fair, a stroll of Ogunquit Inns and much, much more. To help introduce the property to the public, Woodland Gardens has put together a special winter package for $250 ( double occupancy ) and a mid-week package ( double occupancy ) for $220 which includes two gourmet breakfasts, live piano Friday with crackers and hot Wassail, Saturday night dinner, ( anything on the menu ) at Jonathan's Restaurant and cross country skiing at nearby Laudholm Farm ( just a quick 15 minute drive from Woodland Gardens ).

The owners, Peter and Paulette O'Connor, are transplants from the Boston area and have always wanted to relocate to Maine. Former residents of Dedham, MA, they both held corporate jobs at Johnson & Johnson and Unifirst Corporation. The couple have been looking for a way of life away from the corporate stress that their jobs had demanded and finally decided to take the risk, move to Maine and open a Bed and Breakfast. A year and a half ago, their dream came true when they broke ground and began building on Josiah Norton Road, Cape Neddick. Now they want to share their home with happy guests seeking restful getaways, beach holdiays and outdoor excursions in a rural setting.

Paulette is no stranger to Maine. She has been coming to Ogunquit since she was eight years old and her parents have owned a home here for the last fifteen years. "Relocating to Maine was like coming home, and Peter loves it as much as I do. Peter is a country boy and loves wearing his farmer suspenders and driving his tractor. He shed the city life real fast and has no regrets." says Paulette. The couple has wanted to opersate a bed & breakfast for sometime now, but was unable to pull it all together until now. They are hoping that their guests will come to love Maine as much as they do.

Gift certificates are available as well as memorabilia from the B & B, including dried flowers and the B & B's mascot, honey bunny, to name a few. For more Information on activities and seasonal events, contact Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce. For reservations, contact Woodland Gardens directly at 207-361-1310.

*Taken from Making It At Home, February 2, 1998