By Diane Hines
Contributed photo/ Nate BodenstabThe Houlton Rotary Club met on Monday, Aug. 8 for their luncheon meeting. Stan Meader was the guest speaker and he was hosted by Rotarian Elizabeth Dulin.
Meader is the economic development person for the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians where he has been employed since 2015. Among other things he has taught college courses and offered consulting services to the Penobscot tribe.
Wilderness Pines in Monticello has been owned by HBMI for more than seven years. In 2013 and 2014, a huge renovation took place, resulting in a newly constructed lodge measuring 80 feet by 120 feet. Also included in the renovation were an in-ground swimming pool and a commercial kitchen. This year the facility has been used for weddings, reunions and company outings. Coffee and refreshments are available anytime.
The red pine forest gives cooling shade to visitors and gentle breezes come from across Conroy Lake. There are six year-round cabins that accommodate two to eight people as well as 50 tent sites and 30 RV sites with water and electricity. There is now a dock and boat launch for kayaks and canoes on the lake for the visitors to use.
Prices are reasonable, for example, a tent site is $10 per day for one to two people or $70 per week and there is a seasonal charge of $1,100. Additional guests run $2 each. RV sites are $30 or $28 per day, depending on location, along with weekly or seasonal rates. Cabins with heat or air conditioning cost $125 per day or $800 per week and there are also monthly charges. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at $10 per day and pets are welcome for a fee. There are also other maintenance charges available.
Conroy Lake is a smallish lake but it is spring fed and in some spots the lake is over 108 feet deep. This makes for ideal fishing opportunities for brook trout and splake. In the year 2017, there will be additional cross-country ski trails to the already existing four miles of trails.
Wilderness Pines is also connected to the main trails for ATVer’s and snowmobilers. The website for Wilderness Pines is wildernesspines.com and the directions to Conroy Lake Road off of the Lake Road in Monticello are there on the website.
