Homestead Lodge’s new owners expanding services
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
OXBOW — New owners Glen and Ann Kleinfelter are looking to expand services at the Homestead Lodge and Medicine Wheel Bison Farm, through added guest rooms, more menu options, added amenities and more. To mark the change in ownership, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, Nov. 14, hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce.
Staff photos/Kathy McCarty
ANN AND GLEN KLEINFELTER are the new owners of the Homestead Lodge in Oxbow. The Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony during an open house Friday, Nov. 14, to mark the transition. Pictured from left, in from, are: CACC member Bonnie Pack; owners Ann and Glen Kleinfelter; Tristan Libby, manager; Judy Sherman, owner of Deep in the Woods Gift Shop of Oxbow; and CACC member Sarah Brooks. In back: CACC member Floyd Rockholt; Theresa Fowler, executive director, CACC; and open house guests Diane and Warren Bullock; Bill and Joyce Whipple; Bruce Junkins; Paul and Judy Gray; Joan and Donald Whipple.
A LARGE DINING ROOM, featuring two long tables, provides guests of the Homestead Lodge a spectacular view of the area, including the pasture — complete with a herd of grazing buffalo. The Oxbow business is open year-round, for snowmobilers, hunters and anyone looking for a perfect site for a getaway.
BIG WILLY grazes in the pasture, with his herd in the background, outside the Homestead Lodge in Oxbow. The business features organic grass-fed buffalo on the menu, as well as other dining options.
“We’re looking to attract snowmobilers to our restaurant experience. We’ll be open Wednesday through Sunday. We have a restaurant in our campground in Pennsylvania which does very well and think this one will here too,” said Glen, who was born and raised in Pennsylvania, as was his wife.
He said the facility has served hunters and snowmobilers for years, something he looks forward to continuing, in addition to expanding services for other groups and individuals.
“We already have two couples booked for February and had one couple, who were hunters, honeymoon here this fall,” he said.
The couple have made a number of improvements already but plan to do more as time allows.
“We have eight full baths; I added a facility downstairs to give hunters a better chance to get cleaned up, rather than have to wait. I’m a plumber by trade, so that saved money,” said Glen.
In addition to being open to clients, the diner area is open to the public during the day as well.
“We’re open to the general public — gives the neighbors a place to come have coffee and shoot the breeze,” he said. “For general dining, we prefer people make reservations but we won’t turn folks away if they stop in. We’ll try to accommodate them.”
“We can always whip up soup or a sandwich. We won’t send anyone away hungry,” added Ann. “Larger meals take more preparation, so a reservation is preferred.”
She said they’ve added a cooler in the dining area specifically for the benefit of their guests.
“During hunting season, the cooler is open to hunters to get something to drink free. We also have coffee and iced tea. It’s something they can take out hunting,” said Ann.
Glen said the menu will include buffalo — raised on site — as well as steak and other options.
“We have chicken tenders and will add items based on what demand is,” said Glen.
“We both have our food service licenses,” noted Ann.
Both are avid hunters, with Glen also being a registered Maine guide.
“Ann’s working on her license to guide. We’ve hunted moose, deer, bear, etc.,” he said.
“We enjoy being around people. That’s what we like about our campground in Pennsylvania and what attracted us to the lodge,” said Ann.
The couple are busy making plans for future renovations.
“The bunk room upstairs, which also has an outside entrance, has 10 beds; we’ll be splitting that into smaller rooms. We want to make sure people don’t have to bunk with strangers. What we’re looking to do is a compilation of all the places we’ve liked and change the things we didn’t like about other places we’ve stayed,” she said. “We want to make sure to have double beds in all bedrooms and there’ll be electric blankets for each.”
Currently the facility features eight bedrooms, plus the big bunk room.
“We plan to subdivide the sitting room and will install double beds. The lodge is a little homier than a hotel,” Ann said. “Some rooms feature bunks — twin on top and double on bottom — which are great for families who want to stay together in the same room.”
Ann said the renovated sitting room will provide handicap-accessible accommodations downstairs.
“We’ll be installing a ramp outside as well,” she said.
She said planning for guests’ meals has been streamlined.
“The previous owners used to have staff take orders. We’ve implemented a questionnaire. Guests fill them out when they arrive or in advance of arrival, noting any allergies they may have, special needs, etc. They can choose from a list of food options, from buffalo burgers to chicken tenders,” said Ann. “We enjoy sitting down with clients during meals, getting to know more about them and sharing stories.”
Guests can eat in the private dining areas or grab a meal in one of the booths in the restaurant side of the business.
“We try to make sure the accommodations and food are good — give you the best of what we have control over,” Ann said, noting about the only thing they can’t control is the weather and hunting conditions.
A major attraction at Homestead Lodge is the organic and grass-fed buffalo herd.
“In the spring we’ll have about 40, including babies. We’ll be increasing the herd and have joined the Eastern Bison Association. We currently have 10 breeding cows and Big Willy (the bull). We want 10 more fore more breeding cows. We cull the males and the daughters first — don’t want to breed Willy with his offspring. I’m big on research. You have to get upper-end if you want breeding cows,” said Ann, whose husband is a farrier and tends to their own horses in Pennsylvania.
“We’d like to increase the herd to sell meat and possibly offer a buffalo hunt,” said Glen.
The facility features a cafe style dining area, making it a great stop for snowmobilers.
“We’ll be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday for snowmobilers, Monday and Tuesday by reservation. We’ll feature different cuisines, including cheesesteak hoagies and steaks,” said Glen.
The couple plan to travel back and forth between businesses. In their absence, Tristan Libby will oversee the facility.
The couple want to broaden people’s view of the business, noting it’s much more than a hunting lodge.
“We want to push the restaurant to snowmobilers and hunters and promote the lodge in general. We’re more than a hotel; guests have the run of the house, except the third floor where we live. He rest of the premises is open to guests. Where else can you get a room for the night and a complete breakfast, not just coffee and a donut, with full guide services — all under one roof?” said Glen. Additional meals can be paid for separately or added into the price of the stay.
“We’re just steps away from the Aroostook River for flyfishing and canoeing; the entrance to the North Maine Woods is just up the road. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s dream,” he said.
He noted the lodge is also ideal for retreats, family gatherings and more.
“It’s a great spot for weddings or anniversaries, bridal and bachelor parties, birthday celebrations and business retreats. We’re just a reservation away from making your event memorable,” said Glen.
“Wi-fi and cell service are available on site. We accept credit cards and have a card-reading gas pump in the near future,” said Glen.
For more information, call 435-6357, email homesteadlodge@gmail.com, visit homesteadlodgemaine.com or look for them on Facebook.
