KINGFIELD, Maine (STPNS) -- CARRABASSETT VALLEY ?- ?Being here shows what can be accomplished through vision, hard wok and perseverance.? This is what volunteer Board Chairman Bob Peixotto of Maine Huts and Trails said about its founder Larry Warren, of Kingfield, at a MHT ground breaking ceremony for its first hut, located near Poplar Stream Falls.

?Like any good entrepreneur and visionary, he saw the potential to bring the hut-to-hut experience to Maine both as an economic stimulus and as a means to preserve access to special places for Maine people. Over the intervening years, Larry dared to dream big. His vision for Carrabassett Valley evolved into a bold vision to benefit the State of Maine and the western mountain region in particular,? Peixotto said.



On Thursday, Sept. 6, close to 60 people watched Larry Warren, Governor John E. Baldacci, Governor Chief Kirk Francis of the Penobscot Indian Nation and many others celebrate the fact that construction is starting on the first hut of three in the first phase of a dream come true.

Thinking about it for 20-plus years, led to securing land through easements, leases and outright purchases and a fundraising effort to the tune of $5 million in the last couple of years. Construction is now underway and hut number one is expected to be completed by February 2008.

Two more huts will follow by the summer of 2008, to create a four-season, 36-mile, 3-hut destination. Each hut will provide lodging and meals for up to 40 guests per night. This first segment is part of a 180-mile hut-to-hut trail system and recreation corridor that will connect the Bethel area communities to Moosehead Lake. A trail system in the western mountains that will gain national, if not international significance and bring true valued eco-tourism dollars to this region.

According to the organization, the Appalachian Mountain Club?s hut system in New Hampshire generates an estimated $70 million annually for the White Mountain communities. Upon completion, the MHT system is expected to have a $25 to $50 million impact.

?We know of no other hut system in the world that can offer what Maine Huts and Trails will offer,? Peixotto added. The chairman explained that their system will not scale high elevations for extreme hikers like other systems, but rather offer a soft well-groomed trail that meanders along riverbanks and lake shores and takes people and people-powered machines to pristine natural places in a comfortable manner without the pester of navigating through root beds requiring fancy footwork. Maine Huts and Trails will offer trails that allow the passage to be comfortable so visitors to enjoy the bountiful natural world and special places that Maine has to offer.

?Larry?s enthusiasm for Maine Huts and Trails is infectious,? Peixotto explained, ?and I think we?re all here today, because we all caught the bug and we believe.?

The chairman then introduced David Herring, MHT?s Executive Director, and listed his accomplishments and experienced background. ?We truly believe that we hired one of the two or three best qualified people in the country to bring Maine Huts and Trails to life,? Peixotto said in closing.

Herring thanked many including the Penobscot Indian Nation for their relationship and he thanked many supporters and some of the people and organizations that brought MHT to where it is today. ?You truly are the best of what Maine has to offer,? Herring said about Leon and Lisa Gorham.

Applause rang consistently as Herring listed off contributions and then turned it over to the Governor of the State of Maine.

?What?s not too like in this whole project,? Baldacci said. ?You have the beautiful outdoors of Maine, you have a wonderful Board of Directors, you have a terrific community of supporters, you have dedicated workers who are here, you?re involving yourself with the Penobscot Indian Nation and Governor Francis.?

Baldacci commended the group?s effort for developing a means for economic development in a responsible way and exposing some of the great Maine places.

?We have one of the most precious resources anywhere in the world,? Baldacci said.

?You have everything clicking on all cylinders.?

?You?re all doing it. What you are doing today is laying that foundation. So not only can we be happy about doing better in terms of economic development and tourism, but also we can be healthier. I just want to thank you all for what you have done. It?s a tremendous contribution and I whole-heartedly support this project and will work together with you to expand upon this type of development in the State of Maine. This is the 21st century and you?re helping to bring it about. Thank you very much and congratulations,? Baldacci said, consistently appraising the groups effort.

Governor Francis also provided a touching speech and said how he was pleased to be using their land in a manner and forming relationships with people who have the same core values as native people. ?We look forward to working in a positive way with our friends from Carrabassett Valley and this entire region,? Frances said.

A memorable highlight of the event was the soothing beats and lyrics from two members of the Penobscot Indian Nation, as early on they set tone of the event with an amazing musical piece of native Indian character.  

Three shuttle buses brought the spectators and shareholders to and from the remote building site. A majority celebrated the historic date at the close of the groundbreaking ceremony by taking a short hike along a portion of the MHT pathway.

Maine Huts and Trails is expected to be a significant economic engine in western Maine by attracting families, individuals, travel groups and schoolchildren to the area for outdoor recreation opportunities that are consistent with a conservation ethic.

The event concluded with lunch at the organization?s national headquarters in Kingfield.

You can find out more about Maine Huts and Trails by visiting its Web site at www.mainehuts.org or by calling 265-2400.