Whited Motorhome & RV: Icons of the open road By Rich Livingston Freelance Writer/Photographer
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tow-behind camper delivered to your favorite campsite can provide your family with an affordable, dependable vacation home for much less than you might expect. A big, Class-A diesel pusher motorhome, fully equipped with such amenities as 40” plasma TVs, convection ovens, Corian counters, washers and
dryers, lets you roam the countryside at will, to follow the concert or racing circuits, or to follow the weather, wherever you like. Whited Motorhome and RV Center, on Hotel Road in Auburn, celebrates its ninth year with millions of dollars of new inventory, and an open house with refreshments and specials on parts and service. “This is already shaping up as the recovery year for the RV industry,” said Whited General Manager Gary Mynahan. “There’s pent-up demand from
people who have postponed their purchase, and they’re ready, now. There are great new financing options in place, both from local Maine financial institutions and from national sources. Whited is in terrific shape, with lots of RVs arriving every week. “Diversification helps, for sure,” Mynahan explained. “And, we’re diversifying the RV line this year, too: we’re now an officially authorized Winnebago dealer – from small, Class-C gasoline models, vans, and up to Class-A gasoline models, too. That’s in addition to the big diesel Tiffin, Fleetwood and Forest River motorhomes and the tow-able travel trailers we’re known for.” Adding Winnebago to the Ford and Peterbilt trucks the company also represents means that Whited now offers three of the most iconic American brands on the road. “Shopping for an RV is like buying a home,” Mynahan said, “and so it helps that we have people – like Scott Lewis and Bill Strauss –
Because Whited’s RV business is affiliated with the larger, heavytruck business next door, the company didn’t experience the full extent of the recent downturn.
who have been part of this industry for more than 15 years. It’s an educational process, and people like to take their time. And we make it fun, too. It’s a kid-friendly place, because kids need to be a big part of the decision process, and they really enjoy exploring all the nooks and crannies,” he added. The Web site – www.whitedrv.com – provides direct access to the entire Whited inventory, lets you browse options, pricing, parts, and learn how to take advantage of the RV experience.
Whited Motorhome & RV
2160 Hotel Road, Auburn, Maine 1-800-235-3613
Martindale Country Club opens its doors and links By Rich Livingston Freelance Writer
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fter nearly 90 years as, arguably, the preeminent social and golfing club in the Lewiston-Auburn area, Martindale Country Club opens its doors – and its links – to the general public in a semi-private nature. Co-owners Jim Day and Nick Glicos (who also serves as director of golf) have committed to making every aspect of the Martindale experience as rewarding as possible, for both members and guests alike. The main dining hall, refurbished along with the rest of the clubhouse, remains available for weddings, business meetings, and all sorts of private functions, with exceptional menu options. The public is also invited to dine in the popular Grille Room, where there is also an ambitious new menu. General manager Mike Williams said, “We expect the new Martindale to be one of the great dining experiences in Lewiston-
Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Saturday, April 10, 2010
Auburn. Fresh ingredients, innovative dishes, and moderate prices are evident on the new menus. This will be a destination for everyone, not just golfers. We really want everyone to treat Martindale’s ‘Grill Nineteen’ like they would any other fine restaurant in town.” Martindale remains, foremost, a golf facility. “We want everyone – members, guests, and the general public – to simply have fun here and enjoy the exceptionally conditioned golf course, superb food and beverage facility, and professional atmosphere,” said Glicos, who has a distinguished 20-year career in Maine golf and is president of the Maine chapter of the New England PGA. “Jim and I are really committed to Martindale long-term,” Glicos said. “Jim is an exceptional businessman and has extensive experience in food and beverage, real estate development, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the operation. Jim has been a member of Martindale for many years and is very active in the community. For he and I to operate Martindale together is very exciting. I think our skills complement each other and we have worked closely on improving the club’s facilities and operations. “The keys to success at Martindale will be close professional management, both in the
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restaurant and on the golf course,” Glicos asserted. Day and Glicos have brought in certified CGSA, Scott Cybulski, as their new golf course superintendent, one of only three certified golf course superintendents in the state of Maine. Cybulski had served the past 15 seasons at the Falmouth Country Club. “Scott is one of the state’s top superintendents without question. His work over the years at Falmouth demonstrates this. Maine golf has been given a nice head start by Mother Nature this spring,” Glicos said. “The course came through the winter in amazingly good condition, and players should have a great experience right from the start. All 18 greens are in super shape to start the year. We have a number of on-course upgrades, that will take place throughout the season, that will be evident to everyone playing here this year.” Players will also find an entirely new fleet of golf carts in place, another sign of how things are changing. There are leagues for men, women, and couples. Women who are not members of the club are invited to play in leagues and it is not necessary to commit to the entire season. They can play once, once in awhile, or as often as they like. Tee times for the ninehole league will be between 4 to 5 p.m. on
PR FILE 2010
Mondays, starting on May 17. Those playing will also be able to enjoy golf lessons, weekly games, wine tastings: “It’s all about having fun,” said Glicos. Membership has its privileges, too, including a full tournament schedule, preferred tee times, billing privileges, discounts on lessons and club services, as well as a number of social functions throughout the year. “The membership is enthusiastic about the outcome of the sale of the club,” Glicos said. “We’re really excited about bringing them a great product and service. The public is welcome at select times each day. The cost of membership has gone down considerably and we expect that 75% of our play will be derived from our members. But it is a whole new experience, and we really want everyone to be able to enjoy this wonderful facility.”
Martindale Country Club 527 Beech Hill Rd., Auburn 782-9074 www.martindalecc.com
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