By: Madison Veilleux

On November 8, 2025, our Undiscovered Maine team took a road trip to Van Buren, one of Maine’s northernmost towns right on the Canadian border, rich with Acadian heritage and small-town charm. I didn’t quite know what to expect going into this only with information I acquired over the internet. Before our arrival I heard Van Buren had struggled over the years but was finding new energy through community-led projects. What we discovered that day was that the town is full of creativity and people who truly care about the town they call “home.”

Our first stop set the tone perfectly, a little bakery in the heart of downtown Van Buren. 

is where we started our day and met with Mr. Luke Dyer, the Town Manager. The smell of fresh, savory Kolaches hit us as soon as we walked in, and behind the counter was Donita, the owner who welcomed us in like old friends. Donita told us she moved to Van Buren from Houston, Texas in 2020. Her goal was to bring a taste of home. The kolache is a soft pastry stuffed with savory fillings, the perfect lunch for comfort. Donitas bakery is more than just a local hangout: it’s part of a creative effort to bring unique businesses to downtown. The Kolache Company is the first success story, and they’re expanding into a bigger building down the street. Once they move, another unique business will take over the current space. 

Rebuilding Downtown

Over lunch, Mr. Dyer shared how Van Buren has slowly but steadily been rebuilding itself. He explained that years ago, the town owned most of the downtown businesses, but over time, many became abandoned. Now, thanks to new grants and a lot of hard work from Mr. Dyer and the community, that’s changing. He’s received over $2 million to renovate the fire station and another $2.6 million for the old municipal building. The historic building, once a very popular entertainment hub, is also being restored, and we even got to peek inside during our visit. They plan to turn the theater into a museum, highlighting the significance it once had on Van Buren’s community. 

What really impressed me was how resourceful Van Buren is. They partner with their Amish neighbors for construction projects, such as building the greenhouses for the . I found this to be a true example of people coming together to make something happen, even with limited resources.

The Secret Sauce: Community Engagement 

As Mr. Dyer talked, one phrase stuck with me: “Community engagement is the secret sauce”. 

He wasn’t exaggerating. Van Buren is full of examples of how people’s enthusiasm can spark real change. When locals showed interest in the pickleball courts on the old ice rink, volunteers made it happen. Just like that, three weeks later they hosted their first tournament and now you’re lucky if you can find an open court to play some afternoon pickleball, there is even talks of building another one.

We also visited a public art project where a local artist, is painting “postage stamp” murals. Small pieces that will come together to form one big picture representing Van Buren. Children are even painting what they want to see in their town’s future. One painted scooters on Main Street, another drew the famous Muskie fishing derby. All of these small efforts, from pickleball courts to murals are building something much bigger, community connection and town pride. 

Looking Ahead

Before leaving Van Buren, we talked about ways we could help. One area that stood out was the . This living history museum will celebrate its 50th anniversary soon. In its early days, volunteers dressed in correlation with the time period and brought Acadian history to life. Over the years, interest has faded, and many of the volunteers are now in their seventies. The potential for growth and Acadian pride is still huge. Experiential tourism is growing, and people love hands-on authentic experiences, interactive tours, cooking classes, and even history walks. The Acadian Village could once again become a major draw for visitors. Van Buren has all the ingredients for success: History, community, and creativity. 

What Van Buren Taught Me

Leaving Van Buren, I felt inspired to say the least. This little town reminded me that revitalization isn’t just about the money or big development goals, it’s all about the people. It’s about folks like Donita, turning her baking passion into a thriving business, about kids painting their dreams on a mural wall, about a group of volunteers building a pickleball court in just three weeks just because they could, and did. Van Buren’s secret sauce really is community engagement, the kind that can turn any challenge into opportunity for growth. If you ever find yourself up North, take the time to visit. Grab a kolache, meet the locals, and see for yourself what a connected, hopeful community looks like. 

Plan Your Visit:Van Buren, Maine

Don’t Miss:

The post Discovering Van Buren: Revitalizing a Northern Maine Gem appeared first on Undiscovered Maine.

SEED stands for sustainable ecosystem economic development. The model provides a framework for remote rural communities to work collaboratively with various stakeholder groups, including government agencies, businesses, non-profits, and education/academia, to name a few. It assists such communities in developing and maintaining healthy, sustainable, and thriving economies and ecosystems.

To implement the model, our student club served as a facilitator, connector, and consultant. We organized a stakeholder summit, mapped the local small business ecosystem, built capacities and expertise – both internally and externally – and leveraged knowledge, resources, and expertise from our stakeholders. The overall goal was to promote nature-based tourism and support the revitalization efforts of the Town of Fort Fairfield.

We were fortunate that the terrific town manager of was willing to work with us.  We were also fortunate that a wonderful group of stakeholders from Federal agencies (, ) State agencies (, , , /), for profit businesses (, ), and a non-profit () took time from their incredibly busy schedules to work with and help the project!

We first did our “due diligence” in researching everything we could related to Fort Fairfield with a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis to be knowledgeable as consultants. We then had an initial information session with our stakeholder partners so that we could get to know each other and understand the core competencies that each person brought to the table.  Our visit to Fort Fairfield with the town manager in February was COLD but very valuable. The experience of seeing the town, how beautiful it is, and learning about the history and culture was phenomenal.  We even had the amazing experience of see at least a dozen bald eagles at the transfer station!

After presenting our initial research and reflections to the team, the town manager proposed his two major goals for revitalization:
  1. Leverage the Aroostook River and other existing nature-based assets to increase local usage and bring more visitors to Fort Fairfield.
  2. Focus on entrepreneurship and small business development for town revitalization. 

We met with our stakeholder team several times during the project for their expertise, resources and guidance. The town manager also worked with some of the stakeholders independently for help with grants and other potential resources.

At the end of the year, we presented the town manager and stakeholder team with deliverables to match the goals:
  1. To leverage the existing nature-based assets, we created a web site to showcase unique, fun activities leveraging the Aroostook river, other nature-based assets, unique cultural aspects such as the local Amish community and more.  We also leveraged the surrounding towns to provide visitors with a wide variety of activities, dining, lodging, shops and services.  Please take a look at the website! 
  2. For revitalization via entrepreneurship and small business development, we did two innovation sessions and a resource creation session to develop a system for the town manager to use. The idea bank was designed to help with entrepreneurship. The resource bank led to the creation of the process system for small business/entrepreneurship development. 

At the end of the academic year, did the project work?

YES!  We met several times each semester with our stakeholder team where they provided thoughtful, valuable information and insights to help us progress with the project. They also were available to the Fort Fairfield town manager to help him with specific resources in areas like grants for town revitalization, planning assistance and other needed resources. The key to this well-functioning ecosystem was the engagement and involvement of everyone, where we communicated well and everyone felt comfortable discussing issues, providing thoughts, suggestions, and resources both during full meetings and privately. Being able to talk, share ideas, and build upon each others competencies and knowledge created synergy; added value and innovation from the combined expertise of the different stakeholders. 

The SEED (sustainable ecosystem economic development) approach appears to be a viable model for economic development, especially in small rural towns. 

The post SEED Economic Development Project with Fort Fairfield appeared first on Undiscovered Maine.

Us Mainers experienced a couple of pretty bad storms over the past week, resulting in quite a few power outages. Certainly not ideal given the current situation, but nearly everyone is now back on track, and life is starting to somewhat return to normal. Thank you to all of our lineworkers for working day and night tirelessly to get our power back!

This week, we would like to take a look at the beautiful town of Lubec!

Lubec is located on the far eastern side of the state, just across the bay from Eastport. Settled in the late 18th century, a petition was sent to the government of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1811. Following that, the area was invaded by the British, and Eastport was under their rule for several years.

Prior to the war, embargoes were placed on trade with Britain and France. In a complex interplay of international relations, the embargo bill allowed for trade with any nation that did not have embargoes on U.S. products. France then eased restrictions on U.S. products but not on British products. Britain then stated that they would still prevent U.S. trade so long as France prevented work with Britain, which they were at war with at the time. Naturally, this did not happen until later on. Trade with Britain remained stagnant.

This had a tremendous economic impact on Lubec’s development, and the smuggling of products such as gypsum, an important ingredient in a vast array of products, became common. This was fueled by the close proximity of British land just across Cobscook Bay. Commerce began to expand in Lubec once Eastport was returned to the United States, and several mills popped up throughout the area. By the end of the 19th century, shipbuilding was a major industry.

Until the late 20th century, herring packing was an important local industry. Unfortunately, as outsourcing and lower demand became more common, the last sardine cannery in Lubec closed in 2001.

Lubec has a deep connection to the neighboring Campobello Island in New Brunswick, Canada. With bridge access, the island has become a wonderful retreat for many. Included among those is President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who frequented his summer home there from 1909 until the 1920s. His presidency usually kept him too busy to stay at the cottage at that time, however.

Today, Lubec is a cozy seaside town with plenty of places to eat, stay, and shop. With stunning views of the sheer cliffs of Grand Manan Island, reminiscent of Prince Edward Island, Lubec is the perfect place to meditate and reflect on not only humanity’s dependence on land but our deep connection and relationship to the sea. Check out the Lubec section of our website for a list of great things to do while you visit! Lubec makes a perfect day trip!

The post April 17, 2020 Lubec appeared first on Undiscovered Maine.

Maine is filled with so many hidden gems just waiting to be discovered! The focus of this blog post will be the town of Kingfield, out in our western focus area.

Kingfield has a rich history and is of great cultural significance to this part of the state; the locals cherish the surrounding mountain ranges and the Carrabassett Valley. Kingfield itself dates back to the early 19^th century. Founded in the year 1816, it was originally part of Massachusetts. William King, who would go on to be the first governor of Maine, bought the land that would later become Kingfield.

As the locals would be proud to state, the famous Stanley family was one of the first in the area; his lineage would come to be known as the inventors of the Stanley Steamer automobile in the early 20^th century. As the name suggests, the vehicle was an early steam-powered automobile that, while a revolutionary design at the time, quickly fell flat due to the rising availability and impressive power of gasoline-powered automobiles. Despite this, the Stanley steam-powered automobile to this day is a testament to green energy being put into practice.

One of the more notable local attractions is Sugarloaf Mountain, which started development in the 1950s. A group of locals began creating a trail on what is now Sugarloaf, originally wanting to make the slope on a different mountain. The other mountain overlooked what would then become Flagstaff Lake, an artificial lake that flooded the town of Flagstaff around the same time. The creation of the lake forced the group to reconsider where the slope would be built. Today, Sugarloaf is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country, and people visit from all over the world to ski down its breathtaking slopes.

Kingfield is home to a fantastic heritage tied to the environment in which the town thrives. Though it is a small town of just over 1,000 people, its residents welcome visitors to experience the serene beauty of the valley. The autumn foliage is truly a sight to behold, with stunning views from up high and in the valley. While visiting, be sure to stop by any of the various restaurants and shops in the area! The people of Kingfield share a deep connection with the area, a bond that cannot easily be broken; ask someone about what the spirit of the area is about, and you will no doubt hear a captivating story!

~A.S.

The post March 9, 2020 Kingfield appeared first on Undiscovered Maine.

While we still have a good two months left of winter before the spring season comes about, now is as good a time as ever to plan spring trips to get out of the house and shake off the winter blues! Head up to Aroostook County and stop by beautiful Van Buren!

Van Buren, a small town of just over 2,000 people, enjoys stunning views of the St. John river. Located just this side of the Canadian border from Saint Leonard, New Brunswick, Van Buren has a rich history spanning centuries and countries. Originally part of British-settled area in what is now New Brunswick, the settlement became part of Maine out of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. Signed in 1842, it settled the border dispute between Great Britain and the United States of America in the area that is now Aroostook County. Previously called Violette Brook, it then became Van Buren Plantation, named after the 8th President of the United States, Martin Van Buren.

Van Buren was home to mills and factories in the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad had made its way to the area. The railroad allowed for more significant movement of goods and people from the southern part of the state. In 1881, the town was incorporated as the Town of Van Buren.

Van Buren celebrates its rich Acadian history widely. A museum of preserved Acadian houses forms a settlement available to visit by the public. The settlement aims to exemplify what life was like when Acadians lived in the area; many of their descendants still live in town and the surrounding areas!

Today, about three-quarters of the population of the town still speak French casually. While not a large town, it has much to offer for those who know where to look. If you are staying overnight, offers comfortable and clean lodging.  provides comfort food to make one really feel at home. At night, if you’re lucky, you might see the northern lights dancing across the sky. Bathing the area in flows of green and pink, the auroras tie the area together in a blanket of wonder and awe.

Inevitably one will find themselves gazing across the St. John, admiring the sheer beauty of this area that so many call home. It isn’t hard to see that those on both sides of the river have a lot in common; a shared history, livelihood, and pride in locality, despite the national border.

The post February 20, 2020 Van Buren appeared first on Undiscovered Maine.

Now that all of our Undiscovered Maine team is back from winter break, the semester is in full swing and we have work to do! We will be continuing to find new hidden gems and undiscovered places to feature on our website. We would like to welcome a few new team members to the group, Avery, Allison, and Colby!

Today, we are focusing on Deer Isle. Located on the western side of our Downeast focus area, Deer Isle is home to a couple of small towns that are packed full of hidden gems and interesting places! The island is actually made up of two smaller islands (Little Deer Isle and Deer Isle) and is connected to the mainland by the Deer Isle Bridge. Built in 1939, it is one of the few remaining suspension bridges in the state. Prior to the bridge being opened, a ferry was in use to carry people and supplies to and from the island.

On the island, the towns of Deer Isle and Stonington are home to about 3,000 people, forming a closely-knit community. The island is highly nature-oriented, attracting artists from all corners of the globe to draw inspiration for their work. Deer Isle is also known worldwide for the granite that is quarried there. It has been used to build a number of bridges in New York City and is even a major part of the John F. Kennedy Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. It was used in building foundations for houses as well, before the widespread use of concrete and cement foundations.

There are a number of art galleries, restaurants, lodging options, and sightseeing points to experience here! If you are feeling adventurous, be sure to hike some of the nature preserves that the island has to offer. The Lighthouse Trail acts as a self-guided tour of the beautiful lighthouses that adorn the multitude of small islands surrounding the main island. As for lodging, try the Pilgrim’s Inn, a historic bed and breakfast dating back to 1793.

Next time you find yourself looking for a little getaway, check out Deer Isle! There is something for everybody, and it is perfect for a weekend away from home.

~A.S.

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Happy New Year to everyone! Now that we are in a new decade, now is as good a time as any other new year to get out and explore some of Maine’s hidden gems! Winter break has been upon us students here at the 91±¬ÁĎ for a while now. Many of us are scattered around the state, having fun with winter activities outside!

This winter has been relatively mild, but we have had quite a steady flow of winter storms, many of which have been a messy mix of snow and rain. Winter has only just started, though, and hopefully, we will have some good blizzards for those who enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing!

In our first post of 2020, we will focus on the beautiful town of Easton. Many people may be familiar with the larger towns of Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle nearby. Easton, though smaller, still has much to offer a visitor! First, some facts about the town:

• With just short of 1,300 residents, it’s a great place to be if you crave local connections!
• It’s situated only a short distance from the border with Canada, offering convenient international travel.
• Originally called the Fremont Plantation in the year 1856.
• Home to two mills.

Easton hosts beautiful scenery sure to please the eye of even the most seasoned rural dweller. Like many other Aroostook County towns, potato farming is a staple to the area, helping not only to fuel the starch factory but to provide people all across the state and beyond with delicious, famous Maine potatoes for many decades. Continuing on the potato note, McCain Foods is one of the world’s largest producers of frozen potato products. Though their headquarters are in Canada, their largest frozen storage facility is in Easton.

Because of the convenient location of Easton, it is located within easy distance of several larger towns, though everything that one might need is located right within the town itself. Check out the , where you can roam through miles of beautiful forest! Woodworking is a craft cherished by many in Easton, and the Amish community excels at it! Visit a number of different locations, including Gingrich Woodworks, Up Country Furniture, and Handcrafted Quality Furniture! Websites don’t exist for these places, but be sure to look for addresses here on our website, in the Fort Fairfield/Easton Shops and Services section.

From all of us at Undiscovered Maine and the Maine Business School, Happy New Year and we wish everyone well!

-A.S.

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Today was a noticeably warmer day than yesterday, and the last rainstorm we had melted away almost all of the snow in most parts of the state. One of the exciting things about Maine, though, is that one area can be completely barren of snow while another area might have several feet!

Today, the Stratton-Eustis area will be the focus of our blog! Western Maine is an adventurer’s dream, with rolling mountains with breathtaking ledge formations. Hiking, skiing, and camping are just some of this area’s strengths.

Maine Huts and Trails offers a sprawling placement of lodges that one can hike to. Throughout the entire Maine Huts and Trails system, there are four lodges with surrounding cabins for hikers to stay in. Each main lodge offers a common area for trekkers to socialize, eat food, or access amenities like bathrooms and showers. The organization prides itself on using green technology such as solar panels, wood burners that have drastically-reduced waste output, and composting toilets!

For those who like food, there are several options! Some of these include the Coplin Dinner House, which makes home-cooked food for visitors who can eat in the dining room of an old house. In the main village, the Backstrap Cafe specializes in sandwiches. They have some of the best fries around!

In the history department, Flagstaff Lake is a point of interest. Originally a river, it was dammed off to create a man-made lake. That was back in the 1950s, and even today, one can still find remnants of what used to be the town of Flagstaff. The town used to sit where the lake currently is. Everyone who lived in town had to relocate, with a few structures being relocated to nearby Stratton. Today, many house foundations can still be found just under the water’s surface! Pieces of silverware and china, as well as stumps from old backyard trees, are also commonly found.

The post December 13, 2019 Stratton-Eustis appeared first on Undiscovered Maine.

Looking forward to the warmer months, why not check out the eastern part of the state? Eastern Maine is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.

The small, unassuming town of Cutler may not come to mind to many people when they think of Maine, but it offers so much for the adventurous types out there! The is a 6.6-mile long trail that takes you through beautiful woodlands, scenic views of Maine’s famous ledgy coast, and even marshland; it’s considered to be on the more advanced side, so exercise some caution.

For a more leisurely hike, try the Bog Brook Cove – Norse Pond trail, located in the Bog Brook Cove Preserve. It offers equally-stunning ocean views and is excellent for hiking and snowshoeing.

The is a gold mine of facts for historically-inclined people. Built-in 1847, the lens has been updated, and it is now run by solar panels rather than oil. In 2001, a relighting ceremony was held to honor those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks on September 11th. The original granite keeper’s house was demolished in the late 19th century, and a recently-renovated wooden house was built shortly after.

For the inner tourist in all of us, offers boat rides around , home of Maine’s largest puffin colony!

The post December 12, 2019 Cutler appeared first on Undiscovered Maine.

Over the last few days, the northeastern part of the United States was bombarded by a very large cyclonic system, which in Maine, we call “nor’easters.” Some places in the state received up to a foot or more of snow, indeed the first taste of winter.

Just because winter is on our doorstep doesn’t mean outdoor fun is over! Maine has so much to offer for outdoor sports and adventures in the winter. From snowmobiling and snowshoeing to hiking and ice fishing, there’s no excuse to come down with a case of cabin fever.

Winter is a time to enjoy the outdoors just as much as any other season in Maine, with a noticeable lack of bugs as a bonus. Check out skiing in the Carrabassett Valley area, whether cross-country or downhill. Or maybe enjoy a hot cup of coffee at one of the lodges of Maine Huts and Trails!

Regardless, Maine wouldn’t be Maine without integrating snow into our culture. Check out this photo of a snow person named after former the United States Senator Olympia Snowe.

Western Maine is known for its winter sports; head on over to that part of our website to find the perfect activity for you this week!

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