The owner of the Highland Lake Resort is Woody Woodward, a native Mainer. Born in Portland, most of Woody's childhood was spent in Cumberland (a town even smaller than Bridgton). Woody graduated from the University of Southern Maine, where he got his BA in Criminal Justice and Theatre.

Over the years, Woody has had a varied career. He started his first business at the age of 17, and incorporated it at 20. During college, he developed his hobby as a magician into a business, and also worked part-time as a deputy sheriff and police officer. It was then, after he had been diagnosed with arthritis that had actually started in his early teens, that Woody started on a winding path which ended here: from the first male family planning counselor in Maine, to the creator and director of a crime prevention program for a police department, to a full-time professional magician, to owner of a promotional marketing and special events agency, to CEO of the Arthritis Foundation's Maine Chapter.

It was his extensive travel as both an entertainer (performing 175 shows per year) and a CEO that convinced Woody that many motels and inns could use a class in "hospitality". It also gave him a strong understanding of what things are important to travelers, such as cleanliness, comfort, friendly service, and useful amenities.

After 5 years at the helm of the Arthritis Foundation, and after his position was eliminated through a merger of chapters, Woody decided to try his hand at running an inn. He checked out properties in Bethel, Wells, Kennebunkport, and Downeast Maine before deciding upon the former Arey's Highland Lake Resort in Bridgton. Most of the other places were too dependent upon just one season. And the coastal areas seemed to be too hectic-- too "hustle and bustle" -- for his tastes. Since Woody's ideal vacation had always been at a lakefront cottage, he chose this resort to be his home and workplace. He became the owner on July 1, 1997.

In July of 2001, Woody expanded the Resort family when he got married to Dee, a teacher in SAD 61 who has also had extensive experience in both small and large businesses.

In addition to running the Resort, Woody is a two-term member, and current chair, of the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Bridgton, a member of the town's Comprehensive Planning and Economic Develeopment Committees, the Lakes Region Healthy Communities Coalition, the Chamber of Commerce, co-founder of the Bridgton Business Association, past-chair of Bridgton's Pondicherry Days (Olde Tyme Summer Fest) Committee, past-coordinator of the Chamber's Mushers Bowl (the State Champion Sled Dog Races), lay leader of his church, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Maine Innkeepers Association.


THE PEOPLE WHO DO THE HARD WORK

The people truly responsible for the cleanliness and orderliness of the rooms are the housekeeping staff. As with most Maine properties, staffing varies over the different seasons. Often, some of the same people come back for the summer months, while others only work during the winter. All staff members are dedicated to making sure your room is clean and comfortable, and your stay enjoyable. Our ratio of cleaning staff to the number of guest rooms is probably one of the highest in Maine!

THE OFFICAL "HOSTESSES"

Woody runs the resort with the able assistance of Mimosa, his tri-color Maine coon cat. Mimosa has been greeting guests at the resort ever since Woody took over. She is very gentle, declawed, and very affectionate. Even peope who usually don't like cats find her the purrrfect hostess, and those with allergies are surprised that they can tolerate her presence. People who are traveling without their own pets have been known to play with Mimosa for hours.

Also added to the "crew" is Dee's Chinese pug, "Percival" (or "Percy" for short). He can be found wandering around the resort when we take him for a stroll. Of course, he'll try to beg a scrap of food or a kibble from you with his sincere-sounding whimper, "They never FEED me around here!" Don't believe him!!!! Finally, Dee & Woody were "tricked" (yup, she licked their faces and looked at 'em with those big, sad puppy eyes) into adopting ANOTHER pug, Emily! Smaller than her step-brother, Emmie makes up for it with enthusiasm and puppy energy.