About Tours of Lubec and Cobscook
Tours of Lubec and Cobscook is part of APPLE, the Association to Promote and Protect the Lubec Environment. APPLE is a non-profit corporation in the State of Maine, with 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS. It was formed in 2005 to promote and protect environmentally sound tourism and economic development in the Lubec area; environment to include historic, cultural, ecological and economic conditions and infuences. Tours of Lubec and Cobscook is the first strategy towards fulfilling our mission. Local people as guides share their pride in the history and culture of this unique and beautiful area.
In 2008 we are starting a new venture to further promote the Lubec area. With a grant from the Maine Community Foundation Washington County Fund we are renovating a room in the Lubec Historical Society to be a Lubec tourist welcome and information center. You will now find us at 135 Main Street as you enter Lubec, where you will be greeted with a friendly smile and a room chock-full of brochures, maps and area information.
Donations are welcome to help us work toward our purpose. We accept donations of any denomination by check or online through PayPal, where you may use your major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover).
APPLE abides by this definition of ecotourism from the International Ecotourism Society:
"Responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."
- Minimize impact
- Build environment and cultural awareness and respect
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- Raise sensitivity to host's political, environmental, and social climate
APPLE Board of Directors
- Ruta Jordans, President
- Debra Ayala, Secretary
- Suzette Francis, Treasurer
- Jody Grimes
- Sheila Huckins
- John Shoemaker
We are grateful to the New Century Community Program, the Maine Humanities Council, the Washington Hancock Community Agency, the Downeast Business Alliance, Washington County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation, Downeast and Acadia Regional Tourism (DART) for a subgrant from the Maine Tourism Marketing Partnership Program, and the Lubec Area Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Project for their supportive grants.
Our thanks to previous board members for their contributions: Susan Boutin, Melissa Lee, Eleody Libby, Jennifer Multhopp, Suzanne Saunders, TJ Goetting, and Wanda Matthews, and to Chessie Johnson for our inaugural website and her beautiful photographs.
"Lubec ... not easy to get to, but hard to forget."
