Win a $900,000 B&B in Maine by entering this essay contest
If you have great loathing for our monetary system, an unusual reverence for good writing, and interest in purchasing a $900,000 bed and breakfast for just $125 – or even just one of the three – listen up: A kind and inspired woman you've never heard of has news that could change your life.
Janice Sage, owner and innkeeper of the Center Lovell Inn and Restaurant in southwestern Maine, is giving away her property, legally and indefinitely, to the winner of an essay contest. Yes, an essay contest.
So long as you make an eloquent case for yourself as Sage's successor in 200 words or fewer, and hand over the $125 application fee ($625 cheaper than a Hungarian village) by May 17, it is at least possible that you, random internet patron, will own a 200-year-old, 7-guestroom B&B in Maine's beautiful Lake District this summer. Here, again, is the link to the contest page.
Parameters for your B&B-winning essay, (exactly) per the contest rules:
- Consist of a formal essay of 200 words or less in English
- Shall be typed or computer printed, double spacing; However, legibly hand-written entries will be accepted
- One side of white 8 ½ by 11 paper shall be used
- Entrant’s name and address shall not appear on the essay
- The essay shall be securely attached as noted
- The essay shall be accompanied by two self-addressed stamped envelopes, which shall be used first for acknowledgement of receipt of the entry, and a second for name of the winner or a refund as stated in Rule #3.
Clearly, the question is not whether you should enter, because you should, but instead, why would Sage do this? The Center Lovell Inn has been valued at $905,000 and it has been the object of 22 years' worth of her presumably deep affection. It is almost definitely haunted, but for $125 and maybe an hour at your desk? Even the spookiest of ghosts could not soften that value.
As it turns out, her motives are in line with the property's, and her own, history. Back in 1993, Janice Sage won the Center Lovell Inn in – you guessed it – a similarly styled (but $25 cheaper) essay contest run by the owner preceding her, and now with retirement looming, she wants to pay it forward. It's worth noting that 7,500 submissions that's she's targeting would yield $937,500 worth of submission fees, but hey, it's still an amazing idea.
Let us know if you win, and if not, don't get too down. You can always win a free trip to Europe instead.