Owner of Maine inn holds essay contest to select new owner

LOVELL, Maine (AP) - A woman who won a Maine country inn in an essay writing contest more than two decades ago wants to give it away in the same manner.

Janice Sage is asking prospective owners of the Center Lovell Inn and Restaurant to persuade her why they should have the opportunity take over the facility in 200 words or less.

Sage tells The Boston Globe (http://bit.ly/18uzXJm ) she wants to retire after 22 years of 17-hour days of pleasing guests, cooking, cleaning and just maintaining the 210-year-old building.

Sage expects more than 7,500 entries. At $125 per entry, the total could end up surpassing the inn's estimated $900,000 value.

She will pick the best 20 entries by May 17 and pass them to two anonymous judges, who will select a winner by May 21.