Want to play in my backyard? Becoming a Bangor Greeter By Katy England edge staff greeter kengland@themaineedge.com BANGOR – Familiarity can breed contempt, but not for me. Becoming familiar with the Greater Bangor Area has been awesome. I may be from away, but as the saying goes, "I got here as soon as I could." And I love it here. The goal of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau is not only to bring people to Maine, but also to make sure that they have a good time. The CVB wanted to tap into a valuable resource that no guidebook can contain – the local populace – and have them share their knowledge and experience with visitors from away. About nine people participated in the Bangor Greeter's Training program at the CVB on Wednesday, June 24; one person at the 12 noon training and eight at the 5 p.m. training – all women. Ages varied from millennials to baby boomers to seasoned citizens – all wanting to share different aspects of the area they love. "I have a unique perspective on what's fun to do," said Gretchen Schaefer, who attended the training. "Especially if you have kids." The project is the brainchild of Maureen Waltz, who had been working on the greeter program up until her unexpected death. Kerrie Tripp, executive director of the CVB, promised that Waltz's vision would become a reality. Six months later, it's finally coming to fruition. The volunteers will man the information kiosk in the airport, greet visitors and tell them about fun events in the area, great places to eat, outdoor activities and more. The greeters are there to make sure visitors have the best time possible – and not all visitors are from away. "The state has been on a 'staycation' kick," said Tripp. "[Mainers have been] talking to people in surrounding communities and getting them to participate in things in their area." The idea is part socializing and part sharing what you like about the area, something that Tripp and Angel Matson, the visitor services coordinator, both enjoy. "I have to avoid going to the airport when I know flights are coming in because I love talking to people too much," said Matson. The Greeters will be identified by a bright, yellow button that reads, "Ask me, I live here." If you're interested in volunteering to be a Bangor Greeter visit, www.bangormaine.org or call 1-800-91-MOOSE.