Cyndi Robbins inducted into the Maine Tourism Association Hall of Fame
2018 Hall of Fame Award Winner
This year's Hall of Fame Award will be presented to Cyndi Robbins, Owner of Poland Spring Resort and Cyndi's Dockside Restaurant.
About Cyndi Robbins:
Cyndi (Sievert) Robbins started her hospitality career at 16 when she began working as a waitress at Poland Spring during her junior year at Lewiston High School. She knew immediately that she was at the place she wanted to stay, loving the extraordinary history and the people of Poland Spring. She had moved with her parents to Maine, by way of Chicago, New York, Michigan, Chicago, and Tupelo Mississippi.
A year later, Mel Robbins leased the hotel, and two years after they married. Cyndi has worked in pretty much every job at Poland Spring. In the early years, she was a waitress, short order cook, food and beverage manager and later on the head chef, and supervised housekeeping, and maintenance. Mel was the entertainer, marketing, and the front of the house manager.
In 1982, the Robbins bought the resort and began the restoration of Poland Spring. Starting with the Maine Inn, they restored the other 31 buildings as well as the historic golf course. In 1997, Mel was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Cyndi had to move out of her comfort zone to handle the front of the house. Although Mel died in 2007, she, with her Poland Spring Family, has continued to improve the grounds and buildings.
In 2008, Cyndi’s Dockside Restaurant a lakeside restaurant with boat rental was added to the resort. Also that year, the "Gems of 26" a collaboration with Maine Wildlife Park, Sabbathday Day Shaker Village, Poland Spring Water, Poland Spring Preservation Society, and McLaughlin Gardens was organized. In 2010, Poland Spring further expanded its amenities by building Fenn Park with driving range, disc golf, mini golf and an ice cream shop. With the opening of the Oxford Casino only 6 1/2 miles away, the Lodge at Poland Spring was restored to a year round hotel offering more year round jobs.
Mel believed it was very important to say thank you to your community and Cyndi has continued that legacy. For forty years, they have given 100 turkeys to the Poland Food Bank for area families as well as a number of other contributions to the charity. A firm support of the Poland Fire and Rescue, she hosts an Annual Fundraising Dinner for Poland Fire Rescue and helped with a golf course tournament to help the department raise thousands of dollars annually.
Following Mel’s death, she joined the Androscoggin Home Care Hospice board for nine years, and is chairman of their largest fundraiser, Autumn Night Out. Last year this event raised over $100,000. After 9/11, Maine servicemen and women have enjoyed free vacation at Poland Spring. Annually, she works with the Maine Military Family Assistant Office and last year 240 nights were given.
Cyndi is currently on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Shaker Village, Treasurer of Golf Me which promotes Maine golf, a director of LA Metro Chamber, Vice President of the Poland Spring Preservation Society and Chairman of the Poland Community Economic Development Committee.
She continues to be an event coordinator, bartender, hostess, bookkeeper, reservationist, and whatever needed to keep Poland Spring operating smoothly. She enjoys her friends and family, painting, playing with her four cocker spaniels, and entertaining.