🔒A sense of place

I recall the dread I felt as I entered the assisted living facility my mother-in-law had moved into when her advancing Alzheimer's became too difficult for family to manage. My only point of reference for those kinds of places had been nursing homes — those drab, utilitarian warehouses where people waited to die. I couldn't bear to see her in that kind of setting.

So I was more than a little surprised when my husband and I walked into a brightly lit, beautifully decorated facility with cloth napkins on the tables and potted plants everywhere. There was a courtyard with flowers and gliders, comfy overstuffed couches and chairs in the common areas and gaily decorated bulletin boards full of photos of the residents in a wide array of activities.

My mother-in-law had her own suite, furnished with belongings from her own home. Outside her door — and the doors of the other residents — was a shadow box that held mementos and photos of family and special events. Strolling down the hallway, you got a sense of the residents' lives and the people who still cared for them.

Not so bad after all, I thought.

So there was some familiarity when I read Online Editor Darren Fishell's story about architects increasingly using design approaches that are specific to memory care facilities. His story, “Unforgettable designs,” starting on page 26, explores the market demographics and opportunities that lie ahead for architects developing this specialty.

It's one of the stories we present in this issue's focus on real estate, construction and design. I also had a personal reaction to the story Senior Writer Jim McCarthy wrote about two preservation specialists who launched a company in York to preserve historic buildings. I know everyone raves about the natural beauty of Maine, but part of the appeal of that scenery, for me, is the constellation of old, authentic homes and buildings. My house, a Cape built in 1808, could surely benefit from one of Groundroot Preservation Group's historic structure reports (although I doubt my bank account would). Every time I look at the hand-hewn beams that traverse the ceilings of my living and dining rooms, I wonder about the man who made them, and how I can make sure they last another 200 years. Jim's story, “House detectives,” starts on the cover.

We also give you a peek into the plans for what will soon be the old MaineGeneral hospital, as its new $322 million replacement gets ready to open in early November. Developer Kevin Mattson bought the old hospital and intends to develop it as commercial office or medical space. How this new entry will affect the commercial market in Augusta is the subject of Contributing Writer Doug Rooks' story, “Conversion factors,” starting on page 32.

And finally, our cover story, “Last ones standing,” is a tribute to innovators who saw seismic shifts coming in their industries and pivoted to remain viable and vital. Contributing Writer Craig Idlebrook chats with Peter Doe of Photo Market, Pam Hurley-Moser of Hurley Travel Experts, Warren Roberts of Warren's Office Supplies and Rick Tardiff of J.S. McCarthy Printers. They offer some great insight into how to be competitive when the odds are against you.

And speaking of inspiring, our 2013 Next List has generated a lot of buzz among readers (several thousand hits and counting). We expect there will be similar buzz at the Nov. 12 reception where we recognize our 10 honorees who are shaping Maine's economy in a good way.

Come to the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport between 5 and 7 p.m. to congratulate our honorees; registration details are at mainebiz.biz/next.

It promises to be a memorable event.