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Archived Articles

Archive for April, 2009

Moose Pond in Bridgton and Denmark, Maine, Offers Four Season, Lake Region Vacation Fun

April 30th, 2009 categories: Sebago Lakes Region

Whether you own a camp or cottage, or are renting a condo or four season contemporary at water’s edge, Moose Pond offers up four seasons of fun and recreation and is truly a lake that the whole family can enjoy.

Stretching from Bridgton and Sweden in the north to Denmark in the south, this 8 mile ribbon of water lies in the shadows of Pleasant Mountain and has been a destination for vacationers and campers for years.

The northern and southern ends are wilder and shallower, providing settings for wildlife and bird sightings, as well as great canoeing and kayaking. Powerboats are welcome too, usually carrying fishermen looking for action from bass and pickerel.

The deeper water fishery is out in the Main Basin, the widest part of Moose Pond, south of the 302 causeway. Here the deepest part of the Pond reaches 70 feet and there are magnificent views of Pleasant Mountain and the Shawnee Peak ski area. This is the area to water ski, tube, and use that wakeboard.

Beyond the Mountain Road bridge in the south the character of the Pond changes back again, to a quieter, shallower body of water better suited for smaller boats and paddle craft, wildlife and bird watching, and fishing.

In the winter enjoy snowmobiling and ice fishing on the Pond, or take advantage of the lake’s proximity to Shawnee Peak Ski Area, visible from most any place on the Pond. Sunday River skiing is less than an hour away and shopping the outlets in North Conway, NH is within an easy half hour drive.

The surface area of Moose Pond is 1697 acres in all, with a maximum depth of 70 feet and a mean depth of 22 feet. The quality of water here is rated “above average” and it is consistently monitored by the Lakes Environmental Association, headquartered in Bridgton.

If you have any interest in knowing more about what lakefront properties are for sale on Moose Pond just click below:

Search for properties on Moose Pond in Bridgton and Denmark

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: No Comments »

Sebago Lake State Park Welcomes Vacationers to Lakes Region

April 27th, 2009 categories: Sebago Lakes Region

Sebago Lake State Park is a popular state park in Maine that is well-known for camping, boating, swimming, and recreation. Located in the town of Naples at the north end of mighty Sebago Lake, the state park was founded in 1938 as one of the five original Maine state parks.

This state park offers 250 campsites, two public boat launch areas, and bathrooms. The park is mostly forested and encompasses 1,400 acres. The woods provide a respite from the sun and beach activities and are enjoyed by hikers, bikers, and nature walkers alike. The park is open from May 1 to October 15.

Sebago Lake State Park is divided into two areas for camping – Naples Beach and Witch Cove. Besides the beach areas, both sites offer boat ramps and bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers.

While the park is popular with campers, many day-trippers pay a visit to the park on hot summer days just to enjoy the beach and great swimming. There are plenty of areas that have picnic tables and fireplaces, so pack a lunch and bring the kids.

Of course the big attraction here is the lake itself – the great Sebago Lake. Carved out by glaciers eons ago, Sebago Lake is Maine’s second largest lake and its deepest at 315 feet deep. It offers 45 square miles of clean, clear water and is a wonderful place to enjoy all fresh water recreation – swimming, fishing, and boating of all kinds.

No matter what your water recreation pleasure, you can satisfy it at Sebago Lake.

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: 3 Comments »

Maine Lakes and Ponds with Restricted Motorboat Use

April 22nd, 2009 categories: Lake Community News, Maine Waterfront Living, Observations and Commentary

We often get asked by Maine lakefront property buyers what the restrictions are on the bodies of water they are buying on. The restrictions have to do with whether or not motor boats are allowed on a body of water and, if so, if there is any limitation on the size, or horsepower, that is allowed. Here is a list for your reference:

MOTOR SIZE RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNAL WATERS

No motorboats allowed:

Motorboats with more than 6 horsepower prohibited:

Motorboats with more than 10 horsepower prohibited:

Motorboats with more than 10 horsepower prohibited from June 1 to September 15:

Motorboats with internal combustion engines prohibited:

Allagash Wilderness Waterway

Baxter State Park

Lt. G. Manuel Wildlife Area, Hodgdon, Maine

Please don’t hesitate to contact your friends at Mr. Lakefront to get any additional clarification, more information, or get an update. If you want to take a look at some great lakefront property it’s easy to get started by just clicking on our Lakefront Locator. Thanks!

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: No Comments »

For Maine Lakefront Vacationers There’s “Magic” in Bridgton

April 21st, 2009 categories: Sebago Lakes Region

If you are among the fortunate and have a history of summer vacations in the Lakes Region area, or if you have recently discovered this area for the first time, you are probably already acquainted with our local movie theater, the Magic Lantern.

Situated in downtown Bridgton, alongside Steven’s Brook, the newest version of “the Magic” is a welcome addition to Main Street, Bridgton. With three screens and a pub, this theater has gone a long way in helping to revitalize downtown Bridgton.

Its predecessor was housed in a building that was razed to provide room for the new version. The old building was literally sinking into the ground and there was no helping it, so down it came. The town voted to provide tax incentives for the construction of a new theater and worked with the owners to provide the area with a first rate facility that provides a focal point for the downtown.  

I grew up in this area and remember the old Brookside Theater – an open, high-ceilinged theater with a stage and a balcony. One of the first movies I ever saw in a theater was here back in the early 1960s – Disney’s “The Shaggy Dog”. I also remember seeing “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Easy Rider” there as a teenager. In the 1970s it was taken over by a local entrepreneur who renamed it the Magic Lantern. While it was popular with locals and visitors alike, it was operating on borrowed time as the building continued to sink, the heating system was problematic at best, and attendance could be spotty.

Now we’ve entered the new age of the Magic Lantern – a brand new facility with Dolby surround sound, comfortable seats, three theaters (each with their own decorative theme), and a pub where you can watch sporting events and movies on the big screen, or watch live performers while enjoying a meal or a beverage.

If you’re on vacation and staying at a camp on the lake there’s bound to be a rainy day or two during your stay. Don’t get cabin fever, though - just get to downtown Bridgton and enjoy a film or sporting event on wide screen and be transported to a world away from that rainy day.

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: No Comments »

Songo River Queen Takes Incognito Cruise on Long Lake in Naples

April 17th, 2009 categories: Sebago Lakes Region

I was driving over the causeway in Naples earlier this week and saw the strangest sight out on Long Lake. The ice had just gone out and there on the lake, probably a mile or two from the causeway, was this big black thing floating on the water. What could it be?

Stopping to have a look – I saw that it was moving! It was a beautiful early spring day – no fog or rain – visibility for scores of miles. I could see the top of snow-covered Mount Washington. The lake was blue and dappled with sunlight. I watched  that thing, moving slowly against the horizon.

Then it hit me! That floating monolith was the Songo River Queen out for its maiden voyage. Every fall they basically shrink wrap “the Queen” in black plastic to protect it from the elements. For some reason, they hadn’t yet removed the plastic before taking her out on her initial cruise of the season. What a sight!

If you’ve never been out on “the Queen” you might want to give it a go the next time you’re up this way. The Songo River Queen is an authentic Mississippi River Stern Paddle Wheeler. It has an open deck on the second level for open air viewing and an enclosed deck below. It can accommodate up to 300 people, is wheelchair accessible, and provides one of the most relaxing and enjoyable rides you’ll ever want to take by boat.

Sometimes the cruise will take you out onto Long Lake and other times it will go down through Brandy Pond and the Songo River, then through the historic Songo Locks. Whichever way you go there’s plenty to look at whether it be the wide vistas while out on Long Lake or the shorefront homes as you cruise Brandy Pond and the Songo River.

If you come, though, don’t expect to see this big boxy floating thing all wrapped in black plastic. She will have shed her winter coat and will show herself in all her familiar glory – white paint trimmed in red, flags flying, and her stern wheel paddling.

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Here’s a System For Finding Your Maine Lakefront Property

April 17th, 2009 categories: Observations and Commentary

“We’ve been looking for our cabin on a Maine lake for years and can’t seem to find something we like”. If I’ve heard this once, I’ve heard it a hundred times. In most cases, their search lacked balance. What one needs is a system, or methodology, for finding just the right place.

Here’s some advice from Mr Lakefront. Your lakefront buying decision should have a balanced approach. Think of your decision as one resting safely on a 3-legged stool. Each leg of that stool is important, but some legs are more important than others. The 3 legs of your decision in order of importance are LAKE, LOT, and HOUSE.

LAKE – is the most important leg of the stool. Why? Because size, depth and water quality matter – a lot. If you are a serious power boater, you will be miserable on too small a body of water. If your idea of bliss is kayaking and canoeing on a quiet body of water, you will hate being on a large lake. You’ll be fed up being tossed about by the wake of power boats. The water quality of Maine lakes and ponds is legendary. But water quality can and does vary from lake to lake. Be sure to check about invasive aquatic plants such as milfoil or high phosphorus levels which promote algae growth.Most folks are happy on a medium size lake of about 500 acres. But a small quiet body of water of 100 to 200 acres might be perfect for those who want to commune with nature, paddling about in a canoe. Serious power boaters who want to cruise all day need a lake over 1,000 acres. Once you decide what size lake you want, you can move on to the lot.

LOT- It’s been about five years since I wrote about the Top Attributes of a Lakefront Property : 1) Sandy beach 2) View 3) Proximity to the water 4) Level lot and 5) Privacy . These five attributes are what everyone wants, but few realize. I’m afraid one will have to compromise a bit. Few lots score well on all five attributes. But remember these attributes, they’ll aid your decision.

HOUSE- By house I mean the structure that’s on the property. Whether it’s a house, cottage, cabin or camp it’s the least important of the 3 legs in importance. How come?

Because “You can change the house, but you can’t change the lake or lot.”

Before lakefront buyers contact us at Mr Lakefront, they’ve seen hundreds of homes online. Folks will see an attractive lakefront house online and will want to see it in person. Recently a nice couple drove three hours up from Boston to see one particular lakefront home. They had fallen in love with it online. Was the house a dissapointment when they finally viewed it? No! They still loved the house. But the lot was very steep and unacceptable. The lake? Too small for the activities they planned.

You say,” It’s too bad that searching on line couldn’t give you information about the lake or the lot.” But it does! When you obtain search results from Lakefront Locator click on the Lake Info button. You will find information about lake size and depth. If you click again on “More” you will go to the Pearl site from the University of Maine. Click on Water Quality Overview and it will tell you whether the quality is excellent, above average, average, below average or poor. Is this important? Mr Lakefront thinks so. We try to keep our clients focused on lakes with at least average water quality.

What about the lot? You will need to read listing remarks closely and you’ll need to read between the lines. If all they talk about is the house, maybe the lot is less than ideal. If they don’t mention sandy beach or sandy bottom swimming, there’s a good chance there is none. When in doubt, drop us an email. We either know or will find out for you.

In closing, I wish selecting a lakefront home was as easy as picking a pair of hunting boots from the LL Bean catalog. But alas, it’s not. Let us know how we can help with your search. We love Maine lakes and ponds and want to share them with you.

Spoken by Tom Ferent | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Southern Maine Lakefront Lovers Find Action in Acton

April 13th, 2009 categories: Sanford Lakes Region

Seasonal vacation homes in Maine are often owned by folks from out of state who travel on summer weekends to their summer camps in Maine. Many are from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island who travel three or four hours to get here and can’t wait to dangle their bare feet in the water off the end of their dock while swatting mosquitoes and drinking a cold, refreshing brew.

If you live in southern New England you know how anxious you can become just travelling to get here. Accordingly, finding a good summer place to purchase is often determined by how long it takes to get here. The Sebago Lake area i

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: No Comments »

The “Ice Out” Man on Moose Pond in Bridgton is Going Down

April 8th, 2009 categories: Sebago Lakes Region

Signs of spring are becoming more prevelant by the day. A quick trip around the northern Sebago Lakes area today found brooks and rivers running pell mell with surging water and swift currents. The edges of lakes and ponds are ice free and there is much open water on the north end of Long Lake, where I live.

Driving across the causeway in West Bridgton one can still see the Ice Man, keeping his happy vigil, waiting for the ice to melt out from underneath him. He won’t last much longer, I think, and someone who guessed a relatively early “ice out” will win the prize this year.

At Bear Pond in South Waterford the pond looks like a field of slush. A month ago, from the same vantage point, you could see a half dozen pick up trucks parked alongside ten or fifteen ice shacks. What a difference a month can make.

I heard on the radio this morning that some guy who flies an airplane around Lake Winnipesaukee says the ice is ready to go out there by next week. He flew over the big lake this past weekend and proclaimed it “ready to go”.

For lakefront property buyers these signs of spring mean it’s safe to come and have a look. Most private roads around area lakes are snow-free and, if they’re not too muddy, can be travelled on. With the ice gone around the perimeters of the lakes, a buyer can make a good visual inspection as to the nature of the shorefront – rocky, sandy, muddy, shallow, bushy etc.

If you’re a lakefront owner, this is a great time to think about fix-ups and repairs around the camp. It’s not hot yet, no bugs, and the days are getting longer.

If you do plan to come up to have a look at a lakefront property, call ahead to make sure the road to where you’re going is navigable. They don’t call it “mud season” for nothin’.

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: No Comments »

The Bay of Naples Hotel – Lost Vacation Icon on Long Lake

April 6th, 2009 categories: Sebago Lakes Region

When it opened its doors in the summer of 1900, the Bay of Naples Hotel on the east shore of Long Lake in Naples, Maine had a full compliment of guests ready to occupy its four floors and 72 rooms.

A staff of 85 would have waited on the front veranda and watched as their guests disembarked from a boat provided by hotel owner Charles Goodrich. Horse-drawn buggies would have taxied the guests from lakeside, up the gravel path, to the hotel front door. Before entering, they could turn and take in a sweeping view of Long Lake, the causeway and Naples Village and, on the horizon, the Presidential Range of the White Mountains and mighty Mount Washington.

Goodrich built the Bay of Naples Hotel as a destination for all the passengers he carried on the Songo River Steamboat Company, which he also owned, as well as for well-heeled summer vacationers looking to escape the heat and humidity of east coast cities.

Once inside the hotel, two grand staircases would lead guests to their rooms or, if they prefered, they could take the elevator. In the lobby a stone fireplace with a 12 foot mantel provided heat, if necessary. A similar fireplace could be found in the main floor dining room, as well.

The hotel kept a stable-full of horses to take guests out for daily excursions to area points of interest. Before too many years passed the horses were replaced by Model-T Ford automobiles.

For fifty years this magnificent hotel graced the southern end of Long Lake, welcoming visitors from near and far. But with the advent of the automobile, air conditioning, high-speed highways, motels, and private residences on the lake, the days of the grand summer hotel came to an end.

Guests stopped arriving at the Bay of Naples Hotel in 1951 and it was demolished in 1964. Today on this spot you’ll find the Bay of Naples condominiums. They command the same stellar view as the hotel, but lack the imposing grandeur. Sadly, we’ll probably never see its like again.

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: 1 Comment »

Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake Provides a Walk Back in Time

April 1st, 2009 categories: Sebago Lakes Region

A hundred years ago the ability to afford a summer vacation in Maine was coming within reach of a growing middle class. The wealthy still enjoyed the amenities of grand hotel living at places like the Poland Spring Inn or the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH, where whole families took up residence in posh hotel suites for a month or two in the summer. The less affluent, however, could afford to take a room at a lakeside lodge, or rent a cabin affiliated with a lodge, where they could enjoy some of the amenities of their wealthier brethren in a decidedly more rustic setting.

During the first half of the 20th century many of the lakes in the Lakes Regions of Maine saw the construction of these lodges, often with accompanying housekeeping cottages or cabins. Vacationers “from away” would rent these places by the week, bring their families, and be able to enjoy, in a very direct sense, some of God’s handiwork.

Activities at these lodges usually included fishing and hiking, swimming, canoeing and boating, horseshoes, and often times tennis and croquet. On a rainy day, patrons would gather in the main room of the lodge, where a fire would be going in the fireplace, and play board and card games, or just read. Meals were taken in the main dining room.

This type of summer lifestyle has pretty much gone the way of train travel and hula hoops. Much of the lakefront property has been sold and resold, cut up into smaller and smaller parcels where everyone builds their own place, whether it be a humble camp or a suburban home on the water.

Because of the tremendous rise in value of lakefront property the large lakefront areas these lodges often commanded made for an untenable business model. As property taxes kept going up and up, the lodge business needed to keep costs down to continue to attract patrons. Thus the demise of the summer lodge business.

But all is not lost. A few lodges remain. Several are up farther north where vacationers get away from it all by going to a remote lakeside lodge to relax and catch fish. Here in the Sebago Lake region we have Migis Lodge. Since 1916, Migis Lodge has welcomed guests to its lodge and cabins that occupy 125 acres and 3,500 feet of Sebago Lake shoreline. The facility is a walk back in time, but includes some modern day amenities.

I recently saw a short video about Migis Lodge that mixed some old black and white footage with more contemporary color scenes. It’s alot of fun to watch and I was struck by how much things have stayed the same. It’s a window to a world that few of us experience in this type of setting anymore. Click here to watch the video. Enjoy!

Spoken by Jon Whitney | Discussion: 1 Comment »