Archive for June, 2011
Take a Hike in the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine
June 30th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
Sunset over Keoka Lake in Waterford
Lakefront property owners find getting acquainted with some of the hiking trails in the Sebago Lakes Region is the perfect way to discover why this is the ideal place to live or vacation. And you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy any of this. We’ve compiled a list of five of our favorite trails in the western Maine lakes and mountains region.
Pleasant Mountain: Bridgton, Denmark and Fryeburg
Four trails ascend Pleasant Mountain. The Ledges and Bald Peak Trails are located on Mountain Road, the Southwest Ridge Trail is on West Denmark Road, and the Fire Wardens Trail is on Wilton Warren Road. The Ledges and Southwest Ridge Trails offer scenic outlooks of Moose Pond. To hike the entire length of the mountain, plan on at least five hours. From the summit by the fire tower enjoy views of the White Mountains and Fryeburg. A side trail off the Bald Peak Trail leads to Needles Eye–worth a visit on a hot summer day. All trails are well-marked thanks to the efforts of Loon Echo Land Trust: Kiosks at trailheads provide information and maps.
Degree of difficulty: moderate
Mt. Ti’rem: Waterford
The Daniel Brown Trail, named for a prominent citizen of the 1800s, is on Plummer Hill Road, just up the road from historic Waterford Flats and Keoka Lake. It takes less than an hour to reach the summit. A ledge at the top provides a perfect vantage point to view Bear Pond and the surrounding mountains, including Bear and Pleasant Mountains. Kids will enjoy exploring the “caves” tucked a tad into the woods behind the ledges at the summit. Degree of difficulty: easy/moderate
Heald and Bradley Pond Reserve: Lovell
At the parking area on Slab City Road, a kiosk provides information about the various trails in this well-maintained 800+ acre preserve. Three hills in the preserve—Whiting at 801 feet, Flat at 891 feet and Amos Mountain at 955 feet—are all easy to climb and offer views of Kezar Lake and the White Mountains. A side trail leads to Otter Point on Heald Pond. Throughout the year, the Greater Lovell Land Trust offers guided walks. Degree of difficulty: easy
Holt Pond Nature Preserve: Bridgton, Naples
Located on Grist Mill Road, the Holt Pond Nature Preserve offers an easy hike with several options. Trails, maintained by the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) are well-marked. If you have a few hours and are prepared with a snack and water, plus other hiking essentials, you might want to follow the trail that encircles the pond. Beaver dams, a quaking bog, pitcher plants and other orchids await you. Guided walks are offered by LEA throughout the year. Degree of difficulty: Easy
Pondicherry Park: Bridgton
A gem in downtown Bridgton is Pondicherry Park. Over sixty acres have been preserved in recent years for folks to enjoy. Access is from the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge behind Renys Department Store or the boardwalk across from Bridgton Hospital. Stevens and Willet Brooks, Kneeland spring, stone walls, signs of wildlife and more await you. Both Loon Echo Land Trust and LEA offer guided walks here throughout the year. A trail leading from the bridge and meandering beside the brooks is handicap accessible. Degree of difficulty: easy
After you’ve settled into your lakefront property, we hope you’ll take the time to discover what nature has to offer in the Lakes Regions of Maine. Check out all the current lakefront property listings in Waterford by clicking on the green box above.
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Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region June 30-July 6
June 29th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
“4 on the Fourth Race,” Bridgton
June 30, Thursday, 7-9:30pm, “The Cherry Orchard,” broadcast from London and shown on the screen, directed by NT associate director Howard Davies, whose recent productions of Russian plays have earned huge critical acclaim, $22/adults, $18/seniors, $15/students, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, Bradley Street, Fryeburg. FMI: 207-935-9232, http://www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac.
July 1, Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm, The Art of Quilting, old-fashioned country quilt show featuring a collection of antique and modern quilts displayed in a beautiful 1816 New England Meeting House, $5, free under age 12, Middle Intervale Meeting House,
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Out and About for the York County/Sanford Lakes Regions June 30-July 6
June 29th, 2011 categories: Sanford Lakes Region
Bird Walk at Horton Woods, Buxton
June 30-July 2, Thursday-Saturday, 2:00pm and 8:00pm/Thursday, 8:00pm/Friday, 2:00pm and 8:00pm/Saturday, “Ten Nights in a Barroom,” hiss and boo at the villain and cheer the hero as little Mary begs her father to come home from the barroom, expect surprises, music and fun from this prohibition era melodrama, $25/adults, $22/seniors, $10/students 20 years and younger, Hackmatack Playhouse, 538 School Street, Berwick. FMI: 207-698-1807, http://www.hackmatack.org/hackmatack/.
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Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Regions June 30-July 6
June 29th, 2011 categories: Belgrade Lakes Region
Fireworks at Maranacook Lake
June 30, Thursday, 6:30pm, Poetry and Music, rocker and poet Dave Morrison and acoustic musicians Anna and Dave Patterson perform for the grand finale of the Poetry and Music Series, free, Lithgow Library,
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Time to go Antiquing in the Winthrop and Belgrade Lakes Regions of Maine
June 23rd, 2011 categories: Belgrade Lakes Region
Pond Town Antiques in Winthrop, Maine
The Winthrop and Belgrade Lakes Regions are stunning destinations for those seeking lakefront property. Here the fish are plentiful and the landscape is idyllic during any season. And these regions are on the way to many of Maine’s tourist destinations including Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, Downeast Maine and Baxter State Park. They are also great regions for those who love to go antiquing.
Wind your way along the country roads and you’ll discover antique shops tucked into sheds, barns and houses. A wide variety of beautifully crafted and unique items await both longtime and neophyte antiquers. Items range from antique hunting, fishing, logging and trapping supplies to fine English and Continental porcelain. Take your time rummaging and you may just find a treasure buried beneath some architectural salvage.
As you roam about looking for vintage, collectibles or just plain fun items to finish off a room in your new Maine vacation home, check out the offerings at the following antique shops:
Belgrade: The Village Peddler, The Faded Rose Antiques and Collectibles
Mount Vernon: Porter’s Antiques, Odd Fellows Antiques
Rome: Rome Corner Trading Post
Winthrop: Pond Town Antiques, Lakeside Antiques and Collectibles, Mark Bryant Art and Antiques
Gardiner: River Edge Antiques Mall, Kenneth E. Tuttle Antiques, Horseshoe Pond Antiques
Monmouth: A New Leaf Antique
Jefferson: Bunker Hill Antiques
Fairfield: Fairfield Antique Mall
Antiques are the ultimate “green” artifacts. They were made to last generations and will create a look in your lakefront home that will be the envy of your friends and neighbors.
Check out all the current lakefront vacation property listings in the Winthrop and Belgrade Lakes Regions by clicking on the box below:
Search for lakefront properties in the Winthrop and Belgrade Lakes Regions
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Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region June 23-29
June 23rd, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
“Folk Art on High,” exhibit in Bridgton
June 23, Thursday-Friday, 12:00-4:00pm, “Folk Art on High” Weathervane Exhibit, 36 weathervanes with original surfaces as well as photographs of vanes from the 1970’s, $8,
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Out and About for the York County/Sanford Lakes Region of Maine June 23-29
June 23rd, 2011 categories: Sanford Lakes Region
Carousel Rides at Willowbrook Museum, Newfield
June 23, Thursday, 12-4:00pm, “Voyages and the Great Age of Sail,” artifacts related to 19th century Saco sea captain Tristiam Jordan; also “Point of Departure,” works by Saco artist Diane Bowie Zaitlin, free, Saco Museum, 371 Main Street, Saco. FMI: 207-283-3861, http://www.dyerlibrarysacomuseum.org/.
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Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine June 23-29
June 23rd, 2011 categories: Belgrade Lakes Region
Lewiston Auburn Community Theater presents
June 23-26, Thursday-Sunday, 7:30pm Thurs, 8:00pm Fri-Sat, 2:00pm Sun, “Wait Until Dark,” a mystery thriller about a blind Greenwich Village housewife who become the target of three thugs searching for the heroin hidden in a doll, see website for ticket details, Lewiston Auburn Community Theater, 30 Academy Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207-783-0958, http://laclt.com/.
June 23-26, Thursday-Sunday, 8:00pm Thurs-Sat, 4:00pm Sun, “Heaven Help Me,” the three Holloway brothers have a real problem, their string of casual restaurants is failing, the youngest, black-sheep brother owes money to bookies, and the fourth, deceased brother is haunting the beach house they need to sell to recapitalize the business, $19.50/advance, $21.50/at the door, Lakewood Theater, 76 Theater Road, Madison. FMI: 207-474-7176, http://www.lakewoodtheater.org/.
June 24, Friday, 7:00pm, Ellen Tipper, Waterville Opera House’s Studio Theater takes on a coffeehouse atmosphere as it hosts the sweet, melodic voice of Ellen Tipper whose music features folk and acoustic music, $12, Waterville Opera House,
June 26, Sunday, 11:00am-4:00pm, Hallowellness Riverfront Celebration, information and demonstrations for the mind, body, mind and spirit, art exhibit and sale,
June 27, Monday, 7:30pm, Rising Stars Concert, Portland Conservation of Music’s 8th International Piano Festival featuring some of the most talented of new a new generation of classical pianists from Europe and the United States, $15/adults, $12/seniors and students, Franco American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207-689-2000, http://www.francoamericanheritage.org/.
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Explore Bridges to the Past in the Lakes Regions of Maine
June 16th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
Hemlock Covered Bridge over the old course of the Saco River, Fryeburg, Maine
While searching for a lakefront property vacation home in the Lakes Regions of Maine, take some time to explore our covered bridges, like Hemlock Bridge in Fryeburg. Originally there were 120 covered bridges scattered across the state. Fire, floods, ice and progress contributed to the demise of all but nine.
During the 19th century bridges were covered for a couple of reasons. The roof kept rain and snow off the floorboards constructed of virgin timbers, thus helping to prevent rot. And . . . look at the entrances and you’ll notice a barn-like resemblance. Horses were easily spooked and did not like to cross rushing water that they could see and hear. The intention was to make them feel like they were entering a barn.
Covered bridges were known as Kissing Bridges in the 1800s because timid suitors would steal a kiss from their dates before their horse and buggy passed thru. Sometimes they stopped to carve their initials into the bridge timbers.
Today, the remaining covered bridges in Maine remind us of a time when life seemed simpler and closer to the land. They symbolize that small-town America feeling that seems to have passed us by in the twenty-first century. All nine are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
One of the oldest bridges built in the state was Lows Bridge. It crosses the Piscataquis River between Guilford and Sangerville. The original bridge was swept away by spring floods, most recently in the April Fools Day storm of 1987. A modern bridge, patterned after the original, was constructed in 1990. Lows Bridge is located off Routes 6 & 15.
Babb’s Bridge spans the Presumpscot River in South Windham. Located off River Road, the original bridge was burned by vandals in 1973, but an exact replica of the one span Queenspost truss was erected and opened to traffic in 1976.
Hemlock Bridge, off Route 302 in Fryeburg, spans the old course of the Saco River. Built in 1857, it’s one of the earliest examples of the Paddleford truss construction strengthened with laminated wooden arches. Hemlock Bridge was reinforced in 1988 to carry local traffic. In January 2002, it was designated as a Maine Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Built in 1859 by both towns was the Parsonsfield-Porter Bridge. The 152-span over the Ossipee River is another example of the Paddleford truss strengthened with laminated wooden arches. Located off Route 160, this bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1960.
Also built with Paddleford trusses is the Lovejoy Bridge across Ellis River in South Andover. At 70 feet long, Lovejoy Bridge is Maine’s shortest covered bridge. Built in 1867, the bridge was reinforced in 1984 to carry local traffic. It’s located off of Route 5.
A bit longer is the Sunday River Bridge in Newry. This 87-foot Paddleford truss construction was built across Sunday River in 1872. It was closed to vehicular traffic in 1958, but is known as Artists’ Covered Bridge because of its reputation as being the most photographed and painted of all the bridges. It’s located off Routes 2 and 26.
The only surviving completely wooden shingled covered bridge in the state is the Robyville Bridge in Corinth. Constructed between 1870 and 1872, there is a discrepancy as to the sort of trusses used to span the Kenduskeag Stream. Some believe it to be a Long truss design, while others say it is an example of the Howe design. In 1984, the bridge was reenforced to carry local traffic and is located off Route 15.
The fourth example of Paddleford truss design is the Bennett Bridge, which spans the Magalloway River in Lincoln Plantation. Built in 1901, it has a total length of 93 feet. Bennett Bridge is located off Route 16 and was closed to vehicular traffic in 1985.
The youngest covered bridge in the state was built in 1911. Watson Settlement Bridge is located the furthest north, off Route 1 in Littleton, where it crosses over Meduxnekeag Stream. Two spans of Howe-type timber trusses span a total of 170 feet. The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1984, but is designated as a Maine Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
After you’ve explored some of these covered bridges and maybe even stolen a kiss, check out all the current lakefront real estate listings in Fryeburg by clicking on the box below.
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Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine June 16-22
June 15th, 2011 categories: Sebago Lakes Region
“Lend Me A Tenor,” Norway Grange
June 16- 19, Thursday-Sunday, 8:00pm-Thursday-Saturday, 2:00pm Sunday, “Lend Me A Tenor,” a comedy by Ken Ludwig of mistaken identities, farcical plot twists, double entendres, innuendoes, and constant entrances and exits, $10/adults, $8/students and senior citizens, Norway Grange, 15 Whitman Street, Norway. FMI: 207-739-6200,http://ohmpaa.com.
June 17, Friday, 7:00pm, “Brent McCoy-Juggles and Comedian,” Brent performs world-class comedy, circus, and physical theater, come celebrate the beginning of summer with the whole family, $8/adults, $4/students, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, Bradley Street, Fryeburg. FMI: 207-935-9232, http://www.fryeburgacademy.org.
June 17-19, Friday-Sunday, 7:30pm –Friday – Saturday, 2:00pm-Sunday, “Cinderella,” Lake Region Community Theater presents this musical of Rodger and Hammerstein’s adaptation of this classic fairy tale, $15, $12, tickets available at Hayes True Vale and Books-N-Things, Deertrees Theater, 156 Deertrees Road, Harrison. FMI: 207-583-6747, http://deertreestheatre.org.
June 17-19, Friday-Saturday, various times, 6th Annual Maine Blues Festival, ramp up starts at various venues on Friday night, the festival begins Saturday, see website for details, $15/day of festival, $12/in advance, Naples. FMI: info@mainebluesfestival.com, http://www.mainebluesfestival.com.
June 18-19, Saturday-Sunday, 9:00am-1:00pm, Lake Region Open Gold Tournament, a two day event with 18 holes played on one course on Saturday and 18 holes played the next day on another course, the format will be a play your own ball and winners will be based on a two day total score, prize will be awarded fro both Gross and a net scores for men and women, Point Sebago Golf Course Resort, Point Sebago. FMI: 207-647-3472, http://www.mainelakeschamber.com.
June 18, Saturday, 9:30am, Mahoosuc Land Trust Hike Mt. Zircon, climb to the summit of Mt. Zircon in Rumford. Great views of the recently acquired 4600+ acre Concord River Conservation Easement. 6 mile round trip; moderately strenuous, bring lunch, water, sunscreen and bug protection, rain date June 19th, free, trailhead, South Rumford Road, Rumford. FMI: 207-824-3806, http://www.bethelmaine.com.
June 20, Monday, 7:00pm, “What’s Happening on the Milfoil Front in Lovell,” members of the Lovell Invasive Plan prevention Committee will discuss their plans for the summer, unveil the exciting ’Eyes on the Water’ educational initiative, and explain the work of the committee, free, Hobbs Library, 227 Main Street, Lovell. FMI: 207-925-3177,http://lovellmaine.us/calendar/.
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Tom - MrLakefront
