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Archived Articles

Archive for February, 2012

Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Regions of Maine March 1-9

22nd Annual Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, Shawnee Peak, Bridgton

March 1, Thursday, 2pm or 7pm, National Theater in London Live “Comedy of Errors,” Shakespeare’s furiously paced comedy, two sets of twins separated at birth collide in the same city without meeting for one crazy day, as mistaken identities lead to confusion on a grand scale, $18/gen, $15/seniors, $10/students, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, Bradley Street, Fryeburg.  FMI:  207-935-9232,www.fryeburgacademy.org/pac.

 

March 2-4, Friday-Sunday, events begin at 9am, Winterfest Weekend at Black Mountain of Maine, a variety of events planned for the weekend, includes, Becky Shaw Memorial Ski Day, parade and fireworks, lasagna dinner, Adult Apres Ski Wine and Cheese, and free skiing from 6-8pm Saturday, see website for full listing of events and times, prices for various events, Black Mountain, 36 Glover Road, Rumford. FMI:  207-364-8977,www.bethelmaine.com.

 

March 2, Friday, 7pm, “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” presented by Windham High School, adapted from the traditional southern folktale, Wiley is able to overcome the terrible Hairy Man and realize that he has the power in himself to face whatever fears may haunt him, $5/general, $3/students, $10/family, Windham Performing Arts Center, Windham High School, 46 Gray Road, Windham.  FMI: 207-892-1800,  www.windham.k12.me.us,

 

March 3, Saturday, 9am-12pm, New Gloucester History Barn Open House, displays about New Gloucester veterans, new acquisitions and historical archival photographs, free, New Gloucester Historical Society, History Barn, Route 231, New Gloucester.  FMI:  207-926-3188,www.newgloucester.com.

 

March 3, Saturday, 11am-2pm, LELT Family Snowfest, wide variety of fun family events: snowshoe scavenger hunt, Frisbee, snowman making contest, and more, Five Fields Farm, Route 107, South Bridgton.  FMI: 207-647-4352,  www.loonecholandtrust.org.

 

March 3, Saturday, 8pm, Lori McKenna, the sweetest singer-songwriter you are ever gonna meet, critically acclaimed for her work as a song writer, and heavy hitters like country star Faith Hill have recorded her songs, $23, Stone Mountain Arts

Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield.  FMI: 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com,

 

March 4, Sunday, 11am, 22nd Annual Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, largest family ski race series in America, product sampling all day, huge après-ski part on the patio, registration 8-11am in Blizzard’s Pub, prizes at approximately 2:30pm, free with a lift ticket or season’s pass, Shawnee Peak Ski Area, 119 Mountain Road, Bridgton.  FMI:  207-647-8444, www.shawneepeak.com.

 

 

Spoken by Tom Ferent | Discussion: No Comments »

Out and About for the York/Sanford Lakes Regions of Maine March 1-9

250th Anniversary Celebration, First Parish Church, Saco

March 2, Friday, 6-9pm, Charity Wine Tasting, 4th annual wine tasting and silent auction for Camp Laughing Loon, sampling 30+ wines and a small selection of beer, $15, Ramada Inn, 352 North Street, Saco.  FMI:  207-282-8720, www.camplaughingloon.com.

 

March 2, Friday, 7pm, Writer’s Night, three New England authors will read from their new, acclaimed novels:  Bruce Pratt, “The Serpents of Blissful,” Morgan Callan Rogers, “Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea,” and Elizabeth Searle, “Girl Held in Home,” 15 minute excerpts read from their novels, followed by a short discussion in which they will answer questions, free, York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, York.  FMI:  207-363-2818,www.york.lib.me.us.

 

March 3, Saturday, 10am-4pm, Hooked Rug Demonstration, with artists of “The Maine Tin Pedlar,” join experienced artisans to see some rug hooking in action, try your hand at this time-honored but still popular craft, regular museum admission fees apply, Saco Museum, 371 Main Street, Saco.  FMI:  207-283-3861, www.sacomuseum.org.

 

March 3, Saturday, 11am, Chamber ME Music Series, concert of Hayden, Mozart and Ries, you will hear string trios, quartets and quintets and works with piano, guest woodwind artists add their talents, free, River Tree Arts, 35 Western Avenue, Kennebunk.  FMI:  207-967-9120,www.tinyurl.com/chamberME.

 

March 4, Sunday, 3pm, Ireland:  The Mountains and the Sea, Mac McHale and Emery Hutchins, original founders of Northeast Winds, will perform music from Ireland with banjo, guitar, mandolin, concertina, bodhran, and vocal harmonies, a story in music of how immigrants came to this country from Ireland, Scotland and Great Britain, free, McArthur Library, 207 Main Street, Biddeford.  FMI:  207-284-4181, www.mcarthurpubliclibrary.org.

 

March 6, Tuesday, 6-8pm, Moonlight Night Hike, guided hike explores the plants and animals of the winter world along with fun lunar and winter folklore, dress for the weather, bring snowshoes, adult and child snowshoe rentals available, bring a headlamp or flashlight, raindate for March 7, $3/members, $5/nonmembers, Wells Reserve, 342 Laudholm Farm Road, Wells.  FMI:  207-646-1555, www.wellsreserve.org.

 

March 7, Wednesday, 7pm, 250th Anniversary Celebration, 80 voice University of Maine Singers Concert, a select choir whose members come from all disciplines across campus, free, First Parish Congregational Church, 12 Beach Street, Saco.  FMI:  208-282-0633, www.firstparishsaco.org.

Spoken by Tom Ferent | Discussion: No Comments »

Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Regions of Maine March 1-9

13th Annual Maine Milfoil Summit, Lewiston

March 1, Thursday, 6:15pm, Evening Snowshoe Trek, a mini snowshoe excursion around Farmington, meet at the Fitness and Recreation Center, snowshoes and headlights provided or bring your own, free, UMF, Farmington.  FMI:  207-778-7495, www.umf.maine.edu.

 

March 2, 8:30am-2:30pm, 13th Annual Maine Milfoil Summit, sponsored by LEA, the summit brings together people from across the state who are working to prevent and control invasive aquatic plants, open to the public, free, Lewiston-Auburn campus of USM, 51 Westminster Street, Lewiston.  FMI: 207-647-8580, www.mainelakes.org.

 

March 2-4, Friday-Sunday, 7:30pm/Friday and Saturday, 2pm/Sunday, Annie Baker’s “Circle Mirror Transformation,” what do a flirty former actress, a pouty 16-year old, a hippie husband and a divorced carpenter have in common?  Very little, or at least that’s what they think until they take a six week community acting class, this hilarious and touching play catches a glimpse of the poignant drama that animates ordinary lives, $12/gen, $10/seniors and students, Gaslight Theater at Hallowell City Hall, 1 Winthrop Street, Hallowell.  FMI:  207-626-3698,www.gaslighttheater.org.

 

March 2, Friday, 7:30pm, Seventh Annual FAB Dance Showcase, presented by Bates College, showcase for dancers and choreographers, contemporary dance works, $14/advance general, $16/door general, $10/advance seniors and students, $12/door seniors and students, Franco American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston.  FMI:  207-689-2000, www.francocenter.org.

 

March 3, Saturday, 3-5pm, “A Decade Downtown,” celebrates 10 years of Gardiner Main Street, music from the Rattlesnake Mountain Boys, beer and wine tasting, local restaurant food, and more, $10/advance, $12/door, Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, 280 Water Street, Gardiner.  FMI: 207-582-3100, www.gardinermainstreet.org.

 

March 4, Sunday, 10am-2pm, Ski Clinic, cross country ski clinic with certified ski instructor, John Hodges, $5, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Egypt Road, Jefferson.  FMI:  207-586-6752, www.hvnc.org.

 

March 4, Sunday, 12-5pm, Country Show and Dance, hosted by the Down East Country Music Association, live music, raffles, food bar, featuring Fred Couverette Band, Pat Healy, Brad Kaherl, Mike Ferrucci, Connie Fletcher, Gary Leet and The Wildwoods Band, $5, free/under 12, Litchfield Sportsman’s club, 2782, Hallowell Road, Litchfield.  FMI:  207-377-8035, www.decma.org,

 

Spoken by Tom Ferent | Discussion: No Comments »

Out and About for the Midcoast Lakes Region of Maine March 1-7

Apple Tree Pruning Workshop, Pettengill Farm, Freeport

 March 1, Thursday, 2pm, National Theatre in London “The Comedy of Errors,” live broadcast starring Lenny Henry, Shakespeare’s furiously paced comedy, two sets of twins separated at birth collide in the same city without meeting for one crazy day, as mistaken identities lead to confusion on a grand scale, $23/general, $15/students, Strand Theatre, 345 Main Street, Rockland.  FMI: 207-594-0070, www.rocklandstrand.com.

March 1, Thursday, 7pm, Caryl Churchill’s “Top Girls,” presented by Bowdoin College Department of Theater and Dance, play set in the early 1980 Britain, a celebration and cautionary tale in a heady mix of theatrical style and form that asks, “Can women have it all?” free, Wish Theater, Bowdoin College, Brunswick.  FMI:  207-725-3375, www.bowdoin.edu.

 

March 2, Friday, 7:30pm, “Sex in the Sixties,” presented by Lincoln County Community Theater, an evening of four plays about sex in the 1960s, stories unfold at the beginning of the sexual revolution and explores in a loving way the intimate and human relationships craved by all ages, $12/general, $10/members, Lincoln Theater, 2 Theater Street, Damariscotta.  FMI:  207-563-3423, www.lcct.org.

 

March 3, Saturday, 2pm, Wabanaki Nature Legends, short walk on White Pines Trail with stops for stories based on Wabanaki legends, meet at benches by second parking lot, free with park admission, Wolfe’s Neck Farm, 184 Burnett Road, Freeport.  FMI:  207-865-4465, www.wolfesneckfarm.org.

 

March 3, Saturday, 5pm and 7pm, Spaghetti Supper Serenade by Wescustago Youth Chorale, spaghetti supper while being serenaded, proceeds to benefit the scholarship fund, $10, $5, 8 and under, Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot Street, Freeport.  FMI:  207-846-0705, www.mainetoday.com.

 

March 3, Saturday, 7:30pm, Thomas Pandolfi, an evening with Gershwin, this young American pianist is considered a leading interpreter of the works of George Gershwin, $20/advance, $22/door, Chocolate Church Arts Center, 804 Washington Street, Bath.  FMI:  207-442-8455, www.chocolatechurcharts.org.

 

March 4, Sunday, 1:30-3pm, Apple Tree Pruning Workshop, Dr. Brzozowski, a cooperative extension educator and Master Gardener teacher, will lead this hands on outdoor workshop, learn to identify and correct winter damage and learn to prune in the Freeport Historical Society’s historic apple orchard, dress for the weather, bring a pair of workgloves, $5, no charge/FHS members, historic Pettengill Farm, Pettengill Road, Freeport.  FMI:  207-865-3170, www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org.

Spoken by Tom Ferent | Discussion: No Comments »

Historic Alfred, Maine, Set on Shaker Pond and Estes Lake

Shaker Pond in Alfred, Maine

Shaker Pond, Middle Branch Pond, Round Pond and Estes Lake are offer plenty of lakefront property options in Alfred, Maine.

Lakefront Properties For Sale in Alfred

According to local lore, Simeon Coffin of Newbury, Massachusetts, was the first settler of Alfred. He built a wigwam along the Massabesic Pond, which is now known as Shaker Pond.At least 48 buildings in Alfred’s classic New England village are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The historic district includes the center of the village on Oak Street, Kennebunk Road and Saco Road.In 1783, members of the Shaker church settled on a hill between Shaker Pond and Bunganut Lake. The Shaker Museum, housed in the former Carriage House, and other buildings, still exist on Shaker Hill. A mural depicting the Shaker community, including the apple orchards, Shaker Pond and the nearby railroad, which the Shakers used to export their milk, was recently painted by Cornish artist Sandra Howe. It is on display in the museum.

Shaker Pond covers 78 acres and has a maximum depth of 22 feet. The principal fisheries are largemouth bass, white perch, yellow perch, chain pickerel and black crappie.  A large, marshy area at the north end of the pond provides undisturbed nesting habitat for waterfowl. The water quality is below average. Boat access is carry-in via private property adjacent to Route 202. Expect to pay a day-use fee.

Encompassing 387 acres, Estes Lake has a maximum depth of 30 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet. The lake is actually an impoundment of the Mousam River, formed when a dam was built in 1906. The New Falls Dam is currently owned by Kruger of Canada. In previous years there have been algae blooms on the lake. An abundance of small minnows and perch provide a good forage base in Estes Lake. The principal fisheries are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel and black crappie. The water quality is below average.

View Vacation Rentals on Estes Lake

Middle Branch Pond is small, at only 40 acres. It has a maximum depth of 26 feet, with an mean depth of 13 feet. The water quality is average.Hiking, hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are allowed at the Massabesic Experimental Forest in Alfred. This oak-pine forest, interspersed with diverse wetlands, was established in the 1930s to study the management of white pine. Walking trails are open to the public. Shaker Woods Reserve on Stone Road in Alfred is bounded by Hay Brook and the Middle Branch of the Mousam River, both of which flow into Estes Lake. Public canoe and kayak access, plus some walking trails are available.

Though you’ll feel secluded when you stay at your waterfront property in Alfred, amenities and activities are close by, thus saving you time and gas. For the latest on cabins, cottages, camps and condos for sale, check out the current listings by clicking on the green box above.

Alfred
Alfred Town Hall, 16 Saco Road, Alfred, Maine 04002
phone: 207.324.3521; fax: 207.324.1289
Incorporated: February 4, 1794
Population: 3,019
Square Miles: 27.9
Fire–emergency: 911
Fire–non-emergency: 207.324.8969
Parson’s Memorial Library: 207.324.2001
Alfred Elementary School (RSU 57): 207.324.3831

Spoken by Tom Ferent | Discussion: No Comments »

Sheepscot Lake, Palermo, Maine: A Quiet Place Nestled in Serene Woods

Turquoise Sky over Sheepscot Lake in Palermo, Maine

Sheepscot Lake (aka Sheepscot Pond) in Palermo, Maine, is surrounded by rolling wooded hills. For lakefront property owners this quiet pond nestled in the serene woods is the perfect place to unwind.

Lakefront Properties For Sale on Sheepscot Lake

Sheepscot Lake, one of Maine’s Great Ponds, covers 1,215 acres and has a 16.3 mile perimeter. The maximum depth is 132 feet, while the mean depth is 42 feet. The water quality is average. Principal fisheries include landlocked salmon, lake trout, brook trout, white perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and chain pickerel. A state-owned boat ramp is located on Route 3 along the north shore of the pond, next to the Sheepscot Fish & Game Club building. The club hosts a popular ice fishing derby each February.

View Vacation Rentals on Sheepscot Pond

Bald Head Island, an 80-acre peninsula that juts out into Sheepscot, is attached to the mainland by a narrow dirt causeway.The Sheepscot Lake Association is concerned with protecting the lake for today and future generations. At the boat ramp, Courtesy Boat Inspectors may ask to check your boat for aquatic invasives.

You can enjoy an idyllic Maine waterfront vacation on this crystal clear lake. Canoe. Kayak. Fish. Swim. Ski. Explore. Typically the lake will produce one or two baby loons each year. At least one pair of Bald Eagles live on the lake–you might see them as you fish. On Sheepscot Lake you can get close to nature and nurture yourself.

Palermo has no industry and no storefront businesses (locals joke that there are no cash registers in town), relying instead on nearly equal proximity to Augusta, Waterville, and Belfast to fulfill most needs. The Palermo Library offers art and reading programs; there is a community center off China Ridge; and the American Legion hall sponsors public suppers. The town boasts a small post office, a volunteer fire department, town office, and K-8 Consolidated School that is part of school Union 133 (Windsor, Somerville & Palermo).

If you dream of owning waterfront property to use as a vacation home, a part-time retirement home, or a full-time residence, then you should definitely consider a cottage, cabin or camp on Sheepscot Lake. Just click on the green box above to learn more about the lakefront listings on Sheepscot.

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Out and About for the Sebago Lakes Regions of Maine Feb.23-29

“Annual Russ Haggett Ski and Snowboard Race,” Shawnee Peak, Bridgton

Feb. 24 and 25, Friday and Saturday, all day, Bethel WinterFest 2012, supervised sliding hill, huge fire and ice volcano bonfire, Nordic, Alpine and snowshoe events, Mt. Abram Rail Jam, sleigh rides, indoor activities, free, Festival Plaza, 37 Cross Street, Bethel.  FMI:  207-824-2282,  www.bethelmaine.com.

Feb. 24, Friday, 7pm, “Phyzgig,” features AudioBody, Randy Junkins and Norman Ng, with lobby magic by Dan Link, $16, $10/12 and under, Westbrook Performing Arts Center, 471 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook.  FMI: 207-854-0065, www.acorn-productions.org.

Feb. 24, Friday, 8pm, The Cottars,” Canadian Celtic Band, comprises beautiful dancing, singing and some wild energy, traditional balladry to a pair of Tom Waits songs, with performances that combine youthful exuberance and a mature virtuosity, $17.50, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield.  FMI: 207-935-7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

Feb. 25 and 26, Saturday and Sunday, 7am-4pm, Harrison Fishing Derby, 3 youth lifetime fishing licenses, sponsored by Harrison Rec, register at Harrison Town Office until until Feb. 24 or at Harrison Long Lake Boat Launch day of the event, first 100 children who register will receive a Tip Up, $2/0-15, $5/16+,  Harrison Boat Launch, Long Lake, Harrison.  FMI:  207-583-2241, www.harrisonmaine.org.

Feb. 25, Saturday, 7:30pm, “The Birthday Party,” a menacing and intimate studio theater production of a stage classic, $15, $12/students and seniors, Acorn Studios, Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge Street, Westbrook.  FMI: 207-854-0065, www.acorn-productions.org.

Feb. 26, Sunday, 11am-2:30pm, 20th Annual Russ Haggett Ski and Snowboard Race, a family-fun race, for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and ability, and a great opportunity for beginners to experience downhill racing, all net term proceeds go to support $1000 scholarships for two Lake Region High School Seniors who are members of the alpine or cross-country ski teams, registration 8:30-10:30 at the base lodge or register on line, t-shirts for the first 75 registrants, $10, Shawnee Peak Ski Area, 119 Mountain Road, Bridgton.  FMI: 207-647-8444,  www.downeastskiclub.com/race/race.html.

Feb. 28, Tuesday, 10am-11:30am, Kids’ Winter Wonderland Snowshoe Adventure, grab your hat, mittens and snowshoes and prepare to explore our winter wonderland on the farm, talk about what makes winter in Maine so special and learn about the snow-covered landscape, purchase tickets at The Market and Welcome Center, arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to buy tickets and drive to the program, $5, Pineland Farms, 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester.  FMI:  207-688-4800 ext. 15, www.pinelandfarms.org.

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Out and About for the York/Sanford Lakes Regions of Maine Feb.23-29

“Winter Wildlife Day,” Laudholm Farm, Wells

Feb. 23, Thursday, 10am-2pm, Winter Wildlife Day, live animal presentations, tracking walks, wildlife projects to take home, limited number of snowshoes, miles of cross-country ski trails, free, Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm, Wells.  FMI:  207-646-1555, www.wellsreserve.org.
 
Feb. 23, Thursday, 11am-2pm, Rootin’ Tootin’ Wild West Celebration, Chili Cook-off tasting a voting, want to enter, chili must arrive hot and in a crockpot by 10:20am, a copy of all ingredients must accompany each entry, a generous batch of chili is required (10-12 servings, free, McArthur Library, 270 Main Street, Biddeford.  FMI:  207-284-4181, www.mcarthurpubliclibrary.org.

Feb. 23, Thursday, 4-6pm, Beaded Ruffled Peyote Class, come and create this piece of jewelry, Bead Emporium has beads to purchase, $25, Full Circle Artisan Gallery, 22 Main Street, Cornish.  FMI:  207-625-7725, www.cornish-maine.org.

Feb. 24, Friday, 5-8pm, Biddeford Art Walk, featuring cardboard and crocheted marine life, musicians welcome to come jam, visit open studios in the North Dam Mill and see student work by Biddeford High and Middle School students, free, downtown, 205 Main Street, Biddeford.  FMI: 207-229-3560,  www.biddefordartwalk.com.

Feb. 25, Saturday, 10:30am, Author Chris Van Dusen, author of “Randy Riley’s Big Hit,” with Matt Tavares, author of “There Goes Ted Williams,” free, Kennebooks, Kennebunk.  FMI:  207-967-6136, www.kennebooks.com.

Feb. 26, Sunday, 8pm, John Mayall, this skinny English lad grew up listening to his guitarist father’s extensive jazz record collection, strongly influenced by such greats as Leadbelly, Albert Ammons, Pinetop Smith and Eddie Lang, blues, $45, Jonathan’s Restaurant, 92 Bourne Lane, Ogunquit.  FMI: 207-646-4777,  www.jonathansrestaurant.com.

Feb. 28, Tuesday, 1pm, “Reading Shakespeare,” join in this new reading group, attendees are requested to bring their own copies of the play and join in reading aloud, line by line, if you aren’t interested in reading, don’t worry, just come and enjoy listening to the work, event requires pre-registration, free, Dyer Library, 371 Main Street, Saco.  FMI:  207-283-3861, www.sacomuseum.org.

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Out and About for the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine Feb.23-29

“Cabin Fever Reliever at Norlands,” Livermore

Feb. 23, Thursday, 7pm, “Windfall,” award-winning documentary about wind power, shows the bitter rancor sowed among the residents of rural Meredith, NY when wind turbines came to town, free, Carrabassett Community Library, Carrabassett Valley.  FMI:  207-628-2070, www.carrabassettvalley.org.

Feb. 23, Thursday, 7pm, Poet Carolyn Gelland, author of “Four Alarm House,” will be reading, free, Farmington Public Library, 117 Academy Street, Farmington.  FMI:  207-778-4312, www.farmington.lib.me.us.

Feb. 24-25, Friday-Saturday, 7:30pm, “Working,” the Hebron Academy Players will perform a reprise production, based on the book by Studs Terkel with music by Stephen Schwartz, more than 50 students, faculty and staff are part of this year’s show, free, LePage Center for Performing Arts, Hebron Academy, Hebron.  FMI:  207-966-5266, www.hebronacademy.org.

Feb. 25, Saturday, 10am-12pm, Tracking with Naturalist Lynne Flaccus, a walk around SVCA’s Trout Brook preserve to look for and study animal tracks, all ages welcome, limited snowshoes available, $5, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Egypt Road, Jefferson.  FMI:  207-586-6752, www.mainetoday.com.

Feb. 25, Saturday, 11am, East Pond Bog Ski Trip, join Mel Croft as we venture our way onto the frozen East Pond Bog by cross country ski, this interesting area is located to the north of East Pond and offers stunning views of the surrounding wetlands and head water of East Pond, call for details, free, Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, Route 27, Belgrade Lakes Village.  FMI:  207-495-6039, www.belgradelakes.org.

Feb. 25, Saturday, 12-4pm, Cabin Fever Reliever at Norlands, old-time fun, enjoy the one-room schoolhouse and meet the schoolmarm for storytime and a lesson from the 1800s, tours available of the 1867 Washburn Mansion, play old-fashioned games in the Farmer’s Cottage, something delicious will be cooking on the woodstove, $5, Washburn-Norlands Living History Center 290 Norlands Road, Livermore.  FMI:  207-897-4366, www.norlands.org.
 
Feb. 29, Wednesday, 7:30pm, Swiss group La Morra, late medieval and early Renaissance music, this group is praised for thoroughly researched and skillfully interpreted performances, $6, Olin Concert Hall, 75 Russell Street, Lewiston.  FMI: 207-786-6135, www.bates.edu

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Back Pond, Little Mud Pond, Middle Pond, Mud Pond and Jewett Pond Make Up the Five Kezars Ponds in Waterford, Maine

Let the Five Kezars be your place to get away from it all

The Five Kezar Ponds are cradled in the hills of Waterford, Stoneham and Lovell, Maine. Those who own lakefront property here consider it a delightful place to experience Maine.

Back Pond, Little Mud Pond, Middle Pond, Mud Pond and Jewett Pond make up the Five Kezars, which were created by glaciers. This cluster of small ponds form the headwaters of the Kezar River. According to local lore, they were named for an early hunter of the same name, who frequented them, as well as Kezar Pond in Fryeburg and Kezar Lake in Lovell.

In total, the Five Kezars cover 222 acres and have a maximum depth of 50 feet. The ponds are perfectly suited for exploration by canoe or kayak. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife restricts all five ponds to motorboats with no more than 10 horsepower. A carry-in site is located along Lovell Road on Mud Pond.

Middle Pond in Waterford was formed by a dam on the Kezar River. It is the largest at 72 acres, with the deepest point being 50 feet. The water quality of Middle Pond is above average.

View Vacation Rentals on Five Kezars

Next in size is Back Pond, which covers 54 acres and has a maximum depth of 32 feet. It’s located in the southeast corner of Stoneham and has average water quality.

Lakefront Properties For Sale on Back Pond

Jewett Pond, in Waterford, encompasses 43 acres and has a maximum depth of 41 feet. The water quality is average.

Lakefront Properties For Sale on Jewett Pond

The narrow, hook-shaped Mud Pond, also in Waterford, covers 39 acres and has a maximum depth of 35 feet. Because there are many shallow areas on this pond, the water quality is below average.The shallow Little Mud Pond covers about 14 acres and also has below average water quality.The residents of the Five Kezar Ponds Watershed have worked diligently over the years to protect and preserve this precious environment. Most recently, some of the residents helped create the Back Pond Reserve, a combination of 139 acres north of the Five Kezar Ponds Road and 10 acres south of the road. The 10 acres were bought in 1980 by 12 families on Back Pond and deeded to the Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) in 1998. No activities are permitted on the 10-acre Preserve as it is maintained in its natural, unaltered state.The 139 acres were acquired by the Greater Lovell Land Trust in 2006 through the generosity of members and friends the Five Kezar Ponds Watershed Association. Several trails loop through the 139 acres and guided walks are offered each summer. Information is available at the trailhead kiosk.

The Five Kezars are great for those looking to do a little fishing, with the principal fishery being brook trout, which is stocked annually. They are even more suitable for those who like to explore via canoe or kayak–Middle Pond, Back Pond and Mud Pond are connected. All five ponds offer different views of the surrounding mountains.

You might also like to explore the area on foot or via bicycle. Dirt and logging roads offer lots of adventures. And it’s just a short walk to the picturesque Kezar Falls Gorge on Lovell Road.

In about twenty minutes you can drive to the White Mountain National Forest or the small towns of Norway and Bethel. Sunday River Ski Resort is 30 minutes away–it takes the same amount of time to drive to Shawnee Peak in Bridgton.

North Waterford is the closest village to the Five Kezars. As part of the Maine experience, you’ll need to dine at Melby’s Market and Eatery–I guarantee you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Another must do is a stop at the Beech Hill Bison Farm. And you’ll want to make sure you are in town for the annual Waterford World’s Fair, touted as “A little Agricultural Fair with a big heart.”

To learn more about lakefront property listings on the Five Kezars, just click on the green boxes above.

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