Maine Real Estate Talk: March 2009

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Are you looking for a place in Maine?  Somewhere the whole family looks forward to coming to year after year? A place where you don't have to worry about keeping the grass mowed....or the shingles painted...or the roof maintained?  

Well, I've got the perfect place for you!  Nestled on 183 acres of common land, this new condo is perfect for either vacation or year-round use. Someone else takes care of grass...and the shingles...and the roof.  All you have to do is unlock the door!

Fabulous location is under 2 minutes to magnificent Popham Beach and historic Ft. Popham. Short drive to Sebasco Harbor Resort and less than an hour to Portland!

Join me on Saturday, March 28th from 1-4 for a tour!

This time of year, people in Maine are always itching for a celebration. Something that says we've emerged from the icy grip of winter and are barreling headlong into a Maine springtime. Well, with the forecast predicting highs in the upper 40's for this weekend, I've got a plan where you can have fun, enjoy the warmth, and soak up some sunshine! How about joining me in Bath, Maine for a little March Madness?  March "Irish" Madness that is!

This year brings us the first ever Saint Patrick's Day Weekend Celebration!  The festivities include a Saturday parade, Irish music, children's coloring contest, free trolley rides and more!

The celebration kicks off Friday evening with the Moonlight Madness Sale! As the moon rises over the Kennebec River, local merchants will be holding incredible sales, and in some cases, discounts will increase as each hour passes.  So for the best deals, make sure you hit Cafe Creme first and get plenty of caffeine! That way you'll be alert when they drop the prices!

As you walk through downtown Bath enjoying the festivities, don't forget to look up! You won't want to miss the banners lining Front St! Colorful canvas banners created by local artists, all following the theme of "Enjoying Bath in 80 Ways".  Taking place for the 5th year in a row, this event has brought light to the numerous talented artists that inhabit our great city!

I do hope that if you're in the area you can take part in the festivities!  The schedule is as follows:

Friday, March 13

• 5-6 pm Banners Over Bath artist's reception at City Hall
• 6-9 pm Friday evening retail event, "Moonlight Madness Sale" Participants and details will be published in the The Times Record and Coastal Journal on Wednesday, March 11.
• 6-9 pm Musicians in the street (weather permitting)
• 9 pm Live Irish music at Byrnes' Irish Pub
• 9 pm-12 midnight "Seize the Mike" Karaoke contest at the Bounty Restaurant -$5 entry fee

Saturday March 14

• 11 am St. Patrick's Day Parade beginning at St. Mary's Churchon Lincoln Street, continuing to Front and Centre downtown, and ending at Library Park Gazebo with an "Irish Blessing"
• Free Admission to Bath Area YMCA for those wearing green
• 9 pm Live Irish music at Byrnes' Irish Pub

If you'd like more information on the St. Patrick's Day Celebration, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to watch the parade from your own front yard, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Make sure you look for me....I'll be the one wearing green!  :)

When I left the house this morning, I had to wonder if spring would ever arrive. There was a steady sleet/snow falling that quickly turned to all snow during my morning commute.  And as I write this blog, a cold rain accompanies a brisk north wind. Kinda makes it hard to picture my clusters of daffodils or mounds of lilies ever emerging from the frozen ground.

And then I saw the morning paper and my whole outlook changed!  What changed my mood? I'm glad you asked....it's the arrival of

THE PORTLAND FLOWER SHOW!!!

That's right friends! The Portland Flower Show begins tonight, and for many Mainers, that is the first sign of spring!

In the past, The Portland Flower Show has had to compete with The New England Spring Flower Show, which usually take place in Bangor and Boston on the same day as the Portland show.  But alas, even flora and fauna have been affected by the economy, and the shows in Bangor and Boston have been canceled.  So that leaves The Portland Flower Show, with it's 16 indoor gardens, 105 garden-related vendors, lectures, films, a plant auction and other green fun, as the only show in northern New England.  This year will be even bigger, as many vendors from the two canceled shows will be setting up shop in Portland. You can buy gardening books, master creating a water garden, buy seeds, bulbs, shovels...the works!  Brunswick's own Skillin's Greenhouse will demonstrate landscaping with native plants, and Al Berard of the Maine Pumpkin Growers Organization will talk about how to grow those giant pumpkins. Maybe I'll win the neighborhood pumpkin contest this year!

If you're as excited as I am, here are the details:

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (preview); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Portland Company Complex, 58 Fore St.; 775-4403

HOW MUCH:$13 in advance at Hannaford Supermarkets and various garden centers; $15 at the door. Wednesday's preview costs $30 in advance and $50 at the door, and will include an awards ceremony, music and food.

PARKING:At garages around downtown, or on the street in the Old Port. Free shuttle buses will run along Commercial Street as far west as the Casco Bay Bridge, except on Wednesday night.

WHAT ELSE: For a complete list of lectures, vendors, exhibitors and other information, visit www.portlandcompany.com.

So there you go....a wonderful taste of spring for the winter weary New Englanders!

If you'd like additional information on The Portland Flower Show, contact The Hershey Home Team!

And if you'd like to grow your own garden in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!