Maine Real Estate Talk

Good morning folks! Well, if you had any doubts that spring has arrived in Bath, Maine...better check the forecast! It's going to hit 83 degrees! Beautiful weather for gardening, golfing, and Mayfair! Some of you might remember a post I did a few days ago describing the upcoming Mayfair weekend in Bath. It is a celebration of spring, and is comprised of numerous activities that include a farmers market, dancing around the Maypole, and the city-wide yard sale! Don't forget to bring your contributions by our office in Bath....remember that all proceeds go to help the Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skate Park!

Here's the schedule of activities as well as a list of all the businesses and residences participating in the city-wide yard sale.  Everyone seems to throw a table loaded with treasures in the front yard during Mayfair weekend, so don't restrict your shopping to only those homes on the list!

Be sure to scroll all the way down so you don't miss anything!

If you'd like more info about Mayfair Weekend in Bath, Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like info about Maine Real Estate, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Got any junk in the trunk?  How about the attic? Under the bed...stuffed in the shed...in the back of the closet or crammed overhead? Okay...before this turns into a Dr. Seuss rhyme, let me tell you what I'm talking about!

Every year Bath, Maine celebrates Mayfair weekend. This celebration offers a variety of activities for young and old, but the biggest draw seems to be the city wide yard sale!  Treasure hunters from surrounding counties descend upon our fair city to check out the goodies, and this year, we're planning to have some goodies of our own to offer!

Allen & Selig Realty is asking you to do some spring cleaning, clean out that shed, and bring us your unwanted items!  We will be participating in the city-wide yard sale this year, and all proceeds will benefit the Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skate Park.  We will accept household items, lawn & garden items, tools, toys, games, and small furniture. No clothing please, and, despite the title, no junk.

You can bring your donations to our office M-F  9am-5pm now through May 1st.

If you're in the area, stop by and say hi...have some coffee...and shop for a good cause! After all, you can't let that clean shed sit empty!

If you need directions to our office, call us at 207-319-5136!

See you there!

If you'd like more info on Mayfair Weekend, contact The Hershey Home Team!

If you'd like to learn more about the Bath,Maine Real Estate Market, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Well folks, spring has sprung in Bath, Maine and it's baseball time again!  Boys all over are oiling their mitts, digging out their cleats, and searching through the barn for that one bat that seems to be responsible for all the home runs last season. Teams all over Maine are gathering at the fields that until a few weeks ago were covered in snow.  Baseball fever is here!

But I think there's one baseball league that might just be a little more pumped about the upcoming season...and it's all because of the generosity of a local company, Frohmiller Construction.  You see, the Bath Babe Ruth league has been working tirelessly to raise enough money to have dugouts built on Varnum Field. They happily participated in numerous fundraisers and the generous people of Mid Coast Maine gave what they could. The boys were able to raise enough for the concrete pads ($4,000) and a local lumber company sold them the wood at cost ($3,000) but they still didn't have enough money to have the dugouts erected. So they sat in the sun..they sat in the rain...and they kept a keen eye out for foul balls headed their way.

So what's a bunch of 13-15 yr old boys with a love of baseball to do?  Well, they committed themselves to continued fund raising and another season without dugouts.  After all, being able to play ball is what's important.  But then a local company took notice of the boys' efforts, and the  employees of Frohmiller Construction stepped in to lend a hand!  They showed up at 7 am on a Saturday morning with a truck full of materials, big smiles, and a determination to not leave until the boys had their dugouts!  The players and parents also showed up to help lug materials, fetch water, and apply primer to the new buildings. By Sunday, the youth baseball league had brand new dugouts!

As the mom of the 3rd baseman, I saw first hand how much this meant to the boys. They really appreciated the fact that a local company donated their expertise and their time to help out the youth baseball teams.  So The Babe Ruth League of Bath, Maine sends a HUGE Thank You to Frohmiller Construction.

Also, a special thank you goes out to Kevin Olson, Kevin Rice, and all who volunteer their time so that our youth can have a baseball program.  You are appreciated!

            And that, my friends, is one of the many reasons why I love Mid Coast Maine!

To sign up for Bath Baseball, click here!

To become a part of this special community, click here!

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!

If you're planning to spend your summer camping in Maine.....today is your day!  You can begin making your Maine State Park camping reservations today!

You can do it one of four ways:

- online at www.CampWithMe.com

- by calling in state at 800-332-1501; or (out-of-state) 207-624-9950;

- by mailing reservations to: Bureau of Parks and Lands, ATTN.: Reservations, 22 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333. Mailed reservation requests must not be postmarked before Feb. 2, 2009.

- Or by walking in at the Augusta office.

If you walk in to the Augusta office,  you must have your registration forms with you as well as the payment.  And be advised that they can't give you an immediate confirmation.  So your best bet is to go online!

The premium sites fill up quickly....so get going!

As I sit here writing this post it's a balmy 24 degrees in Phippsburg, Maine and there's an additional 8 inches of fresh snow. Some people find this invigorating, and can't wait to hit the slopes, grab a sled, or hit their favorite frozen pond.  But if you're one of those people who want to experience the magic of Mid Coast Maine from a warmer spot, then this list is for you. 

10 Ways To Keep Busy During A Maine Winter!

1.  Visit the Patton Free Library!  The library is always a little more crowded in the wintertime. The library offers an amazing array of activities for both young and old....story time for the kids, craft days, computers, movies, and an impressive book collection! Curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book or explore the history of Bath, Maine in the extensive local history room. The staff is knowledgeable, extraordinarily friendly, and always available to help.  So you might come in just to warm up...but I bet you leave with a library card!

2.   Tour the Maine Maritime Museum! Bath is known as "The City Of Ships", so of course we have a Maritime Museum!  You can actually tour this museum all winter...it will take that long to absorb every fascinating detail! The attractions include numerous exhibits featuring art and artifacts, interactive areas for children and adults, a historic shipyard with 5 original 19th century buildings, a Victorian-era shipyard owners home,a life-size sculptural representation of the largest wooden sailing vessel ever built, and a campus on the bank of the Kennebec River!  A must see!

3.   Browse at Renys!  There's an old saying that says "If Reny's doesn't have it...I don't need it!"  How true that is! Reny's is a Maine-owned chain of small discount stores that offers everything you could possibly need at low, low prices!  Need new Carharts before the ice fishing derby? Head to Reny's. Winter boots, Columbia jacket, new dishes, or a lamp shaped like a duck? Head to Reny's. They are always packed with souvenir-seeking tourists during the summertime...so at this time of year you should have plenty of elbow room to browse and browse and browse!

 4.  Take in a show at The Chocolate Church!    If you've never visited The Chocolate Church...you're missing out on a fabulous experience! Browse through the Art Gallery, enjoy the photo exhibit, watch a play, or jam at a concert...the opportunities to enjoy the arts are endless!  Check out their calendar of events...I'm sure you'll find something you won't want to miss!

 5.  Grab your Skateboard and head to the Bath Youth Meetinghouse!  This facility is home to Maine's largest indoor skate park! Didn't pack your skateboard?  Well then, you can watch a movie, enjoy a concert, play a game of ping pong, rule the arcade, or visit the Internet cafe! The perfect place for teens to gather on a cold winter's day!

 6.  Raise your inner temperature with some Beale Street Barbecue! When the cold north wind seems to go right through you, it's time to head over to Beale Street!  Enjoy barbecue at it's finest, and with many different sauces to choose from you can make it as hot as you want! Plus, Beale Street Barbecue supports the Good Shepherd Food Bank...they've provided over 50,000 meals so far...so when you eat, someone else gets to eat too!  It's a win-win!

 7.  Swim at the Y!  The Bath YMCA is a gorgeous facility with tons to offer! Come in out of the cold and pretend it's summer while you splash in the pool or work up a sweat on the basketball court! There is a teen room and childcare is available for the little ones!

 8.  Bowl a Perfect Game at Yankee Lanes!  When the winter blahs get you downs, grab some friends and head to Yankee Lanes in Brunswick! Getting that first strike will lift your spirits!  Or, if you bowl like I do, just keeping it out of the gutter will make you smile. And they do have gutter guards for the kids that work great! Not that I've ever used them.....

                                             9.  Shop Local!  Nowadays I think it's more important than ever to support our local merchants, and Front Street in Bath provides numerous opportunities to do just that! Lined with small shops, galleries, and  restaurants, Front Street offers antiques, specialty stores, souvenirs  shops, toy shops, a bookstore..everything you could need without having to leave Bath!

10. Howard Sports!  How about some indoor soccer? Or field hockey? Or batting cages?  Take your pick at Howard Sports Dome in Topsham Maine! When the kids get antsy, a day at the dome will get rid of that pent-up energy!

So there you go, my warmth-loving friends!  Ten ways to help get through a Maine winter! If you'd like additional information on any of these activities, contact The Hershey Home Team!

And if you'd like to see homes for sale in Maine, contact The Hershey Home Team!

Did you know that Maine's Acadia National Park is the second most visited park in the United States...second only to Yellowstone? It's true! Located along the rocky coast, Acadia National Park encompasses over 47,000 acres of granite domed mountains, deep forests, lakes, ponds, and ocean shoreline. The variety of terrain offers outdoor recreation opportunities that are unparalleled along the Eastern Coast!  Hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain, enjoy a sunrise over Frenchman's Bay, or wet your line in one of the numerous lakes and ponds.  The park also features over 40 miles of tree lined carriage roads as well as numerous secluded hiking paths.  Whew...that will keep the kids busy!

So now you know!

If you'd like more information on Acadia, visit the National Park Service!

If you'd like more information on Maine Real Estate, contact The Hershey Home Team!

What is a vernal pool?  Is it an asset to a property?  Can I swim in it?  Why do I even care?  Well, if you're planning on buying Real Estate in Maine, you'd better care!  If you buy a property that has a vernal pool on it, you could encounter restrictions on how you can develop your land.  And no..you won't need your water wings!

Vernal pools are small, shallow wetlands that appear only temporarily at particular times of year. Although they are only filled with water a few times a year, they are essential breeding, feeding and resting areas for 2/3 of Maine's amphibians!  Frogs, turtles, salamanders,fairy shrimp....you name it!  Many of these species are endangered, and Maine has gone to great lengths to protect them.  So if you find a property that has a vernal pool on it, you need to do some research!

The most important thing you need to find out is if the vernal pool is considered "significant".  A pool that is considered significant is protected from development. A pool is considered "significant" if one of 2 criteria has been met:

      1. It contains a state listed threatened or endangered species

                                              or   

     2. There is a notable abundance of specific wildlife, such as wood frog or fairy shrimp.

Maine law states that nothing can be done to impact the vernal pool habitat, which includes the pool itself and everything within a 250ft radius.  So no...you can't build your garage there....put in a dock....or turn it into a driveway! But make sure you bring in an expert to determine if the vernal pool is significant or not...don't take the neighbors word for it!  Your agent can give you names of people who have been trained in wetand ecology and wildlife.  Or, contact the Maine DEP for more information!

If you're out looking for real estate In Maine and come upon a property that has a vernal pool on the premises, no need to rule it out right away! But do your homework and make sure you can build that house...or garage...or driveway!  Contact the Maine DEP at the following numbers:

Presque Isle (Northern Maine Regional Office):  207-764-0477; 888-769-1053
Bangor (Eastern Maine Regional Office):  207-941-4570; 888-769-1137
Augusta (Central Maine Regional Office):  207-287-3901; 800-452-1942
Portland (Southern Maine Regional Office):  207-822-6300; 888-769-1036

And if you'd like more information on Maine Real Estate, contact The Hershey Home Team!