Top 10 Signs Spring is Really Here

    In other places they look for finches at the feeder or crocus's blooming as signs of spring.  But here in the greater Damariscotta area we have our own Top 10 Signs of Spring:

10. The roads are posted.

9. Local garages are busy taking snow tires off cars and putting summer tires on.

8. At Pinkham's Plantation they're preparing the Pumpkin Patch for planting.

7. The snow is gone and the nets are up on Lincoln Academy's 4 brand new tennis courts.

6. Larsen's Lunchbox has hung their sign back up, opening can't be far behind.

5. Three letters; MUD

4. Flip Flops (OK it IS a little cool but so what).

3. The docks have come back from where ever they go during the winter and will be going in soon.

2. Brown Christmas wreaths are starting to come down.

1. Round Top Ice Cream has opened (yeah!!!)

And, the special bonus number 1 Sure Sign that Spring Has Sprung...At Newcastle Square Realty we're showing and selling property! People are back and they've gotten the word that now is a GREAT time to buy!

Debby Schling

Bald Eagles in Maine

  In other states folks get all excited when they see the first Robin in the spring.  Here in Maine we watch the Eagles all winter long.  This is a truly remarkable creature, the population of which has made a comeback since the days of Rachel Carson and Silent Spring.  It's amazing what nature can do when we just leave it alone.

   This video is from a nest up in Hancock County to our north where someone has rigged up a camera.  There are several active nests in our area and three that I know of on Damariscotta Lake.  I have seen Eagles land on the ice to eat low value fish such as perch and pickerel left behind by ice fishermen in search of salmon and togue.

Jim Cosgrove

Moon over the Mills

   One of the many great things about living in a rural area is watching celestial events that are not ruined by the light pollution of a city.  Wednesday night should be one of those times as we witness another lunar eclipse at about 8:43 PM.  According to the news that I have read this is the third eclipse this year but apparently I slept through the other two.

   There are some great places to view the eclipse in Lincoln County.  Pemaquid Point by the lighthouse would be one and somewhere in the middle of Damariscotta Lake another (careful on the ice, we just had a lot of warm rain) or really in anyones backyard who doesn't have too many trees (always best of course if it's the back yard of someone you know).  Since no lunar eclipse that is enjoyed outdoors can be fully appreciated without a beverage may I suggest a hot toddy is appropriate for a cool February evening?

   If you aren't lucky enough to live here in mid coast Maine and still want to see the show here is a link to a schedule of where and when it will appear.

   If you want to see the next one here in Maine, please give me a call and lets see if we can find you a back yard of your own that has a good view!

Tom Field

Wonderful Weekend

    The Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a festive weekend starting Friday, December 7 at 5:00 p.m. with a kickoff champagne reception at Gallery 170.  The Chamber is celebrating its second annual "Coastal ChristmasFest", launched last year under the leadership of Cerina Leeman, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce.

   The stores will be open late for a Holiday Stroll.  Many of the stores will be offering treats and live music.  The evening culminates in Newcastle for the tree lighting ceremony at 8:00 p.m.

   The town of Damariscotta is the center of commerce for surrounding towns including Newcastle, Bristol, South Bristol, Bremen, Nobleboro and Edgecomb. Most of the festivities this coming weekend are downtown in the twin villages of Newcastle and Damariscotta.

   On Saturday there are lots of activities for the whole family starting with a pancake breakfast at the Baptist Church at the head of town to benefit their steeple renovation. After that, choose any number of activities including ornament making at Healthy Kids, wreath auction benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters, art gallery tour, book signing and scavenger hunt sponsored by the Maine Coast Bookstore. At 10:00 a.m. you can join the Damariscotta Newcastle Rotary Club as they dedicate the new lights on the bridge connecting Newcastle and Damariscotta. There will be a reception with refreshemnts afterwards right here in the offices of Newcastle Square Realty.  More events and details of all the events can be found on the Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce website.

   Fittingly, the last event of the weekend is the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Lincoln County Community Theater.  Admission is a canned or non-perishable food item.

  Come join in on the festivities this weekend, and if you are a visitor and realize that you want to live in this wonderful area, please call me. I'll be happy to find you a wonderful home!

Tracy Babcock

Snow Day

   It's the first snowstorm of the season today and all over the greater Damariscotta area snow plow drivers are celebrating by running down real estate signs.  There isn't a school open in the entire state and the forecast calls for snow right through until tomorrow morning with a total accumulation of between 12 and 18 inches.

   Most businesses are open and the driving isn't too bad.  Of course a lot of folks don't have their snow tires on yet and there's always those that need that first storm to remind them that they can't go as fast as they usually do when the road is slippery.

   If you're home watching the snow come down, feel free to call in and talk with one of our brokers about the fantastic opportunities that exist right now in the best buyers market we've seen in years!

Jim Cosgrove

Winter Fishing

   Usually when someone mentions winter fishing I get one of two pictures in my head.  The first is from the Discovery Channels show "Deadliest Catch" where you see commercial fishermen bundled up in foul weather gear up to their eyebrows, risking their lives in huge seas and frigid water so they can put food on the table, theirs and ours. 

   The other picture that comes to mind is a small shack on an ice covered lake, with a little wisp of smoke curling out of the top and sitting in the center of a circle of ice fishing traps whose flags never seem to pop.

   What I don't think of much is casting a small lure into a tidal river on the coast of Maine in December and pulling out a 24 inch sea run Brown Trout! The picture above of Alex and this beauty is what will come to mind from now on (for those non fishermen, Alex is the one smiling).  These pictures were taken yesterday afternoon at a location that must remain secret (unless you buy a home through me).  I have seen some nice Brown Trout in my time but never one this big taken in salt water. 

   If you need to speak with me this weekend leave a message and I will call back.  On Monday.  Or after I have caught this beast's brother or sister.  Be patient, I know I will.

Tom Field

November Golf in Maine

    OK, we're approaching Thanksgiving and I've just seen the first faint snowflakes of the season, I guess it's time to pack away my golf clubs for this year.

   You might ask, "playing golf in November, in Maine?"  Or, "are you nuts?"

   Up until yesterday, a group of us from the Ladies League of Wawenock Golf Club have been able to keep playing pretty regularly, once or twice a week even after the traditional end of the season here, Columbus Day.   Wawenock is our own somewhat hidden treasure, a beautiful 9 hole course in the heart of the Pemaquid Peninsula in the Walpole section of South Bristol.

   The membership of Wawenock is drawn from Damariscotta, Newcastle, Bristol and South Bristol, Jefferson, Nobleboro, Bremen and Alna and also includes many other nice folks from all over the country and even the world, who summer here in Maine.   While they do enjoy the course they miss the fun of November golf!

   Here's why we LOVE to play golf in November:

   1. No bugs

   2. It's deer season and we look good in orange.

   3. If you hit a shot at a tree it's more apt to go through because there are no leaves.

   4. Chances are no one is playing behind you so if it doesn't go through you can play a second shot (is that what they mean by "winter rules"?).

   5. The Club House is closed so no need to post those bogus scores.

   6. On the 4th hole, instead of splashing into the water, your ball may just skim across the ice and wind up in front of the green.

   7. We get to wear gloves on BOTH hands.

   8. Hot chocolate tastes much better than bottled water.

   9. No lines at the porta-potty.

   10. WE LOVE GOLF!

   Alas, another season is drawing to a close, we're probably all done for this year.  But the January thaw is coming...

Tracy Babcock

Wiscasset Bypass Options

    The Maine Department of Transportation has released it's long awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement which is part of the Wiscasset Route 1 Corridor Study.  This statement outlines 5 proposed routes for a bypass of Route 1 around the village of Wiscasset.  Anyone who has ever visited the mid coast area in July or August knows that traffic going through the village can back up for miles in either direction.  Many locals go to great lengths to avoid heading south of Edgecomb during the summer months or if they do, use circuitous routes that can take almost as long but are less frustrating than sitting in traffic.

   The five different options range in estimated cost from $68.4 million to $79. million.  That's in todays dollars but Dale Doughty, acting director of MDOT's Bureau of Planning predicts it could take another decade before construction of a bypass could begin.

   One of the options would require the taking by eminent domain of 33 homes and 15 businesses. Others would take less but all would take some. It's hard to imagine spending the next 10 years waiting for that sword to fall.  That's on top of spending the last 10 years wondering if you were on one of the proposed routes.  Reportedly the property owners so concerned have been notified by the state.

   There is also a "no build" option in the study which would only cost $1 million and consist of improvements to roads and intersections.  Some have offered the suggestion that getting rid of the seasonal, "Reds Eats" would solve the problem since most of the traffic slow down is caused by folks crossing the road to get back and forth from Reds.  This has little chance of happening because Reds is probably more popular with the tourists than the traffic is unpopular. I don't think I've ever met a local person who has ever eaten at Reds.  Not twice anyway.

   Public meetings will be held in Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset, Edgecomb, Alna and Westport and after that the State will do darn well what they please.  See their website for more information including times and places.

Jim Cosgrove

Almost Heaven, Maine Autumn

    Now really, where would you rather be today?  North East Ohio or North East New England? 

   For the sportsman or woman this time of year is just about heaven with cool nights and warm sunny days, the ducks are flying and the deer are moving about in the woods.  The golf courses are open and uncrowded and for those that didn't rush to get their boats out of the water the scenery is just beautiful.

   For the sports fan, New England is the center of the universe with the Red Sox heading to the World Series, the Patriots a perfect 7-0 and Boston College ranked #2 in the nation.

   As if that's not enough reason to live here, prices are as low as we've seen in a long time and there are plenty of great properties to choose from.  Call now, brokers are standing by!

 

Jim Cosgrove

Autumn in Maine

    Our glorious Sugar Maples are rapidly changing color and the local landscape has been transformed from the lush green of summer to the reds and oranges of fall. Visitors are enjoying the change in the season while sampling all sorts of activities, including our own Damariscotta Oyster Festival and the very funny Annual Pumpkin Regatta (see below). There are many harvest celebrations occurring all over the State, including antique shows and auctions and wonderful Agricultural Fairs.  This is a great time to visit Maine (although you'll miss the black flies).

   The slower pace of autumn allows us all to reflect back on this past vacation season.  We often ask our guests "what was your favorite thing?" but this year we asked our renters to cast actual ballots on the Best of 2007. Here is a brief summary of those votes:

The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse was voted as having The Best Views; it was also voted as The Best Picnic Spot and The Most Romantic Spot.  The Lighthouse tied with Pemaquid Beach as being The Best Place to Spend the Day.

   The Anchor Inn took the most votes in the category of Best Restaurant; just barely beating out Shaw's Fish and Lobster Wharf, another highly mentioned dining spot. The Anchor Inn tied Salt Bay Cafe for Best Chowder. They also tied with Moody's Dinner for Best Kids Menu.

   Red's Eats in Wiscasset and Shaw's Lobster Wharf tied for Best Lobster Roll. Another closely contested race was in the category of The Best Lobster Dinner with Shaw's Lobster Wharf just barely beating out the dueling lobster pounds in round Pond: Muscongus Bay Lobster and Round Pond Lobster.

   Shoppers clearly preferred the Town of Damariscotta to the competitors, Boothbay Harbor and Freeport and gave it the top rating for Best Shopping. Reny's Department Store was the clear favorite in shopping spots - beating out the much more famous LL Bean by a wide margin!

   Honorable Mention goes to King Eiders Pub, The Damariscotta River Grill and The Cupboard Cafe all of which kept showing up on ballots under various categories. Round Top Ice Cream received a number of mentions (when on vacation, why can't an ice cream parlor count as a restaurant?). The Pemaquid Fisherman's Co-Op received votes for their view as well as their lobsters.  Kayaking was a popular way to spend the day and Monhegan Island Trips and the Maine Botanical Gardens received a great number of votes in the My Personal Best category.

      If you didn't get a chance to vote, comment here and let us know what you think. If you missed some of these outstanding spots you can start now to plan your visit for next season.  We are currently updating our rental listings for next season and would love to help you plan your next visit to Mid Coast Maine and the Pemaquid area!

Anita Palsgrove, Rental Manager

Newcastle Square Vacation Rentals

Pemaquid Oyster Festival a Huge Success

   What a beautiful day to eat oysters on the river!  The Pemaquid Oyster Festival was a resounding success and broke all of the previous records for money raised for the Edward A. Myers Conservation Fund as well as the number of oysters shucked and consumed.  Somewhere near 10,000 oysters made the ultimate sacrifice for this fund raiser to promote aquaculture and the working waterfront.

   This festival had it all.  Music, great food and fine liquid refreshments.  And what a great bunch of volunteers.  I wish I had time to get a picture of all of them but here is a sampling of some of the shucker's as they opened and served the best tasting oysters in the world, Damariscotta River oysters!

 

Tom Field

News Flash! Oyster Festival Update

   Our hidden camera high atop Newcastle Square Realty World Headquarters took this picture moments ago showing the preparations are feverishly underway for this Sunday's Pemaquid Oyster Festival.  Okay so really Tom held Miles while he hung out the third floor window and took the picture but you get the point.  Shucker's have been at work for the last two days opening up enough of the tender bi valves to make the Oyster Stew for the festival.  The white, square container in the back of the pickup truck in the picture above is full of oysters and has been loading and unloading for days.

   With Sunday's forecast calling for sunny skies and temps in the low 70's, the prediction for this years festival is that the previous record of 8,000 oysters consumed will be broken by at least 2,000! 

   The Festival begins at noon on Sunday and will continue until dark (officially, unofficially who knows?).  See you there!

It's Fair Season in Maine

   Most locals feel that September is like a deep breath after the busy, heated pace of the summer.  Nights are chilly, morning fog laces the harbors and ponds and first color is appearing in the sugar maples.  The pace of life is definitely slower.  But best of all September is the month for the largest of the Maine county agricultural fairs; a time to reconnect with our rural heritage and marvel at the skills of local agricultural folks.

   Everyone who attends these County Fairs has a personal favorite and mine is The Common Ground Fair; self described as a "Celebration of Rural Life", and sponsored by MOFGA (The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association).  This rather unique gathering occurs each September on the weekend of the Autumn Equinox and proudly holds to some rather distinctive traditions - especially with regard to the food which  is "permitted" (grown in Maine/produced in Maine) and most notably for the food which is not permitted: coffee, tea and chocolate!

    I've never ceased to be amazed at how much Maine produces!  You can shop for world-class jewelry, museum quality pottery or fiber works, dried floral arrangements, gourd birdhouses, handmade wooden toys, hand crafted herbal creams and lotions, wool fleece or wool felt or wool spun or wool woven into marvelous clothing.

There are futuristic displays of the power of wind turbines or the benefits of home meat smokers. You can get detailed information on solar power or corn stoves. I'm a fan of the livestock demonstrations- especially the chicken judging and oxen pulling.  I love watching the draft horses pull logs or plow the demonstration gardens and often sit in on the short workshops on growing Heirloom tomatoes or saving seeds or collecting wild mushrooms. Since my summers are too busy for real gardening, I get a chance to garden vicariously.  Political action displays sit alongside the Whole Life tent, where free massages can be sampled.

    Throughout the sprawling fairgrounds the carnival aptmoshpere is enhanced by stilt walking clowns, Native American drummers, children on parade in vegetable costumes and the ever present army of volunteers who will help you sort your trash into the appropriate re-cycling bins.    

   There is no midway with carnival rides but there are lots of free musical performances to sample and the opportunity to try your hand at the popular Harry S. Truman Manure Pitching competition or The Pig Scramble.

   If you missed this fair, there's still time to plan on attending the State's largest agricultural fair in Fryberg- starting on September 30 and running until October 7th. Autumn color will be at peak, the temperature will be perfect and it's a great time to share in every county's annual celebration of rural life and the bounty we enjoy from the hard work of so many committed farmers, growers artisans and crafters.

    Get the details about all kinds of fall activities including the Fryberg Fair, at http://www.visitmaine.org/

   See you at the Fair!

Anita Palsgrove is the manager of Newcastle Square Vacation Rentals and she would be happy to help you plan a fall visit to the area.

Pemaquid Oyster Festival 2007

    It's that time of year again folks.  Time again for The Pemaquid Oyster Festival in Damariscotta.  It may not be as famous as Rockland's Lobster Festival or Clam Fest in Yarmouth but it is the only seafood festival getting a post here at Maine Coast Properties blog and that alone makes it a special event.  Besides, this is a real festival without the distractions of all those rides and a beauty contest.

   For those of you who don't know the Pemaquid Oyster Festival is a fund raiser for the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund. Last year, the Festival raised over $15,000. for this fund which promotes conservation on the Damariscotta River and supports efforts to maintain a working waterfront.

   The Festival will be held Sunday, September 30 from noon until dusk on the riverside deck of Schooner Landing on the harbor in Damariscotta.  There will be great entertainment, educational exhibits, opportunities for boat rides and of course plenty of great food starting with oysters!

   The event is primarily sponsored by Schooner Landing Restaurant and the Pemaquid Oyster Company.  Other sponsors include Damariscotta Bank and Trust, Camden National Bank, The Cheney Companies Financial Group, the Glidden Point Oyster Company, Reny's Department Stores, The Electronics Mart, Sheepscot Valley Brewing (goes great with oysters!), Aw Shucks! Oyster Opener (a great tool for not cutting yourself while opening oysters), Yankee Pride Transport, Narragansett Leathers (located right next door to the festival sight, stop in and get a brass oyster shell belt buckle) and of course The Lincoln County News.

    I'll be at the Oyster Festival, volunteering again this year as an apprentice shucker.  What does an apprentice shucker do you ask?  Good question.  My job is to make sure that the master shucker's have the fuel they need to open the more than 8,000 oysters that will get consumed next Sunday!  Pemaquid Ale anyone?

   See you there!

Tom Field

Newcastle Fire

   One of the great things about living in a small town is the willingness of people to volunteer and nowhere is that more evident than when there is a fire in town.  This fire at Walker Point on the Damariscotta River in Newcastle (no relation to Walker's Point in Kennebunk) broke out this afternoon at about 1 o'clock.  From where our office sits it seemed to be mostly under control in less than an hour.

   This was an 8 alarm fire so not only did the Newcastle Volunteer Fire Department (known as the Taniscot Fire Engine Company) fight the fire but fire companies from the surrounding towns of Damariscotta, Nobleboro, Bristol, South Bristol and others arrived on the scene less than 15 minutes after the first Taniscot truck got there.  Volunteer Fire Departments are made up of pretty amazing people.

    And speaking of small towns where else would you see a scene like this except in a small town?  Oddly enough I took this picture about an hour before the fire.  The fire took place about 300 feet behind the building in this picture.

Tom Field

World Class Musicians Visit Maine

    One of the marvelous things about Damariscotta and the Mid Coast area is the variety and quality of arts events available all year, and of course especially in the summer.  One particular event that Newcastle Square Realty and The Cheney Companies Financial Group support, and on whose board I've been active for several years is the Salt Bay Chamberfest.

   The founder of this event, Wilhelmina Smith, who was brought up in South Bristol, is now a celebrated cellist who plays all over the world and has recently formed a string trio called Variation Trio.  "Mina" has brought us some of the greatest talent in the world over the last 13 years, including the Brentano Quartet!

   We have provided housing for the musicians and their families in the nearby towns of Bristol, South Bristol, Newcastle and Nobleboro.  One of the reasons they keep coming back is that they find our area so delightful.  I hope you'll follow this link to the Salt Bay Chamberfest site where you will find a complete program for the concerts on August 14, 17, 21 and 24.  Remember, children under 12 are admitted free of charge! I've watched the rapt faces of even 4 year olds as they watch these spirited musicians and realize instantly what it means to be "good" at something.

   There are free rehearsal events and master classes as well.  A part of this series I wouldn't dream of missing is the pre concert talks given by Mark Mandarano, Mina's husband and an accomplished teacher and conductor.  He's charming, entertaining and so informative that the music takes on a new life with added historical and personal perspective. 

   Please, come and enjoy these extraordinary concerts in the acoustically superb Darrows Barn formerly the Round Top Center for the Arts, in Damariscotta.

Rebecca Brown

Get Ready For "Woofstock" 2007

    Pack up the babies and grab the old Ladies and head on down to Woofstock 2007 tomorrow, August 4, on the grounds of The Lincoln Home by the Damariscotta River in Newcastle.

   This is the major event of the year in Maine for dog lovers. Starting at 10 AM there will be seminars and demonstrations, pet services such as nail clipping, toothbrushing and micro chipping, make your own doggie sundaes ( I confess to have no knowledge of this particular facet, it's new this year) and games for pooches and their people.

   Over 40 pet related vendors are expected with plenty of freebies and product demonstrations, there will be face painting for the young and young at heart, a silent auction, raffles, food (hot dogs of course) and the world famous Family Fun Dog Show.

   Registration for the dog show is from 10 to 12 and is open to all. There is a small registration fee which allows each dog to participate in the Parade of Pooches as well as 4 other highly competitive events such as Best Costume, Best Trick, and the popular Dog With The Waggiest Tail! The Show will begin promptly at 1.  Before that will be an exciting Police Dog demonstration at 12:30 where the Lincoln County Sheriffs Department's new dog will make his stage debut!

   All proceeds from the silent auction and raffle go to support local animal rescues and shelters.  Some of those will be in attendance and include The Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Safe Harbor Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue, The Humane Society of Knox County, Maine Greyhound Placement, Maine Australian Shepherd Rescue and Placement Helpline, and the Camden Rockport Animal Rescue League.  They will have information about their respective organizations as well as adoption applications and available pets.

    Woofstock is a combination of two well known events, The Damariscotta Newcastle Rotary Clubs "Family Fun Dog Show" and The Animal House's "Pet Education Fair".  This year both events have been combined for one great day. All leashed well behaved pets are welcome and I'm told that Bob Laird may even be prevailed upon to demonstrate his famous "Doggy Doo Pick Up Maneuver".

   Don't miss this event which is sure to be talked about for the rest of the summer!  See you there.

Jim Cosgrove

Happy 4th of July!

   Happy 4th of July to all of our visitors and those that wish they were.  Don't forget to head on over to the Round Pond Parade which will kick off at noon from the Post Office in Round Pond.  This is not your average 4th of July parade but is loaded with political satire and commentary that cuts both ways.  All in good fun of course. And that truly celebrates the greatness of our nation.  What better way to honor the brave men and women who founded our country than by exercising the freedoms they gave us!

   So get there early, bring the sunscreen and chairs and stay after for the cookout at The Anchor Inn.  Fireworks in Damariscotta tonight.

Have a Great Day, America.

Jim Cosgrove

Vacationing in Mid Coast Maine

Editors note: Here's another in our continuing series of guest blogs.  Today we hear from Anita Palsgrove of our sister company Newcastle Square Vacation Rentals.

Summer is beginning to unfold in the Damariscotta Region and we're busy at Newcastle Square Vacation Rentals preparing for the arrival of a new season of vacationers. Just in case you're worrying about what to do with your out of state guests or visiting family members we want you to know that it's not too late to find a great vacation spot!  We have wonderful vacation cottages with good weeks still available - all you need to do is direct them to us and we'll do the rest!

We have the largest inventory of vacation rental properties in Lincoln County, spread nicely across the Damariscotta and Pemaquid Region with lots of choices in size and price.

  Although most of our Lakefront cottages are already under contract, we've recently added several new properties with wonderful amenities and great waterfront locations - and good open dates!

On the Saltwater side we can also offer a good selection of available properties - many with prime season dates still open. (Our Saltwater Owners are notorious for holding out weeks for their families and then returning those weeks to the Availability List at the last minute.)

We also represent several charming intown properties within an easy walk to our most popular restaurants, the shopping district, cybercafes and our wonderful Damariscotta Town Landing.  It's truly a "village" experience.

Or maybe you're worrying about what to do with those guests after the obligatory lobster dinner? A week can be a long time!

What to do? What to do?  The Area Information section of our website is filled with links to all sorts of activities. There's always shopping, but what about local antiques auctions?  What about a village or church fair? Art shows? Ice Cream Socials?  Strawberry Festivals? The Lobster Festival?  Or, our own Oyster Festival?  How about world class musical performances?  Or, local stage productions?  We have great Agricultural Fairs (including the Maine State Blueberry Festival and the Windsor Apple Festival). We even have the largest organic farming "Celebration of Rural Life" in New England during the Common Ground Fair in September.  Would they enjoy an afternoon on a lobster boat?  Or a scenic helicopter ride? Or a day trip to Monhegan Island?  What about Puffin watching?  We can match you up with Kayak trips, point you to Canoe Rentals on the Pemaquid River (featured in the April Edition of Downeast Magazine), museums, golf, charter sailboats or give you trail maps to some of the most amazing conservancy property you'll find anywhere. And there's still more to do!

Of course you could always hang out at the Pemaquid Lighthouse, or the Beach or the hammock on your rental property.

Maybe your friends should think about two weeks?  You should call us!

And if your travels to Maine will only allow a short stop in our area, please drop in to our office at the top of Main Street, and take a look at our possible rentals for your next visit. (If you come to Maine once, you'll come back again and again.)

Maybe we can help with a transitional "testing the waters" furnished winter rental?  Or maybe you'll fall in love with this Region and want a longer term rental while you start looking at local real estate?

We truly believe that Great Vacations Begin Here!

Anita Palsgrove

Shaping Up in Damariscotta

    Surprise!  This is not an article about the construction project in downtown Damariscotta and Newcastle.  It's about the reconstruction of women (and men, but more about that later) at SHAPERS, LLC and exercise facility on the lower level of the Damariscotta River Grill building.

   SHAPERS was formed by an association of women after a national franchise closed abruptly last fall. A group of women who had enjoyed the exercise program and camaraderie, gathered together and for several months planned and organized an independent exercise facility. They met in the local library spearheaded by Jeanne Davis, Lil Garcia, Anna Shaw Barbara Fraser, Joyce Penniman, Jane Najim and Sharon Morrill.

   Husbands also lent their support.  Alan Davis did a fabulous job with PR, Lil's husband, Joe installed the computer system, lighting, etc., George Shaw helped Anna with some of the painting of the interior walls and Roy Penniman picked up and delivered the exercise equipment.

   They took the positive aspects of the franchise and improved the concept with additional programs. Being independent there is flexibility in what they can offer and they welcome suggestions from the members.

   It's a wonderful concept as you can go at any time to fit your schedule and can get a full workout in about 40 minutes - you need to remember to stretch. It's also fun because you never know who will be there when you are. Sometimes I'm so busy talking and having fun that I forget how many times I've been around the circuit.

   The space is more reminiscent of a Stockholm wine cellar than a gym, cozy and intimate with it's brick and stone walls yet well lit and air conditioned.

   Hours are 6 AM - 6:30 PM Monday through Friday and 8 AM to Noon on Saturday. And now, yes you heard it here first, men are allowed along with women from 5-7 PM on weekdays.  For more information call 563-3030 or email shapers@tidewater.net

   Check it out. Get in Shape. Have fun!

Tracy Babcock

Where is Mid Coast Maine?

    Ask people from Michigan just where their hometowns are and you are likely to get a visual presentation.  Michiganders often will hold up their right hand and explain that at the base of the thumb is Detroit, the middle of the palm is Lansing, the gap between the thumb and forefinger is Saginaw Bay and the fingers are the western part of the state. Of course they then might have to explain the UP or Upper Peninsula.  Pointing at the right hand they can tell you where they live using this portable map.

   I have begun to explain Mid Coast Maine with my portable map, my right hand with fingers pointed downward.  My four fingers represent the four peninsulas of the Mid coast.  With palm facing my audience, my forefinger is the Phippsburg peninsula extending south from Bath.  My middle finger is the Georgetown/Five Islands peninsula, south of Woolwich.  My ring finger is the Boothbay peninsula. And my little finger is the Pemaquid peninsula which extends south from Damariscotta.

   These four major peninsulas (peninsulae? if I remember my junior high Latin) lie between Casco Bay and Muscongus Bay and are what most people consider Mid Coast Maine, the jewel of the Maine coast.

   I then explain that these peninsulas are connected by US Highway 1 which runs across my palm where my fingers are attached. There is no "point to point" highway nor ferry for that matter. To get from South Bristol to Boothbay Harbor for example, a mile or so across the water, requires driving about 16 miles up to Route 1, a few miles down Route 1 and then another 12 or so miles down the next peninsula to Boothbay Harbor.

   Between these two peninsulas is the Damariscotta River, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. This river is the most beautiful stretch of water anywhere and is the subject of a great new book by friends of mine, Barnaby Porter and Al Trescott.

   At the head of the Damariscotta River is the community in which I live and work, the twin villages of Damariscotta and Newcastle. I first found The Greatest Place on Earth to Live fifteen years ago.  But that story will have to wait for another blog.

Bill Babcock

Tee Time in Mid Coast Maine

    In most places where I've lived previous to moving here to the Pemaquid Peninsula the arrival of spring could be described in botanical terms.  Typically you would hear terms such as "my crocus and daffodils are up", "the forsythia are in bloom", "the lilacs smell so pretty".  Here on the coast of Maine the climate is such that we use different terms to announce the varying stages of spring.  The first two signs of spring are; the ice cream shops are open and the golf course is open! A few weeks after that we then relate to the blooming crocus, daffodils and lilacs.

   Today is April 27 and Wawenock Golf Club has officially opened for the season (Round Top Ice Cream opened two weeks ago)!  Considering the Patriots Day Monsoon we had last week the course is in good condition.  Paul Richmond, the new General Manager, and his staff have improved the course drainage in the off season and it shows.

   I arrived at the course early this morning looking for someone to play 9 holes with.  No such luck.  There wasn't a golfer to be seen.  I had the whole course to myself. Good thing!  After six months of not swinging a golf club it wasn't pretty.  Next stop for me has to be the practice range.  After I stop for an ice cream!

Lee Simard

For Real This Time

    Okay, I'm going out on a limb here, tempting fate, but this time I think Spring really has sprung!  It's a beautiful sunny day here on the Pemaquid peninsula and the forecast is beautiful as far ahead as they dare predict.  We have just survived the latest "storm of the century" which by my count is about the ninth one we've had so far and we're only 7 years into this century.

   Much of our area was without power for a few days, Main Street in Damariscotta had to be shut down and there are quite a few trees down that now need to be cut up and hauled off.  I know this isn't much of a selling point and this is supposed to be a real estate blog so let me tell you what is good about all of this.

   Despite all of the problems this past week and all of the stress folks were under I saw people reaching out to help their neighbors and perfect strangers.  I saw people dealing with all that was going on with good humor and I saw people stopping to thank Central Maine Power crews for their round the clock work. Folks were even polite to the politicians who made their inevitable stops here to get themselves on the news.  Mother nature sometimes likes to throw a challenge our way but I think we handled this  one pretty darn well.

   Now, let's get on with spring.  Does anyone know when the golf course opens?

Jim Cosgrove

Spring has Sprung, part ll

   Oh, man. When will I ever learn!  Why tempt fate by writing about the gorgeous spring weather in early April in Maine?   I think it was T. S. Elliot who said "April is the cruelest month" and I'm certainly not going to argue with him.  Mother Nature dumped about 10 inches of heavy white stuff on us last night.

   The old timers call this "poor mans fertilizer" because, supposedly, spring snow is loaded with nitrogen and this will make everything grow better.  All I know for sure is that it is heavy, very heavy.  I'm not going home until Mother and the kids have it all cleaned up. So please, call, I'd love to talk real estate with you!

Jim Cosgrove 

Spring has Sprung on the Coast of Maine

    We've been a little lax lately about posting to this blog and I sincerely apologize to all of our readers, faithful and otherwise.  You see, in addition to showing a whole lot of property to potential buyers who are (finally) coming out of winter hibernation we've also been trying to spend some time outside of the office.  Up until today the weather has been absolutely as perfect as it can be for late March and early April. 

   Now this is Maine we're talking about, not Miami or Tuscon, so it's all relevant.  There is still some snow left but it's back in the woods where the sun can't get at it. Our lawns are all a  nice shade of muddy brown and speaking of mud, that's what our roads are, at least the ones that aren't paved.  Still when that sun gets high in the sky and the thermometer hovers near 50 degrees it sure does feel nice out.  Everyone smiles a whole lot more and it's easier to stop and chat on the street than say in January when the wind feels like it's going to slice right through you if you don't keep moving. I saw boys throwing baseballs in a field the other day and it won't be long until the golf courses open up.

   So if you've been south for the winter, it's time to start planning for your trip north.  There might be one or two more snow storms left but don't worry they'll melt off fast. If you've been planning on coming to the Damariscotta - Pemaquid area to look for real estate this would be a good time to do it.  but if you call, let it ring.  We might be outside and it could take us awhile to get in to answer it.

 

Jim Cosgrove

Damariscotta River Harmony

   Anyone with an interest in the Damariscotta River should be sure to check out a great article in the Portland Press Herald about the Voice of The River Conference being held at the Darling Marine Center in South Bristol.  The conference is sponsored by the Damariscotta River Association and is being attended by people and organizations from all along the Damariscotta River like Boothbay, Newcastle, Edgecomb and Bristol. 

   One of the people quoted in the article is old friend Glenn Mitchell who runs Midcoast Kayak and has a great perspective on who uses the river and the spirit of cooperation that travels like a current up and down the river.

   I have spent a fair amount of time on the water in New England and while most boaters are friendly and try to be helpful I have never experienced the level of kindness that I have on the Damariscotta River.  I recall one spring when I had just bought a new boat and temptation overcame good judgment.  I dropped it into the river and off I went for a quick ride without adequate and proper preparation.

   Well of course something did go wrong, an empty fuel tank, and I found myself in a small motorboat floating down the river as the tide was going out.  I was lucky that a local oyster boat was on its way in, saw me waving and didn't mistake my motions for over enthusiastic friendliness. Even though I didn't have an oar or a suitable line to be towed with he patiently helped me back to the dock without the lecture that I certainly deserved.  All he did say was " You might want to get yourself a few things for that boat before you go out again."  Words of wisdom, gently passed along.

   Since that time I have had a few opportunities to pay back the kindness to other people along the river who have needed a tow and I hope that each of them has had a chance to pass it along as well.

Tom Field

Mid Coast Maine Snowmobile Trip

    My wife and I headed out on the snowmobiles Sunday for our first major trail ride.  Mostly we have been staying on Damariscotta Lake, cruising and enjoying the sights like the drag races and radar runs  on Great Bay in Jefferson (ever seen a snowmobile go 127 mph?) but this weekend we bought a map from the Jefferson / Nobleboro Snow Packers and ventured out onto the trails! We saw areas of Nobleboro, Jefferson, Waldoboro and Newcastle that we had never seen before because there are no roads to get there, only trails.  We saw deer, turkey and all sorts of tracks from other animals.  With temperatures in the high 30's it was a beautiful day.

    On our way back we saw the most surprising sight of the day; Topher, Kristin and Lulu Mallory out for a ride on their sled. Topher works at Mexicali Blues and among other things is responsible for their blog!

   Kristin works at Camp Kieve in Nobleboro which is the camp I wish I had gone to when I was a kid.  Now I guess I'm just going to have to settle for Red Sox Fantasy Camp!

   This is what we do on sunny weekend days in the winter.  Who needs Florida?

Tom Field

The Real Estate Broker who really does Walk on Water!

Boothbay Harbor Heats Up

    The weather is still cold but down in Boothbay Harbor things will be heating up as the incomparable Gaelic Storm comes to The Opera House on Feb. 25th.

   Gaelic Storm has to be the most high energy band touring today.  These guys will definitely raise the roof at the old opera house. To describe the group as "an Irish band" simply does not do them justice. I hesitate to even mention that way back when they were the band providing the music for the steerage scene with Leo and Kate in the movie Titanic because that's the first thing that every advertisement tells you and while it's true, they are certainly more than just another band playing tunes from the old country.  Most of their music is original and you'll find it pretty hard to stay in your seat for an entire show.  Now, there will be an occasional reference to strong drink but it's all in good fun and this will be a great show.  Don't miss it.  This is as hot as it gets around here in February!

   Tickets are $22 and you can call the box office at 633-5159.  I'll see you there.

Johnny Tarr

Definitely not A Maine Real Estate Broker

Valentine's Day Blizzard

    Happy Valentine's Day.  We're going home to celebrate.  Actually we're going home because it's snowing pretty good, we're on the receiving end of a classic nor'easter.  Some of our Brokers are popping in for a minute or two but our incredible office staff of Linda Mitkus and Stacey Cole are simply too valuable to risk having them driving home later when the roads get really bad.

   Inland the prediction is for 20 to 30 inches of snow but here on the coast of Maine we're only expected to get 6 to 10 inches before it turns over to a nasty sleet and freezing rain.  The good news is that the temperature has to go up for that to happen. It's a balmy 16 degrees now and rising!

   Truth be told, I kind of like this.  I know, I'm all grown up now and snow days are for kids.  But hey, nobody's walking in our door and no one is calling so I'm going home.  The fire will be roaring, my son is old enough to handle all of the snow shoveling now, my daughter will bake cookies and we'll watch some of those movies that come in the mail that I usually never have time to see.  Or, if I'm really lucky, the power will go out (just for a few hours) and we'll light candles and play board games.  We'll break out Monopoly and the kids will get to see just what a real estate genius their old man really is!  We're staying away from Trivial Pursuit though, the lovely Mrs. Cosgrove is a shark at that game and it's even worse when the kids know more about stuff I lived through than I do!

    If you are local and you're reading this please remember to check on your elderly neighbors or anyone else that may need a helping hand if this gets bad.

   We'll be back in the office tomorrow I'm sure.  Leave a message, send an email and we'll get back to you.

Jim Cosgrove

Damariscotta Lake in January

    Finally, some weather for snowmobiling!  This weekend my wife and I took the sleds off of the trailer and sped around Damariscotta Lake with some friends.  I used the opportunity to look at some of the properties we have for sale on the lake and even take a few pictures of some Newcastle Square Realty listings (I think that qualifies the machines as a legitimate business deduction, don't you?) on the lake such as this one, this one and this one.

   I was amazed at how many people were out on the ice fishing, snowmobiling, skating, cross country skiing and there was even a pilot in a small plane at about 20' racing a snowmobile. We stopped at a lot of the ice shacks to ask how the fishing was (and also to check on the thickness of the ice, you can't be too careful). It seems that while the pickerel were jumping out of the holes the brown trout were playing hard to get.  People were getting plenty of action though and the ice was a very safe 8" to 10" thick.  The good thing about folks catching pickerel is that nobody wants to eat a pickerel and so they throw them on the ice for the bald eagles to eat. There is nothing quite so awesome as watching a bird with a 6' wingspan swoop down out of a tall tree and land on the ice less than 100 feet from you.

   If you are looking for a property on Damariscotta Lake, Pemaquid Lake or Biscay Pond (correct pronunciation, biss-KEY) or any of the other lakes and ponds in Mid Coast, Maine keep in mind that they are not just for summer use and can be lots of fun in the winter.  And now is a good time to see them.  Sure it's a little cool now but we can do 50+ mph on the ice and see half a dozen properties in the time it would take to see 1 or 2 by car! Plus, there's no bugs!

Tom Field

Maines (frozen) Waterfront Real Estate Broker

Winter on the Damariscotta River

   I used to pride myself on how early in the spring I put my boat in and how late I took it out in the fall but this has got me beat.  These guys are from the Boothbay Coast Guard Station and came over to Damariscotta to check on the channel markers down at Glidden Ledge, near South Bristol and Edgecomb, where having a properly placed buoy means you don't get the bottom ripped out of your boat.  The pleasure boaters aren't out this time of year but there are still people who need to go out for their livelihood.   As you can see from the picture they are very well dressed for the conditions but I'm guessing that it still gets a little chilly once they get moving at 20 or 30 knots!

   You have to admire the dedication of the Coast Guard.  This is actually one of the easiest things they do in the winter if you can imagine that!

Tom Field

Winter in Maine?

   Here on the Pemaquid Peninsula we have started the New Year with a heat wave of epic proportions! Temperatures barely dip below freezing at night and we're getting used to seeing 40's and even 50's on the thermometer.

   At this time of year we normally fill our bird feeder at least once a day but this year even the grey squirrels aren't feeding and based on past experience those guys will eat anything including all of the products "guaranteed" to keep them away so I'm guessing that it's not because of the quality of our offerings but rather that it is just so darn easy to still find food in the woods.

   Our "snowbird" neighbors are calling in from places like Naples, Orlando, Savannah and Palm Springs and they usually delight in telling us how warm they are and how great the weather is there but we're not taking that this year!  No sir, Mr. Man, we've got people walking around downtown in shirtsleeves and some folks are still teeing it up on the local links.

   Now the weather persons have various explanations for this but quite frankly I think they are only slightly more reliable at predicting the weather than the economists are at predicting the real estate market.  Both are great at explaining what happened after the fact but neither can predict accurately more than 3 days ahead.

   So, it falls to us, the weather experts here at Newcastle Square Realty to explain this and we are up to the task. Clearly this is all the fault of one Craig Wilson, Executive Director of the Central Lincoln County YMCA. 

   Craig is one of those energetic types, can't sit still, always coming up with ideas and trying new things. This year Craig decided that the Y would have an outdoor skating rink.  So with visions of families skating around the rink on moonlit nights while others stood by a crackling bonfire with mugs of hot cocoa in their mitten-ed hands, Craig and his crew built a skating rink on the soccer field.  And there it sits.

   The day they finished it warmed up and except for one brief little snow storm that stayed on the ground less than a day we have had record warm temperatures.  Not a pond or a lake around is frozen and Toms snowmobiles are sitting in mud in his backyard. This could be the winter that never was.

   So if you've been thinking that this is the year you buy a little piece of heaven and finally move to Maine this would be a good time to come visit.  There's no need to pack a parka but at the same time there's no black flies!  And if there's any more strange natural phenomena we'll do our best to explain them right here.

Jim Cosgrove