Middletown, CT

The Middletown Democratic Town Committee

is sponsoring a

Bus Trip to IKEA & the Christmas Tree Shop

Saturday December 6, 2008 FROM 8:00AM TO 5:00PM

Looking to go shopping but do not prefer not to drive, or hassle trying to find parking spaces as you get all those important holiday gifts this season? Why not spend the day with friends and forget the driving? For only $20.00 per seat, join family and friends for a fun day of eating and shopping. A bus trip sponsored by the Middletown Democratic Town Committee will leave City Hall (Melilli Plaza) at 8:00am and return at 5:00pm. The first stop the bus will make is to the Christmas Tree Shop in Orange, CT where you can shop for bargains from 8:45am until 11:30am. Safely store your treasures on the bus as it continues for more shopping at IKEA. Here you can have lunch and an afternoon of more shopping. IKEA's has a cafeteria which offers scrumptious lunches, including a traditional Swedish lunch, for as little as $4.99. Your afternoon of shopping at IKEA will continue until we board the bus at 4:30 for our return back to City Hall.

Don't wait until the tickets are gone....call now to reserve your spot 860.346.1815 .

DUE TO UNCERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED... SORRY.

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, as well as the surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

HOLIDAY ON MAIN STREET

Friday, November 28th from 1:00 to 8:30pm

THREE TREE LIGHTINGS!

With Thanksgiving behind us, and most of us are just relaxing from all the food we ate, this might be a good time to see what activities are going on in the community... to wear off all that turkey. Please join us on Main Street in Middletown CT today. Beginning at 1:00 p.m. is when the annual "Holiday on Main Street" kicks off.

Here are some of the events scheduled for today, Friday, November 28th... with different events going on every Saturday between now and Christmas.

Free Hayrides at 4:00pm

The Micky Mouse Train will be running from 1:00 to 5:00pm

Holiday Story Time each week-Meet the Characters that are in the book!

Also selling Hot Popcorn & Pretzels and playing Holiday Music...fun for the whole family!!

Gather tonight for the 3 Tree Lighting ceremonies.. with the meeting and picture taking with Santa.

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, as well as the surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

Copyright © 2008 By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR, All Rights Reserved...*23 ANNUAL HOLIDAY ON MAIN STREET.. .MIDDLETOWN CT*

GOODS AND SERVICE AUCTION

THIRD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

94 MINER STREET

MIDDLETOWN, CT

I believe at this point we have all had our fill with fairs and exhibits.. but when was the last time you went to an auction? This forthcoming Friday, November 7th the Third Congregational Church in Middletown is holding a "Goods and Service" auction. You remember this church from my previous blogs. The wonderful Harvest Dinner, The Ice Cream Social.. and so much more.

Starting at 6pm on Friday you will be able to walk around, and enjoy 2 hours of previewing. During this time you will also be able to enjoy hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. The actual auction starts at 8 pm with a break for intermission and dessert at 9pm.

All proceeds from the auction are to aid the church's building fund. So, if you are looking forward to next year's activities of a St. Patty's Day dinner, or a pot roast dinner... come on down and support this function and church. Admission is $15.00 per person.

As soon as I get an update as to some of the items that will be up for bid, will update this blog.

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, as well as the surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

Copyright © 2008 By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR, All Rights Reserved...*GOODS AND SERVICE AUCTION, MIDDLETOWN CT*

Third Congregational Church

Middletown, CT

I posted a blog last week about an annual Harvest Dinner being held at the Third Church in Middletown, CT. It sounded really good, and everything fell into place where I was able to make it. I'm sure glad I did. The food was outstanding... and I don't think I was the only one that felt that way.. the church was packed. I have to admit, I was stuffed, but I went back for seconds on the pork.. just for the taste/flavor.. Hmmm it was so good.

The Partnership for Sharing did a wonderful job. This is comprised of members of the church to form this committee. These people put the whole dinner together.. including serving.

These members were up at the crack of dawn, and started cooking the pork loins at 8am. Why so early.. they had 170 pounds to cook.. can you imagine? The homemade mash potatoes had to be made as well.. which was 150 pounds. One of the members volunteered and made the homemade butternut squash.. which was outstanding in flavor. How much of this did they make? Would you believe close to 175 pounds? Two church members (Ruth and Jenny) made 10 quarts EACH of homemade applesauce to go with the pork. With all of these expenses and being able to have seconds, one would wonder if they make a profit.. I was told they do... everytime.

Randy (chef), Betty, Betty Ann, Roy, Peggy, Phyllis and all the other workers. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

Of course what would a Harvest Dinner be without dessert? You're right.. a let down. If you had room, there was a choice of either Homemade apple or pumpkin pie. Yes, you guessed it.. members of the church made these too. I was told between the two there were 30 pies.

What do you have with pies, but coffee.. and Dave was going around making sure all cups were full.

This church function was a great success.. and nowhere have I've gone where you are made to feel at home and part of a family. Thank you for a great time.

Info about the author:

Valerie Osterhoudt is a Cromwell Connecticut Residential Realtor who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Middlesex County of CT, as well as the surrounding areas. Please visit me at www.CTrealtorMLS.com for all your relocation and/or local needs.

Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR - Johnson Real Estate, Inc. - 860.635.0387 #2 - valerierealtor@sbcglobal.net

Copyright © 2008 By Valerie Osterhoudt, ABR, All Rights Reserved...* HARVEST DINNER.. A GREAT SUCCESS!!!!*

Market Report for Middletown for September and 1^st 3 Quarters

Residential

September
Active - 152
New Listings - 52
Deposits - 20
Closed - 24
Average Sale Price - $211,372
SP/Sq.Ft - $145.12
DOM - 55

1/1/2008 - 9/30/2008
Closed - 199
Average Sale Price - $253,137 Median Sale Price - $228,000
SP/Sq.Ft. - $155.08
DOM - 65

1/1/2007 - 9/30/2007
Closed - 309
Average Sale Price - $268,082 Median Sale Price - $250,500
SP/Sq.Ft. - $156.91
DOM -60

Number of sales are down 36% compared to last year. Average sale prices are down 5.6% and median sale prices are down 9%. September saw a drop of 16.5%compared to the first 9 months of the year. Hopefully this is not a trend.

Condominiums

September
Active - 76
New Listings - 27
Deposits - 10
Closed - 15
Average Sale Price - $161,533
SP/Sq.Ft - $142.54
DOM - 72

1/1/2008 - 9/30/2008
Closed - 136
Average Sale Price - $169,319 Median Sale Price - $154,000
SP/Sq.Ft. - $149.94
DOM - 82

1/1/2007 - 9/30/2007
Closed 182
Average Sale Price - $161,523 Median Sale Price - $156,100
SP/SqFt - $146.08
DOM - 48

Sales are down 25.3% compared to last year. Average sale price is up 4.8% and median is down by 1.4%. Overall condo sales are faring better than residential.