Bridgton, ME

Within a five minute walk from Highland Lake in the western Maine Lakes and Mountains region we are fortunate to have an independent book store, Bridgton Books.

Located at 140 Main Street, Bridgton Books is a year-round, full-service shop. You'll find the Magic Lantern Movie Theater and Renys Department Store across the street.

Maybe it's because I love to read, but I thoroughly enjoy entering Bridgton Books. It's the ideal neighborhood shop where owners Pam and Justin Ward are often there to greet me. Sometimes their dog, Maddie, can be found lounging on the floor.

The other day Justin said, "We feel blessed to have so many nice people who support us and shop at our store."

The walls of Bridgton Books are lined with thousands of hand-selected titles in sections that include Maine titles, Maine authors, guidebooks, fiction, cooking, history and more. They also offer books on tape for rent or sale, used books, bargain books, music and puzzles, greeting cards, journals and magazines.

I know from personal experience that if there is a book you are looking for and they don't have it, they'll order it and call you in a couple of days.

A large corner of the shop is dedicated to children's titles and features an overstuffed couch and toys to entertain the kids while you poke around looking for just the right book.

The staff consists of passionate readers with distinct tastes. They are always ready to guide you to your next choice. Look at the shelf behind the cash register and you'll see their current favorite titles.

And Pam and Justin write book reviews, which appear in the summer and winter issues of Lake Living, southern Maine's leisure lifestyle magazine.

Join their book club at no cost and for every $100 you spend, you'll receive $10 off your next purchase. How can you beat that?

Let Bridgton Books be your hometown bookstore.

FMI: Bridgton Books, 207.647.2122
Reny's Department Store, 207.647.3711, www.renys.com
Magic Lantern Movie Theater, 207.647.5065, www.magiclanternmovies.com

When not browsing for books, you may want to browse the current lakefront property selections for Highland Lake in Bridgton. Just click below:

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Highland Lake, in the heart of western Maine's Sebago Lakes and Mountains Region, provides a unique backdrop for the quaint village of Bridgton, Maine.

Located 45 minutes from Portland and just 25 from North Conway, New Hampshire, Highland Lake is one of the prettiest lakes in the region. It's approximately five miles long and stretches from downtown Bridgton to the edge of Sweden. The lake covers 1,334 acres and has a maximum depth of 50 feet with a mean depth of 20 feet.

Residents and visitors alike set out on the lake for fun in the sun. This picturesque setting is perfect for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, fishing, water skiing and more.

In the early morning you'll undoubtedly see several rowers. Members of the Maine Rowing Assoication keep their shells at Highland Lake. Each year they host a regatta-it's always the first Saturday in August.

With all of that activity, you'll be surprised how quiet it really is on the lake. Loons will greet you from any corner. Okay, so they aren't exactly quiet sometimes. But to hear them call to each other always stirs my heart. And occasionally you might see a moose.

The lake is best known for Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass and White Perch. Trailered boat access is available a the town owned ramp located near the outlet. A boat wash station, constructed by the Lakes Environmental Association, is located behind the bathrooms in the parking lot. The Maine DEP considers the water quality to be above average.

With numerous islands, shoals, a couple of coves and undeveloped shoreline, there are plenty of places to explore and picnic. From the eastern shore, I love to watch the sunset on the Presidential Mountain Range of New Hampshire. You can't beat the natural beauty and serene tranquility of this intown lake.

Beside the boat ramp is a free town beach and playground. Across from the beach, you can access the Stevens Brook Trail, which winds it's way beside Stevens Brook all the way to Long Lake, about a mile and a half away. Walk across a wooden bridge over Stevens Brook to Shorey Park, and you can shop or eat in Bridgton.

In other words, Highland Lake has it all.

FMI: Maine Rowing Association, www.rowmaine.org

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Overlooking the Holt Pond Preserve, Five Fields Farm is located in the hills of South Bridgton, Maine. First planted by John Gyger in the 1920s, Tom and June Gyger have been running the orchard since the late 80s.

In 1995 they opened the retail farm stand, where they offer a selection of ready picked apples and pick your own.

The early apples are Paula Reds and Ginger Golds. Paula Reds are crisp like a McIntosh, with a tartness that will surely awaken your taste buds. By about September 12th, McIntosh will be available. Cortlands will be ready for picking in mid-September and McCouns at the end of the month.

"By Columbus Day weekend," June said, "the Red Delicious and Golden Delicious will be ready. We'll have cider by mid-September."

As of Labor Day weekend, you can pick your own or buy apples June and her crew have already picked. June said that you can even pick up drops if you wish. Soon you'll find squash and pumpkins at the stand.

The farm stand, located on Route 107 in South Bridgton, just before Bald Pate if you are coming from downtown Bridgton, is open from 9 a.m. to dusk seven days a week. You will also find apples from Five Fields Farm at Hannaford and Food City in Bridgton, as well as Tony's Foodland in Naples.

During the winter months, Five Fields Farm Cross Country Ski Center opens with 27 kilometers of groomed trails.

A couple of years ago Tom told me that South Bridgton has a micro-climate all its own, so when it snows in the White Mountains, you can expect snow here. The spectacular terrain of this area lends itself to skiing. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available.

When you stop by, make sure you take time to chat with June and Tom. And don't forget to pat OB, their cat. OB is short for Orange Boy.

"He's our stand cat. Our meeter and greeter," said June as OB stretched out on the cement floor, enjoying the afternoon sun.

FMI: 207.647.2425, www.fivefieldsfarmx-cski.com

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Drive-In theaters and Maine summer vacations go hand-in-hand, especially in the Western Maine Lakes and Mountains Region. We are lucky enough to have not one, but two drive-in movie theaters.

As a kid, I remember going to the drive-in in our family station wagon. We always dressed in our pajamas and brought our pillows. It was as much a summer tradition as s'mores and campfires.

We'd pay by the carload, find the right viewing spot, roll down the window and hook on the gray speaker box. Popcorn and soda from the snack bar were treats on those special nights.

Though there were between 4,000 and 5,000 drive-ins operating around the world during their peak in the 1950s and 60s. Today, 496 remain and five drive-ins still operate in Maine. Closest to the Sebago Lakes Region are the Prides Corner Drive-In and the Bridgton Twin Drive-In, both located on Route 302.

I recently caught up with owner John Tevanian of the Bridgton Twin Drive-In as he cleaned the grounds following the midnight showing of Harry Potter. John says he was born into the business, which his parents purchased in 1971.

"Ever since I was old enough, I remember picking up trash and testing popcorn," says John.

And since the 80s he has spent every summer night at the drive-in.

In 2000, John added a second screen. Screen one accommodates 300 cars, while about 150 can view screen two. The cost is $7.50/person and $5 for children ages 5-11. Movies are shown seven nights a week during the summer and on weekends in the spring and fall.

New this year is the addition of midnight shows. So far, John has shown Transformers and Harry Potter at midnight. Since both did well, he says it may become more of a tradition.

To check on shows and times:
Bridgton Twin Drive-In, Route 302, Bridgton, 207.647.8666
Prides Corner Drive-In, 651 Bridgton Road, Westbrook, 207.797.3154
Or check this Web site: www.drive-ins.com/theater/metbrid .

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Do you like to decorate your lakefront cottage with antiques and accessories? Then Main Street in Bridgton is just the place for you.

From Hidden Brook Antiques at 184 North High Street (Route 302) all the way down Main Hill and through town to Flowerbed Antiques at 428 Main Street, you will find an array of antique shops, all within walking distance of Highland Lake.

Family heirlooms passed from one generation to the next are my favorites. In fact, I've decorated our home with what I call "Early American hand-me-downs." But, I still like to scour the antique shops in the Lakes Region.

There are so many opportunities to see antiques in their traditional settings along our highways and by-ways. What I especially love is the nostalgic memories that antiques evoke, like the hand painted cotton table cloths similar to the ones my grandfather had on his kitchen table. Life seemed so simple then, didn't it?

Well, life can still be simple if you take time to explore the treasures found along Main Street in Bridgton. Collecting antiques is fun and relaxing. And . . . you can decorate your summer vacation home with your vintage collectibles. Plus you are helping to recycle-an ever-important concept in these days of planned obsolescence.

So . . . after you've finished looking at lakefront property, consider wandering along Main Street and purchasing antiques and collectibles to enhance your cottage décor.

Here are a few of the antique shops you'll find in Bridgton, Maine:

Hidden Brook Antiques, Inc., 184 North High Street, 207.647.5241, open May-Christmas

Cottage Charm Antiques and Collectibles, 22 Main Hill, 207.647.5727, open seasonally

Corn Shop Trading, 179 Main Street, 207.647.9090

The Lamp and Shade Shop, 209 Main Street, 207.647.5576

Wee 3 Antiques, Just off Main Street near the stop light, Route 117, 207.647.2102

Flowerbed Farm Antiques, 428 Main Street, 207.647.8433

Before decorating, perhaps you'd better check out the lakefront property offerings for Bridgton. Just click below:

Search for properties on Bridgton, Maine