Casco, ME

A hundred years ago the ability to afford a summer vacation in Maine was coming within reach of a growing middle class. The wealthy still enjoyed the amenities of grand hotel living at places like the Poland Spring Inn or the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, NH, where whole families took up residence in posh hotel suites for a month or two in the summer. The less affluent, however, could afford to take a room at a lakeside lodge, or rent a cabin affiliated with a lodge, where they could enjoy some of the amenities of their wealthier brethren in a decidedly more rustic setting.

During the first half of the 20th century many of the lakes in the Lakes Regions of Maine saw the construction of these lodges, often with accompanying housekeeping cottages or cabins. Vacationers "from away" would rent these places by the week, bring their families, and be able to enjoy, in a very direct sense, some of God's handiwork.

Activities at these lodges usually included fishing and hiking, swimming, canoeing and boating, horseshoes, and often times tennis and croquet. On a rainy day, patrons would gather in the main room of the lodge, where a fire would be going in the fireplace, and play board and card games, or just read. Meals were taken in the main dining room.

This type of summer lifestyle has pretty much gone the way of train travel and hula hoops. Much of the lakefront property has been sold and resold, cut up into smaller and smaller parcels where everyone builds their own place, whether it be a humble camp or a suburban home on the water.

Because of the tremendous rise in value of lakefront property the large lakefront areas these lodges often commanded made for an untenable business model. As property taxes kept going up and up, the lodge business needed to keep costs down to continue to attract patrons. Thus the demise of the summer lodge business.

But all is not lost. A few lodges remain. Several are up farther north where vacationers get away from it all by going to a remote lakeside lodge to relax and catch fish. Here in the Sebago Lake region we have Migis Lodge. Since 1916, Migis Lodge has welcomed guests to its lodge and cabins that occupy 125 acres and 3,500 feet of Sebago Lake shoreline. The facility is a walk back in time, but includes some modern day amenities.

I recently saw a short video about Migis Lodge that mixed some old black and white footage with more contemporary color scenes. It's alot of fun to watch and I was struck by how much things have stayed the same. It's a window to a world that few of us experience in this type of setting anymore. Click here to watch the video. Enjoy!

HGTV program "House Hunters" will air an episode on January 1 at 8 p.m. that features local real estate buyer's broker Diane Monaco of the Mr. Lakefront Keller Williams team in Casco.

A producer for "House Hunters" had contacted Mr. Lakefront real estate earlier in the year after visiting their website and blog. They wanted to feature a Maine lakefront vacation home in one of their program segments. Mr. Lakefront buyer's broker, Diane Monaco, had been working with several possible candidates and was able to find a couple who were willing to participate in the project.

"House Hunters" takes their viewers behind the scenes as individuals, couples and families learn what to look for and decide whether or not a home is meant for them. Focusing on the emotional experience of finding and purchasing a new home, each episode shows the process as buyers search for a home.

The production crew was here for three days in August doing the shooting and have edited down many hours of work to a half hour program. The segment will follow the Mr. Lakefront buyers as they go through the process of looking at three lakefront homes and deciding which one they would like to buy.

Lakefront homes featured in the program are located on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, Parker Pond in Casco, and Moose Pond in Denmark. They also did some production in the Mr. Lakefront offices in South Casco.

While the HGTV website shows the episode scheduled for 8 p.m. on January 1, they always suggest you check your local listings for the correct time in your area. We hope you'll tune in and check us out.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection estimates that between 40% and 70% of rain and snow melt that falls on a Maine residential property runs off and finds its way to streams, rivers, and lakes. Because of their proximity to the water, lakefront property owners play an especially important role in controling runoff.

Make sure that water runs off your driveway and walkways into vegetated areas. If you have gutters and a downspout, direct the water into vegetated areas or into a rain barrel.

Soil erosion is the primary pollutant that is carried into waterways via runoff. Soil contains phosphorus which encourages aquatic plant growth and algae blooms. The soil itself can be harmful to fish habitats, affect boating and swimming areas, and generally degrade the quality and clarity of the water. Try to repair and stabilize places where you see soil erosion taking place and plant vegetative buffers between your property and the water.

When doing lawn and garden work be careful not to overuse or misuse fertilizers or pesticides. Better yet, don't use them at all. Use organic mulch and compost your yard waste. Also, make sure to properly store and dispose of any chemicals you might use around your property including paint, varnishes, cleaning products, bleach, solvents, oil, and detergents.

The United States DEP has published an article that is a handy reference to help all homeowners do their part to keep Maine lakes and waterways clean and pollution-free. Click here to see the entire article.

If you're looking for a really great way to hang out at a beautiful Maine lakefront venue while sampling the tasty offerings of over 25 area microbrewers, mark September 27th on your calendar. It's the 5th annual 2008 Brew Festival at Point Sebago in Casco sponsored by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.

This is a family event that has grown up over the last five years to where they are expecting as many as 3000 to attend. In addition to all the microbrews you get to sample, there is also plenty of food and music.

The Brew Festival is known for its "safety first" approach to hosting this event, as well as for the beauty of the beach it is located on and the variety of activities you can take part in. For a list of the participating brewers click here.

There will be ten or more food vendors and three bands and other muscians to provide sustenance and entertainment while you enjoy the brew.

There are still advance tickets available for $20 which will entitle you to 10 sample coupons and a free glass. What a deal!

For more information use this hotlink to the GBLRCC Brewer's Festival. See you there!

By the way, if you'd like to check out some nice lakefront property either before or after the Brewfest, we can help. Get a preview by using our Lakefront Locator, then give us a call to set up a showing.

After reading the papers and listening to the different news stations I wonder what is going to happen this coming winter. Some of the local towns are wondering how they will be able to help their residents get through the winter with the costs of fuel being high.

Many people are disabled, on a fixed income, elderly, single parents with children under the age of two, or newly unemployed. Who, what will help them if they find they can't afford to heat their residence? There are some towns putting on concerts to help raise money for the fuel assistance programs. There just won't be enough money through the state to accommodate all the requests which might very well come in this Winter, especially if it is going to be anything like last Winter.

People are going to question what they are going to spend their money on. Will they sacrifice medications in order to heat their homes? Will they sacrifice food for heat? Will they sacrifice heat to put gas in their car to go to work?

I worry about what is happening and ask for what other areas in the country are doing to help those who need the help. Maybe you can give me some feedback so I can pass it on to the surrounding towns where I live.

Sue Paige
ERA Today Realty
Naples, Me.
207-693-6500