Raymond, ME

Only twenty-two miles northwest of Portland and 2 1/2 hours from Boston, you'll find a two-for-one special for lakefront property buyers in the Sebago Lakes Region. Panther Pond in Raymond and Crescent Lake in Raymond and Casco are connected by the meandering and navigable Tenney River.

To access Panther Pond, you'll need to launch your boat at Crescent Lake on Route 85. Follow the Tenney River to the Panther Pond. The many twists and turns make this a scenic access point to the pond. The Tenney is shallow, slow moving and full of fish, especially bass.

Panther Pond was named for the wild animals which supposedly roamed its banks when Nathaniel Hawthorne was a young boy and lived nearby. The pond covers 1,439 acres and has a mean depth of 26 feet with a maximum depth of 68 feet.

From here you'll see the profile of Rattlesnake Mountain rising above the northern end. Dolly's Island is private and located just south of Betty's Neck, which juts out into the pond. Classic Maine cottages and summer camps dot the shoreline. As you boat, keep your eye out for eagles, osprey, kingfishers, loons and Canada geese.

And if you like to fish, you'll want to note these two things: the pond is stocked annually with landlocked salmon and according to a news story on WGME13, Mark Patoine of Raymond had the pleasure of reeling in the catch of the day on September 7, 2009, when he caught a 38-inch, 25 pound Northern Pike on Panther Pond.

Return on Tenney River to Crescent Lake, which is 4 miles long and 2/3 of a mile wide at its widest point. Fishermen say Crescent Lake consistently produces some of the best bass fishing in southern Maine. The most frequent catches include largemouth and smallmouth bass, landlocked salmon, white perch and cusk.

Both Panther Pond and Crescent Lake have Watershed Associations, who work to ensure that the water quality is maintained. The newly formed Crescent Lake Watershed Association is a grassroots group.

According to Ben Bragdon the group "aims to protect Crescent from threats like erosion and invasive species, hopes to bring other homeowners into the fold, [and] raise money and awareness of the programs that can keep the lake clear."

So . . . what are you waiting for? September is the perfect time of year to enjoy the tranquil lakefront settings these two bodies of water provide. Consider Panther Pond and Crescent Lake as a peaceful, relaxing places to vacation or call home.

If oyu'd like to check out the current lakefront properties for sale on Crescent Lake and Panther Pond just click on the box below:

Search for lakefront properties on Crescent Lake and Panther Pond

Sebago Lake is Maine's second largest lake, with water so pure that it provides drinking water to the greater Portland area.

Before you head out on the lake, you should stop by the Good Life Market in Raymond, a one-stop shop, and grab a picnic lunch. It's located right on the beaten path at 1297 Roosevelt Trail, Rte. 302, across from the Panther Run Picnic Area and just up the road from the Raymond Boat Launch.

In fact, Ethan, who manages The Good Life Market for Walt and Linda Manchester, says, "We get lots of business from people with camps and boaters on the lake."

Open daily from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m., The Good Life Market offers a variety of sandwiches. My favorites are "Summer in Italy" with fresh mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil, sliced tomatoes and basil pesto on split focaccia.

Also favorites are "Erin Go Bragh" with Boar's Head corned beef, horseradish sauce, cheddar cheese, sliced pickles and red onion on multi-grain bread, and "Blue Moon Chicken Salad Wrap" with white meat chicken salad, blue cheese, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and baby spinach on a choice of white, wheat or spinach tortilla.

But wait, this is The Good Life Market and they offer plenty more!

Try locally raised natural beef and bison, imported and specialty cheeses, fresh produce, and a very large wine selection, which Ethan says, "Rivals everything in the lakes region,".

For staples try the fresh Borealis and Big Sky breads and Maine Roasters Coffee.

For personal pampering try a selection of fine liquor and spirits, local and specialty beers, personal care products, free movies to borrow and fresh CIGARS!!

Now if that isn't THE GOOD LIFE, what is?

Mark your calendar for the next wine tasting from 11-7 on Saturday, September 19th. Wine tastings are free and occur every month. Check their Web site for dates.

FMI: 207.655.1196 or www.thegoodlifemarket.com

Check out the current lakefront properties on Sebago Lake by clicking below. Enjoy!

Search for lakefront properties on Sebago Lake

Step inside Mexicali Blues, just up the street from Sebago Lake and the Raymond boat launch, and you'll feel the commitment to make the world a brighter place.

Peter and Kimberly Erskine opened Mexicali Blues, a shop committed to responsibly importing goods, at 1338 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond in May 2004. For them it was an extension into western Maine of an already successful business.

Twenty years ago they opened their first store in the Old Port. Today they have four shop locations: Old Port, Freeport, Newcastle and Raymond.

The Erskines have turned their love of travel into a thriving business that features products from around the world. Because they believe in the international fair trade movement, they have set an example by working directly with artisans in developing countries including Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Thailand and Indonesia.

Buying from families, they've developed relationships based on trust and respect.

"I know everyone I buy from. That's what I do," says Pete.

And they help with local non-profits in these countries as they try to interact anywhere they do business. Improving the lives and environment of the artisans is important to the Erskines.

Fair prices paid to the artisans means fair prices for the consumer. Mexicali Blues is filled from floor to ceiling with unique stuff that other stores in the Sebago Lakes Region do not offer, created with natural materials and traditional techniques. And if Pete is in the store, he can tell you the story behind the product and the community it came from.

Store products run the gamut-exotic and unique home décor, intricately designed clothing, colorful homemade wall hangings and original music CDs. They celebrate diversity and the world's many cultures, yet are unique and affordable.

One of a kind jewelry is a big component of the shop. Gemstones such as agate, coral, onyx, turquoise, citrine, abalone, moonstone, amber set in sterling silver are individually crafted into earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants and rings.

Buy from Mexicali Blues and you get the chance to buy something unusual, something with a story behind it and something that improves lives with each purchase. You will leave feeling good vibes, knowing that your purchase will benefit artisans living in developing countries.

Visiting the store will certainly brighten your day. Visit their Web site at www.mexicaliblues.com.

If you were spending a little vacation time in Maine this Memorial Day weekend and were fortunate enough to spend it at a camp or cottage on Sebago Lake, you know what I mean when I say that for some lakefront property buyers only a big lake will do. And when you're in this neck of the woods "big lake" can mean only one thing - Sebago Lake.

In a previous post - Sebago Lake - Facts for the Lakefront Lover of Big Sebago - I wrote about Big Sebago's size, depth, clarity and cleanliness. For some, that says it all. For others, one must go on...and on, with great enthusiasm, talking about the legendary lake trout and salmon fishing, the fantastic powerboating on a lake big enough to accommodate even the biggest watercraft, the waterskiing and wakeboarding, and the unmatched sunsets and views of the White Mountains. How about tacking into a northeast breeze with a Hobie Cat, or paddling a kayak along the shore watching a loon, a Canadian goose and her goslings, or any of several varieties or ducks? How about the wonderful sandy beaches and sandy bottom swimming that Sebago is famous for? To feel that sand between your toes when your up to your armpits in water - now that's pretty sweet!

Anyone who wants to have the Big Sebago experience can do so by visiting Sebago Lake State Park - Sebago Lake State Park Welcomes Vacationers to Lakes Region. But for those who can afford it, only having a place of your own on Big Sebago will do.

There are currently 67 lakefront properties for sale on Big Sebago Lake. Here are links to 20 listed between $500k and $700k:

Sebago - 725 Sebago Road - $529,000

Casco - 198/203 Lakewood Road - $529,000

Standish - 1540 Richville Road - $530,000

Casco - 8 Mondor White Road - $535,000

Standish - 85 Sand Beach Road - $575,000

Raymond - 17 Rusty Road - $575,000

Standish - 50 Sand Bar Road - $575,000

Raymond - 76 Whittemore Cove Road - $590,000

Casco - 252 Lakewood Road - $595,000

Standish - 1 Dry Island - $599,000

Raymond - 34 Sebago Road - $599,000

Raymond - 40 Whittemore Cove Road - 649,000

Windham - 15 Sleepy Hollow Road - $649,000

Raymond - 55 Stark Cove Road - $649,900

Standish - 9 Johnson Road - $650,000

Windham - 34 Hemlock Drive - $675,000

Standish - 44 Maine Avenue - $675,000

Raymond - 85 Shaw Road - $675,000

Raymond - 8 Wild Acre Road - $695,000

Raymond - 114 Deep Cove Road - $699,000

Acclaimed Maine author Richard Russo described Maine as a serious place masquerading as a summer paradise. How perfect a description.Mainers must put up with a lot to live and work here - a high cost of living, high taxes, a paucity of good paying jobs and long, harsh winters of often mythic proportions.

Myriad summer visitors to Maine's lake regions leave with a wonderful feeling about Maine. What a place! They recall loons calling to their mates from across the pond, moonlight shimmering on a cobalt blue lake, forests of cathedral pines, spruce and hemlock filled with mushrooms, berries and strange things like fiddleheads, fishers, and moose. And how about the new family of mergansers skipping across the surface of the lake? Magical? Yes.

However, after getting hit with another snow storm of 25 inches of snow this past Sunday it's almost hard to remember those gorgeous summer days. I say "almost" because even when the Maine winter is at the height of it's fury, when voluminous amounts of snow and ice are being heaped upon us, I can still remember the summer.

Experiencing summer in Maine is like that first girl friend that you never quite got over.

It's almost like God made this deal with Mainers:

"If you live through Maine winters, I will reward you with the most gorgeous of summers that I can create."The less divine locals put it another way, "If you can't take the wintah, you don't deserve the summah".Strangely enough, the skiers and snowmobilers tell me that Maine is a winter paradise, too. I guess if snow, ice and freezing temperatures is what one seeks, that is probably so.

But for me, I eagerly and patiently await the return of the loons.