Windham, ME

September 10, 1-5 p.m. Tasha Tudor High Tea, with presentations by Tudor scholars and tours of the museum, reservations recommended, $50/person, Rufus Porter Museum and Cultural Heritage Center, 67 North High Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.2828, www.rufusportermuseum.org

September 10, 4 p.m. "The Legend of Lefty," a two-act comedy directed by Lynn Arizzi, Bethel Community Players, sponsored by the new Bethel Performing Arts Project and presented in cooperation with the Bethel Inn, $10/person, Bethel Inn Conference Center, Broad Street, Bethel. FMI: 207.824.2175, www.bethelinn.com

September 10, 6:30 p.m. Jerry Mayfield from Sahaja Meditation, guided meditation, come away feeling stress free and relaxed, no charge, McLaughlin Gardens, 97 Main Street, South Paris. FMI: 207.743.8820, www.mclaughlingarden.org

September 11 & 12, 7:30 p.m. "The Odd Couple," (female version) written by Neil Simon and directed by Jerry Walker, $15/adults, $12/students/seniors, Schoolhouse Arts Center, 16 Richville Road, Sebago Lake Village. FMI: 207.642.3743, www.schoolhousearts.org

September 12, 9 a.m. Zumba Demo with Dina Aldrich, The Latin Dance Workout Class, The Ballroom, Block Building, Main Street, Harrison. FMI: 207.583.6964, www.theballroomharrison.com

September 12, 9-11 a.m. Tour the Clark Farm and Forest, enjoy a guided horse-drawn wagon ride or easy hike, light refreshments, rain date: Sept. 19, Clark Farm, 24 Swett Road, Windham. FMI: 207.892.5537, www.thewindhamlandtrust.org

September 12, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Duck Race and Community Yard Sale, sponsored by the Oxford Recreation Department, Duck Race at 2 p.m., $5/duck, Oxford Station House Community Center, King Street, Oxford. FMI: 207.539.4563, www.oxfordhillsvisitorcenter.com

September 12 & 13, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Sacred Spirits Intertribal Pow-Wow, Native American drumming, singing, flute playing, story telling and crafts, Sunrise Cove Road, Naples. FMI: 207.615.1110 or 207.749.2911, www.sacredspiritsdrum.webs.com

September 12, 5 p.m. End of Summer Chicken Cookout, includes half chicken, roll, drink, homemade potato salad, coleslaw and pie, eat in or take out, $10/person, to benefit Windham Land Trust, Friends Church, Gray Road (Route 202) across from the Public Safety Building, Windham. FMI: 207.892.5537, www.thewindhamlandtrust.org

September 12, 5-6:30 p.m. Traditional Baked Bean Suppah, includes beans, ham with raisin sauce, cole slaw, homemade brown bread, rolls, pickled beets, homemade relish, homemade apple pie and vanilla ice cream, $7/adults, $3/children under 10, Porter Grange Hall, First County Road, Porter. FMI: 207.625.8344

September 12, 7:30 p.m. "Tanzspiel," presented by ballet-mime Karen Montanaro, $10/adults, $5/children 12 and under, Brick Church for the Performing Arts, 502 Christian Hill Road, Lovell. FMI: www.lovellbrickchurch.org

September 12, 8 p.m. -midnight, Waterford World's Fair Dance, music by Rockin' Road Runners, BYOB, $18/person, Waterford Fairgrounds, 36 Green Road, North Waterford. FMI: 207.583.4993, http://www.nwwf08.org/Page2.html

September 14 & 15, Auditions for "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," written by Barbara Robinson and directed by Louis Philippe, actors and actresses ages 7 to adult are invited to read from the script, important forms available at Web site, Lake Region Community Theatre at Lake Region High School Auditorium, Route 302, Naples. FMI: 207.892.4324, www.lakeregioncommunitytheatre.org

September 16, 6:30 p.m. Square Dance Fun Nite, Swinging Bears Square Dance Club, John Thompson-caller, free, casual dress, Oxford Hills Middle School, 100 Pine Street, South Paris. FMI: 207.743.7176, www.swingingbears.squaredanceme.us

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region $150k to $300k

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region $300k to $450k

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region $450k to $700k

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region over $700k

September 4, 5-8 p.m. "Old Memories Fade: Photography by Karin Maher," First Friday Opening Reception, meet and greet the artist, enjoy light refreshments, Frost Farm Gallery, 272 Pikes Hill, Norway. FMI: 207.743.8041, www.frostfarmgallery.com

September 4, 7-9 p.m. Top 10 Landowner Mistakes, One Forest, Many Faces Series, sponsored by the Small Woodland Owners Association of Maine, Brown Memorial Library, 2 Norton Place, Baldwin. FMI: 207.637.3273, www.swoam.org

September 5, 8 a.m. registration, Annual Memorial Golf Tournament, hosted by the Bridgton Lion's Club, scramble format, teams of 4, $50/person, cart included, Bridgton Highlands Country Club, 379 Highland Road, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.2822 or 207.647.5980, www.bridgtonhighlands.com

September 5, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Second Annual Fall Flea Market, with antique appraisals, benefit for Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, Nine Lives Thrift Shop, 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg. FMI: 207.935.4358, www.harvesthills.org

September 5, 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Landscaping for Wildlife with Skillins's Greenhouse, expert native landscaping staff will be on hand with a wide selection of native shrubs, small trees and other plants that are hardy and attractive, while providing food and shelter for birds and wildlife, Maine Wildlife Park, Route 26N, Gray. FMI: 207.287.8000, www.state.me.us.ifw

September 5, 5-6 p.m. Chicken Pie, Beans, Casserole Supper, $7/adults, $3/children under 12, West Gorham Union Church, 190 Ossipee Trail (Route 25), Gorham.
FMI: 207.839.5946, www.westhorhamchurch.org

September 5, 5-7 p.m. Deep Fried Turkey Dinner, come taste the juciest, most flavorful bird, benefit for the Sweden Fire Department, Sweden Town Meeting Hall, 147 Bridgton Road (Route 93), Sweden. FMI: 207.647.3944, www.eskerridge.com/Sweden

September 5, 7:30 p.m. Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Celtic Folk, bring a food donation for Maine Food Pantries, LL Bean Discovery Park, 95 Main Street, Freeport.
FMI: 877.755.2326, www.llbean.com/freeport

September 6, 5 a.m. Bass Tournament, open tournament with weigh in, Kezar Lake, Lovell. FMI: 207.583.6945, www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing/derbies_tournaments

September 6, 8 p.m. Stone Mountain Live featuring Carol Noonan and the Stone Mountain Boys fronted by guitarists Duke Levine and Kevin Barry, with special guest Ruthie Foster, $45, order on-line, box office open 9-12, Monday thru Friday, no credit cards accepted at door, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dug Way Road, Brownfield.
FMI: 207.935.7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com

September 7, 5-8 p.m. Ping Pong, all welcome, equipment provided, 7 tables, Bridgton Town Hall, 46 North High Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.8786, www.bridgtonmaine.org/rec/rec_info

September 8, 6 p.m. Wine Flight, meet in Monument Square, Downtown Portland for your map to the evening's 3-mile course; walk, run, or jog to the culinary destination, where a tasty repast and a refreshing glass of wine or beer awaits, in preparation for the Wine Flight 5K on October 17, sponsored by Maine Ambassadors of Food and Drink.
FMI: 207.712.5864 or 207.221.5420, www.tri-maine.com/races/wineflight

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region $150k to $300k

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region $300k to $450k

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region $450k to $700k

Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region over $700k

July 8-11, Old Home Days, Harrison, Maine, FMI: www.harrisonmaine.org

July 9-11, Norway Summer Art Festival and Sidewalk Art Fest, Main Street, FMI: 207.739.6161 or www.norwayartsfestival.org

July 9-26, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Oklahoma! Schoolhouse Theater and Arts Center, Route 114, Sebago Lake Village, FMI: 207.642.3743 or www.schoolhousearts.org

July 10, 7 p.m. Music on the Hill Concert Series: "A Night on Broadway," Windham Hill UCC Church, FMI: 207.892.7420

July 10, 8 p.m. Jonathan Edwards, a benefit for Mountain Top Music Center, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dug Way Road, Brownfield, FMI: 866.227.6523 or www.stonemountainarts.com

July 10-11, 8 p.m. Wonder on the World, Professional Ensemble, The Theater Project, Brunswick, tickets $18, Tickets and info: 207.729.8584 or www.theaterproject.com

July 11, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Artisans and Craftsmen Show, Narramissic, The historic Peabody-Fitch Farm, Ingalls Road, South Bridgton, FMI: 207.647.3699 or www.bridgtonhistory.org

July 11, 8 p.m. Brent McCoy in Clown at Work, Celebration Barn, 190 Stock Farm Road, South Paris, tickets: $14-adults, $12-seniors, $8 students and kids, FMI: 207.743.8452 or www.celebrationbarn.com

July 12, 11 a.m. -5 p.m. Historic Home and Garden Tour, joint project of The Rufus Porter Museum and the Bridgton Historical Society, $25/person, begins at Bridgton Town Hall on North High Street, FMI: 207.647.2828

July 12-13, 15th Annual North Atlantic Blues Festival, Harbor Park, Rockland, FMI: 207.593.1189 or www.northatlanticbluesfestival.com

July 13, 8 p.m. Camp Encore/Coda concert, full orchestral program by professional musicians and selected students to benefit Lakes Environmental Association (LEA has been protecting the lakes of western Maine since 1970), at Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 156 Deertrees Road, Harrison, FMI: 207.583.6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

"We've been looking for our cabin on a Maine lake for years and can't seem to find something we like". If I've heard this once, I've heard it a hundred times. In most cases, their search lacked balance. What one needs is a system, or methodology, for finding just the right place.

Here's some advice from Mr Lakefront. Your lakefront buying decision should have a balanced approach. Think of your decision as one resting safely on a 3-legged stool. Each leg of that stool is important, but some legs are more important than others. The 3 legs of your decision in order of importance are LAKE, LOT, and HOUSE.

LAKE - is the most important leg of the stool. Why? Because size, depth and water quality matter - a lot. If you are a serious power boater, you will be miserable on too small a body of water. If your idea of bliss is kayaking and canoeing on a quiet body of water, you will hate being on a large lake. You'll be fed up being tossed about by the wake of power boats.

The water quality of Maine lakes and ponds is legendary. But water quality can and does vary from lake to lake. Be sure to check about invasive aquatic plants such as milfoil or high phosphorus levels which promote algae growth.Most folks are happy on a medium size lake of about 500 acres. But a small quiet body of water of 100 to 200 acres might be perfect for those who want to commune with nature, paddling about in a canoe. Serious power boaters who want to cruise all day need a lake over 1,000 acres. Once you decide what size lake you want, you can move on to the lot.

LOT- It's been about five years since I wrote about the Top Attributes of a Lakefront Property : 1) Sandy beach 2) View 3) Proximity to the water 4) Level lot and 5) Privacy . These five attributes are what everyone wants, but few realize. I'm afraid one will have to compromise a bit. Few lots score well on all five attributes. But remember these attributes, they'll aid your decision.

HOUSE- By house I mean the structure that's on the property. Whether it's a house, cottage, cabin or camp it's the least important of the 3 legs in importance. How come?

Because "You can change the house, but you can't change the lake or lot."

Before lakefront buyers contact us at Mr Lakefront, they've seen hundreds of homes online. Folks will see an attractive lakefront house online and will want to see it in person. Recently a nice couple drove three hours up from Boston to see one particular lakefront home. They had fallen in love with it online. Was the house a dissapointment when they finally viewed it? No! They still loved the house. But the lot was very steep and unacceptable. The lake? Too small for the activities they planned.

You say," It's too bad that searching on line couldn't give you information about the lake or the lot." But it does! When you obtain search results from Lakefront Locator click on the Lake Info button. You will find information about lake size and depth. If you click again on "More" you will go to the Pearl site from the University of Maine. Click on Water Quality Overview and it will tell you whether the quality is excellent, above average, average, below average or poor. Is this important? Mr Lakefront thinks so. We try to keep our clients focused on lakes with at least average water quality.

What about the lot? You will need to read listing remarks closely and you'll need to read between the lines. If all they talk about is the house, maybe the lot is less than ideal. If they don't mention sandy beach or sandy bottom swimming, there's a good chance there is none. When in doubt, drop us an email. We either know or will find out for you.

In closing, I wish selecting a lakefront home was as easy as picking a pair of hunting boots from the LL Bean catalog. But alas, it's not. Let us know how we can help with your search. We love Maine lakes and ponds and want to share them with you.

Most lakefront homes in Maine are sold to folks "from away". These types of buyers have their primary home back in the suburbs of major cities like Boston, Hartford, and New York. When purchasing one's primary home in the suburbs it's rare that the home one is purchasing will come furnished.

It's different when it comes to buying a second home here in the lakes regions of Maine. Most seasonal lakefront homes, when conveyed, come furnished or partially furnished. How come?

When folks with second homes on the lake decide to sell the question arises: "What do we do with all this stuff ? We can't bring it all home with us. We have no room for this stuff back home. I am often asked "Do you think the buyer would like to have the furnishings?" My answer, "You bet!"

Most lakefront buyers are happy to purchase a furnished or partially furnished second home. "We can use this stuff for now". Most plan to rid themselves, eventually, of an offending floral couch or uncomfortable chair at the first opportunity. However, they decide, most furnishings will work for the present.

Over the course of years a strange thing happens. The uncomfortable chair becomes less so and the horrible floral couch becomes "not so bad'. Ultimately, dawn breaks on Marblehead, with the sunny realization: "Who wants the kids with wet bathing suits and sandy pine tarred feet sitting on good furniture anyway?"

When a seller informs me "We want to sell the place furnished except for personal stuff " I hear a little voice in my head saying "What do they mean by personal stuff". "You know, pictures of the kids, clothing, that kind of thing." I say okay! No worries!

A few days later, after the listing is in the MLS I get a call from the seller. "Tom", they say, "we told the kids(now in their forties) that we are selling and each one wants to take a ‘little something" from our camp". "Something small?", I ask. "Oh yes". I say, "Okay! No worries!"

Sometimes the list of personal items being taken by the seller is small, however sometimes the list grows quite long . So..... Dear Lakefront Buyer, when you are told that the home is being sold furnished, or partially furnished except for personal items, make sure you know what that means.

Make sure your offer is contingent on knowing what's staying and what's remaining long before the closing. It's upsetting on the day of the closing to find most of the nice stuff gone and what remains is ready for a trip to the dump.

Lean on your buyer agent to get these answers. The day of the closing should be a time of celebration not one of dissapointment and or remorse.