About Cumberland County, ME

Thomas Pond in South Casco and Raymond is only minutes from Sebago Lake. It's much, much smaller than the big lake, yet large enough to provide great boating and fishing.

The mood on Thomas Pond is relaxed. In fact, this is where Nathaniel Hawthorne, the famous 19th century author of The Scarlet Letter and many other works, used to enjoy relaxing as a kid. There is even a granite rock known as Inspiration Chair located along the shoreline that it is said he enjoyed sitting on.

Hawthorne spent some off his boyhood only a stones throw from Thomas Pond at his Uncle Richard Manning's home. According to the Hawthorne in Salem Web site, "Nathaniel and his friends could walk along broad Dingley Brook as it flowed down from its source, Thomas Pond, a half mile away. On its shores was the brickyard run by Jacob Watkins, which made the bricks necessary for the chimneys of the houses. From Thomas Pond, Nathaniel could see Rattlesnake Mountain, several miles away, a view which he loved." Today, family names in the area still include Dingley and Watkins. And in the summertime you can visit Hawthorne's home on nearby Raymond Cape Road in South Casco.

Tall white pines surround the 7.5 miles of shoreline. The lake covers 497 acres and has a maximum depth of 64 feet. The outlet, Dingley Brook, drains directly into Sebago Lake. Seasonal and year-round homes dot the shoreline.

Check out all the current lakefront property listings for sale on Thomas Pond by clicking on the box below:

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A public access boat launch is available at the Casco/Raymond town line on Route 302. Because of the low clearance under the Route 302 bridge, its limited to only small boats.

Shallow weedy coves and a rocky shoreline provide a quality bass and pickerel fishery. "Adult hatchery salmon brood were stocked in waters where smelt are insufficient to provide rapid salmon growth, including Thomas Pond," according to Francis Brautigam, Fisheries Biologist, Gray.

Thomas Pond provides a quiet Maine getaway only a few miles from a myriad of activities in Windham and Naples.

You'll even find Blacksmiths Winery just up the street. The Winery is open Friday through Monday from 11-5 during the winter months of January - April. From May - December it's open daily from 11-6. Stop by for a wine-tasting. Their blueberry wine is made with native Maine berries.

The water quality is average. Recent watershed projects were completed to reduce erosion and export of sediment and phosphorus into the pond. Thomas Pond is monitored by Raymond Waterways Protective Association and the Thomas Pond Improvement Association.

Lakefront grounds on Watchic Lake, located just southeast of Sebago Lake in Maine, are ideally suited for those who desire outstanding water recreation such as boating, birding and incredible fishing.

It's time to live your dreams. You can enjoy unsurpassed serenity only minutes from Portland, Maine. Watchic Lake is located only miles away in Standish. Its close proximity to Portland, the largest city in Maine, means easy access to work, major shopping and cultural events.

Lakefront property on Watchic is convenient to everything, yet Standish retains its rural character. And the lake is only two hours from Boston, making it a perfect getaway for seasonal lakefront property owners.

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Birders will be thrilled to see Bald Eagles, Osprey, Loons and a variety of other birds as they paddle or motor about Watchic Lake.And fishing enthusiasts will be delighted with this pristine lake. Incredible large and smallmouth bass are abundant. White perch and chain pickerel are also great catches. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) introduced largemouth bass into Watchic Pond in 1956.Fifty-four years later, the MDIFW says that the lake provides excellent angling opportunities and includes it on its list of Maine Bass Waters, "a list of some of the many waters in Maine that offer fine bass fishing," according to Roland D. Martin, Commissioner of MDIFW. Matt Douglas caught a 4.64 pound, 25 1/2 inch pickerel on Watchic Lake during the 2009 Maine Chevy Derby.

The dam is a 110' concrete and earthen structure, originally built in 1850. Today, the dam is owned by the Watchic Lake Association and is voluntarily manned. It's opened each fall to lower the lake level and closed after ice-out in the spring. During the summer season, the dam is opened as needed. All residents share in the maintenance costs.

The Watchic Lake Association was formed to take ownership of the dam and to monitor the water quality of the lake. Eileen Burnell, a long time volunteer with the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (MVLMP) said in their "Water Column" newsletter, "My husband, David, and I have been monitoring Watchic Lake in Standish for over 25 years. During that time, we have tried to pass along any lake knowledge that we have learned from the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitor Program to others. Over the past several years, we have been working with Mr. Ned Hatfield, a biology teacher at Bonny Eagle High School, to give some of his students hands-on lab experience as they join us on a monitoring trip out on the lake . . . We are always impressed with the interest shown by the students who come to visit. Since they are our future lake protection, it is truly a pleasure to answer their questions if we can and possibly give them the motivation to help make a difference."

Over the years, the Watchic Lake Association has received grants to help educate and help lakefront property owners improve the watershed. In conjunction with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, a Watershed Management Plan was developed to "ensure an upgrade and continued improvement in our water quality" in 1998.

More recently, a 319 grant was completed "to protect and improve Watchic Lake's water quality by reducing sources of polluted runoff in the watershed, providing one-on-one technical assistance to landowners, raising awareness about watershed problems and providing local stewardship." Technical assistance was given to 12 landowners, and a variety of conservation practices were installed at 13 other demonstration sites.

All lakefront property owners are encouraged to get involved in the Watchic Lake Association "to protect our environment, our lake, and your real estate investment."

The water quality is considered to be average on this small lake that covers 448 acres and has a maximum depth of 48 feet. The lake is spring fed and has two inlets, Page Brook and Paine Brook. The outlet to Watchic Brook, which empties into the nearby Saco River, is controlled by a dam.

January 28, 5-7 p.m. Chamber After Hours, door prizes, refreshments, networking, conversation and music by Malia Marcellas of Naples, Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.3116 or 207.647.3472, www.mainelakeschamber.com.

January 29, 6:30-10 p.m. Open Mic Night, hosted by Heather Pierson, music, comedy, storytelling, poetry and dance opportunities, refreshments available, $3/person, First Universalist Church, 479 Maine Street, Norway. FMI: 207.935.4505, www.heatherpierson.com.

January 29, 7 p.m. The Wall-Stiles in Concert, contemporary folk rock sound, original, energetic and entertaining band from Vermont, $8/adults, $5/students, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, Fryeburg Academy, Bradley Street, Fryeburg.FMI: 207.935.9232, www.fryeburgacademy.org.

January 29, 8 p.m. "Join the Club," Mark Shilanski, pianist and singer, plus his quintet of USM faculty and special guests, play quirky but infectious original compositions and Latin-Jazzy takes on old favorites like "Misty" and "Come Rain or Shine," $15/adults, $10/seniors, $5/students and children, Corthell Concert Hall, USM Campus, University Way, Gorham. FMI: 207.780.5555, www.usm.maine.edu/music.

January 30, 7:30-10:30 a.m. Pancake Breakfast, All You Can Eat, benefit for Lake Region High School's Alpine and Nordic Ski Teams, $5/person, Tom's Homestead 1821 Restaurant, 4 North High Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.5726. www.sad61.k12.me.us.

January 30, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Crystal Lake USO Ice Fishing Derby, all proceeds benefit USO to support our military, $10/person, $5/military veterans, retirees, active and reserve members with valid ID, check Web site for rules and more information, Crystal Lake, Gray. FMI: 207.655.1030, www.crystallakefishingderby.webs.com.

January 30, 7 p.m. Deep Freeze Bluegrass Festival, a benefit concert for Lakes Environmental Association hosted by David Lee, featuring Jewel Clark, The Hemingway Brothers, Squash and Gourds, Phat Grass and The Rusty Hinges, $15/person, $25/couple, $30/family, Bridgton Town Hall, 26 North High Street, Bridgton.FMI: 207.647.8580, www.mainelakes.org.

January 30, 7:30 p.m. doors open at 6, Pizza and a Picture Show, "Burch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," pizza and salad buffet served until 7:15 p.m., $15/person includes movie and buffet, visit Web site for important details, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield. FMI: 207.935.7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com.

January 30, 9 p.m.-close, The White Mountain Boys, kick-butt country duo from New Hampshire, Millbrook Tavern, Bethel Inn Resort, On the Common, Bethel.FMI: 207.824.2175 or 800.654.0125, www.bethelinn.com.

January 30-31, all day, 3rd Annual Pond Hockey Tournament, sponsored by Bonny Eagle Ice Skating Association, Standish Recreation and Standish Kiwanis, come watch the games, subject to weather conditions, Kiwanis Beach, Route 25, Standish.FMI: 207.642.3764, www.standish.org.

February 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Socrates Café Meeting, "Our System: What Works, What Doesn't, What's Our Next Step?" facilitated by Jim Kearney, a forum to discuss current topics and ideas in a warm, friendly atmosphere where divergent views are welcome, Waterford Library, 663 Waterford Road, Waterford. FMI: 207.583.2050 or 207.583.6957, www.waterford.lib.me.us.

February 3, 3 p.m. "Our Daily Tread: thoughts for an inspired life," author Lisa Belisle will speak about and read from her book, all sales support Safe Passage, a Maine-based non-profit organization created by Hanley Denning and dedicated to helping children of families who work in the Guatemala City garbage dump, Bridgton Public Library, 1 Church Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.2472, www.bridgton.lib.me.us or www.drlisabelisle.com.

February 3, 6-8 p.m. "Heart Healthy Winter Soups" offered by MaineHealth Learning Resource Center at Stephens Memorial Hospital, presented by Pat Watson, registered dietitian, and Chef Elton Cole, to sample heart-healthy soups and receive recipes, $10/erson, registration required, First Congregational Church, 17 East Main Street, South Paris. FMI: 866.609.5813, www.wmhcc.org.

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Just a few miles from Portland, Maine, Highland Lake in Windham and Falmouth, is highly valued by lakefront property owners for its pristine waters and sense of wilderness, yet close proximity to entertainment, dining and other activities.

Highland Lake provides a perfect sanctuary for cottage dwellers and wildlife, including loons, eagles, ducks, blue heron, turtles and lots of fish. The public boat launch on Lowell Farm Road in Falmouth is for hand-carried canoes and kayaks only. Motor boat traffic is low.

Fed by springs and streams, including MacIntosh Brook at the northern end, Highland Lake encompasses 623 acres. The maximum depth is 67 feet, with an average depth of 22 feet.

Keith Williams, Ph.D. and Chair of the Water Quality Committee for the Highland Lake Association, says, "Highland Lake's water quality is about typical of lakes in southern Maine." The water quality is slightly above average. It's tested bi-weekly during summer months and on a monthly basis throughout the winter. For more information, check the Highland Lake Association web site at www.highlandlakemaine.org. Fred Gallant is the current president.

If you're an angler, you'll find incredible fishing at Highland Lake. Plan to catch bass and trout right off your dock. According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, adult hatchery salmon are stocked in the lake. In 2006 a fish passage was completed.

"The project involved renovating the fishway and restoring the degraded stream channel at Highland Lake Dam in order to improve upstream and downstream passage for diadromous (sea-run) fish-especially alewives, which had historically free access to Highland Lake," said Sandra Lary, Project Coordinator.

This project provided alewives with access to Highland Lake for spawning and nursery habitat. From fish to seabirds, seals, whales, otter, mink, fox, raccoon and turtles, nearly everything eats alewives. Therefore, the project aided the web of life and has the potential to bring our rivers, lakes, estuaries and oceans back to life.

A Highland Lake Conservation Project was completed in 2007 in conjunction with the Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District. This 319 Grant from the Maine DEP was meant to significantly reduce erosion and export of sediment and phosphorus into the lake.

"Best management practices" were installed at 63 sites. In addition, to meet the goals of the grant, several workshops including "Cruise the Buffers," "Rain Gardens," and "Front Runner," were offered. Through education, technical assistance and on-the-ground fixes, significant changes were made.

During ice fishing season, you should know that Fat Bass Tours offers ice fishing trips on Highland Lake. For more information, check their Web site at www.fatbass.com and maybe you'll be retreating to their warm shanty soon.
Speaking of ice shanties, just the other day Buddah wrote on the ice shanty blog, "Head over to Highland Lake in Falmouth/Windham and fish the lower end, you should have pretty steady action on warm-water fish and maybe even connect with a brown trout or salmon."

So . . . if you are looking for lakefront property close to Portland, yet with the feeling like it's a million miles away, I encourage you to check out the classic Maine setting offered along the shores of Highland Lake in Windham and Falmouth.

Check out all the current lakefront property listings for sale on Highland Lake by clicking on the box below:

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For the year ending 2009 the Cumberland County Maine real estate markets saw only 2590 transactions transpire at an average sales price of 269K which is down about 2% in pricing compared to 2008’s average sold price of 275K. Volume was significantly less however down 15% from 2008. Inventories remain low and as prices have for the most part stabilized look for improving conditions in the first half of 2010.

For more information on southern Maine real estate please visit www.mymaineproperty.com or feel free to contact me directly at 207-650-5383 or via email at john@greentreemaine.com

Housing data taken from the Maine Association of Realtors, thank you!