About York County, ME

February 4, 7-9 p.m. Bluegrass Folk Jam, bring your own acoustic instrument for an informal evening of sharing songs, The Brunswick, 39 West Grand Avenue, Old Orchard Beach. FMI: 207.934.4873, www.thebrunswick.com.

February 5, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Astronomical Society of Northern New England, 5:30-6:30, Business Meeting, 6:40-7:30, Social Hour and Joan's Beginner Astronomy Class (public walk-ins welcome), 7:30-9:30, Club Meeting featuring guest speaker Ian T. Durham, PhD, FRAS, Masonic Hall, 1 North Street, Kennebunk. FMI: www.asnne.org.

February 5, 7 p.m. Steve Wronker, comedy hypnotist, benefits the Class of 2010, $12/at door, $10/advance, Wells High School, 200 Sanford Road, Wells. FMI: 207.645.7011, www.swfb.net or www.woscd.org.

February 6, 9-11 a.m. Explore 4 of the 7 Wonders of Tatnic, discover unusual features including Big Bump, Orris Falls and Baker's Oven, led by Doug Mayer and Tin Smith, snowshoes suggested, $5-$10/donation, call to reserve space, Orris Falls Conservation Area, Thurrell Road (meet at trailhead), South Berwick. FMI: 207.646.3604, www.gwrlt.org.

February 6, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Chocolate Fair, featuring homemade chocolate candy, cakes, cookies, plus jewelry, cards and gifts for Valentine's Day, benefits summer camp trip to Camp Waban, St. Andre Health Care Facility, 407 Pool Street, Biddeford. FMI: 207.282.5171 x 241, www.standre.org.

February 6, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Standish Sno Seekers Winter Fest, poker rally with prizes, snowmobile safety checks and more, Johnson Field, Route 114, Sebago Lake Village. FMI: 207.329.1967, www.standishsnoseekers.com.

February 6, 1 p.m. "Saco Revisited," an unprecedented glimpse into Saco's history, book signing by Leslie Rounds, Jessica Routhier and Marie O'Brien, Nonesuch Books, 4 Scammon Street, Saco. FMI: 207.282.2638, www.nonesuchbooks.com.

February 6, 6 p.m. "The Magic of Mardi Gras," New Orleans-style dinner and cabaret show, $25/person, call to reserve a seat, ST. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 150 Black Point Road, Scarborough. FMI: 207.883.0334, www.saintmax.com/week.

February 7, 3-5 p.m. The Radio Gang featuring famed bluegrass musician Mac McHale, vintage American Country Music from the 1930s and 1940s, spirited fiddle tunes, gospel, train songs, shout tunes, traditional bluegrass and ballads, free, McArthur Public Library, 270 Main Street, Biddeford. FMI: 207.284.4181, www.mcarthurpubliclibrary.org.

January 28, 7:00 p.m. Keepin' It Reel film series: MLK, Jr. in a post-civil rights generation, featuring Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes Documentary, examines issues of masculinity, sexism, violence and homophobia in today's hip-hop culture, Cultural Exchange Lounge, Decary Hall 44, Biddeford Campus, University of New England. FMI: 207.602.2461, www.une.edu.

January 29, 8 p.m. Kelli Redick, multi-instrumentalist with Selbyville, Hog Farm Studios, 140 Main Street, Suite 107, back alley, Biddeford. FMI: 971.645.9710, www.hogfarmstudios.com.

January 30, 8 a.m. Birding Field Trip, Cape Neddick to Fort Foster with York County Audubon, led by Eric Hynes, meet at Cape Neddick, York. FMI: 207.284.5487, www.yorkcountyaudubon.org.

January 30, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 99 Yarns and Counting, Green Mountain Spinnery designers Eric Robinson and Maureen Clark will talk about and sign the Spinnery's new book, bring your knitting and a brown bag lunch, seating is limited so RSVP, free, tea, coffee and cookies provided, Kennebooks, 149 Port Road, Kennebunk. FMI: 207.967.6136, www.kennebooks.com.

January 30, 7 p.m. Salon Nights Series featuring Neil English, poet and Joanne Snow Duncanson, coffee and dessert, The Red Door Pottery Studio, 44 Government Street, Kittery. FMI: 207.439.5671, www.reddoorpottery.com

January 30, 7:30 p.m. Phillip Mentor, baritone sings gospel and Negro spirituals and classical music, presented by Ogunquit Performing Arts in celebration of Black History Month, $12, Great Hall at Dunaway Center, 23 School Street, Ogunquit.

FMI: 207.646.6170, www.seacoastonline.com.

January 31, 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. First Annual York County Lakes Region Ice Fishing Tournament, Springvale Fish and Game Club charity event to benefit spina bifida research, pre-register at Acton area bait shops, $15/adults, $5/kids, visit Web site for information and rules, lots of prizes, weigh-in at Acton Fairgrounds, Route 109, Acton.

FMI: 207.651.2754, www.springvalefishandgame.org.

February 2, 7 p.m. Local Author Doug Zechel, who writes under pen name K.D. Mason, will speak about his book, "Harbor Ice," a mystery set on the New Hampshire seacoast, York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, York. FMI: 207.363.2818, www.york.lib.me.us.

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

Search for Lakefront properties in the Sanford Lakes Region $300K to $450k

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

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

January 21, 7-9 p.m. Bluegrass Folk Jam, bring your acoustic instrument for an informal evening of sharing songs, The Brunswick, 39 West Grand Avenue, Old Orchard Beach. FMI: 207.449.1126, www.thebrunswick.com, www.folkjam.org.

January 21, 7 p.m. Collecting and Caring for Rare Books, talk lead by Frank Wood, co-owner of DeWolfe and Wood bookstore in Alfred, Sanford-Springvale Historical Museum, 505 Main Street, Springvale.FMI: 207.324.2797, www.sanfordhistory.org, www.dwbooks.com.

January 23, 9 a.m.-noon, Ski/Snowshoe Tuckahoe Preserve, 1st public exploration of this 108-acre preserve along Salmon Falls River, donation $5/person, $10/family, free/Great Works Regional Land Trust members, Tuckahoe Preserve, 571 Hubbard Road, Berwick. FMI: 207.646.3604, www.gwrlt.org.

January 23, 9 a.m.-noon, Sporting Antiques Appraisal Fair, an exhibition and free public appraisals of old, unique or custom firearms, knives, decoys, fishing and camping gear, Kittery Trading Post, 301 US Route 1, Kittery.
FMI: 207.363.9687 or 888.587.6246, www.ktpevents.com.

January 23, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. "The Spirituality of Fasting: Discovering a Christian Practice," book signing by Msgr. Charles Murphy, Abbey Bookstore, Dunstan Corner, 605 Route 1, Scarborough. FMI: 207.885.5813, www.portlanddiocese.net/calendar.

January 23, 4-7 p.m. Bean Supper, to benefit Milestone Foundation's recreational therapy fund, $6/suggested donation, free/9 and under, Unitarian Universalist Church, 60 Church Street, Saco. FMI: 207.282.0062, www.milestonefoundation.org.

January 23, 7 p.m. Salon Night Series featuring "Avocado Lounge," music by Jenny and Paul, a tight, dynamic duo with an eclectic repertoire, Red Door Pottery Studio and Gallery Shop, 44 Government Street, Kittery.
FMI: 207.439.5671, www.reddoorpottery.com.

January 24, 2 p.m. Russian Literature Program, a vicarious trip to Russia presented by Lisa Hayden Espenschade, freelance writer, translator and Russian teacher, pre-registration required, Scarborough Public Library, 48 Gorham Road, Scarborough. FMI: 207.883.4723, x 240, www.library.scarborough.me.us.

January 24, 3 p.m. "Casablanca,"1942 bittersweet romance set in World War II Morocco, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as "Rick" and "Ilsa," ex-lovers brought back together temporarily by circumstances of the war, free admission and popcorn, $1/drink, York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, York. FMI: 207.363.2818, www.york.lib.me.us.

Check out all the current lakefront property listings in the area by clicking on the boxes below:

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

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

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World-class fishing and great Maine vacation lakefront camps and cottages can be found on Little Ossipee Lake in York County, Maine. This 564-acre lake is located beside Waterboro Center on Route 5, also known as Sokokis Trail.

Little Ossipee Lake is traditionally one of the first lakes to ice over. As I drove by last weekend, it had already become an ice shack city. Do check conditions before you head out. Access is easy and there is ample parking at the public boat launch on Route 5, about a half mile from Waterboro Center.

On Little Ossipee, you are limited to two lines. The daily bag limit is two fish in the aggregate (salmon, trout, togue). It was listed by Al Raychard in New England Game and Fish as one of "Maine's Hottest Winter Trout Lakes."

If you are an ice fisherman you won't want to miss this: mark Sunday, February 14 on your calendar for the 11th annual F.E.T. Ice Fishing Derby. Grand prize is $3,500 for the Cold Water Division and $1,000 for the Bass Division. In the children's division, the grand prize is a $100 savings bond and a trophy. Sounds like a great way to spend Valentine's Day!

Little Ossipee is also an exceptional lake for swimming, boating, watching the stars at night and listening to the loons in season. Like most lakes in Maine, it's protected by a lake association, which helps monitor the water quality. The Little Ossipee Lake Association (LOLA) has the following mission: "E-cubed: Preserve and Protect Little Ossipee Lake through Education, Eradication and Erosion Control."

In their 2009 newsletter, Mike Taflas, President, stated, "LOLA continues significant efforts this year with the Erosion Control Program, which is vital to the health of the lake now and in the future. This program is designed to combat shoreline erosion issues that negatively impact water quality and habitats in and around Little Ossipee Lake. To ensure success, we are incorporating the expertise of the York County Soil and Water Conservation District."

The lake is 3.5 miles long, with an average depth of 21 feet and a maximum depth of 74 feet. This is the largest body of water in Waterboro. Bob Labelle, a LOLA Board member, helps monitor the lake for water quality. "Test results continue to show the quality of Little Ossipee Lake to be excellent and the potential for nuisance algae blooms is considered to be very low." That's excellent news if you are considering purchasing lakefront property for a seasonal camp or year-round home.

Above the lake is Ossipee Mountain, at 1,058 feet. The Ossipee Mountain Trail is maintained for hiking, ATVs and other outdoor adventures. At the top of the mountain stands an historic fire tower, which is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register. The first tower was erected in 1918. After that burned in the October 1947 Forest Fires, a second tower was built with a 13' x 13' shingled wood cab. This is owned and maintained by the Maine Forest Service and controlled by the Waterboro Fire Department.

You can check out all the current lakefront real estate listings on Little Ossipee Lake by clicking on the box below:

Search for lakefront properties on Little Ossipee Lake

January 14, Steve Jones Band, The Run of the Mill Public House and Brewery, 100 Main Street, Saco on Saco Island. FMI: 207.571.9652, www.therunofthemill.net.

January 15, 6:30 p.m. Round One of Poetry Out Loud, a national poetry recitation contest sponsored locally by Sanford High School, Sanford/Springvale Historical Society, 505 Main Street, Springvale. FMI: 207.324.4050, www.sanfordhistory.org.

January 15, 7 p.m. "The Marden's Lady," encore appearance by Birdie Googins, $10/person, seating limited, Nasson Community Center Little Theater, 457 Main Street, Springvale. FMI: 207.324.5657, www.nassoncc.org.

January 16, 10 a.m.-noon, Ski, Snowshoe or Walk, Eastern Trail, led by John Andrews, meet at Pine Point Road parking lot to spend two hours exploring, bring appropriate equipment based on weather, Eastern Trail Alliance, Saco.
FMI: 207.284.9260, www.easterntrail.org.

January 16, 4-6 p.m. Turkey Dinner with all the fixings, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, pies for dessert, $8/adults, $5/12 and under, free/5 and under, First Parish Federated Church, 150 Main Street, South Berwick. FMI: 207.384.4091, www.fpfchurch.org.

January 16, 6:30 p.m. "Earth," India/Pakistani Film Series, sponsored by York Diversity Forum, York Public Library, 15 Long Sands Road, York. FMI: 207.363.2818, www.york.lib.me.us.

January 16, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Straight Lace LTD, singing dinner music and classic rock, Feile Restaurant and Pub, 1619 Post Road, Wells. FMI: 207.251.4065, www.feilerestaurantandpub.com.

January 16, 8 p.m. Heather Maloney, singer/songwriter, folk rock, pop, $10/adults, free/11 and under, Saco Coffee House, Unitarian Universalist Church, 60 School Street, Saco. FMI: 207.282.0062, www.sacocoffeehouse.com or www.heathermaloney.com.

January 17, 12:30 p.m. Jimmy the Greek's Frozen 4 Miler Road Race, registration begins at 10 a.m., proceeds benefit Old Orchard Beach Summer Camp Scholarship "Send a Kid to Camp" program, $25/register at race, free pizza buffet for runners, Jimmy the Greek's Brick Oven Restaurant, 215 Saco Avenue, Old Orchard Beach. FMI: 207.865.4501, www.runreg.com or www.jimmygreeks.com.

January 20, 6-9 p.m. Worthy Wednesdays at One Dock, 15 percent of evening's revenue to support local nonprofit Graves Library, One Dock Restaurant, Kennebunkport Inn, One Dock Square, Kennebunkport. FMI: 207.967.2621, www.onedock.com.

January 20, 7 p.m. Saco Pathfinders Snowmobile Club Membership Meeting, Clubhouse, 42 Heath Road, Saco. FMI: 207.710.2400, www.sacopathfinders.com.

Check out all the current lakefront property for sale in the area by clicking on the boxes below:

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

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

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

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