Belgrade, ME

When you own lakefront property in the Lakes Regions of Maine it's not unusual to spot wildlife. But sometimes you spot unusual wildlife! Dr. Michael Cox, Chief Executive Officer of Central Maine Orthopedics was fishing with a friend on Long Pond in the Belgrade Lakes Region last weekend, when two huge birds flew over their boat. "It was a pretty amazing sight," said Dr. Cox.

"The south end of Long Pond is very wild. There's a huge freshwater marsh. We see all kinds of wildlife there," explained Dr. Cox. But this is the first time he's ever seen Sandhill Cranes in the marsh. "They're quite a beast."

This stately bird is long-legged with gray plumage, which looks more ochre during breeding season, a red forehead, white cheeks and a long, dark and sharp bill. Adults can stand up to 5 feet tall and have a wing span of about 6.5 feet.

Sandhill Cranes are a bit larger than Great Blue Herons. The heron, however, holds its neck in an "S" curve while flying, whereas the Sandhill Crane holds its neck straight out.

"Seeing them up close is pretty spectacular," said Dr. Cox. "They are intimidating looking. They looked like they could damage you if they were mad at you." He and his friend enjoyed watching the pair of cranes as they walked through the marsh.

Sandhill Cranes are omnivores who eat insects, aquatic plants and animals, rodents, seeds and berries. They forage with their hard, sharp beaks while walking in shallow water or a field.

They are not indigenous to Maine, though from time to time there have been other sitings. In his 2002 article "First Breeding Records and Historical Status of Sandhill Cranes in Maine and New England," Scott M. Melvin quotes noted Massachusetts ornithologist E.H. Forbush (1929): "The great Sandhill Crane once roamed the Atlantic coast in migration, and probably was the only crane that was ever common in any part of New England. Like the wild turkey, it disappeared with the coming of settlement and civilization." Mr. Forbush might be happy to know that the turkey has returned and now, perhaps the Sandhill Crane.

Danielle D'Auria, Wildlife Biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife told me that Sandhill Cranes "have nested on Messalonskee Lake since 2000. We probably have half a dozen other sites in the state where Sandhill Cranes are nesting. Their population has definitely been expanding into Maine possibly as early as the late '90s."

Having the opportunity to observe these amazing birds up close is just another reason to consider owning lakefront property in the Belgrade Lakes Region.

Search for lakefront properties on Long Pond, Belgrade Lakes Region

February 11, 6-8 p.m. Get Up Downtown, chocolate tasting and live music, Maynard's Chocolates, Hathaway Creative Center, 10 Water Street, Waterville. FMI: 207.660.6093, www.hathawaycreativecenter.com.

February 11, 7:30 p.m. Award-winning poet Chad Davidson, read and sign works, free and open to the public, The Landing, Olsen Student Center, UMF, Farmington. FMI: 207.778.7454, www.umf.maine.edu.

February 11, 8 p.m. "Dark Days, Bright Nights: From Black Power to Barack Obama," lecture by author Peniel Joseph of Tufts University, Ostrove Auditorium, Diamond Building, Colby College, Waterville. FMI: 2207.859.4000, www.colby.edu.

February 12, 8:30 p.m. Arthur Webster and the Holy Mackerels, Higher Grounds Coffee House, 119 Water Street, Hallowell, FMI: www.webtonemusic.50megs.com.

February 13, 10 a.m. Cross Country Ski Trip with Sue Ellen Greenan, location TBA, Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, 171 Main Street, Belgrade Lakes. FMI: 207.495.6039, www.belgradelakes.org.

February 13, 6:30 p.m. Contradance, Family Dance, 6:30-7:30 p.m. $2/adults, $1/children, Pot Luck Snacks, 7:30, Regular Contra Dance, 8-11 with Caller Cynthia Phinney accompanied by Racket Factory, $6/adults, $5/students, $15/family, all dances called, all welcome, no partner necessary, Farmington Grange, Bridge Street, West Farmington. FMI: 207.397.2241, www.starleft.org.

February 13, 7:30 p.m. "How Do I Love Thee?" Song, Poetry, Prose and Desserts, special performance by Open Book Players, Cabaret-style evening of timeless songs and popular readings focused on the theme of "love," $10/person, desserts and coffee for sale, reservations strongly recommended, Johnson Hall, 280 Water Street, Gardiner.
FMI: 207.582.7144, www.johnsonhall.org.

February 14, 1-3 p.m. Gallery Warming, open house to celebrate newly renovated gallery, ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m., gallery warming wish list on Web site, enjoy decadent cupcakes donated by Sweetland Retreat and fine coffee from Slates, The Harlow Gallery, 160 Water Street, Hallowell. FMI: 207.622.3813, www.harlowgallery.org.

February 14, 2 p.m. "Mama Mia!" Dance and Sing Along with the movie, Boas handed out to first arrivals, wedding cake available at the end of the movie, wear your dancing shoes, $6/advance, $7/door, benefits Skowhegan Public Library Project 2012, Strand Theater, Court Street, Skowhegan. FMI: 207.474.9072, www.skowhegan.lib.me.us.

February 15, 1 p.m. The Forest in Winter, children's program, $1/children, $2.50 adults, L.C. Bates Museum, Route 201, Hinckley. FMI: 207.238.4250, www.gwh.org.

February 16, 1 p.m. Scavenger Hunt for Kids with Sarah Zazzaro, location TBA, Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, 171 Main Street, Belgrade Lakes. FMI: 207.495.6039, www.belgradelakes.org.

February 17, 1 p.m. Animals' Winter Camouflage, children's program, $1/children, $2.50/adults, L.C. Bates Museum, Route 201, Hinckley. FMI: 207.238.4250, www.gwh.org.

January 29, 5-7 p.m. "Pixels," Opening Reception featuring imagery including but not limited to the digital world, L/A Arts Gallery 5, Lyceum Hall, 49 Lisbon Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207.782.7228, www.laarts.org.

January 29, 7 p.m. The Androscoggin Valley Community Orchestra Winter Concert, led by Paul Ross, Franco-American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207.783.1585, www.francoamericanheritage.org.

January 29-31, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, "Visiting Mr. Green," prices vary, check Web site for free parking, Public Theatre, 31 Maple Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207.782.3200, www.thepublictheatre.org.

January 30, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Indoor Yard Sale, benefits 7th grade girls' basketball team's quest to purchase warm-up jackets, Mt. Blue Middle School, Outer Middle Street, Farmington. FMI: 207.778.3511, www.route2.com/mbms.

January 30, 7:30 p.m. Auryn Quartet, Berlin based quartet featuring selections by Beethoven, $10/adults, $4/seniors and students, Olin Arts Center, Bates College, Lewiston. FMI: 207.786.6135, www.batestickets.com.

January 30, 7:30 p.m. Chiharu Naruse with Ben Noyes, piano and cello, $16/adults, $14/seniors, free/21 and under, Franco-American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207.783.1585, www.francoamericanheritage.org.

January 31-February 2, all day, Winter Games, Maine Special Olympics, celebrating 41 years of changing attitudes and changing lives, Sugarloaf USA, 5092 Sugarloaf Access Road, Carrabassett Valley. FMI: 207.237.2000, www.sugarloaf.com.

January 31, 1-3 p.m. Winter in the Woods, Family Winter Fun Day, enjoy a winter afternoon of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the 10-acre field or on one of the trails, volunteers available to help begineers, free refreshments, bonfire, Kennebec Land Trust, Curtis Homestead Conservation Area, Bog Road, Leeds. FMI: 207.377.2848, www.tklt.org.

January 31, 2:30-4 p.m. Wine Tasting with your Valentine, Annual Maine Music Society benefit, test your palate with an array of wines and hors d'oeuvres, gift basket raffle, Graziano's Italian Restaurant, Route 196 and Village Street, Lisbon. FMI: 207.353.4335, www.grazianoscasamia.com.

February 1, 6 p.m. Mt. Blue High School Jazz Band's benefit dinner, pasta buffet with bread and salad, accompanied by music from the jazz band, $12/adults, $10/Mt. Blue district students, The Homestead Bakery, 186 Broadway, Farmington. FMI: 207.778.6162, www.homesteadbakery.com.

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

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

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

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

Long Pond, in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Central Maine, is a prime location for a lakefront home or vacation getaway.

Located just 1 hour north of Portland, 1 hour south of Bangor, 3 hours north of Boston and twenty minutes or less from the capital city of Augusta, lakefront properties on Long Pond are easily accessible, yet feel like they are a million miles from civilization. At twelve miles long, it's situated in the towns of Mount Vernon, Rome and Belgrade.

This serene waterway of 2,714 acres is surrounded by majestic pines leading up to The Mountain, French's Mountain, and Blueberry Hill. The pond is divided by a narrows into two distinct basins. The southern or lower basin is the deepest with a maximum depth of 106 feet. It provides a perfect habitat for supporting cold and warm water fish.

The quality bass fishing due to both size and quantity of large and small mouth bass have made Long Pond a must among anglers. Land-locked salmon are plentiful during the spring run. Fishermen will also find northern pike, perch, crappie and pickerel here. A state-controlled stocking program guarantees excellent fishing from early spring until late fall.

Belgrade Lakes village is located on the north basin's eastern shore. Folks like to boat to the village for amenities. Others drive across Castle Island at the narrows.

Greg Fish of Mount Vernon wrote a letter to the editor of Down East magazine several years ago stating that "I have driven across Castle Island many times. Now, living as close as we do, we drive across often to get most anywhere. It's fun to see how busy it is on a spring or summer afternoon and how deserted it is in winter."

The water quality of Long Pond is considered above average. The Belgrade Lakes Association (BLA) is led by President Polly Parkhill Beatie. One of the oldest lake associations in the nation, the BLA was formed in 1908. Today, they conduct Invasive Plant Surveys, Courtesy Boat Inspections, Volunteer Lake Monitoring and work with the Lake Smart Program and Conservation Corps to provide landscaping services to property owners.

Numerous Lake Smart Awards have been presented to Long Pond property owners. This Maine DEP program encourages landowners to learn how to manage their home and yard to protect the water quality. The Conservation Corps of the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliances (BRCA) completed 12 projects on Long Pond this past year. They work with homeowners, free of charge, to decrease erosion, and help filter storm water to decrease phosphorous runoff.

In the BRCA's fall 2009 newsletter, Executive Director Peter Kallin encourages folks to learn more about pervious pavers for such projects by checking "out the paver demonstration and rain garden at Day's Store next time you are in the village."

Find your way to Long Pond and you'll join the ranks of many famous folks who found their way here. Elizabeth Arden, who made make-up acceptable to "respectable" American women in the early 1900s, was among the property owners. She owned Maine Chance, an exclusive resort and health spa on the pond, in Mount Vernon. Her clientele included First Lady Mamie Eisenhower and famous movie stars.

You might not encounter the rich and famous, but you can still enjoy great hiking trails for all abilities, boat rentals, swimming, fishing, winter sports, restaurants, theatre, antiques and general stores in the Belgrade Lakes Region. Owning lakefront property here means listening to the loons and enjoying the breathtaking views while only a short distance from anywhere.

Want to know what lakefront properties are currently for sale on Long Pond? Just click on the box below:

Search for lakefront properties on Long Pond, Belgrade Lakes Region

Great Pond in Maine, situated primarily in the town of Belgrade and less so in Rome, is among the largest bodies of water in the world called a "Pond".

Great Pond measures roughly seven miles north to south by 4 miles east to west. It has a surface area of 8239 acres, has a maximum depth of 69 feet and a mean depth of 21 feet, and its shore length is over 46 miles.

This large body of water has been a destination of boaters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts for many, many years. Great Pond is blessed with above average water quality and its cleanliness and clarity have been monitored and protected by a very active lake association, The Belgrade Lake Association.

Salmon fishing used to be a big draw here, but the salmon have "left" and the attraction now is fishing for northern pike. (When I say "left", I mean they have been devoured by northern pike, fished out, or both.)Northern pike are an aggressive species and have thrived in the waters of Great Pond. Some grow as large as 30 pounds and it's these giants the sports fishermen are after. Love them or hate them, their appeal to many fishermen is undeniable.

Camps and cottages dot the shoreline, as well as some more ostentatious dwellings. Some having been in the family for generations, while others are newly constructed by recent inductees to the beauty and attractions of Great Pond and the Belgrade Lakes Region in general.

Several islands call Great Pond home including the largest, Hoyt Island, as well as Chute Island, Joyce Island, Oak Island and Pine Island.

The outlet waters of Great Pond flow through the Great Pond Storage Dam and into Long Pond. Visit the town of Belgrade, buy a sandwich and cold drink at Day's Store, and picnic at the park area along the spillway that separates Great Pond from Long Pond.

If you're interested in lakefront property on Great Pond, there are currently 21 listings for sale, as of May 31, 2009. Here they are:

Belgrade, 60 Hoyt Island - $239,000

Rome, 11 Bickford Lane - $324,200

Belgrade, 169 Burton Woods Road - $365,000

Belgrade, 59 Hoyt Island - $369,000

Rome, 170 Hathaway Lane - $369,000

Belgrade, 26 Hersom Road - $375,000

Belgrade, 120 Snug Harbor - $399,000

Rome, 123 Starbird Lane - $459,000

Rome, 153 Mountain Drive - $529,000

Rome, 249 Mountain Road - $575,000

Rome, 11 Golden Pond Lane - $599,000

Belgrade, 36 Wapiti Lane - $625,000

Rome, 36 Paris Road - $639,000

Rome, 28 South Mountain Road - $695,000

Belgrade, 686 Horsepoint Road - $750,000

Rome, 134 Golden Pond Lane - $769,000

Rome, 175 Mountain Road - $989,000

Belgrade, 48 Red Oaks Lodge Road - $999,000

Rome, 184 Hathaway Lane - $1,200,000

Belgrade, 8 Dane Lane - $2,900,000

Belgrade, 9 Dane Lane - $3,995,000