Belgrade Lakes, ME

June 3, 6:30 p.m. Ben Thomas, Maine author, will discuss his new young adult novel, Code Breaker, Reading Room, Lithgow Public Library, 45 Winthrop Street, Augusta. FMI: 207.626.2415, www.lithgow.lib.me.us.

June 3, 7 p.m. Working Together: Rods & Guns & Backpacks & Binoculars, a panel discussion of finding common ground between sporting organizations and conservation organizations, sponsored by Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, Union Church, Route 27, Belgrade Lakes Village. FMI: 207.495.6039, www.belgradelakes.org.

June 4-6, all day/evening, 2010 Spring Samboree, music, games, challenges, Saturday Night Bean Suppah with all the Fixins, Aussie Pet Mobile, Hullabaloo Feud and more, Farmington Fairgrounds, High Street, Farmington. FMI: www.mainegoodsams.org.

June 4-6, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, "I Ought To Be In Pictures," directed by Michael Jinbo and featuring an ensemble cast of ACAT veteran actors: Joe Klapatch as Herb; Ashley St. Pierre as Libby; and Julie Barrett as Sally, $12/adults, $10/students & seniors, Waterville Opera House, 93 Main Street, Waterville. FMI: 207.873.7000, www.operahouse.com.

June 4, 8 p.m. The Awesome, a Portland, Maine party band that plays all the hit ‘80s tunes, $10/person, 21 Plus event, grand opening of new nightclub at Heritage Hall, Franco-American Heritage Center, 46 Cedar Street, Lewiston. FMI: 207.689.2000, www.francoamericanheritage.org.

June 5-6, 9 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday, Maine 4 x 4 Festival, Sand Drags, Deep Mud, Little Tykes Tuff Truck, Burn Out Contest, Sanctioned Mud Drags, Pittston Fairgrounds, Route 194, Pittston. FMI: 207.582.8861, www.pittstonfair.com.

June 8, 7 a.m. Birding Hike, with Don Mairs, must pre-register, sponsored by Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, meet at Center for All Seasons, 1 Center Drive, Belgrade Lakes Village. FMI: 207.495.6039, www.belgradelakes.org.

February 19, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Youth Ice Fishing Derby on Cochnewagon Lake, Jack Traps hosting in association with the Sebago DerbyFest, open to all children 12 and under, parents responsible for children over course of day, volunteers available to help set traps, bait hooks and teach children about the sport, free, preregistration required, Lake Cochnewagon, Monmouth. FMI: 207.933.9499, www.jacktraps.com.

February 19, 5-8 p.m. "Higher Forms of Art," Opening Reception for artwork from area high school students, exhibit continues through February 21, Harlow Gallery, 160 Water Street, Hallowell. FMI: 207.622.3813, www.harlowgallery.org.

February 19, 7 p.m. Readings of Toni Morrison, celebration of Black History Month and Toni Morrison's birthday (Feb 18, 1931) free, Pugh Center, Cotter Union, Colby College, Mayflower Hill, Waterville. FMI: 207.859.4000, www.colby.edu.

February 19-20, 7:30 p.m. February 21, 2 p.m. "Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington," an evening with Senator Margaret Chase Smith, written and directed by Linda Britt, performed by Sally Jones, $10/advance, $12/at door, seating quite limited, The DownStage at L/A Arts, 5 Canal Street Alley, Lewiston. FMI: 207.782.7228, www.laarts.org.

February 20, 8:30 p.m. The Brew, Massachusetts-based quartet, eclectic stylistic palette, nominated for "Best New Groove," (Best New Artist) award at the Jammy's in Madison Square Garden, $13.50/advance, $15/at the door, Unity Performing Arts Center, 42 Depot Street, Unity. FMI: 207.948.SHOW, www.unityme.org.

February 21, 1-5 p.m. Maine Academy of Country Music Performance to benefit Richard Crocker, refreshments for sale, raffles, auction, American Legion Post 205, Route 17, Augusta. FMI: 207.377.3597, www.macmhome.org.

February 21, 2-5 p.m. weigh in, 12th Annual Gene and Lucille Letourneau Ice Fishing Derby, to benefit Meals on Wheels, prizes for adults and children, weigh-in at the Muskie Community Center, 38 Gold Street, Waterville. FMI: 207.873.4745, www.spectrumgenerations.org.

February 21, 3 p.m. The Strider Concert: Nordica Trio, featuring Karen Beacham on clarinet, Graybert Beacham on viola and Martin Perry on piano, varied program that will highlight works focusing on the viola, Moody Chapel, Good-Will Hinckley, Route 201, Hinckley. FMI: 207.238.4200, www.colby.edu.

February 23, 7 p.m. Ken Pearlman and Alan Jabbour, traditional dance music from Scotland, Ireland, Eastern Canada and the American South, $10/each, Skye Theatre Performing Arts Center, 2 Highland Drive, South Carthage. FMI: 207.562.4445, www.necelticarts.com.

August 20-22, all day, Skowhegan State Fair, family event including midway, animal exhibits, crafts, commercial exhibits, flower show, animal pulling and harness racing, Skowhegan Fair Grounds, Route 201 North, Skowhegan. FMI: 207.474.2947 or www.skowheganstatefair.com

August 20, 7-8:30 p.m. "Historical Archaeology of 19th Century Rural Maine," lecture by Peter Morrison of Crane and Morrison Archaeology in Freeport, Union Church, Route 27, Belgrade. FMI: 207.495.6039 or www.belgradelakes.org, 207.495.3599 or www.gbgm-umc.org/maine-belgradelakes

August 20-22, 7 p.m.-midnight Frantasia Festival of Out Music and Arts, experimental/improvisational music and arts, donations $7/$5, Murray Hall, 69 Main Street, Livermore Falls. FMI: 207.897.6158 or www.franklincountymaine.org

August 21, 2 p.m. "The Wind in the Willows," by Kenneth Grahame, a timeless children's tale, $12/ adults & seniors, $9/children, Theater at Monmouth, 796 Main Street, Monmouth. FMI: 207.933.9999 or www.theateratmonmouth.org

August 21, 9 a.m. -4 p.m. Sierra Kristen Photography Studio Grand Opening, The Wentworth Event Center, Suite 104, 139 Searsport Avenue, Belfast FMI: http://sierrakphotography.com

August 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Skowhegan Farmers' Market, includes live music and a children's area, Old Grange Hall, Skowhegan Savings Bank Parking Lot, Skowhegan
FMI: 207.474.3621, 888.772.4392 or www.skowheganchamber.com

August 23, 10 a.m - 6 p.m The Maine Renaissance Faire at Castle Treasure, featuring historic reenactments, sword-swallowing, fire-eating, comedy shows, games, musical entertainment and jousting, prices vary, Castle Treasure, 238 Prescott Road, Manchester
FMI: 207.623.1152 or www.mainerenfaire.com

August 25, 6 p.m Wishing Well Farm Walk, informative and easy nature walk with Warren Balgooyen on his farm. Call for directions and to reserve space, Norridgewock.
FMI: 207.495.6039 or www.belgradelakes.org

August 26, noon-1 p.m The Maine Squeeze, a six-person accordian band will take you around the world with their international repertoire of tunes, Johnson Hall Performing Arts Center, 280 Water Street, Gardiner. FMI: 207.582.7144 or www.johnsonhall.org

Fair Season
Fair Season is upon us in the Belgrade Lakes Region. I don't know about you, but I've always enjoyed the fair. Cotton candy, fried dough, grandstand entertainment, oxen pulls, Ferris wheels, 4-H exhibits, and more. What's not to love? I think my favorite though is the skillet throw. Most of those women have strong arms and lots of fans. The Bangor State Fair and Topsham Fair, while a little out of the Belgrade Lakes Area, are two "don't miss" events this weekend.

Here's more of what's happening in the week to come:

August 6, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Best of Maine Auction, Maine-made items and Vacationland experiences and packages, tickets $10 or bid on-line, Owls Head Transportation Museum, 117 Museum Street, Owls Head. FMI: 207.594.4418 or www.ohtm.org/bom/auction/index.php

August 6-9, 2-10 p.m. Bangor State Fair, non-stop thrills, shows, agricultural activities, rides, games and more, $10/person, children under 3 free, Bangor Fair Grounds, 100 Dutton Street, Bangor. FMI: 207.947.5555 or www.bangorstatefair.com

August 7, 2-7 p.m. 28th Annual Maine Antiques Festival, hundreds of dealers featuring an assortment of antiques, Union Fairgrounds, off Route 17, Union. FMI: 207.221.3108 or www.maineantiquefest.com

August 7, 5:00-8:00 p.m. "Paintings by Judith Schuppien," featuring paintings of downtown scenes along the Kennebec River, Harlow Gallery, 160 Water Street, Hallowell.
FMI: 207.622.3813 or www.harlowgallery.org

August 7-8, All day 27th Annual Wilton Blueberry Festival, music, crafters and, of course, all things blueberry, events held at various venues throughout town, check the Web site for the schedule, Wilton. FMI: 207.778.4726 or www.wiltonbbf.com

August 8, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Maine Renaissance Faire at Castle Treasure, historic re-enactment, sword-swallowing, fire-eating, comedy shows, musical entertainment and jousting, "Experience the Magic and Excitement of 16th Century Renaissance England in Beautiful Manchester, Maine," ticket prices vary, Treasure Equestrian Center, 238 Prescott Road, Manchester. FMI: 207.623.1152 or www.mainerenfaire.com

August 8, 7:30 p.m. Pops Concert featuring NEMC Stage Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Choral and Symphonic Band, $15, Messalonskee Center for the Performing Arts, Menssalonskee High School, Oak Street, Oakland. FMI: 207.465.3025 or www.nemusiccamp.com

August 9, 2 p.m. Chamber Concert featuring Tom Mueller, Piano and Susan Poliacik, Cello, performing works of Brahms, DeFalla, Poulnec and Bach, free, donations accepted, First Congregational Church, 7 Eustis Parkway, Waterville FMI: www.wtvlucc.org/music.htm

August 9, 7:30 p.m. "The Mousetrap," Agatha Christie's classic who-done-it, ticket prices vary, The Theater at Monmouth, 769 Main Street, Monmouth. FMI: 207.933.9999 or www.theateratmonmouth.org

August 10, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Topsham Fair, Argicultural exhibits, 4-H, crafts, midway and harness racing, $6/person, children 12 and under free, Topsham Fair Grounds, Route 196, Coastal Connector, Topsham. FMI: 207.729.1544 or www.topshamfair.net

August 11, 7 p.m. Trails in Kennebec Land Trust Preserves, a talk by Jim St. Pierre and Deb Sewall, Harlow Gallery, 160 Water Street, Hallowell. FMI: 207.622.3813 or www.harlowgallery.org

August 11, 7-8:30 p.m. Beat Trapparatus, Instrumental Jazzy Hip-Hop Mix, Rock on the River, Hallowell Bandstand, Water Street, Hallowell. FMI: 207.620.7477 or http://hallowell.org/category/events

August 12, noon Martin Swinger, original, standard and traditional music, Lively Lunches at Johnson Hall Mini-Park, 280 Water Street, Gardiner. FMI: 207.582.7144

To round out our reporting on recent lakefront property sales of camps, cabins, cottages, and vacation homes, here are the sales, from January 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009, in the Belgrade Lakes area:

Sold date.......address........lake name.......list price...sold price......days on market.....

1/21 - 43 Androscoggin Loop, Leeds - Androscoggin -$199,500/$174,500 -DOM-66

1/20 - 37 Pine Cove, Manchester - Cobbossee - $274,900/$246,000 - DOM-456

4/14 - 81 Larry, Monmouth - Annabessacook - $129,000/$123,000 - DOM-66

5/28 - 94 Beach, Monmouth - Cochnewagon - $225,000/$190,000 - DOM-302

4/30 - 32 Ayotte, Monmouth - Annabessacook - $299,000/$260,000 - DOM-626

5/29 - 29 Dismal, Monmouth - Cobbossee - $385,000/$380,000 - DOM-87

3/3 - 1050 Pond, Mount Vernon - Taylor - $95,000/$85,000 - DOM-214

5/1 - 25 Old Heritage, Oakland - Messalonskee - $299,900/$279,000 - DOM-262

2/24 - 14 Chandler, Readfield - Maranacook - $199,900/$175,000 - DOM-174

5/20 - 16 Poplar, Rome - Long - $163,900/$150,000 - DOM-325

4/23 - 94 Sanborn, Sabattus - Sabattus - $125,000/$120,000 - DOM-125

1/26 - 24 Bog Brook, Smithfield - North - $289,900/$225,000 - DOM-76

2/3 - 38 Sunset Cove, Wales - Sabattus - $159,900/$156,000 - DOM-180

5/29 - 15 Northfork, West Gardiner - Cobbossee - $399,900/$342,500 - DOM-71

5/13 - 23 Harold Howell, Winthrop - Annabessacook - $230,000/$215,000 - DOM-158

3/20 - 27 McVicker, Winthrop - Maranacook - $399,000/$373,500 - DOM-194

1/9 - 262 Memorial, Winthrop - Maranacook - $449,000/$404,000 - DOM-110

As of June 15th, there are 17 lakefront properties pending, i.e. under contract and going to close, and over 250 currently for sale in the Belgrade Lakes Region. Find them all using our Lakefront Locator, where you can search and find all of the lakefront and lake access properties currently for sale in the entire state just with the click of a mouse.

Stay tuned for the June figures. I'll get those out the first week in July.