Casco, ME

Point Sebago Resort on Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine will once again be the host for the 6th annual Lake Region Brewer's Festival this Saturday, September 26th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Do you like the idea of sampling dozens of finely-brewed beers, enjoying plenty of good food, listening to live music, all while gazing out over the blue expanse of Sebago Lake in Casco, Maine? Then you need to show up tomorrow, this Saturday, on the shores of Sebago Lake, plunk down your $25 and start having a good time.

Around here we just call this event the Brewfest. It has become so well-known and such a popular draw in such a short period of time because of the popularity of micro-brewed and handcrafted beers. Couple that with a gorgeous outdoor venue and the great volunteer effort by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce and you have a fun-filled day that now draws 2000 or more attendees.

Among the brewers participating this year are Allagash Brewing, Atlantic Brewing, Belfast Bay Brewing, Blacksmiths Winery, Boston Beer, Brays Brewing, Brooklyn Brewery, D.L. Geary Brewing, Dogfish Head, Great Beers/Wicked Wines, Green Mountain, Gritty McDuff's Brewery, Sebago Brewing, Kennebec River Brewery, Longtrail Brewing, Magic Hat Brewing, Harpoon Brewery, Oak Pond Brewery, Peak Organic Brewing, Redhook Ale Brewery, Run of the Mill, Sea Dog, Sebago Brewing, Sheepscot Brewing, Shipyard Brewing, Smuttynose Brewing, and Sunday River/Stonecoast Brewery.

In addition to the main attraction - gallons of handcrafted beers - there is also plenty of live entertainment, tons of great food, and a craft fair featuring dozens of area artisans.

So, if you're looking for something to do this Saturday, come to the Brewfest. The weather is going to be perfect, the beer will be cold, and for the $25 admission fee you'll be sure to walk away with a full belly and a smile on your face.

While you're here, you just might want to check out some lakefront property on Sebago Lake. You can preview all the Sebago Lake lakefront property currently on the market by clicking below:

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Need a break from shopping for the perfect lakefront property near Pleasant Lake in Casco? Then visit Mayberry Hill Preserve, a gem in the western Maine Lakes and Mountains Region.

Jon Evans, Stewardship and Volunteer Coordinator for Loon Echo Land Trust says of the Preserve, "The gentle terrain invites folks of all ages to a thirty minute vacation in the Maine woods."

He is absolutely right. Mayberry Hill Preserve presents visitors and residents with a pleasant stroll over a one-mile loop through a mixed forest.

"This carefully managed forest offers Red oak, White Oak, Pitch Pine, mixed Hardwoods and Maine's signature tree, the White Pine," says Jon.

Quintessential stone walls, a stone cairn, and a couple of stone benches await hikers, skiers and snowshoers on this 160-acre parcel which was donated to Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT) in 1990.

Since 1987 LELT has lived by its motto: Saving Land for Future Generations. Their mission is to protect our most loved lands so that we and our grandchildren will always be proud to call this special place home.

Jon says, "The Mayberry Hill Preserve provides a variety of sensations, i.e. the songbirds that greet you upon entry, the magnificient stonewalls protecting delicate lady slippers, the rich smell of ferns and mosses along the way and in July, mouth-watering blueberries in the field. Winter provides ample tracking opportunities as you snowshoe along the one-mile loop."

So . . . the next time you need a quick pick-me-up or time to ponder lakefront properties, I suggest you head to Mayberry Hill Preserve on Mayberry Hill Road in Casco, where the air is always fresh and pine-scented.

FMI: 207.647.4352 or www.lelt.org

Check out the lakefront property currently available on Pleasant Lake in Casco by clicking below:

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Sometimes big things come in small packages in the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine. Such is the case with Baker's Dozen at 2 Lord Road in Casco, across from Pleasant Lake.

Two years ago, after retiring from a career in food service, Eunice Long opened Baker's Dozen with the help of her husband Mel, who serves as her gofer and right-hand man.

A recent customer comment sums up the new business: "This is the best thing that ever happened to Casco."

Eunice offers a selection of breads and rolls, cakes and sweet breads, 9-inch pies, cookies, filled donuts, Danish, candy and whoopie pies. And, in keeping with the name of the shop, if you purchase a dozen cookies, you get one extra-a baker's dozen.

She sells lots of cookies and says that nine out of ten youngsters choose chocolate chip for their free cookie. Mel's favorite is the oatmeal raisin, while Eunice prefers the molasses. I have to agree with her; it's soft and delicious.

Besides the tiny shop on their breezeway, Eunice fills special orders and sells to some area businesses, including the Naples Lobster Pound and Mr. Butcher.

She and Mel laugh as they recall one gentleman who dined at the Naples Lobster Pound last year. The next day he called to ask, "Are you the lady who makes blueberry pies?" He went on to explain that he'd had a slice for dessert and it was the most delicious piece of pie he'd ever eaten. So . . . he tried to buy the rest of the pie. J.R. Warren, owner of the Naples Lobster Pound, told him he'd need to call Eunice. He's now a regular customer.

What makes her pies so special? Just maybe it's the pie crusts, which are hand-rolled. Eunice says, "I don't use a mixer because that tends to toughen the pie crust."

It's the repeat customers who have become "like old friends," according to Eunice. "That's what I like about it. We both like meeting people, talking to them, finding out where they're from."

And part of the charm for customers is watching Eunice in the kitchen. Mel says people come in to make a purchase and end up stopping to watch and chat.

Normally open 10-4 Thursdays thru Saturdays from spring through autumn, Eunice says, "If anyone calls they can get anything on order any day of the week all year long." Her phone number is 207.627.4755.

Naples Lobster Pound, Route 302, Naples, 207.693.6580

Mr. Butcher is adjacent to the Freedom Café and Pub at 923 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302), Naples, FMI: 207.693.3701.

If you're interested in lakefront property on Pleasant Lake look no further than the box below. Just click and go!

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Enjoy your next round of golf at Point Sebago Resort on Sebago Lake, southern Maine's largest lake, located 2.5 hours from Boston. The 775-acre setting on this picturesque waterfront offers a 500-acre nationally acclaimed 18-hole golf course. The course was rated the #1 Golf Course in southern Maine by Golf Digest.

Stay and Play packages are available. PGA professionals offer golf clinics and schools for juniors and adults. Tournaments, scrambles, Men's League, Ladies League, Couples League and Pins and Skins are part of this exceptional golf experience.

So . . . bring your RV or stay in one of the guest accommodations either lake side, beside the golf course or in the woods. You'll find dining options from fine dining to pub fare and snack bar favorites. Nightly entertainment, family fun and children's programs await your visit. With the friendly, caring staff, I think you'll be pleased with this premiere Maine resort.

Boat rentals are available or bring your own and moor it at the full-service marina. From here you can explore more than 45 miles of inland waterways including Sebago Lake, Songo River, Brandy Pond and Long Lake.

Check it out by calling 207.655.1745 or visiting their Web site at www.pointsebago.com .

If you'd like to check out what lakefront properties are currently for sale on Sebago Lake just click on the button below:

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July 23-25, Casco Days, sponsored by the Casco Fire Association; a full weekend of activities and events held at Casco Days Park in Casco Village. FMI: www.cascodays.org

July 23, 2 & 4 p.m., Tomato Plant Girl, "a play about friendship and holding one's own," $8, reservations recommended, Children's Museum and Theatre of Maine, 142 Free Street, Portland; FMI: 207.828.1234 or www.childrensmuseumofme.org

July 23, 8 p.m., Mommas' Night Out, America's Funniest Mom, $20, Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 162 Deertrees Road, Harrison; FMI: 207.583.6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

July 24-25, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Gigantic Church Yard Sale, First Congregational Church, UCC, 33 South High Street, Bridgton: FMI: 207.647.3936 or www.firstucc1794.com

July 24, 8 p.m., The Early Evening Show with Funny Man Mike Miclon, "a zany mix of the likes of Letterman and classic Carson," $20 admission, dinner reservations still available and not included in ticket price, Stone Mountain Arts Center, Dugway Road, Brownfield, FMI: 866.227.6523 or www.stonemountainartscenter.com

July 25, 11 a.m., Historic Bethel Hill: A guided one-hour walking tour of the historic village green, meet at the bell tower on the north end of the common; free, but donations accepted; FMI: 207.824.2908 or www.bethelmaine.com

July 25, 1-4 p.m., Lewiston Root Cellar's Annual Chili Cook-Off, "featuring live music, children's games and award-winning chili, Pierce Street Park behind 89 Birch Street, Lewiston; FMI: 207.782.3659 or www.therootcellar.org

July 25, 2-9 p.m., Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations Family-Oriented International Festival, "ethnic musicians, dancers and performers," Deering Oaks Park, Portland, free; FMI: www.wini.us/festival.htm

July 26, after noon, Maine Farm Day at Shaker Village, barn tours, livestock viewing, museum tours and narrated wagon rides, Shaker Store open, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, New Gloucester, FMI: 207.926.4597 or www.shaker.lib.me.us

July 27, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Hillsmen Barbershop Chorus, Norway-South Paris Chapter of the SPEBSQSA, St. Catherine's Catholic Church, 32 Paris Street, Norway; FMI: Dr. Tere Porter-evenings at 207.743.0656, Pat Fleck at 207.647.5005 or www.nedistrict.org/hillsmen/Hillsmensing.htm

July 28, 7-8:30 p.m., Royal River Philharmonic Jazz Band, New Orleans Dixieland music, Saco River Festival Association, Cornish Elementary School, School Street, Cornish; FMI: www.sacoriverfestival.org

July 28, 7:30 p.m., Sebago-Long Lake Music Festival, "Go with the Winds," $20/students free, Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 162 Deertrees Road, Harrison; FMI: 207.583.6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org , www.sebagomusicfestival.org

July 29, noon-1 p.m. Brown Bag Lunch Series, featuring Tom McLaughlin, teacher at Molly Ockett Middle School and controversial weekly columnist for The Bridgton News, meeting room of Bridgton Municipal Building, corner of Iredale and Chase Streets; FMI: 207.647.2472 or www.bridgton.lib.me.us/