About Oxford County, ME

Hiking opportunities abound in the Western Maine Mountains and Lakes Region. Not all require stamina, but do offer oppportunities to stop and smell the flowers while considering previous uses of the land.

Lands owned by the Greater Lovell Land Trust are among these. The hour and a half round trip walk through the Chip Stockford Preserve and Ladies Delight Hill, owned by the Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT), is easy and well-shaded.

Along the way you may spot wildflowers including Heal-all, several varieties of Golden Rod, Bugleweed, Purple Steeplebush, Meadow Sweet, Yarrow, Indian Tobacco, Pilewort, Pearly Everlasting, Indian Pipe and Pine Sap. The latter two are abundant this year, but of all the GLLT preserves, Pine Sap only seems to grow at this one. On a recent visit we also found raspberries, blackberries and blueberries.

Besides the wildflowers and view of the lower bay of Kezar Lake from a lookout point and bench dedicated to Chapman "Chip" Stockford, a founding father of the GLLT, it's the folklore and history associated with the land that I find most fascinating.

I'd been told that perhaps the area was named Ladies Delight Hill because in the 1800s people would walk up to picnic. Possibly the women would get dressed up to enjoy a day out, a break from their farming duties.

Curious about that, I stopped into the Lovell Historical Society to see if they had any other information.

Marcia Storkerson, who has spent hours transcribing journals for the Society, and Catherine Stone, President, immediately came to my aid. While Marcia checked on journal information, Catherine handed me the book Blueberries and Pusley Weed: The Story of Lovell, Maine by Pauline W. Moore.

Of Ladies Delight, Ms. Moore wrote, " . . . overlooks South Bay . . . not named for the view. Nor because it made a delightful walk for ladies to take on a Sunday afternoon or because it was covered with wonderful blueberries . . . (It was) named in sarcasm because women who tried to live in two houses built there could not endure the loneliness and isolation."

As Marcia pointed out, "The bridge across The Narrows wasn't yet built, so the only way to get to the other side was walking across the ice."

She did know that the land was used for farming and Eldridge Gerry Kimball had purchased 200 acres on January 31, 1880 from Abraham E. Gray. Tenants lived on the land.

Various journal entries from the 1880s include driving cattle over to the Ladies Delight pasture, picking cranberries over by The Pond, as they called Kezar Lake, picking apples, driving sheep to pasutre, picking pears, mowing oats and trimming pines.

Today, all that remains of those activities are an old cellar hole and stone walls. The land by the lake was divided up and sold to individuals in the 1960s, but the hill has been preserved for all of us to enjoy.

Whether you take advantage of the weekly guided hikes during the summer season, or explore the properties on your own, I'm sure you'll discover that each offers something unique to behold.

Something else unique to behold in the Lovell area is lakefront property on Kezar Lake. Click on the box below to discover the possibilities!

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Traveling the back roads of the Oxford Hills area to search for lakefront properties around Sand Pond and Lake Pennesseewassee one discovers many treasures. One such treasure is tucked away on Pikes Hill in Norway, just up the road from Lake Penneesseewassee - Frost Farm Gallery.

The gallery is located in the historic David Weston Frost farmhouse at 272 Pikes Hill. Bruce and Adrienne Little opened the gallery and shop ten years ago. They offer custom framing, digital restoration, vintage and antique prints, jewelry, linen and postcards plus collectibles and gifts.

In talking with Bruce, his eyes lit up when he described the "First Friday" receptions. On the first Friday of each month seven galleries in Norway hold "meet and greet the artist" receptions.

Bruce was just getting ready to set up works of this month's featured artist, Pam Morra, when I arrived. "Eclectic Palette: Original Works by Pam Morra" will be displayed through August 29th.

"First Friday" receptions are free and open to the public. Hors d'oeuvres are served and Brad Hooper, an acoustic musician who has just released his first solo album, "Midnight at the Hilltop Hotel," provides live background music at the farm gallery.

Bruce said, "With the seven galleries open the first Friday of each month, you can make an evening of it."

Frost Farm Gallery is open year-round, Monday thru Friday 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. and noon to 8 on Saturdays and Sundays. You may contact them at 207.743.8041 or check their Web site for the upcoming exhibition schedule.

Six other galleries that offer "First Friday" receptions:

Matolcsy Art Center (The MAC), 480 Main Street, Norway, 207.739.6161, www.theWMAG.org

Cafe Nomad Community Gallery, 450 Main Street, Norway, 207.739.2249

Commons Art Collective, 443 Main Street, Norway, 207.743.9579, www.faresharecoop.org/cac.html

Norway Memorial Library, 258 Main Street, Norway, 207.743.5309, www.norway.lib.me.us

McLaughlin Garden, 97 Main Street, South Paris, 207.743.8820, www.mclaughlingarden.org

Painted Mermaid Gallery, 6 Briggs Avenue, South Paris, 207.743.7744, www.paintedmermaid.com

To see all the current lakefront property listings in Norway just click below:

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Water is the place to be in the Sebago Lakes Region as summer finally kicks into place. The weather looks great for all the outdoor activities planned for this weekend.

There is so much going on, but a few water events include the 18th Annual Highland Lake Regatta, a rowing event in Bridgton(www.rowmaine.org), The Great Adventure Challenge triathlon, which includes kayaking on Moose Pond in West Bridgton (www.maineadventureracing.com), the 16th Annual Naples Antique and Classic Boat Show on the Causeway (www.mountainviewwoodies.org) and the 18th Annual Maine State Triathlon and Aquabike on Songo Pond in Bethel (www.bethelmaine.com).

Here are more activities going on in the area in the week to come:

July 31, 7:30 p.m. "Crisis on 13th Avenue," written by Jake Dunham, presented by The Children's Backyard Theater Group, starring many local actors and actresses, The Lovell Brick Church for the Performing Arts, 502 Christian Hill Road, Lovell. FMI: http://lovellbrickchurch.org

July 31, 8:00 p.m. Joan Baez, Merrill Auditorium, 239 Park Avenue, Portland; Tickets: $37.50 and $42.50. FMI: 207.842.0800 or https://tickets.porttix.com/public

August 1, 7 -8:30 a.m. registration, 18th Annual Highland Lake Regatta, Maine State Rowing Championships held at Highland Lake Resort, North High Street, Bridgton, 5,000-meter stake and 1,000-meter sprint; entry forms available on-line; no dogs please as host doesn't allow them. FMI: 207.647.2196 or www.rowmaine.org

August 1, before 8:00 a.m. registration, race begins at 9.a.m. The Great Adventure Challenge, a one-of-a-kind triathlon, kayak 2.5 miles on Moose Pond, mountain bike 14 miles and dash/hike 2 miles up and down Pleasant Mountain, entertainment and vendors at Shawnee Peak Ski Area, presented by Good Neighbors, Inc., which provides life supports for Lakes Region residents with developmental disabilities; register before 8 a.m. at Shawnee Peak, $60 for singles, $150 for teams of 2 or 3. FMI: 207.647.8244 x 15 or www.maineadventureracing.com, www.goodneighborsinc.com

August 1, 10 a.m. -3 p.m. 16th Annual Naples Antique and Classic Boat Show on the Causeway, Naples, presented by Mountainview Woodies Classic Boat Club, some of the rarest and most beautiful antique and classic boats and cars still in existence will be on display, (rain date August 2) FMI: www.mountainviewwoodies.org

August 1, 5 p.m. Baked Bean Supper, Sebago Town Hall, 406 Bridgton Road (Route 107), Sebago. FMI: 207.787.2457 or www.townofsebago.org

August 1-2, 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Scribner's Mill "Back to the Past" Celebration, Scribner's Mill Preservation, Inc., Scribner's Mill Road, Harrison, watch 19th century wood-product machinery at work and tour the 1820 Carlson Farmstead and Museum, Pig Roast Supper on Saturday at 5 p.m. FMI: www.scribnersmill.org

August 2, 8 a.m. race starts, 18th Annual Maine State Triathlon and Aquabike, Bethel Inn Lakehouse on Songo Pond, Routes 35 and 5, Bethel; 1 k swim, 24 k bike, 5.8 k run; must pre-register on-line at www.active.com . FMI: 207.824.2282 or www.bethelmaine.com

August 3, 6:30 p.m. Theater on the Lawn, a one-hour version of "Romeo and Juliet" performed by the Poland Players, Auburn Public Library, 49 Spring Street, Auburn; bring your own blanket and picnic basket. FMI: 207.333.6640 or www.auburn.lib.me.us

August 3, 7:30 p.m. Piano Concert by Cody Michaels, Eastman Performing Arts Center at Fryeburg Academy, Cody's music is highly inspired by his experiences in the White Mountains, $10 adults, $5 for students and seniors. FMI: 207.935.9232 before 1 p.m. or www.fryeburgacademy.org

August 4, 7:30 p.m. "Mendelssohn's 200th Birthday" presented by Sebago-Long Lake Chamber Music Festival, Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center, 162 Deertrees Road, Harrison, Tickets $20, students free. FMI: 207.583.6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

August 5, 7:30 p.m. "Loons, Loons, Loons" presentation by Bonny Boatman, sponsored by the Greater Lovell Land Trust, Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, 227 Main Street, Lovell. FMI: 207.925.3177 or www.gllt.org

Hemlock Bridge in Fryeburg, Maine, a covered bridge spanning the old course of the Saco River near Kezar Pond, is a quaint relic of the past.

I first saw this bridge years ago, when I canoed up the old course of the Saco with friends. It's a woodworking masterpiece and a symbol of the pioneering spirit of the 19th century.

Built in 1857 of Paddleford truss construction with supporting laminated wooden arches, Hemlock Bridge in Fryeburg is one of the few remaining covered bridges still in its original position.

Peter Paddleford of Littleton, New Hampshire created this design by replacing the counter braces of the Long-style truss bridge, creating an unusually strong and rigid structure.

Though reinforced in 1988 so you can still drive across, it's more fun to walk. Take time to admire the work of our forefathers, peer at the river and read the carved messages on Maine's oldest remaining covered bridge.

It was designated as a Maine Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers on January 17, 2002.

Originally there were 120 covered bridges which spanned rivers throughout Maine. Covers or houses were constructed atop the bridges to protect the wooden structure from the climate. They were also places where travelers and animals could seek refuge from a storm, or lovers could sneak a kiss. Six of the remaining nine in Maine are located in the Lakes and Mountains Region.

While viewing lakefront properties on Kimball Lake, Lovewell, Kezar and Bog Ponds in Fryeburg, you might take a drive down Memory Lane to Hemlock Bridge on Hemlock Bridge Road. You can also reach Hemlock Bridge from Route 5 via Frog Alley in Fryeburg. At the end of the pavement, bear left and follow the dirt road, which parallels the river.

These are the other covered bridges in our area:

Babb's Bridge-South Windham, spans Presumpscot River
Bennett Bridge-Lincoln Plantation, spans Magalloway River
Lovejoy Bridge-Andover, spans Ellis River
Parsonsfield-Porter Bridge-Parsonsfield and Porter, spans Ossipee River
Sunday River Bridge-Newry, spans Sunday River

If you're interested in taking a look at lakefront property in Fryeburg currently for sale, click on the link below:

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Rated #1 Beer Bar in America and the world for the last three years by Beer Advocate Magazine, Ebenezer's Pub located just a few minutes from Kezar Lake in Lovell, is a hidden gem.

During the recent rains, we had family visiting. Since barbecuing was out of the question, we decided to drive to Lovell and show them that out of the way places offer big rewards.

My brother-in-law wasn't sure what to expect when he pulled up to the location at 44 Allen Road in Lovell. From the outside, Ebenezer's Pub doesn't look like much. We assured him that the parking spot near the entrance was fine even though the green for hole 2 of the Lake Kezar Country Club was only twenty feet away. It was pouring and no one was playing golf.

Once inside, we found the restaurant full. As the hostess checked for a table to seat six upstairs, some gracious couple on the first floor moved to a smaller table so we could combine two and accommodate our party.

The friendly atmosphere didn't end there. We ordered five beer samples. Folks at the next table noted that we didn't get our samples on the paddle because they had run out, so they emptied one of their paddles and passed it over-it's all about atmosphere. Then they passed off a sample of a green beer. I don't remember what it was, but no one enjoyed the flavor of that one.

That, however, was the only thing we didn't enjoy. In addition to pleasant patrons, our waitress was personable, the food was fresh, well-prepared and reasonably priced and the beer was excellent. Ebenezer's boasts over 800 selections of beers with more than 35 on tap, which are mostly Belgian.

At the table to our left, three young men from the country of Norway, rather than Norway, Maine, were also enjoying their beer samples. They told us that they were traveling about the country and were currently staying in Saco, but had heard about the beer at Ebenezer's Pub.

Chris, the owner, spent some time after working at the grill, describing beers to them and offered them a tour of the beer cellar as soon as he had a chance to get down there.

This small town pub has a worldly atmosphere. The next time you are searching for lakefront property near Kezar Lake, make sure Ebenezer's Pub is on your "must check out" list.

If you want to take a look at the current lakefront listings on Kezar Lake just click on the button below:

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