Sebago, ME

December 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. American Red Cross Blood Drive sponsored by the Bridgton Lions Club, Masonic Hall, Harrison Road, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.3342, www.newenglandblood.org.

December 24, all day, Seniors Ski Free, age 65 and older ski/ride free, ID required, Sunday River Ski Resort, 15 South Ridge Road, Newry. FMI: 207.824.3000, www.sundayriver.com.

December 24-25, Celebrate Christmas in Bethel, holiday décor, horse drawn sleigh rides, special dining menus, The Bethel Inn Resort, On the Common, Broad Street, Bethel. FMI: 800.654.0125, www.bethelinn.com.

December 25, all day, Kids Ski Free, ages 12 and under can ski/ride for free, Sunday River Ski Resort, 15 South Ridge Road, Newry. FMI: 207.824.3000, www.sundayriver.com.

December 25, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 3rd Annual Free Christmas Day Dinner, a delicious and free holiday meal for anyone in the community, Westbrook Warren Congregational Church, 810 Main Street, Westbrook. FMI: 207.761.1857 or 207.854.9157, www.westbrookwarren.com.

December 25, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Annual Free Christmas Dinner, Legion Hall, Reynolds Avenue, Livermore Falls. FMI: 207.897.3072, www.franklincountymaine.org.

December 29, 7 p.m. Black Diamond Family Entertainment Series, featuring Maine Hysterical Society, three Maine comedians, Grand Summit Resort Hotel Grand Ballroom, Skiway Road and 97 Summit Road, Newry. FMI: 207.824.3000, www.sundayriver.com.

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

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August 20, 8 p.m. The Dan Tyminski Band, with his masterful guitar playing and signature tenor voice, Dan Tyminski is currently performing with Barry Bales (bass), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Ron Stewart (banjo, fiddle) and Justin Moses (fiddle, dobros), Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dug Way Road, Brownfield. FMI: 207.935.7292 or www.stonemountainartscenter.com

August 21, 9-11 a.m. Holt Pond Guided Walk, develop sensory awareness and basic naturalist skills to explore and understand the Maine landscape, easy to moderate terrain over forest trails and board walks, Lakes Environmental Association, 230 Main Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.8580 or http://mainelakes.org

August 21, 7:30 p.m "A Wild Patience," musical comedy presented by Art Moves Dance, $12 in advance and for seniors and students, $15 at the door, Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Auditorium, 250 Main Street, South Paris. FMI: 207.743.5569 or http://artmovesdance.com

August 21-27, gates open at 7:15 p.m. Bridgton Twin Drive-In, Screen 1, G-Force ( PG) @ 8:00, GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra (PG-13) @ 9:30, Screen 2, The Ugly Truth (R) @8:00, The Hangover ( R) @ 9:35, Route 302, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.8666 or www.drive-ins.com/theater/metbrid

August 22, 2-6 p.m. Pig-N-Stein Invitational, Sunday River Brewing, Gritty's and Sebago Brewing present a friendly brew and food competition, live music, great food and the best brews around, all proceeds benefit the Bethel Area Food Pantry, Sunday River Brew Pub, 29 Sunday River Road, Bethel. FMI: 207.824.4253 or www.sundayriverbrewpub.com

August 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Adirondack Chair Auction, Second Annual hand-painted chair auction to benefit Sebago's Spaulding Library, preview at 6:30, Auction at 7:30, Hor d'oeuvres, cash bar, live music, silent auction and raffle, $10 admission, Camp O-AT-KA, Route 114, Sebago. FMI: 207.787.2321 or www.spaulding.lib.me.us

August 23, 6-7 p.m. Summer Sunday Band Concerts featuring a banjo band, Naples Gazebo on the Village Green, Lambs Mill Road, Naples. FMI: 207.892.8265 or www.sebagolakeschamber.com

August 24, times vary, Magic Lantern Theatre, Harry Potter (PG) @ 4 & 7:00 p.m., GI Joe (PG-13) @ 4:30 & 7:30 p.m., The Hurt Locker (R) @ 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. 9 Depot Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.5065 or www.magiclanternmovies.com

August 25, 7 p.m. "As Maine Goes," presented by the Maine Humanities Council, a hair-raising theatrical thriller with Theater at Monmouth's David Greenham and Dennis Price, free, Union Church, Route 302, Naples. FMI: 207.693.6841 or www.naples.lib.me.us

August 25, 8 p.m. Boreal Tordu, Acadian-Maniacs show their joie de vivre and inspire the populace to forget toil and care, thrice nominated for the Portland Phoenix readers' poll award for the Best World Music Act, Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center, 162 Deertrees Road, Harrison. FMI: 207.583.6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

August 26, 7 p.m "Quantum of Solace," Fryeburg Academy Film Series, Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center, 745 Main Street, Fryeburg. FMI: 207.935.9232 or www.fryeburgacademy.org/podium

Paddling on Peabody Pond, located half-way between Portland, Maine and North Conway, New Hampshire, is the perfect way to pass a summer day.

This 735-acre pond has some cabins and cottages, plus Camp Micah, along its shoreline, but it is more secluded than most.

Recently Peter Lowell, Executive Director of Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) described Peabody Pond as "One of the Cream of the Crop lakes in our area." Peter was referring to the water quality, which LEA tests every two weeks from May till October.

Named for Captain John Peabody, one of the first settlers of South Bridgton, Peabody Pond is tucked away along the boundaries of Sebago, Naples and Bridgton. The boat launch, which offers a wash station funded by LEA, LL Bean and Camp Micah, is on Peabody Pond Road, off Route 107, in Sebago.

The pond is known for great fishing. Bass, Yellow Perch, Chain Pickerel, Landlocked Salmon, Brook Trout and Lake Trout are among the fine catches.

The entry from the boat launch is by an old stone dam, one of two remaining dams that either powered saw mills or regulated water levels in the Northwest River, which flows out of the pond.

As you paddle along toward the north, and then northwest, the pond will open up. Be sure to meander into the marsh where you might see waterfowl, deer, beaver, muskrats, turtles and maybe even a moose. At various vantage points along the way, you should also take time to enjoy the mountain vistas. Look for Douglas Mountain, Peaked Mountain, Bald Pate and Pleasant Mountain.

For more information about the lakes in our area visit LEA at http://mainelakes.org
And to learn more about Camp Micah, visit www.campmicah.com

If you'd like to see what lakefront property is currently for sale on Peabody Pond, click below:

Search for properties on Peabody Pond

We had a buyer recently who put in an offer on a nice vacation camp on Sebago Lake that sits about 25 feet from the water. When going through the inspections, this buyer was dismayed to find that the septic inspector had characterized the septic system as "marginal" and needing attention. The system was old, the soil was sandy, and there was significant groundwater and surface water runoff in the area.

The buyer was concerned because he was hoping to do some updating to the camp and wanted a septic system that would qualify for a four bedroom dwelling. The lot is small and treed and the buyer wanted to keep the trees for privacy, shade, and as a buffer from the road. To complicate matters, both his well and the abutter's well are nearby. Septic systems must satisfy several different setback requirements, including setbacks from any wells, property lines, and the lake or pond. It looked as if there was not enough room to site a septic system that would satisfy all of the requirements.

Enter a septic system designer and a septic system installer. These two people met with the buyer at the site and discussed all the variables that needed to be taken into consideration. Because these guys were experienced and local - and thereby used to working with failing systems in the shoreland zone - they came up with an affordable plan that would satisfy the desires of the buyer, fit into the limitations of the lot, and pass muster with the local Code Enforcement Officer or Plumbing Inspector. Even better, the installation of this new system would benefit both the lake and the property and the buyer could fulfill his responsibility as a lakefornt property owner to be a good steward of the lake.

Many older lakefront properties are fraught with septic and wastewater disposal issues. Some camps have cesspools, others have metal tanks that have rusted out years ago, some have failed leach fields, and some just have holding tanks. While initially dismaying, solutions can often be found for inadequate septic systems that will satisfy the needs of the owner, meet all current rules and regulations for waste disposal in the shoreland zone, increase the value of the property, and make the owners good stewards of the lake.

When faced with an inadequate septic system situation in the shoreland zone try to think beyond the initial expense and focus on the opportunity to make a real difference in the value of your property and the health of the lake. A good septic designer and installer can be invaluable when finding solutions to these septic system problems.

We often get asked by Maine lakefront property buyers what the restrictions are on the bodies of water they are buying on. The restrictions have to do with whether or not motor boats are allowed on a body of water and, if so, if there is any limitation on the size, or horsepower, that is allowed. Here is a list for your reference:

MOTOR SIZE RESTRICTIONS ON INTERNAL WATERS

No motorboats allowed:

• Cushman Pond, Lovell,
• Horseshoe Pond, Denmark
• Boston Pond, Denmark
• Bradley Pond, Lovell
• Trout Pond, 13R5
• Wylie Pond, Boothbay
• Little Kennebago Lake, T3R4
• Upper Dam Pool, T4R1 (from gates of dam, downstream or westerly 150 yards)
• Durgin Pond, T2RG BKP WKR
• Little Berry Pond, T2R6 BKP WKR
• Lone Jack Pond, 12RS BKP WKR
• Round Pond, T1 R6 BKP WKR
• Fry Pan Pond, T2R5 BKP EKR
• Blood Pond, T2R13 WELS
• Loon Lake, Rangeley and Dallas Townships
• Martin and/or Long Pond, The Forks Pit
• Big Brook from Burt Garrity Road in T13 R1O WELS to and including Big Brook Lake in T14R1O WELS
• Simpson Pond, Roque Bluff
• Southern most part of Thompson Lake separated from the main body by a causeway known as The Heath, Casco
• Little Pond, Damariscotta
• Moxie Long Bog, Bald Mountain twp.
• Clay Pond, Fryeburg
• Watson Pond, Rome Twp.
• Walton's Mill Pond, West Farmington
• Sand Pond, Limington Twp.
• Saddleback Lake, Dallas Plt.
• Hooper Pond (Little Sabattus), Greene
• Adams Pond, Boothbay
• Levenseller Pond, Searsrnont
• Portage Lake, T13R6 WELS, that portion known as the Floating Island Area, north and westerly of a line beginning at the eastern edge of the marshy peninsula running out from Hutchinson Ridge, running 50 yards outside of the floating islands in a northerly direction to the mouth of Mosquito Brook
• Quimby Pond, Rangeley
• Jerry Pond, so called, situated within the boundaries, or having a shoreline abutting, the incorporated municipality of Millinocket and the unincorporated Townships being TlR7 and TAR7
• Upper and Lower Ox Brook Lakes in the towns of T6ND, T6R1 and Talmadge
• Snow's Pond (as referred to in the Dunham-Daves Work Plan) situated west of Rt. 7, Dover-Foxcroft
• Lily Pond, Edgecomb
• Nesowadnehunk (Sourdnahunk) Little, T5R11

Motorboats with more than 6 horsepower prohibited:

• Perley's Pond, Denmark
• Little Pond, Denmark
• Ell and/or L Pond, Sanford and Wells
• Black Lake, Fort Kent
• Farrington Pond, Lovell
• Heald Pond, Lovell
• Horseshoe Pond, Stoneham and Lovell
• Haley Pond, Rangeley Twp. and dllas Plt.
• Rich Mill Pond, Standish
• Boyd Pond, Bristoll
• Harriman Pond, Dedham
• Long Pond, Denmark

Motorboats with more than 10 horsepower prohibited:

• Lower Range Pond, Poland
• Sand Pond, Sanford
• East Carry Pond, T2R3
• West Harbor Pond, Boothbay Harbor
• Five Kezar Ponds: (Mud, Little Mud, Back, Middle and Jewett Ponds located singly or jointly in Waterford, Stoneham and Lovell)
• Timoney Lake, Oakfield and Smyrna
• McKenney Pond, Holeb Township
• Big Fish Pond, Holeb Township
• Barrett Pond, Holeb Township
• Turner Pond, Forsythe Township
• Little Turner Pond, Forsythe Twp.
• Long Pond, Forsythe Township
• Arnold Brook Recreation Watershed Lake In Presque Isle
• Lard Pond, Turner
• Echo Lake, Mount Desert
• Stevens Pond, Liberty
• Moulton Pond, Dedham
• Mainstream Pond, Harmony
• Hobbs Pond (Little Pennessawassee), Norway
• Toddy Pond, Brooks, Waldo County
• Knickerbocker Pond, Boothbay
• Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond, Mt. Desert Island
• Long Pond, Twp. E and Twp. D

Motorboats with more than 10 horsepower prohibited from June 1 to September 15:

• Little Black River tributary to the St. John River in Aroostook County

Motorboats with internal combustion engines prohibited:

• Garland Pond, Sebec and Dover-Foxcroft
• York Pond, Eliot
• Mt. Blue Pond, Avon
• Sewell Pond, Arrowsic
• Nokomis Pond, Newport and Palmyra

Allagash Wilderness Waterway

• Canoes only - with motor not to exceed 10 h.p. from Lock Dam north to West Twin Brook
• No restriction on motorboats of any type on Telos Lake, Round Pond (T6R11) and Chamberlain Lake
• Canoes only - no motors - on Allagash Lake and Allagash Stream down to Chamberlain Lake.

Baxter State Park

• No motorboats allowed except on Webster and Matagamon Lakes.

Lt. G. Manuel Wildlife Area, Hodgdon, Maine

• No motorboats allowed.

Please don't hesitate to contact your friends at Mr. Lakefront to get any additional clarification, more information, or get an update. If you want to take a look at some great lakefront property it's easy to get started by just clicking on our Lakefront Locator. Thanks!