Sebago Lake, ME

September 17-19, 9 a.m.-closing, Oxford County Fair, livestock shows, animal pulling events, midway, crafts, exhibits and a new harness racing track, prices vary, Oxford County Fairgrounds, 68 Pottle Road, Oxford. FMI: 207.739.2013, www.oxfordcountyfair.com

September 17, 7:30 p.m. Studio Theater Sneak Peak, Improv Comedy Night, members of Acorn's Shakespeare Ensemble perform, audience may also participate, $5/suggested donation, Acorn Studios, Dana Warp Mill, 90 Bridge Street, Westbrook. FMI: 207.854.0065, www.acorn-productions.org

September 18, 5 & 6 p.m. seatings, Harvest Supper, corned beef, cabbage, beets, carrots, potatoes, turnip, bread, pie, coffee and lemonade, $8/adults, $4/children under 12, Lovell United Church of Christ, Route 5, Center Lovell.

September 18, 8 p.m. Dave Mallet, Maine's own singer, songwriter, $20/concert only, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dug Way Road, Brownfield. FMI: 207.935.7292, www.stonemountainartscenter.com

September 19, 8-10 a.m check-in, Loon Echo Hike ‘n Bike Trek, 6-mile hike along Pleasnt Mountain's Ridge or 25/50/100 (Century) mile bike trek through the Upper Saco River area and into the White Mountain National Forest, all proceeds help Loon Echo Land Trust protect land in western Maine, Shawnee Peak Ski Area, 119 Mountain Road, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.4352, www.lelt.org

September 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Harvest Fest and Chowdah Cook-Off, showcasing the importance of the potato growing industry to the area economy, arts and crafts festival, farmers' market, mill tours, scenic bike tour and chowder cook-off, Bethel Common, Bethel, Maine. FMI: 207.824.2282, www.bethelmaine.com

September 19, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1:30-4 p.m. Guided Nature Hikes, walk amongst the fields and woods of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, reservations required, $2-$5, free under 6, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester. FMI: 207.926.4597, www.shaker.lib.me.us

September 19, 1 p.m. Seed Saving Basics with Scott Vlaun and Kristen Perry, sponsored by McLaughlin Garden, hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to harvest seeds from grains, vegetables and flowers, free, Vlaun's Farm, 35 Moose Pond Road, Otisfield. FMI: 207.743.8820, www.mclaughlingarden.org

September 19, 3-7 p.m. Harvest Festival and Supper, sponsored by the Bridgton Historical Society, old-time games and family activities, tours of the historic Peabody-Fitch homestead and blacksmith's shop plus traditional music, supper begins at 5 with an emphasis on local foods: hand-raised turkeys, local vegetables, homemade pies including local fruits, admission includes activities and supper, $8/adult, $5/ages 7-11, free/under 7, Narramissic, Ingalls Road, South Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.3699, www.bridgtonhistory.org

September 19, 7:30 p.m. Randy Judkins, super clown who portrays a range of characters who juggle, ride a unicycle, and perform magic in quicksilver physical comedy, $10/adults, $5/children, Brick Church for Performing Arts, 502 Christian Hill Road, Lovell. FMI: 207.925.2792, www.lovellbrickchurch.org or www.randyjudkins.com

September 20, 9 a.m. First Annual Loose Boots Open Golf Scramble, benefit Mt. Abram Ski Club, $75/person, includes golf car and BBQ, Bethel Inn and Country Club, 21 Broad Street, Bethel. FMI: 207.875.5000, www.mtabram.com; 207.824.6276, www.bethelinn.com

September 20, 1 p.m. "Romeo and Juliet," performed by The Poland Players, free, McLaughlin Garden, 97 Main Street, South Paris. FMI: 207.743.8820, www.mclaughlingarden.org

September 20-21, 5 p.m. Sunday, 6 p.m. Monday, Auditions for "A Christmas Story," lots of roles for kids, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, Schoolhouse Arts Center, Route 114, Sebago Lake Village. FMI: 207.642.3743 or 207.239.2391, www.schoolhousearts.org

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What better vacation activity is there on a hot summer day in Maine than to leave the confines of your camp or cabin, stop by your local ice cream stand, buy your favorite flavor, then take a stroll, cone in hand, along side one of our great area lakes or ponds?

On the sweltering summer days of my childhood, my friends and I gravitated toward ice cream treats whenever our moms would let us. Listening for the jingle of the Good Humor truck is one of our quintessential memories of those days gone by.

Whether is soft serve or hard, Ben and Jerry's, Shain's of Maine, Giffords, home-made or locally made, I still find myself yearning for such a treat on a summer day.

In fact, just a few days ago I had the urge to splurge on a soft serve twist dipped in chocolate at The Gazebo in Bridgton. And I felt like a kid all over again as it dripped down my hands faster than I could lick it. I ended up asking for a cup to topple my cone into.

Lesson learned (not that I haven't learned the lesson before, mind you), when I visited The Dug Out two days later; I skipped the cone and had my pistachio ice cream in a cup. Ah, the taste of heaven . . . Sometimes patience is a virtue as you wait in line, but it's always worth the wait.

Leslie Hayes, Assistant Manager at The Gazebo says, "The number one choice is the Razzle®, which is soft serve ice cream plus your choice of mix-ins."

To find out what the number one choice is at other Sebago Lakes Region Ice Cream Stands, you'll need to visit them at these locales:

Brookside Ice Cream, Main Street, Harrison, 207.583.2599
The Gazebo, 30 Portland Road (Route 302), Bridgton, 207.647.2231
Lakeside Dairy Bar, Route 302, Naples, 207.693.3090
Raymond's Frozen Custard Gourmet Ice Cream at Watkins Farm Stand, Route 302, Casco, 207.655.1116
Pears Ice Cream and Hoagie Shop, 974 Meadow Road (Route 121), Casco, 207.627.6022, www.pearsicecream.com
The Mosquito, 1333 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302), Raymond, 207.655.2899
Richards Dairy Delight, 264 Sebago Road, Sebago, 207.787.2200
The Ice Cream Dugout, 3 Storm Drive, Windham, 207.894.RSOX, www.icecreamdugout.com

If you dream of living near one of these nice ice cream shops and having a place on the water, as well, let our Lakefront Locator help you make your dreams comes true.

Historic House Tours

Several historic homes in the Sebago Lakes Region are open on a regular basis, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne's home in Raymond and Narramissic, the Peabody-Fitch homestead in South Bridgton.

I find it interesting to examine the ambitions and struggles of the wealthy and working class, as well as look at the architecture and character of the buildings. This weekend several private historic residences will be open for tours. The Lovell and Bethel Historical Societies invite you to attend.

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

August 6, 7:30 p.m. Somar Dance Works, a dance troupe from Erie, PA, described as poetry in motion, Brick Church for Performing Arts, Christian Hill Road, Lovell.
FMI: 207.925.2792 or http://lovellbrickchurch.org

August 6, 8 p.m. The Waybacks, a four-piece band from San Francisco, "The Waybacks are enjoying a refreshed repertoire - one that's touched by Memphis soul, honky-tonk, Parisian swing, classical music, vintage blue pop and much more," tickets $20 (no credit cards at the door), Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield.
FMI: 866.227.6523 or www.stonemountainartscenter.com

August 7, 7 p.m. and August 8, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. "Honk!Junior," a contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story, "The Ugly Duckling," this show features 23 youth from nine southern Maine communities, tickets range from $8-$10, Schoolhouse Arts Center, 16 Richville Road, Standish. FMI: 207.624.3743 or www.schoolhousearts.org

August 7-9, 7:30 p.m. Friday till Sunday afternoon, Sudbury Canada Days, Bethel Historical Society's annual heritage festival will include the Hall Memorial Lecture, 18th Century re-enactors, old-time crafts, art show, historical films, period house tours, a children's parade and games, log drivers' bean supper, book signing by Steve Pinkham, author of The Mountains of Maine: Intriguing Stories Behind Their Names (Down East Books) and more, contact the Bethel Historical Society for the schedule.
FMI: 207.824.2908, 800.824.2910 or www.bethelhistorical.org

August 8, 7:30-10 a.m. Blueberry Pancake Breakfast, to benefit outreach programs, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.8549 or www.stpetersbridgton.org

August 8, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Backyard Locavore Tour, a self-guided educational garden tour in Cumberland, Yarmouth, Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth, sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will include strategies to grow, harvest and preserve your own food, limited ticket sales, register on-line. FMI: 207.780.4205 or http://www.umext.maine.edu/tidewater/gardentour.htm

August 8, 5-8 p.m. Publishing Reception, Nine Point Publishing, a trademark of EFG Books in Bridgton, is hosting a reception to celebrate the publication of their debut limited edition, WATER, by poet George Erikson, EFG Books, 186 Main Street, Bridgton.
FMI: 207.647.9339 or www.efgbooks.com

August 9, 1-5 p.m. Historic House Tour 2009, four historic homes will be open from 1-4 p.m., refreshments at the 1839 Kimball-Stanford House will follow from 4-5 p.m. Lovell Historical Society, Route 5 across from Lake Kezar Country Club, Lovell.
FMI: 207.925.3234 or http://lovellhistoricalsociety.org

August 11, 9 a.m. Mushroom Walk with mycologist Dr. Jesse Dubin, an exploration of mushrooms at the Holt Pond Preserve, meet at Lakes Environmental Association for 1-hour slide show before walk, LEA, 230 Main Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.8580 or www.mainelakes.org

August 11, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Public Skating at Bridgton Ice Arena, prices range from $2-$4, rental skates and skate sharpening available, on campus of Bridgton Academy, Chadbourne Hill Road and Route 37, North Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.7573

August 12, 6-8 p.m. Concert in the Park featuring The Bel Airs, bring a lawn chair and picnic supper if you wish, Moore Park, South Paris. FMI: 207.743.2501 or http://www.town.paris.me.us/rec.html

August 12, 7 p.m. Sneak Preview Peformance of "Cobb," a compelling portrait of controversial baseball legend Ty Cobb, the Hall of Famer, separated into three versions of himself, benefit for the Dan Hays Scholarship Fund, Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center, 162 Deertrees Road, Harrison. FMI: 207.583.6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

If it's fish you seek, like the lake trout above, the Sebago Lakes Region will get you hooked.

Sebago Lake is the original home of the Land-locked Salmon. Lake Trout and Bass are also plentiful. Boat launches: Nasons Beach, Route 114; Raymond Beach, Route 302

Trickey Pond is home to Salmon, Splake, Brook Trout and Bass. Boat launch: Route 114, 3 miles south of Naples

Peabody Pond hosts Salmon, Brook Trout, Bass and Lake Trout. Boat launch: Peabody Pond Road off Route 107

Hancock Pond has Brown Trout and Bass. Boat launches: Swamp Road and West Shore Road

Moose Pond is famous for Bass, plus Salmon and White Perch. Boat launches: Route 302 on the Causeway, West Bridgton, and Denmark Road, just beyond the public beach

Long Lake supports Salmon, Brown Trout, Bass and White Perch. Boat launches: Route 117, Harrison and Powerhouse Road off of Kansas Road, Bridgton

Good fishing is also available at Panther Pond, Thomas Pond, Coffee Pond, Brandy Pond, Parker Pond, Woods Pond, Crescent Lake and Crystal Lake.

Fishing licenses for residents and non-residents can be purchased at area convenience and sporting goods stores, town offices or on-line at www.informe.org/MOSES/ .

Maine has a tough invasive plant law that prohibits the transport of any plant material on boats and trailers. Boats operated on inland waters must display an invasive plant sticker that can be purchased where fishing licenses are sold.

All motorized watercraft must be registered in Maine or in a state with which Maine has a reciprocal agreement.

For more information about fishing regulations, derbies and tournaments, applications and permits, check the Web site listed above or www.maine.gov/ifw .

If you're interested in seeing what lakefront properties are available in the area, use our handy click boxes to the right - just pick a lake, then click your way to all the lakefront listings on that body of water.

With the summer lakefront real estate sales season just beginning to heat up, I thought I'd take a look at activity in the area for the month of May. First up is a window on activity in the Sebago Lake Region which encompasses 26 towns and 60 lakes and ponds, from Gorham, Standish and Limington in the south to Bethel, Greenwood and Woodstock in the north.

There were ten lakefront properties sold in the month of May ranging in price from $184,000 to $612,500. Days on market (DOM) ranged from 6 to 475. Five of the ten had reduced their price prior to it going under contract. Here are the ten "solds":

120 Acadia, Casco - list: $279,900 sold: $247,500 DOM: 95

38 Mondor White, Casco - list: $349,900 sold: $320,000 DOM: 17

94 Waldron Point, Casco - list: $565,000 sold: $565,000 DOM: 6

180 Mountain, Denmark - list: $245,000 sold: $184,000 DOM: 475

12 Memory Lane, Harrison - list: $649,900 sold: $612,500 DOM: 232

65 Scenic View, Naples - list: $560,000 sold: $450,000 DOM: 241

18 Thompson Ln, Otisfield - list: $425,000 sold: $415,000 DOM: 12

9 Tibbetts, Poland - list: $525,000 sold: $490,000 DOM: 64

53 Hemlock Point, Sebago - list: $495,000 sold: $460,000 DOM: 52

2 Hawkes, Standish - list: $499,000 sold: $490,000 DOM: 9

So far for the month of June there have been 6 sales and 19 more under contract. Stay tuned for the June numbers once we get into July.