Judy Jennings - Realtor® Serving Plymouth & Barnstable Counties

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I thought it appropriate to post about Ocean Spray and the importance it has to the local community. Not only to the local growers that belong to the cooperative, but also to those employed at the corporate headquarters and processing plants in Lakeville and Middleboro Massachusetts.

Ocean Spray has been a part of the local community for much longer than I can remember. In fact, they are getting very close to celebrating their 80th year in business. Congratulations Ocean Spray! Everyone in Middleboro, Lakeville, Plymouth, Rochester, Carver, Wareham, Halifax and the surrounding communities all know that cranberries have been an important commodity to this region of the country.

Ocean Spray is an agricultural cooperative and is owned by approximately 600 cranberry and 50 grapefruit growers, and employs approximately 2,000 people worldwide. With growers and facilities located throughout North America and parts of Canada. According to information posted on their website.

I used to live on Route 28 in Middleboro, and when the cranberries were being harvested, many of the trucks traveling to the nearby processing plant would pass by several times a day. Each truck would lose a few berries from their load, which resulted in a trail of the crimson fruit along the side of the road. Hence the name "cranberry highway" became synonymous with Route 28.

Every year when my family gathers for Thanksgiving, there is a blessing before the grand feast and cranberry juice cocktail is used for the toast. There is also cranberry sauce, and a cranberry gelatin to go along with the traditional meal of turkey, homemade mashed potatoes & gravy, squash, green beens (one of the only vegetables my brother will eat), and usually ham. Not to mention the homemade pies: apple, chocolate creme, and cherry cheesecake. Yum.

Did you know, that cranberries can be good for your mouth, heart, bones, stomach and urinary tract? I knew they were good for me, but I didn't know how good. Check it out - cranberries are good for you.

You know what is even better? Supporting your local growers, and keeping people working. Visit their website for some great Ocean Spray - Recipes. You might even be inspired to cook something new for dinner. Enjoy.

Middleboro Massachusetts is a wonderful town large in area, but "small town" in nature. There are several businesses within Middleboro and many are privately owned and operated by local residents. For instance, Woodstoves and Fireplaces Unlimited is one of them. Here is a brief highlight of who they are and what they have to offer if you are in the market for a secondary heating source, a relaxing theraputic hot tub, or a brand new gas grill.

Nathan and Karen Hindemith purchased and reinvented Woodstoves and Fireplaces Unlimited nearly twenty years ago. In that time they have seen the hearth industry change and evolve dramatically. They've seen woodstoves become much more efficient, the introduction and ever increasing popularity of pellet stoves and inserts, and more beautiful and realistic gas units.

Nate and Karen have been a family run business that specializes in expert installation and outstanding customer service.They invite you in to enjoy their showroom that displays many working stoves, inserts, fireplaces, gas grills and hot tubs. Their shop also provides a full line of accessories for your fireplace, insert, pellet stove, hot tub or grill. You can also fill up the propane tank for your grill.

Woodstove & Gas Products Avalon Hearthstone Lopi Gas Inserts Lopi Grill Products Webber TEC Infra-Red Hot Tubs HotSprings

Conveniently located at 193 East Grove Street (Rte 28) in Middleboro, MA.

The crew of Woodstoves and Fireplaces Unlimited looks forward to helping you make the best choices for your home.



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Hollywood East - Plymouth Rock Studios reaches another significant milestone. A recent press release indicated that they have made it over another hurdle and continue to move forward toward their goal of building their state of the art movie and production studio in our own hometown of P Plymouth Massachusetts.

to read the full story visit the latest Plymouth Rock Studios Press Release

For further information on Hollywood East and Plymouth Rock Studios see my previous posts:

Hollywood East - Plymouth Rock Studios Obtains Financing
Hollywood East - Master Plan and More
Hollywood East - Dream is Getting Closer to Reality
Hollywood East - Hosting Acting Forum April 1st
Hollywood East - Plymouth MA - Estimated Timeline
Plymouth Rock Studios Forms Another Alliance
Hollywood East The Road to Plymouth Rock Studios
Hollywood East - Feel The Action
Hooray for Hollywood - East
Hollywood East in Plymouth MA

Single Family home sales volume remained consistent for the first two quarters of 2009 and increased for the 3rd quarter in Wareham, Massachusetts. First quarter started off with 356 listings, 45 sales and an inventory supply of 23.9 months.

Second quarter had an increase in inventory (+74) and a very slight increase in sales (+5) causing the the months supply to rise to a level of 26.8.

Third quarter also had an increase in inventory (+41) plus an increase in sales (+26) putting the supply down to 18.6 months.

Median sales price in Jan 2009 was $195,000 vs. $260,000 in 2008 (-25.0%)

Median sales price in Feb 2009 was $159,900 vs. $218,500 in 2008 (-26.8%)

Median sales price in Mar 2009 was $209,900 vs. $220,500 in 2008 (-4.8%)

Median sales price in Apr 2009 was $240,000 vs. $233,000 in 2008 (+3.0%)

Median sales price in May 2009 was $230,500 vs. $279,500 in 2008 (-17.5%)

Median sales price in Jun 2009 was $193,230 vs. $231,000 in 2008 (-16.4%)

Median sales price in Jul 2009 was $175,100 vs. $190,000 in 2008 (-7.8%)

Median sales price in Aug 2009 was $233,500 vs. $285,000 in 2008 (-18.1%)

Median sales price in Sep 2009 was $215,000 vs. $197,500 in 2008 (+8.9%).

Wareham sales volume has increased by 44 through the 3rd quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, while the Median sales price in Wareham Massachusetts has dropped by an average of 10.2%.

Single Family home statistics for the month of October is showing 260 current listings, with 20 under agreement, and 23 sold to date.

With the $8,000 tax credit nearing the deadline for closing on or before November 30, 2009, it will be interesting to see if sales spike in October and November and what impact it will have on pricing. Stay tuned.

Single Family home sales have had a modest increase over the past three quarters of 2009 in Bourne, Massachusetts. First quarter started off with 238 listings, 24 sales and an inventory supply of 29.8 months.

Second quarter saw an increase in inventory (+18) along with an increase in sales (+14) thus reducing the months supply to 20.2 which is a significant reduction from first quarter.

Third quarter also had an increase in inventory (+18) plus an increase in sales (+10) putting the supply down to 17.1 months.

Median sales price in Jan 2009 was $249,950 vs. $635,000* in 2008 (-60.6%)

*1 property sold over $1,200,000 in 2008

Median sales price in Feb 2009 was $268,450 vs. $414,900 in 2008 (-35.3%)

Median sales price in Mar 2009 was $299,500 vs. $325,425 in 2008 (-8%)

Median sales price in Apr 2009 was $339,000 vs. $285,000* in 2008 (+18.9%)
*6 properties sold under $250,000 in 2008

Median sales price in May 2009 was $347,500 vs. $311,000 in 2008 (+11.7%)

Median sales price in Jun 2009 was $312,000 vs. $309,500 in 2008 (+0.8%)

Median sales price in Jul 2009 was $305,000 vs. $360,000 in 2008 (-15.3%)

Median sales price in Aug 2009 was $255,000 vs. $284,750 in 2008 (-10.4%)

Median sales price in Sep 2009 was $244,750* vs. $375,000 in 2008 (-34.7%).
*8 properties sold under $250,000 in 2009

Bourne sales volume has decreased by 8 through the 3rd quarter of 2009 compared to 2008, the Median sales price in Bourne Massachusetts has dropped by 14.8%.

Single Family home statistics for the month of October is showing 164 current listings, with 6 under agreement, and 8 sold to date.

With the $8,000 tax credit nearing the deadline for closing on or before November 30, 2009, it will be interesting to see if sales spike in October and November and what impact it will have on pricing. Stay tuned.