The perfect lakefront getaway location in the Sebago Lakes Region is McWain Pond nestled, in the hills of Waterford, Maine.
Formally known as Long Pond, it is approximately 450 acres and has no public access. At 3 1/2 miles long, it's perfect for boating, water skiing and swimming. Fishing too! The spring-fed pond contains large and small mouth bass, smelt, sunfish and blue gills.
Legend has it that after David McWain settled in the area around 1775, he helped later settlers survive hard winters by selling his surplus corn at a low price. He is also rumored to have hid silver in pine trees to protect it from being stolen. Hmmmm . . . might be worth owning a piece of lakefront property here just to learn more about this latter story.
Tony Butterall, President of the McWain Pond Association, recently told me that according the the Lakes Environmental Association, which monitors the water quality of the pond, "We are in the moderate/high degree of concern, however, we are in the middle of a Watershed Improvement Project and have made some major improvements."
Since the early 80s, the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) has provided extensive water testing on McWain. And in the last couple of years, LEA has been a key partner in the McWain Pond Watershed Project. The project aims to curb eroding soil that washes from surrounding land carrying phosphorus into the lake, the chief threat to water quality in Maine.
In 2008, the McWain Pond Watershed Project reduced nutrient pollution by an estimated 22 tons. In 2009, the project continues with erosion control for town and camp roads, plus the addition of vegetative buffers. All of this will help the McWain Pond Association achieve their primary goal "to preserve the water quality of the pond and the gentle quality of the environment around the pond for future generations."
The shoreline of McWain Pond is fringed with seasonal and year-round residences. It is also home to two summer camps. Birch Rock is a small residential camp for boys. It's located on McWain Hill and was founded in 1925 by William "Chief" Brewster and his wife Onie. The camp continues today under new leadership, but the property is still owned by the Brewster family. Camp Waziyatah is a co-ed residential camp. Disney filmed the TV show "Bug Juice" at Camp Wazi.
FMI: McWain Pond Association, www.mcwainpond.org.
Birch Rock Camp, www.birchrock.org, 207.741.2930.
Camp Waziyatah, www.wazi.com, 207.583.2267.
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October 15-18, 6-9 p.m. Haunted Schoolhouse, a good old fashioned haunted house, $12/adults, $10/students, not suitable for young children, a "safe room" with crafts and games is available for any youngster, Schoolhouse Arts Center, 16 Richville Road, Sebago Lake Village. FMI: 207.642.3743, www.schoolhousearts.org.
October 15, 7 p.m. "C'est Si Bon," a jazz quintet made entirely of alumni of the Berklee College of Music in Boston who perform traditional French music infused with a jazz dimension, to perform for the Mahoosic Arts Council Performing Arts Series, $10/adults, $6/students and children, Bingham Auditorium, Gould Academy, 49 Church Street, Bethel. FMI: 207.824.3575, www.mahoosucarts.org, www.bethelmaine.com.
October 16-17, 2-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Falling Leaves Craft Fair, Standish Baptist Academy, 181 Ossipee Trail West, Standish. FMI: 207.642.3338.
October 16, 7-11 p.m. The Disclaimers, dance/concert featuring the best music of the 60s, 70s and 80s, to benefit the Lakes Environmental Association, BYOB, $10/person, $25/family, tickets available at the Cool Moose, Running with Scissors, LEA office or at the door, Town Hall, Main Street, Bridgton. FMI: 207.647.8580 or www.mainelakes.org.
October 16, 8 p.m. David Francey, Scottish-born Canadian singer-songwriter who recently earned his third JUNO (Canada's top music award) in less than five years, $20/person for concert only, dinner reservations available also, Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield. FMI: 207.935.7292 or 866.227.6523, www.stonemountainartscenter.com or www.davidfrancey.com.
October 17-18, 8 a.m. Hunter's Safety Course, The Fryeburg Fish and Game Association will host the course, which satisfies the state's requirement for obtaining a hunting license, limited to 15 students, $50/person, registration is required, Harold Sanborn Room, Brownfield Recreation Center, 100 Main Street, Brownfield. FMI: 207.647.9486, www.fryeburgfishandgame.com.
October 17, 10:45 a.m. The 5th Annual Parrot Head Golf Classic, Join Jimmy Buffett enthusiasts from across New England for this annual 18-hole scramble tournament and "Party with a Purpose," supported by the Parrot Head Club of the Northern Tropics, includes live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights, fun mini-golf putting green challenge, golf cart decorating/parade, dinner/awards, pool party and more, $400/foursome, benefits the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Maine Chapter, Bethel Inn Resort, 21 Broad Street, Bethel. FMI: 207.824.2175 or 800.654.0125, www.bethelinn.com.
October 17, 7:30 p.m. AudioBody, " a modern day Smothers Brothers meets Blue Man Group", $6/person in advance, $10 at the door, Bingham Auditorium, Gould Academy, 49 Church Street, Bethel. FMI: 207.824.3575, www.audiobody.com.
Take a cruise through the current lakefront properties available in the area by clicking on the boxes below:
Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region $150k to $300k
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Search for lakefront properties in the Sebago Lakes Region over $700k
October 15-16, times vary, Wabanaki Perspectives and Human Awareness, panels, discussions, basket-making, demonstrations, storytelling, drumming, youth activities and more, various venues campus wide, University of Maine, Augusta. FMI: www.uma.edu/wabankiperspectives.html.
October 15, 6 p.m. "Edgar Allan Poe's Annabel Lee," reception with the film's writer/director Michael Rissi at 6, University Art Gallery, Maine premiere of film at 7, Roberts Learning Center, University of Maine, 238 Maine Street, Farmington. FMI: 207.778.7424, www.poeafterpoe.wordpress.com
October 16-17, times vary, 5th Annual Maurer Meals Project, local foods for healthier communities, to raise money for the Justin A. Maurer Memorial Scholarship at University of Maine, Farmington, locally owned independent restaurants will offer alternative specials menus of locally grown foods, check Web site for participating restaurants.
FMI: 207.524.2060, www.maurermeals.org.
October 17, 9 a.m. Farm and Habitat Bike Tour, pedal your way through some of the Unity Wetlands' most beautiful farmland. Choose a 10.5 or 16.5 mile route, $10/rider, $20/family, refreshments and information along the way, registration recommended, rides begin and end in Albion at the Recreational Fields behind Bessey Municipal Building, Route 202/9, Albion. FMI: 207.948.3766, www.unityme.org.
October 17, 9 a.m. Fall Festival of Art and History in Historic Hallowell on the Kennebec, photo scavenger hung, ‘plein air' sidewalk artists, scarecrow contest (bring nickles to vote for your favorite scarecrow), kids' pumpkin decorating, riverside community bonfire and drumming, stargazing and more, various venues, Hallowell.
FMI: 207.622.1350, www.hallowell.org.
October 17, 7 p.m. "Tree by Leaf," 3rd Annual Arts for Hunger sponsored by the Unity Area Rotary Club, benefit concert for hunger-relief efforts in Waldo County, $10/person, Unity Center for the Performing Arts, 42 Depot Street, Unity. FMI: 207.948.SHOW, www.unityme.org/theater.
October 17, 7 p.m. Campfire Harmony, with Maine-ly Harmony and Boston Accent, $15/adults, $12/students and seniors, Hall-Dale High School, 97 Maple Street, Farmingdale. FMI: www.freewebs.com/maine-lyharmony.
October 18, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. 7th Annual Harvest Fest, celebrate the season in downtown Waterville with pumpkin carving, pumpkin bowling, hay rides, candy apple making, pony rides, scarecrow building, chili cook-off, hands-on nature activities and more, Castonguay Square, Waterville. FMI: www.watervillemainstreet.org.
If you'd like to browse around the available lakefront properties available in the area just click on the boxes below:
Search for lakefront properties in the Belgrade Lakes Region $150k to $300k
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October 15, 6:30 -10 p.m. Chris Humphrey Jazz Trio, veteran jazz singer, composer, arranger, conductor clinician and pianist with an extensive resume, his primary focus is the use of the voice as an instrument, The Nonantum Resort, 95 Ocean Avenue, Kennebunkport. FMI: 207.967.4050 or 800.552.5651, www.nonantumresort.com.
October 15-18, evenings, The Original Haunted HayridesTM, Maine's Most Visited Halloween Event in a Bigger, even Scarier Haunted Forest! Acres of horrors and creatures of the night to frighten you out of your skin, laughs, thrills and chills, free spider cider and deadly donuts, $13/adults, $9/children, group rates available, reservations suggested, next to Scarborough Downs, Payne Road, Scarborough. FMI: 207.885.5935, www.hauntedhayridesmaine.com.
October 16-18, 10:00 a.m.-4 p.m. 25th Annual Harvestfest, with live music, crafts, an ox roast, bean-hole beans, auction, antique car show, SeniorFest, KidsFest, a POW-WOW, hayrides and more, York Village and York Beach. FMI: 207.363.4422, www.gatewaytomaine.org/harvestfest.
October 16-17, 8 p.m. "Swingtime Canteen," directed by Linda Sturdevant, "An exuberant excursion back to the days of World War II! War may be hell, but at ‘Swingtime Canteen' it's still a lot of fun," New York Times, 8-25-95, $15/person, City Theater, 205 Main Street, Biddeford. FMI: 207.282.0849, www.citytheater.org.
October 17, 7 a.m. Audubon Birding Trip, Sanford Sewer Ponds, Andy Aldrich leads the trip to view birds during fall migration. FMI: 207.284.5487, www.yorkcountyaudubon.org.
October 17, 1 p.m. Guided Family hike, Eileen Willard, a local dendrologist, will lead the free walk through Alewive Woods Preserve, rain date: October 18, Kennebunk Land Trust, Cole Road, Kennebunk. FMI: 207.985.8734, www.kennebunklandtrust.org.
October 17, 5-11 p.m. dinner from 6-7 p.m. German Octoberfest, 50th Anniversary Celebration featuring "The Mad Bavarian Brass Band," authentic German food, music and beer, entertainment and dancing, $30/person, bring your own stein to get a discount on drinks! Nasson Community Center, 457 Main Street, Springvale. FMI: 207.324.5657, www.nassoncc.org.
If you'd like to keep up with the latest offerings for lakefront real estate in the area just click on the box below:
Search for lakefront properties in the Sanford Lakes Region $150k to $300k
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Within a five minute walk from Highland Lake in the western Maine Lakes and Mountains region we are fortunate to have an independent book store, Bridgton Books.
Located at 140 Main Street, Bridgton Books is a year-round, full-service shop. You'll find the Magic Lantern Movie Theater and Renys Department Store across the street.
Maybe it's because I love to read, but I thoroughly enjoy entering Bridgton Books. It's the ideal neighborhood shop where owners Pam and Justin Ward are often there to greet me. Sometimes their dog, Maddie, can be found lounging on the floor.
The other day Justin said, "We feel blessed to have so many nice people who support us and shop at our store."
The walls of Bridgton Books are lined with thousands of hand-selected titles in sections that include Maine titles, Maine authors, guidebooks, fiction, cooking, history and more. They also offer books on tape for rent or sale, used books, bargain books, music and puzzles, greeting cards, journals and magazines.
I know from personal experience that if there is a book you are looking for and they don't have it, they'll order it and call you in a couple of days.
A large corner of the shop is dedicated to children's titles and features an overstuffed couch and toys to entertain the kids while you poke around looking for just the right book.
The staff consists of passionate readers with distinct tastes. They are always ready to guide you to your next choice. Look at the shelf behind the cash register and you'll see their current favorite titles.
And Pam and Justin write book reviews, which appear in the summer and winter issues of Lake Living, southern Maine's leisure lifestyle magazine.
Join their book club at no cost and for every $100 you spend, you'll receive $10 off your next purchase. How can you beat that?
Let Bridgton Books be your hometown bookstore.
FMI: Bridgton Books, 207.647.2122
Reny's Department Store, 207.647.3711, www.renys.com
Magic Lantern Movie Theater, 207.647.5065, www.magiclanternmovies.com
When not browsing for books, you may want to browse the current lakefront property selections for Highland Lake in Bridgton. Just click below:
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