Steve Bush / 603.455.7428 - NH Lakes Region

Recently I was asked to view and give my opinion of value on a small piece of land with an 1840's house and barn on it. As I went to the property in the beautiful New England town of Tamworth, New Hampshire, I had no idea that what I would see would stimulate so many feelings of my youth when in my twenties I had dreams of just such a property to live on. There's the hippie in me I think, as I was in my twenties during all of the 1970's.

I've always been a lover of old. Old houses, antiques, paintings, records, boats, cars, stamps, stone walls and so many other things have always stimulated in me those questions of who built this, who used this, who saved this, and who valued this as much as I do now?

What I ultimately found on this beautiful early spring morning was a truly captivating property. The house and barn were empty and unlived in probably for well over fifty years, but the cape style home in need of major restoration still showcased the wooden floors, wood stoves, hand hewed beams and the patina of time with a magic that was perfect for what it was. The barn, though listing slightly had those dirt floor, and wooden stall characteristics along with the wide doors that typify early New Hampshire barns with room for a horse, cow, chickens and few goats or lambs. What was most intriguing about the house was that it was built to house a family who worked at the old mill; a mill structure that no longer stood. I kept thinking about how small in height people back then must have been compared to today, as the house was small by most conservative standards. I also thought about how hardy these people were working at the mill and making ends meet with none of the things we take for granted in our lives.

The property abuts a brook, which on this day had become a raging river, as well as the Bear Camp River. Here is where I really felt reminiscent. I looked longingly at the brook and thought of the fun it would have been in my younger years living in such a spot with those three distinct swimming holes polished into the granite by rushing water. I had not seen such fine swimming holes before this and I thought of hot summer nights in July in one of those three swimming holes with friends and family, which captivated me for many moments.

Call me a dreamer when it comes to such things, but experiencing these feelings about not only the wonderful brook and river, but the gardening possibilities of which I'm passionate about, as well as the work I would have done on the cape and the barn made for a delightful time on a day when I didn't expect much unlike any other day.

We at Maxfield Real Estate in the three offices (Wolfeboro, Center Harbor and Alton) around the Lakes Region of New Hampshire voted unanimously to do away with our traditional Holiday Christmas Party and donate the money that would have been spent to the food pantries in the towns our offices reside in. With the economic hardship so many are facing and the food banks running consistently low on food, it is another reason why working at Maxfield Real Estate and the men and women there once again showed that we care about our communities.

Maxfield Real Estate has a We Care Program that has for many years donated a portion of every commission to a local non-profit of the buyer's or seller's choice. In 2008 over $50,000 was turned over to these non-profits.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

There are so many reasons why living in New Hampshire is such a wonderful experience. I've written about some of the music available in the Lakes Region where I live and work, but the beauty of the lakes and mountains, the farms and fields, and the history that is prevalent in the endless stone walls and antique colonial homes are seen everywhere throughout the "Granite State."

I'd like to share some pictures that I have taken of this beautiful state, and though I don't consider myself an amazing photographer (I've seen some on AR that are amazing!). it is just a little taste of what awaits anyone visiting New Hampshire. I hope you enjoy!

Center Harbor, New Hampshire at Dawn

My View at the end of Tuftonboro Neck, Mirror Lake, New Hampshire

Zoe checking out one of the many stone walls in Mirror Lake, New Hampshire

Lake Wentworth, Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Squam Lake and Sandwich Range looking North from Holderness, New Hampshire

Fall Foliage at Canaan Valley with Mt. Shaw in Tuftonboro, New Hampshire

It is extremely sad that the economy has taken such a toll on the State budget that now 27 of our parks including 3 beaches on the Atlantic are being put up for sale. The historical significance of some of these parks, not to mention the beauty, will now be available to any and all wanting to do whatever they wish. More development coming!

Here is the list compiled by the Union Leader of New Hampshire.

Ahern State Park, Laconia

Annett Wayside, Rindge

Bear's Den, Gilsum

Bedell Bridge State Park, Haverhill

Bradford Pines, Bradford

Cardigan State Park, Orange

Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area, Chesterfield

Clough State Park, Weare

Eisenhower Memorial Wayside Park, Carroll

Endicott Rock, Laconia

Forest Lake State Park, Dalton

Gardner Memorial Wayside, Wilmot

Governor Wentworth Historic Site, Wolfeboro

Hannah Duston Memorial, Boscawen

Jenness State Beach, Rye

Kingston State Park, Kingston

Lake Tarleton State Park, Piermont

Madison Boulder Natural Area, Madison

Nansan Wayside Park, Milan

North Hampton State Beach

Pisgah State Park in Winchester, Hinsdale and Chesterfield

Plummer's Ledge, Wentworth

Sculptured Rocks Natural Area, Groton

Silver Lake State Park, Hollis

Wadleigh State Park, Sutton

Wentworth State Park, Wolfeboro

White Island, Isles of Shoals, Rye

On July 3rd the beautiful and talented singer/pianist Diana Krall comes to the Meadowbrook Arts Center in Gilford, New Hampshire. I tell you this because as a music educator and lover of all forms of music, her brand of jazz is so sensitively performed. If you've heard or seen her DVD, "Live in Paris" you will know what I'm speaking of. This is just one more wonderful reason why living in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire lifts ones spirit day after day.

Photo from ROLEX