Portland Harbor

It isn’t too often that I get to walk around downtown Portland on a sunny winter day and when I do, I always try to make the most of it. The Portland waterfront is still very much a working one. Sure, there is a mixture of expensive condos, tourist restaurants and more recently, a major law firm has taken over an old warehouse, but for the most part it is a winning mixture of small businesses, boats, ferries and fishing-related services.

Had a great lunch at the Sapporo Restaurant on Commercial Street. They offer a number of sushi and roll combination options that are not only filling but affordable. Plus, it always is a treat to watch the chefs prepare your food right in front of you!

Did a lot of window shopping and stopped at two places to purchase items for dinner. Got three pounds of fresh cold water Maine shrimp at the Harbor Fish Market. Located at 9 Custom House Wharf, this fish market is the real thing and worth a visit on your next trip to Portland. Filled with giant lobster tanks and cases of fresh fish on ice, you get the sense that you are stepping back in time. And the staff is very helpful and patient. Picked-up three pounds ($2.50 per) of the unpeeled shrimp (heads and tails still on) for a linguini dish. Next time I might opt to spend a few dollars more for the already peeled shrimp.

Stopped at the Standard Baking Company on the way back to the car. I successfully avoided all the pastries and purchased a baguette. By far breads are their primary product but they also offer coffee and treats. Well-worth a visit.

Having a great city like Portland so accessible is one more reason western Maine is a great place to be!

(Waterfront photo courtesy of Harbor Fish Market)

AFC Championship Game

1984 was a big year in my life. Rondi and I got married, moved to downtown Baltimore and I started graduate school at the University of Maryland. When considering schools, Charm City seemed like a good choice. In addition to affordable tuition and housing, the city was home to the Orioles and my favorite football team growing up–the Baltimore Colts. I loved Johnny Unitas, Tom Matte, John Mackey, Bubba Smith and all the Colts and looked forward to going to games, that is until the snowy night of March 29, 1984 when the team moved out to Indianaoplis.

During the next 12 years, watching football on TV just didn’t have the same excitement. Especially with Jack Kent Cooke trying to make the Redskins Maryland’s team. Getting the Cleveland Browns to move east wasn’t the most honorable way of having a Baltimore franchise but after getting passed over for expansion teams, it seemed to be the only way.

Since the first Raven game on September 1, 1996, defense has always been the team’s strength (Ray Lewis was the team’s second draft pick) and offense has been an afterthought. I’m not saying that the Ravens will come up with a victory on Sunday, but I don’t believe that it will be a blowout by the Patriots. When I look at the Patriots’ string of wins since the two losses to the Steelers and the Giants, I don’t believe any were against strong teams.

Living in the heart of New England Patriot country will make for an interesting week! I’m looking forward to Sunday’s game and hoping that Flacco can channel some of No. 19, Johnny Unitas! Let’s Go Ravens!

(Photo courtesy of BACVA)

Robin Hurst Jensen Benefit Dinner

Hurst Benefit Flyer

Be sure to attend the Benefit Dinner for Robin Jensen this Saturday, January 14th. The event will be at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church on Route 5 in Fryeburg. Pasta will be served between 5 and 7 pm and there will be salad, bread, desserts and beverages. $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12.

Robin is recovering from recent cancer surgery and during her recovery period, she has been unable to work and is in need of help with her medical and household bills. In addition to being a member of the Fryeburg Rescue Service, Robin is the daughter of Lovell resident and town columnist, Ethel Hurst. The Stow Corner Store is making the pasta sauce (with and without meat) and there will be a 50/50 raffle as well as a Silent Auction with a great collection of items donated by local businesses.

If you can’t make the dinner, donations may be made in Robin’s name to: Key Bank, 627 Main Street, Fryeburg, ME 04037.

And remember, you will be home in plenty of time for the Broncos-Patriots game at 8pm!

2012 Vacation Rentals

Here’s a quick and easy way to keep warm during these cold days of winter–start planning your 2012 summer vacation! With a large number of cabins both on and off the water, Kezar Realty is the place to book your place on the lake and in the White Mountains. Jeanne Bonner, with more than 20 years in sales and rentals, can assist you in locating the perfect spot for your large or small group while at the same time, staying within your budget.

Bookings have been active so be sure to start planning now. Take a peek at this home which is a great place to enjoy your Kezar vacation: Camp J2.

Winter Wood Cutting

Who would have ever thought that on New Year’s Day 2012, that Albert and I would still have the opportunity to bring the tractor and truck into the woods, cut six trees down and drag them up to the wood pile? This time of year is usually limited to splitting the collected wood and getting it ready for drying. The fact that we are able to add to the pile is a bonus.

I don’t claim to be proficient with the chain saw and leave most of that skill to Albert. I’m very happy to be the laborer–lifting the cut pieces into the pick-up truck or wrapping the chains around the big sticks and dragging them to a cleared area branch trimming.

I have nothing but respect for the workers who are out in the woods everyday. Yes, they have great mechanical equipment to assist them but logging is still hard and dangerous work. I never tire of hearing stories about Albert’s father, Marcus, and Uncle Burton spending their winter days cutting four cords of wood every day by hand and hauling them out with horses! During our wood-cutting season, I’m feeling major aches and pains from just two hours a day and a couple of days each week!

Thanks to the Lovell Historical Society for the picture of Carlton Merrill and Fred Stearns.

2011

Kezar Realty would like to thank all of our buyers, sellers and vacation renters who helped to make 2011 a successful year. With multiple transactions in Lovell, Stoneham, Sweden, Stow, Fryeburg, Harrison, Norway and Chebeague Island, we were busy assisting our clients with bringing their transactions to a satisfactory closing. We look forward to a prosperous 2012.

For a complete list of homes and vacation rentals available in Lovell and western Maine, please visit KezarRealty.com

White Christmas

How could it be possible that we had both a White Halloween and a White Thanksgiving but no snow for Christmas? Earlier this week there was an annoying freezing rain which coated the roads and walkways with a slippery layer and the prospects for snow were not all that promising.

The roar of the plows woke us up this morning and there was about five inches of fluffy snow on the ground. Hopefully, this snow will stay so we could soon all start with our favorite outdoor winter activities.

In the last picture you can see our son Ben standing on the left. This Christmas will be much brighter knowing that after seven months in Afghanistan, he is making his way home. In fact, his return should coincide with Santa Claus making his rounds. Although we won’t get to see him, he will be with his wife Cassandra and safe in the good old USA.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Kezar Lake Photos

For many years, I would see a “Ken Goldman, Lovell” as a photo credit in the Bridgton News and always wondered who he was. Recently, I have gotten to know Ken, a long-time Kezar Lake resident. He is fond of saying that the view from his home is different every day.

I am very appreciative of the new photos that he occasionally forwards to me and thought it would be nice to share some of them here. In the bottom of the third photo, take the time to look for the countless ducks leaving Kezar for the winter.

And look for Ken’s Bald Eagle on the cover of the 2012 Norway Savings Bank desk calendar!

2012 Calendar

It’s that time of year again. The Kezar Realty 2012 magnetic calendars are hot off the press. If you are not on the regular mailing list and would like one, just send me an e-mail(stan@fairpoint.net). No refrigerator should be without one!

Opportunity for FREE Entry to 2012 Lovell OHD 5k Run

For the past five years, Jim McCorkle of 5k Sports Race Management has timed the Lovell OHD 5k Run. With his support and guidance, the race has grown and is a favorite on the summer running circuit. Two major worries for all race directors, runner registration and accurate timing, are eliminated when using 5k Sports.

Jim’s business has grown considerably and his weekends are filled setting-up finish lines throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He also times a number of cross-country events for schools as well as nordic ski races in the winter. Jim believes that it is important to keep costs down and help local races make money, which usually are organized to raise funds for charities. And it has always been my goal to keep the entry fees affordable for everyone while at the same time to make as much money as possible for the Parade and Lovell Recreation Department.

5k Sports has designed and implemented their own on-line registration system which Lovell OHD 5k will be using in 2012. Now, here’s the offer: Take the survey that can be found on 5k Sport’s home page and Jim will pay your registration fee for next year.

Now, that seems to me to be a great gift during this holiday season! But hurry–don’t know when this offer will end.