Author: Andrew Mooers

Gardening, Growing Your Own Food In Maine.

Maine Vegetables, Produce, Food Pretty Attractive, Handy Three Times A Day.

This time of year in Maine where summer has turned to day after day of blue skies and sunshine, vegetable gardens have taken off.

The food from a Maine garden is satisfying on many levels. First the wholesome, natural home grown taste can make your mouth water as you think of new potatoes, beats, lettuce, peas, beans. Or plucking onions, looking for cucumbers and eventually squash and corn can have the same reaction.

Maine has lots of roadside vegetable stands and down town farmers markets. But the garden out behind or beside a home spring up all around the area of Maine I live.

Pride in some Maine gardens with flowers mixed in along the edges.

Or a hanging plastic owl to attempt to keep four legged thieves out of that garden.

But too much rain, or an infestation of potato aphids, other pests mean a watchful eye is needed to get the garden from spring planting to harvest through the summer in to fall harvest. That is the true essence of farming. Planting, tilling, watering, providing love and attention.

Gardens in Maine, anywhere do not just happen. And they can get away from you. Or you can be slow on the draw getting them in. Seedlings germinating in moist paper towels in the kitchen cooking bowl. Planted in peat pots with the green peppers, tomatoes destined for the south side sun porch as they shoot skyward.

Maine home grown local food is pretty addictive.

Three times a day at least it is nice to be able to sit down, put on the feed bag and get the empty stomach alarm to go off. Settle down. But working with the Maine weather you have adds to the unpredictable sport of gardening too.

Do you plant a garden and how big, what kinds of vegetables or fruits? Have you been part of the very chatty, social lot that show up at local Maine farmer’s markets? And while we’re on the subject, do you raise chickens, eggs, other produce? What you eat, where it came from and saving money make being on your knees in a Maine garden a win win win situation. Where I live on the Canadian border, trips to pick strawberries, apples is common to subsidize what we grow on our own on this side of the Maine International border.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

July 19, 2011
Maine Land Speed Races, Loring Air Force Base Limestone ME

The 2.5 Mile Long Loring Air Force Base Runway Better Be Moose Free For Land Speed Trial Races.

Going very fast, see world records made on land speed races at Loring Air Force Base in Limestone Maine July 15 through the 17th in Aroostook County.

This summer’s land speed record trials in Northern Maine are year three. With over 150 North American cars and motorcycles gathered together for high speed competitions. If you were on board for the 2010 Land Speed Races at Loring Air Force Base In Limestone you saw a motorcyle attempt the first ever 300 miles per hour record.

The former runway for B-52 and other American airplanes at this air force base facility is 2.5 miles long. And known around the racing circuits as the perfect spot on earth to set world land speed records.

Watch racers in Northern Maine go very very fast and witness history in the land speed trials being made front and center.

Nothing planned this weekend and car all gassed up to head up Interstate 95 for something new and different, exciting? Head to Limestone Maine’s Loring Air Base. More details on the 2011 Maine Land Speed Races at the former LAFB in Limestone.

Other entertainment options for the weekend too with Maine blues, celtic music festivals too. Maine, way way more than light houses, lobsters, potato fields and Mt Katahdin. Come see what you are missing.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

July 15, 2011
Maine Music Options Abound This Summer.

Live music in Maine, you have lots of options so don’t just travel to Vacationland thinking it’s all about wildlife, clean fish filled lakes, state parks, lighthouses and lobsters.

No no, come for the music. In Belfast and Rockland Maine this weekend you have a serious decision to make. To attend the 5th annual Maine Celtic Celebration in Belfast. Or the coin toss may go to the 18th annual North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland Maine.

Either way, the two are so close that you could enjoy the Maine musical buffet of both Irish performers and blues artists. Both Maine musical venues help the local economies of Belfast and Rockland and offer one more reason to be in the Pine Tree State this weekend. For more information, schedules on both the Celtic and Blues musical events, visit www.mainecelticcelebration.com and www.northatlanticbluesfestival.com .

And don’t forget what happens in August in Bangor Maine for more to fill your musical needs during the American Folk Festival either.

The Maine tunes, beat goes on, more music groups from around the world to enjoy. August 26th thru the 28th the Bangor Maine dates for the American Folk Festival. Check out more about what happens other dates at the Bangor Maine Waterfront Pavillion too.

Maine, come for the blue water and air, the lush green forests, the unspoiled natural surroundings loaded with wildlife. And the musical options that run year round. Come for a day, but don’t fool yourself. You’ll stay a lifetime in Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

July 14, 2011
My Brother Steve Played In Many Local Bangor Maine Music Bands.

Over the years, my oldest brother Stephen entertained many in local Bangor Maine music bands.

As a kid ten years his senior, I remember a household of music. Steve’s contribution was the Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, the rhythm and blues. He played the piano at my mother’s urging. We all got exposed to the ivory keys growing up, taking lessons.

Local Bangor Maine clubs were the venue for folks to tap their toe, hum or sing along and to dance. But I got to see more than the finished product, the showmanship on stage. In addition to the entertainment of Maine patrons that followed whatever particular band he was in, he would tell me what he saw from up on the stage of the Eagle’s Club, The Red Barn. Or where ever the musical gig the band would hustle to set up in. Work in and then tear down heading home from at two AM or later. No matter what the weather, holiday, economy.

Like a Maine radio station, the boogie woogie, country, rock or whatever music you have in your on stage mental juke box of band selections, your entertainment adjusts to the crowd. Each party crowd like any person is different. But bottom line is the same though.

No matter what kind of week the club, bar, wedding, office party goers had, it is the Maine band’s job to make sure the group leaves the musical dance sessions happy.

Danced out with a song in their head and hearts to last until the next meeting, link up.

Some in the audience for the night enter the bar removing wedding rings. Looking for something, some one. Others are happily married couples out to cut the rug. A few tables down front is a group celebrating something big. Many nights the place is packed. Some the other extreme and slow nights with snow coming down outside. A hard crowd to please a challenge. But you have your regulars too. You see new faces in the crowd that show up better when they are on the dance floor. Before they slip back in to the darkness beyond the bright colored spot lights.

Steve as the singing piano player would remind the audience to tip your waiters, waitresses. That they work hard to make sure you have a good time.

And if you are not having a good time, it is your own fault.

Reminding folks to please don’t waste all this good Maine live music. And at closing time, when the house lights go up and temporarily blind, wishing folks good night and safe driving. And that he does not care where you go now, but you can not stay here. And lastly telling those looking for the next opportunity to hear a live music Bangor Maine dance band where they will set up, tear down next at a club, bar, bottle club near you.

Bootleg was the name of the Bangor Maine band that was my oldest brother Steve’s most polished, popular band. But long before reality shows, the ups and downs of the band part of the experience, behind the scenes all rolled in to playing in one. Replacing a member, auditioning a new one. Personalities and chemistry that works. Or does not. The ride in performing music on a smaller scale in Maine.

Making music, entertaining and being able to get that table over there to do some dancing an art. To know what it is going to take to get them to shake, shimmy, move and groove and jive. To dance meant dialing in, adjusting the selection of tunes to the point where they can not just sit there and watch. They have to dance. Have to have fun and put behind them a bad week. Or celebrate the end of a good one.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
info@mooersrealty.com
207.532.6573

July 11, 2011
Maine, Our Fun Is No Or Low Cost.

Tubing A Maine Lake, Talk About A Work Out With Waterfront G Forces.

Mainers have it made with all this four season outdoor recreational options, the blue and green natural beauty of Vacationland.

When you live in Maine, you are already here, not needing to get away to relax or avoid the crowds. This is the destination for people jammed in a city, worried about crime, putting up with pollution, traffic.

In small Maine towns there is a greater sense of involvement, community. We have to work together and be connected because there are only so many of us dotting the landscape. Alaska has an average one one person per square mile, Maine comes in at eleven for the same mile. But shift it up to say New Jersey with 1000 per the same mile. Yikes. No wonder folks outside Maine are drooling, chomping at the bit to get to Maine.

The trek to Maine on vacations, for rest and relaxation is not just for all the fine things the state offers either.

Sure the clean fish filled water, bluer than blue Maine air and bright explosion of stars in the nightly sky is pretty neat.

So is the abundance of wildlife, flowers and vegetation.

But the long long list of what Maine does not have is the icing on the cake. Leave the taser home.

The keys can stay in your car in Maine and front, side door lock sets not needed, used, fiddled with.

Who knows where those keys are because we don’t lock property home or lake, river camp doors, cars or have to safely secure personal property in the 4th lowest crime state.

Maine, smart grasshoppers invest, retire, relocate and have fun here on vacations. Each and every Maine license plate has a bottom line reading Vacationland. For a reason, get here quick as you can and sample some of ME. Come for a day, stay a life time.
Browse our low cost Maine real estate property listings. Watch, listen to our Maine local community event videos. Aren’t you way way over due for some time in Maine?

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

July 7, 2011
Do You Have A Door Jam With Measurements Marked On It?

The Fourth Of July, Any Maine Holiday Can Remind You Of Lost Family, Friends, Community Members.

Maine kids are low to the ground, small and below radar for the early portion of their lives.

I myself and in many homes we list and sell as a Maine real estate broker have the same measuring spots. Usually on the door jam to the passage way that leads to the cellar. Many times it is a Maine grandparent who does the recording of height growth.

On the side of many Maine property doorways are free hand pencil and pen line marks with dates. Scribbled in notations below or beside the line drawn that heads vertical up the door jam along with more current accompanying, associated dates.

That board measuring the grand kids, the sons and daughters should go with the Maine real estate seller, owner of the home when they decide to move.

It does not mean as much to the new real estate buyer who will paint over it and start their own height notations of their loved ones in that Maine home.

Future generations that come in to their life bang bang bang, right on time.

This 4th of July you reflect on family. Past, present, future. I am working today on a float for the Houlton Maine parade of our little league team and soap box derby racers. A few years ago I remember seeing, noticing during the candy and real estate hand out of items while pulling the red, white and blue float that there is a husband, daughter on the parade route. Who are watching the parade for the first time without the wife, mother.

She had battled cancer for so long and lost the battle. I remember thinking that must be hard. And maybe they hope the day gets over quickly so they can be busier. Distracted. To not be reminded all day long what is causing the deep heart ache they share deep inside.

It seemed selfish to be enjoying the sunny day or hearing the energy, laughter of the kids on back of the float. Some how wrong or not respectful. But everything was happening right on time. With casual speed, on schedule. Life goes on for others with or without us.

Our local Houlton Maine printer died at 49 and I went to the funeral this week. I think about that family as they struggle through their first holiday without Dan. I will never think of the Van Morrison song In To The Mystic the same either because of the slide show with that song driving home a point. That family, it takes all of us pulling together and trying to make the most of it.

Maine holidays are not all fun and games and remind us of loved ones gone from the present.

But vivid in our memories of traditions that are not quite the same without them.

I think of a lady in the hospital with the neatest, closest daughters who are struggling with set backs, gains in her see saw health teeter totter. That we follow with Facebook updates and pleas for prayers. In small Maine communities, you feel the others pain, joy as they go through it. I don’t think you get that same small town connection in a city.

Here Is A Local Midnight Madness 4th Of July Houlton Maine Video.

Have a great, happy Fourth of July. Remember it is not just grilling and chilling. Sun and fun. More than BBQ food, home made potato salad, icre cream, Maine seafood, watermelon and red, white and blue celebrations. It is about independence, veterans, sacrifices and freedoms we are so lucky to enjoy in this country!

I’mMaine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
207.532.6573
info@mooersrealty.com

July 3, 2011