Author: Andrew Mooers

Maine’s The Fourth Lowest Crime State, Less People Part Of It.

Crime, what causes it?

Hard times make hard people. But wait a minute, Mainers are not flush with money but don’t turn to crime to make ends meet. Oh sure, there is some welfare fraud but our Maine Governor LePage is riding herd as the High Sheriff to stop welfare program benefit abuse. Putting the spurs to that posse out to curb the waste of benefits going to folks that don’t need them.

To report fraud or abuse complete the online form here or call the Fraud Hotline number at 1-866-348-1129. All reports of fraud and abuse will be fully investigated LePage promises.

But crime in Maine. Folks used to listening to the headline airwaves of a city get numbed to the round the clock drive by shootings, gang violence and other dirty deeds done dirt cheap. But in Maine, there is a reason for less crime. Take car thefts, like in the movies where something exotic is stolen, taken to a back alley garage to be chopped for those shopping for discount auto parts.

Maine Is Real, Peaceful, Not Crowded. One Of The Lowest Crime States.

In Northern Maine especially, the cars, trucks are part of the family, been around a long time and often you are the second, third or more owner.

High mileage, worked on by back yard mechanics and recycling parts from the junk grave yard happens to stretch those rural Maine incomes.

So if you were someone that stole cars for a living, until ending up behind bars in the crowbar hotel stubbing your toes for it, why would you drive to Madawaska or Masardis or Skowhegan for something new and shiny to take back to the city?

More miles on the frame, the chassis than it takes to get all the way to the Moon and well on your way back in good shape. Too many miles reading on the dashboard that turned over a couple times and tricks to keep the rig running, on life support to limp along just not taught in vocational mechanics 101. Plus the time to get here, snacks on the road, price of gas and slim pickings to select from make it all a lesson in futility. Heck, the fender colors don’t even match and each dent has a story attached to it. Passing inspection is a dicey proposition even if the VIN number and plates are switch-er-rooed.

And while on the subject of cars, trucks, how about those key fobs designed to cut down on vehicle theft?

We don’t lock doors in Northern Maine. It is a nuisance to slide into whatever is parked in the yard driveway and oh no. No keys. Or worse, the door is locked. What’s up with that? Everything stops as you hunt down the keys.

Maine Is Colorful, The People, The Places, The Properties. Lowest Crime State Too!

Two wires in the reach under the dash like MacGyver and the motor is purring like a kitten on cat nip. Not stealing it the five finger discount way, just too lazy to go looking for the keys. Not needing them on the older rides.

But these new anti-theft devices that supposedly lower your car insurance premiums create a bigger expense headache. If the key fob dies in actions and wears out, won’t unlock a door, shows error message of broken key when gingerly slid in the ignition slot.

No ignition Houston. That is a big problem. You have to get that car or truck back to the dealership for computer re-programing. Can you say ramp truck or hitching a ride with something dangling a hook off the back end?

Dig deep in the wallet or purse.

For the coin to buy a new $150 or more fob to replace the old one that went bad. That repair involves more than a NASCAR quick jump start and you are back on the road clipping off the road mile markers singing Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire Or Folsom Prison Blue. Or Patsy Cline’s Walking After Midnight, Crazy or whatever the ditty.

People help each other out in communities in Maine, out on the open highways.

Walk Right In, Sit Right Down. Bay Let Your Hair Hang Down. (In Maine).

Don’t be surprised when someone buys you a round of dry gas for your fuel system. To get you where you gotta go, where you were headed. To keep you between the snow banks on both sides of the ribbon of road way as you motor down the winter pike.

Why else is there less crime in Maine? Hope it has something to do with the way we are raised. We have to work for everything we have. So we take better care of it when nothing is handed to you or taken for granted.

And we figure other people worked hard for what they have too so leave it be. Respect each other’s stuff, personal property, their beliefs too.

And here’s a story I heard over the weekend about a local Maine oil dealer.

They had a big office safe that suddenly would not open sesame. When the tumblers were dialed in with the correct numbers written on the sheet taped under the top drawer bottom panel of the book keeper’s desk.

The Winter Run Off Of Snow Makes The Faster Paced Spring Canoe & Kayak Races. Snow Is Money In Maine.

The abracadabra spell did not work for some unknown reason getting into the locked safe.

The far away trained locksmith used to working on these older then the hills safes like the one in Northern Maine was no small expense and was a scheduling nightmare to come all this way for one little job. Luckily the oil dealer powers to be got wind of someone locally that had a good batting average. Of breaking into safes legitimately.

They rang him up, only took four numbers at the time on a small Maine town phone exchange.

(We also still only have one area code of 207 to take care of everyone’s phone, fax, whatever phone line for Maine information deliveries.) He trots up to the office, pushes his hands up and out like a safe cracker with the fingers intertwined to prepare for the task.

And leans in, puts his ear to the cold black safe door. As he fumbles with the tumblers. And presto, door opens. The company representatives are relieved, over joyed. Until they ask how much for the safe entry? The response “$100”.

Jaws drop, grumbling starts and the sound of the safe door closing heard. Locking it up tight as a drum happens again. Each of the oil company workers tries their hand at cracking the safe to not avail. Then pleas for help getting the door open again are heard in a unison of whining. Which the local legit safe cracker is coaxed to do. To perform his exercise again to unlock the doors so the ledgers, whatever of importance inside could be fished out. The check for $100 starts being drafted as a hand goes up, and “hold it” is heard. “The cost is $200”. Quick math, thinking on your feet would show in your head it was $100 per safe door opening operation.

Maine, less crime, more common sense, lots more respect for other’s feelings and their property both real and personal.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com | 207.532.6573 |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730

December 27, 2016
Christmas In Maine, The Holiday Traditions In Big Families, Small Towns.

Small Maine towns, which is the majority of the population centers scattered around Vacationland, all celebrate Christmas like one big family.

The school bus drivers know which kids have a hard home life. Collect the extra food to bound down the steps of the school bus. Paced with love and care in a back pack to make sure Christmas includes good food.

Merry Christmas From Small Town Maine. Rich In Traditions, Shared At Family Gatherings.

While local churches in Maine hang the Christmas gift pleas for the congregation to take.

To buy for an unknown boy that is eight and likes Lego building toys. Or a teen age daughter that could use a warm pair of boots. Secret Santas, there are a slew of them in small Maine towns. Helping without calling attention to the local elves pulling off the behind the scenes to make the season bight. To lend a helping hand to make sure Christmas happens in town and out in the country for the local residents.

I ran into a lady who’s Mom and family picked potatoes for my Dad back in the 1960’s.

Christmas Light Parades To Say Hello To Santa Who Tours Maine Small Towns.

I asked her what was the best Christmas she could remember and she said her first year in her own house, to celebrate with her own family. I asked her as a child, which one stood out. She said the one when she was ten and was not sure if Christmas was going to happen or not. Her parents had a tough year with a big family and struggled with making the household financial ends to meet.

But with the help of friends, family and neighbors, who all pulled together, she remembers the best Christmas ever.

Hunger improves the taste and to her surprise what seemed unlikely to happen because of being strapped financially as a family turned out other wise. The miracle of giving, opening hearts and making sure no one goes without in the local community. Because in small Maine towns, there is a strong connection. We help each other, our lives run in smaller circles that over lap and the grapevine helps whisper the needs that need addressing. SHhhhhh. Pass it on.

Sea Food For Christmas? SURE! Lobster Not Just Stuffed Roasted Birds, Prime Rib Or Ham Are Always Welcome At The Christmas Eve / Day Dinner Table.

Your own personal family traditions for Christmas? Candle light church services, school musicals with Up On the House Top Click Click … oh oh. There go some more roof shingles. And reindeer games, took out the guy wire securing the antennae to pull in the few television stations we have in Maine and across the border to over home, into near by Canada.

Food, always part of the celebration with family and friends. Dishes your mom whipped up with her eyes closed and so tasty.

Mocca balls, coconut clusters, date filled cookies, divinity fudge, fruit cake and nut rolls. Forget the calories, keep the phone number for the gym to tap out after the season ends. Being on a diet prior to Christmas and until the noise makers are put away with the empties of party juice at New Year’s is a steep uphill battle.

Oyster stews, lasagna, hams, turkeys, pies of all kind. What do you remember as a kid besides ribbon candle and peanut

Small Maine Town Christmas Light Parades Welcome Santa, Entertain The Little And Old Alike.

brittle among the ho ho ho? Playing Hearts happen on Christmas Eve in our house hold by the glow of the Christmas tree. With Andy Williams, Ray Conniff, Perry Como, and others belting out the old Christmas standards.

Pass the egg nog and more shrimp cocktail for me? Yes please. Don’t want to appear to be a hog. But just being social and not wanting to hurt the cook’s feelings. Grandmothers wear the biggest grins when you reach for seconds, thirds or more helpings of what they live to put on the table for a holiday spread. Nothing store bought or from a bakery or deli. Everything from a family recipe that was served up at every Christmas family celebration bar none.

If you moved to another venue for Christmas Eve or the 25th Day vittles, would the menu change from lobster or crab, prime rib, grilled steaks of all kinds? Would you have fiddle heads if preparing to eat out in the Midwest, the other coast or in the Florida pan handle?

Or a Maine baked potato if sitting down, pushing in the table chair in Idaho or Oregon? Not a lot of rice dishes served up in the potato country of Northern Maine. Pass the green bean casserole please. Is that cranberry sauce over there by Grandma? And I’ll pass on the jello with the carrots, pineapple and whatever else got sifted and folded into the jiggle and wiggle. But ambrosia, save some for me. The food of the Gods with those cherries, whipped cream, pure heaven.

Heading To The Kitchen Pantry To Rustle Up Some Christmas Meal Dishes. Planning Something Big This Year?

The extras beyond stuffing from the bird, the bread and butter pickles, real whipped potatoes, other veggies like butternut or acorn or blue hubbard squash.

Boiled, pearl creamy onions, turnip, home made gravy and breads, rolls, biscuits. Speaking of turnips, ask a Mainer if a rutabaga is different and how? If you are on the coast of Maine, seafood, fish takes up a big portion of the serving platters. It’s what’s for dinner all twelve of the months on the kitchen calendar in a Maine coastal household.

Whatever you eat, have planned, don’t forget the round guy with red velvet and white fur, flying deer who is working over time. Beyond his pay grade to make the season bright for kids of all ages without all of our help if you still believe. A carrot or two for the eight reindeer, a sugar cookie, brownie and ice cold milk for the red faced sleigh master driver. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. A video of Santa touching down in the Aroostook County recently.

Here’s wishing you the best for the New Year! From all the Maine towns that put the extra effort to celebrate the reason for the season beyond the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730

December 22, 2016
Houlton Maine, The Town’s Past Supporting The Aroostook County Future.

Like most small communities, Houlton Maine is a town of unique features, talented people.

Houlton Maine, Rich History Preserved And Protected.

Small towns like Houlton Maine to survive and prospect must turn the corner with an eye to the future. But never losing what is behind them in the rear view mirror for rich history.

For perspective, adapting to a changing World economy it is the blend of new and old. It is all about embracing technology and riding the information wave into the future never forgetting the past.

Service providing and the shift from working on the Maine farms and in the deep vast woods by hand is underway. Retooling for the next generation to stick around or move back to their small Maine town.

Houlton Maine, Shiretown of Aroostook County. The Early Years.

The past of Houlton Maine is a rich one as an earlier blog post on the County Seat Or “Shiretown”, the oldest town in Aroostook County outlines.

The archives of Houlton Maine history show colorfully in the jounalistic prose of the time about the hardships of picking up from comfortable surroundings. And heading into the unknown wilds of the Great North Maine Woods.

The history of farming in Aroostook County is a rich one. And the youth exposed to farming benefit the most in life skills and perseverance. The industry of children shown in this potato picking video, another one on potato house work say it all. Fresh air, working together to harvest the new crop of spuds or whatever the farm field yields from the seeds of spring. That drive and determination to stick with it carries a person for life.

But today, building on the past, with stories preserved, the history capsuled in museums, on website meanderings can be part of the tourism effort in Maine.

As folks seek to go deep into the interior and northern, western sections of Maine beyond the traditional sea coastal area tourist traps. The Patten Lumberman’s Museum is another example of a history lesson available to all who enters it’s doors or accesses the site in this Northern Penobscot County out post town.

Potatoes Were King, Northern Maine Planted More, Harvest The Most At One Time.

The railroad opened up the Northern sections of Maine. Once the border between Maine and Canada was hammered out. The railroad lines and spurs on the sidings connected the industries. To feed the markets needing the farming produce, meat, dairy and lumbering products. Take a ride on a train leaving the Oakfield Maine’s Railroad Museum … hurry. All aboard. Let me punch your ticket.

Homesteading never did die down since Joseph Houlton led the charge to this new land on the Canadian border cut out in six by six mile tidy uniform township squares.

Laid out in easy to follow grid work of township this, range that designations.

The Internet opens up the ability to telecommute to an online job far from Maine where the worker does not want to live. And today does not need to as they beam a signal from Maine to wherever the other end of the connection may be on the globe. Houlton Maine is connected to fiber.

Houlton Maine’s Miss Aroostook Diner. What’s Today’s Blue Plate Special? Pea Wiggle? Bubble & Squeak?

The early days of a small Maine town like Houlton were more local happenings.

Less of the jump in your car and run the roads to a larger population to sample the wares of their stores. Slower moving trains, no super highways, no Amazon to order from online and expect delivery without what seems like hours, not days or weeks.

Pilots of private planes fly into these small airports that dot the Maine landscape like in Houlton Maine.

Small commuter airlines could survive less passenger load before deregulation. Or bolt on pontoons so your silver bird becomes a float plane. Now you can touch down and lift off from Maine’s many water front recreational options. To explore Northern Maine’s many waterfront taxi landing strips. Just make sure you are taking off into the wind for maximum lift. To go under your wings of your Piper or Cherokee puddle jumper. So the plane has altitude enough. For up up and away over those tall trees at the end of the maybe too tight Maine lake airport.

Two Theaters, Market Square In Houlton Maine Was A Busy Place. Everything Was Local, In The Community Of Small Maine Towns.

Speaking of planes, the silver birds, Loring Air Force Base provided over forty years of service protecting the skies of the wild blue yonder of Northern Maine.

Defending our borders, the freedom of the United States from the upper right hand corner of a small town called Limestone. That was the shortest hop over the north pole where Santa lives to keep an eye on Russia, the Middle East back when relations where cold, strained, and neither countries were sending the other a Christmas card.

And after LAFB was moth balled, other uses with DFAS hummer repair, payroll checks and that’s right. A few Phish concerts with 60,000 music lovers heading north up into the “County”. A couple going too far on I-95 / Making a big mistake. Taking the VW micro bus straight into Canada, beyond exit 305. Over the border beyond Houlton International Airport (KHUL) that was a busier place during lend lease during World War Two. Back in a time when German POW’s got paid helping the local potato farmers get the crop into storage.

And Cole’s Express, other trucking outfits helped open up the down country markets to local agriculture and lumbering concerns in Northern Maine.

Providing something the trains could not with the iron horses. Overnight service for the now business

Try ‘er Again. (Whirring Sound) Must Be The Solenoid. Or Missing Tooth On The Fly Wheel.

model of “just in time” inventory control.

Coles Express got its start with snow plowing back when winter’s provided more white stuff before the effects of global warming. Lots of songs about trucking in Maine like through the Haynesville Woods penned and performed by Dave Dudley of Fort Fairfield, in central Aroostook County.

Home theatre media rooms rather than putting on your hat, coat and hitting the silver screen. Sneaking down the pretty dark aisle munching on a fresh pop bucket of corn and your favorite sugar snack. Vacations to second, third and more homes that are ready and waiting but infrequently used. More for the collection than putting down roots as today’s public more affluent but still restless and gypsy like. Finding it hard to sit still for long. The could be missing something and like to be kept entertained.

No Motel 6, No Howard Johnson Or Day’s Inn Back When In Small Maine Towns. Lots Of Local, No Franchise Chain Hotels To Stay in Northern Maine Towns.

Aroostook County is known for its Acadian culture, the tongue sliding back and forth into French and English in the St John River Valley.

That hugs the International border and has strong cross boundary cultural ties with Canada’s New Brunswick and Quebec Provinces. The trip to Northern Maine truly is a two nation vacation.

Ever snow sledded in Maine, up into the Valley where the trails are like super highways, smooth and well marked? Take your snow sled to dining and dancing and motel options heading through Shin Pond, Oxbow, Masardis weaving along with Rt 11 to the Crown of Maine.

Explore and Discover Northern Maine. Don’t neglect or leave any area of this great state out of the running for spending time and getting to know the locals, their local history and rich traditions. Learn the early history as you enjoy the current recreational and outdoor beauty. Find out more about the rich history of Houlton Maine. It’s one of many fine small Maine communities.

Like who was Henry C. Merriam and why is he famous in Houlton Maine history?

Low Price, Less Options. It Was All Black And White Simple Picking Out Your New Car At Duff’s. The Bangor Road Was The I-95 For Traffic.

Did you ever hear of a famous young girl named Samantha Smith who died too young but did so much? Samantha was from Houlton Maine, dying in a Bar Harbor Airlines fatal plane crash at age thirteen.

The Amazeen home is where and why was it built in Houlton Maine?

Or for ten points, where was the trans Atlantic radio station transmission antennae located in Houlton Maine? I have seen signs of that handiwork that helped the World War Two effort. Why? Bbecause I lived a quarter mile from the transmitter site and remains are still in the North Maine woods of Aroostook County. As a little kid, those glass insulators and old wooden support posts for the wires remain. If you know where to look and tramp around the two mile course they chewed up in the Houlton area.

All the stuff the slick four color high gloss tri-fold travel brochures leave out in the condense it down to a few lines of buzz words and the usual over used eye candy. The same angles, photos, captions that get tiresome in the copy and paste, hit print or send. Let’s take it all up a notch.

Fill It Up. Unleaded? What’s That? (Ding Ding)

Meet the small town friendly locals, perched sitting on a lunch counter stool or getting your hair cut or twisted and just ask, listen, learn.

Always a colorful rendition of the local history with a unique spin on the early adventures of the new to this land explorers. The ones that through nip and tuck situations did finally open up this northern Maine section of woods, water, wildlife. Houlton Maine, one of many local jewels with rich history facets to uncover. Come sample it any of the four seasons. Each if different and offers something unique to treasure.

Come see for yourself and experience the hidden gems, the small Maine towns that all offer memorable stays if you can clear the schedule to get to Vacationland.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730

December 16, 2016
Allagash Divorce, Posting Your Maine Land, No Thank You For The Muffin Mom.

What the heck is that for a blog title from way up here in Maine? Like a pastor, inspiration for posts comes from many sources.

There is a nagging, mental elbowing to put a post online after a few days since the last one went live. And the previous one wears off. It feels good to blog. I want to make these worthwhile for someone in the audience and it is not just personal satisfaction that comes out of the blogging experience sharing about living in Maine.

One Beach Is Not Exactly Like The Next. This One In Maine In Kennebunkport At Dusk.

So bit by bit what does that blog post title mean, where did it come from beyond creating curiosity? Or worry someone is off their meds or you the reader needs a refill or adjustment in mood elevators or whatever prescription on your kitchen window sill. If you have followed any of the posts in Me In Maine you know those lucky to live here are high on the air.

Take comfort in the uncrowded surroundings, the eye candy, the down to Earth people in Vacationland. Nothing artificial, fake or phony about it. And the locals like to tell stories, share experiences and compare notes with the rest of us natives. We lean and glean from the grapevine in many instances at the blog keyboard for inspiration.

Allagash divorce, had not heard the term before this week.

And you and I would not have any trouble imagining a happy honey moon in the great deep woods of Maine if it was an Allagash wedding instead of a divorce. With the beverages served moisture dripping cold cans and bottles on ice in a canoe. To reach in, help yourself. As The Dead Or Phish play in the background. Most of the wedding attendees wearing flannel shirts and jeans or khaki pants. North Maine woods clothing attire. After the marital knot tying “I do” and rings exchanged and no contrary minded in the audience to object with raised hands or sharp voices.

The nuptial vows uttered nervously under evergreen firs, an opening under the canopy of forest trees. The song about “there is love…” as Noel Paul Stookey from Blue Hill Maine sits on a stool, artfully plucking, strumming the strings. Holding that long last low note. Until the union of the spirits chemistry love potion number nine is cured. Love brings you light the song reminds. Amen. When a woman takes a man or the other way around. By the Allagash River known for it’s 60 mile plus paddling adventures through Chamberlain Lake and others in the water way chain.

Weaving, Needling Your Double Clutch, Down Shift That 18 Wheeler. Car, Bike Through The Highway Thread. Exploring Maine.

But we are not talking a wedding but the opposite procedure to pull apart the couple. (Record rip, music stops, dead air fills the scene.) Leave and cleave but not like kids do. When gently, okay pushed out of the familial nest.

An Allagash divorce it was explained to me is when two go in the woods and only one comes out of the forest stand. Standing under a clear sky and big bright round moon. It takes a little while to sink in when put that simply.

Not mincing words. It is a lot like the no trespassing signs about “I own a gun and a back hoe” we posted about earlier in this Me In Maine blog. Or “survivors will be prosecuted” don’t ya know Chummy.

Which leads to the next tid bit of today’s Maine blog post title, the middle filling part two of the head line.

I have noticed that the folks who feel a compelling need to post their land have no qualms crossing the terra ferma of another. Without batting an eye or giving it a thought that causes one to lose one little “z” of sleep. Like you can be dumb enough to let every Tom, Dick and Harry tramp, sled, four wheel on your land but meh… not me Bub.

In populated areas you see and need those no trespassing signs to saber rattle. Offering to prosecute violators who mess up the terrain. Leaving debris or worse. But that happens more in jammed packed together areas of just too many people. Hard to crowd control people. People being people in herds.

In Maine’s rural areas which is most of the state, the need to post land goes away. Those skull and cross bone signs are ugly. Orange, black and white. Respect the Maine land. It is a not a right but a privilege to cross the land of another to make it a journey exploring Maine in the nooks and crannies where vehicles of any kind can not go. The land use access done on the honor system of treating others like you would want to be handled. Kinda thinking like that right? Stay on the marked trail too like being a good steward at a state park, by a precious waterway in Maine which is loaded with recreational H2O.

Maine Explained With Social Media Examples.

No thank you for the muffin from the Princess as we wrap it up. Take it in on home, put the bootsto ending this blog post and then it’s shifting gears time. Clear the head, think and plan the day ahead.

What happened to the Mom in that last part of the blog post title? Snubbed pretty hard this week. For her good deeds, love and affection for her little chick.

Well the mother carefully packed a muffin, favorite donut that the little one loves best in a pretty new knapsack. Added to the three sets of what to wear for the daughter’s next outing in her action packed day where Mom is the chauffeur and behind the scenes technician.

When Mom and daughter come together after school, the family reunion was cut and dry. Grab the bag, no hi Mom. No warm and fuzzy after Mom announces what snack choices she had packed and the same for the clothing selected, folded, tucked lovingly inside the new cargo carrier. “Gotta go” snaps and yanks the bag from the thoughtful mom with the ten year old uttering no thank you, or exchanging a smile or displaying any degree of patience for her Mom.

Moose Not People, Other Wildlife Too Hide In The Woods, Waterways Of Maine.

No peck or squeeze or physical contact affection exchanged.

More than lacking manners, just possessing a surly attitude. With lips turning the wrong way on a pretty little face. Shining, ribbon end tied pair of pig tails trailing her as she rushed by. Grabbing the bag like a runners baton in the last leg of a foot race.

Her hair, wardrobe, everything Mom’s and Dad’s, grandparent’s, someone’s doing. The handiwork proudly applied in rearing the ten or so aged girl if I had to venture to guess, pick a number on her age. The kid was rude to her mom. Ever witness a kid being disrespectful and unappreciative? Where is the number, punch it in for Nanny 911 to the rescue.

The holidays are approaching and do you have your health care insurance coverage options zipped and sewed up?

The clock is ticking. I have to wrap this up and begin the long commute of 32 feet. After the mow the whiskers, run through the shower, pull a comb through the hairs. Living close to work and no traffic has its perks in small town living Maine where everything is simpler. You love what Maine offers, but equally enjoy what is missing, that you don’t need but that is standard part of the landscape in city living.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, Me Real Estate Broker

207.532.6573 |mailto:info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730

December 15, 2016
Health Care Coverage Flip Flop In Services Used, SkippingThe Office Visits.

On the minds of many these days is not just mistletoe, holiday holly, slurping egg nog, sampling peanut brittle and just one more sliver piece of divinity fudge.

Hey, are those mocha balls? (Heavy sign) But health care coverage. And ho ho ho, what happened to the monthly payment to get compliant with Uncle Sam’s directives.

Healthy Fresh Air, Working The Sand As Early Masons On A Maine Beach.

You hear the conversations on the grapevine as you move around small Maine towns.

Worry about increasing taxes, the cost of living in small Maine towns. Concern about the penalty if I don’t get health care coverage. But deep anxiety spiking about coasting, creeping along on the high wire of life without a medical safety net. If I am not a card carrying, up to date bronze, silver, platinum or whatever horse of a different color level of health care coverage.

Some physicians are seeing a flip flop in who visits their medical practices.

And what do the Amish do for health care coverage? Oh yeah, they don’t have to have health care compliant coverage. What about other religions, like Christian Scientists who don’t promote medical procedures as a way of life? Believing you and I are all created perfect, in God’s image and likeness. And to give into sickness, poor health is error in your thinking. So re-apply your faith states leader Mary Baker Eddy and delve into your Science and Health for guidance on the return path to perfect health. More on the religious rights debate on Obamacare, any health insurance coverage or penalties to elect out and say “pass” Chummy. I’ll just go fish for my own brand of health care thank you very much Mister Man.

So the folks out in the audience considering can I swing a $1000 a month or whatever premium for health care coverage, even with a giant gulp deductible and deciding nope. Opting out at the fork in the road into the dark woods ahead. Taking the penalty on the chin. But obtaining coverage for health care wherever they can uncover the best, most competitive plan on the globe. Just not the kind that is A-Z Obama care compliant kind.

Do you know folks that are taking that route?

Or just paying the penalty to not be under a health care umbrella of any kind. Going without medical health insurance which makes them feel anxious, sick with worry.

Affordable health care, wouldn’t it start sooner rather than later if we worked hard on the youngest in the population? Less obesity, more exercise, eating healthier food that does not clog those arteries. Keep having the Marlboro Man telling the youth early on “I miss my lung Bob” as a pair of hop a long Cassidy’s lope their horses. Into the setting sun dropping low and then out of sight in the West. The End. Roll the credits. (Fade to black).

Hiking, Dining On Food Cooked Outside. Feasting On This Kind Of Maine Scenery. Priceless.

Happy Kids In Maine, It’s Black And White, Kept Simple In Rural Vacationland.

I remember wondering what the delivery, cost of the oldest daughter being brought into this World was and asking. Knowing down the road, the figure would seem so low, like peanuts because of inflation and escalating health care costs that seem out of control and picking up speed. And telling the tale.

Like I had heard about the family doctor performed the task for $35 years ago.

Back when they made house calls, carrying the black bag with the cold stethoscope. When smiling Eddie Williams doctored the entire family when laid up on the couch. Wooden tongue depressors in the arsenal. In the days when cod liver oil was big, along with coke syrup and lots of home remedies to make you fit as a fiddle. Or just plain sick and tired of being under the weather. More on old time medical remedies for whatever ails you.

The local health care insurance provider snapped, what do you care? It’s all covered. Never did find out or really get to study the line items to make sure no double billing was done. Not on purpose but by the software that might have a hiccup or stuttered. What it costs does not matter so much when you don’t pick up the tab.

Emergency room visits in an ambulance because you get better service, quicker attention when attendants wheel you in.

Seeking pain killers because the weekend is coming. Want to get high as a kite. When there is not a cost and got you covered on the back it in, turn off the sirens and wave the cover charge through the ER double doors. When across town, someone else with an ailment, that just took a spill tells themselves to remain calm. The ER’s talk, compare notes and know who the chronic abusers of services are thankfully.

Looking Like Bank Robbers, But Layered For Maine Down Hill Skiing.

Stay put. Hold the phone. Park it.

See if it still hurts as bad in a few days. Or going online to scan the computer screen page fulls. Of the Web MD eerie monitor green glow radiation. To glean knowledge to apply to their own symptoms on what they can from the forums. Or considering maybe it would be cheaper to see a veterinarian. A simple distemper shot and some bag balm, a flea collar could save the day. Woof.

Staying healthy, getting off the couch and yanking the power cord to the the boob tube. It does a body, mind, and mood good. To get outside, filling the lungs with fresh air, the eyes with all this pure, all natural Maine eye candy that elevates the spirits. And fueled by the exercise high of climbing, skiing, hiking, biking, kayking, swimming or just plain old hoofing it.

The deadline for health care coverage lock in looms closer.

Have you got it all figured out? Coasting until retirement or waiting for some legislative change to re-shuffle the medical costs cards. The health care cost debate and how to tweak it was strongly debated during the recent Presidential campaign.

As I see my own monthly coverage take a hike from below $400 with a big hefty deductible, to approaching $1000, I take comfort in one son who pays $45 a month health insurance premium. That he fears is going up but when you average it all out, it works. And if more are put on the ranks paying in, and we all work to make sure we are getting our money’s worth for any and all health care procedures. Plus focusing more on personal health in our daily lives, that combination has to yield good fruit.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730

December 9, 2016
The Harvest Gold, Rust Red Color Of Fall Replaced By Maine Winter Weather Snow.

When the temperature in late November, early December is too warm, the Maine lawn and field grass stays green.

Too seasonally warm high temperatures of weather messes up the Christmas tree cutting too. That starts even earlier around Halloween. Too high temps out in the Christmas tree plantation when the cutting is done means lots of early spills. And the old spruce, fir or pine tree plastered with lights, garland, all those decorations peters out early.

Plays out long before the egg nog, divinity white fudge, coconut mocca balls and peanut brittle is finished up. When it’s time to pack up the ornaments, check off another December 25th sliding down the chimney surprise and that’s all she wrote for another ending year on the kitchen calendar.

Maine Is Real, Peaceful, Not Crowded.

Cold hardened Christmas trees keep better after harvest, and better withstand exposure to low temperatures.

No snow and dodging the weather dip in temperatures to cause it in Maine. Means no kick in the pants. To get those last fallen leaves raked or mulched or burned annual drill that is put off too.

Fall hangs on as trips to deer hunting camps in Maine stop. And the snow sleds, Jiffy ice auger for lake fishing and bags of rock salt get put in entry ways, on enclosed Maine home porches. To sprinkle and melt your walk ways, around your yard. Once the blanket of snow arrives one flake at a time and slip and slid ice ice baby is part of the outdoor winter maintenance.

Plowing that snow is debated the first storm in Maine when it is wet, the ground not yet frozen. Sometimes just let it be like the Beatles song suggests. Leave it alone, let there be a first level snow base to pack down, build on to protect the terra firma underneath. Unless your back enjoys more spring lawn yard work with the steel rake and wheel barrow. To collect, replant the torn up sod way over here that needs to be trotted back to the bald spot on the lot for the re-plugging like a divot up here.

Often there is not a need to mess with a couple inches because the ground is warm, the temperature often spikes up enough to have all the new snow melt away in a day or so. Problem solved.

False starts and stops like labor for a child happen with Maine winter snow handling. Until snow that finally lasts actually sticks around in Maine. But if you don’t plow the new wet snow and like farming judge the Maine weather patterns ahead wrong, bad things happen. Solid ice, concrete hard snow formations can make things difficult to clear and wing back to leave space for more snow to come. It becomes like moving rocks and boulders.

Walk Slowly When Ice Covers The Rockland Lighthouse Boulder Path. Especially When Wind Adds To The Challenge Pushing You Along.

Either way, wet heavy snow or solid glued, welded to the ground and one giant piece snow banks. Those are hard on whatever you use to plow or snow blow the early Christmas gift from the heavens.

Half frozen slushy watery snow. Great for snow ball fights. But the problem with early snow before frost starts to toughen up the landscape is the digging into the soil.

Depositing the scraped lawn and soil “shavings” into the roll over of snow with the angled plow. The plow truck operator can hoist the blade a little to try to easy does it push the snow in the driveway out over the soft lawn.

Cat Nap In Maine. The Snippets, Moments Are A String Of Magic.

But you need enough momentum to keep the heavy wet snow moving like little doggies being herded. In the direction you want off to both sides of a clogged Maine home driveway.

And that is where no matter how much you try, how careful you are, digging in to the lawn skimming can not be avoided. A bounce of the bucking force of pushing hard into the rolling snow. It pushing back as more piles up out front the Fisher or Meyers or Boss whatever brand winter snow plow used that makes a mess of things.

You study the weather channel, hope for warm or cold temperatures to know just how to handle what Jack Frost and Mother Nature dished up. Deposited working in tag team.

But the 32 degree temperature hovering and the waiting game just clearing the ends of the driveway where the state highway snow plows are vigilant keeping those major and side road arteries open.

That is the tough part. Of trying to do more than you need because if you don’t it will mean call in a pay loader time. Or extra stress on the equipment. Even lots of white fluffy light flake accumulations has it’s challenges to plow. But the ground underneath does not get scarred and scraped if you are easy does it plowing snow in Maine.

Christmas Reflections In Houlton Maine. Small Town Proud Makes The Holiday Colors Brighter, Spirits Higher.

Something you never think of if a shovel for snow removal around your house steps is a foreign operation where you hang your hat.

And it’s pass the sun screen time all the year round. In places where Santa adds wheel attachments to the sleigh runners to tool around the sunny south, southwest sections of the nation.

Where it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas involves sand, palm trees and the standard candy canes, mistletoe and ho ho home for the holidays red and green ribbons where the only snow happens when you defrost the freezer.

Hope you have been good, stay that way for a few more weeks. And get everything on your list for Christmas this year. Merry Christmas faithful Me In Maine Blog readers and Happy New Year while we’re at it extending holiday best wishes.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North Street Houlton Maine 04730 USA

December 2, 2016