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Ooh Ooh That … (Skynyrd Song Bed) What Does Maine Smell Like To You?

Smells Of A Maine Potato Harvest…Fresh Spuds, The Rotten One Too.

What is that smell that makes your think of Maine if from away or locally what stops you in your tracks?

The sense of smell tied to triggering forgotten memories. But for many people the exposure to the smells of Maine happen on vacations.

When you spend time by the ocean, on a beach or high on a hill top like Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park. Breathing in the smell of lightly salted air. The other flavors, odors of seafood delicacies cooked to perfection. Tempting you from kitchens as you stroll down winding, hillside narrow streets. Trying to decide which one makes you pull up a side walk open dining chair. To reach for the door. To go inside to sample the menu. Cure the stir down below for something good to eat of local, fresh Maine food.

The smell of Maine can be new fresh white powdery snow. Or the kind of late winter when mixed with the rising temperature thaw. The approach of spring’s mud season.

Wet wool mittens with balls of ice snow crystals that kids can not help but sample, lick. Along with long neat looking icicles. Snapped from sides of roofs. Tasted. Ice cold, so smooth.

Maybe it’s being served a platter of home made baked beans in a K of C, Grange or church hall. In a buzz, with the banter of conversations is where you find yourself. As you line up, proceed through the food stations. To get your fill of potato salad, brown bread, red snapper hot dogs and home made bread and butter pickles. Maybe a slab of Maine blueberry or strawberry rhubarb pie awaits you. To finish off the low cost but very filling, memorable meal that included enjoyable table talk back and forth with other hungry guests.

Fresh coffee at 5 AM as you gaze out over a river, a pond, lake with a steam rising from it caused from cool morning temperatures.

That don’t quite match those of the Maine waterfront. Or something ice cold, refreshing slurped. Sampled, sipped slowly at the other end of the day while admiring another one of a kind Maine sunset.

The smell of Maine that reminds you of growing up, being in Vacationland full time or on vacation could be from stepping into a barn stable. With hay, grain, old barn beams and aged wood mixed with straw, shavings and yes manure. The manure is not an offensive smell from cows, horses…and represents fertilizer. And what makes things grow so natural in Maine, a bread basket for foodstuffs.

The rich, earthy smell of digging in the dirt, on your knees and listening to bees buzz, birds chirp.

As you spend time in your vegetable, flower and spiritual garden. Or memories recalled as the smell of Maine potato dirt evokes strong reminders of the squeaky tractor digger creeping by.

The antique farm machinery used to lay out rows and rows of exposed yellow, gold and other color spuds to place in the basket. To shake tops first, to fill and ticket a barrel for credit. And to look forward to just how good the lunch packed will taste as you unwrap the brown bag. Unfasten the lunch box and reach inside for food that’s taste improves one hundred percent with fresh Maine air, hard work.

The smell of Maine is dew on the aging tall grass, tree leaves beginning to explode in color as Jack Frost helps create the odor of fall.

Distinct, short lived and all Maine. As one by one the four season come and go and memories are made. Most along with the eye candy views, sweet Maine loon sounds laying in bed at night and smells that go hand in hand, round out the experience.

Picking apples, strawberries, raking blueberries on the barrens or clams in the mud flats are on the lists of Maine. Creating wreathes, garland. So is steamed farm fresh corn, lobster. Breads, pies, cookies and pastries from our many local bakeries, or sampled at our many farmer’s markets. Corn fritters, ploys, seafood chowders, baked potatoes are a smell, taste, experience not to be forgotten soon either. Just like the smell of a crackling camp wood fire inside or out in Maine. Mixed with toasted marshmellow, chocolate and graham crackers.

The smell of leather harness, saddles, tack and freshly curried horses or ponies as kids trot or lope, enter the ring in a horse show.

Wearing western garb if barrel racing. Or freshly polished English tall black boots, riding hats and pants. If posting to the right diagonal to score a blue, red, yellow other colored ribbon.

The smell of spices, greenery around the holidays as you shop for gifts in our many Maine outlets. Entering overstocked green houses of hanging baskets, pansies, lilies, mums. Or smells to go. On the run. That beckon you to take home a balsam fir, white or red pine scented candle to remind you of your time in Maine. To take back to where you live if you are not lucky enough to enjoy the real thing year round. Always outdoors hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, fishing, hunting, snow sledding or climbing hillsides. Just grilling, chilling, camping out in Maine.

You can not help but dissolve, fall under her spell when you are lucky enough to be in Maine. Don’t keep her waiting, get here quick as you can. Scratch the itch to get to Maine and breathe deep, sniff. Natural smells from out in the woods, bobbing on the water, hill top perched and gawking or on a working farm. It’s all in there like the spaghetti sauce claims, promises. But it’s better than the real thing.

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

May 22, 2013
Maine, The Steady Diet Of Healthy Not Just Talking Food, Exercise For The Body.

News Gathering, A Tough Business. To Present Fair, Objective And Honest, Real, Young Grasshoppers.

You are what you eat and knowing what you are putting in your body, where the food came from that you place on the family supper table is important in Maine.

But besides the healthiest home grown produce, vegetables, fruits, meats, poultry and dairy products, you and I are fed, feed our families it’s way way more than lots of wholesome, natural foodstuffs. Or abs of steel, mastering the thigh master exercise regiments.

When you open up the daily newspapers or scroll the cyber newsprint that is not quite the same as feeling, smelling, turning the pages, what do you dine on? What media stream tone, attitude, approach is in the mix of messages you and I, our families, neighbors, co workers, community are exposed to? Do you think folks enjoy a steady diet of crime, negativity, despair and court news? Does that exercise and get the blood flowing in the brain in a good way? Is it the easy low hanging news to gather the reason? Who ordered this to put in our system and is it the healthiest for long term good inside and out?

Sometimes the degree of the negative does reflect the area you live in that is a hot spot, bastion of bad.

Which begs the issue why do you continue to live there? Different place then when you first crossed the town or city lines and a slow decay happened, just evolved? Or is society so unhappy as a whole, taking more of a negative slant in the presentation, interpretation of the news no matter where you hang your hat?

Bad things happen in any area and not covering the who, what, why, how and when would not be responsible journalism. To pull punches or promote propaganda with an agenda would be the wrong end of the teeter totter for fair and balanced reporting the news. But the just the facts approach has been replaced with giant helpings of making the reader, viewer, listener entertained. Spoon fed with easy clever sound bites and the attempt to make serious subjects instead covered in limited comic book simplicity. Sometimes just lack of time for folks to make an effort to go beyond the couple paragraphs or half minute story is the kink in the information hose. Or just scanning images. The caption is the text message and you are on your own to fill in the rest. With a negative default gloom and doom expectation generated on your own. Or lack of desire, apathy kicks in with discouragement swelling inside like a cancer. Just some much negative news hogging the conveyor belt of the fast moving information delivery. All there is to “digest”.

Maybe living in small town rural Maine isolates, insulates me from the full force of real hard core negative news.

Or just simpler living, lack of bylines of the bad stuff of drive by shootings, gang wars that don’t happen in the 4th lowest crime state. But the point is with a steady diet of negative, shock and awe awful daily news, don’t you find the conversations, viewpoints with all that literary toxins in your system bogs down? Causes deeper cynicism? Would start to show symptoms, have an overall tone of not so happy, anything but positive or full of hope substance threads in the back and forth chit chat?

Maybe it is you are what you read, hear, listen to as well as what you eat.

What you witness, put into your body through eyes and ear not just the pie hole. And if lacking the spiritual, on your knees in the garden to cultivate the compassion, the empathy, the grace and forgiveness, peace, joy, acceptance of others different than you major intellectual food groups, our diet is incomplete. Add in some lack of exercise to feel alive, new, fresh, sharp. And by the way, where do you get your news? How’s that working for you, what’s the take away in your attitude, approach to life? Feel good after a news gathering exercise and inspired? Motivated or drained?

And conversations at family gatherings around the table…what is talked, bandied about? Gossip about others on the long list of who you don’t like one by one? Or are your kids, young ones hearing about family history, memorable moments and positive news from local community service in your area. Through civic clubs, etc. that all are involved in no matter what their age to do their part? Why does tearing down others make a person feel better as long as they are not the stone recipient, off the hook, out of the spotlight of public or private scrutiny?

Bad, destructive snow balls rolling, picking up steam, speed and getting larger can happen.

But start in our homes, on the local streets. If parents talk around the same dining room table or breakfast nook, kitchen bar about your coach is a jerk for not starting you in Friday night’s game. You weren’t speeding through town soothing happening. The teacher that flunked your past chemistry test in bright red comments is an idiot cooed to your son or daughter. Your bus driver who kicked you off the bright yellow what you term “looser cruiser” will be fired. If the parent has his way with the school board. Where a few members owe him a favor. Or becomes the whole purpose for his or her running next term. To push your weight around in a way that hurts the kids, the community but causes some twisted self satisfaction. Creating a tone of don’t mess with you, your cubs or else. And the threat of a lawsuit with a legal beagle warning springing quick to the lips. Ready to kick into gear with one punch of a key on speed dial on their not so smart phone, weapon of choice.

Anger at others, the situation, job, life, relationship, etc. Despite the disruption Jimmy or Jill cause routinely that almost caused a bus accidents with fifty five other kids to corral behind the driver in charge of a major treasure… your kids. You charge ahead ignoring the red flag of holding the son or daughter responsible for their actions. What will your kids think about their future boss? Super critical, negative and self serving all that matters? Would you hire your kid? Are you teaching them customer service skills of good manners, work ethic and not to play the blame game? To pitch in and be helpful?

The filtering down of the substance of the news, the approach in reporting it and the rub of how it affects the target audience.

I am not saying some folks could not be card carrying Eeyores without the help of the talking heads, newsprint black and white with all the colored ad inserts that drift out. As you release, open up, unfold at the crease. But weeds happen in fertile soil that is neglected, not tended. Not fertilized, seedlings directed for good things to grow, be harvested and enjoyed. To benefit more than one person. For the greater good.

The attacks, kidney jabs, barbs and jagged broken sharp glass edged editorials that tear down, strip, expose and tar and feather daily our public officials. That used to serve for the greater good. It erodes the faith and confidence we should have in elected officials. And it is unfair to vilify all in town halls, under state capitol rotundas and in county government court houses, local facilities to serve the public. To uphold the laws of the land and advance society, our nation. Starting in the grass roots, out here in the hinterland.

Values, beliefs, morals, and the discussions you engage in with your peers, family, co workers, do you feel uncomfortable more and more often? As folks that whine, bitch, moan, complain big time. But offer little in the way of solutions? Don’t have much good to say about others but themselves? And often character sniper, beat down one by one folks trying to shepherd. To do good, work to improve and make tough situations better.

If you were the editor of your daily newspaper, director of your local broadcast news channel, would you have integrity but also feel like a coach, pastor, teacher, parent to nurture, feed and help advance, promote the area good points?

You and I are “they”. Not removed but mired deep in the mud. Dig in, get your hands dirty to improve, enlighten.

The rays of hope, encouragement and to shine brighter from a positive approach with balance in the news presentation. Do you ever feel there is more worthwhile events needing newsprint and airtime than what hits you on the front page and editorial saturation you have to dine on? Someone must think differently and that filter, screen for the worse to highlight, squeeze out what some term the “warm and fuzzy” cute man on the street vignettes. Sorry we are out of time for that Mr Rosy tinted glasses. Too wimpy, sappy and not negative enough to scare, get noticed and cause edge of your seat read all about it.

Maybe it is a blurred reflection of society today that is happening to shape the look, feel, horsepower of the news. Maybe add in some seasoning of the journalist is trying to sensationalize to advance his or her career. A little bit lazy to only cover and amplify the police scanner squawk box, the legislative beat of the sea of new, sometimes outrageous bills being introduced. Thrashed and trashed in hearings at large rooms off long legislative halls. While larger issues get ignored, are not so hot topics or tackled with vim and vigor attention due to cut backs in staffs. Stretched budgets in news gathering entities today.

Thus low tech blogging, the posts form regular folks in the real world closer to the news. And maybe as a relief, release from higher up on the journalism food chain where out of touch can happen. Small, lean and mean armies of one that hunt and peck. Raw, unpolished, but real honesty is being broadcast online. Turn it up. Pitch in, get on board to be positive, proactive, to do good. Stimulate discussion in areas being neglected that affect each and every one of us. Offer solutions, start small, think big but beat the drum, march together.

Maine, big state, less people, greater awareness happens as you dissolve in the natural beauty around us in Vacationland.

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

May 21, 2013
Graduation Colorado College In The Springs Today, For Youngest Cub.

Graduations, like weddings, even funerals can enlighten, give everyone in the audience, not just with the square shaped hats some take away.

To apply and consider. To spur on and persist to do more with your life for the good of others. Graduation from Colorado College for youngest son today. Colorado Springs weather was great. The crowd of families, professors, students, alumni all crowded around the graduation ceremony Colorado College closing festivities. To say good bye with a mountain range backdrop.

Colorado College in Colorado Springs CO today for Me In Maine author’s youngest son.

Proud of youngest son Elliot and girlfriend Cindy who both graduated.

Lots of hard work with thoughtful results ahead for the young graduates. Congratulations all area schools hosting the time honored tradition of commencement exercises.

Maine, come dissolve in the four season outdoor wonderment.

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

May 20, 2013
Storms In Life, We Need Each Other, To Extend Grace, All In The Same Boat.

Hang On, To Stay In The Boat We Need Each Other.

On the way to youngest son’s graduation from Colorado College, aboard the silver bird scanned a kindle version of a good read.

Brennan Manning’s The Ragamuffin Gospel. Although never thought of God as a bean counter, that tallies up our mistakes and hangs his head in shame. I was brought up with my Mom especially preaching God is pure omnipotent, all knowing love.

Extending grace and preaching moderation in striving to do better.

To stretch, not get comfortable and to read, pray, search. Improving, acknowledging areas where we are weak to grow stronger in faith. To become more and realize in that growth will come missteps, missed cues, valuable red flags not seen. Losing our way on the lighted path of right and wrong. But not to stand still, lay blame or become lazy in all we do for our families, all our relationships. To have faith. That it is all about providing others enrichment that surround, are all around us in life.

Forgiving ourselves, others and to count your blessings the pretty much meat and potatoes of what my three older brothers and I were taught, shown. Be joyful and realize it’s all about what is in your heart and the sincerity, the driving force passion of what you do. For the right reasons. Without cloud of judgement caused by a nasty habit of “stinking thinking“. Look for the good, practice moderations, find solutions. Work together to find a common, center ground when storms come up.

To not just labor in earnest on your faith for some future day when really needed.

Like breaking the glass to get to the fire alarm lever. But to use it, apply it and “dress” for the day putting on the spiritual garments needed to be strong, to do good.

Brennan Manning died this past Friday. But that is the power of the written word that lives on. And all of us can glean, apply and unlock mysteries that we need to for a richer, more fulfilling life.

In this day and age of slick spin, insincerity and a blur of events, tasks that weakens, wearies us all, Brennan Manning’s work read by members of U2, so many around the world is brutally refreshing.

Exposing how we are imposters. Uncovering, shining bright glaring lights for all to see as he uncovers self hate habits of being beat down. And instead the urgency to find the pathway to self acceptance. To surround yourself with others that do too. Building, filling up on and extending grace to have the peace so many find elusive, fleeting. And keeps them in the dark, lost, searching.

I am looking forward to reaching for more of his work to add to the spiritual journey we are all on to seek answers, understanding. To be better people with a purpose to benefit others around us in new, different, exciting uplifting ways. There are so many great minds like CS Lewis to delve into, discover and improve your viewpoint on life. And the direction you should be gently guiding it.

Maine, you will like the space, the unspoiled four season setting. Spend time finding out what you have put off, has been missing in your life in the outdoor jaw dropping, heart throbbing natural beauty

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

May 19, 2013
The 1970 Dodge Challenger Coated, Painted Plum Crazy Purple.

The Color Plum Crazy Purple. Way Way Over Powered Too.

The color of the 1970 Dodge Challenger selected, picked from a build sheet option list of light gold, plum crazy purple, sublime green, go-mango orange, hemi-orange, banana yellow, light, bright or dark metallic blue, rallye red, light or dark green metallic, white, black, cream or panther pink.

The car new buyer finishing a tour of duty in the unpopular war in jungles of Vietnam. That took him thirty five years to let go of the lousy home coming reception for his efforts half way around the World.

Where his job was to helicopter out in pitch black nights, repel down a rope, listen for battle field moans of the still alive wounded, bleeding.

Locate, get them in a chair, hooked to a cable and hoisted skyward. What do you do for work and is it something you bring home with you, think about late at night and can not shake so easy?

The Old Cars That Stay In The Family. Passed On. Barn Finds Hidden Or Carefully Restored.

The Mopar powered 383 cubic inch, 335 horse power four barrel magnum power plant V-8 was supposed to hit the dealership in South Dakota showroom smack dab on Valentine’s Day. It ended up missing that birthday delivery by a month. And came with a bottle cap inserted in the rocker panel by someone with a sense of humor. A real tease from the Chrysler factory in Detroit at the end of a production line shift.

When found, isolated and removed the annoying rattling, rocking, rolling around beer cap had the inscription “glad you found it”. The car ordered from Vietnam by the solider doing hazard duty daily. Made famous in the movie “Vanishing Point”. Where is takes a Mopar to catch a Mopar it seems. The true story told to me out in Colorado Springs by the owner of the Challenger who I bumped into and struck up a conversation. After driving west with my youngest son in a jeep to leave it with him at college and then fly back to Maine.

The Challenger came with almost every Chrysler engine option under the sun.

Designed to compete against the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang “pony cars”. My brothers Jonathan and Brian drove a 1967 high performance 289 V8 Mustang that was springtime yellow with a black vinyl top, dual exhaust, close ratio four speed manual transmission.

Bought by my parents during a better than average Maine potato year as payment for all the work the two boys did on the farm through out their childhood. Not sure how Dad got the bigger power plant by my Mom but maybe hinted it might be trailer hitched, needed to pull farm machinery. Plus Dad got a vicarious thrill taking the Mustang to early morning breakfast at Dana’s, the Miss Aroostook Diner or other haunts for a coffee spike. Like other Dad’s financing way way too fast, over powered muscle cars.

I remember being a small child in the back seat when an elderly Clyde Warman wandered by mistake over into the Mustang’s side of the road. Nimble on pavement with the 289 V8 and four barrel, stick shift but not so steerable as we left the Ludlow Road. Just missing a power pole as the driver’s side door was grazed. So was the rear quarter panel. But a head on collision was avoided and the car could be repaired.

Rusting, Waiting, Off The Road. Old Cars In Maine Along The Highway.

Still remember hearing an excited Dad telling Mom riding shot gun that “Weeze.. I don’t think he sees me, is not going to get back over on his side of the road in time”!

As we went zig zag north into a potato field. Call a tow truck, head to the car body repair shop. Off to see Frenchie Beaulieu for some new auto parts, fresh paint, a straightening procedure. To remove the new wrinkles added to the curves and original lines punched out by the factory metal press.

Keith back from the Vietnam tour of duty finally with the keys to the new plum crazy purple 1970 Dodge Challenger said heads turned as he idled out of the dealership.

Spring Time Yellow The Color Of The 1967 Mustang My Brothers Drove.

The color, style got attention of folks along the street of his small town. And police too sitting in their cruisers. Getting complaint calls of high speed quarter miles, road races.

Always someone wanting to race, needing to prove ability to getting to higher speeds than you. With seasoned shifting, RPM and wheel handing skill prowess. Faster than all cars in his territory except an American Motors AMX with 390 doctored, enhanced, punched, ported, blue printed and balanced. A not so factory stock standard anymore cubic inch motor screaming, unleashed under the hood.

Law enforcement officials, a judge that literally, actually removed the wheels of the purple colored Challenger and hid them at his farm.

Fix It Up, Make It Road Worthy?

A father too pulling his remaining hair out in the stress of in and out of the court system. All along with the insurance company noticing the ticket count convinced Keith to sell his welcome home from Vietnam grape colored ride. Traded in for a pick up. Sounds like the frustration of the father in “Hot Rod Lincoln”. Hum along a few bars. “Son, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’ if you don’t stop drivin’ that hot rod Lincoln”.

The car title transferred and keys handed to another with a handshake to seal the deal. With the eventual new owner sliding behind the leather wrapped wheel sadly hitting a ledge outcropping within four weeks of purchase. Pushing the engine back into his lap and killing the car and driver in the process. Out in a plum purple crazy colored blaze of short lived glory.

Less people on the road, cheaper gas, and letting off steam from the turbulent times of the 1960’s meant driving on the edge.

Try It Again ..(“Whirring, Starter Not Engaging With Flywheel Sound) Hang On… Let Me Check The Bendix Spring. Hand Me A 5/8 Socket Wrench Would You Stan?

Pushing the limits. Maybe believing you with the pedal to the metal were bullet proof. Or trying to run away from something other than just the law setting up speed traps, road blocks. The music scene of the 1960’s with wailing Jimi Hendrix “are you experienced” guitar licks and beach rock and CSN& Y harmonies were on the Maine AM broadcasting air waves.

Jimmy Ritchie recalled in Houlton Maine lots of Comet Caliente cars in assorted colors too.

Snookie Bossie had one that was yellow, Dickie Miller one in red, John Botting one he did not drive for fear of being caught that was green, and Bennie Bennett’s dark blue horse from the same muscle car stable.

Old Cars In Black And White. The Rows And Rows Parked in A Small Maine Town!

Quarter miles timed, recorded on the Porter Settlement Road. Or coming back the old way from Canada, on the new Interstate 95 first two way lane system were all proving grounds hot spots.

To road test, gain bragging rights. To wear and tear on tires, tie rods, rear ends and drive trains long before the popular “Fast and Furious” movie franchise rolled out on the silver screen. Or made it’s numbered series home theatre debut.

Old cars bought late in life to restore happens a lot in small Maine towns.

Re-capturing the past or finally owning a car you wanted in high school but there just was not money to buy. Better late than never and if you want something bad enough. You’ll get the keys to the old car in Maine.

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

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

May 18, 2013
Protecting Maine’s Natural Resources, Lakes Everyone’s Job.

The Watershed Of A Maine Lake, Means Improper Over Cutting Operations Hurt Water Quality, Wildlife Health.

Using one word descriptions for a place with space like Maine is hard.

Because single, word pairs don’t begin to do the job sufficiently. The highly faceted Maine jewel does lots of things, affects different folks in various ways too. A retreat to recharge. A setting to raise a family with simple living, down to Earth values. She represents a low cost Maine property investment. The drop dead gorgeous surrounding is everything times four too. Because each of the special seasons bring their own unique set of outdoor recreation choices. Assorted high enjoyment leisure options in an unspoiled natural landscape second to none.

But it does not just happen. Maine will not be a unwavering stunning constant without everyone sharing, pitching in to her care. Time in the Pine Tree State comes with responsibilities to take very serious. Being good stewards means respect, awareness. Passing along the place where you tread lightly to loved ones, future generations in as good, or even better condition than you were fortunate to receive it.

Since the early 1980’s I have been lucky to be associated with the Drews Lake Property Owner’s Association. A non profit neat waterfront group started back in the 1930’s. That share the common love, enjoyment of a lake in Aroostook County in the towns of New Limerick, Linneus and the west end in Oakfield Maine. Other lakes like Nickerson, East Grand Lake, many around Maine share strong, sensitive hard working groups of individuals. With “fire in their belly” to protect these Maine waterfront natural gems, treasures.

Over a 1000 acres large, fun, Drews Lake also known in map circles as Meduxnekeag Lake, the headwaters of the river of the same name.

That is Maliseet, Native American speak for “rocks at it’s mouth”. The DLPOA purchased the dam at the boat launch on the east end of the lake for one dollar. The state of Maine was glad to hand over responsibility for the three acres of tall mature stately pines and a rickety dam needing TLC, replacement. Funds for a new dam were raised to assure lake water levels would remain constant. Not up and down which affects the habitat. Especially loons nesting on the four islands, protected shoreline away from boats, wave action.

When the kids were young, I took them along to survey the section of lake around our waterfront home. Others around Drews Lake divided up the shoreline too and with clip board, one by one surveyed properties. Outlined the problem areas that needed addressing with USDA Soil and Water Conversation District highly competitive funding requests. To ease the strain of erosion, other man made pressures on the delicate waterfront quality.

The family put on rain coats, and made note of where undersized or missing roadway culverts were causing silt, debris, organic matter to spill, race to the lake.

Choking fish, causing algae bloom from phosphorous spikes due to many factors. Improperly designed road and driveways that contribute to over fifty percent of the stress, lake strain noted, flagged. Rain amplified the problem areas so one by one the family started to notice problems when quizzed. Areas missed, not so obvious before our hike and field trip in rain gear.

Protecting A Maine Lake For The Next Generation Takes Effort, Awareness.

Hillsides devoid of vegetation buffers, shorelines with out the riparian strips of plant, bushes, tree life to stop, hold back the run off.

Before it dumps into the Maine lake where if fish could talk, they would gurgle their distaste for lawns. Prefer tress to weed and feed, pressure treated docks. Upset about winter ice fishing trash, fire burnt log remains left to sink into the water. All hurt the Maine lake water quality and clarity. Make for one tough neighborhood for the fish, Maine loons, anything alive to survive, be healthy. Surrounding the water frontage, islands, any property owner, tax payer to be lucky enough to have a Maine lake for a neighbor.

The kids and I noticed, spied uncovered piles of loam, topsoil that was destined for a raised bed flower or vegetable garden. Or to fill in a bald spot on a lawn ravaged by winter snow plowing. Maybe the hole from dead trees too close to power lines needing plugging, grass or ground cover seeding. During the rain, you could see the brown plum finding its way, snaking down the hilly slope into the Maine lake. Or driveways that did not angle or meander, wind to the cottage, camp, home. But steep, straight in which again causes water racing. Carrying with it silt, dirt, leaves, debris into you know where. It is good to teach kids about the importance of protecting a Maine lake, any natural resource before it’s too late.

Awareness of a cutting, timber harvest operation many miles away suddenly develops as you focus, study, perform a physical on a Maine lake.

And concern over the inlets to the Maine lake that receive the soil erosion, runoff of silt, pollutants that hurt the waterbody’s health. The DLPOA is a member of COLA, the Congress of Lakes Association which has great newsletters, workshops and shares the same love of a lake that won’t be healthy on its own. That will die from milfoil, lack of respect from property owners surrounding it if careless, inattentive, insensitive to its protection.

Learn more about Drews Lake at this link. Consider joining, pitching in on Maine lake clean ups, workshops for funding to help them stay clean, natural, fun for the entire family enjoyment for years to come.

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

May 16, 2013