Category: Houlton Maine

Maine Boy With A Leaking Boot

The boy was in rough shape, problems way beyond just a leaky boot.

It took two men and another small boy to heft him up and onto an ambulance stretcher. 600 pounds was the legal limit for the gurney. The boy’s over 600 pounds maxed out the stretcher’s legal weight limit warning tag.

What happened to the Maine boy?

Exposure and too much time left outdoors through all types of weather had caused the steady decline. Loved by all, he was a popular boy known by many. But the years of cold wet weather and wind combined with harsh baking sunshine exposure were catching up to the boy with the outdoor home.

Houlton Maine’s Town Ambassador Clancy. Boy With The Leaking Boot! See The Careful RX Notes On The Clipboard?

The ambulance snaked its way to Hodgdon, going out the Calais Road and slowly turning onto the Catalina Road.

The situation was dire, the long list of ailments and need for emergency surgery called for special attention stat.

After backing beep beep beep into the location where the boy would spend months of rehabilitation, it took many hands to carefully, slowly pull out and easy does it lower Clancy and the stretcher to ground level.

Rolling him into the open, well lit garage bay door, the rehab work began immediately under the watchful eye and skilled hand of Rod Hemingway. (Silence) What?

Why Rod Hemingway? I mean, gee I know he is a skilled plumber and bee keeper, boy scout team leader and pretty crafty at rebuilding yesteryear early snowmobiles but why Rod? Does he have a medical degree?

Fix The Leak, Lots Of Other Issues. Rod Hemmingway Tapped To Do The Intricate Work.

The boy was so heavy because he was made of pig iron. Bulky like dead weight cast iron radiators.

His head had come off and his arm held high all those years holding rock steady a perpetual leaking boot was compromised too.

Kids Laughing, In Safe Small Town Surroundings. Not Noisy Cities. Saying Hello To The Houlton Maine Boy With The Leaking Boot Called Clancy.

Everything canceled. No more shows, no more public displays. And probably no more moving back and forth to his winter home at Houlton PD where he wears a festive Santa hat.

Ho Ho Ho.

He is the best gift to a town a kind person could ever give in memory of her dearly departed husband.

Life had caught up to the boy despite Mike Clark and Kay Trickey and Bob Aucoin among others providing emergency care and touch up over the years.

Too much outdoor living and picture taking with selfie posing tourists. Too many HFD ice cream cones enjoyed while listening and admiring his leaking boot. Everyone admires His distinctive red shirt, blue pants and turn of the century hat.

Houlton Maine Statue Welcome To Houlton Maine Ambassador To The Shiretown.

The 1916 Ambassador of Houlton Maine purchased by Clara Frisbe for the area to enjoy and to welcome out of town guests was in seriously poor condition. Needing more than a cosmetic patch and a dab of new paint.

Rod Hemmingway is old enough to know about soldering, welding the brittle and outdated materials used back in 1916. His mission was to reattach the boy’s head, to reinforce and make the boy’s body parts solid and better than new.

Or at least get the boy back on his feet and able to climb back up on his dark green 8 water fountain pedestal perch.

Where is his home? His home today in the Pierce Park triangle where Main and Military merge in Houlton Maine is a common tourist destination stop. Where the PD and FD can be close at hand if the need arises.

Under Repair, Fixing What Ails The Boy With The Leaking Boot!

How did the touch and go life and death operation go? (Sound of medical equipment beeping monitors and respirator puffs of air)

It was nip and tuck. Lots of consulting, using the cell phone shout outs, the computer for technical advice consultations.

Long hours in the garage under the shop lights with construction of special brackets and jacks to hoist the heavy boy up and spin him around during several reconstruction procedures.

Some of those operations were trial and error but eventually the reinforcing was done, painting complete and all just in time for the summer tourist season.

Thank you Rod Hemingway for so so many hours of precision attention to Clancy, our friendly welcoming symbol of Houlton Maine, the Aroostook County seat, our beloved Shiretown.

Only a few these boys were produced back in 1916. Leigh, please jump in and tell us more about Clara Frisbe’s $1000 dollar gift that brought the boy to Houlton Maine from New Jersey.

Remember when the boy was parked in front of the Cary Library? https://www.flickr.com/photos/mooersrealty/3272470515

The newly rebuilt boy with the leaking boot is getting finishing shiny cosmetic touches.

Experimenting with paint because his color looked like iron poor blood. So much intricate work done to reinforce and replace the damage of time.

(You try holding a heavy water filled boot high in the air for 109 years and see how your body reacts.) Probably hard on L3 and L4 or other parts of your back and neck structure no?

Paul Bunyan, Welcomes You 365-24-7 To Bangor Maine.

Stay tuned for Clancy’s like new factory fresh appearance.

His plastic surgery did not involve use of Botox.

No, he did not need a tummy tuck or stomach staple, dentures or hair plugs either.

This morning Rod and his associate Cheryl Welton are working steadily to complete the final touches.

Will post new images and please share the news and your fond memories of the boy with the leaking boot.

Do you have a beloved well known symbol of your small Maine town?

Houlton Maine, Everyone Some Kind Of Pumped Up Excited About The Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024!

A covered bridge, a Paul Bunyan that represents the vast wooded forest sections of 91% of Maine?

What would be a good addition to your local small rural Maine community if not and let’s start fund raising?

The boy with the leaking boot was a big hit during the solar total eclipse in Houlton Maine too.

If traveling through Houlton Maine in Aroostook County, don’t miss sampling an ice cream and photo bombing the Boy with the leaky boot as a keepsake remembrance.

Tourism in Maine is not not so hot and heavy in small rural Maine communities. But the simple lifestyle and outdoor recreation opportunities they offer are no longer a secret.

The word is out and more folks outside Maine was what we have had for years.

These Me In Maine blog posts are designed to one by one spill the beans. Friendly, no traffic, low crime all pure and natural outdoor splendor. Maine, the way life should be and yes, the locals know how lucky we are to live, work and play in Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

May 19, 2025
International Boundary Between Maine And Canada
International boundary between Maine and Canada.

Let’s face it, Maine is pretty much sticking up all by itself in the right hand corner of the US. Quebec and New Brunswick Canada surround Maine wherever the rugged rocky coastline does not right?

So for someone growing up in a Maine border town like I did in Houlton Maine, Aroostook County, it’s no big deal. But in my job as a Maine real estate broker, I get asked a lot what it is like being on the Maine-US-Canadian border.

There are a lot of perks being a Maine border town with Canada.

How Can You Tell Where USA Ends, Canada Begins? Visual Markers Between The Countries!

We are all related too back and forth on both sides of the International boundary between Maine and Canada. If you kids play hockey, you definitely get to know your way around the Canadian provinces and where all the ice arenas are located.

Canada is a lower cost easy to access vacation option too for close to home get away with the stronger US dollar.

But the International boundary line border crossing and markings to divide the two countries Maine and Canada.

How does that work so the average Joe and Jane know which is which to avoid wandering over from one to the other by mistake?

Where I live, there are lots of roads that used to be border crossings that are not blocked off and dead end.

Whenever I am listing or showing properties in Maine near the border. It is not uncommon to see the white pickup. The one with the green line down across it.

US Border Patrol’s sector headquarters is in Houlton Maine.

Since 911 happened, a bigger beefed up presence is felt on both sides of the International boundary line border crossing.

This is what you see crossing from New Brunswick Canada into Houlton Maine’s US port of entry for a boundary market.

The I-95 Approach Leaving Maine USA Into New Brunswick Canada.
The International Boundary Commission (IBC) is responsible for surveying and mapping the Canada–United States border.

This includes the boundary between Maine and Canada.

The IBC maintains over 8,000 monuments and reference points along the 8,891 km (5,525 miles) boundary.

This kind of attention to keeping the boundary line crystal clear on foot or visible from the air ensures its clear demarcation.

No misunderstandings where things starts or stops.

International Boundary Commission

Spacing of Boundary Markers:
- Primary Monuments: These are placed at significant points along the boundary, such as where the line changes direction or at major geographical features.
- The spacing between primary monuments varies depending on the terrain and visibility requirements.
- Intermediate Markers: In areas where additional visibility is needed, smaller intermediate markers are installed. To use between primary monuments to ensure the boundary line is clearly defined.
Maintenance of the Boundary:
- Cleared “Vista”: The IBC maintains a 6-meter (20-foot) wide cleared swath, known as a “vista,” along the land boundary line. This clearing extends 3 meters (10 feet) on either side of the boundary to keep the line visible and prevent overgrowth.
  Houlton Maine Old Abandoned US Port Of Entry Customs Immigration Station.
  
  International Boundary Commission
Accessing Boundary Maps and Coordinates:
- Official Maps: The IBC provides access to official maps and the most recent geodetic coordinates of the international boundary.
- These resources are organized into sections and subsections corresponding to areas with homogeneous characteristics.
  International Boundary Commission
- Digital Boundary Data: For mapping purposes, the IBC offers digital boundary data generated from NAD83 geographic positions of boundary monuments and turning points.
- This data is intended for mapping use only and should not be used to define the legal boundary.
  Crossing From Maine Into Canada, The Houlton Port Of Entry Station.
  
  International Boundary Commission
Want more detailed information on specific marker locations, spacing?

And to view official boundary maps, you can visit the IBC’s Maps & Coordinates page.

This resource provides comprehensive maps and data pertinent to the Maine-Canada boundary.

Coming back from a one day over and the next back from Maine to Fredericton New Brunswick. There was a short line at the port of entry.

Took a few photos of the granite markers you see out the car window making it crystal clear which country you are entering or leaving.

What about the International border market spacing?

The Line Between Maine USA And Canada. The Map That Shows The Straight Line North And South.
The distance apart of boundary markers along the Maine-Canada border varies.

It’s all visual, line of site.

It all depends on the terrain, visibility, and historical agreements.

But the boundary line markers are generally placed at intervals of 1 mile or less. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. General Spacing Guidelines

Primary Boundary Monuments: These are typically placed at significant points, such as river crossings, ridge lines, or areas where the boundary changes direction.

In flat or open areas, primary markers may be spaced 1 mile apart.

In more rugged or forested areas, the spacing might be shorter to ensure clear delineation.

Intermediate Markers: Smaller markers are placed between primary monuments in areas where additional visibility is needed.

This helps reduce the distance between markers to several hundred yards.

2. The Cleared “Vista”

A 20-foot-wide cleared strip along the boundary (called the “vista”) ensures the border remains visible. Even when the markers themselves are spaced farther apart.

The vista allows surveyors and travelers to visually follow the border line.

3. Variations in Marker Placement

In areas with natural boundaries (e.g., the St. John River), markers are placed at key access points rather than at regular intervals.

In heavily forested or less accessible regions, markers may be closer together to aid navigation and ensure clarity.

4. Surveying Standards

The International Boundary Commission (IBC) is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the markers. They ensure markers are appropriately spaced and replace damaged or missing markers as needed.

Modern GPS technology and historical records are used to ensure the accuracy of the boundary line and marker placements.

5. Practical Implications

For those traveling along the border or inspecting it. Those markers and the cleared vista provide a clear and continuous visual reference for the international boundary.

The system ensures that the boundary is well-defined despite challenging geography or changing environmental conditions.

If you’re looking for precise distances or a specific area of interest, the International Boundary Commission’s maps and reports provide detailed information about marker locations and spacing.

The Maine-Canada border took a long time to resolve due to a combination of geographical, political, and economic factors. Here’s why it was so complex and why the issue persisted for decades:

Why did it take so long for the boundary line to be determined and agreed upon by both countries?

Leaving Canada, Entering USA In Maine, What You See On The International Boundary Crossing.

1. Ambiguous Language in the Treaty of Paris (1783)

The Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War, was supposed to define the boundaries between the United States and British-controlled Canada. However, the language describing the northeastern boundary was vague. It relied on natural landmarks like rivers and highlands. Those were poorly mapped at the time.

The treaty referred to the “highlands which divide rivers flowing into the St. Lawrence from those which flow into the Atlantic.” This definition was open to interpretation. It caused disputes over which “highlands” were being referenced.

2. Poor Mapping and Limited Knowledge of the Region

Maps of the late 18th and early 19th centuries were often inaccurate. Surveying techniques were rudimentary. The dense forests of northern Maine and New Brunswick made the region difficult to explore.

Early maps, like the Mitchell Map, which was used during the Treaty of Paris negotiations, were misleading and contributed to the confusion.

3. Competing Economic Interests

The Aroostook River Valley was rich in timber, and both the U.S. and Britain (Canada) wanted control of the resources. The economic importance of the logging industry intensified the territorial dispute.

Settlers from both sides began using the disputed land, increasing tensions as they competed for resources.

4. Strategic Importance

The British sought a secure land route between their maritime colonies (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia) and Quebec. Control of the disputed territory was critical for maintaining this connection.

The U.S., meanwhile, wanted to expand its territory. To secure the US Canada border for future settlement and economic development.

5. Settlement Patterns

By the early 19th century, settlers from both sides were already living in the disputed territory. These communities, especially French-speaking Acadians, complicated the issue. They often had loyalties that crossed national boundary border lines.

6. Political Tensions Between the U.S. and Britain

The War of 1812 heightened tensions between the U.S. and Britain, delaying a peaceful resolution to the border issue.

After the war, negotiations resumed but were slow. Each side feared conceding territory, which might be seen as a sign of weakness.

7. The Aroostook War (1838-1839)

The boundary dispute escalated into the Aroostook War, a bloodless confrontation involving American and British/Canadian militias. This underscored the urgent need to settle the boundary dispute.

Both sides recognized that armed conflict over the issue was undesirable, leading to intensified negotiations.

8. Resolution: The Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842)

The boundary was finally settled through diplomacy with the Webster-Ashburton Treaty. Negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Webster and British diplomat Lord Ashburton.

The treaty divided the disputed territory. Giving most of the Aroostook Valley to the U.S. while ensuring Britain maintained access to critical transportation routes.

9. Post-Treaty Adjustments

Even after 1842, there were minor adjustments and surveys to finalize the border. This slow process reflected the ongoing need to map and mark the boundary accurately.

Conclusion

The Maine-Canada border dispute took so long to resolve because of vague treaties.

Not All Boundary Markers Concrete Or Granite. Some More Modern And Shiny.

Poor maps, economic competition, and geopolitical tensions did not help the geography lesson.

The railroads on both side of the border pushed hard to know where the dotted line was going to be.

Before laying iron rails nailed to railroad timbers and clearing lines, building bridges. Not so easy when governments with history good and bad between them causes some hard feelings.

Defining borders in uncharted and contested territories is challenging. Ultimately, diplomacy prevailed, setting a precedent for peaceful resolution of disputes between the U.S. and Canada.

I’d always heard the final boundary line was decided with a bottle of whiskey.

Maybe they cut the cards or were playing horseshoes. That’s a blog post for another day.

The history of the U.S.-Canada border in Aroostook County, Maine, is deeply intertwined with the early settlement of the region, diplomatic disputes, and economic development.

Aroostook County, located in northern Maine, shares a lengthy border with the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec. Here’s an overview of its border history:

The Line In The Sand… Er In The Maine Woods And Canada. US Border Patrol Helps Police The Line.

Early Settlement and Indigenous History

Before European settlement, the region was inhabited by the Wabanaki Confederacy, particularly the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet tribes, who lived on both sides of what is now the border.

They traveled and traded freely along the St. John River and its tributaries.

French explorers and settlers established a presence in the region as part of Acadia in the early 1600s, laying the foundation for French influence in the area.

British and American Claims

The Treaty of Paris (1783), which ended the American Revolutionary War, was vague about the precise location of the northeastern boundary between the newly formed United States and British-controlled Canada.

This made it kinda fuzzy. Leading to ambiguity and disputes over the border in what became Aroostook County.

Settlers from both sides began populating the region, especially along the St. John River. The mix of French Acadian, British Loyalist, and American settlers complicated territorial claims.

The Aroostook War (1838-1839)

The boundary dispute came to a head during the so-called Aroostook War, a bloodless confrontation between American and British/Canadian lumberjacks and militia forces.

Both sides wanted access to the rich timber resources of the Aroostook River Valley. The conflict escalated as Maine and New Brunswick sent forces to assert their claims.

The dispute was resolved diplomatically through the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, which established the current border. The treaty awarded most of the disputed land to the U.S. but ensured British access to the St. John River for navigation.
No Passport Needed. Maine And Canadian Moose Travel Back And Forth Across The International Border.

Inspection, The Stop To Roll Down The Window, Hand Over The Passport.

Economic and Social Ties

Despite the formal border, economic and social connections remained strong between Aroostook County and neighboring New Brunswick. The logging industry and later the potato industry fostered cross-border trade and relationships.

Families often had members on both sides of the border, and shared cultural ties endured, especially among French-speaking Acadian communities.

Modern Era

Today, the U.S.-Canada border in Aroostook County is marked by official crossings like those in Fort Kent, Van Buren, and Houlton. These towns remain gateways for trade and travel between Maine and Canada.

While stricter border controls were implemented after the September 11, 2001, attacks, the region continues to rely on its cross-border relationship for economic and cultural exchange.

Significance

The history of the Aroostook border reflects broader themes in U.S.-Canadian relations, including the peaceful resolution of disputes, the blending of cultures, and shared economic interests.

The resolution of the Aroostook War and the establishment of a clear border underscored the importance of diplomacy. It set a precedent for U.S.-Canada cooperation.

This region’s unique history remains a point of pride for residents on both sides of the border.

We are all related back and forth.

It all helps emphasize the shared heritage and interdependence despite the international boundary.

In my job as a Maine real estate broker, the question comes up a lot.

More than you would probably think.

Is it dangerous being this close to Canada living in Maine?

No. Heck no.

Walk The Line Like The Johnny Cash Song. If You Don’t The RCMP Or US Border Patrol Want To Have A Little Chat.

It is a perk being on the Canadian border as a Maine small boundary line town.

Both sides enjoy traveling back and forth and the cross border traffic is constant.

It was hard when COVID shut down the crossing ease for both sides and makes us glad we can travel freely now.

We have blogged about traveling to PEI Canada vacations before.

And trips from Maine to Halifax Nova Scotia.

These quick and easy, affordable vacations close to home are a one more benefit of living in Maine.

We take more of these trips to explore different times of the year and to expand where we stay and find new things to enjoy. Quebec is full of history and fun to travel to from Maine.

Thank you for following our Me In Maine blog loyal and faithful readers.

And if you are new to this blog about anything Maine, welcome.

Please reach out online or stop in to see us if in Northern Maine.

I love where I live and want to share all I know about Maine with you.

Please visit the blog post of Maine search bar in whatever interests you. Let me know anything for future Maine blog post topics to cover.

The images are all personally collected and you may even find a video or two from the YouTube Maine community playlist. Please share these blog posts around your social media circles.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA
December 10, 2024
Cheapest Places To Buy A House In Maine?

Cheapest places to buy a house in Maine?

This Maine real estate market report runs down where you can get your best bang for your housing buck. It also answers other current market questions that come up daily running a Maine real estate office.

The lower priced Maine real estate is part of the attraction. But so are the home grown local community events and all natural recreation options to consider in Maine. That’s no bull.

Everyone Pitches In And Turns Out In Small Maine Towns! Parades Are Big And Popular In Maine Communities!

First things first, the current Maine real estate market highlights.

Have to set the stage on what’s shaking now in Maine listing sales. For the fourth month in a row, Maine house sales increased. Maine is in the top ten states for desirability due to lower prices, less crime, little traffic in rural areas especially.

Maine has a very low percentage of renters, more home owners.

All Natural, Outdoors In Nature. That Is The Big Maine Attraction.

The state’s available Maine housing inventory is the ninth-lowest in the nation.

The latest figures from Maine Listings via the ME Association of Realtors shows 1,180 homes changed hands, up nearly 4 percent.

The Maine median sales price increased over 7 percent. Maine is a more affordable state for owning your own house. Especially as you head up into the rural interior areas away from the pricey coastline.

Because Maine is such a large state, the real estate market report is not a one size fits all.

You cannot broad brush sum it all up accurately without breaking down the numbers. Listing inventory continues to be in short supply and multiple offer situations are still happening.

Sneak A Peek At The Maine Real Estate Housing Numbers.

Waterfront real estate listing sales especially are often bidding wars with the higher than list, cash buyer seeking few if any contingencies coming out on top.

When you list and sell properties in Maine, the housing, just land, small business properties, apartment, etc all the markets within a market behave differently. Region by region no two market property listing segments show you the exact same statistic.

Maine Waterfront Property Listings, Never Enough. Always A Little Higher Priced And Precious.

Where are the majority of Maine single family house buyers coming from in the current real estate market?

Maine Listings data tracking buyer zip codes says the majority statewide are from Massachusetts (7.44%) and next New Hampshire (3.88%). Florida house buyers purchasing in Maine come in at nearly 2% of the transfers, Connecticut at over 1.5% of sales.

The states with the highest house sale price tags are another group paying cash for Maine houses, other property listing types. The attractive to sell high there and buy much lower in rural Maine is a trend.

Interest rates are not a factor for a Maine housing buyer purchasing with cash. Here’s a sample of what house prices in Northern Maine property listings look like to compare to where you currently live on the planet now.

The cheapest places to buy a house in Maine?

Despite Maine’s healthy brisk housing listing sale numbers, the National Association of Realtors reports a housing sales dip of 2.1% across the country.

Looking, Flying Over Houlton Maine, The County’s Oldest Town. Aroostook County Has The Cheapest Maine Housing Of All! Prices Up, Supply Is Down.

Slicing and dicing the Maine real estate market into the sixteen counties and individual communities tells the real listing sales story. Study the latest Maine Listings PDF real estate listing sales housing report.

Aroostook County is the lowest median priced for buying a house.

The average price is $158,132 and house sales are down over 16% due to sold out, lack of inventory.

House prices in Aroostook County are up 1.80% this year compared to last. When an area of Maine has smaller salaries, the property listing prices on all the real estate is lower too.

Kinda like money is taken out of the equation and many locals can do their own household repairs.

Skills taught earlier in life are tapped into to make later living easier and less costly.

Working On A Maine Farm. Outdoors, All Kinds Of Weather, Long Hours Laboring Year Round.

To show the contrast, Maine’s Cumberland County numbers show housings sales are down 2.35%. But the media house price in Cumberland County is up 6.24% from $536,500 last year to

Maine Outdoor Music Band Concerts Get High Local Attendance!

$570,000 in 2024 YTD.

You better make more money, have a higher paying salary to pull of buying a house in Maine in the more expensive coastal zip codes.

The closer to population you get, the higher the Maine house price tags increase. The cost to insure your Maine house goes up too along with the price to pay for property repairs.

Quite a contrast huh in how things shake, rattle and roll real estate wise in Maine?

As a Maine real estate broker for close to 45 years, I’ve witness first hand in the foxhole trenches a wide variety of markets.

But one factor remains the same, everyone is on the hunt for the lowest cost places to buy a house in Maine.

But what really gives the wrong information is the one stat for the entire state of Maine for median sales price, the days on market, for anything that tries to size up “Vacationland”.

If you are searching for Maine real estate, my advice is don’t try to cover the entire state.

Instead, do your online homework first, then take a trip to sample ME.

Maine Farm Fields Bloom With White, Purple, All Kinds Of Potato Blossoms.

Once you find the area that matches your lifestyle interests best and pleases your wallet at the same time, drill down into any and all new property listings.

Otherwise, you will need a helicopter or private jet to zig zag back and forth like a dragon fly to tour the communities, the property listings in it helter skelter.

Draw a circle of how far you want to be from a hospital, your job, schools, Walmart, a golf course, a lake, the wood land rec trails.

Then take a deep dive into what is available and be patient.

To find the cheapest places to buy a house in Maine.

Study what comes up that matches most of the items on your “gotta have / don’t want” Maine real estate property listing search list.

Selling a house out of state and buying a new one to replace it in Maine.

When the new Maine house is in a attractively priced rural area, be prepared to have money left over.

It’s the trend shown in other earlier Maine house sales real estate property listing reports.

Living free and clear, debt free and caught up helps you enjoy life fully.

Living in the 4th lowest crime state of Maine does not hurt either.

Grow Your Own Food, Raise The Flower Gardens On Your Own In Maine.

Rural Maine the cheapest places to buy a house.

No one wants to have two and three mortgages to struggle to make ends meet.

Your home is the largest investment most of us ever make right?

Everything subject to change for Maine real estate house listings sale prices and supply of what is available on any given day.

Thank you for stopping by!

Hope this Maine blog post is helpful.

That’s the current run down on cheapest place to buy a house in Maine, other current factors in the state’s real estate list.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

July 9, 2024
Maine State Soap Box Derby Race 2024

Maine State Soap Box Derby Race 2024.

Since 1996, every June the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Race runs in the town of Houlton ME. This blog post is about this past weekend’s June 22nd 2024 race and with a little Maine soap box derby rich history mixed in for good measure.

Drivers Ready? Checked Your Brakes? Win Pins In? Helmet Feel Right? 3, 2, 1….(Metal Release Sound)

The Houlton Maine / Aroostook County soap box derby race run in Houlton Maine was largest local in the entire nation for five years in a row.

And the Northern Maine race is one and only venue for the state race held each June. To determine a winner in stock, superstock and sometimes master soap box derby race divisions. At one time, Maine had five local races held in Bangor / Brewer, Camden, Houlton, Rumford, South Portland.

The top derby racers in each division class go on from Maine to represent the state out in the All America Soap Box Derby 3 lane track in Akron, Ohio.

The big world series of soap box derby racing tradition started back in 1934.

Maine Soap Box Derby Racers Do Well Competing In Akron Ohio All American Race!

With perfect sunshine summer weather, the 34 derby racers gathered to race on Derby Hill.

This year’s derby race fielded 24 stock and 10 super stock racers. This specially engineered soap box derby racing hill constructed in Community Park in Houlton Maine makes set up and tear down a breeze.

Houlton Maine’s Derby Hill In Community Park! The Thrill Of The Hill in Northern Maine Happens Each June!

The World Series Of Soap Box Derby Racing Happens In Akron Ohio. Since 1934, Kids Compete In Local Races To Go On To Akron’s Big Race.

Derby Hill has a garage storage building perched on top courtesy of the Houlton Rotary Club.

The aviation grade pavement put down on the two lane soap box derby race track has lights, guardrails and is over 900′ long.

One neat slick efficient hill to race on and no more setting up and tear down to make a public street your soap box derby course to compete.

A paved derby side run keeps the supply of soap box derby cars steady. Specially built derby trailers are loaded with empty cars on back. Their car drivers riding in the front tow vehicles pulling these loaded soap box derby trailers.

Helping Young Soap Box Derby Drivers, It Takes A Village, Your Family, Sponsors.

Watch this year’s Maine soap box derby race highlights Facebook video.

The stock derby car class winner this year was Aiden Cyr. Super stock derby car winner was Addyson Lynds. For more on the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby history, check out the images and information here. Visit the Northern Maine soap box derby website.

Stock Racer Aiden Cyr And Super Stock Racer Addyson Lynds Win Houlton Maine Soap Box Derby 2024 Race!

Always looking for new Maine soap box derby racers to catch the fever.

Derby race, car sponsors and family support to help new drivers learn the “Thrill of the Hill” in Houlton Maine. Those folks all come together to create the small Maine town friendly, fair soap box derby racing experience for our youth.

Ready To Race After Loosing A Wheel Pin Cotter Key. No One Hurt, Safety First.

Love to talk “derby” and figure why should a kid wait until they are sixteen to drive a car?

Neat racing event and your entire family is involved in soap box derby. Each child can compete along with their big or little brother and sister. Lots learned about gravity, science of engineering, safety and competing fair and square on Derby Hill in Community Park, Houlton Maine.

Since 1996, have been involved in the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Racing program.

Have helped lots of derby racers, including two of my own kids make the trip west to compete in the All American big race in Akron Ohio.

Gather Round The Soap Box Derby Racing Exam Table. Like A Field Hospital For Repairs And Therapy.

Maine soap box derby racing in Houlton Maine. Reach out, here for questions about everything soap box derby. The Northern ME soap box derby committee puts on the big state of Maine race event each June.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730

June 26, 2024
Is Moving To Maine A Good Idea?

Is moving to Maine a good idea?

Besides being the 4th lowest crime state and cheapest for car insurance premiums, Maine offers more than just cost savings. Affordable housing, unspoiled outdoor recreation and the small-town friendly vibe is a big draw trifecta.

Taking A Break In Maine On The Trail. No Foo Foo Coffees.

Maine is an ideal location if you are after a safe place to raise your family.

To start a business, the overhead is lower in a small town in Maine. Mom and Pop small business owner operators can operate cheaply and efficiently in a small Maine town setting.

The satisfaction serving your Maine small town population is a big reward and you fill an important role in the community.

You are needed in a small Maine town. Volunteering is huge to make the small community a better place to live. We make our own fun and much of the enjoyment is just the space, peace and quiet of the surrounding natural unspoiled setting.

Maine people are not in your face or pushy. You can get away from people living in a small town rural Maine setting.

Maybe you are looking for a waterfront property to use for vacations until you retire.

Here’s a log home on a Maine lake video to watch to see, hear what owning waterfront property would be like.

Maybe a farm property in Maine to horse around is the goal in your search for real estate.

Another video of a Maine home with land and major view to try on and test drive.

Planning to retire in a lower cost of living location and thought Maine is pretty unspoiled and low cost? Had a good experience on past vacations in Maine? That’s usually how it starts. A three day, week long Maine vacation and then whoa. Need more, can’t get enough happens. Maine is a healthy addiction and such a contrast to what a crowded, not so friendly urban setting provides.

Many times the move to Maine is because where you lived before used to be a lot like the small town community under the microscope for consideration.

Maine is a good idea for many people who want to spend time outdoors all year long.

Where you should live or relocate to all revolves around your lifestyle and expectations. There is no perfect location and always give and take concessions when sizing up where you should live at whatever stage of your life right?

Putting On Local Productions Like Children’s Theatre Is One Huge Volunteering Event In Maine.

Today, there are strong opinions on what you should do with everything aspect in your life. We are all surrounded by marketing with an agenda. And it seems also a shrinking tolerance for different viewpoints.

Maine is an open-minded state and big enough so you can protect your privacy and living space.

More wildlife than people and spread out acreage has its advantages.

Common sense found in large supply in small Maine communities.

It still works here. Lots of sage advice and tried/tested options for best life practices are discussed daily down at the local diner or corner Maine convenience store or gas station.

Money From Working For Area Farmers. How To Make Your Own Money, Not Spend Mom And Dad’s Important Skill.

All I know is I like no traffic, lower cost of living, more of a connection with my friends, family and neighbors. I like pitching in and volunteering in my small Maine town. Finding the positive strengths and grateful. Not slamming where I live with what I don’t like about rural small town Maine is my attitude.

So is moving to Maine a good idea?

This blog outlines what the locals do for fun. The outdoor unspoiled natural beauty is hard to beat. There is a long list of reasons why people move to Maine and how to prepare for the relocation best.

How we approach living in a small Maine town is kept simple in Maine.

Help others living here. Be kind. Protect the environment. Work hard to make a difference. Family first.

Continue traditions and respect nature, your neighbor and family values. Learn all your can and find ways to give back. The folks that live in a small town are the community. Always looking for ways to improve and sustain the small Maine town simple living way of life.

It’s spring in Maine as I hunt and peck this blog post made of re-cycled electrons.

Just had a neat total solar eclipse in Houlton Maine andhere’s the video below to watch for a taste of what it was like.

So hosing off the Maine house and other buildings from winter dust, road salt and grime. Opening up Maine woods and lake camps. Ordering seeds for the backyard vegetable garden. Fiddle heading and smelting and yard work. Not necessarily in that order.

Changing up the trail toys. Removing the house banking. Thinking about the year after next’s firewood to be boy scout prepared and make sure it is well seasoned and safe to burn.

Digging out the canoe or kayak for a Maine river race.

Planning hiking trail adventures. When you live in Maine, all the four season outdoors recreation surrounds you. The fun is low or no cost and picnicking is a big deal.

Attractive, Preserved Victorian Style Brick Buildings In Market Square, Houlton Maine. Small Town Maine Living. Very Attractive To Many Moving To Vacationland!

Is the pack carefully and travel light move, relocation to Maine a good idea?

Sure do think so and glad this is where I call home in rural small town Maine. Here to help share the reasons I live in Maine and all the positives. What are your expectations moving to Maine? Where do you live now? Maine is seeing a lot of city dwellers making the transition to rural small town country living.

Small Town Living In Maine. Means Trail Rides With Your Family And Friends. Maine Is Outdoor Recreation, Hitting And Exploring The Woods Trails.

So is moving to Maine a wise decision for you?

Here to answer questions from a local insider native of Maine with lots of experience that wants to help.

So much of the move to Maine relocate or not depends on the timing in decision making. But just as important what are your expectations in Maine combined with the exit interview on where live now or in the past before packing up for the move to Vacationland.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

May 1, 2024
Houlton Maine Total Solar Eclipse

Houlton Maine Total Solar Eclipse.

The Great North American Total Solar Eclipse, did you witness Totality? April 8th, 2024 was a pretty big deal in my small hometown of Houlton Maine.

Maine Eclipse Watchers Set Up Cameras, Timers, Telescopes For Total Solar Eclipse In Houlton Maine.

Perfect weather, years of planning, lots of food, fun and family spreading blankets, putting on eclipse glasses. Loads of people young and old from everywhere flocked to Houlton Maine. Traveling to Southern Aroostook County for the total solar eclipse experience.

The screams, laughter, cheering, clapping, singing then silence to take it all in at the moment of Totality.

Temperature 62 Degree, Clear Blue Sky Sunshine On Total Solar Eclipse Day Houlton Maine.

Different than watching a yearly small town fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July nation’s birthday.

It is high emotion and relief, hope, faith, wonderment, science all rolled into the one Johnny one time hit wonder.

Knowing this kinda spectacle does not happen everyday, not once a year nor is it a CGI Hollywood digital stunt.

Weather temps drop, a solar wind develops, animals and humans alike can be caught off guard if you missed the memo about totality.

Besides the 6,000 locals, how many visitors showed up for the Houlton Maine total solar eclipse?

To me it felt like (adding machine stops, ripping paper sound) … 27,417. Seriously, like the prediction of how many would come, the exact head count of how many actually did will cause wild speculation. Then the media herd will run with the distilled number or a tad little higher in the race to be the most accurate source of news.

From Other Universe Solar Systems, Everyone Came To The Houlton Maine Total Solar Eclipse April 8th, 2024.

Here is what I can tell you about the total solar eclipse in Northern Maine.

Talked with a family from Maryland next to us with two young children. They peered up at the 2017 total solar eclipse. Said they are hooked on totality and just had to travel to Houlton Maine for another town with one.

Another West African man who lives in Berwick Maine now among the many. Sadie’s Bakery took an informal census from their donut sales, claiming 21 states and Switzerland for eclipse festival customers.

All today rubbing sore necks from all over Maine to California, extending across the pond to England. Heck even from what would appear to be other solar systems friendly curious aliens transported down from the Mother Ship to Market Square.

What builds eclipse nervous excitement is so much at stake for tourist dollars and the maximum experience speculation on the Maine weather.

What good is totality and all the logistical eclipse planning if a stubborn cloud cover pattern blind folds it all to make detailed viewing impossible or diminished?

Don’t want to over stock or wished you had prepared better as a retailer.

Only 3 And A Half Minutes To Capture A Total Solar Eclipse Is Stressful. No Second Chance.

Leading up to the total solar eclipse, the Houlton Maine planners, vendors, dining, lodging and event participants just did not know.

All rolling the dice like a Maine farmer in spring hoping for a money making or at least a break-even year ahead.

You work on the devil in the details part of the let’s host a Houlton Maine total solar eclipse event.

Put the Maine small town on the map and sharpen your tourism skill set. Everyone have a safe fun memorable time and see what a neat small Maine town we live in and what we can do?

Southern Maine coastal towns and cities get a lot more tourist marketing experience.

Totality in “The County” put Houlton and Aroostook on the map for more than the standard fifteen minutes of fame and mention.

Houlton Maine, Aroostook County Town Where Totality Happens During The Solar Eclipse.

It was not until last week that national, state and local weather forecast skies brightened for Houlton Maine.

When you see Al Roker pointing at the eclipse path of totality across the nation smiles ear to ear. Touting Maine as is the only eclipse path section standing out as clear blue, it made everyone’s pulse quicken. Big sense of urgency that something very important was looming.

Ready or not, it was here it comes, the last call for the Great North American total solar eclipse 2024 edition.

Lots of folks did make the trip north up I-95 to the Gateway from Maine to the Atlantic Canadian provinces for the total solar eclipse. Houlton Maine is at the crossroads of US RT 1, 2, 2A and I-95.

Big Green Bridge To Maine. Heading Up I-95 To Attend The 3 Day Festival Solar Eclipse In Houlton Maine. You Going?

Maine weather was the biggest concern because it’s always take it or leave it.

Pivot and adapt to work with what you got and Maine weather is never ho hum the same. The spring like clear blue skies and 62 degree temperature conditions April 8th could have been a better stage for total perfect darkness. Other pathway of totality states like Texas did not fare as well, Houlton Maine got a boost of even total solar eclipse watchers

Houlton International Airport KHUL was the busiest it has been since World War Two days of lend lease flys in.

Where local farmers hooked onto planes to “drive not fly” them into neighboring Canada before the US declared war on the Axis. In my Maine real estate job, that airport is a real asset for travelers.

The Houlton Maine Airport KHUL, One Busy Place For Chartered Jets, Private Pilot Aircraft April 8th, 2024.

Eleven big jets, sixty or more smaller private pilot aircraft added to the total solar eclipse frenzy.

A total solar eclipse and perfect weather conditions is a rare bird.

Pretty Silver And Other Color “Birds” Flew Into Houlton International Airport Maine Solar Eclipse Day 2024.

A Maine eclipse is not something you can put off and maybe view next week or the one after that when your schedule is not so overbooked. There is no rain date or second chance for an eclipse. The dress rehearsal date is missing and the next one is a decade away.

Adam Sandler’s jet, Oprah’s private aircraft, even talk Taylor Swift’s sky ride was here according to the coffee drinkers down at the corner store grapevine news outlet.

Not sure if she was in it or not but lots of media buzz about who flew in for the total eclipse of the Sun. Like the Carly Simon song about heading to Nova Scotia. (Now you have the clouds in my coffee, the “You’re So Vain” song playing in your head right?)

The NASA scientists showed up in Houlton Maine and just as predicted, the perfect calculations hit the astronomical power ball.

Houlton Maine Total Solar Eclipse April 8th, 2024. Lots Of Refresher 8th Grade Science Class Refresher Notes To Review And Share With Other Star Gazers.

At 3:32 PM April 8th, 2024 full totality arrived overhead Houlton Maine.

The weather channel, state and national media broadcast networks and World wide news services were in Houlton Maine!

What really helps studying, capturing a total solar eclipse on film and in the memory banks is not just the weather forecast. Lights, when it gets dark in a small Maine town, the photo sensor kicks them on like night time clock work.

Our local Houlton Water Company power utility pulled the plug in “star parks”. So totality was true total darkness. Thank you HWC for the boom, boom out go the lights!

The day after a Houlton Maine total solar eclipse.

Not quite like a Monday Christmas and then return to a business-as-usual normal Tuesday.

You do think about the solar system overhead when you did not before so much. The power of planets and moons and how their interaction affect our daily life suddenly, well eclipse. Everything gets elevated high above the news of the day and line items on your to do list.

My Totality Overhead Snap Shot. Besides Eclipse Photos Of Total Solar Eclipse, Most Time Spent Capturing People’s Reaction Down On The Ground.

How did the Maine total solar eclipse affect you?

Houlton Maine, Everyone Pumped Up Excited About The Total Solar Eclipse April 8, 2024!

Some watching the wall to wall eclipse news asking what am I missing?

Am I the only one that does really care about the moon butting in front of the sun to darken the Earth?

Others remember eight grade science class trips and the outdoor night time look up at the stars.

Time to test your constellation star pattern eclipse planet orbit astronomy knowledge recall.

But for those lucky enough to be in totality pathway, the solar eclipse news dominates your thoughts on a Tuesday morning. As life settles down, the population trims and small Maine town life resumes.

You can not help but be reminding all of us are pretty darn lucky to live in Houlton Maine, any of the 450 small communities in this rural New England state.

Would not trade it for anything and I hope folks who came to the Houlton eclipse went

Moose In Maine Further Up In Aroostook County Safe From Drunk Hunters. Who Start Shooting Cows, Horses In Lewiston, Further South.

away with a good feeling about small simple Maine town living.

The next eclipse is August 23, 2044.

Mark your calendar time right?

Are you too busy or healthy enough to witness another one and just how far would you travel to experience another one? Are you an eclipse addict or groupie?

Most solar eclipses go out over the Earth’s expanse of water and are not available to enjoy.

It’s like being a gunslinger preparing for the shoot out getting prepared for the time sensitive solar eclipse event.

Had telephoto lens on one camera, a wide angle one on another on a tripod and the cell phone, Go Pro. No one wants to miss a Kodak moment.

Remember “Time goes by”.

What does a total solar eclipse experience do to a person? There is nothing ho hum about it. Listen to the folks around you react to totality. Going in, during, coming out of the light to darkness back to light.

Emotions bubble up in the anticipation excitement, for some fear, others wonderment. It forces clarity, awards wisdom, develops patience and for a moment there is an out of this World connection.

The Sun, Earth, Moon and stars are a tad older than the rest of us.

The celestial orbits and the plantThe eclipse light to darkness is humbling, powerful, a positive experience for 99% of people no matter what nationality, race, religion, politics. It’s science, historic and definitely time

Eclipse Waters From Everywhere! All In Houlton Maine April 8th, 2024.

sensitive.

An eclipse is a bigger than life event… Far out, right on, it blows your mind man.

In a small Maine town, the eclipse is comforting, unifying, a positive experience that leaves you thinking now what.

Pondering what just happened and how does it change anything going forward.

It opens a person up and spurs you on to be a better person and do more for mankind.

Not hokey, and not because of mushrooms or edibles.

Pills?

No thank you. Pass. High on life.

The Maine eclipse happened just as the corner is turned from winter to mud season to spring.

At first knowledge of the date, I think most folks in Maine thought “Wish it was in summer,

Houlton Maine Celebrates Totality In Market Square Fireworks Display!

any other time than April 8th for all the

company we had drop in for the eclipse.

But now thinking the beginning of spring and renewal, planting new seeds and the end of winter / mud season was the perfect time.

(It did not hurt the weather did 180 degree change to sunshine and warm temps either.)

The older you get, the faster the seasons turn.

Maine, The Way Life Should Be. One Big State, Lots Of Special Hidden Areas To Discover.

Knowing many of us won’t see another one is sobering but freeing as we all accept that.

Turning the page and moving on with a little different outlook thanks to Maine eclipse 2024.

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Hope you enjoy the image highlights from the Great North American Houlton Maine total solar eclipse 2024.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

307.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com | MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

April 9, 2024