Tag: houlton maine

What’s It Like Living In A Small Maine Town?

Maine is a handful of cities and over 450 small community rural towns.

Sixteen counties and the one I live in is the largest east of the Mississippi in land mass. Aroostook County, sparsely populated, a little longer drive time to access but so worth the extra effort.

What’s it like living in a small Maine town?

How to share the experience short and sweet? To reflect an accurate representation of day to day life here today, yesteryear and with a hint of tomorrow. To “bring it all home” for someone curious about the area or to use promoting a small Maine town.

Houlton Maine, State Soap Box Derby Site For Down Hill Racing.

This blog post realizes people use their past as a measuring stick of the future.

That your previous experiences heavily influence your perspective of any new place. Plus what works best for you for surroundings shifts and changes throughout a person’s life stages.

So when someone, anyone asks you “what is it like living in (fill in the blank with small Maine town name)?”

It’s important to realize the longer you live anywhere else on Earth, the less you arrive to a small Maine town with a totally blank slate.

It’s like music, food, school, work, relationships, anything. Everyone does not come to the same take away conclusion describing anything.

The bullet points on what we love and dislike the most is not in the same order on the gotta have / don’t want list of where to call home.

Maine’s Highest Mountain, Mt Katahdin. Do You Like To Hike?

So the what’s it like here in a small Maine town question is answered with what was it like where you came from before?

What did you like where you used to live? What was missing or in short supply that you wish was in greater abundance? Something caused you to want to leave your own home and to consider a small Maine town as the new setting.

Brand new to Maine with just the tourism blurb, a little local past history to shape your expectations?

If where you lived last was a sardine packed together crowded city, your take away reaction to small Maine town life will differ greatly. Then say the perspective from a person relocating from another typical rural small-town experience. Not so sharp a contrast to adjust to over time for the latter.

Wagons Pulled By A Team Of Horses. Still Happens Farming In Maine. Welcome To Wide Open Space, Four Seasons Of Maine Recreation To Discover.

If you want your small Maine town to grow, you have to tap into your local brain trust.

Knowing the value and skill set of your local individuals is key. Community involvement from each and every one is needed so no one is sitting on the sidelines. Someone should not be trying to describe the small Maine town if they have not experience what it is like first hand.

They may do the best they can with generalities but after awhile, all the small Maine town write ups and presentations kinda sound the same. Many have a negative spin and it is obvious the writer can not see themselves living here by their description.

The people who live in the small Maine town are the community.

Maine Needed Water Fountains In Their Community Down Town Areas.

Not just the grid work of streets, empty buildings along Main Street, the rows and rows of housing stock.

It’s all about working together with other locals unique individuals to make sure your community shines brightly online. Putting your best foot forward, proudly believing in the local area in Maine you call your hometown.

The vibe, what’s it like summed up in a few words and short sentences is searched day and night online about small Maine rural towns.

That sound bite or snippet is amplified and pushed out into the media stream.

Unfortunately, trying to learn more about a small Maine town is difficult for web visitors if there is not a strong, positive hyper local online presence. Or just a lack of abundance of information to glean.

Bottle Like Maine Lake. Not A Ripple Today On The Lake In Maine.

Relying on a Reddit thread about your hometown or county from eight years ago is not accurate information.

Especially if posted by someone who has never ever stepped foot in your small Maine town.

Or as an unhappy teenager with a poor home life, they picked up and high tailed it never to return to said small Maine home town. And now feel the need to spread discontent and somehow blame the entire town for what went haywire.

Warning others to stay away, don’t you dare go there.

That black eye for the entire small Maine town population is not deserved but it’s everywhere you look with strong opinions from a keyboard warrior.

Even scanning what the tourism folks put online about your small Maine town can make you cringe. Lots of Maine towns had economies revolving around a single lumber mill, fish cannery or agriculture enterprise of some kind. Not very diversified and in deep trouble when that one trick pony employer industry locks the gate and shuddered the factory windows and doors.

Sponsoring A Small Maine Town Little League Team. Go Team!

Not all Maine small towns enjoy thriving economies.

But that’s what develops grit and fortitude and a higher degree of creativity. It makes how you spend volunteer time and financial resources done extremely carefully.

It’s what causes the feeling of being very invested in protecting, advancing and making the small Maine town what it can be. It’s not about just throwing lots of dollars at the problem. Or expecting your local, state and federal government to “fix the problem”.

Living in your small Maine town is like being a member of a very large family.

So when you read a tourism snippet that says your hometown used to be a happening, thriving place.

But not anymore, and everything is described past tense. Why would you instantly feel enticed to visit? You would not. And that write up is not how the locals who live in that small Maine community feel. They are protective, a little stand offish when they see the out of state plate. Sometimes more so from one state over another because of personal experience.

Maine Lighthouses, Big For Tourism And Fun For Locals To Visit. Over 60 Of Them To Collect Around Vacationland.

It takes broadcasting your local achievements, not relying on someone with their own slam bam personal slant to get the spotlight.

I think home grown, fire your belly writers that live where the four color chamber of commerce flyer describes are key. So do local social media feeds from around around the town, the region and county that are fresh, plentiful and constant.

So do whatever you can to put your small Maine town on the map. Study what works in other communities around Maine is easier than ever with the Internet that connects us all.

So it all circles back around to local what’s happening now.

Lots of buzz, local news, local events, plenty of eye candy on the outdoor natural beauty. And making sure every local who is lucky enough to be interviewed in anyway conveys the excitement, enthusiasm.

Making Music, Local Volunteers Fill The Outdoor Theatre To Make Music For Locals.

Building on the rich local community history but not being boat anchored stuck to the past. To a point in time when the economy suddenly shifted in a major way the wrong way.

Smart Maine town planners head in the direction of promoting what we have lots of… space, unspoiled four-season recreation space.

Fewer but friendlier hard-working people, a simpler way of living that’s lower cost, less crime, all about family.

Space, quiet, natural beauty, outdoor recreation, solitude, the intimacy of how tight small Maine towns can be. It’s special. That is the drum beat sauce in the background of everything getting posted, promoted online in many small Maine towns.

Small Maine Town Sports Teams. Hockey Players Go “Good Game Good Game” Down The Line.

Because It’s not like this that many places. Maine, the way life should be remember?

A small town in Maine can not try to compete with a larger population area who has the people to financially support what they promote as a reason to visit. But it can turn the tables and promote what we have so so much of that is lacking in rural areas.

The face cards for a small Maine town are playing the advantage of what we have an endless supply of that never runs out. Taking a David with a sling shot simple but effective approach to nimbly out pace the slow moving Goliath.

I love shoe string creative marketing approaches to get the word out.

Hitching a ride with others in your network sharing on their channels what you produce on your own.

What is the local area like?

What Was It Like In Black And White. Small Maine Towns Have Rich History To Preserve.

What’s it like living in small rural Maine town?

Let’s hear from the locals who have lived her for a considerable amount of time. Not from someone who has spent very little time in your Maine community if at all. Or anyone who their expectations were not well matched and the fit was poor from the get go. And they will harp about it to anyone who will listen.

You don’t want that kind of community thumbnail sketch to be all there is to glean online.

Failure to thrive happens when you stop believing in your small Maine town. I see in my job as a Maine real estate broker the tide is coming this way. There is a shift of folks wanting to live a different day to day. And we all need to speak up and explain why this is the place we are proud to call home here in Maine.

Curious About Why You Live In A Particular Small Maine Town. Ask Locals, Give Them The Mic, Quote Their Responses In Your Local Press.

Why do you live in this particular small Maine rural town?

The person on the street is the best source for print, photo or video capture to share the local community spirit. The more you hear from the real World average Janes and Joes, the broader the appeal because each has their own specific private reasons. Let’s hear from real people in small town Maine communities.

Willing to concede some of the perks heading to Maine.

Replacing them, trading them in for ones that just don’t happen where they live now. A place that is expensive, impersonal and pretty much everything store bought.

Lobster From Maine Anyone? No One Has Anything Close To The Taste Of Fresh Maine Steamed Lobsters!

Welcome to small Maine towns where resourcefulness abounds and passion glows hot and strong.

Someone who moved from a crowded city will experience a small town very differently than someone who moved from a remote farming community. What one person finds peaceful and slow-paced, another might find boring or isolating.

So the focus on small Maine town living should be on the person. The ones living here, the one asking the question “what’s it like” and fishing for a relocation move if they like what they hear.

Rigging Up To Ski Down A Maine Snow Capped Mountain Slope.

What did you expect coming in to a small Maine town?

Everyone has a different take on what is pure bliss in life. Most of the gain is through the pain of pitching and creating what is missing. Or coming along side a group already struggling to create what you desire and you showed up at exactly the right time.

Help row the boat. Stoke the fire.

Be a positive proponent of your small Maine home town.

Whether you were born there or not is not the issue. Your attitude and willingness to pitch in is what matters most. You showed up. Listening, contributing, having a role in how things roll in your small Maine town.

Bored, Waiting For Someone To Show Up With A Pair Of Wire Cutters. People Leave Crowded Cities For The Same Reason Of Feeling Penned In.

Knowing the small Maine town’s history, the ups and downs and why they happened as the locals struggled to adjust through trying economic times.

That’s important to combine with taking stock, creating the inventory of what we have that is attractive to someone that no long does.

Anyone moving to a small Maine town has a background, values and personal reasons for looking for a relocation. It is good to introduce yourself to anyone new to the area by listing why you love living here.

Welcome To Maine. You’re Here. You Made It!

It is also good to describe what the local small Maine community is not, how it might not be a good fit for someone looking for a faster pace of life.

You can not be all things to all people and an honest assessment of the local area has to take priority.

There is plenty to do for new community members and to replace ones that dies and fade away.

Maine Social Media Explained.

Here’s a Maine PBS film on how small Maine towns solve big problems.

My hometown of Houlton Maine just had a film premiere of A Moment In The Sun. The film showcasing the total solar eclipse that happened earlier this year in April in Houlton Maine.

Totality In The Last Place In The USA To Experience It. Houlton Maine’s Total Solar Eclipse.

If your small Maine town had a documentary story to share, who would you pick in the community to make the points? Build a case for living here? If trying to leave a positive impression and the best presentation, what local events or ways of life traditions would you salt and pepper through out the local production?

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

September 7, 2025
Maine High School Class Reunions

Going back to be with classmates, your Maine high school class reunion.

Have you been to a Maine class reunion at whatever school system you finished high school? If you have not, I suggest making every effort to attend your Maine high school class reunion.

Some say there is nothing more exciting, rewarding than reuniting with your childhood and high school class mates. Others would argue that period of my life was not all that rosy and why would I go back to relive the pain?

Maybe it is the 10th or earlier class reunion that spoils the habit of making an effort to attend your Maine high school reunion.

1975 Houlton Maine High School Class Reunion For The 50th Year!

If the classmates that moved away to return in swanky (leased) red sports cars and keep talking about their success, not asking about yours, that could sour the reunion.

In small Maine towns, the local community steps up and volunteers which in my book makes all the high school class graduates a “success”.

The longer you are out of high school and the more one by one you lose another reunion graduate, the tighter your class becomes.

Instead of a competition and comparing or defending your life so far since high school graduation, your class mates all pull together closer at reunions. News of the death of a high school classmate is a big part of it. That helps the rest wake up and notice we are not getting any younger. In my class of 1975 from Houlton High School we have lost 26 class mates since graduating.

Class of 1975 Class Reunion. This One In Houlton Maine To Celebrate 50 Years Being Out In Life.

The discussion when the get together is, say your 50th school reunion, shifts from jobs and promotions to how many grandchildren and comparing notes about health issues. How are you surviving losing your mate, the divorce, recovery from cancer, etc.

Just had my 50th Maine high school graduation celebration over a four day span.

Still thinking about the conversations, the laughter, the feeling of how much you miss these guys and gals. Some of my high school classmates for a slew of reasons missed the last reunion we nicknamed “The Shindig”. But I would bet most that were at this 50 year milestone reunion over the weekend will not want to miss another one for any reason.

Graduating From High School 50 Years Ago. Whoa. Long Time, Big Class Of 164 Members.

How do you answer in ten words or less “what have you been up to over the last half decade?

In my small Northern Maine town in Aroostook County of Houlton Maine, the high school’s alumni association is very strong and active. We get magazine newsletter editions of high school happenings around the year. I think this publication keeps fond thoughts of your classmates in focus.

When the latest alumni news edition comes in the mail or is opened up online and thumbed through digitally, most classmates beeline to their class year of high school graduation.

Maine 50th High School Graduation. Our Local Alumni Association Is A Strong One To Keep Us Connected.

News from your class, anything from a birth announcement to where someone took a trip or got together with another classmate or two. That hyper local Maine small town information is huge to stay connected with your high school classmates.

If you see the year you graduated but no one took the time to insert a paragraph or two of something pertinent to just your class, it is sad. I feel bad when a class above or below me is left blank. No news is not good news. It’s MIA and off radar. Draws a blank of just white space.

There is always something to report that others would love to read and to help the connection with your year graduating high school class.

Looking to re-connect with old classmates that you lost touch with after grabbing the rolled up sheet of paper and tossing the square hat with the dangling tassel high in the air?

Here is a video below that shows just one event of many held during my class of 1975 Houlton Maine high school graduation activities.

Do you regularly attend high school class reunions?

Does your high school education center hold a multi year event to celebrate with graduating alumni? When was the last time you re-toured your old high school or is it still standing? Remember where your locker was and who shared one beside, up or below you? The memories come back with the aid of a high school open house tour with your other classmates who help you “remember”.

The relationships began in the halls of your Maine school, from walking to it or riding the big yellow bus together are ones that only grow stronger.

What about you? As the years advance after graduation, after logging some miles outside the “My Old School”, the heart string tug of a Maine high school graduation reunion intensifies for me. Can’t wait for the next class reunion here in rural Maine.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

August 20, 2025
Hub Bub About Maine Lawn Grubs

Do you wonder about what happened, the big hubbub about Maine lawn grubs?

Damage to your Maine home lawn due to grubs. Like a lot of things, to get rid of lawn grubs in Maine requires near perfect timing and a tested method matter a lot. Grubs are most vulnerable in late summer to early fall when they are small and feeding near the ground’s surface. It’s not once and done.

Maine Lawn Grubs Messing Up Pretty Green Landscaped Lawns In Maine. See What’s Happening Around The Ridgeway Sign Post In Houlton Maine?

Fall application, spring/summer maintenance to guard against the lawn grubs in Maine are needed.

One DIY organic method is applying beneficial nematodes.

They come live, refrigerated and time is of the essence to help them get established on your grub infested lawn.

These microscopic worms attack and kill grubs in the soil on Maine property owner lawns.

A box that covers about 2,000 square feet usually costs $30–$50.

Apply them in the evening after watering or rain, and keep the soil moist for at least two weeks to begin the lawn grub evictions.

Results can take a few weeks, but it’s a safe, natural approach that won’t harm pets, children, or pollinators.

Milky spore is another organic treatment that targets Japanese beetle grubs. It costs about $40–$60 per 10 lb bag and needs to be applied 3–6 times in the first year. It can take one to two years to see noticeable results, but it lasts for up to 10 years once established in the soil.

For faster results, chemical treatments are available to Maine home owners to apply to their lawns.

Preventative grub killers like Scotts GrubEx (active ingredient: chlorantraniliprole) cost about $20–$30 for a bag that covers 5,000 square feet. Apply in late June to early August. It prevents new grubs from developing and lasts several months. Helps to continue to attack lawn grubs.

If grubs are already active and damaging your lawn, curative treatments like Bayer 24-Hour Grub Killer Plus (active ingredient: trichlorfon) work faster.

See The Bare Spots, The Places No Grass Is Growing That Look Burned Out?

These cost about $25–$40 per bag and act within 24–72 hours use in your warfare with lawn grubs in Maine.

However, they only last a few weeks and should not be used repeatedly on your Maine lawns.

This grub fighting treatment can also harm bees and beneficial insects if misapplied.

For best prevention, Maine homeowners should avoid over watering Maine home lawns.

Grubs thrive in moist soil.

Water deeply once or twice a week rather than daily. Raise your Maine home lawn mowing height—beetles prefer to lay eggs in short grass.

De-thatch in early summer to reduce places where grub eggs can be laid around your Maine home lawn.

And attracting birds like starlings and robins by providing birdbaths or feeders is smart thinking—they naturally eat grubs. At night you can see where raccoons, starlings, skunks, lots of prey out in the backyard looking for a grub snack.

Looking around my Southern Aroostook County location, lawns with grub damage is everywhere. The local weather has called for rain a lot in the forecast and local grub predators have gone right to down. Big business for lawn repair outfits in Northern Maine. Do you mow your own lawn? Is there a problem where you live with lawn grubs?

Welcome To The Crown Of Maine, Aroostook County.

In places, it looks like large sections of lawn have been rototilled. Sod ripped back and exposed with pecking, rodent tilling obvious around my local area of Maine.

Getting rid of the pests once they move on to your property is not the easiest solution for lawn grubs in Maine.

To check if you have a grub problem, lift a square foot of sod in late August or September.

If you see more than five grubs per square foot, it’s time to treat. Living in Maine, somethings you have a grub hub bub to deal with but ask your neighbors.

Just have to ask around when you live in small Maine community.

Quiz the folks down at the corner store where you refuel with coffee each morning or where you get your hair cut and styled.

Mainers are quick to help and offer solutions that work like a charm that cost the least.

They will humbly share the mistakes they made that you want to avoid.

Or to relay what provided the best results for any life situation like lawn grubs in Maine.

Simple, want to help Maine towns are a rich resource. All you have to do is ask, let your Maine family, friends and neighbors know about your grub or whatever problem keeping you awake nights.

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA

June 9, 2025
Maine Soap Box Derby Race Is June 22nd This Year.

Maine Soap Box Derby Is June 22nd this year.

Have a ride, signed up to race down Derby Hill in Houlton Maine?

The “Thrill of the Hill” happens again June 22nd, 2024 on Derby Hill in Community Park in Houlton Maine.

It’s year number 29 for the Northern Maine Soap Box Derby. Tech Day for new parents and drivers is May 18th at Derby Hill. Derby tech day helps teach car drivers and their support team about safety procedures. And an opportunity to order parts and for new races to test drive Derby Hill. Here’s the race course for down hill derby local and rally races.

Houlton Maine Soap Box Derby Hill Sketch When “Selling” A Piece To Local Volunteers, Contributors.

Houlton Maine’s local race on Derby Hill is the only venue if a boy or girl age 8 to 18 wants to compete in all of “Vacationland”.

Back in the 1990’s, there were five local race locations in Maine.

One of the big reasons the Houlton Maine derby committee continues the racing tradition is a specially engineered hill.

Derby Hill is fast, long and two lanes. Derby Hill has a run off area, a car return lane and a launch / storage garage at the top.

Safety Cones On Run Off Area Of Derby Hill. Houlton ME Race Largest In USA 5 Years Running.

Ease of setting up a safe course for the local annual race and for spring/fall rallies. Derby Hill is one sweet set up and kids love to race down it. Lights for night racing, guard rails in place, easy car return lane.

To keep a soap box derby program vibrant and year after year up and running means build a hill.

Taking over a street logistics and set up, tear down are too labor intensive. And none of us derby diehard volunteers are getting any younger

Check them out.

Have you watched a few Northern Maine Soap Box Derby race videos?

Reach out with questions, let’s get your young derby drivers signed up to compete in the state of Maine race June 22nd, 2024.

There are existing cars to slide behind the wheel or consider buying a new stock, super stock or master kit.

Here’s the address to order parts, a car, anything soap box derby related.

Northern Maine Soap Box Derby Race Houlton Maine

The soap box derby program in Maine teaches kids a lot.

How to assemble a car from scratch following instructions . The fun of derby program and good sportsmanship along with the science and engineering that goes into gravity downhill car racing. It sure beats sitting on a couch, inside on their device.

Anywhere in Maine, the state race in Houlton is part of soap box derby district ten.

Had two children win the local and go on to race in Akron Ohio which is an experience they will never forget. Have stayed active in the Maine soap box derby racing program since 1995 and enjoy it immensely.

Heavy Boys? Super Stock Derby Cars Can Be A Tad Heavy To Lift Up, Set Down.

Please reach out and would love to help you get started in soap box derby racing. It’s exciting car racing and gravity is your motor. It’s all downhill from here.

Anxious, Nervous, Excited All Mixed In With The Stomach Butterflies.

Tips to get your local race off the ground and how to compete with simple hacks all part of the discussion once you get “derbymania”.

Here is the All American Soap Box Derby rules to scan and consider. Maine had 5 local race sites around the state. Now the big state of Maine race is on Derby Hill, Houlton Maine. Only race course in state if the one in Aroostook County, Derby Hill. Like to learn more about the Houlton Maine soap box derby racing program or to set up your own?

I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker

207.532.6573 | info@mooersrealty.com |

MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton Maine 04730 USA

May 9, 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