MeInMaine Blog

Tag: maine blogs posts

  • Small Maine Towns, What Makes One Great?

    Small Maine Towns, What Makes One Great?

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    Small Maine towns. A rural state with just a tad over a million people.

    Actually, to be exact 1.329 million total, revealed the 2012 US Census head count. But what characteristics help make a small Maine town great? For starters a river winding through, a lake in town or nearby or ocean shoreline helps. For recreation, for visual pleasure each of the four seasons. Walking, bike paths and picnic areas with benches along that water front are an attraction to locals and tourists alike. Maine has more land mass than the other New England states combined.

    A college or university in that small Maine town adds an educational, cultural gem facet.

    Being a county seat with historic buildings contributes to the local charm. Help make it an economic attraction destination. Parks for use for free community band concerts. For green space. For sporting events all intensify the shine, sparkle, luster of the small Maine town jewel. Tennis and basket ball courts, little league complexes, ice hockey skating arenas. That all attract out of towners to tournaments. Help fill local coffers. Bring in a new dollar that turns over six times. Fueling the fierce pride, love and respect the towns people have for their Maine village.

    Mountain views, state parks, something to look at with the natural setting adds to the horsepower of the small Maine town too.

    Maine, More Than One Shade Of Green.
    Not Just One Shade Of Green Describes Maine.

    Hiking, skiing, Maine snow sledding, four wheel ATV trails.

    All keep town residents happy, a reason for natives to stay.

    Something extra to cause tourists to visit.

    And hang around. Happy campers.

    Year after year. They let their friends know about the experience.

    If the local Maine town economy is diversified, not monoculture but expansive agriculturally, wood industry wise, then local jobs happen.

    Border Maine towns enjoy Canadian retail traffic. All those trips across the boundary for milk, gas, turkeys, etc. Eh?

    Manufacturing with the cost of fuel for heating, transportation to and fro forces causes challenges. Means being highly creative to maintain jobs, add to that segment of employment. Having the fastest internet connection for telecommuters, local businesses gives the small Maine town higher marks.

    Clear vision by the local Maine town fathers laying out the community. Followed up by a sound comprehensive zoning plan. Updated to reflect sound development needs. For success, growth, maintaining the Maine community. Work ethic instilled growing up, low cost utilities, availability of abundant raw natural resources all help the rise and fall of a small Maine town.

    But the attitude of the people in small Maine towns.

    The tone of their conversations, the way they treat each other. Even when a difference of opinion on the right direction to steer, adjust, guide the small Maine town happens is key. The principles of a winning sports team resonate thru out the successful Maine community. Sensitive to not overspend, waste resources. To keep the tax base high school skinny, highly efficient so the taxpayer feels he, she is getting their money’s worth. And don’t encourage their kids to move anywhere else. Closing the door on the option of sticking around, carrying the passed torch in their small Maine hometown.

    A quality health care facility, elderly housing options, a diversity of churches and quality schools are vital building blocks of the Maine town.

    Good vets, lawyers, accountants, car repair and tire shops. Often the quality of the local Maine library is one of the first areas a relocating, retiring renter or real estate buyer expects to find. Good banking options, an attitude to help new businesses get off the ground is key in small Maine towns.

    houltonmaine040Maine is the 4th lowest crime state, public safety is a given compared to urban areas.

    The ability to walk to the local movie theatre, downtown to a coffee shop, restaurant is a big plus for a city dweller.

    Who worries daily about personal safety.

    Or is on house arrest. Jammed sardine tight in a small, sky high level expensive apartment. Too much. Or microscopic house lot. Not able to move around freely without fear in sketchy neighborhoods depending on the time of the day. That’s no way to live. That’s not Maine.

    Small Maine towns offer freedom, space, clean natural resources.

    The chance to be involved, a part of the community to share talents, to make it greater. The Maine town should be big enough to offer adequate lodging, motel rooms. And bed and breakfasts, inns, camp grounds and cabins for rent on local lakes. Having a local Maine airport, good transportation system for major US highways, Interstate 95 exits help keep people moving. New dollars coming into the local economy.

    The civic and social clubs, local railroad, agricultural, lumbermen historic museums all add another Maine small town dimension. Community theatre, other fine performance outlets with local artisans give another boost. Making the small Maine town attractive to all ages means taking inventory of what qualities we have to promote. What we need to develop around that we don’t possess. But could in time with blood, sweat and tears.

    Farmers markets, food co-ops, flea markets, car cruise ins, state fairs, antique shops and a variety of small retailers, service providers.

    All needed in small Maine towns too. Along with a shop local, close to home attitude from the Maine town residents.


    How does your small Maine town stack up? I’m pretty proud of the one I live, work, play and raised a family in.

    I’m Maine REALTOR Andrew Mooers, ME Broker
    207.532.6573 | MOOERS REALTY 69 North ST Houlton ME 04730 USA |
    info@mooersrealty.com

  • You Are New To This Big State Of Maine, Whoa, Where To Start?

    Maine Monsters, In Time For Halloween.
    Man Made And Natural Wildlife Happen Here. Visit Maine.

    Sampling ME, where to jump in with both feed depends on you. Your tastes, desires, habits in life carry over to the trek to Maine.

    The state dubbed Vacationland is pretty much played outdoors all four seasons. Sure we come in to warm up by a roaring, crackling fire during a day of cross country, down hill skiing. Or when we climb off a snow sledding machine, or from off winter lake ice fishing.

    Or to take in a Maine play production, tour a local Maine library for a good book. But pretty much, you are outside. Like when you were a kid and your Mom and Dad had to holler time to eat. You have to come inside to do your homework, get ready for bed.

    The lack of crime means we don’t hide out inside behind dead bolts and chain locks in Maine.

    We rank 4th lowest in crime and the northern section is half that pretty impressive state average for misdeeds. Living in Maine it is very simple to think everywhere else is just like this state in the upper right hand corner of the country. I get phone calls, emails and office visits daily and that is not the case elsewhere. Stories about out of state gangs, traffic, crime and expensive layers and layers of paperwork for city living are whined about through out the week. Slow down, catch your breath in Maine.

    It is awfully easy to forget the Maine’s natural beauty does not extend everywhere.

    Or that the down to Earth local folks of Maine’s work ethic and volunteerism spirit to pitch in is duplicated elsewhere. Not a given everywhere around the country. There are myths about our weather in Maine to take care of with brand new visitors. Come to see a moose, white tail deer, loons but sorry, lots of wildlife. But no polar bears in Maine.

    Many folks come to Maine to get away from other people. Not stated meanly. Not anti social either. Just needing to spend some quality time with me, myself, I. To sort through the seasons of life that happen and need periodic mental organizing. To scope out the natural beauty but not have to share it except with Maine images. Taken home as reminders, souvenirs of the “hits your deeply” experience. Every time, any season, for whatever reason you are lucky enough to set foot in Maine. Spend time outdoors in Maine.

    So the question of where to start on the maiden Maine voyage gets different answers.

    Starts a friendly debate. Bee line for the unorganized township woods and water. Head to the oceanfront of Maine. Visit Maine lighthouses, harbor towns, sample the sea food hoisted fresh from the deep cold Maine water. Some say climb Baxter’s many peaks, start your collection and build yearly with more and more trails under your belt. Others argue, point out the real paradise is a snow covered Maine mountain top to carve, swish, ski down.

    I say attend a bean supper, church bazaar.

    Maybe a Maine canoe race, fishing derby. Take in a soap box derby race. Strike up a conversation, meet the people working a local community event. Pick up some quality produce, vegetables, fruits and baked goods from a Maine farmers market. That is where the flavor of Maine lies.

    Maine, it’s starts and ends with its neat, creative down to Earth people. Lower population but more memorable characters make each small Maine town shine brightly. That are all anxious to meet you whenever you make a dash. Spend the time to get to know the real Maine. The stuff in the nooks, crannies, attractions that often did not make it into the four color tourism brochures. The neat happenings only the locals of Maine know about and cherish, protect. Don’t just share with any Tom, Dick or Harry unless you’re smiling, friendly.

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

  • Aroostook County Asked To Host Biathlon World Cup Event.

    Growing Up, Living In Maine.
    Maine Winter Fun Playing Outside, Red Cheeks, Fresh Air Filling The Lungs.

    Did you get to see the last U.S. World Cup event In Northern Maine when the biathlon championships took place in Aroostook back in 2014?

    The Nordic Heritage and the Maine Winter Sports Centers hosted the event in Presque Isle Maine and your Me In Maine cub blog post reporter was lucky enough to be able to attend. To have it so close to home in “The Crown Of Maine”. The news of the return to “The County” hit the wire services this week.

    Besides seeing so many countries from around the world represented in the Northern Maine competition, the economic impact to Aroostook County and New Brunswick the neighboring Canadian province is huge.

    When you do the math, add it up and consider all those television crews, the sports teams and their coaches, support arms that crowd the highway. Roll up US Rt 1. Or fly into Maine. To compete for the bronze, silver, gold medal for the respective countries from around the World that they represent.

    The biathlon events held at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle and the 10th Mountain Lodge in Fort Kent Maine have been many. World Cup and Junior Cup events plus other competitions have used Northern Maine’s facilities and volunteer network. And been pleased with the support enough to tap Aroostook County on the shoulder again with the invitation to come back for more warm hospitality. Extra helpings of the spirited, professional event competitions. Watch and IBU Maine World Cup Video.

    All the hub bub spills over to an economic shot in the arm too. One more winter recreational event to consider, take in.

    For the other County towns to benefit, besides just the host city. Putting cash in lots of local coffers retail registers. Like neighboring Fort Fairfield to the east. Houlton Maine to the south and everything in between all win.

    Much happens all four seasons right here in Maine. The door is always wide open, never locked. If you decide to hop in the family sedan and cross the big green bridge to our south. Fly into one of our many Maine airports. Climb on a chartered tour bus.

    No matter how you get here, find yourself possible in Kittery Maine heading north on Interstate 95. Or coming over into Vacationland sideways from the Trans Canada highway or routes that wind, twist and turn into the heart of Maine in all directions. Thanks for being a faithful follower, reader of the Me in Maine blog posts.

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

  • Love Where You Live, Maine Small Town Living Blog Posts.

    Maine Is Small Town, Simple Rural Living.
    Maine Moonlight Shines The Way, Time Yet To Move On Down The Line To Simpler Rural Living?

    Mainers are fiercely independent, resourceful, proud of their small towns.

    And each one is unique, special because of the people who live there. Make them shine. Stand out. Like the stars dotting a Maine night sky. The surroundings help. The natural back drop creates the perfect setting for simpler Maine rural living. Something folks in a crowded, expensive urban setting have been missing. Trying to locate. Forgot existed except in history or canned movies from the town with the white letters on the hillside.

    The small Maine town members, population have a greater stake in the community too. All of them. Because each is a corner stone of the social fabric. When there are less of us here to drive the fly wheel. To each year pick your events. Step up to the plate. Sign up, pitch in, work the local activity you can. Which all cause a deeper love and appreciation of the small Maine town. There is a strong connection among the individuals in rural areas where everyone is pretty self sufficient. Has a personal stake in what happens in the rural areas of Maine.

    The life template you apply to a small Maine town is so vastly different than the filter you screw on, the lens you look through in a big city, urban area.

    Instead of expensive productions where companies put on events and tickets to the venue are peddled, even scalped, it is home grown. Small investment of funds, major helpings, portions of volunteers time. Poured in talents, blood, sweat and tears. That’s what you find served up family style in a small Maine town.

    More skin in the game is part of the deeper attachment. More of your personal effort to go over the top in the areas you have a skill set, aptitude for and because when you look over your shoulder, there is not a deep tier, row after row of replacements. To step up and take over if you decide to drop out. Small town individuals count on each other. Everyone is working hard to help row the boat.

    There is nothing stronger than a Maine volunteers heart.

    Especially if tied to something involving our kids. Just attend a couple home town sporting events. A local school play production or church bizarre. Or a benefit supper for a family in a bad way. Struggling with medical bills, serious illness or a loss of everything fire, other tragedy caused. Take in, watch a regular civic group fund raising for a local cause activity and whoa. It hits you as pretty darn impressive, special.

    Get out of the way. The volunteers highly organized, well orchestrated, lubricated.

    Seasoned with experience from the grass roots up. Built from scratch with what’s available and with a wish list created. So others add to the stew. Many contribute in lots of little ways. So eventually the entire town pretty much is on board, involved in some fashion. That is a very special experience to behold when you live in a small Maine community. Anything can be done with a spark that grows into a passionate fire with that kind of chemistry going on in a small Maine town.

    Boatloads of creative spirit to put the event over the top. Make it memorable, special and causing other local community members to find their niche. Seek out “what can I do, how can I help” for a segment of events. To close ranks, join forces. Come aboard to put their shoulder where needed. To inject one big give it all you’ve got heave ho shove, push. You don’t just live in a small Maine town and spectate. Don’t hang around the shadows of the side lines. You are pulled into the fray.

    You don’t move, relocate to an area of Vacationland and expect everyone to come knocking at your door anxious to meet you either. You get involved, you take away way more because like a good relationship, you build it together, collectively. And go above and beyond what just one person could have accomplished all by their lonesome.

    Maine. Is it like that this where you hang your hat, call home now?

    Did it used to be but suddenly a stampede of people cruised in from all directions and whoosh. Air brushed out that special small town feeling the smaller zip code used to radiate? Was it lost in the shuffle of the hustle bustle? Consider Maine, bring that job with you telecommuting. Feel stronger connections online, off line too in the Maine small town simple living lifestyle that is waiting when you are ready. To bail out of the city, to start enjoying life, living healthier, happier in Maine.

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

  • When Your Kids Are In Their Home Beds, Behind Closed Door Safe And Sound.

    Maine Wildlife, Hitting Moose, Deer, Bear At Night.
    No Injuries, Well Except The Maine Black Bear Had A Goose Egg On His Noggin.

    Raising kids is the most rewarding privilege, honor a parent could ever have.

    And after years of feeding, clothing, teaching them right from wrong and saying their prayers with the stories before lights out, you never lose the worrying part. Because you love them. Family is the top priority no matter what. You, the Maine village, other family members, the teachers, sports coaches, pastor… all helped shape them into young adults. And would do anything to keep them out of harm’s way even after they leave home.

    You sometimes forget just how attached, connected, much you actually worry about kids who have left the nest when they return for a stint.

    The volume of that tug of the heart glows ET brighter. The two boys were able to work a couple weeks of Maine potato harvest this fall before both bee lined, headed due west to Colorado. And with a loaded up red jeep called Sally that four kids developed their earliest driving skills in, the pair headed down Interstate 95. And in Howland Maine in the highway darkness met up, tangled with a black bear. No other cars, no property damage but Sally took a hit. The bear had had better days too. Probably won’t forget the rendezvous. The dance spin into the back door of the jeep after kissing the front corner of the Grand Cherokee chartered for Colorado.

    So back to home base, regroup, down size the cargo freight weight for the heading west mission. Shoe horn, hop in the teeny tiny t roof black Del Sol Honda. All waxed, fluids checked, waiting and ready to be whipped into service when the call to the used car bull pen came in.

    The thought of boy I am so glad that thump from the Maine black bear that took out the front driver’s side fender, rear passenger door, one headlight eye and half the bumper did not cause the vehicle to roll.

    Skid out of control. Go end over end with gruesome results to the most precious cargo, the two brothers. As a parent you think for a moment of wheel chairs, hospital beep beep monitors and aluminum flip charts, funeral homes, visiting hours. And thank God, count our blessings instead. Because a little sheet metal can be fixed. Kids can not be replaced. You could never hammer out that hole in the heart left in the rest of the family, small Maine community that had a hand in the building of a young grasshopper into a young adult.

    As they head west in the shuttle not the Starship Sally Enterprise. With nightly calls, daily texts and using the communicator to beam in. Determine just exactly where they are now on the big USA GPS map along the way. And tie in those coordinates with lap top, tag teaming with James T Kirk. To help find the best for the least. A motel room near I-70 for once they’ve had enough collecting mile markers. The gong sounds. Signalling the end of the long driving day.

    To shift into sleep mode after putting on the feedbag for something not dropped out of a rest area, service center vending machine.

    The head to bed for the night and some much needed shut eye, Zzzzz’s manufacture. Getting off the highway just in time to stretch out, relax. See the Red Sox lose to the Tigers last night by 1-0 in the opener of the playoffs. Darn.

    Maine Kids, Protecting Them, Worrying About Them.
    The Replacement, Utility Hitter For The Ride West.

    Growing up, when you crack the door to their rooms after the nightly ritual of getting them ready for bed. To check in, make sure they are warm, covered. Pick up the caught trying to escape stuffed animal or their special, high mileage blanket off the floor. And with a peck on the cheek to stand back. To take a one by one last glimpse of the miracle, wonderment of having a quiver full of kids. That you would do anything to protect.

    Glad Sally got the boys through the head on with a hard charging Maine black bear.

    And with the help of local parts providers, a skilled auto body man wearing a mask, with a pry bar in one hand, a paint gun in the other she will get the wrinkles removed. To be tip top, ship shape and ready for another adventure when any of the kids come home. Need a rig to throw a canoe on the top to head to Baxter for a hike, some paddling, camping under the stars.

    We Mainers get attached to our vehicles because we hang on to them, take care of them and they are involved in major chunks of our life. Not traded every year for something new, shiny and that come saddled with a heavy payment booklet to boot. Small town Maine living is so so vastly different than the approach to life living in the concrete urban jungle.

    Sally’s in sick bay, taking a pit stop. She, I will be waiting, on stand by until that moment of a kid’s return happens. When the children’s path brings them back to their Maine hometown. To be safe and sound in their original beds. Maine, it’s all about family. It starts, ends with the most sacred institution that affects, influences all the rest of life’s journey.

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

  • The Tonic Of Wilderness, Maine. Drink Up.

    The call of the wild, the revisits, treks back to Maine year after year.

    They happen for a reason. The attraction is more than a casual flirtation. Deeper than a fleeting warm and fuzzy, temporary condition. Because once Maine takes your hand, gets into your system, you are done. That’s all she wrote for any other passions to top the urge, itch, hunger for a destination.

    Maine is a jealous but kind master. She wants, no demands, grabs hold, takes all of you.

    Hook, line and sinker. Surrender to her natural beauty. Explore and discover her nooks, crannies that are not your typical tourist haunts. Ask a local in one of the small 108 Maine towns what his favorite spot is. Collect them one by one. Everyone in a small Maine town is on the front line of customer service. Wants to make sure others know, respect, enjoy Maine the way they do. Just ask for suggestions, guidance.

    islandmainelakeThe beauty of being on top of Mt Katahdin peering out over mountain ranges. Bopping, paddling a two person sea kayak out to one of the 68 lighthouses for a better angle to capture a snap shot glimpse to take back home. Meeting Mr Maine Moose in his habitat. Swish swish carving new snow cross country on a Maine lake or down a Sugarloaf, Sunday River or small slop recharge a person. Help you find true, lasting contentment.

    Park in on a Maine lake.

    Hoof it, tramp into the wilds of the vast, endless list of unorganized township this, range that numbers and letters. Where animals, wildlife out number you ten thousand to one. Where you can detach, tune into to the crystal clear, surround sight and sound wilderness channel of Maine. And feel like the last person, only guy or gal left on the planet to turn the lights out.

    Humbling, sacred, soothing, hitting you deeply.

    Penetrating regions you did not know you possessed, that even existed in your heart, mind and soul. Dorothy was right, but sorry. It’s Maine not Kansas you seek, need for a forever home. Click those ruby red slipper heels together. Transport to Maine every chance you get. Don’t stay away so long.

    When the long views winding down a black twisting ribbon of highway in Moscow Maine opens up, unfolds in your lap, you just know this is a place where I am suppose to be. No where else but Maine. Plain and simple. No matter what the season, you don’t need a reason to return to Maine. To those special unspoiled by man, no crowd places Maine is loaded with, just waiting for your return visit to enjoy.

    Get to Maine. Don’t you dare to even think for a moment of standing her up, keeping her waiting.

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