Posts with tag 'Family-friendly activities'

For cyclists, it's hard to imagine a place more ripe for exploration than Maine. With countless trails and endless meandering back roads, our real estate agents think it's a truly extraordinary landscape to pedal through.

The 35th Annual Trek Across Maine, coming up this June, puts that landscape front and center. Traversing the Kennebec Valley and passing through the capital city of Augusta, Trek Across Maine offers bicycle enthusiasts of all stripes an opportunity to see just what makes Maine so special. 

Bike for a Cause

Now in its 35th year, Trek Across Maine is a three-day cycling event, with multiple route options that highlight the spectacular beauty of the Kennebec Valley. It's also the largest fundraiser in the nation for the American Lung Association and has raised more than $24 million in the years since the event started. 

More than 2,000 cyclists and 750 volunteers are expected to participate in this year's event, which takes place on June 14-16. Riders start and finish in Brunswick, Maine, and have three options: a 56-mile one-day route, a 102-mile two-day route, and a spectacular 180-mile full route over three days. Those who choose to bike the two- and three-day versions of the event will have overnight accommodations provided at Bates College in Lewiston and Colby College in Waterville.

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Pure Maine maple syrup is such a popular commodity that Native Americans used it as money. While maple syrup is no longer made by dropping red-hot stones into thick wooden containers of sap, it retains the same unique quality and flavor people have enjoyed for hundreds of years.

On the fourth Sunday of March each year, our state's sugar houses celebrate Maine Maple Sunday. Our real estate agents prepare you for this year's event on March 24 by sharing the story of making maple syrup along with our favorite sugar houses to visit.

How Maple Syrup Is Made

The maple syrup cycle begins when the first crow of the year flies, usually in late January. This marks the beginning of the "sweetwater" sap flow, which generally runs until mid-April. Even in these high-tech times, many sugar houses still follow the tradition of collecting sap in buckets hung from trees.

How valuable is sap? A large tree can produce a generous amount of 60 gallons in one year, but the end result is only about one-and-a-half gallons of maple syrup.

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No matter the season, there is nothing quite like settling in with a great book and being carried away to another place. Whether you're sitting by a fire in the winter or dipping your toes in the sand during the summer, the right book makes for the perfect companion. Living in the Hallowell area means that you don't have to buy your books online, because there are still plenty of great, local bookshops in the area where you can always pick up an excellent read. Our real estate agents are here to help you find the perfect read, with our guide to some of the best bookshops in the Hallowell area.

Shopping for the Best Books? Where to Find Your Next Read Near Hallowell

1. Merrill's Bookshop – 110 Water St., Hallowell
   Shopping for Hallowell homes for sale? Be sure to make a stop at Merrill's Bookshop, where you can find books on just about any topic under the sun. Merrill's Bookshop has been serving the area for more than 20 years, with a fantastic selection of books that span the centuries. Merrill's is proud to be an old-fashioned bookshop and is one of the best spots in the region to find rare, antique editions of classic books. The knowledgeable staff is happy to help you find the books you came for, and offer great tips on books that you may not have known about before visiting.

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Are you looking to add some crafty décor to your home? You're in luck, because there are several places near Manchester, ME that sell local crafts and artwork, with a few even offering classes. Our real estate agents recommend these four craft studios to update your home or hone your craft skills.

1. Stained Glass Express - 966 Western Ave., Manchester
   Located close to homes for sale in Manchester, the Stained Glass Express impresses visitors and regulars alike. The family-owned business features a studio, retail store, and their Glass Academy on site. They have an array of stained glass, mosaics, and etching supplies in stock. Their staff can restore or create any number of projects, such as residential cabinet doors. They have two large classrooms in their Glass Academy and host a variety of classes, ranging from beginner and children's classes to adult classes. They teach glass and glass blowing, to more advanced stain glass techniques. The Stained Glass Express is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   
   

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