Community Activities

There's something special about autumn in Maine. Our real estate agents look forward to the crisp morning air and brilliant foliage all year long. It's also the perfect time of year to visit Maine's lovely farms and orchards, which offer some great corn mazes this time of year!

• Pumpkin Valley Farm - 100 Union Falls Rd, Dayton, ME 04005
  There are several events to look forward to at Pumpkin Valley Farm every year—their Sunflower Festival is always a late summer highlight—but pumpkin season is when the farm really comes alive. This year, Pumpkin Valley Farm's annual Pumpkin Festival returns every Saturday and Sunday from September 24 to October 30. The five-acre corn maze, corn pit, and various other kids' activities are included in the price of admission. You can also get brick oven pizza and beer at the Rust Bucket or stop in at the Cow Lick Café for hot dogs, kettle corn, and cider. 
  
  
• Ricker Hill Orchards - 295 Buckfield Rd, Turner, ME 04282
  Ricker Hill Orchards is known far and wide for you-pick apples. More than a dozen varieties are ready to pick throughout September and October, but that's not the only activity on this picturesque Turner farm. Craft fairs, animal shows, pony rides, and other activities take place throughout the fall, and kids can also enjoy getting lost in the twists and turns of Ricker Hill's corn maze. The maze is designed for kids to be able to solve within a half hour, which should give grown-ups just enough time to visit the Ricker Hill Orchards tasting room to sample some hard cider. 
  
  
• Treworgy Family Orchards - 3876 Union St, Levant, ME 04456
  The corn maze at Treworgy Family Orchards is the stuff of legends. Every year, they create one of the most intricate and elaborate corn mazes in Maine, always with a different theme. But finding your way through this year's Winnie-the-Pooh-shaped maze may not be an easy task! Before heading into the corn, be sure to pick up a copy of the map, which includes riddles that can be completed as you pick your way through the labyrinth. Bring your completed puzzle to the café afterward for a free ice cream! And consider visiting during one of the Night Maze events on select weekend nights in October to try your hand at the corn maze after dark. 
  
  
• Zach's Farm, 7 Colby Turner Ln, York, ME 03909
  Zach's Farm is a cozy family-owned farm known for its incredible farm stand. They offer a dizzying array of crops throughout the season, including some of the best sweet corn around. Come fall, their 17-acre cornfield becomes a massive corn maze that kids and grown-ups alike come from miles around to enjoy. The Zacharias family, who own and operate the farm, have been creating their corn maze for the public for more than 15 years now and have no plans of stopping!
  
  
• Hooper's Orchard - 856 Back Brooks Rd, Monroe, ME 04951
  Pick-your-own apples and pumpkins are fall staples at Hooper's Orchard, a 300-acre farm in the rolling Mid Coast Maine foothills. More than 50 varieties of heirloom and modern apples are grown here. It's one of the best apple picking places in Maine, and their corn maze has also become a fall tradition. The maze offers kids and families a fun activity, along with free food and hayrides, during the annual Hooper's Orchard Apple Fest in late September. 
  
  
• McDougal Orchards - 201 Hanson Ridge Rd, Springvale, ME 04083
  A seventh-generation farm in Southern Maine, McDougal Orchards is a staple of the Springvale community. In addition to growing 40 varieties of apples (and quite a few other crops), the farm also puts on some of the best fall festivities around. Stop by to pick apples, browse the farm store, take a weekend wagon ride, grab a coffee and apple cider donuts, and get lost in the corn maze! The maze and McDougal Orchards are smaller and easier than most, making them ideal for younger kids. 
  
  
• Thunder Road Farm - 185 Newport Rd, Corinna, ME 04928
  The farm stand at Thunder Road Farm offers an amazing variety of produce throughout the year, from carrots and cucumbers to peaches and plums. In fall, they open up the farm to visitors with a wide range of attractions, including you-pick pumpkins, a 6-acre corn maze, and a 2-acre play area. It's the perfect destination for fall fun, open every Saturday and Sunday from September 17 to October 30. Thunder Road Farm chooses a unique theme for their corn maze every year, and this year's maze is dedicated to the champion 2021/2022 Nokomis Regional High Warriors varsity basketball team. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Maine. It's a special place to call home in any season, and our real estate agents are dedicated to helping you find the perfect Maine dream home for you and your family. 

Vermont is known for many things, New England architecture , maple syrup, and picturesque autumns.

When you live in this state, you'll also learn about the sustainable way you can get your groceries throughout the area.

Food co-ops are owned and governed by their shareholders, who usually live right in the community. As a result, these stores are a great way to combine economic value and social responsibility. You don't have to be a member to shop at these wonderful co-ops throughout Vermont, as recommended by our real estate agents.

• Brattleboro Food Co-op - 2 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301
  Founded in 1975 as a small buying club, Brattleboro Food Co-op underwent an extensive redevelopment in 2012. Today, the beautiful four-story building houses a 14,580-square-foot natural foods market and deli along with a commissary kitchen, cooking classroom, and the co-op offices. The convenient location, at the foot of Main Street in downtown Brattleboro, provides easy access to customers. Programs such as Bag-A-Bean, where customers who reuse bulk containers receive a fava bean representing a donation to a non-profit, help promote community awareness. The share price of $80 can be paid over 18 months. Hours are 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily except Sunday when doors open at 9 a.m.
  
  
• Caledonia Food Co-op - P.O. Box 736, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
  Want to get in on the ground floor of a project that supports local growers and the Northeast Kingdom economy? Caledonia Food Co-op is working to provide a source of natural, artisanal, and international foods to the community. A group of local residents is spearheading this exciting start-up, which currently has more than 600 members signed up. Just $100 buys a share in the co-op and entitles everyone in your household to benefits. Visit the website for more information.
  
  
• City Market/Onion River Co-op - 82 S. Winooski Ave., Burlington, VT 05401
  Co-ops have a number of features in common, most notably their guiding principles, but the business model of City Market/Onion River Co-op is unique. When Onion River Co-op leased land from Burlington to open their store, they agreed to sell a number of conventional foods as an affordable option for city residents. This became City Market, while Onion River Co-op continued to sell natural foods. There is a second location on Flynn Ave. in Burlington's South End. A full equity share is $200, which can be purchased with $15 annual payments. Both stores are open seven days a week from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  
  
• Hunger Mountain Co-op - 623 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier, VT 05602
  During the 1960s, Plainfield Co-op was as much a social group as a source for groceries. Members frequently got together for pot lucks at picnics. In 1972, the co-op moved to Montpelier and became Hunger Mountain Co-op, which celebrates its golden anniversary this year with more than 10,000 shareholders. Sustainability and conservation are major priorities for the co-op, which recently installed a solar panel carport with an EV charging station in the parking lot. Membership is $180, which can be paid all at once or in annual installments of at least $15. Hunger Mountain Co-op is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  
  
• Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op - 9 Washington St., Middlebury, VT 05753
  Like many others, Middlebury Natural Foods Co-op began as a pre-order buying club back in the mid-1970s. Members bought food in bulk and packed the food themselves. Steady growth over more than 45 years resulted in a number of expansions, culminating in the current storefront that features a prepared foods and deli section with indoor and outdoor seating. Memberships are available for $20 a share, with a maximum of 15 shares. Hours are 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily.
  
  
• Plainfield Co-op - 153 Main St., Plainfield, VT 05667
  While it was founded in 1972, Plainfield Co-op is a throwback to the days when general stores and similar shops served as social gathering places. Above the grocery store is a community center that's available for classes, workshops, and other public and private events. Any member of the community may rent the space for $15 per hour, with a $9 hourly fee for co-op shareholders. The center also serves as a gallery, spotlighting works from local artists. Share prices are $180, payable up front, or minimum installments of $20 per year. Plainfield Co-op is open 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. daily except Sunday, which has a start time of 10 a.m.
  
  
• Putney Food Co-op - 8 Carol Brown Way, Putney, VT 05346
  The roots of Putney Food Co-op extend all the way back to 1941 when obtaining food was a challenge due to wartime fuel shortages. A group of residents led by Carol Brown assembled to form the co-op, and the street on which the storefront is located is named after Carol in her honor. The charming store includes a deli that features a make-your-own-sandwich option with your choice of bread, protein, cheese, spreads, and veggies. A hot bar and soup is also offered every day from noon - 4 p.m. Membership fee of $75 can be split into three payments. Hours are 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday.

"Co-op" is short for "cooperative," which is a strong value in the communities around Vermont. Contact us at The Masiello Group for all your real estate needs.

Northern New England is charming in every season! But, there's something special about summers out on the lakes, enjoying the sea breeze and summertime activities.

Our real estate agents will be creating their own delightful summer memories with activities at these amazing locations around Northern New England. Which ones will be on your list?

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Every season offers a unique experience in New England. Our real estate agents love the brilliant colors of fall, the warm hazy nights of summer, and the blooming wildflowers of spring. But winter is a particularly special time. 

There's so much to see and do when the snow flies in New England! With all these fun activities awaiting in winter, there's no place we'd rather be. 

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While the summer months are glorious, Northern New England is just as scenic and exciting during winter. When our real estate agents are ready for some outdoor fun, they spend time at these incredible ski resorts in Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Plan Your Northern New England Ski Trip

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With the start of the holiday season so close at hand, you're probably already thinking about how you're going to get all your holiday shopping done. This year, our real estate agents have challenged themselves to do what they can to help the small businesses that make every community a better place to live. Want to join them in their support of local entrepreneurs? Here are seven ideas to get you started.

Tips for Supporting Local Businesses During the 2021 Holiday Season 

• Chat with the Owners 
  When big businesses get so much of the local economy's market share, it's easy for local shop owners to begin to feel underappreciated. Take a few minutes to stop and talk with the owner of the store you are visiting. That person will undoubtedly appreciate the gesture, and you'll get a chance to learn more about their wares and what makes them special. You may not be aware of some of the small details that make their products special – for instance, maybe their café makes all of its food items with locally sourced ingredients.  
  
  Talking with the owner may also open doors for you if you discover they do not currently stock the product you were looking for. Many shop owners are happy to do the legwork of finding and ordering specific products for patrons if they know someone is interested in those items.  
  
  
• Look for Local Alternatives 
  Many of the items on your friends' wishlists are probably available from local retailers. They may not carry the exact item that was requested, but if you know the recipient isn't typically concerned with brands, you might be able to find a great substitute from a quality local producer instead. Stick to the spirit of everyone's gift requests instead of trying to follow them to the letter, and you'll end up with nicer gifts while also injecting money into your local economy. 
  
  
• Speak Up for Small Business 
  Instead of buying from a small retailer yourself, spread the word about these businesses to people who do have a holiday budget they want to spend. Recommend small local shops to your friends and family, and consider leaving the business a good review on Google, Facebook, or Yelp. Every bit of good publicity helps these small businesses grow their customer base and stay profitable.  
  
  
• Don't Forget About Food 
  Even if you aren't buying many presents this year, chances are good that you're still planning to have something special to eat during the holiday season. If so, remember that local retailers carry food too! Whether you're cooking a full festive dinner or just want a few small treats to indulge in, there is probably a butcher, cheesemaker, vineyard, confectioner, or other local business that sells what you need. As a bonus, their wares are probably much higher quality than what you would get at your neighborhood grocery store. The premium flavors and textures will add a little extra magic to your holiday table.  
  
  
• Shop Based on Your Values 
  Shopping local is an excellent opportunity to use your money to support the outcomes you want to see in the world. Many small businesses partner with local charities to raise money or organize important local events, so you can buy from a shop that is affiliated with a cause that is near and dear to your heart.  
  
  
• Look for Extended Deals 
  Small businesses know they are competing with many other retailers to win your dollars. To make shopping at their locations more attractive, many extend their Black Friday deals for longer than bigger stores do. You can often get excellent prices on all kinds of items well into December, making it easier to fit the cost of shopping local into your budget.
  
  It is still a good idea to shop as early as possible, though – unlike their competition, small retailers may not have a regularly updated Facebook page or website that you could use to find out when these promotions end. If you don't want to miss out, don't wait.
  
  
• Look for One-of-a-Kind Artisan Gifts 
  Local retailers rarely stick to selling the same old merchandise you could get from the big box store down the street. Instead, many of them pair up with local creatives to sell hand-crafted items you won't find anywhere else. Buying a handmade necklace, scented candle, or piece of furniture not only supports two local independent businesses at the same time – but it also gets you an incredibly unique gift that your loved ones are sure to treasure.  

Once you've experienced the magic of shopping local around the holidays, this practice is sure to become a household tradition for your family. Do your part to support your local economy today, and if you have an imminent move on the horizon, don't fret. Contact us for help finding a home and getting settled into your new community.  

It's hard to believe that fall is already at our doorstep. But as sad as we are to see summer go, we must admit that autumn is our real estate agents' favorite season in New England. The scenery this time of year is nothing short of spectacular. 

Peak foliage usually arrives in early to mid-October, so you still have plenty of time to plan an amazing fall foliage road trip in New England. These are some of our favorite spots for leaf peeping. 

Leaf Peeping Around Northern New England

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• Skip the bottled water.
• Bring your own coffee mug to work instead of using disposable cups.
• Turn off lights when you're not in the room will help save energy costs.
• Bring your own grocery bags to the market.
• Try carpooling or walking to work if possible.
• Go Paperless! Pay your bills online.
• Donate clothes or used items you no longer need rather than throwing them away.
• Try cutting down on shower time by a few minutes.
• Switch to glass containers and reusable sandwich bags for lunch and leftovers.
• Switch to LED lightbulbs

If we all pitch in, we can make this earth a better place for all! Happy Earth Day!

Happy New Years from all of us at Better Homes and Gardens The Masiello Group!

The Masiello Group ended 2018 with some holiday spirit! Our offices participated in various community holiday events, gift collections, and special office decor. 

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Atkinson office participated in the  annual Hampstead Holiday Parade	The Auburn office participated once again in the annual Androscoggin Valley Council of The Mountain to Shore Board of Realtors Children's Snowsuit Drive for the Promise Early Education Center (Headstart).
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Augusta Office	Each year the Bangor Office participate in the Greater Bangor Board of Realtors Spirit of Giving event. This year their theme was game night!
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Bedford office	The Belfast Office collected socks and distributed them to three local elementary schools in the area.
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In Brattleboro, they collected donations for the Women's Freedom Center.	The Durham Office won first place during the annual Durham Light Up Contest for the business category! Congratulations!
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Ellsworth Office	Hanover Office
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Keene Office collected gifts for 6 families in the community.	The Naples Office donated gifts to a family with 2 teenage girls.
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The Portsmouth Office gathered donated for the Toys for Tots Drive.	The Quechee Office collected lots of toys for the Toys for Tots cause
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Rockland Office	Every year The Sanford Office joins Santa's Cause and chooses children to buy for. This year we bought for 27 children.
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The Wells Office assembled the bags for the York County Shelter Program.	The York Office collected items and gift cards for the Struggling & Homeless Veteran's.
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If you've been checking out our local homes for sale, you're probably wondering whether it's a good place to raise a family. Thanks to the low crime rates, great schools, and plenty of kid-friendly activities, we're sure you'll find that the area is ideal for children of all ages. 

Whether you're visiting the state of Maine or you're already a local, you'll definitely want your little ones to experience the fun, interactive learning opportunities offered by the state's four children's museums. Here's everything you need to know to plan your next family adventure.

1. Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine: 142 Free Street Portland, ME 04101
   Located in Portland's downtown art district, the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine gives kids a chance to play, act, and use their imaginations as they learn about science, history, and more. Be sure to check out the museum's exhibits, shows, and the theater performances created for children, by children. If one of the Portland homes for sale catches your eye and you become a resident, your children will love the ongoing classes, workshops, and camps. As a parent, you'll be happy to know that your children can have fun learning all year round.
   
   

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