Dear ,
Weren't September and early October spectacular?!?! I thought we had one of the most colorful foliage seasons in recent memory . . . and there is still some color out there. The real estate market is transitioning between our summer and winter buyers and there has been increased activity in the last couple of weeks as buyers begin looking at ski and vacation properties. The area's inventory of homes for sale is strong and mortgage rates are still low - both of which I hope will bode well for a busy winter selling season.
PLEASE NOTE that the Listen Up! e-book and digital audiobook training session sponsored by Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate and Weston's Wilder Memorial Library has been RESCHEDULED for Saturday, November 8th at 10:30 AM. Space at the Library is limited, so please reserve yours by calling our librarian Kerri at (802)824-4307 or emailing wilderweston@gmail.com.
Have fun and be safe. And, as always, thanks for your support, your friendship and your business!
- Claudia Harris
 Broker/Owner
Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate
E-Mail: Claudia Harris
Website: http://www.mmmrealestate.com
(802)824-3176
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Pumpkins from Equinox Valley Nursery in Manchester
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Looking for Something From a Previous Issue?
Remember that all of my newsletters are archived and available online at:
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Vermont's New Handheld Cell Phone Ban
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(From the Vermont Highway Safety Alliance)
On October 1st, Vermont became the 15th state to ban the use of any handheld portable electronic device while driving. The new law carries fines of up to $200 with points assessed if the violation occurs in a work zone. It is already illegal to use a handheld electronic device while traveling in a work zone and texting is prohibited statewide. Use of a mobile device will be permitted if an approved hands-free technology such as Bluetooth is properly installed, but the ban on junior operators using cell phones remains in place.
Hands-free use is permitted under the law. Hands-free means the portable electronic device is not in the hands of the  driver. Devices can be used by employing an internal feature such as Bluetooth or a wired headset with a single-button control, or a speakerphone. The device itself can be used for single button hands-free operation, as long as the device is in a cradle or otherwise securely mounted in the vehicle. The ban is lifted when the driver needs to communicate with law enforcement or emergency service personnel in an emergency.
Violators shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $200.00 for a first violation, and of not less than $250.00 and not more than $500.00 for a second or subsequent violation within any two-year period. If the violation occurs within a properly designated work zone in which construction, maintenance, or utility personnel are present, two points will be assessed against the violators' license for a first conviction and five points assessed on subsequent convictions.
To learn more about how to comply with the new law including answers to frequently asked questions, go to www.highwaysafety.vermont.gov/phonesdown.
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If you use your computer, "smart phone" or tablet to search the Internet (and if not, how are you reading this?), then this story from July 2014 is worth a read (or listen). Fresh Air's Terry Gross interviews Brian Krebs, a cybercrime expert and reporter.
The key take-aways:
- Back up your files and data regularly - either using an external hard drive or cloud storage. Cyber criminals of late will hack your computer and hold your data for ransom, leaving you with few options for recourse.
- When a website says you need to download software to continue: don't download it. Instead, navigate directly to the software source to get the download (i.e. if a site says you need Adobe Flash, navigate directly to the Adobe website to obtain this download.
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Apples - Which Variety to Use?
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October is National Apple Month and the U.S. Apple Association's website is full of interesting information. For example, have you ever wondered which variety of apple is best for a particular recipe? Well, wonder no more. Check out the following guide: http://www.usapple.org/PDF/USApple_VarietyGuide.pdf  |
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Spotlight Property For Sale
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Country Estate on 45+/- Acres
~ 463 Arrau Road, Andover, VT ~
 Tucked away at the end of a quiet road, this elegant country estate is the former Vermont-home of Chilean pianist Claudio Arrau. The c. 1806 Cape rambles and meanders with nooks and crannies to delight and inspire. There are five large bedrooms and multiple living and entertaining spaces, plus a home office overlooking the large, deep swimming pond. The land is spectacular and includes end-of-road privacy, level grounds, open meadows and wooded copses, fruit trees, stonewalls and phenomenal perennial gardens. Should the next owner want to subdivide or create a family compound, there are two separate building lots (5.4 acres and 6.6 acres) that are included with this offering and each has been fully permitted for th construction of a 4-bedroom house. This is a unique and special offering - come take a look.
Click here for lots of interior and exterior photos and detailed information.
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Easy Apple Crisp - 6 cups of crisp and tart apples - cored and sliced in thick chunks. Granny Smith is my favorite for this recipe, but I also like to use Vermont's ever-popular McIntosh. Note: you can core and peel the apples if you'd like . . . or, if the skins are nice and tender, leave them on and they will add some nice texture to the dish and make it easier to assemble.
- 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of Vermont maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the crisp topping: - 1 cup cold butter (cubed into 1/4" dice)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Spray a 9" x 13" glass or ceramic baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss first six ingredients together and pour into the baking dish.
- Using the same bowl, toss the next three ingredients together, mix well and spread out on top of the apple mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for another 10-15 minutes, being careful to check and make sure topping is not getting too brown.
- Let cool for about 15 minutes and serve with a small scoop of Wilcox's Sweet Cream ice cream (it's like frozen whipped cream!). Wilcox's Maple Gingersnap or any good, basic vanilla are good substitutes.
Enjoy!
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(Note: If you know of a community event that you would like included in this calendar, please submit the information to Claudia Harris (click link here) no later than the 10th of the preceding month.)
Sunday, October 19 8th Annual Pumpkin Festival - The Equinox Valley Nursery hosts its 8th Annual Pumpkin Carving Festival in Manchester, Vermont. This year's festival includes the perennial favorites: Wagon Rides, Crazy Corn Maze, Bounce House, and Witch's Hat Decorating, Pumpkin Painting, Face Painting, Scarecrow Stuffing, Cider Donut Eating Contest and other fun filled activities. Equinox Valley Nursery, 1158 Main Street, Manchester, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Saturday, October 18 Shakespeare Alive in Plymouth, VT! - A Bard-Based Variety Show performed by New York City's Stand Up Shakespeare Company - Comedy! Drama! Music! Merriment! 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at the President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site - Union Church, 43 Messer Hill Road, Plymouth, VT. Information at: http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/venue/president-calvin-coolidge-state-historic-site-union-church/. Thursday, October 27 A Taste of Fall: A Sampling of Seasonal Local Favorites To Benefit Black River Good Neighbors - a sampling of regional and seasonal cuisine. From the traditional to the contemporary, explore the best the Okemo Valley has to offer. Entrance is free and parking is plentiful. 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Tickets for samples are 5 for $5.00 at the door. All proceeds benefit Black River Good Neighbors, which serves our local communities. http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/event/a-taste-of-fall-a-sampling-of-seasonal-local-favorites/ October 19 Sunday, Inventive Vermonters: A Sampling of Farm Tools and Implements - Vermonters have always been inventive, especially when it comes to agricultural innovations. Time- and labor-saving inventions that ease the hard work of farming have always been important in our rural, agricultural state. In this illustrated lecture, retired engineer Paul Wood presents a sampling of farm tools, implements, and artifacts invented or produced in Vermont, examining their use, uniqueness of design, and the often fascinating stories of the inventors themselves. Hosted by the Pawlet Historical Society. Pawlet Public Library, 141 School St, 2:00 pm. Steve Williams, (802) 645-9529. Wednesday, November 5 Painting in Early Renaissance Florence: Competition and Collaboration - Middlebury College professor Katy Smith Abbott explores how competition led to great artistic achievements in fifteenth-century Florence while a network of collaboration characterized painters' daily experience. Hosted by the Mark Skinner Library. Manchester, First Congregational Church, 7:00 pm. Cindy Waters, (802) 362-2607. Thursday, November 6 Staged Reading of Wonder (A Vermont Reads Event). Students from various area schools will perform a staged reading of the novel by R.J. Palacio. Hosted by the Stratton Mountain School. Stratton Mountain School, Patty Kalstas Performing Arts Center, 7 World Cup Cir, 7:00 pm. Mary Mangiacotti, (973) 903-4836. Friday, November 7 Staged Reading of Wonder. See above. Hosted by the Dorset Players, Inc. Dorset Playhouse, 104 Cheney Rd, 7:00 pm. Maureen Chaffee, (802) 867-5570. |
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Featured Area Properties for Sale
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JUST LISTED
Antique Country Farmhouse
on 62+ Acres
1303 Goodaleville Road
South Londonderry, VT
$380,000
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JUST LISTED
3.63 Acres - Fully Permitted
Lot 19 - Middle Road
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NEW PRICE
Just Outside Weston
3542 Weston Andover Andover, VT $249,000 Link
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JUST LISTED
10.25 +/- Acres
Spruce Drive
Andover, VT $79,000 Link
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NEW PRICE
One-Level Living
Mid-Century Modern
244 Melendy Hill RoadSouth Londonderry, VT $179,000 Link
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Country Flair Everywhere
69 Burton Road
Weston, VT
$325,000
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463 Arrau Road
42+ Acres
Andover, VT
$595,000
Link
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Vermont Meeting House
908 Under the Mountain Road
37+ Acres
South Londonderry, VT
$569,000
Link
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Landgrove All-Season Living
7 Cody RoadLandgrove, VT $479,000 Link
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JUST LISTED58.4+/- Acres Abutting Tater Hill Golf
Windham, VT $235,000 Link
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67 Chester Mtn Rd
Weston, VT
$430,000
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8.5+/- Andover Acres
Andover, VT
$95,000
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5.4+/- Weston Acres
Moses Pond Road $50,000 Link
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22+ Hillside Acres
North of Town
Weston, VT
$95,000
Link
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All Day Sun & Views
1404 Andover Ridge
Andover, VT
$274,000
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Village Fixer-Upper
8 Mill Lane
Weston, VT
$199,000
Link
| What a View!!!
19 Obed Moore Road Weston, VT $669,500 Link |
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MLS Access ~ Available to All
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Mary Mitchell Miller is a proud member of the Northern New England Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and our website features unrestricted access to property listings for sale in the State of Vermont.
Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate has been working with buyers and sellers of southern Vermont real estate in the tri-mountain area between Okemo, Bromley and Stratton ski areas for almost 40 years. We are a full-service real estate brokerage firm specializing in the sale of fine homes and properties in Weston, Londonderry, Peru, Landgrove, Dorset, Manchester, Andover, Chester, Ludlow (Okemo Mountain), Mount Holly, Stratton, Winhall and Windham. Fully licensed in Vermont.
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