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Exploring Mt. Philo (overlooking Lake Champlain)
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We've had a spectacular winter so far - tons of snow - and the local ski areas are busy hives of activity and fun events. It's been bitterly cold, but we've had some absolutely gorgeous weather and I hope you've had a chance to get outside and enjoy this amazing State. I sure have!
The inventory of local properties for sale is pretty low right now and I've been busy soliciting and engaging several new listings. Look for new listings starting in May and June . . . when the snow and mud are gone and the weather warms up and Vermont is looking green again!
Please give me a call or shoot me an email if you'd like to discuss the real estate market. And, please be sure to give my name and contact information to anyone you know who might be interested in selling or buying.
Be well and keep in touch!
 - Claudia Harris Broker/Owner
Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate
(802)824-3176
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If you enjoy these newsletters, please like our Facebook page for more frequent updates, local news and fun information.
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Notary Services in Weston
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Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate is pleased to offer Notary Services. Please be sure to call the office at (802)824-3176 before making a special trip.
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Craigslist RENTAL Scams Reported in Vermont
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Local law enforcement (including the Winhall and Manchester police departments) and Vermont REALTORS have received numerous reports in recent weeks from property owners and real estate agents whose for-sale listings are being "scraped" and used for vacation rental scams. Recent scams have included homes in Winhall, Stratton and Manchester.
 Scammers are reposting the MLS listing information on Internet sites such as Craigslist, and claiming the home is for-rent, rather than for-sale. Unsuspecting renters who are lured to the low rental price will make deposits to rent the property only to find out later that the home was never available for rent.
While for-rent-by-owner websites and online ads have made finding rental properties much more convenient for consumers, they have also become a convenient method for someone trying to take advantage. Here are some red flags to help you make sure that you are not being duped by a rental scam.
Be aware of the following:
- The advertised rental price is too low. If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true! Scammers purposely advertise the property with ultra-low rent to entice victims.
- Hefty deposits are required. Be especially alert if you are asked for a substantial deposit before the keys are handed over or the property has been seen. Renters should also be skeptical of a landlord who asks them to wire money.
- No additional photos and/or the owner doesn't seem as familiar with the property or area as you might expect. Ask for additional photos! If they can't send you more photos, that's a red flag! Ask about the house and the area. Where is the nearest grocery store? Is the basement finished? Is it a gas or wood fireplace?
- Missing landlord. The renter also may want to be skeptical of a landlord who only communicates via e-mail and is located elsewhere. Often in these scams, they claim they are out of the country because of a missionary assignment, family emergency or a new job. Only deal with landlords, real estate agents, and property management companies who can assist in touring the property together.
Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate patrols Craigslist and other rental websites to make sure that the properties listed for sale with this firm are not being used as part of a rental scam. If you own a home that is listed for sale or that you rent out on your own, you should monitor Craigslist and other for-rent-buy-owner sites.
To report Craigslist Scams:
Click here for information on recognizing and preventing scams and for links to the Internet Fraud Complaint Center.
Click here to report violations and scams on Craigslist.
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Spotlight Property For Sale
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Nestled in the Woods on 37+ Acres
908 Under the Mountain Road, South Londonderry
Modeled after a traditional New England Meeting House, this beautiful timber-frame home is nestled in the woods  on 37+ acres on one of the area's most beautiful country roads. The house (as it is) has been masterfully built with the finest materials and craftsmanship . . . but, it is a work-in-progress and awaits the next owner's finishing touches. The house was designed to be exceptionally efficient with a low-impact footprint on the environment: there are energy-efficient windows, native wood and stone used throughout, natural cedar siding (to weather with the elements!), and bamboo flooring with multi-zone radiant heat on both levels. The bright, open floor plan invites family and friends to gather and celebrate, and the land will provide years and years of recreation fun with room to wander and explore or you can create a trail system for walking, snowshoeing or cross country skiing. Several major ski areas and two state parks each with a small lake are within a few minute's drive and the area boasts great schools and a strong sense of community.
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Random Acts of Kindness Week
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February 9 - 16 is Random Acts of Kindness Week! Established in 1995, the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (RAK) is an internationally recognized nonprofit headquartered in Denver, CO, dedicated to inspiring people to practice kindness and pass it on to others. RAK provides free online resources to encourage acts of kindness across the globe, specifically in school communities.
For a list of ideas to incorporate at school, work and home, please follow this link. And, if you're ambitious, print out a few of the cards shown above (found online here) and do something random and kind and "pay it forward" with a "Tag! you're it!" card.
Some favorite quotes about kindness:
"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end." - Scott Adams (creator of the Dilbert comic strip)
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - Aesop
"Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change." - Bob Kerrey (former US Senator)
"A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward." - William John Bennett (former Secretary of Education)
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Green Mountain Gourmet - Cheese Fondue
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February is National Fondue month! Enjoy this Classic Cheese Fondue recipe from Murray's Cheese.
- 1 pound Cave Aged Gruyère
- 1 pound Swiss Emmenthaler
 - 1 pound Appenzeller
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup dry white wine (or beer)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 garlic clove, halved
- Cubed crusty bread & other accompaniments, such as sausage, gently-steamed vegetables and cubed ham or turkey
Coarsely grate the cheeses and toss with the cornstarch. Heat the wine or beer with lemon juice over low to medium heat. When warm, add the cheese mixture one handful at a time until melted. Add black pepper to taste.
If serving in a fondue pot, rub the inside of the pot with a 2nd clove of garlic. Set the pot on its stand over a low flame. Pour in your melted fondue.
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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.)
February 13 - 14
Gypsy Layne at Oldcastle Theater in Bennington - The Berkshire-based Gypsy Layne Cabaret & Company promises to deliver the real action, and to me it is all in the spirit of Lupercalia. Called the "sexy high point of classic burlesque entertainment" by Berkshire magazine, Gypsy Layne's hallmark of bawdy humor, live music, dynamic dance routines, and cheeky sex appeal are prominently featured in their latest extravaganza featuring both men and women. Yes, the times have changed in more ways than one. Friday & Saturday, February 13th & 14th, 2015, doors open at 7:30, show at 8 PM. Tickets, $22 in advance, $26 at the door. Tickets for Friday available at www.brownpapertickets.com
February 14 - 15
Chester Winter Carnival 2015 - Get ready for some mighty fine winter fun! Dogsled rides, skating outdoors and broom hockey warm one's heart and evoke laughter on the coldest winter days! Fun for all ages!! For more information:
call 802-875-2693 for team signup www.chester.govoffice.com All outdoor events are free of charge For more information, visit the Chester, Vermont Winter Carnival Annual Event page. This event was voted a Top Ten 2012/13 Winter Event by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce!
February 14
FebFEST Fireworks, Torchlight Parade and Dance Party with the Don't Leave Band -Benefiting the Bromley Outing Club, FebFEST starts at
6:30 pm upstairs in the Bromley base lodge where you can view silent auction items and get a bite to eat. The torchlight parade goes off at 7:30 followed by the fireworks. Then it's dancing to The Don't Leave Band in the Wild Boar Tavern, the silent & live auctions & the vacation raffle drawing.
February 15 Torchlight Parade & Fireworks Display - Okemo Mountain Resort
Saturday, February 14 Fireworks at Stratton - Fireworks beginning at 8:30pm in the Main Base Area. February 14-15
Harris Hill Ski Jump International Competitions - The Olympic-sized Harris Hill Ski Jump hosts the United States American Ski Jumping series event - and also this year - competitions for a Men's and Women's International Skiing Federation (FIS) Cup. http://www.harrishillskijump.com
Tuesday, February 17
Workshop on Advance Directive at Wilder Memorial Library - Do you want to make sure your end of life wishes are known to your family and support network? Are you interested in learning more about Advance Directives? Do you have questions about the variety of forms or older forms you have already filled out? People of all ages and stages of life are invited to come to the Wilder Memorial Library in Weston on Tuesday, February 17th from 10 AM-12 PM. The workshop will consist of a presentation on the different types of Advance Directive forms--short and long forms, and will conclude with a Q & A session. Staff and volunteers from the Rutland Area Visiting Nurses and Hospice will be on hand to lead the workshop and answer any questions. Space is limited. Please call 802-824-4307 or email wilderweston@gmail.com to RSVP. For more information, please visit www.wildermemoriallibrary.org.
Friday, February 20
The Vermont Movie, Part 2 - 6:30-8:30 PM at Weston's Wilder Memorial Library. The Vermont Movie is a six-part collaborative documentary produced by several dozen Vermont-based filmmakers. Part Two deepens the journey, digging beneath the surface of Vermont's bucolic image to explore labor wars, eugenics experiments, the McCarthy era, and progressive Republicanism. Covering over a century-from pre-Civil War to 2009-it chronicles the rise of unions and quarry work, Barre's
Socialist Labor Party Hall, the marketing of Vermont, the state's reaction to New Deal policies, George Aiken's gentle populism, and Republican Ralph Flanders' heroic stand against Joe McCarthy during the Red Scare. Emigrés from urban areas, "back-to-the-landers" like Helen and Scott Nearing and filmmaker Nora Jacobson's father, Nicholas Jacobson, came to Vermont in search of an alternative lifestyle. Call 802-824-4307 or email wilderweston@gmail.com to RSVP, as space is limited. For more information about future screenings of "The Vermont Movie" documentary parts at Wilder Memorial Library, please visit www.wildermemoriallibrary.org.
Sunday, February 22
Kåre's 30th Annual Tele Fest (Bromley) - Come rip with some of the best tele skiers in the East at the Kåre Andersen Telemark Festival! Have fun with great tele events, the annual Race, clinics and fun for the entire family. Learn what tele-skiing is all about! More details at http://www.bromley.com/upload/photos/909Telefest_2015.pdf
February 27 - March 1
Magic Hat 20th Annual Mardi Gras Weekend in Burlington - benefiting the Vermont Foodbank, live music throughout the weekend, a grand parade winding down Main Street at 3 PM Saturday and the celebration will carry on through the night. Cure your hangover Sunday afternoon by joining them at the Brewery for free samples and guided tours. For more information go to www.magichat.net/mardigras
Saturday, February 28
Circus Spectacular 2015 at the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro. Two show: Saturday, February 28 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, March 1 at 1 pm. An awesome event with high flying trapeze, aerial silks, partner balancing, juggling, comedy and more! This annual fundraiser features the professional performers of the New England Center for Circus Arts and special guests from top circuses from around the world including Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros and Big Apple Circus! For tickets online visit www.necenterforcircusarts.org or call (802) 254-9780
Saturday, February 28
Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer Snowshoe Series at Stratton - Tubbs Romp to Stomp Out Breast Cancer 3k/5k Snowshoe invites snowshoers of all ages and abilities to be a part of the largest fundraising snowshoe series in North America. Proceeds to benefit VT/NH Susan G. Komen. Free snowshoe demos, fun for the entire family. Information and registration at http://tubbsromptostomp.com/vt. Come down and join this annual Party in Pink!
Saturday, March 7
Bromley's Bart Center's Limitless Luau - Come and join the Bart Center at Bromley to see how snow sports can impact someone's life. The day will feature the ability to ski with an adaptive lesson, a themed lunch, scavenger hunt and other activities. http://www.bromley.com/winter/events/
Wednesday, March 11
23rd Annual Manchester Chili, Wings & Macaroni and Cheese Challenge - Manchester's Fraternal Order of Eagles. For the past 23 years, the Chili Challenge has been the centerpiece of the Manchester Parks and Recreation fund raising efforts. Please join in by entering your chili, meatless macaroni and cheese and/or wing recipes in the Town's Annual Chili Challenge. Admission is $6 per person. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Manchester Parks and Recreation Dept's July 4th Fireworks and Street Fests. Call Liz Ambuhl for more info (802)362-1439.
Thursday, March 1
Meet Eleanor Roosevelt - Actress Elena Dodd brings life to Eleanor Roosevelt in this one-woman drama and historical interpretation of the four decades of her marriage to Franklin D. Roosevelt, including her adventures as a controversial First Lady in the 1930s and 1940s but not forgetting her roles as mother and grandmother to a large, lively family. With a frank, often humorous look at some of her struggles, she recalls her years as a timid young wife and mother; her growing involvement in politics, social issues, and the media as first lady; and her gradual emergence as an independent force in both private and public life. A dialogue with the audience follows the presentation, which was researched and written by Josephine Lane and Elena Dodd. Hosted by the Neighborhood Connections. Londonderry, Neighborhood Connections, 5700 Mountain Marketplace, 6:30 pm. Contact Mary Claire Schwartz at (802) 824-4343 for more information.
March 12 - 15
The Vermont Open at Stratton - Over $20,000 in prize money. Rail Jam, Slopestyle, Big Air & Banked Slalom. Registration is open. An event designed for snowboarders by snowboarders. www.stratton.com for more information.
Saturday, March 1
Sugar Daze Concert at Okemo - When the maple sap starts running, Okemo will be tapping into the sweet sounds of notable musical artists with Sugar Daze, a FREE concert series that culminates with a huge outdoor concert extravaganza in the Jackson Gore courtyard. Listed to CK3 at 3 PM, Brad Corrigan from the band Dispatch at 4:30 PM and Switchfoot 6:30 PM. http://www.okemo.com/activities/calendar/sugar-daze/
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Featured Area Properties for Sale
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7 Cody RoadLandgrove, VT $475,000
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58.4+/- Acres Abutting Tater Hill Golf
Windham, VT $235,000
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67 Chester Mtn Rd
Weston, VT
$430,000
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3542 Weston Andover Andover, VT $249,000
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Beautiful Views
10.25 +/- Acres
Spruce Drive
Andover, VT $79,000
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22+ Hillside Acres
North of Town
Weston, VT
$95,000
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Perfect Vacation Get-Away
1404 Andover Ridge
Andover, VT
$274,000
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Attention "This Old House" Fans!
8 Mill Lane
Weston, VT
$199,000
| The Family
Gathering Spot
19 Obed Moore Road Weston, VT $669,500 Link |
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Peace & Quiet
8.5+/- Acres
Andover, VT
$95,000
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UNDER CONTRACT
Main Street Bungalow
996 Route 100Weston $135,000 Link
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Weston Heights
3.63+/- Acres
Lot 19 - Middle Road
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Vermont Idyll
69 Burton Road
Weston, VT
$325,000
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End-of-the-Road with 42+ Acres
463 Arrau Road
Andover, VT
$595,000
Link
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37+ Acres - Managed Forest Program
908 Under the Mountain Road
South Londonderry, VT
$569,000
Link
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UNDER CONTRACT
12+ Acres - Nat'l Forest
Russet Hill Road
Landgrove, VT
$199,000
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SOLD
Country Farmhouse
South Londonderry, VT
$380,000
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SOLD
One-Level Living
Mid-Century Modern
244 Melendy Hill Road
South Londonderry, VT
$179,000
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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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Copyright © 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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