July 2015
In this issue . . .
Welcome
Dear ,

Life in Vermont is in full swing this month and the local events calendar is chock-full of fun and interesting things to do. This weekend is a perfect example; you can enjoy Manchester's Streetfest Friday night (with the always amazing Don't Leave Band), walk in the Race for the Cure on Saturday (looks for Londonderry's ambulance manning the first-aid area), check out the Sheep Dog Trials at Merck Forest and then wind down with weekend with a classic jazz guitar concert in Weston as part of the Sunday's on the Hill Music series.  

 

Frankly, I have to remind myself to slow down and enjoy some quiet time. In that vein, I have a new favorite quote for the summer:   

 

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means (a) waste of time."  

                                                           - Sir John Lubbock, The Use of Life

 

Wishing you a warm, sunny, wonderful month. 

 

- 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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More Local Road Closures 

Route 11 - Andover 

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) has advised that Andover VT11, Bridge 41, MM2.66 will be closed to traffic on Monday, July 20 at 7:00 a.m. for 10 consecutive calendar days. 

 

This bridge is on Route 11 between Londonderry and Chester. Traffic will be advised to detour through Ludlow on Routes 100 and 103, but there is a shorter detour on Hill Top Road or through Weston on the Chester Mountain Road, continuing on the Weston Andover Road to a point which will bypass the bridge closure. This detour will NOT be publicized because VTrans wants most traffic (especially trucks) to detour on state highways. For more information about the bridge closure or detours, contact Cindy Cook, 802-272-2829.

 

Lowell Lake Road - Londonderry 

There is also a detour affecting visitors to the lovely Lowell Lake. Lowell Lake Road off Rt. 11 is closed for several weeks so that a large culvert can be replaced. Traffic will be detoured east on Little Pond Road to Mountain Lake Road. This is a very small, narrow road, so be careful. Detour signs are visible on Route 11.

 

Lawrence Hill Road - Weston

The new retaining wall in front of the Church on the Hill has been completed and the road is now open. Lawrence Hill Road is scheduled to be paved later this summer, so there may be another brief closure.  

 

 

Beware of Trolls and Pirates 

Are you thinking about buying selling property? In Vermont or another place? If so, you should be aware of the latest phenomenon I've taken to calling "trolls and pirates."

 

The Internet is a great source of information and there are thousands (quite literally) of websites to help consumers buy and sell real estate. These sites range from legitimate bricks and mortar real estate businesses like Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate, to real estate listing portals like realtor.com and zillow.com.

 

Tucked away deep inside the dark recesses of the internet are sites that solicit and then sell "leads" to real estate agents in exchange for a referral fee. You may stumble on them if you ever type into your web browser something like, "How do I sell my house?" or "I want to buy a house in Key West, FL." Listed at the top of your search results are paid ads from "trolling" sites that have paid to have their website placed at the top of your results list. These sites may offer basic information, services and generic advice, but they will always ask you for more information, including your contact information. By clicking on their links, you will be directed to fill out a very short form with your contact information (name, property address, email and phone, etc.). Once they have your information, they will then sell the contact as a "lead" to what you can only hope is a legitimate, honest and trustworthy real estate professional. In essence, they've pirated your information and were never intending to actually help you; they just want to sell the lead to someone else that will then provide you with the real estate service you need.

 

Don't get me wrong! Realtors give and accept legitimate referrals all the time. We reserve the opportunity to make and receive referrals for those times when we have a prospective customer that might be better served by listing or buying a property with a different firm or agent, or the property is outside of our normal geographic "circle of expertise" or there is a conflict of interest.

 

Just like the expression, "All politics is local," so too is real estate. Your best bet to find a local, experienced real estate professional is to do one or more of the following (and, better yet, do all four):

  1. Get a direct referral from friends, family and colleagues,
  2. Look up agent reviews on sites like realtor.com and zillow.com (or AngiesList.com),
  3. Go "old school" and use the Yellow Pages to find and then interview a LOCAL agent with LOCAL expertise, and
  4. Look for printed materials such as real estate magazines and ads, and find an agent that lists and sells properties that are in the area you are or want to be AND lists and sells properties that are similar in size, style and price to the one you are interested in selling or buying.

If you are buying or selling in southern Vermont, call Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate at (802)824-3176. And, if you're considering buying or selling somewhere else, be smart and use a local expert!

 

 
Spotlight Property For Sale
Vermont Post & Beam
with Long-Range Views  
Londonderry, VT
$340,000

Built in 2003, this finely-crafted and beautifully-situated timberframe house is the quintessential Vermont home. It offers something for everyone and the indoor and outdoor areas will delight you. Enjoy light-filled spaces, wide-board native pine floors with radiant heat on the main level, a large functional kitchen, open living areas and pretty views from almost every window. The house has three bedrooms, the third of which is set up as a mother-in-law suite or apartment with a small kitchen and 2nd living area. A large unfinished space over the garage (currently used for storage) has the potential to add another 500+/- sq. ft of area. Perennial gardens, mountain views, trail access (VAST and hiking) nearby. Skiing at Magic, Stratton, Okemo and Bromely and golf at Tater Hill
are just minutes away.


 Click here for lots of larger photos and detailed information.

Upcoming Events
 
(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.)

On-Going Summer Events

 

Fridays, June 19 - August 28

Friday evenings - Okemo's Summer Music Series at Jackson Gore. Schedule and details at http://www.okemo.com/press/newsroom/musicseries.asp 

 

June 29 - August 4

Concerts at Kinhaven Music School: Fridays, 4 PM, Sundays, 2:30 PM, (students), Saturdays at 8 PM (faculty). Information at: http://www.kinhaven.org/concerts/ 

 

Tuesdays, July 14 - August 18

Tuesday Night Concerts on the Green - Manchester's Town Green is alive with Concerts on the Green - blues, rock, blue grass and folk music.

 

Saturdays, July 5 - August 24

Stratton Mountain's Saturday Under the Stars Free Concerts.  Lineup and information at http://www.stratton.com/events-and-activities/stratton-activities/summer-activities/live-music.aspx 

 

Wednesdays in Weston (July)   

Visit the Wilder Memorial library in Weston, VT for children's programming every Wednesday in July at 10:30 AM. This year's theme "Every Hero Has a Story" will be explored by a new storyteller, musician, artist or magician every week. Call 802-824-4307 or visit wildermemoriallibrary.org to learn more. July 23rd is musician Stephen Coronella, and July 30th is artist Brendan Taffee.

 

Sundays, June 29 - August 24

Sundays on the Hill Concert Series at Weston's Church on the Hill - Admission is $5, open seating, doors open at 3 PM. Information at http://vtchurchonthehill.org/.

July 19, 2015 - Cicade Band

July 26, 2015 - Counterpoint (vocal ensemble)

August 2, 2015 - Manchester Music Festival Concert

August 30, 2015 - Solstice Sackbuts (chamber trio)

 

______________________

 

Friday, July 17

Second Summer Street Festival - Downtown Manchester is getting taken over once again for the second Summer Street Festival! The Don't Leave Band, a favorite with local audiences for their mix of rock and roll, and Brent McCoy of Vermont Vaudeville are set to entertain at the free Streetfest on Friday, July 17 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Joining them will be local chefs and artisans, local non-profit organizations and  children's activities presenters on Main Street in Manchester. http://manchestervtevents.com/event/second-summer-street-festival/

 

Saturday, July 18

23rd Annual Race for the Cure - 5K Run/Walk * 10K Run * Kids' Fun Run at Riley Rink at Hunter Park in Manchester, VT. Register & donate online at http://www.komenvtnh.org/.

 

Saturday, July 18

The Out on the Tiles Band along with Manchester Music Festival Strings are back to rock out classical Led Zeppelin tunes in a concert to raise funds for Manchester Music Festival's Education Outreach Programs. Tickets $20, Lawn Seating $5, weather permitting and available day of show at the box office. http://www.mmfvt.org/

 

July 18 -19

11th Annual Sheep Dog Trials and Farm Festival - Merck Forest and Farmland Center's annual Sheep Dog Trial and Farm Festival falls in the early summer this year. Two-day event: watch the Northeast Border Collie Association in action at the Sheep Dog Trials, and take part in the Farm Festival's activities. http://merckforest.org/sheepdog_trials.php

 

Sunday, July 19

Sundays on the Hill concert at Church on the Hill, Weston. Charlie Apicella & Iron City. 4 PM.

 

Monday, July 20

Benjamin Scheuer at the Weston Playhouse - One night only! The charismatic singer/songwriter of the Off Broadway hit "The Lion" performs a concert of songs from past and future projects in a special appearance on the Playhouse stage. Catch this exciting talent prior to his nationwide tour. $35 ticket price includes post-event reception and 100% of ticket sales benefit the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company. Get your tickets by calling (802)824-5288 or online at http://www.westonplayhouse.org/events/benjamin-scheuer-/8.

 

Wednesday, July 22

Creacion Latin Big Band - This fun band will heat up the Newfane Common in a free concert on Wednesday, July 22, from 7-9 (Rain date: July 29). From the Palladium in New York City to the hills of southern Vermont, this 19-piece band, features Venezuelan singer Tony Messina and local musician Dan DeWalt, among others. Creacion Big Band plays Mambo, Salsa, Merengue, Bolero, and Cha chá. Enjoy this free live concert, sponsored by Newfane Anew, dedicated to putting the shire town of Newfane and its three villages on the map. Call 802.365.0265 for more information.

 

Thursday, July 23

A Sense of Place: Vermont's Farm Legacy - The character of a place is shaped by its cultural heritage and folklife, the informal traditions of family and community that guide the ways in which a person plans a meal, treats a neighbor, or understands civic responsibility. In Vermont the cultural legacy of farming has strongly influenced the identity of Vermonters, and it is these distinctive traditions, which have persisted even with the decline in farm numbers, that help make the state unique. This lecture by Gregory Sharrow explores the fabric of farm culture in the past and probes its relationship to the world of Vermont today. Hosted by the Neighborhood Connections. Londonderry, Neighborhood Connections, 5700 Mountain Marketplace at 6:00 pm. Contact Mary Claire Schwartz at (802) 824-4343 for more information.

 

July 24 - 25

Weston's Wilder Library's Annual Book Sale on the Weston Village Green - Preview Sale Friday afternoon 1-2 PM ($20 Admission . . . after all, it is a fundraiser!) with free general admission starting at 2 PM Friday and continuing through Saturday to 3 PM. $1 per paperback or 3 for $2 and $2 per hardcover or 3 for $5.

 

Friday, July 24

The Blue Flames' annual FREE steel band concert - on the Weston village green, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. There is also a raffle with some great prizes to benefit the Farrar Park Association and the preservation of the beautiful Weston Green. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 for $20 and the funds raised this year will go to restore the historic iron fence and replace/repair the grass. Bring a picnic and enjoy the smooth sounds of the Caribbean.

 

Saturday, July 25

Mount Holly Garden Tour 2015 - From 9:30 am - 4:00 pm, wander on this self-guided tour starting at the Community Center. Tickets can be purchased in the library. For more information: http://www.yourplaceinvermont.com/event/mount-holly-garden-tour-2015/#sthash.eY0SQJml.dpuf

 

Saturday, July 25

Weston's Treasures on the Green Sale and Wilder Library Book Sale - On the Weston Green, 9:30 AM-2:30 PM.

 

Saturday, July 25

"Raptor Encounters" at Bromley with the VT Institute of Natural Science - Live falcons, hawks and owls provide the lens through which we examine food webs, predator-prey relationships and the interdependence of the systems that support life. Plus, they're really cool! 2 free shows: 11:30am and 1:30pm.

 

Sunday, July 26

Sundays on the Hill concert at Church on the Hill, Weston. Counterpoint vocal ensemble at 4 PM.

 

Monday July 27

The Real Dirt on Composting - Cheryl Wilfong, a certified Master Gardener and author of The Real Dirt on Composting, will lead a discussion on the ins and outs of composting. What goes in? What stays out! What composting system works best for you? Call to reserve your seat to this event which is sure to be very popular! Hosted by the Neighborhood Connections. Londonderry, Neighborhood Connections, 5700 Mountain Marketplace at 2:30 pm. Contact Mary Claire Schwartz at (802) 824-4343 for more information.

 

Saturday, August 1

The Craft of Homebrew Competition - The competition is open to the first 50 home brewers, who will vie for a spot to have their craft brew featured at Madison Brewing in Bennington. Street festival with live music. Food vendors. The crowd decides the Winner! 1 - 4 PM, info at http://craftofbeer.weebly.com/.

 

July 31 - August 2

37th Annual Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival - Kicking off Bennington's Arts Week, the Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival features over 150 Fine Art and Craft Exhibitors; Specialty Foods including maple products, baked goods, and Vermont-distilled spirits; delightful dining; and live entertainment. Formerly the summer Hildene Festival in Manchester, this is our third year in Bennington and we are so glad to be here! http://craftproducers.com/festivals/37th-annual-southern-vermont-art-craft-festival/

 

Sunday, August 2

Sundays on the Hill concert at Church on the Hill, Weston. Manchester Music Festival at 4 PM.

 

Monday, August 3

6th Annual Chocolate and Cheese Festival - As proof that nothing brings people together like good weather and chocolate, the annual "Chocolate Festival" for the benefit of Neighborhood Connections has grown to a scope that defies imagination. Join chocolate lovers from near and far in The Landgrove Inn's great meadow as they sample delicacies from 30 of the area's best chefs and cheese makers, all with a chocolate theme. Besides being a chocoholics delight, it's all for a good cause! 5-8 PM, tickets are $15 before the event and $20 at the door. Children are $10 and those kiddos under 6 are free. http://visitmanchestervt.com/events/6th-annual-chocolate-and-cheese-fest/

 

August 6 - 9

Manchester's Famous Sidewalk Sales - With no sales tax on clothing and fantastic bargains throughout Manchester Center and Manchester Village. The Sidewalk is the place to be! Sponsored by Manchester and the Mountain Regional Chamber of Commerce.

 

August 7 - 9

Okemo's Annual Hops in the Hills Beer and Wine Festival - Named a Vermont Chamber of Commerce Top Ten Event, come sample more than 75 craft beers and ciders from region brewers and enjoy a selection of great wines as well. The festival will showcase a great lineup of live music, craft vendors, tasty food options and the great outdoors at Okemo's Jackson Gore courtyard. Okemo's Adventure Zone will be open with zip line tours, miniature golf, Segway PT tours, Treetop challenge course and Mountain Coaster. New this year: Friday evening we will be featuring a beer pairing dinner hosted by our own chef Scot Emerson. Friday hours 6-9 p.m. On Saturday, local restaurants will vie for the title of Okemo Valley Chicken Wing Champion., Saturday noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Information at http://www.okemo.com/activities/calendar/hops-in-the-hills/

 

Saturday, August 8

Walking Tour of Weston's Historic District - 10 AM. Meet at the Green.

 

Saturday, August 8

8th Annual Fly Fishing Festival at the American Museum of Fly Fishing - Brian Price of Vermont Fly Guys and Mike Rice of Mud Dog Flies (Marshfield, Mass.) will be on hand doing fly tying demonstrations. Learn how to tie flies, cast vintage rods at our casting pond, have your antique gear appraised, chat with representatives from the fly fishing industry, and enjoy barbecue food courtesy of Mulligan's. There are plenty of activities for the kids as well with face painting and "clown flies" among other things. Michael Hackney of The Eclectic Angler will be on hand for a very special presentation printing fly reels from his 3-D printer! Author John D. Juriga will also be on hand signing copies of his book Bob Hines: National Wildlife Artist to coincide with our Hines exhibition in our Leigh Perkins Gallery. Admission to the event and museum is FREE all day! 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

 

Sunday, August 16

David Sanger Lecture at the Weston Playhouse - Join New York Times National Security Correspondent David E. Sanger for a stimulating and informative discussion of the political events that shape our world.  In his 32-year career, Sanger has served as the Times' Washington Economic Correspondent, White House correspondent during the Clinton and Bush Administrations and Chief Washington Correspondent.  7:30 PM. Tickets are $35 and includes a dessert and wine reception following the lecture in the playhouse living room. 100% of ticket sales benefit the Weston Playhouse Theatre Company. http://www.westonplayhouse.org/events/david-sanger/3

 
Featured Area Properties for Sale

NEW PRICE 

Triple Crown Winner 

 69 Burton Road 

Weston, VT
$300,000
End-of-the-Road with 42+ Acres
463 Arrau Road

Andover, VT

$550,000

 Link 
VT Meeting House

 908 Under the Mountain Road 

South Londonderry, VT

$525,000

Link  
NEW PRICE
Landgrove Gem
7 Cody Road
Landgrove, VT
$450,000
58.4+/- Acres - Meadows and Views
Popple Dungeon and Howard Hill Roads
Windham, VT
$235,000
Overlooking Weston
67 Chester Mtn Rd
Weston, VT
$399,000
Henson Land
NEW PRICE  
Just Outside Weston
3542 Weston Andover
Andover, VT
$229,000
Beautiful Views
10.25 +/- Acres
Spruce Drive
 Andover, VT
$79,000
22+ Hillside Acres 
North of Town
on Rt 100   
Weston, VT 
$95,000 
Link  
Perfect Vacation Get-Away
1404 Andover Ridge
Andover, VT
$274,000
SOLD
Weston Village Charmer
8 Mill Lane
Weston, VT
$199,000
NEW PRICE  
 The Family
Gathering Spot

19 Obed Moore Road

Weston, VT

$645,000

Link 

 
Surrounded by
Nat'l Forest
38 Breznick Road
Peru, VT
$125,000
Weston Hills Ranch
57 Obed Moore Road
Weston, VT
$259,000
UNDER CONTRACT
Weston Cape
 996 Route 100
Weston, VT
$135,000
Link
Building Lot
5.4+/- Acres
Moses Pond Road
Weston, VT
$50,000
JUST LISTED
8.5 Acres in Andover
Andover Ridge Road
Andover, VT
$69,000
Link
Weston Heights 
3.63+/- Acres 
Lot 19 - Middle Road 
Weston, VT
$71,000 
Post and Beam
with Mountain Views
232 Pierce Ridge Rd
Londonderry, VT
$340,000
JUST LISTED Streamside in Londonderry 
299 Route 121 
Londonderry, VT
$175,000
Link
Andover Idyll
4262 East Hill Road 
Andover, VT
$469,000 

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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.
 
Contact Us
Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate | (802)824-3176 | Email Claudia Harris| http://www.mmmrealestate.com
620 Main Street
Post Office Box 8
Weston, VT 05161

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