Auction at the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester CT - 10/30/10 05:20 PM
Auction at the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester CT
A goods and services silent auction will be held at the Lutz Children's Museum in Manchester CT on Friday November 5.  At 6:00 p.m., refreshments and the silent auction will begin.  A live auction hosted by Scot Haney will begin at 8:00.  Tickets are available in advance for $20 or at the door for $25.  For more information, visit the Lutz Children's Museum online or call 860-643-0949.
 
The proceeds of the auction will benefit the educational programs of the Lutz Children's Museum, which has served Manchester and surrounding towns since 1953.  Hazel P. … (2 comments)

Foodshare's Empty Bowls Project - 10/29/10 06:51 PM

Foodshare's Empty Bowls Project will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at the Lowe Student Services Center at Manchester Community College from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
 
For $15, each person will receive a handmade ceramic bowl to keep and will be able to enjoy unlimited soup and bread made by the Culinary Arts students and area restaurants.  The proceeds will benefit Foodshare which provides food to those in need in Hartford County and Tolland County.  Foodshare estimates that there are 128,000 people in the greater Hartford area who experience "empty bowls" throughout the year.
Last year's Empty Bowls … (6 comments)

What Is It? It's the American Chestnut! - 10/27/10 10:06 AM
 

 
A few months ago, I posted a picture on Wordless Wednesday and asked if anyone knew what it was.  I didn't get any responses and I even went back to Dondero Orchards to ask them what it was.  On the day I went back, however, no one was available to tell me what they thought it was.
A few days ago, my niece posted an article on Facebook about the American Chestnut, and I realized that my picture was of the American Chestnut.
I checked out a few articles and was fascinated to learn found that it almost became extinct because … (4 comments)

BUSINESS REFERRALS: Here's How It Works for Me. - 10/26/10 12:50 PM
BUSINESS REFERRALS:  Here's how it works for me.
It's pretty simple.  If I get outstanding service from you, I will refer you to as many people as I know; if you are a shlump, I won't refer you. 
I keep a mental list as well as a written list of people I know in all kinds of categories:  home inspectors, mortgage people, repair people, contractors, builders, electricians, plumbers, attorneys, hardwood floor refinishers, etc.  Personally, I think it is an honor to let others know when someone has done an outstanding job.
Here are a few examples of people currently on my … (4 comments)

VERNON CT MARKET REPORT: SEPTEMBER 2010 - 10/26/10 10:32 AM
VERNON CT MARKET REPORT: September 2010

 
During September 2010, there were 12 closed sales in Vernon, CT with a median price of $173,000.  In September 2009, there were 20 closed sales, with a median price of $186,500.  Here is the breakdown by price range for those two months:

If you would like to see some of the properties for sale in Vernon, CT, you can view them below.  You can also change your search criteria to narrow your search or check out other towns.  Please contact me if you have questions about any of the properties. I am … (0 comments)

EAST HARTFORD CT MARKET REPORT: September 2010 - 10/26/10 09:36 AM
EAST HARTFORD CT MARKET REPORT:  September 2010
 
Like most surrounding towns, East Hartford closed fewer sales in September 2010 than in September 2009.  In September 2010, there were 25 closed sales with a median price of $140,000.  In September 2009, there were 39 closed sales with a median price of $153,000.  Here is the breakdown by price:
 

If you would like to see some of the options in East Hartford or any other town, please change the search criteria below.  If you see something you are interested in or if you can't find what you are looking for, … (0 comments)

The Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving Day 2010 - 10/24/10 02:00 PM
The Manchester Road Race will be held on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010.  This will be the 74th running of the Manchester Road Race, a nationally-known event.  As in the past, there will be plenty of excitement and registration is already underway.

 
Here is a picture of Main Street, Manchester, CT now, but it certainly won't look like that on November 25, 2010.  The Manchester Road Race typically draws around 13,000 runners or more.   It is the largest race in Connecticut and the third largest in New England.  It also ranks in the top 25 distance races in the country. With crowds lining … (6 comments)

Halloween Fun in Manchester CT - 10/23/10 04:45 PM
Halloween Fun in Manchester CT.
Main Street is the place to go for some Halloween fun in Manchester, CT.  Right now, there is a scarecrow exhibit along Main Street featuring over 35 scarecrows created by local businesses, schools, and groups.  A stroll down Main Street on a nice day like today will get you in the Halloween spirit.  Here are a few of the entries in the exhibit:


Then, next Saturday, there will be more Halloween fun starting at 10:00 a.m. with activities and trick-or-treating.
From 10:00 to noon at Center Park next to Mary Cheney Library, children can "Chalk the … (3 comments)

Going Green in the Bathroom! - 10/18/10 03:31 PM

 
Going Green in the Bathroom!  When Charles Buell issued a challenge to see if we could blog about anything, I immediately went to my bathroom sink to see if there was anything under the sink that inspired me.
Nothing immediately leaped out at me.  But then I noticed my can of Scrubbing Bubbles and realized that, of course, I could blog about that.
The can is really old. The top is totally rusted. And I wonder why I haven't just thrown it away.  It must be because we go back such a long way.  I always swore by Scrubbing Bubbles.  … (6 comments)

FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL IN WOODSTOCK, CT - 10/15/10 06:41 PM
FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL IN WOODSTOCK, CT.  This weekend is the 28th annual Fine Arts and Crafts Festival at Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, CT.  The festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17, from 10:00 to 4:30, rain or shine. 
One of the leading juried shows in New England, the Fine Arts and Crafts Festival includes over 175 artists, as well as live music and food booths.  Admission is $5 per person and children under 12 are free.  The festival offers a full day of fun, including free admission to the 1846 Roseland Cottage.  For more information, call … (8 comments)

CONDO REPORT: SOUTH WINDSOR, CT - SEPTEMBER 2010 - 10/14/10 05:04 PM
CONDO REPORT:  SOUTH WINDSOR, CT -  SEPTEMBER 2010
During the month of September 2010, there were 9 closed sales for condos in South Windsor, CT.prices ranged from $150,000 to $390,000, with a median price of $136,500.
During the month of September 2009, there were 12 closed sales for condos in South Windsor, CT.  Prices ranged from $116,000 to $273,000, with a median price of $177,000.

South Windsor has many great condo complexes and there are currently 40 units on the market in a variety of price ranges.  Here is the breakdown by price range:

 
If you are looking to … (2 comments)

SOUTH WINDSOR CT MARKET REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2010 - 10/13/10 11:07 AM
 
SOUTH WINDSOR CT MARKET REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2010

 
 
According to the MLS, there were 8 closed sales in South Windsor, CT during September 2010.  Closed prices ranged from $224,000 to $562,500, with the median price being $299,000.  During September 2009, there were 10 closed sales.  Closed prices ranged from $185,000 to $575,000, with the median price being $225,000.
 
As of today, however, there are 16 homes under contract and 25 homes under deposit in South Windsor, so it seems that the statistics in coming months will show increased activity. 
 
South Windsor CT is a desirable location … (3 comments)

MANCHESTER CT MARKET REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2010 - 10/11/10 04:36 PM
MANCHESTER CT MARKET REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2010.

 
During the month of September 2010, there were 14 closed sales in Manchester, CT.  List prices ranged from $102,900 to $284,900, while closed prices ranged from $95,000 to $275,000.  The median price was $163,500. 
 
In September, 2009, there were 40 closed sales in Manchester, CT, with a median price of $196,050. 
 
The breakdown by price range is shown below:
 

 
There is tremendous opportunity to find a great home in Manchester, CT.  If you are looking for a home in a certain price range, in a certain school … (0 comments)

CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME. LET'S DO WHAT WE CAN, WHEN WE CAN, WHERE WE CAN - 10/11/10 11:52 AM
Tish Lloyd of Wrightsville Beach, NC provides an important reminder that we can all do something to help someone else.  For many people, times are tough, and each of us can find ways to lighten their load. Whether we choose to donate time, money, or good spirit, every little bit helps.

Via Tish Lloyd Real Estate Agent Wrightsville Beach, NC (Prudential Laney Real Estate 910.547.1446):
I was raised, and raised my children, with the credo "Charity begins at home."  For my family, HOME is not just the 4 walls with an address, where we sleep -- It's our entire community.  Even if … (2 comments)

Tough Times Don't Last, But Tough People Do! - 10/10/10 10:59 AM
Tough times don't last, but tough people do! 
That was a sign that someone was holding up during mile 8 of the Hartford Half-Marathon yesterday, and I would like to say "THANK YOU" for the inspiration and the diversion.  I was getting tired at that point but was determined to finish.
For me, it always helps when I can take my mind off my fatigue for a while, and so while I appreciated the encouragement, I also appreciated the mental diversion when I began to think about how the placard applied to life in general.
We know times are tough, and they … (8 comments)

A Great Addition to the Homebuyer's Information Package - 10/08/10 01:44 PM
For many homebuyers, title insurance is something they don't think about until they are reviewing the settlement statement.  Stephanie Reynolds of Santee, California has taken the time to explain what title insurance is, what it covers, and what the different types of insurance are.  This is a valuable summary that should be part of every homebuyer's information package.

Via Stephanie Reynolds (AgentsOfPossibility.com, REALTOR, GRI, ePro, SRES ):
What is Title Insurance?
The process of buying a home brings up many questions as you move through the process. Phrases and words you have never even heard of are being flung around like you … (0 comments)

CONDO REPORT: MANCHESTER CT - SEPTEMBER 2010 - 10/05/10 06:38 PM
CONDO REPORT:  MANCHESTER CT - SEPTEMBER 2010 

   
Manchester CT is home to many condo complexes of all price ranges and levels of amenities.  Opportunities abound for home ownership in affordable complexes to more upscale complexes, from open-age communities to age-restricted communities.
 
During the month of September 2010, there were seven closed units, ranging from $75,000 to $185,000, with a median closed price of $155,000.  During the month of September 2009, there were 14 closed units with a median price of $139,500.
 
How did September compare with the three previous months? The median price in June 2010 was $154,500; in … (0 comments)