Seal returns to the Sakonnet River - Tiverton, RI

It snowed again last night. But what a nice surprise to see that the seal had returned to the Sakonnet River. Almost every year this time we welcome the return of our salt water friend. Considering how much ocean we are surrounded by it is not often that you see these kind of animals in the Sakonnet River. So when our friend returns it makes me very happy and excited. I heard dolphins swam through the river last summer or maybe the summer before but unfortunately I missed them.

If you are near by you might want to come see the seal. It sits on the rocks just past Grinnell's Beach on Main Rd.

These are the best pictures I could get with my camera. It is days like this I wish I had a better camera (it is on the list).

While I have your attention let me give you a quick update on what is going on in Tiverton:

Two new public trails have recently opened at Weetamoe Woods. For more information about Weetamoe Woods go to Bill's Wild Outdoors or Tiverton Town Hall. There is also a 418 acre former dairy farm located in Tiverton called Eight Rod Farm Management Area where you can enjoy Canoeing, Freshwater Fishing, and Horseback Riding. It has be snowing so I would think it would also be nice for cross county skiing. Please check with RI DEM before Hiking, Horseback Riding, or possible cross country skiing this time of year to be sure it does not conflict with hunting season which includes deer hunting (archery & muzzle load only). It is stocked with pheasants during pheasant season and open to bird hunters. It is a great place to train your bird dog. Many hunters take advantage and take their dogs. FYI if you love these sports or this life style there is a nice property for sale abutting Eight Rod Farm Management Area (for more information please call me at (401) 369-1766 or e-mail lgtiv@aol.com.

No matter what the season there is always something to do in Tiverton. About a week ago I took my grand daughter for a ride to get her to nap. We ended up at Fogland Beach where there were wind surfers. I have to admit I left the warmth of car to take a stroll on the beach to find some treasures. The great thing about town is no matter what part of town you live in you are never far away to enjoy these places.

Maybe you should call Tiverton home or your vacation home town. There are homes in every price range. Currently there are 22 homes available under $240,000.00 (not including mobile homes and 55+ communities). I saw a cute two bedroom today with a list price of $137,900.00. 30 homes listed between $240,000.00-$350,000.00, 38 homes listed between $350,000.00-$550,000.00 (the one located near Eight Rod Farm falls in this price range) 22 homes listed between $550,000.00-$850,000.00 and 16 homes listed at $850,000.00 or more.

Information was obtained from the RI MLS.

Don't forget to come back often there are lots of nice towns that we will be visiting in the near future.

Lisa

Me and Brie - My Favorite Cheese - Not What Your Thinking

I made it through a closing (hurray), joined two great groups on ActiveRain "Club Chaos" and Fraiche-Aire" so I thought I would spend a day with my favorite little cheese Brie. Brianna that is she is my grand baby and best friend.

Please meet Brianna:

We started our day at Frerichs Farm for the great pumpkin weigh off. Sorry I don't have any photos of the great big pumpkins I was a little busy chasing this little one around. It was fun. The people at the farm offered lots for everyone to do. They gave free pumpkins, offered mazes, a western town, pumpkin painting, hay to climb on, and the pumpkin weigh in which I don't know the results because Brianna had to many other things to explore.

Brianna in the Corn Maze - She's quick. She turned her head before the photo was clicked. I tried to get a picture of her holding her pumpkin by the time I focused the camera she threw her pumpkin - oh well.

Brianna digging for worms in the Western Town. I thought this was very clever. They had two troughs one filled with Buck Wheat Husks and pipe cleaners (the worms) and the other "Panning for Gold" was filled with sand and corn kernels.

Here is Brianna's painted pumpkin. Not bad for 21 months - okay she had little help with the face. The absolute best part of the day were the hugs and kisses I received on the way back to the car.

Pa-pop had to work so he couldn't join us at the farm. But never fear he wasn't missing out on this day. It was a beautiful sunny and warm day. Pa-pop heard they just stocked his favorite fishing hole so off for some fishing to end the day.

I love this child she gives me the drive to work so hard everyday. So that was our simply day filled with joy and hugh rewards.

CALL TO ACTION - Attention all Real Estate Professional & Consumers. Simple statements can result in Big Ideas

This morning I was reading a post by Michael Klijanowicz titled "HALLOWEEN IS GOING TO SUCK THIS YEAR". It was a cartoon about children trick or treating in a neighborhood of foreclosed homes. There was a comment made by Renee Burrows on how she was going to use this opportunity to place flyers at these properties which got me thinking. Sometimes the simple statements result in Big Ideas.

The post by Michael made me realize how we get so wrapped up in all this mess that we sometimes forget about the children. In my comment I suggested that maybe as real estate professionals who have listing where the property is empty wouldn't it be cool if someone was on the porch handing out candy to children.

My Call to Action: Do you as real estate professionals think that we could get together and accomplish something like this is a short amount of time?

Would you be willing to participate?

Do you have friends, relatives, or such that would be willing to participate?

How about a Halloween party sponsored by real estate professional in your area?

I am fairly new to real estate and unfortunately don't know many of you but I think this is a great contribution to our communities. Maybe our children won't be so afraid unless it is in the usual manor attributed to Halloween. The fun scary stuff.

We could demonstrate what we always claim as professionals - that we care, that we can accomplish anything in a timely fashion, that real estate is so much more than just selling houses.
How would you accomplish this? Send e-mails to location real estate agents. Post an ad on your Local Board's Blog, Post an ad in your local paper. Contact your SOI. Any ideas? Or do you think this is just a stupid idea?

Please let me know what you think. Oh and by the way "Time is of the Essence". LOL

Whatever the outcome.

Lisa

Tired of the Bail Out, Economy, Political Debates, Bad News. Need to Get Away & Outside

I think I have been watching to much News, Political Debates, and reading in general just to much negative information. I need to clear my head and refocus. When this happens to me I find positive things to do outside or around town.

Recently I was reading the forum on http://www.city-data.com/regarding Rhode Island. People were asking what it was like living in Rhode Island and much to my surprise it was very negative. If I were considering living in Rhode Island and read some of the responses I don't think I would move here. You may want to look up what people are saying about your area.

So let's see exactly what is going on in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts. Due to the economic times I have chosen events that are free. Yes Free!
October 4, 2008 - Information obtained from the Lifestyle section of http://www.eastbayri.com/

Aquidneck Growers' Market
Features local products from 15 member growers and producers including fresh produce, cut flowers, berries, herbs, eggs, honey, jams and jellies, baked goods (including a dog bakery), pasta and cheese.
Where: On the ground of Newport Vineyard and Winery, 909 East Main Rd., Rte 138, Middletown, RI
When: 9:00am-1:00pm Saturdays through Oct 25, rain or shine

Astronomy Day Celebration
UMass Dartmouth Observatory and the Astronomical Society of Southern New England hosts a celebration of Astronomy Day. Visitors will view many nebulae in the Sagittarius Constellation through the observatory's 16-inch telescope and other large telescopes. Also on the program is Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune. Each object will be explained and questions answered.
WHERE: UMass Dartmouth Observatory, field next to the main entrance, Old Westport Rd., North Dartmouth, MA
WHEN: 7 p.m.
COST: Free, donations to the Observatory Development Fund appreciated

Autumn Fair
Features handmade gifts and crafts, baked treats, fudge and candy, white elephant table, country store, a variety of food at the Autumn Fair Cafe, a concert by Hillside Galileans Gospel Group and more.
WHERE: First Congregational Church, the Olde White Church, Rt. 6 and Maple Ave., Swansea, MA
WHEN: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Fall Gardening Festival
Features a variety of speakers and exhibitors to share their knowledge and tools of the trade through workshops, hands-on activities, garden talks and demonstrations. Learn how to divide perennials, prune shrubs, propagate tender perennials, harvest and dry herbs and put the garden to bed for the winter. Bring a picnic lunch, drinks provided.
WHERE: Tranquil Lake Nursery, 45 River St., Rehoboth, MA
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
COST: Free

Meet Lemon the Duck
Meet Lemon, the star of the children's picture book, "Lemon the Duck," and author Laura Backman. Based on the true story of Lemon, a teacher and her class conduct an egg-hatching project and welcome four little ducklings into the world.
WHERE: A Novel Idea Booksellers, 450 Hope St., Bristol, RI
WHEN: Noon-2 p.m.
COST: Free

Montanaro's Open Studio
Montanaro's Open Studio will feature works by Michael and Elizabeth Montanaro for viewing or purchase, music, beverages and entertainment.
WHERE: Montanaro's Studio, Portsmouth, RI
WHEN: 1-5 p.m.
MORE INFO: 741-8101

Westport's Farmers' Market and Craft Fair
Features local produce, crafts and more.
WHERE: Westport Grange, 937 Main Rd., Westport
WHEN: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 11

Are you a Nature Lover? The Audubon Society of Rhode Island provides a list of wildlife refuges in Rhode Island you can visit complete with descriptions, trail maps, and lists of permitted/not permitted uses of the trails.
http://www.asri.org/refuges/wildlife-refuges.html

There is also Fort Barton Highland Rd Tiverton, RI
Revolutionary War redoubt. It was the troop staging area for the invasion of Aquidneck Island and Newport and the eventual Battle of Rhode Island. Observation tower and 3 miles of nature walks.

Saving (in my opinion) the best for last. This place gets my gold star.
Okay so the star isn't gold but you get my point.


The Frerichs Farm and Greenhouses
43 Kinnicutt Ave - Warren, RI 02885
http://www.frerichsfarm.com/index.html


Free: Western Town, Corn Maze, Toddler Flower Maze, Tee pee
Small Fee: Pumpkin Coach Ride, Scarecrow Factory


When you do things right you just simply shine. I suggest you visit their web site. I am sure you will agree. Think I'll bring my grand baby there this weekend.

So before you believe all the negative you read about Rhode Island come see for yourself. Every place you live has it's share of negative. It is your choice to focus on the negative or the positive. This is a overview of One Day/One Month! Look at the effort people put into their communities. Besides the wonderful ocean and beaches we have farmers, artists, authors, and much more. Aside from the classroom we provide fun ways to educate our children. This is what Rhode Island is to me.

So for one day or one weekend walk away from your computers. Turn off your TVs. Put down your game controllers. Get outside and enjoy your town. I would love to see what other communities around the country have to offer. I'll be looking.

Has it been Nine Days? - What's Brimfield?

It has been nine days since my last blog and let me tell what a crazy, hectic and sometimes sorrowful nine days it has been.

First lets start with the sorrowful news so we can end on a happy note. A very good friend of ours had a ATV accident almost didn't survive. We had gotten news he was doing good only to hear a few days later that he had flat lined but was again revived. He seems to be doing better now but it is day to day. My prayers, thoughts, and extra strength is with him everyday. I spoke to my very best friend and heard some real awful news regarding a mutual friend's son. Seems he was driving down the highway at night and some person who wanted to commit suicide saw him coming and ran in front of his car. He hit him the person went flying over his car and was hit by three other cars from what I understand. My prayers are with my friend's son also.

Next put in an offer for a customer which is now in a Multi Offer situation. I don't know how many of you will recall a post I wrote called "Almost Hit One Out of the Park" but that young couple returned to me as a customer (hurray) and we put an offer on a Home for them which I really hope happens for them because they are really nice, on top of their game, hard working, and if anyone deserves it they certainly do. Sometimes I wonder how good I will be at this business I care more for my customers than myself and think I would be just as disappointed if not more so if they didn't get this house. It makes me feel really great inside because I think it is a really nice house for them. Their parents must be proud of them I know I am. Again what a nice family that is what I love about this business.

Visited some good friends. What a pond they made in their back yard - very talented. Little water fall, lights for at night, water plants, simply beautiful. Hope to get the pictures so I can post about their back yard retreat.

Finally it is the last Antique show in Brimfield so that means packing campers, setting up tents, loading our 15 foot box truck, and a week in a field selling. If you have never been to Brimfield I encourage you to do so - bring your walking shoes and wallet. For more information go to http://www.brimfield.com/. Here are some photos from July's show.

This is only a small view of what to expect. Yup that's how we live for the week at Brimfield's Antique Show. Lots of great people, fun, and friends. Well all work very hard and help each other out.

I have missed blogging so much that I decided I would use my last bit of energy today and offer this post. Please enjoy and if you get a chance don't miss the Antique Show it is the last one this year. Hope to see you there. Oh yeah seeing how I never got a chance to put my picture on my blog guess you won't know it is me (it is getting to the top of my long list of things to do). LOL

Til next time enjoy, be happy, successful, productive, take time to love your family and friends we never know what will come our way.

Bye,