June 3, 6:30 p.m. Ben Thomas, Maine author, will discuss his new young adult novel, Code Breaker, Reading Room, Lithgow Public Library, 45 Winthrop Street, Augusta. FMI: 207.626.2415, www.lithgow.lib.me.us. June 3, 7 p.m. Working Together: Rods & Guns & Backpacks & Binoculars, a panel discussion of finding common ground between sporting organizations and conservation organizations, sponsored by Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, Union Church, Route 27, Belgrade Lakes Village. FMI: 207.495.6039, www.belgradelakes.org. June 4-6, all day/evening, 2010 Spring Samboree, music, games, challenges, Saturday Night Bean Suppah with all the Fixins, Aussie Pet Mobile, Hullabaloo Feud and more, Farmington Fairgrounds, High Street, Farmington. FMI: www.mainegoodsams.org. June 4-6, 7:30 p.m. Fri... 07/01/2010

 February 19, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Youth Ice Fishing Derby on Cochnewagon Lake, Jack Traps hosting in association with the Sebago DerbyFest, open to all children 12 and under, parents responsible for children over course of day, volunteers available to help set traps, bait hooks and teach children about the sport, free, preregistration required, Lake Cochnewagon, Monmouth. FMI: 207.933.9499, www.jacktraps.com. February 19, 5-8 p.m. "Higher Forms of Art," Opening Reception for artwork from area high school students, exhibit continues through February 21, Harlow Gallery, 160 Water Street, Hallowell. FMI: 207.622.3813, www.harlowgallery.org. February 19, 7 p.m. Readings of Toni Morrison, celebration of Black History Month and Toni Morrison's birthday (Feb 18, 1931) free, Pugh Center, Cotter Union... 03/31/2010

August 20-22, all day, Skowhegan State Fair, family event including midway, animal exhibits, crafts, commercial exhibits, flower show, animal pulling and harness racing, Skowhegan Fair Grounds, Route 201 North, Skowhegan. FMI: 207.474.2947 or www.skowheganstatefair.com August 20, 7-8:30 p.m. "Historical Archaeology of 19th Century Rural Maine," lecture by Peter Morrison of Crane and Morrison Archaeology in Freeport, Union Church, Route 27, Belgrade. FMI: 207.495.6039 or www.belgradelakes.org, 207.495.3599 or www.gbgm-umc.org/maine-belgradelakes August 20-22, 7 p.m.-midnight  Frantasia Festival of Out Music and Arts, experimental/improvisational music and arts, donations $7/$5, Murray Hall, 69 Main Street, Livermore Falls. FMI: 207.897.6158 or www.franklincountymaine.org August 21, 2 p.m... 08/20/2009

Fair SeasonFair Season is upon us in the Belgrade Lakes Region. I don't know about you, but I've always enjoyed the fair. Cotton candy, fried dough, grandstand entertainment, oxen pulls, Ferris wheels, 4-H exhibits, and more. What's not to love? I think my favorite though is the skillet throw. Most of those women have strong arms and lots of fans. The Bangor State Fair and Topsham Fair, while a little out of the Belgrade Lakes Area, are two "don't miss" events this weekend. Here's more of what's happening in the week to come: August 6, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Best of Maine Auction, Maine-made items and Vacationland experiences and packages, tickets $10 or bid on-line, Owls Head Transportation Museum, 117 Museum Street, Owls Head. FMI: 207.594.4418 or www.ohtm.org/bom/auction/index.php August 6-9... 08/06/2009

To round out our reporting on recent lakefront property sales of camps, cabins, cottages, and vacation homes, here are the sales, from January 1, 2009 to May 31, 2009, in the Belgrade Lakes area: Sold date.......address........lake name.......list price...sold price......days on market..... 1/21 - 43 Androscoggin Loop, Leeds - Androscoggin -$199,500/$174,500 -DOM-66 1/20 - 37 Pine Cove, Manchester - Cobbossee - $274,900/$246,000 - DOM-456 4/14 - 81 Larry, Monmouth - Annabessacook - $129,000/$123,000 - DOM-66 5/28 - 94 Beach, Monmouth - Cochnewagon - $225,000/$190,000 - DOM-302 4/30 - 32 Ayotte, Monmouth - Annabessacook - $299,000/$260,000 - DOM-626 5/29 - 29 Dismal, Monmouth - Cobbossee - $385,000/$380,000 - DOM-87 3/3 - 1050 Pond, Mount Vernon - Taylor - $95,000/$85,000 - DOM-214 5/1 -... 06/16/2009

The Belgrade Lakes Region has been a consistently good draw for fishermen seeking excellent cold water species like salmon, lake trout (togue), and brown trout. As I was looking around the Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website recently I found a lot of great information about where to fish. Here are some of the suggestions given by these experts: For lake trout, otherwise known as togue, try Echo Lake in Vienna. Good sized togue have come out of here and the lake is stocked with salmon, splake and brook trout, as well. Trailered boat access is on the north end off Rte 41. Sheepscot Pond in Palermo is another suggestion for lake trout. It also has wild trout and salmon and trailered boat access is found on the north end off Rte. 3. Other possibilities include Wassookeag Lake in Dex... 06/03/2009

The Belgrade Lakes Region is one of Maine's premier communities and four-season vacation and recreational destinations. The area offers peaceful lakeside surroundings, superb fishing, as well as swimming, boating and hiking. A variety of shops, restaurants, and lodging choices await the weekend visitor, vacationer, or year round resident. With their many seasonal events, boat tours, golf courses, hikes, or easy trips to the scenic Maine coast and area mountains, the greater Belgrade Lakes area provides multitudes of opportunities for fun and recreation throughout the year.While the greater Belgrade region includes the China Lakes area to the east and the Winthrop lakes area to the south, the actual Belgrade Lakes are usually defined by a chain of seven fresh water lakes ranging in size ... 02/22/2008