Want to experience the true history of New England?  If you are ever in or around Central Mass you must visit the largest outdoor history museum in the Northeast, Old Sturbridge Village.  This 200+ acre museum first opened it's doors in June of 1946.  For over 60 years, Old Sturbridge Village has been educating today's generations about the history that took place between 1790-1840.  Schools in Massachusetts and the surrounding states often take field trips to OSV in their history classes.  During a trip to Old Sturbridge Village you will walk around on dirt roads and visit over 40 original buildings that have been carefully researched and restored and that resemble buildings around New England.  These include homes, schools, meeting houses and more.  The people that work and volunteer ... 09/19/2009

STAR Co-op, also known as The Sturbridge Area Cooperative will be hosting their monthly Farmer/Artisan Market event on Sunday, September 27th from 9AM-3PM.  Come enjoy some local produce, baked goods, arts and crafts, music and entertainment.  This event will be hosted at the Sturbridge Marketplace at the Falls located on the first floor.  The address is 559 Main Street in Sturbridge.  Come help support local businesses and bring your friends!  It's sure to be a fun time. Call 774-241-0430 for more information about this event. 09/15/2009

Sturbridge Organizations Noted in Book of Lists   Several Sturbridge companies have been noted in the Worcester Business Journal's Book of Lists 2009.  Of the many businesses, health care facilities, and non-profits in the Worcester County region, these organizations have worked hard to earn a place in this important book.   As a resident of Sturbridge, I am fiercely proud when one of our home organizations gains a place in the spotlight.  Please join me in congratulating the following organizations: G&F Industries - placed 12th in the list of Top 20 plastics companies Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center - placed 6th in the list of Top 20 hotels and 3rd in the list of the Top 50 organizations with the largest meeting facilities Old Sturbridge Village - placed 3rd in the list of th... 09/15/2009

Looking for something fun to do this weekend?  Come join Yankee Spirits and Barefoot Wines for a fun eventful day Saturday, September 12th from 10-4PM!  They will be hosting a waterfront volleyball tournament and wine tasting behind Oxhead Tavern on Cedar Lake.  Interested in playing?  There is still time!  Visit www.osv.org for more information.  Teams will be 2 vs. 2 non-professional volleyball teams competing.  Proceeds will be going to our beloved Old Sturbridge Village.  Come watch some games, taste some wine and support our local community.  Yankee Spirits is hosting the wine tasting from 12-3PM.  If you're not interested in playing that's no problem!  Come cheer on the teams and try some wine from Barefoot Cellars and enjoy a lovely day on Cedar Lake in Sturbridge! 09/11/2009

Current Market Analysis From 06/05/09-09/05/09, the town of Sturbridge had 22 single family home sales ranging in price from $36,000 to $372,000.  The average list price was $255,273 and the average sale price was $245,657.  The median sale price was $260,000.  The average marketing time was 214 days. 2008 Snapshot Rewind to 2008and what do you get?  In the same market period, Sturbridge had 31 single family home sales ranging in price from $75,500 to $485,000.  The average list price was $298,770 and the average sale price was $289,148.  The median sale price was $317,000.  The average marketing time was 168 days. The Trend The number of home sales has has substantially decreased, even with the $8,000 tax credit available to first time home buyers.  Prices have dropped approximately 15... 09/11/2009

South Pond, also known as Quacumquasit Lake, is the largest and deepest of the Sturbridge lakes.  It is fully recreational with the exceptiong of jet skis due to the lake's size.  It is located in the Northeastern section of town, close to the Brookfield townline.  South Pond is connected by a narrow channel to North Pond, also known as Quaboag Lake.  South Pond is about 218 acres with an average depth of 32.5 feet and maximum depth of 72 feet.  There is a public beach located off of Lake Street on the north end of the lake.  If you enjoy fishing, you can find Black Crappie, Bluegill, Brown Bullhead, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed , Rainbow Trout, White Perch, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch in this lake.  Looking for real estate for sale on South Pond?  The... 09/11/2009

100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES BIG ALUM LAKE Big Alum Lake is Sturbridge's most prestigious lake.  Real estate is highly desired on this lake and not regularly available.  Big Alum is about 195 acres with an average depth of 23 feet and a maximum depth of 45 feet.  It is fully recreational and accessible mostly through residential locations.  There is no public beach on this lake.  There is a walking trail that is about 3 miles long that goes around the lake.  Located on the southern end of the lake is a public boat launch with parking for about 20 cars.  The lake is approximately 85% developed with houses and cottages so there is very limited shoreline for fishing, although fishing, swimming and boating are popular out here.  Each spring the lake is stocked with rainbow and brown tr... 09/09/2009

Pristine Cedar Lake is located in Sturbridge, MA.  It is a fully recreational lake with a maximum depth of 14 feet and is about 183 acres in size.  There is a public recreational access beach on Cedar Lake with an entrance off Cedar Street.  You can enjoy a summer camp in the season that includes swim lessons and tennis lessons.  The recreation office can be reached at 508-347-2506.  There are many residential homes for sale on the lake as well as a hotel on the lake - The Sturbridge Host Hotel.  The hotel has a small beach on the lake for it's guests and offers waterfront dinging.  Cedar Lake has an optional association with a cost of membership of just $50/year to help maintain the lake.  If you are looking to buy or sell a home on Cedar Lake, please give us a call.  Check out our fea... 09/07/2009

Outdoor Dance Festival at Mass Motion Dance, Sturbridge, MA You'll find high energy in the air on Sunday, September 13, 2009, when Mass Motion Dance, of Sturbridge, Massachusetts, holds its first ever Dance Festival. The festival will run from 12 to 6 PM on the grounds of the Mass Motion Dance Academy at the corner of Route 20/Main Street and Route 148/Brookfield Road.   The studio will offer a sampling of dance classes and performances for all ages, along with a backyard BBQ, face painting, live music, and an indoor dance party for kids. The highlight of the festival will be performances on a full-sized professional stage donated by the Boston Dance Alliance.  Performances will include:   BoSoma Dance Company from Boston.  BoSoma will present works by co-artistic directors Katherine H... 08/28/2009

100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES WELLS STATE PARK If you enjoy camping, hiking and swimming, you'll love Wells State Park in Sturbridge, MA.  A popular 1400 acre wooded park with over 10 miles of hiking trails and a beach area for campers to swim in Walker Pond.  Other activities available at Wells State Park are boating, canoeing, fishing, camp fires and guided tours.  There are showers available and sites to hook up your RV.  There are 61 campsites available, some with views of Walker Pond.  Some other things you may like to know, pets are allowed as long as they are leashed and you bring rabies vaccination records along.  Bears can be occasional visitors, so please keep your food stored properly.  There is a 14 day limit for campers so that others can also enjoy the park.  Wells Sta... 08/24/2009

Beautiful HomeWonderful Location on Cedar Lake$549,000PLUS - $2500 Sale Bonus if UAG by Aug. 31stLeading to closing Custom contemporary home located on the pristine Cedar Lake of Sturbridge. Enjoy panoramic views from everywhere in this stunning home. Featuring 3 large bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, an open floor plan, gourmet kitchen, professional landscaping, double sized lot, ski house to store the water toys, shed, multi-level decks and a dock. Second floor is an exquisite master suite with a walk-in closet and master bath with jetted tub. Enjoy all of nature's simple pleasures in this waterfront sanctuary. WOW - $2500 SALE BONUS IF UAG BY AUG. 31st!!! JCKC RealtyKathleen Cooper(P) 508-523-8632(F) 508-867-0480Email: kathleencooper@jckcrealty.comVirtual Tour:  www.53CaronRoad.com     Jame... 08/22/2009

What a busy month for Sturbridge real estate!  August is halfway over and real estate has been really picking up in the town of Sturbridge.  So far, 3 homes have sold and 9 more have gone under agreement.  The average list price is $221,983 and the average sale price for the 3 sales was $150,833.  This low sale price does not reflect your typical Sturbridge home, but does reflect what's moving in real estate.  Homes priced under $200K in Sturbridge get scooped up rather quickly.  People are looking for a deal.   The average list price for the homes under contract is $239,333 which is closer to your average Sturbridge home prices at the moment - $250K to $300K.  Sturbridge is a quaint New England town with shops, good dining and lots of charm.  Tantasqua schools are very desirable and th... 08/16/2009

A Summer's Weekend in Sturbridge - Things To Do Aug. 14-16 The weather is heating up, and it looks to be a beautiful summer weekend in Sturbridge, MA.  If you happen to be in town, here is a list of events that are going on.  If you participate in any, come back to this site and write a comment! Weekend Events: Stageloft Repertory Theater  presents"The Sunshine boys" - A Comedy by Neil SimonFri and Sat at 8 PM, Sun at 2 PMContact Ed Cornerly (508) 347-9005 Chess Tournament:  39th Continental Chess OpenSturbridge Host HotelMain Street/Route 20Read more info at:  KindredSpirits Blog Jaguar Festival of New England - you don't want to miss this!Sturbridge Host Hotelhttp://www.jaguarfestival.com/www.JaguarFestival.com/Welcome.html Friday Events: Friday Night Summer Dinner Seriesat Old Sturbr... 08/14/2009

Giant Fungi Attack Small New England Town - August 2009 STURBRIDGE, MA:  The quaint town of Sturbridge, MA, is under siege by mysterious, enormous fungi.  Numerous residents have reported that their lawns and gardens are little more than havens for toadstools and never before seen varieties of mushrooms.  A summer of heavy rains and overcast skies has taken its toll on this usually drought-ridden area. "I came home from vacation, and I had to chop down the mushrooms before I could cut the lawn," one victim proclaimed.  "The mushrooms were as big as pancakes." "Usually, by this time of the year our lawns have gone into dormancy from lack of rain," stated another home owner.  "But this year even the folks with sprinkler systems have been able to turn them off and just rely on the rains." ... 08/08/2009

The Plum Room - Mind, Body, Spirit - a New Business in Sturbridge, MA   A great big welcome to The Plum Room, which opened the first weekend of August 2009.  Owner Valerie Allard has been hard at work arranging all of the goods she offers to the shop's visitors.  The Plum Room provides herbal remedies, aromatherapy products, leaf teas, and a variety of other items to lift one's spirits. The Plum Room is located at 425 Main Street (Route 20) in historic Sturbridge, MA.  The building's 1880's construction suits the business very well, with its hardwood floors and beamed ceilings.  Allard has spent quite a bit of time preparing for her opening day, painting the walls in earthtones and creating a welcoming atmosphere.     In addition to the products that Allard provides, she has invited the... 08/04/2009

Serving It Up at Sturbridge Coffee House in Sturbridge, MA Pia Rogers is the Queen Bean.  She identified a need in Sturbridge, and has successfully created the only independently-owned coffee house in town. Sturbridge is overflowing with coffee chains, but Rogers brings to town a place for true coffee-house fanatics to call home.  What the national brands can't offer, Rogers does.  Sturbridge Coffee House has an inviting setting within a cozy antique building on Route 20, the town's primary commercial leg.  Rogers opens at 5 AM on weekdays, serving the regular commuters who stop in before they hit the highways.    The restaurant offers a pleasing variety of coffee brews and flavors that Rogers can modify at whim.  For those who want to stay and sip, there are movable tables and chairs, ... 07/31/2009

So out here in Sturbridge we don't really have an IHOP or Denny's to go enjoy some diner food, but we've got better!  Annie's Country Kitchen located on Main Street in Sturbridge right across from JCKC Realty, is a great place to enjoy some good old fashioned home cooking.  You will enjoy mega portions, friendly service and all for a great low price.  Come hungry and you'll leave happy!  I couldn't find a website or menu to share with you, but it's jam packed with soups, sandwiches, salisbury steak, eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast and every other great diner food you can think of!  James and I have always loved to try country restaurants and cooking.  We're suckers for a good old plate of french toast, scrambled eggs and a tall glass of OJ.  Oh yeah, don't forget the extra crispy bac... 07/22/2009

For single family homes, the Sturbridge market picked up during the months of April through June of this year.  Of note, there has been one more home sold this year compared to the same time period in 2008, a possible indicator of stabilization.   Condo, multif-family, and mobile home sales remain slugish.  Check back in early October for my report on the 3rd quarter of 2009. Sturbridge 2nd Quarter 2009 Market Report  Home Type Number Sold Avg Price Number Pending Number Active Single Family 23 $248,287 13 89 Condo 1 $199,000 1 20 Multi Family 0 $0 0 5 Mobile Home 0 $0 0 6 Kathryn Acciari is a real estate agent based in Sturbridge and serving the towns of Central Massachusetts. She provides residential home buyers and sellers with honest, upfront real estate guidance and advice. You ma... 07/21/2009

Located at 12 Cedar Street in Sturbridge, Cedar Street Restaurant is a gourmet delight.  If you're looking for some local fine dining, you've come to the right place.  My husband and I have celebrated many nice home closing celebrations at Cedar Street Restaurantand the food is absolutely delicious.  They have a nice outside dining area for those nice summer evenings and the service was good.  Worcester Magazine gave Cedar Street Restaurant 4 1/2 stars and described it best: "Cedar Street Restaurant serves some of the finest fare available in Central Massachusetts.  A glorious and far-reaching menu of carefully chosen, creative and varied dishes."   The menu features Pan Seared Duck, Spaghetti Carbonara and Grilled New York Strip.  Save room for dessert because the Molten Chocolate Cake... 07/18/2009

At the entrance of Old Sturbridge Village you will find a great little place to eat authentic Thai food called the Thai Place.  Yummy!  The waitstaff is very friendly and this is a great place to dine for a date night or a girl's night out on the town.  The atmosphere is casual and the food is delicious.  Open 7 days a week and offering a menuwith over 100 dishes to choose from, there is something for everyone.   My favorites include the Mini Thai Rolls, Chicken Satay and the Spicy Noodle.  Thai Place works hard on tailoring to everyone's tasting palate as well as on the food presentation.  Don't forget to try some of their beer imported from Thailand Singha, Singha light and Chang.  I have tons of fond memories dining at the Thai Place with my good friend Cindy after a long hard step a... 07/13/2009