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 BELFAST IN 1950I was born in Belfast, Maine, the only city in Waldo County. At that time (late 40s, early 50s), Belfast was a manufacturing center for apparel, shoes, and chicken processing. (The big annual event was the Belfast Broiler Festival and barbecue.) There were two independent drug stores with soda fountains, the banks were giving away a place setting of china for opening an account, and Belfast Harbor was simply the home of a fleet of working tug boats. Children learned to swim in the pool at the City Park (as they do today) and each neighborhood had a sliding hill for winter sledding. When The Muck (a small pond) was frozen in winter a group of dads cleared off the snow and we had ice skating parties with hot chocolate to keep us warm. Saturday mornings my father often took me and my three sisters to the Belfast Library to pick out three books each. I would have also liked to go to the Colonial Theater to see cartoons, as my friends did, but my parents didn't permit it.
When I graduated from Belfast's new high school (I was in the first graduating class) I went to college in Massachusetts where I hoped life would be more civilized and exciting than in Maine. I went on to graduate school to prepare for a career in guidance and came back to Belfast in the early 1970s.
THE LAST 30 YEARSThe city was changing! Art galleries and craft studios were blossoming as the manufacturing plants were going out of business. Newcomers were moving to Belfast and the rural area around it. My husband came from New York City at this time and became the photographer for the local weekly newspaper. I was a rural community health center administrator and a guidance counselor before I discovered real estate as a career.
MY REAL ESTATE CAREERIn my 17 years in real estate I have become acquainted with lots of wonderful people and have developed a number of specialties. I especially love antique homes and hope to acquaint you with a few of my favorites. I am able to customize searches for buyers because I combine the listening skills I developed as a counselor with my familiarity with the area. I know special places such as hiking trails, a skinny-dipping spot at a waterfall, where to pick your own strawberries, a florist shop that also offers coffee and Sunday afternoon music concerts, and where to trace your lineage to Maine sea captains. I know the neighborhoods and can recommend a good choice for you to match your lifestyle. Do you want to be in walking distance to Main street shops, banking and other services? Do you need to be close to the hospital or out-patient medical services? Do you prefer a neighborhood where your children can safely ride their bikes or walk to school? Is a good dog-walking path or a place to buy the New York Times important to be nearby? Are you looking for an area to retire where you can easily become part of the community, perhaps with volunteer opportunities? Are you looking for a farm, oceanfront property, a lakefront home, or an historic home? JUST ASK MARTHA!I can quickly locate exactly what you are looking for. I can also introduce you to people and places that will give you a sense of belonging in the Penobscot Bay area. Don't waste time! Avoid frustration by trying to find just the perfect property on your own. Just ask Martha! |
Contact
Martha at Prudential Northeast Properties
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Homes
for Sale || Martha Laitin Bio || Penobscot
Bay Area || Area Services & Amenities
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Today,
Belfast is the home of an interesting mix of locals and people from away.
It now has bakeries, coffee shops, a farmers market, arts in the park,
sailboats in the harbor, a dance studio, three local newspapers, and a
lovely stone addition to the original Belfast Library. U.S. Route One
traffic now bypasses the city allowing the downtown to develop a quiet
charm among historic brick buildings. It's a great place to live (or vacation)!
