Kathryn's Blog

Looking for Zhu Zhu Pets?  Amazon Still has Some!

Shopping Alert:  Many of my friends have mentioned that their kids want Zhu Zhu Pets for Christmas.  If you're not familiar with them, Zhu Zhu Pets are motorized stuffed animals, mainly hamsters, that zip around your house on their little wheels.  You can purchase accessories for your Zhu Zhu, such as a hamster house, adventure ball, sleep dome, surfboard and of course blankets to keep your pets warm.

These cute little fuzzies start at a price upwards of $60.  And they are selling fast.  But Amazon.com does have some in stock but not many.  So, if a child on your shopping list has their heart set on a Zhu Zhu Pet you'd best act quickly.

Note:  I am posting this as a service to shoppers. This is a tip, not an ad.  Good luck getting your Zhu Zhu Pets! 

Light the Night with Luminaria - Sturbridge, MA

Light the Night and Believe in the Beauty of Community

It is time to celebrate the wonderful community of Sturbridge, MA.  As such, the Tantasqua Jr. High Student Council and Rachel's Challenge are offering luminary kits for sale in an effort to bind the community throughout the holidays. 

Purchase a kit, or several, and light your home's walkway throughout the holiday season.  Imagine how beautiful our town will look if each home is lit with luminaries.

The luminary kits are $5 per kit and contain supplies to make six luminaries.  Kits may be purchased at McKnuck's, Brier Patch Designs, The Seraph, and Stop and Shop.

All proceeds from the sale of the luminary kits benefit the Tantasqua Jr. High Student Council and Rachel's Challenge. For more information about Light the Night, contact wonglasjw@aol.com

For more information on holiday events and fundraisers, go to AskMeAboutSturbridge.com

Happy Holidays!

Open House in Holland, MA, Nov 22 - 29 Old Acres Road - Waterview/Private Beach

Stop in and see this 3 bedroom Ranch in Holland, MA.  Open from 11 AM to 1 PM on Sunday, November 22.  This home offers an open floor plan with views of Hamilton Reservoir and deeded rights to a private neighborhood beach. 

 See the virtual tour for more information.

We just reduced the price on this property to $179,000 - a fabulous value for lake living in Holland, MA.  Don't miss it!

Southbridge, MA - 2-Bedroom Apartment for Rent

Available for rent starting December 1, 2009.  Newly renovated and expanded 3rd level apartment in Southbridge, Massachusetts.  Sited in a gorgeous 1900's multifamily home, this apartment has been updated and expanded by the owner and is now ready for a tenant.

Highlights of this apartment include:

• 2 spacious bedrooms.  The master bedroom has a walk-in closet.  The second bedroom has hardwood flooring.
• Large kitchen with tons of cabients as well as a pantry for storage
• Updated, oversized bathroom with linen closet
• Separate dining area created by the newly expanded dormer.  Dining area has a ceiling fan.
• Living room with original wood trim. 
• Laundry room/mud room with hook-ups for washer and dryer.
• Additional space under the eaves - perfect for office or hobby area
• New windows and doors - fantastic for energy efficiency
• Off-street parking on paved driveway
• Very convenient to shops, restaurants, and health facilities

This apartment is available December 1.  Rent is $700 per month and includes water, snow removal, and exterior maintenance.  The first month's rent is required, along with a $700 security deposit.  The owner requires a credit check for applicants - there is a $15 fee for the credit check for each adult tenant.

For more information, or to schedule a showing of this lovely apartment, contact Kathryn Acciari, RE/MAX Professional Associates, Sturbridge, MA - (508) 982-0686 or email kathrynacciari@remax.net

Rocket Launch in Sturbridge, MA

Excitement at Westville Lake Recreation Area, Sturbridge, Massachusetts.  My son, who is working on a merit badge for Boy Scouts, had three successful launches of his pre-built rocket.  The first launch he used a B engine, and the second and third launch he used C engines.  The third launch went so far out of range, the rocket was lost to the lake.

We had a great time and plenty of supportive spectators at the park.  It was a fun way to end a beautiful November weekend in New England.

Ask Me About Sturbridge - C'mon, Ask Me!

My name is Kathryn Acciari, and I am a resident of Sturbridge, MA.  I'm also a REALTOR and dance instructor here  I meet a lot of people and hear tons of news about what is going on around town.

In the past year, it had occurred to me that there really was no central site where residents, and visitors, could go to find out what was happening in Sturbridge.  So I spent a couple of months working through designs and learning how to build a web site.  By mid-2009, AskMeAboutSturbridge.com was up and running.

What type of information is on AskMeAboutSturbridge.com?  Here is a sampling:

Restaurants - from casual to gourmet, Sturbridge offers a variety of dining options

Recreation - Sturbridge's natural landscape provides many opportunities for outdoor fun

Sports - adults and kids will find plenty of ways to stay active in Sturbridge

Waterways - canoeing, fishing, swimming, boating are all possibilities on the numerous lakes and rivers that run through Sturbridge

Events - concerts, theater, live music, business meetings...this is the place you should come if you want to know what is happening in Sturbridge on any given day

Shops - Sturbridge is home to dozens of unusual small shops

History - the site of Old Sturbridge Village will inform and entertain you as you learn about life in Colonial times

Arts - did you know that Sturbridge has dance, theater, music, and many talented artists and craftsmen?

What do you want to know about Sturbridge?  Come on over to AskMeAboutSturbridge.com.  If you can't find the answer, send me an email and I will help you find it.

Using Social Media is Like Gumbo Ya Ya

As I've ventured farther into the world of social media, I've become aware of how often I am involved in multiple conversations with people.  Twitter has been compared to being at a cocktail party.  Facebook is like a school or family reunion.  Blogging is like writing a news column, with feedback from readers being instantaeous. 

It is all very exciting and reminds me of making Gumbo.  I wish I could remember the source*, but I remember reading somewhere that Gumbo, or Gumbo Ya Ya, means "everybody talkin' at the same time."  Take a pot, fill it with ingredients (stock, roux, sausage, shrimp, meat and the holy trinity - peppers, garlic, and celery), simmer it until all the ingredients start to dance, and you've got your gumbo.  And that is absolutely the description I would use if someone asks what it is like to use the social media of today.  Everybody is talking at the same time.

So, for those of you who have jumped into the pot and are bubbling around in the gumbo, welcome!  And for those of you who have only thrown a couple of celery bits into the pot, come on in - the gumbo is fine.  So very fine!

Keep on with your Gumbo Ya Ya, everyone.

* It was possibly a Tom Robbins book, or one of the Ya Ya Sisterhood books by Rebecca Wells.  Or, it may have been a New Orleans cookbook.  If you happen to know what I am talking about, please let me know so I can give proper credit.

Tick Alert in Central Massachusetts

This past weekend, after spending time in the woods and cleaning up the yard, both my husband and son found ticks on themselves.  These little bugs carry and transmit Lyme Disease, which can cause severe neurological damage if not treated.  If you find a tick on your body, contact your physician.  Often, a person with a tick bite can be treated with a prophylactic course of antibiotic to prevent the development of Lyme Disease.

Ticks love wet leaves.  So if you are out in the woods the next couple of weeks, please be sure to use a bug repellent, and check perform a thorough body check when you come inside.

Please contact your physician for exact medical advice on dealing with tick bites.

You're Very Best!  Facing the Giants

This may be old news to some of you, but it was new to me yesterday when my broker opened a business planning meeting with this video.  I've shared it with my son, my husband, and am happy to share it with you.

When you find that you need a little kick in the butt, but no one is there to give it to you or coach you past your obstacles, here is a resource you can return to.  I hope you enjoy it.

Facing the Giants

Have a Very Best day!

Oxford MA Market Report:  3rd Quarter 2009

This report provides a snapshot of the real estate market in Oxford MA, from July 1 to September 30, 2009. 

From this time period, 27 single family homes were sold in Oxford.  The average sale price was $215,110 and the average time on market was 120 days (four months).  Currently, there are 59 single family homes on the market, and 13 under contract.  This represents about six months' worth of inventory available in Oxford - a positive sign.

For condo sales in the 3rd quarter of 2009,  7 units sold.  The average sale price was $132,744 and the average market time was 101 days.  With 21 condos currently on the market, and 3 under contract, we still have about 9 months' inventory of condominiums in Oxford.  A slow market where condos are concerned.

Would you like more detailed information on the real estate market in Oxford, MA?  Please contact me - I would be happy to provide a more in-depth look.

Yours in real estate,