Vicki Doudera – Realtor, Author, Mainer

Did you know that the fear of public speaking is greater for most people than the fear of death?

I’m back from San Diego where I attended — and spoke at — the National Association of Reators’ annual conference. Was I nervous? Yes. Did I do it anyway? Yes. And, I have to say, it was fun.

My class was called “Write it Right” and it was a brush-up, back to basics class for agents who want to improve their business writing skills. Sixty or so people came and it appears (from their evaluations) that they were pleased. I managed to get a few laughs, keep my cool, and enjoy San Diego’s lovely weather and water.

Flew home yesterday and now I’m back to work on both real estate and novel #2. I even squeezed in a much needed visit to the Y this afternoon for a little sweat time with Oprah. (She’s not sweating, at least not that I can tell.) It’s great to get away but always nice to come home to a routine that you like. Now if I could only get myself to vacuum on a regular basis!

There is nothing more rewarding to me than helping build a house! Take a look at some of the great folks who turned out on Saturday to do just that.  We had a great time and made some good progress. If you’re in the area and want to help next month, watch Midcoast Habitat for Humanity’s website for details.

Building House #21 Midcoast Habitat on YouTube

Not to be outdone by neighbor Camden, the village of Rockport, Maine, has been cited by Forbes Magazine as one of America’s prettiest towns.

I’m in complete agreement.  Rockport has a lovely, narrow harbor that rivals any on the Riviera, historic homes, and a sweet little downtown.  There’s a restored Opera House, a cute library, post office, and a breakfast eatery. With a little grocery store plus a restaurant or two, Rockport village would be not just pretty, but perfect.

Here’s a great clip of the stunning view from this favorite Camden hike. Thanks to my friend Tom for forwarding and to Graham Phaup (that’s his distinguished British voice you hear) for filming it!
Maiden Cliff View

Boston Magazine agrees with all of us — Camden is one of New England’s (dare I say the world’s??) best small towns!  Check out the story here and in the meantime — another great view of Camden, from atop Mt. Battie.  My two sons were home for a visit this weekend and we took a quick hike up.

Summer vacation…  I don’t usually take a break from Maine’s glorious summer, but when Ed suggested an RV tour of 4 National Parks in Utah and Wyoming, I packed my hiking boots and we were off.  Barely dry from the Trek Across Maine, we flew to Salt Lake with our daughter and her friend, rented an RV, and headed to Zion Nat’l Park. From there we went to Bryce, followed by Yellowstone, Jackson Hole (where we spent the 4th of July) and Grand Tetons.  In a word — inspiring. All of the parks were spectacular, each in their own right,  and all I could think is — we live in an incredibly beautiful country.

Of course here in Maine we have our own Acadia National Park, a real gem of a place to explore any season, as well as Baxter State Park, and 04843’s very own Camden State Park.  Living in this state means you can hike practically right out your door — even Portland and Bangor have natural areas close by.  The midcoast area has so many great spots that I’ll have blogging material for years!

I’m glad to be back but also thankful to have taken such a fabulous trip. Here are a few photos…

Will Wenzel, Ed Doudera, and me (in the middle) following the 180-mile Trek.

This year’s ride for the American Lung Association of Maine was a soggy one — especially the first day when it poured. Nevertheless, we did it and even enjoyed ourselves in the process. Thanks to all the ALAME volunteers who manned the rest stops and all of our donors (the pledges raised by the three of us totalled close to $4000) and here’s to a sunnier ride next year.

BTW, that’s my brother on the left (Owner of Focus Photography in Portland) and my husband Ed on the right. Ed’s sporting a garland of fresh foliage and flowers made for him by Tess Gerritsen in honor of the summer solstice. He wore it the last day of the ride and received comments ranging from “Like your camo” to “Are you Puck?” 

Want to sign up for the Trek next year?  You need to raise at least $500 to participate, which is pretty minimal compared to some events in other states.  Of course, you can’t beat the cause — clean air and healthy lungs!  I’m happy to answer any q’s and you can also check out the ALAME’s website.

Sally Russillo, me, host Deb Neuman, and Vicki Worden at the studio on Wednesday.

Once upon a time, I hosted a radio show. 

It was called “Town Talk” and it was on the air every day from 6 am to 9 am, which meant that on the days I hosted the show (Wed and Fri, I think) I had to be at the studio in Rockland at 5 am.  I’m not a big fan of getting up with the sun, so this was a big sacrifice, but I did it because radio is such fun. And no one can see you so  you can pretty much roll out of bed and head to the station.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be a guest on a weekly radio show called BACK TO BUSINESS, with my friends and fellow green-advocates Vicki Worden and Sally Russillo. Deb Neuman, an energetic Jill-of-all-trades is the host of the show, and it airs Sundays at two pm. (For a list of stations carrying the show, click here.)

The topic was making your office more green and environmentally friendly, and in my segment I spoke about how we are greening our spaces at Camden Real Estate, as well as what I see as green trends in residential and commercial real estate.  I said this on the show and I firmly believe this:  if you have to do any upgrades to your residential or commercial properties, please do them with environmentally friendly green features in mind. This is more than a trend. It’s not like granite countertops that are going to be passe (for some reason I can’t get an accent aigu in there, sorry…) in a year or two.  For lots and lots of reasons, green is here to stay.

Taping the show was fun and I hope you get a chance to listen on Sunday or check out the stations that stream it.  Sally and Vicki Worden both gave some great info, and the segment is a nice mix of take-away tips.

Our array of media is expanding all the time. Isn’t it  interesting that after a century, radio is still so important?

It’s happening once more … spring is coming to Maine.

In any other state this yearly event is a given, but in Maine, we’re never really sure.  The mounds of snow are still piled high. Christmas wreaths still adorn some doors. The temperatures are hovering in the 30’s during the day and still sneaking downwards into the twenties at night.  In other words, it still feels a heck of a lot like winter.

And yet …

The birds sense something’s different. They are singing like mad, the dripping of melting ice dams making for a steady drumbeat to their songs. The sun is climbing higher in the sky and the days — thanks to the sun and daylight savings time — are a good three hours longer than in the dark of December.  The roads are widening as the banks of snow slowly recede, and potholes are pushing up like crocuses through a crust of snow.

Spring eases into Maine with very subtle signs. You’ve got to be watching, waiting, and willing — once it truly arrives — to get that wreath off the door.