Manistee's Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend December 5th - 9th

Here's the Schedule of Events for 2012. Events are subject to change.

Pre-Festival
*Manistee Civic Players production of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," November 30 & December 1, 7:30pm; December 2, 2pm, Ramsdell Theatre.
*Visions of Sugar Plums Student Art Show, November 30, 6pm-8:30pm; December 1, 1pm-9pm; December 2, 1pm-5pm., Ramsdell Theatre Hardy Hall.

Thursday, December 6
*Victorian Gingerbread House Contest, 10am-7pm, downtown River Street merchants.
*Sleighbell Princess & Prince Pageant, 6:30pm-8pm, Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom.
*Christmas in Wartime, 10am-5pm, Manistee Historical Museum.
*Victorian Dessert Concert, 7pm, Faith Covenant Church, 475 8th Street.

Friday, December 7
*Victorian Gingerbread House Contest, 10am-7pm, downtown River Street merchants.
*Christmas in Wartime, 10am-7:30pm, Manistee Historical Museum.
*Cookie Fun for Everyone, 10am-8pm, Manistee Inn & Marina.
*Sleighbell Chocolate Shop (benefits Manistee County Child Advocacy Center), 3pm-8pm, 318 River Street.
*Soup Cook-Off, 4pm-6:30 pm, downtown merchant stores.
*Visions of Sugar Plums Student Art Show, 5pm-9pm, Ramsdell Theater Hardy Hall.
*Bell Tower Concert, 7pm, Guardian Angels Catholic Church.
*Chamber Gala of Giving, 7pm-11pm, Historic Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom.
*Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," 7:30pm, Ramsdell Theatre.

Saturday, December 8
*Sleighbell Craft Show & Bazaar, 9am-4pm, Manistee High School.
*Cookie Fun for Everyone, 10am-8pm, Manistee Inn & Marina.
*Victorian Gingerbread House Contest, 10am-3pm (awards at 3pm), downtown River Street merchants.
*Christmas in War Time, 10am-8pm,Manistee Historical Museum.
*Historic River Street Merchant Open House, 10am-8pm, downtown.
*Jingle Bell Jog, 10am, from Kennedy School through Manistee streets.
*Michigan Audubon Chickadee Christmas at Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary, 10am-2pm, 2890 Lakeshore Road.
*Lumberjack Lunch, 11am-2pm.
*Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, noon-4pm, downtown Manistee. Free.
*Sleighbell Chocolate Shop (benefits Manistee County Child Advocacy Center), 12pm-8pm. 318 River Street.
*Open House at St. Paul Lutheran Church,noon-2pm, 313 4th St
*Ramsdell Theatre Tours, 1pm-4pm, corner of Maple & First Street.
*Historic Manistee Firehouse Tours, 1pm-4pm, 281 First Street.
*Visions of Sugar Plums Student Art Show, 1pm-9pm, Ramsdell Theatre Hardy Hall.
*Festival of Trees, 1pm-8pm, Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom.
*Santa's Arrival, 2pm-4pm, Northern Michigan Headquarters, 351 River St.
*Meet the Sled Dog Team, 2:30pm-5pm, downtown.
*Vogue Theatre Welcome Center, 3pm-5pm.
*Manistee Community Band Christmas Concert, 4pm, downtown.
*Hot Cider Served, 4pm, downtown.
*Hot Drinks & Cool Treats, 4pm-8pm, Manistee Senior Center.
*Kiwanis Kops & Roasted Chestnuts, 4:30pm, downtown Manistee.
*Jingle Mingle, 4:30pm-9pm, Ramsdell Inn on River Street.
*Muskegon Regional Police Pipes & Drums, 4:30pm-5pm, Poplar & River streets.
*Victorian Sleighbell Parade, 5:30pm, downtown Manistee.
*After Parade Tree Lighting Ceremony, end of parade route.
*Warm Up After the Parade, 6pm-7:30pm, Manistee United Methodist Church, 387 First Street.
*Gaslight Guided Tour of the Babcock House, 7pm-9pm, 420 Third Street.
*Jingle Bell Jam, 7pm, Eagles Club, 55 Division Street.
*Santa's Headquarters Open, 7pm.
*Irving Berlin's "White Christmas," 7:30pm, Ramsdell Theatre.

Sunday, December 9
*Men's Club Breakfast, 8:30am-1:30pm, St. Joseph Parish Hall, 249 6th Street.
*Victorian Church Service, 10am, First Congregational Church, 4th & Oak Streets.
*Festival of Trees, 10am-2pm, Ramsdell Theatre Ballroom.
*Christmas in Wartime, 10am-5pm, Manistee Historical Museum.
*Craft Sale, 10am-4pm, Manistee Inn & Marina.
*Photos with Santa Paws, 1pm-4pm, Parkdale Animal Hospital, 420 Parkdale Avenue (US31).
*Visions of Sugar Plums Student Art Show, 1pm-5pm, Ramsdell Theatre Hardy Hall.
*Santa's Headquarters open, 2pm-5pm.
*Irving Berlin's White Christmas, 2pm, Ramsdell Theatre.
*A Service of Lessons and Carols, 3pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, 320 Oak Street.

This holiday season, make sure you include Manistee's Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend in your plans. If you are traveling from outside the area, check out Manistee lodging facilities for a great place to stay.

Enjoy the holidays in Manistee, Michigan!

With smart phones and digital cameras, home buyers are often seen taking pictures of the houses they tour. This is especially true of homes they really like because they want pictures of rooms to recall specific colors, layouts, etc. Buyers may also want more photos than the listing agent took. Regardless, home buyers will frequently bring their cameras to open houses and private showings.

There are listing agents and homeowners who think the practice poses a security risk. Others think it just invades the privacy of the homeowner. As long as the homeowner doesn't object, I permit pictures to be taken. Here's what I do:

 •You're welcome to take pictures at an open house, especially if it's vacant •I'd like to know why you're taking pictures •If you're a neighbor looking for decorating ideas - fine •I'd like to know what you're taking pictures of Should buyers be allowed to take pictures? Yes, in my opinion. As a buyer, I'd like to think that the pictures you take will put my listing at the top of your mind when you look later. It means you're thinking about the home in more detail than the limited number of pictures a virtual tour or photo collage gives. What pictures should a buyer be taking? •Room angles not in the tour or photo collage •Any exterior shots •Details of decorating elements of the home •Any fixtures that stand out as interesting What pictures should a buyer NOT be taking? •Personal items of the homeowner •Close up shots of any personal items •Anything that might be used to test security Policies vary from agent to agent and you should ask the agent at the open house for permission before taking any pictures. Agents should have the OK from homeowners before allowing anyone to take pictures at an open house.

Lake Michigan Harbor Village -  Announcing a price reduction on 14 Anchor Rode Dr, a 2,300 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story "Full walkout basement". Now MLS® $393,000 - Boat Slip Included!.

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According to an article I read on Realtor.com, there are positive signs that the market is starting to stabilize in some parts of the county. Statistics show that inventory is down, the number of foreclosed homes had declined slightly, and the median sales price it holding its own.

Locally, the number of properties on the market has dropped 10.8% in the past 15 months (less competition for your property!), and closed sales are up 9.9% in the past 15 months.  I remain optimistic that the current market conditions will continue to improve.

Grant Township, Mason County  -  Announcing a price reduction on 10497 Old Freesoil Rd, a 2,100 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 1 1/2 story. Now MLS® $749,000 - 160 Ft of Lake MI Beach!.

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Monday, October 31st 6:00 p.m. Have fun & stay safe! BOO!

This is an event you do not want to miss! This is your opportunity to take part in one of Michigan's most unique holiday celebrations

Chestnuts roasting on open fires on the street corners. Victorian period clothing.  Santa and his sleigh make their way through the streets lined with excited children and adults alike. This is a whole weekend of excitement including the Sleighbell Parade with horse drawn entries, historic building tours, special Christmas production at the historic Ramsdell Theatre, Festival of Trees, concerts, museum and art exhibits, and much more.

The main event is the Sleigh Bell Parade which is held Saturday - December 3, 2011 at 5:30 downtown Manistee. Dress warm! 

 For a calander of events for this special weekend, please visit Manistee Visitor's Center Website

Bear Lake Township, Manistee County  -  Announcing a price reduction on 6410 Three Pines Rd, a 1,100 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story. Now MLS® $339,000 - Cottage on the lake!.

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Manistee Township, Manistee County  -  Announcing a price reduction on 42 Anchor Rode Dr, a 2,468 sq. ft., 3 bath, 3 bdrm 2 story. Now MLS® $278,000 - An Unprecidented Price!!.

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Manistee County, Michigan  - I invite everyone to visit my open house at 12949 Hopkins Forest Dr on July 9 from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

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Manistee - Harbor Village, Manistee County  -  I invite everyone to visit my open house at 42 Anchor Rode Dr on July 2 from    1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  - Don't miss it because this is THE BEST VALUE on the market for a waterfront condominium!

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Bear Lake Township, Manistee County  -  We invite everyone to visit our open house at 6410 Three Pines Rd on July 9 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.

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Filer Township, Manistee County  -  Announcing a huge price reduction on 2312 Red Apple Rd, a 3 bath, 3 bdrm single story. Now $574,000 - HUGE PRICE REDUCTION!!!.

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Bear Lake Township, Manistee County  -  Announcing a NEW LISTING 12949 Hopkins Forest Dr, a 2,264 sq. ft., 4 bath, 3 bdrm 3-level split. Now MLS® $410,000 - Awesome Lake Frontage!.

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Overlooks Arcadia Bluff's Golf Course

•  lot / land - MLS® $215,000 - MILLION DOLLAR VIEWS!!

Arcadia Township, Manistee County  -  Million Dollar Views Of Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course, Ranked 10th by Golf Digest list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses 2011/2012 (Ranked 10th in 2009/2010) & Lake Michigan!! This Is One Of The Most Fantastic View Parcels In The Area. Imagine Building Your New Home, Perched High Above Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course With Panoramic Views Of Lake Michigan. This Private & Secluded 2 Acre Parcel Has Been Surveyed And Is Accessed By An Easement Off Of Maxey Road. This Parcel Is Perfect For A Home With A Walk-out Lower Level. Graced With Mature Pines, Some Hardwoods, And Backs Up To Acres Of Christmas Trees. Electric at the southern edge of the property and the driveway is already in.

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