Waterford is a small town in Oxford County west of Harrison with a population of about 1,500. It can be easily reached by Routes 35 or 37. The town is about 53 square miles and has several bodies of water within its boundaries, including Bear Pond, Keoka Lake and Five Kezar Ponds, which have beautiful falls, a gorge and a grotto.

These are among the town’s unique attractions:

* Mount Tire’m, which is reportedly a moderately easy climb up Daniel Brown Trail. The trail starts behind the Wilkins House, next to the Congregational Church on Route 35, across the street from Keoka Lake.

* Beech Hill Bison Farm, where you can watch the bison in the pasture, buy buffalo jerky, meat and even buffalo hides. (http://www.beechhillbison.com/)

* From July 15 to 17 is the Waterford World’s Fair (http://www.waterfordworldsfair.org/), which is a great local agricultural fair.

* Nearby in Sweden is Pie Tree Orchards, a wonderful apple orchard that you’ll want to visit when it opens for the season. (http://www.pietreeorchard.com/index.html)

So if you want to meet some great people and visit a beautiful area, get in your car and take a road trip to the Waterford area. You’ll be glad you did.

Marta’s Bakery & Catering

684 Valley Road, Route 35

North Waterford

583 2250

http://www.martasbakery.com/index.htm

Marta’s is closed for the season until mid-May. Call her if you are interested in her services or would just like to buy one of her fantastic pies or other treats. Until then, check out her website.

Kedar Quilts

18 Valley Road

Waterford

583-6182

www.kedarquilts.com

This is a fantastic quilt shop that is overflowing with every color and pattern in cotton fabric. The shop is one of 34 participating in the annual Maine Shop Hop scheduled for the month of April. For more information, go to www.maineshophop.com. Don’t be shy. There are prizes worth more than $8,000 waiting to be won.

Wiltjer Pottery

118 North Bridgton Road, Route 37

Waterford

583-2911

http://people.maine.com/wiltjer/welcome.htm

This is not your ordinary pottery shop. Even though Rusty Wiltjer has some of the beautiful sinks, bowls and other items he once produced, he now concentrates on producing an amazing line of Djembe, air, Udu and tube drums. The sounds emanating from these vessels made out of clay from the earth will amaze you. He throws them each onto his pottery wheel, fires them, puts beautiful glazes on them and finishes them with the finest goat skins and ropes he can find. He also tie-dyes his goat skins to match the drums. Wiltjer is not only an artisan but a jazz musician. Call ahead, particularly if you’re going now or at other off-season times.

Northern Heights Farm

211 Rice Road

Waterford

595-3377

http://www.northernheightsfarm.com/index.html

Jeff and Colleen will welcome you, answer any questions and gladly arrange sleigh  or hay rides through the trails on their 80-acre farm. They raise and train Belgian draft horses, along with angora rabbits. This spring, they will offer beginning horseback riding lessons. Gather your friends and make arrangements for a sleigh ride with a bonfire stop in the woods while there is still snow on the ground. And, there’s always next year.

Springer’s General Store

1218 Waterford Road, Route 37

Waterford

583-2051

Everyone knows Springer’s. Stop off here for some great pizza. This is well known by locals and has a warm and inviting atmosphere, along with a small dose of nostalgia. You’ll want to be sure to stop here when you visit Waterford.

The Bear Mountain Inn

364 Waterford Road

Waterford

583-4404

www.bearmtninn.com

Consider this beautiful inn if you want to spend a few days in the area. There are rooms and suites for singles or families, an outdoor hot tub, walking trails and more. Spring fling packages are offered, so visit the website or call for more information.

Sabattus Mountain Hiking Trail

Center Lovell

http://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/Maine/sabattusmtn-2010-0121.php

From U.S. Route 302, take Route 5 north to Center Lovell. Take a right onto Sabattus Mountain Road. Head down this road a bit, then take a right onto a dirt road, Sabattus Trail Road. The parking lot and trail head will be down the road a bit on the right, marked with a big brown hiker sign.

This trail is available for use in winter, but the parking lot is not plowed. It makes for a great hike in the summer and fall, offering fantastic views for your enjoyment. This is a moderately easy hike.

Kezar Falls Gorge

Waterford

http://itouchmap.com/?s=ME&d=1908060&f=valley

The gorge is exactly two miles once you hit the unpaved portion of 5 Kezars Road, starting from Route 35 in North Waterford. On the right. Be advised there are no signs announcing the gorge. You will have to look for it. You’ll see a rocky pull-off. Be careful, as rocks jut up out of the ground, but the reward when you view the gorge is well worth the trouble. Note: Do not go here in winter; the road is not plowed.

Vistors feel the warmth of the gathering room when they enter the Bear Mountain Inn in Waterford.

This is one of the Belgian horses being trained at Northern Heights Farm in Waterford.

Pies prepared at Marta’s Bakery & Catering

Springer’s General store serves up pizza.

Rusty Wiltjer plays one of the ceramic Djembe drums he made.

The grotto at Kezar Falls Gorge

This is but one of the amazing views seen from atop Sabattus Mountain in Lovell.

Here’s a sampling of the fabrics available at Kedar Quilts in Waterford.