Helpful Hints and Practical Information. Print and bring this latest version with you!

INDOORS:

* AREA LITERATURE: Located in the kitchen sitting area and under the CD player in the den are area menus, newspapers, and other area information. More literature is in the magazine racks.

* BOOKS: Books on the shelves are available for your reading enjoyment (but please don't take them home). Some are of general interest and some paperbacks came from book recycling centers, so it is pot luck. (There are also public libraries in the towns of Machias and Cutler.)

* LINENS & TOWELS: I supply linens and towels. I just ask that you put in a load of towels Sat. morning when you're packing to leave. This really helps me get ready for the next guests. Thanks so much.

* NO SMOKING: Please be considerate of vacationers who follow you and not smoke in the house. If smoking outside, please put all refuse in an appropriate container. Thank you!


UTILITIES AND APPLIANCES:

* TRASH: Put all trash in closed plastic trash bags and place the bags in the barrel inside the garage. Wrap any lobster shells in paper so that their sharp edges will not tear the plastic trash bags and cause leaks. The trash will be picked up at the roadside by a trash service on Saturday, if you are staying more than one week, usually in the AM.

* WATER: The water is spring water and is high quality. There is normally no need to bring in bottled water or a purifier.

* SHOWER AND TUB: The water temperature at the furnace is set high to allow for long showers.The first person of the day to shower should let the water run some to get the hot water upstairs. Just part of an older house, I guess!

*Please spray the shower after each use to make it easier to keep the area clean. There is a spray bottle of Clean Shower in the closet. It only takes a second each time.

* DISHWASHER: Detergent is under the sink. Normally filling the main soap cup is fine. Fill second cup for pots and pans. Latch the front and select the appropriate cycle.

*DISHES: There are sufficient dishes for 6 people. Regular baking sheets, pots, and pans are provided. Paper plates, etc. are not provided.

* SINK: Please do not pour grease, other chemicals or food down the sink drain as it will ruin the septic system. (There is no garbage disposal in the sink.)

* CLOTHES WASHER & DRIER: The clothes washer and electric drier are on the sunporch and work in a standard way. Detergent is on the top shelf and/or in the white wash stand.

* TOILET: Please do not flush any foreign objects down the toilet -- no cigarette butts, no condoms, no tampons, no paper other than the toilet paper, etc. It will ruin the septic system and its pump used to pump waste water up to the leach field.

* HEAT: The oil-fired heating system is controlled in two zones. There is a thermostat on each floor. Do not set the upstairs thermostat beyond the mid 60's or the bedrooms will likely be too hot for you. When you leave please turn the upstairs thermostat off and the downstairs thermostat to 55°.

* SMOKE DETECTORS: There are several battery-operated detectors: one in the kitchen, one in the downstairs bedroom, one in the living room, and one at the top of the stairs to the second floor. The is also a CO detector in the stairway.

* CELL PHONE: Cell phones work well in East Machias, although there are dead spots. In the house, cell phones work fine. (Satellite phones are not subject to the local cell phone problems.)

* TV: Cable service is provided for the TV in the living room, master bedroom downstairs, and one second floor bedroom. A standard basic cable package is provided for you.

* VCR: The VCR/DVD player is connected for recording off the cable between the cable and the TV so you can watch and record simultaneously. There is a video rental store at the JC Penney outlet in Machias, or videos may be rented at the Hannaford supermarket, also in Machias.

* STEREO: The portable stereo will play AM or FM radio, plus CDs. Local station is 102.7FM.

* CIRCUIT BREAKERS: The circuit breaker panel is in the basement at the bottom of the stairs. Please do not go down cellar unless there is an emergency, as the stairs are very steep, plus paint, pesticides, etc. are stored there.

* FAN: There are two fans, usually kept upstairs, although they probably will not be needed. Usually the breeze is sufficient to cool the house. On a very hot day, you might consider closing the windows and drapes early in the morning. This keeps the house nice and cool.

PETS:

Pets are allowed, with an additional security deposit, based on how many pets you have. I do ask that you keep animals off the furniture, keep them leashed and quiet in the neighborhood, and that you pick up any waste they may leave outside. Please contact me for further details if Fido is coming.

OUTDOORS:

* DRIVEWAY:There is a large, paved driveway in front of the house. Trailers or additional vehicles can also be parked in the gravel area right beside it.

* LOCK DOORS: Always lock the doors and windows when you are away. The front door lock operates from the inside only. Sometimes you have to push on the door to get it to lock, especially when it is very humid.

* DECK AND LAWN FURNITURE: Outdoor furniture may be moved between decks to suit your needs. Please leave the white wicker chair on the front deck, as it is older wicker. There are also extra folding lawn chairs in the garage.

* OUTSIDE WATER: There is an outside faucet and hose on the back side of the house.

* HUNTING: Please, no hunting on the grounds or in the water. If you walk anywhere in the woods during any hunting season be sure to wear bright-colored clothing, preferably including orange. For hunting season schedules or if you are otherwise interested in hunting check the Maine state hunting and trapping website and the E. Machias town office.

SAFETY & CHILDREN:

* Please do not let your children play under the deck or on the back deck without supervision, as it is quite high off the ground. There is a sturdy railing all around it, but I know how children love to climb!.
* The water in the bay is very cold, making this area not suitable for swimming. I have seen people kayaking however. There is a mowed path behind the house going right down to the shore.

Directions:

Take I95 to Bangor, Maine, then 395 to Brewer. From there, take Rte. 1A to Ellsworth, about 23 miles. In Ellsworth, you'll continue up the coast on Rte. 1 for another 65 miles until you reach Machias. This is where your closest stores, etc. are located. It's now 4 miles to East Machias. Once you go past the East Machias Post Office on the right and the Municipal Office/Fire House on the left, take a right onto Rte. 191 to Cutler. Cross the little bridge, bear right and you'll come to a stop sign. Take a right here, and it's 1 more mile on your right. Look for 279 on the mailbox for the house (right side of the road) and Cripple Creek Farm on your left.

CONTACTS:

* If you have any problems, call me! I want to address any issue as soon as it occurs so that your vacation will be as perfect as possible. Thanks!!
* The local address of the house you are renting is

279 Cutler Rd., East Machias, Maine 04630

Major delivery companies such as UPS and FedX will deliver to this address, and there is a mailbox for US mail.

* My home telephone number in Ellsworth is 667-3151 for emergencies. If I am going to be away, there will be instructions on the machine as to who to call in case of emergencies.

Enjoy!!

Your hostess,

Ginny