PEOPLE

The People behind Black Duck Realty:

Black Duck Realty was started in 1985 by Steve and Helen Smith. They were then living in Alna, Maine and operated out of their home. Then, as now, they tended towards listing and selling older Maine farm homes, restored and not yet restored. This was a direct result of their interest in early homes and the country antique furniture that goes so well with them.

This love of old houses caused them to purchase one of their listings in 1986. Again the business was run out of their home; a brick, federal style house located just outside of Coopers Mills in Windsor. They spent the next two years renovating this unique property, but that is another story (a long one).

1996 brought a change as Steve passed away after a battle with colon cancer. At that time the business was located in an antique cape on the corner of Route 17 and the Griffin Road in Windsor. When the opportunity for the building on Route 17, west of the fairgrounds was offered in spring 2003, it was decided that this was a better location.

Esther Bolen joined Black Duck after buying a house through us in 1999. She has decided that this real estate business might work out after all, although for the first few years she remained with another venture on a part time basis, just in case. She decided to try full time real estate in June of 2002, and received her brokers license in June of 2003.

In 2004 Black Duck Realty entered a new phase. Helen decided to try to see what working part-time was all about, and Esther took over as the Designated Broker and Owner. You may find her daughter Courtney in the office doing homework after school. Later that year Jeff and Pam Jewett joined the office. While Jeff is always on the go, meeting new clients and showing properties, we enjoy having Pam in the office a few days a week, keeping us informed of what Jeff is doing. Lifetime residents of the town of Jefferson, the Jewett's have continued to stay active in the community.

In 2006 Helen retired from our party, although you never know when you may see her in the office, just catching up on what is happening. We now have to find a new office mascot as Angus the collie dog no longer spends his day underneath our feet. The Jewett's have taken ownership of Black Duck, while Esther remains the Designated Broker, and are planning on keeping this business running as a team for a long time. George Hall of Whitefield, and co-owner of Sheepscott Links golf course has decided to become active in the real estate business also. He was looking for a business to become involved in when it is too cold, snowy, rainy, etc. for people to play golf. George has purchased several houses and pieces of land in the past and this venture seems like a natural progression. In July the Jewett's daughter Lindsey joined our growing team.

In late 2007 Moira Butterfield from Newcastle joined our group. Moira has been involved in the heath care industry for most of her life and brings with her a love and understanding of old homes as well as a contagious energy that is welcome in our office.

Many people are curious about the name of our business. So-called experts in sales psychology have told us that a real estate agency should have a name that relates to homes, land, the hearth and the fireside, but we have found that Black Duck works just fine. The original black ducks are old Crowell hunting decoys which have been in the Smith family for many years.

We became Realtors® at the very start and feel that being a part of that organization is an asset. Not all real estate agents are Realtors®. Realtors® subscribe to a code of ethics and set high standards for the industry.

We represent sellers of any properties, acreage, house lots, homes or commercial properties that are fairly and reasonably priced. We also offer buyers' agency service if we don't have what you want in our inventory. We can look for properties through the statewide computerized Multiple Listing Service for many other properties for sale in our area.