As a resident of Windham I would just like to thank the members of the Windham Bible Chapel for putting this production on free of charge. If you want more information click here for the Windham Bible Chapel  site and once there click on the “Journey” tab. In 2009, the presentation will be Thursday, December 3, 7 to 9 PM, Friday, December 4, 7 to 9 PM and Saturday, December 5, 5 to 8 PM. This is an outdoor drama so be sure to dress warm!

Merry Christmas to all of the customers and friends of Prudential Dinsmore Associates.

Cobbett’s Pond, in Windham New Hampshire, has experienced a dramatic transformation over the past twenty years. The summer cottages and seasonal lifestyle have been totally replaced by upscale homes with year round residents.  

My great-grandfather’s farm ran to the shore of Cobbetts Pond in Windham and my grandfather rented summer cottages along the shore. I grew up on Cobbetts and still live there today. The changes that are taking place along the shoreline are simply amazing to me.  The old summer cottages are being replaced by luxurious waterfront homes and the recession has had little impact on the pace of change.

A little history first: Cobbett’s Pond was named for the Reverend Thomas Cobbet, a minister from Lynn and Ipswich, Massachusetts who received a grant of 500 acres on its northern shore in 1662. The first summer cottage was built in 1886. From then until the 1970’s the pond remained largely a summer community with public beaches, a dance hall over the water and a thriving summer theater nearby. When I grew up on Cobbetts most of the residents disappeared after Labor Day. There were a smattering of year round residents but all my lake buddies were gone in the fall.

All that began to change in the eighties when a few cottages were demolished to make way for modest year round homes. The real change occurred in the early 1990’s. Prudential Dinsmore Associates sold 3 waterfront lots on the “big pond” that had remained vacant for years.  The prices in the $225,000 to $250,000 range raised the bar at that time. At that same time, we also sold quite a few summer cottages in the $300,000-$350,000 range which were torn down for new upscale homes. This was the beginning of the changes on the lake. Today, it seems that a cottage is being torn down every time you go out in your boat being replaced by a lavish new home. 

The increased desirabilty of the town of Windham has raised the cache of Cobbetts. The main appeal is that you can enjoy waterfront living close to work. If you are going to make a large investment it is nice to know you can enjoy your lake house each and every day without having to travel two hours to the north. Many business owners and professionals from southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts call the lake home. A good many of the new homes are being built by Windham residents who want to stay in town but want to live on the water. Of course Boston is a straight shot down Interstate 93, less than 35 miles to the south.

The market for waterfront property on Cobbetts remains strong in spite of the current downturn. Waterfront properties that are priced correctly are selling to the pool of buyers who want to be on the lake.  

Imagine enjoying your ”front” yard by the water as the warm sun rises over the lake while a Great Blue Heron flys by, low over the water.  Savour the drive home from work, turn onto your narrow road, knowing the day is done, and walk barefoot to a lakeside patio to enjoy the an evening cocktail. That is until the kids start begging to go tubing or water skiing. There is a firework display over the water on the fourth of July. Even the winter is enjoyable watching the carnival of ice fishermen, skaters and snowmobilers. This is lakeside living at its best and it all can be yours.

Cobbetts Pond is a 302 acre spring fed lake with an average depth of about 30 feet and with 50 feet being it’s deepest. The “Big Pond” and the “Little Pond” are divided in the middle by the “Narrows” giving the outline the lake an hour glass shape. There is a seperate village district that taxes for lake improvements and water quality initiatives. All waterfront construction is governed by local Windham zoning laws and the state of New Hampshire Shoreline Protection Act.  More information about waterfront living in southern New Hampshire here. 

Overlooking the “Narrows” this exquisitely appointed residence offers crown moldings, hand-crafted cabinetry and designer fixtures. Incredible custom kitchen features granite and opens to the great-room which offers panoramic lake views. Luxurious master bedroom suite with fireplace an spa bath overlooking the water. Over 6,000 Sq.ft with ten rooms. 3 car attached garage plus a 3 car carriage house with an unfinished bonus room above. A unique lot with over 100 feet of frontage and offering beautiful views and sunsets.  Offered at $1,395,000. Click here for full details and more pictures.

Waterfront elegance can be enjoyed in this beautiful custom home. 114 feet of lake frontage allows you to enjoy sweeping lake views. Impressive entry with leaded glass doors and handsome wood and cast iron staircase design.  Designer kitchen with granite counters. Beautiful master suite and attached two car garage. Offered at $1,150,000. Click here for full details and more pictures.

BUILDING LOT WITH ALL APPROVALS ON COBBETT”S POND.  $349,900 CALL OR E-MAIL FOR FULL DETAILS

See all of the current homes for sale on Cobbetts Pond in Windham NH.

1. COBBETTS POND: O.K. I’m very biased on this one since I live on the lake. Every morning when I get up and look out the windows and watch the sun rise through the mist covered pond I find this place magical. And what a place to raise kids. Swimming, fishing, tubing, lake friendships, what could be better.  In the winter a whole knew character overtakes the place with ice fishing huts, ice skating and power sports.  Personally, I like coming home on a summer evening after work. As soon as I pull onto my narrow road that winds to my home I know that I’m done for the day.  I can kick back, put on my shorts, walk around bare-footed and have a cocktail while watching the boats go by.
2. WINDHAM’S ABUNDANT OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION AREAS: Most people have know idea about all of the opportunities to get outside in Windham. There are the many open space preserves. Incrediblyscenic Deer Leap, a high granite cliff overlooking Moekel Pond with walking trails. Foster’s Pondrecreation area with beautiful trails, pond and wildlife. Canoe launch area on Canobie Lake. Boat ramp for Windham residents on Canobie Lake. The town beach on Cobbett’s Pond. The Windham “Rail Trail” which offers one of the most picturesque places for a walk or bike ride in southern New Hampshire. And of course Griffin park with all of it’s recreational amenities.
3. THE PEOPLE OF WINDHAM: Windham NH is a great community with many warm and wonderful people. It’s a diverse community where people are passionate about what is “best” for Windham. Hundreds of people tirelessly volunteer to make our community a better place.
4. WINDHAM SCHOOLS: Windham NH has an excellent, well funded school system. Windham parents are passionate about providing the best education possible for their children. This is epitomized in the new Windham High School. The teachers who our children have had over the years have been caring and involved. They have made a real difference in how our children take on the world.
5. THE HILLS AND VISTAS:Riding around the town of Windham NH offers some incredible scenery. It is a town of rolling hills and this makes for some panoramic views. The views approaching the Castle Reach neighborhood as you pass Searles Castle and overlooking the apple orchard, is one of my favorites. The views from the homes on Jenny’s Hill are superb. The new neighborhoods at Ryan Farm and Terra Bella have incredible home-sites with views.
6. EASY TO GET TO AND FROM: One of the best things about Windham NH is that you can easily get to where you want to go on interstate 93. I-93 is a straight shot into Boston. I can be in the North End for dinner in less than 35 minutes (without traffic). The seacoast is less than an hour away and the lakes and mountains of northern New Hampshire are under two hours.
7. COMPASSION:WIndham NH resident have been at the forefront of helping people who are in need. The Shepards Pantry helps feed those in need locally and is a joint project of St Matthews Catholic Church and Windham Presbyterian Church. Helping Hands is another group that does an incredible service to those in need. There are individual initiatives like the founding of Nobody’s Children by a local physician to provide medical and humanitarian aid to children in Romania and Bosnia.  It’s the initiative of the Windham Presbyterian Church in provided aid to communities in Rowanda including a water project for a local clinic. All of the examples above have led me to provide support a Zezouma Sanou, a teacher and the people of his village in Bukina Faso. Compassion and concern for the needs of other is a great testament to the spirit of the town of Windham.
8. BREAKFAST AND LUNCH: The best place for breakfast or lunch in Windham is found at Windham Junction. Great sandwiches and delicious salads. Eat in or out in a great atmosphere adjacent to the Windham Rail Trail.  
9. GELATO VS. ICE CREAM:  Of course nothing beats getting a great scoop of ice cream at a local stand and for this Johnson’s Farm is the best. Not only is there the ice cream but also farm animals. Windham Junction is a great place to grab an ice cream if you’re out enjoying the rail trail. My new weakness is found at Shabby Chic. Of course this place would be located just down the street from my home. The home made gelato is wonderful and of course the cupcakes can’t be beat.
10. A cocktail and appetizer upstairs in the Common Man.

11. What’s your favorite thing about Windham NH?

If you think that Windham NH might be a place you would want to explore check out the homes for sale and detailed community informationat PrudentialDinsmore.com