The Place to Be in Brunswick, Maine

Yankee likes to mosey around and see, out of editorial curiosity, what you can turn up when you go house hunting. We have no stake in the sale whatsoever and would decline it if offered.

icture yourself relaxing in a rocking chair as you gaze out across an immense elevated fieldstone patio with sunken hot tub and fire pit, a pond beyond (one of two on this property), and on out to acres of meadows and pastures. In the far distance, near a line of trees, you can make out more than 30 grazing cows; in another direction, you see sheep. A flock of geese have landed nearby, some in the pond. Over there, near another tree line, are a dozen turkeys. Sound like a nice place to be?

It was a little chilly the day we moseyed on up to Brunswick, Maine, to visit with Scott and Susan Schafer at their gorgeous home in the historic Pennellville neighborhood. So we admired that view through the windows of their dining room and kitchen as we enjoyed a hot cup of tea. Scott, a cardiologist at the local hospital, occasionally spoke into an electronic gizmo on his belt. Obviously, although visiting with us, he was also on duty.

The Schafers have been living in this house, known in the town histories as the Knox Farmstead, for the past 18 years, being the fifth owners since 1887 (or maybe earlier—the records are a bit unclear). During that time, they renovated every room and created a gorgeous series of gardens around the house, barn, garage, and ponds. They also raised their now-grown sons, Colin and Dillon, who were planning to be back with them for the holidays this year. No doubt the boys continued a family tradition, too: surfing with Dad out at nearby Scarborough Beach or Higgins Beach, as Scott has been an enthusiastic surfer and swimmer, summer or winter, all his life. He and the boys, along with friends, also likely will play hockey this winter on one of the ponds next to the house. We expect, too, that they’ll drag their canoes and kayaks (on wheels) down to Middle Bay, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the house.

However, with the boys now living on their own, it’s time to plan “a new adventure,” as Susan put it—thus the Schafers’ recent decision to sell and settle elsewhere in something a little smaller. In other words, they’re ready for the usual empty-nester transition that

Among the highlights of the Schafers’ property are ( clockwise from top ): six-plus acres with a pair of ponds; a two-story barn; and a well-appointed modern kitchen that’s a home chef’s dream.