MaineBusiness.com

Twelve Residents Who Opened Their Homes to Help Raise $40,000 Are “Heroes of the Day”

CAPE ELIZABETH, MAINE (October 1, 2008) – Kitchens remain the focal point of the home, as demonstrated by the excellent turnout for the inaugural Maine Home & Design Kitchen Tour. With full community support, 85 volunteers, and enthusiastic sponsors, the event attracted more than 565 visitors and raised over $40,000 for the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF).

Twelve homes put out the welcome mat for visitors who came from as far away as Connecticut and the Camden-Rockport area in-state, to view spectacular kitchens showcasing the latest in materials and the craftsmanship of local builders and designers. “The twelve residents from the Cape community who opened their homes were the true ‘heroes’ of the day,” said Kevin Thomas, co-president of CEEF. “With thousands of footsteps passing through their homes, many owners stayed on site to greet the visitors and answer their questions.”

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty of Portland was the lead sponsor for the event. Flower arrangements and tabletop designs were provided by Sawyer and Co, Fleur de Lis, Minotts and Hearts & Flowers, and Gnome provided outside plantings. The Cheese Iron provided refreshments.

“This event could easily be tagged Best Kitchen Tour Ever, based on the visitors’ buzz. The commitment of volunteers, the organizing committee and engagement we saw from homeowners was the right combination for success,” said Christopher Lynch of Legacy. “With the popularity of home and garden tours growing, it made sense for us to sponsor this event and provide volunteers.”

The funds raised by the event benefit the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF), the leading town education foundation in Maine. CEEF, a model for community engagement, works in connection with area schools to help fund initiatives that are outside the school budget and to help build community-wide support for both the school and education in general. CEEF also works with other Maine communities to further these public-private partnerships that focus on innovation and excellence within the education system. For more information about CEEF and its program, visit www.ceef.us or contact pres@ceef.us

About Maine Home + Design
Maine HOME+DESIGN is the only Maine-based publication focused on home and design, and has an overall circulation in excess of 30,000. MH+D focuses on the state's most sophisticated design. With original writing and photography that gets at the story's fresh angle, every issue brims with thoughtfully crafted articles capturing the interiors, exteriors, and heart of Maine homes that range in style from traditional to modern-and everything in between. For more information, visit www.mainehomedesign.com.

About Legacy Properties, Sotheby's International Realty
As Maine's leader in distinctive properties with offices in Greater Portland, Kennebunk, Brunswick and Camden; Legacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty offers a broad range of luxury real estate throughout Coastal Maine. Launched in 2006 under the highly successful Sotheby’s International Realty brand, Legacy has quickly risen as an innovator in real estate sales and marketing techniques to serve the needs of today’s well-informed buyers. For more information, please visit www.LegacySIR.com. For more information about Sotheby’s International Realty, visit www.SothebysRealty.com.


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