Charming home on Highland Lake features beautiful views

It is easy to image just how attractive this home at 265 West Lake Street in Winchester would be on a sunny July day. The views of Highland Lake are beautiful and the immediate access to the water invites a swim or a relaxing boat ride.

What might be surprising is just how pleasant this home and the lake can be on a wintery day. The lake is peaceful, the shoreline is dotted with attractive homes, and this property has its own private shoreline. It is not across the street from the water. Two sides of this property actually touch the water, with the owner’s property rights extending a short distance into the lake.

It all makes for a magical feeling that time does not diminish. Just ask Sandra Newett Spiewak, whose family has lived in this home for four generations. “When my parents purchased the house from my grandfather, they opened some walls and added windows for light and for the views,” she said. And what views they are. A large glass sliding door at the rear looks out on the yard and lake while admitting generous amounts of light, thanks to its southern exposure.

The southern facing bedroom is Spiewak’s favorite. “I was seven when we moved here and this is the best bedroom. The [large] windows give a view of the lake and you can watch the steam rise from the water and see eagles sitting in the trees, waiting to fish,” she said.

Ceiling fans on the second floor, combined with breezes off the lake, minimize the need for air conditioning, though portable cooling units that come with the house can be set up in the first and second floor hallways. They do an excellent job of keeping the home comfortable during occasional heatwaves, Spiewak said.

For four-season living, there is a modern gas-fired furnace. It proved to be quiet and effective during a visit on a cold day. The home also is served by public water and sewer services and a portable generator is included in the sale.

The yard is exceptional, offering water access on two sides, which is a rarity for a lakefront property. It features an attractive model lighthouse, a paved walkway to the water, and several garden beds placed around the home.

There are two sheds with the one closest to the house having electrical power, “My father used to putter around in there,” Spiewak said. The second shed is for storage. For many years the family had a dock at the end of the walkway to the water. The side porch that leads to the home’s main entrance offers a shady seating area with more spectacular lake views.

This property stands out for the size of the yard, according to Lisa Bredice of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Real Estate. She, and Christine DoyleBouchez, are handling the sale. “This property has lots of green space,” she said. “You don’t find this on the lake very often. And the way the property is set up, you get great views of the lake while it is easy to forget that there are neighbors on the [west] side.”

Having grown up in Winchester, Spiewak has firsthand knowledge of the many town events and recreational opportunities that are offered, with many appealing to children. There are parades, including boat parades on the lake, fireworks displays, and once it turns cold enough, skating opportunities. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, kayaking, warm weather fishing and swimming are also available. A public boat launch is less than a quarter mile away.

“We just had the Gator Parade,” Spiewak said. “I don’t know why they call it that, but it is a celebration of the holiday season with a parade of decorated town trucks.” The town notes that firetrucks, EMS vehicles,

Other nearby recreational opportunities include golfing, riding stables, and tennis courts. The home is also near medical facilities, a wide range of services, and restaurants. Area towns, such as Avon, are only a little more than half an hour away and the entry ramp to Route 8 is close, making a trip to Torrington easy. Bradley International Airport is just 25 miles away. Boston and New York are approximately two hours away.

“This is a unique property and a wonderful opportunity for another family to enjoy this beautiful 444 acre lake during all four seasons,” Bredice said.

From the backyard, this slider accesses a thoroughly modern eat-in kitchen with track lighting and ample cabinets for storage. A laundry room that accommodates a full-size washer and dryer is just off the kitchen, while a formal dining room with access to the side porch is adjacent to the kitchen. At the front of the home is the living room. A large opening between the living room and dining room adds to a feeling of space.

and other vehicles from the municipal fleets in Winsted and surrounding towns travel a predetermined route. Adding to the turnout, many of the participants in the Gator Gangi Holiday Parade, as it is officially known, “…toss candy and other treats to the children and adults who come out of their homes to view the spectacle.”

Three bedrooms are located on the second floor. They are cozy, comfortable, and, taking advantage of the added height that comes from their second floor location, two of them offer commanding views of Highland Lake.