Time passages

Is it just me, or does any one else out there feel that time is just zipping by too fast? We barely had time to enjoy Labor Day and Columbus Day weekends and all of a sudden the shelves at Rite-Aid are packed with Christmas items! I was talking with my brother the other day and he was able to spend Saturday perched in a deer stand. Since he never saw a deer, he had plenty of time to contemplate life and came to the conclusion that after age-30, we just move in to a totally different time warp. Since we can not seem to slow it down, we need to make the most of it and find ways to embrace it. With the Season of Giving upon us, I cannot think of a better way to welcome the holidays than finding ways to help support our community.

Feed the hungry and fond memories

I hope all of you are aware that the Community Resource Council of Naples has a food pantry at the United Methodist Church. The food pantry is a nonprofit distributor of food to residents of Naples, funded through donations of food and money by individuals and local groups. At various times each year local groups such as the Boy Scouts, schools, the post office, etc. collect food that is donated to the pantry for distribution.

One of my fondest (and funniest) memories of our dear friend, Raye Trott, involves the food pantry. Several years ago I was trying to get a group together to organize a drive for the food pantry. Raye happened to be here that day and asked a few questions about the food drive. I answered his questions and did not think anything more about it. A few weeks later he came rushing in to my house, and in that gravelly voice said, “Mrs. Sweet, (he never called me Kathy) I have a bone to pick with you.”

Apparently Raye left my house and went directly to Tony’s Foodland to work out a plan with store owner Dave Allenson. Raye purchased an enormous amount of food at cost and loaded up his infamous black and orange trailer with all the food. Several days later, after a long, cold day of working on construction outdoors, he arrived at the church, wearing his coveralls. When he asked where the food pantry was, he was asked if he was on the list.

“Mrs. Sweet did not tell me about any list,” he said. They thought he was there to get food rather than give. He never let me forget that.

Food donations may be dropped off at the United Methodist Church between 8 a.m. and noon, Monday through Thursday. Donations by check should be made out to the Community Resource Council, P.O. Box 447, Naples, ME 04055. For any questions about what food items are needed please call 693-6594. I can’t think of a better tribute to our kind and generous friend than for all of us who knew Raye to make a donation to the food pantry in his name.

Bottle drive at Tony’s

Naples Cub Scout Pack #156, Den 7 is holding a bottle drive on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Tony’s Foodland. The Scouts are helping to raise money to adopt a family for Christmas. Bottles and cans are welcome, as are donations. Call Kim Whalen at 310-8125, for pick up of bottles and cans.

Gettinghelp

I am happy to say that I now have two “junior journalists” on staff. Seventh-graders Kari and Kiersten Eldridge report that the Lake Region travel soccer team of seventh-, eighth- and one ninth-grader went to Gillette Stadium Saturday for a New England Revolution game. Despite the wind, rain and cool temperatures, 15 team members and nine parents had a fantastic time. The Revs won 1-0. The team is coached by Chuck Black of Naples.

If your school-age son or daughter has information they would like to report on and write about, I would love to hear from them.

Best feet forward

I hope last weekend’s weather did not keep you away from some of our wonderful craft fairs. Unfortunately, I did not get any Christmas shopping done, but I did come home with my Lake Region Lakers flip-flops. The flip-flops are $15 and benefit Project Graduation. To get a pair and support Project Grad, please call Connie at 693-7298.

As always, if you have information about “Our Town” that you would like to share, I want to hear from you. I would love to hear from more of our local teachers, as I am sure there is a lot going on from Songo Locks Elementary School, and Lake Region Middle and High schools that would be of interest to our readers.

Have a great week and stay in touch.