Five years already

My husband I just realized this week that as of January, we will have lived here five years. Although it is still hard for us to put our hands around that, that is the truth. The frightening thing is that I am also five years older!

Although my husband and I spent over 30 years in Boston, upon moving here, I believe in a few short years, we have made more friends and acquaintances than we did in all the years we lived in Massachusetts. Why, you might ask? So glad you did, keep reading.

Now, my point (and I do have one) is that many people do not get involved or take advantage of all the opportunities that are available in “Our Town.” Every time you reach out, whether by joining our many activities or volunteering your time, you increase your friends and enjoyment levels exponentially.

Holiday spirit in lights

There is not a week that goes by that I do not find something interesting about Naples that makes me happy that I live here. Last week I told you about a town without Christmas spirit. Not so with “Our Town.” Last Friday, a wonderful group of volunteers came together to determine how we were going to pull together the third annual Christmas Tree Lighting in a week.

I know that most of it has been advertised as Naples Main Street, and I apologize to all involved, as it really took a village. My thanks to everyone who has participated and I hope you will be just as involved next year, as we have wonderful plans for a full weekend of festivities.

This year’s tree lighting will be Saturday, Dec. 15 from 5 – 7 p.m. at the historic Union Church next to the Naples Public Library. Join your neighbors in kicking off the holidays. Bring your family and friends to sing Christmas carols with our own Carl Talbot. Please bring a flashlight to help you read the songbooks.

There will be a visit by a special holiday icon, thanks to Ron Marshall, and hot chocolate and treats will follow at the Naples Public Library.

All is still fair

Before you come to the tree lighting, please be sure to visit the 12th annual Craftsman’s Fair at the Naples Town Gym. The fair is sponsored by the Naples Historical Society and will be held Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. This is the last show of the season, so it is a great stop for any of those last minute holiday gifts. There will be lots of unique and wonderful crafts from local artists. Come see what creative people live in our midst.

Lunch will be available with two kinds of homemade soups, sandwiches, drinks and desert. Even if you just come for lunch, something will be bound to catch your eye.

Open and clean house

We had a wonderful open house at the Singer Community Center/Grange Saturday. Although we did not get a large turnout of guests, members of the Naples Grange, the Naples-Casco Before/After Care, Naples Main Street and The Singer Community Center Committee were on hand to greet visitors and do some cleanup. We removed 500 pounds of debris, which was hauled to the dump. It looks much nicer now.

The idea behind the Community Center is to give all Naples residents a public gathering place where clubs and groups can meet, or where people can come to visit with others and pursue hobbies and other interests. We would love to see regularly scheduled events, classes and once our kitchen is updated, a place for community suppers. If you have any ideas or suggestions, or if your group is looking for a place to meet, please contact Dona Forke at 221-6508 or dona@fairpoint.net. We welcome any and all input!

Library helps seniors

The Naples Public Library is once again offering free one-on-one help sessions for any seniors needing to enroll in the new Medicare D Prescription Drug Plan or make any changes to the plan they currently have.

The open enrollment period for Medicare D began Nov. 15 and will close Dec. 31. This is the time for anyone eligible for Medicare to review their current plan to be sure that it will continue to meet their needs in 2008. Medicare can be a complicated maze and this program can assist you in making informed decisions. If you have any questions or concerns relative to your coverage or premiums and deductibles, this is your chance to get free information and guidance from trained volunteers.

To make an appointment, please contact the library during its regular business hours at 693-6841.

Indoor yard sale

Yet another wonderful group of good Samaritans has banded together to help others in need. These volunteers, realizing the struggles some of our local families face during the holiday season and our long cold winters, have come up with a plan to help make these next few months a little easier.

On Saturday, Dec. 22, there will be a giant indoor yard sale at the Naples Town Gym from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The sale will feature toys, clothing, furniture and household goods. There will also be a large array of baked goods including breads, cakes, relishes, pickles and pies. Sounds like some wonderful items for that last minute hostess gift.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase some Christmas cheer for local families and hopefully to fund some heating or food expenses as well. For more information and to make donations, please call 787-2768. We all must have something we are ready to give away that might be another man’s treasure.

Mushing up teen talent

In conjunction with the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Musher’s Bowl, Lake Region High School Project Graduation 2008 will be hosting a Musher’s Bowl Teen Talent Show. The talent show will be held at Lake Region High School Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. Time to get those acts together now. More details will follow. Anyone interested in being a judge or needing more information, contact Connie Eldridge at cleldridge@lakesproperties.com.

Watch the ice

It is that time of year. With our fresh covering of snow, snowmobilers are getting anxious to get out on all those trails. Please just keep in mind that although that blanket of snow is staying on top of our lakes and ponds, they are not safe. Please make sure your kids know that and remind any adult riders as well. We have had enough tragedy in “Our Town” this year, so please be careful.

As always, if you have ideas to share, information your group would like publicized or just have some comments, please let me know. Have a great week and take time to enjoy some of the festivities this weekend.