A Swap in Traditions

Ho, Ho, Ho! This makes one holiday down and one left for 2007. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and most importantly, I hope you were able to spend quality time with friends and family. With the stress that just naturally comes with the holiday season, it is easy to forget what the true meaning of Christmas is.

My husband and I were fortunate enough to spend the time with my family including my mom, who got out of the hospital just in time for the holiday, for which I am very thankful. We had a wonderful and have decided on a way to make it more about family and friends and less about gift giving. Marge Davis, my cousin from Tennessee, decided to make it a Yankee Swap year.

Each person buys a gift (price set beforehand) for his or her gender or age group, then you pick numbers, the first person selects a gift from beneath the tree and opens it and each following person can keep his gift or pick one of the opened gifts. The beauty of this is that the person who went first can then go and pick any of the opened gifts for his own. After everyone has picked a gift, that concludes the Yankee Swap.

Be Safe Out There

Okay, enough of the white stuff! You skiers and snowmobilers must have been praying very hard to the snow gods as this has been the snowiest December on record since 1955, according to the Maine Weather Service. Is global warming upon us? Perhaps it skipped a year, because I cannot even see out of the end of our road above the snow banks. I risk my life every day by getting the nose of my car way out in to the road to see oncoming traffic.

Speaking of all this snow, there are some issues of safety that should be recognized while you are out enjoying the great outdoors. A little survival guide published by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife since 1972 called “You Alone in the Maine Woods has great information on how to survive if you ever find yourself stranded or injured and away from civilization. The guide can be ordered online at www.mefishwildlife.com.

Seed Money for Naples Main Street

Naples Main Street is the fortunate recipient of a $10,000 donation. On Dec. 15, our own Nancy Hanson presented a seed money gift to the Naples Main Street Board of Directors. In conjunction with the Causeway bridge replacement, this group of residents and businesses has formed to work on the revitalization of our downtown area.

We have this gorgeous and unique area, but tourists fly by because there is little reason to stop. We need beautify the area and create reasons for Naples to become a destination spot, not a pass-through on the way to Bridgton or North Conway. With the donation, we hope to be in a position to enhance our Main Street area and work with a grant writer to procure funds to continue our efforts.

Ideas and suggestions on how to enhance the natural beauty of “Our Town” and increase business for our local merchants are welcomed. Those interested in joining Naples Main Street or learning more about what going on are invited to our meetings the third Friday of each month at the Naples Town Hall at noon. Our next meeting is Jan. 18, 2008.

Along that line, most of you must know by now that the Maine Department of Transportation presented us with some devastating news at the Naples Select Board meeting Dec. 17. What had been planned as a hydraulic drawbridge is now being presented (due to MDOT budget constraints) as a raised fixed bridge. I am sure I do not have to tell you the negative economic impact this could have for residents and businesses alike.

It will also take away from our 130-year history of tying Long Lake to Brandy Pond and Sebago Lake. There will be a public MDOT hearing at the Songo Locks Elementary School Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Please check the town’s Web site for any changes relative to date or time.

Help the Sno Seekers

As reported last week, the ninth annual Naples Winter Carnival (sponsored by the Muddy River Sno Seekers) plans are in full swing. This year’s carnival is shaping up to be the best yet. Whether or not you even own a snowmobile, there will be plenty of activities for everyone.

The highlight of the carnival has always been the fireworks and bonfire on Saturday night. As with everything, there is a cost associated with this event. The snowmobile club is seeking donations to assist in the cost of the fireworks. Checks may be sent to Muddy River Sno Seekers, PO Box 794, Naples, ME 04055. Please notate your check as fireworks.

Help Brian

Just a reminder that the benefit dinner and live auction for Brian Penpraese, the sous chef from Sydney’s, will be held on Jan. 5, 2008 from 5-8 p.m. To sign up for the dinner or to contribute auction items, please call Sherry at 893-6684. Penpraese was transferred from Central Maine Medical Center to a rehabilitation facility in Kennebunk several weeks ago, but continues to struggle with paralysis and an inability to speak.

As we gear up for the New Year, please be safe. If you have any resolutions you would like to share, please let me know. I wish all of you a happy and healthy 2008.

Picture of Nancy Hanson presenting her $10,000 donation to Naples Main street Chairperson, Barbara Clark.