Sight for the Season?

Well, another week over and a new one just begun. I hope we all enjoyed the 50 plus degree temperatures this past week, as I am not sure we are going to see them again for a long while. I was driving up Route 302 from Bridgton to Harrison on Thursday to show properties in Harrison (yes, I do have a real job) and cursed to myself as I did not have my camera with me. What did I see? I saw a group of contractors replacing a roof. Okay, so now you are wondering what was so interesting about that.

You have to visualize the backdrop. A snow covered Long Lake, snow bergs sliding off the roof of the house they were working on, five-foot snow banks lining the driveway and they were all shirtless. Yes, they were getting a tan in January in Naples Maine, not Naples Fla. Normally they would be layered in Carhartt clothing from Reny’s and begging for a hot cup of coffee. Instead, it looked to me like they could have been expecting a Pina Colada.

Well Stocked

Speaking of a snow covered Long Lake, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has been working diligently since 2006 to enhance some of the stocking of brook trout and other fishes in our local lakes and ponds. Happily, there should be plenty of good fishing on Sebago Lake on the Naples side, Long Lake and believe it or not, Trickey Pond is a hot prospect for salmon over 4 pounds.

Since the fishing derby is right around the corner, you had better find your spot, get your fishing shack out there, get your licenses and get that equipment that you need for successful angling. Just stop in at the Naples Bait and Tackle Shop, Route 11 in Naples. It is unbelievable what you need nowadays for this sport that used to be simply cutting a hole in the ice and dropping a line. As with many things, ice fishing too, has become an art form.

Save the Cove

To get us off track a little bit, I want to talk about that ugly thing invading our lakes and ponds, milfoil. Although this is winter and we do not see that nasty little plant beneath the snow and ice, it still lurks. Variable-leaf milfoil is an aggressive aquatic plant that can form dense mats that congest waterways and crowd out native aquatic plants. Thick growth of this plant can impair recreational uses of waterways including boating, swimming and fishing.

Dense growth of variable-leaf milfoil degrades the native habitat of fish and other wildlife, and may also provide breeding areas for mosquitoes, but essentially chokes our lakes and ponds and makes them suffocate. My point, and I do have one, the Naples Winter Carnival is being kicked off with a Save Sebago Cove fundraiser.

This is such an important issue and this fabulous event will be held at the Freedom Cafa on Feb. 15, beginning at 6 p.m. There will be awesome prizes, including a reverse raffle with a grand prize of up to $2,000. Our favorite solo artist, Pete Finkle will be performing.

Even if you do not own waterfront property, you must be able to appreciate the beauty of Long Lake and Brandy Pond as you cross the Causeway each day. It is our heritage if we choose to protect it and I am hoping all of you care about this asset that we tend to take for granted. At this rate, our beautiful lake will not be there for our children and certainly not for our grandchildren if we do not do something now.

For those of you who have summered here, retired here or have lived here all of your lives, please come join us for food, fun, dancing and camaraderie. Tickets are $50 per person and include entry in to the very nice raffle.

All proceeds will go toward the eradication of milfoil in our water bodies. You could go home $2,000 richer and feel good about supporting your town, our lake, pond, rivers and our heritage. For more information or advance tickets, please call 252-3044 or drop in to the Freedom Cafa, or as always, contact me.

Congratulations Chelsea

Okay, now I have to brag just a little. My niece, Chelsea Hunt has achieved a 4.0 academic rating at the University of Maine at Farmington, earning her Dean’s List honors. She is the daughter of my awesome sister, Barbara Hunt and my wonderful brother in-law, Bruce.

She is majoring in elementary education, following her idols, Bonnie and Steve Edwards of Lake Region High School fame. As we all know, an entire wing was named after Bonnie for her remarkable contribution to Lake Region High School. Go Bonnie and Steve, you have done another remarkable thing for a student you believed in. That must truly be the gift that keeps on giving.

Although my adorable niece is only a sophomore, she has been invited to become a member of the University Honor Society. Go Chels!

Lots of Help

One final thing I have to mention and this is so special. Our fundraiser for Brian and Melissa Penpraese was a huge success. The spaghetti dinner at Shaker’s brought in almost $17,000. Yes, that is accurate. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Kirsten Hewes, Chef Frank, Jocelyn O’Rourke-Shane and all of the staff at Sydney’s, this little family may find some form of peace while Brian Penpraese continues to recuperate.

For goodness sakes, the “booze wagon” brought in over $900, and I probably bought way too many tickets and didn’t come close to winning.

There were awesome auction items including a dinner prepared at home for 6, by Chef Frank (I was outbid on that one, thanks to Sheryl Hartney), but I did win the Lakes Region Catering lobster bake for four.

This is such a wonderful example of how extraordinary “Our Town” really is. People care, people get involved and I truly believe we love one another. I really do love living here and I hope all of you do as well.

I hope all of you have a great week and as always, if you have something to say, give me a “hey.”

Almost $17,000 was raised by friends of Naples resident Brian Penpraese Saturday night to help him recover from a brain injury he suffered several months ago.