Warm wager lost

My husband and I both lost our bet this year. We always try to get to November before we have to turn our heat on, but we acquiesed Sunday night when it became obvious that the temperatures would go down into the 20s. It would probably not be a good thing for the hardwood floors to have frost on them when you wake up in the morning. I

t is quite a bit more comfortable to be sitting here writing this at 70 degrees than it was last week at 57 degrees (inside).

You can probably count on me being surly until sometime in April, so if you have tips on surviving our Maine winters, my husband begs you to send them to me. For me it is not light deprivation, it is the inner warmth that I miss. Yes, I have tried heated socks and they only fit with my clown shoes.

With the cold, crisp weather comes Halloween. I know that Bray’s Brew Pub is having its annual costume party and Steve Kirk is planning an extravaganza at the Tiki Bar as well. Raye Trott loved Halloween, but would never dress up, so if you knew Raye, go out and dress up for him. I know he will be giggling.

Crafty fun

It is hard to believe, but ’tis the season for craft fairs. I do not know about the rest of you, but for my family we have vowed off of Christmases past and are sticking to budgets and buying nothing extravagant for anyone.

That makes craft fairs the ideal shopping Mecca for anyone wanting to find a unique gift, support our local craft persons, save some money and avoid any possible crowds at the mall.

The historic and award winning Inn at Long Lake will be the venue for one of our first local craft fairs. Host and owner Keith Neubert is opening this Victorian Inn for its 18th annual holiday open house and craft show Saturday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m. -3 p.m.

Enjoy a cup of mulled cider and a homemade cookie while shopping for quality Maine made handcrafts in the atmosphere of this luxurious Inn and bask in the history that is ours for the viewing. Each room, with its own name and history, will feature a special artist.

I have been every year since I moved here and I can promise you a magical experience. I will say that that the entire inn is not for persons with disabilities as there are three flights of stairs to climb. But that does not preclude all from enjoying the sitting room on the first floor with the fire in the fireplace, the decorations and the aromas.

Project Graduation at Lake Region High School is also hosting its annual Holly Berry Fair Nov. 1 as well, so please get a goon (just a little Halloween joke) nights sleep and plan on stopping at both fairs.

From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the high school on Route 302 in Naples, shoppers can browse at least 20 craft areas and the best part is that organizers hosting a kids corner where visitors can drop your child off while shopping. The children will then be entertained with a craft project. There will be raffles and chili and chowder to keep the energy level up for all of that shopping.

There are also some fairs coming up in December. The Christmas craftsman’s fair will be held Dec. 6 at the Naples Town Hall, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. The group is accepting applications for tables, but all items must be handmade by the person reserving the space, that is the special part of this fair. Nothing is imported; all items are crafted and made locally. Additionally, all proceeds benefit the Naples Historical Society. For more information, please contact Merry Watson at 693-6879 or e-mail nhs@fairpoint.net. Last December Watson told me she would not do this again. How often are we fooled by last words?

Meet and greet

With the coming of craft fairs also comes the end of this very long election campaign. Is it just me or did it seem to start right after the last election?

Neubert will also host a meet and greet with Lisa Villa, Democratic candidate for Senate District 13 and Jim Krainin, Democratic candidate for House District 101 Sunday, Oct. 26, 6- 8 p.m. It will be an informal gathering where coffee and Neubert’s homemade delicacies will be offered. No R.S.V.P. is required.

When I first took this job over a year ago, as I have told you many times, I really did not think there was enough going on here in this tiny hamlet to fill a column. Man, was I wrong. I want to apologize to all of you who have called and e-mailed dozens of requests for space each week.

I try to make all of them work, but I need to sometimes prioritize by space, timing and relevance. I promise that I will always try to do my best, but cannot always promise success for all. Please bear with me and keep those ideas and thoughts coming.

Inside Naples