White Christmas!

Yes, we did. It was snowing lightly most of the day up on King Hill Road, making my friends and family south of here quite envious. The funny thing is, sometimes it snows up on the hill, but not three miles down the road, so I hope you all experienced that Christmas magic.

Construction update

The construction crew is still working, and overall, I’d say the weather has been pretty kind so far. All kinds of abutments, concrete and my favorite, lovely street lighting is being installed. Recalling how dark and really uninviting the causeway has seemed on summer nights when I pass through on my way home from work, I am excited to see the change.

Naples Main Street, the primary fundraising group to help pay Naples’ share of the Causeway Project expense, is planning a wine tasting at the gorgeous Inn at Long Lake in January! I know that will be a great event. Details will be in the next column.

Small business news

• Tony’s Foodland once again is making news. At this year’s Chamber Awards Night, Tony’s won the coveted Best Business of the Year (sharing it with equally fabulous TD Bank of Bridgton). It is easy to see why The Umbrella Factory and owners, The Allensons, were honored in this way as they do so much for the community. Their annual Holiday Family night was a joy for all. They had plenty of food going around, horse drawn sleigh rides, more than 20 cartoon characters delighting children, and talk about giveaways: Bikes, gift certificates, T-shirts. What a fun time for the entire family right in the center of town, all made possible by the Allensons. Thank you so much for spreading such holiday cheer and for all you do all year.

• Congratulations to longtime Naples Business owners Harry and Kirsten Hewes on their purchase of the former Gazebo Tees building on the Naples Causeway. Sun Sports has a new, much larger home, giving the Hewes plenty of new space to bring us much more quality merchandise to help us amp up our year-round sports activities.

• Norway Savings Bank will be hosting the Monday Morning Art Class Group Show in January. I for one, am looking forward to seeing what the artists have been working on. Andrea Dacko, winner of numerous artistic competitions, including the last Naples Causeway Summer Art Show, is one of the talented artists exhibiting in this show.

Naples Notes

• The Town Office will be closed New Year’s Day.

• Congratulations to Molly Shaw, of Naples. This St. Joseph’s College Senior and communications major is on a roll! She just landed an internship with WCHS and won the New England Communications Scholarship. Parents Ron and Trish Shaw of Naples are very proud. Way to go Molly.

• Speedy recovery wishes go out to Kiersten Eldridge and Wendy Basset of Naples.

Sun Sports is replacing Gazebo Tees on the Causeway next summer.
(Photo by Vicki Toole)