Construction update

My, oh my, how time flies! Believe it or not, rumor has it that by May 15, the new Bay of Naples Bridge will be ready to travel over! Although there is still more work to be done to complete the downtown revitalization, the biggest part of the project will be done. Plans are already underway for a townwide celebration to observe the transition and the beginning of a new era for Naples.

Right now the crew is, among other things, building a support system under the arch of the new bridge to hold up the concrete when it is placed (or as Project manager Craig Hurd referred to it, “installing falsework” for the arch.

Winter Carnival canceled

It was no doubt a tough decision for the committee to make, but for everyone’s safety, the main events of this year’s winter carnival scheduled for the Feb. 10-12 weekend, have been cancelled. They are going to continue with the snowmobile torch light parade on Friday night starting at Black Bear Cafe at 6 p.m. (follow by car if you would like). From the Black Bear, they will stop at the ice rink for family fun skate night (please bring a toy that can be given out to kids that are skating. The skate night runs from 6:30-9 p.m. There will be a live DJ, hot cocoa, and a bonfire, and the event is free!), then a stop at The Galley Restaurant for roughly an hour, then continuing on to Bray’s Brew Pub for the rest of the evening. The Saturday Night Winter Carnival Party at Merced’s is also on. All other scheduled events are canceled. Please note that the Hannaford/United Way Ice Fishing Derby is still on. Visit their Facebook Page for more information.

Naples Dog Park

Some people were just meant for their jobs. You know the ones: on a regular basis they go above and beyond their job descriptions because they love what they do. In fact they probably would do it for free. In my opinion, this describes our local Animal Control Officer, Bobby Silcott. Time and again, he is out there working tirelessly toward improving the quality of life for area animals.

The Naples Dog Park is a project underway that will certainly make Naples a dog-friendlier place. Silcott and a committee of dog-loving Naples residents have been meeting monthly at Bray’s Brew Pub to discuss the possibilities. Those meetings, held the fourth Tuesday of each month, have been fruitful, with a clear course of action underway.

The proposed park will be located on a town-owned 10-acre parcel on State Park Road. Right now, the committee is focusing on fundraising for the park, as money is needed. The park will be paid for and built entirely from donations and volunteers. The committee is selling granite bricks that citizens can buy as dedication or memorial to a special pet or that a business can purchase as a sponsor. The bricks sell for the following donation amounts: 4×8 inches for $80, 8×8 for $155, or 12×12 for $263. Names and images can be sketched onto the bricks. You can order your brick at the Naples Town Hall, which will be stocked with the trifold order forms by next week.

Also underway is some great merchandise, including hoodie sweatshirts and baseball caps with the amazing logo that local artist Jason Dillman designed for the park.

Work is set to begin in the spring. How much can be done depends on how much money is raised. The project has been broken down into three phases. Phase one is the parking lot. Phase two is the fencing, and, finally, phase three would be to fence off the entire perimeter of the 10 acres. Phase Two’s fencing would include one pen each for small and large dogs, both measuring 100×200 feet. Then there would be a socialization pen to introduce new dogs who may not be used to other dogs, or are perhaps with a new owner who is not familiar with how they will react to other dogs. Pet waste stations complete with plastic bags are also in the plans.

If you would like to be a part of this exciting project, just show up at the Bray’s monthly meeting and jump in. They would love to get additional committee members, volunteers, and site workers. Contact Bobby Silcott at 647-1112 or email at asktheaco@yahoo.com. Naples Dog Park also has a Facebook page under their name, which you can visit and “Like”. I like it. A lot!

Pet project

The students of Mrs. Shanks and Mrs. McNeill’s kindergarten class at Songo Locks Elementary are making and selling beautiful, spin-art Valentine’s cards for 10 cents each. All of the money will be donated to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. Cards are on sale in the morning and at the end of the day. Extra donations of money, blankets, pet food, kitty liter, etc are also gladly accepted. Please join this thoughtful kindergarten class in this worthwhile cause, and help them reach their goal.

Library news

A great way to pass the time during these dreary months is to visit the Maples Public Library. They have some fun activities sure to please people of all ages. On Feb. 18, you can make a fleece hat at 11 a.m. Or check out the Smurfs Movie with your kids at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21. If you are intrigued by those couponing shows like I am, there is a couponing class being offered on Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. The library also offers many perks to its patrons. Did you know if you were interested in a book, the library will make every attempt to get that book for you, even if its brand new. For a list of other services they offer, visit their website at naples.lib.me.us.