Trick or Treat

As we head into October, of course, our minds are filled with thoughts of Halloween, pumpkins and the like. I’ve noticed over the years that there are certain hot spots that families go to trick or treat. Mainly because in many rural areas, the houses are just too far apart and street lighting is dim at best, mostly dark.

Residents at Madison Heights are among the hardest hit, while my neighbors up in Kimball’s Corner rarely see a costumed kid. If the idea of going door to door seems daunting, fear not, there are alternatives. The Casco and Naples Recreation Department invites pre-schoolers through fifth graders to head on down to the Casco Community Center and Casco Library on Thursday, Oct. 31, for a Costume Parade and Halloween Party. This year’s party is full of treats including a magician, the famous haunted library walk, games, cider, goodies and more. Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. and go until 7. For more information, or to volunteer for the event, contact Beth Latsey at 627-4187 or Harvey Price at 693-6364. At the Naples Public Library, they are offering on Halloween night, from 6-7 p.m., Halloween stories and healthy treats. On Tuesday, Oct. 29, in keeping with the spooktacular theme, they will be showing Monsters University (rated G) in the Gathering Room downstairs, complete with popcorn!

Change in CrossWalk Hours

The CrossWalk Community Food Pantry and Free Meals program is very popular. Too popular, in fact, to be housed for much longer at the Naples Town Gym. There were complaints that too many parking spaces were being used by visitors of the program. What seems to me as an ideal solution will be initiated on Nov. 4. Since the town office closes at noon on Monday, the time of the program will be moved to 1-3 p.m. The program originally ran from 11-1 p.m. There are still plans to move the program, but for now, it stays put.

Resident Scores New Position

Congratulations to Sue Mercer of Naples, who is now the new office manager at the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce, located on Route 302, next to Hannaford. Sue and her husband became full-time residents of Naples in 2010.

Pierson at Stone Mountain Arts Center

Heather Pierson, who was the children’s librarian in Naples when my kids were younger, will be performing at the renowned Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield. Heather is releasing her seventh CD, The Hard Work of Living. Heather is well known as an accomplished pianist, songwriter, and singer. Tickets are $17 and available at the Stone Mountain Arts Center box office at 935-7292 or online at stonemountainartscenter.com. You can also visit Heather’s website at www.heatherpierson.com.

Gone to the Dog

That’s right. Come to the Naples Public Library to meet and read to Bear, a Newfoundland and service dog who loves kids and books, according to sources. Bear will be at the library Thursday, Oct. 24, at 4:30 p.m.

Patrons enjoy a recent pancake breakfast at Colonial Mast Campground, just one of the many fundraisers held throughout the year to support the chem-free night for Lake Region High School seniors.