The Snow Days of Winter

Snow Day No. 6 is upon us as I write this. Four-day weekend for the kiddos. They will take it! Maybe the snow day was nature’s way of celebrating the Patriot’s historic win at the Super Bowl. Or maybe it was confirming the groundhog’s forecast of six more weeks of winter. The kids are happy for now, but they likely will change their tune when they are still in school until June 23 at this point.

Shop Locally

We’ve all been bombarded with that mantra, and I like it! If you haven’t been, a visit to Hawthorne’s Attic on Route 302 in South Casco can be just the thing to add a little intrigue to your life this winter. Naples’ own Common Folk Farm has set up shop there selling their amazing homemade seasoning mixes, teas and much more. This location is a “treasure attic of awesome things,” local farms, craftspeople, antiques and great used items. Spend some time here and you’ll feel like you won the lottery! You never know what you will find. Common Folk Farm Herbs are available at L.L. Bean but this is where they sell the unique items made at the farm.

Naples resident Michelle Granfield, mother, grandmother, crafter, and businesswoman, is another hard-working vendor to set up shop at Hawthorne’s Attic, from the very beginning, as Shabby Chic Chick Antiques. Michelle started off with a small booth, moved and expanded twice or even thrice! You’ll now find her in three-plus rooms in the north end of the blue building. You’ll find everything from hand-strung beaded jewelry, vintage clothing, antique furniture and housewares, home-sewn aprons and pillows and so much more. The only way to really appreciate the volume and variety is to stop in and see for yourself. You’ll want to block out at least a half hour just for her portion of the store.

Other Naples residents setting up shop at Hawthorne’s Attic include Merry Watson, Deb Dean, Deb Kilton, and Nancy Carlton.

Dance to Help Your Neighbor

Zumba instructors from Naples and the Lakes Region are joining forces this Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Casco Town Gym from 10-11:30 a.m. to help a neighbor in need. Rebekah Brown was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor after being in an automobile accident in September. She is the mother of four, living in Casco with her spouse Stephen Stewart.

Steve and his family have been lifelong Casco residents and have donated lots of time in the youth basketball leagues throughout the years. Becca cannot work at this time as she undergoes testing and surgeries, which has put their family in constraints. A $10 donation would be appreciated at the door. The address for the Casco Gym in 940 Meadow Road, Casco, 04015. A Go Fund Me page has also been created if you would like to help that way at http://www.gofundme.com/jrxbvw.

Talent Show Update

Nine acts spanning a diverse lineup of talent performed at the Magic Lantern in Bridgton during the semifinals of Lake Region’s Got Talent. Now, there are six!

The acts that are advancing to the final competition are, in alphabetical order by first name, singer Abbie Vaughn of Brownfield, Bridgton guitarist Anthony Champoli, bass player Galen McLaughlin of Sebago, Naples guitarist Matthew Buchanan, vocalist Morgan Lamontagne of Raymond, and Naples percussionist Reed Bridge-Koenigsburg, lyric dancers Bailey Nassa of Raymond and Mackenzie Gifford of Standish, singer/guitarist Christian Martin of Stow, Brownfield singer Gracie Vaughn, and Windham contemporary dancers Kristin Farwell, Laura Taylor and Liza Collins-Schrader.

Don’t miss the Lake Region’s Got Talent grand finale on Sunday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. at the Magic Lantern. The finalists will compete for a chance to win a share of over $1,000 in cash and prizes, as well as bragging rights. You can help your favorite act win when you cast a ballot. Tickets for the final performance are available at the door: free/ages 5 and under (non-voting); $5 for ages 6-12; $7 for students and senior citizens; $10 in advance. All of the shows are televised on Lake Region Television after the show dates. Check www.lakeregiontv.org for the schedule.

Spirit Challenge

As one of nine schools chosen to participate in WGME’s School Spirit Challenge, Lake Region High School is working hard to represent! In today’s teen lingo, that means to make an impressive showing, to show up big! They need all of our help to make this statement. The challenge is all about demonstrating school spirit, drive, stewardship and more.

Not only will Lake Region High School have to wow the competition with the level of their school spirit, but also their community spirit. The schools have been challenged to collect the most non-perishable food goods. Collection baskets are set up all around the Lake Region. They have until Feb. 13, when WGME will be broadcasting live, showcasing the school and how much food they collected. Donations of food are being accepted at Tony’s Foodland, Hannaford in Bridgton, as well as all local schools. Monetary donations can be dropped off at Lake Region High School during school hours. For more information or to make a donation, contact the high school at 693-6221.

Road Trip

Hopefully by April the snow will be a distant memory and you’ll be ready to hit the road with Dea Dea Robbins on Naples Recreation as she is planning a great trip to Mohegan Sun Casino on Saturday, April 11.

For just $50 per person you’ll get round-trip transportation, a buffet dinner, and $10 for gaming. Must be 21 years or older, of course. The bus leaves the Naples American Legion at 7 a.m. and returns to Naples approximately 10 p.m. Contact Dea Dea at 693-3408 to reserve your spot.

Denise St. John, enjoying a paraffin hand dip, at Fountain of You Fitness’s customer appreciation event. St. John is an instructor at the studio in Naples.These Lake Region Middle School musicians’ hard work has paid off. They were all selected to perform in the prestigious Maine Music Educators Association’s District 2 Instrumental Honors Music Festival held at Leavitt High School on Jan. 31. From left, back row, are Bradley White, Tim Holbrook, Olivia Toole, Jordan Magiera, Matt Mayo and Morgan Cross. In front are Lucien Wallace, Emily Colson and Samantha Pond.Courtesy photos