Here comes the rain, again

We’ve had a remarkably dry summer, with the last two weeks of it being pretty much picture perfect. Maine certainly had this coming after the winter we had. But, alas, the rain is making a comeback, and there’s no fooling around. Rain, heavy at times, all week! I know we need it, but does it have to come all at once. Hunker down!

Homecoming

Luckily, Homecoming week at Lake Region High School was during the previous stretch of great weather. It was kind of chilly though, at the Friday night football game held at the high school versus Poland. I think the whole town was there! Great way to show support to our youth and school! Homecoming included the famous parade in Bridgton, the football game, the Homecoming Dance and overall school spirit fun at the pep rally. But, for me, the highlight was the Test Drive sponsored by Macdonald Motors of Bridgton. Family and friends of students were asked to try out a Dodge Ram truck by cruising it around the Lake Region High School parking lot. For each test drive, the school was given $20. Freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes competed against each other to see who could bring in the most drivers. I assumed the seniors would celebrate a landslide victory (given that seniors can drive!) but I tell you, the freshman class gave them a run for their money, finishing a close second.

Salem trip

With October arriving at our doorstep, of course the time is now to think about all things fall and Halloween. If you’ve never been to Salem, Mass., during this time, you really need to make plans to cross that off your bucket list! It has a mystique unlike anywhere else given its history of witch trials and the like.

Dea Dea Allen has graciously organized once again her popular bus trip which leaves for Salem on Oct. 24 at 7 a.m. from the American Legion in Naples, with a stop in Westbrook to pick up additional passengers at the Park and Ride lot. Arrival in Salem is estimated by 10:30 a.m., with the bus heading back to Maine at 5 p.m. Plan on getting home around 8 p.m. Let someone else do the driving and deal with parking, etc., all for just $34 per person. Space is limited, just six seats left at last check, so do call Dea Dea to reserve at 693-3408.

Senior luncheon

Naples’ senior meal site is at the Casco Fire Station, located on Route 121. Lunch is at noon on Mondays and Thursdays. Cost is $3 per meal. Before lunch visitors can play cards and games. After lunch they offer bingo, which is $4 per month. Newcomers to the meal site are asked to please call 655-7162 or 627-4044 between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday or Thursday.

Library update

Autumn is library time. Time to cozy up with a good book. Doesn’t that sound perfect? We are so lucky to have such a lovely library. I, for one, don’t get there enough these days. I used to go all the time with my babies, and I was grateful to have it in our town. Here is a list of happenings this month.

Fundraiser

The library’s Annual Mini-Art Sale will be located in a booth at the Holly Berry Craft Fair on Saturday, Oct. 31, in the Lake Region High School. Stop by and browse watercolors of several sizes donated by local artists for the benefit of the library.

Special events

The library is once again sponsoring Your Government, Your Neighborhood on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. Stop in and speak to a constituent service representative from Sen. Angus King’s office. No appointment is necessary. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m. you can join the book discussion group. The book to be discussed is “The Storied Life of A.J. Fiery” by Gabrielle Zevin.

Jane Karker, president of Maine Authors Publishing and Cooperative, will talk about the steps to self-publishing a manuscript on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required at the Adult Circulation desk or call 693-6841.

For the kids, head on out to the library’s offerings of children’s movies. Movies will be played Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 4 p.m. and Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 4 p.m. Of course, popcorn is served. For the little ones, this Halloween month offers costume story times to be held Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m.

A successful fundraising effort! Macdonald Motors and Lake Region High School teamed up to raise money for the school at their Test Drive.  The event raised $4,780 for the school. Pictured here, from left, are Coach Paul True, Christina Piland, Bill Macdonald, and Dan Macdonald. Photo courtesy of Kevin Murphy.