Holidays!

The holiday season is one of the best times to enjoy small-town life. I love the quiet at night, the holiday lights decorating the Causeway, the craft fairs, bake sales and visits from Santa! So, get out and explore. The milder temperatures are making it easier than ever to resist the temptation to hibernate.

Holiday workshops at Common Folk Farm

The Common Folk Farm in Naples is a great place to visit to get in the holiday mood. Located at 23 Kimball Corner Road, it is centrally located so your friends in Sebago and Bridgton can take the back roads and meet you there in a snap.

Betsey Golon, a master food preserver for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, loves to share her knowledge and passion about canning, dehydration and other food preservation skills. She is offering some amazing classes to teach you those skills.

On Dec. 9, create your own Williamsburg Boxwood Wreath, a wreath that will last for years! All materials plus an Old Virginia Tea Time are included. On Thursday the 10th, make some delicious Raspberry Amaretto Jam and a custom tea blend. Then enjoy the jam on scones! On Dec. 16, Betsey hosts a Lavender Christmas, where you will make lavender ornaments, and enjoy lavender tea and cookies.

Finally, on Dec. 17, make “Everything but the Turkey!” You will make homemade cranberry bourbon sauce, herbal butter, soup seasoning, and cool-rise yeast rolls. Samples and recipes are included for the events on Dec. 16 and 17. Classes are held in two sessions per day, the morning session runs from 9 a.m. to noon, and the afternoon runs from 1-4 p.m. Each session is limited to six participants, and costs $55 per guest. Call 787-2764 to register.

Naples Fire Department update

If you hear sirens and sleigh bells on Dec. 12, fear not! The Naples Fire Department is once again escorting Santa to the Annual Tree Lighting at the Naples Village Green. The escort will begin at 4 p.m. and hit all the hot spots in Naples, ending at 6 p.m. for the tree lighting. Visit the Naples Fire and Rescue Facebook page to see if they will be in your area or call the Naples Fire Station at 693-6852 or the Naples Town Office at 693-6364.

Also, on their Facebook page, watch a cool video on how the Naples Fire Department flew the Naples Causeway Flag with the Westbrook Fire Department over the Wreaths Across America escort to Arlington National Cemetery.

Once again, Lt. Gary Bennett is spearheading the Annual Coats for Kids Drive! New or used coats can be dropped off at the Naples Fire Station anytime day or night. The coats will be donated to the Coats for Kids program. Last year’s drive brought in nearly 300 coats and they hope to beat that number this year.

Library holiday events

Head on down to the Naples Public Library this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for their Annual Fair, which includes the Cookie Walk, Mini Art Sale, as well as opportunities to make a craft and purchase handmade gifts. Holiday music will be performed by Bea Asken and her daughter, Andrea, on their viola and recorder.

On Dec. 17, you can make your very own holiday centerpiece for your Christmas table. Join Carol Drew from Watkins Farm, who will bring everything you need to create your masterpiece. The workshop will be at the library at 6:30 p.m. Cost for the workshop is $15 for materials, which you can pay that evening. Registration is requested to hold your spot. Call 693-6841 for more information.

The true meaning of the season

Helping out our community is the perfect way to infuse the holiday spirit into your season. The Naples Community Resource Council has once again placed holiday stars on a Christmas tree at the Umbrella Factory. You simply go in, pick a star, return to the star with the unwrapped new gift you have purchased for the child, feel great about making a Naples child’s Christmas a little brighter. Time is of the essence so do visit today.

Christmas trees

’Tis the season when just about everyone brings a tree inside to decorate for the holidays. Balsam fir is the top choice here in Maine, although some people might go for a Scotch pine or a spruce. Balsam fir gives off a heavy, woodsy scent that can’t be matched and it holds its needles longer than a spruce.

For those who do keep an indoor tree this holiday season, please be safe and keep your tree from becoming a fire hazard by drying out. Try to keep the tree in water at all times and discard it before it gets too dry. Never allow any open flame around your tree and remember to turn the lights off any time the tree will be left unattended.

Got Talent?

The third annual “Lake Regions’ Got Talent” is just around the corner. Auditions are being held this week. They are looking for all sorts of variety acts. If you juggle, dance, perform monologues or can speed-knit, they are looking for you!

Auditions will be held at CenterStage Performing Arts Center in Raymond on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 1-2 p.m. Auditions are mandatory to be considered for the show. A sound system will be available for iPods, CDs, etc. There is a one-time audition fee of $15. You can just show up to audition, no pre-registration necessary.

The contest will be held beginning Jan. 10, with finals running each Sunday at 1 p.m., and the final perfomances held on Jan. 31, all at the Magic Lantern in Bridgton. Compete to win a $1,000 cash prize. For more information, contact Peter Allen at 518-0481.

Condolences

Condolences go out to the family of Robert Neault, a pillar of our community who was involved in many positive endeavors around Naples, including the Causeway Revitalization Committee, the Naples Planning Board, the Singer Center, CrossWalk Community Outreach and the Naples/Casco Before and After Care Program. His absence will be felt here in Naples.

Lake Region High School freshmen Emily Colson, left, and Mindy Miller, man the raffle table at last Saturday’s fundraising spaghetti supper hosted by the class of 2019.Naples Fire Department gets into the holiday spirit by decorating a truck.