Fleeting Moments

First day of school is Tuesday, Sept. 2, if you can believe it. Summer always goes so quickly here. The nights are already cooler…counting down the days.

Free Concert at Cornerstone Church

Join “The Puffers” for a instrumental concert this Friday night, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at Cornerstone Church. Called a music ministry, the duo plays a variety of instruments including the sax, ukulele and much more. Contact them at 210-8030 for more information. Donations will be accepted.

Break Bread

Our friends at Christ Chapel are once again offering a complimentary meal this time on Labor Day weekend. Stop by Saturday, Aug. 30, for an all American menu featuring hot dogs, casseroles, soups, salads and desserts. Christ Chapel is located at 37 Northern Pines Road in Raymond (off Route 85, Crescent Lake). The meal is served continually from 4:30-6 p.m.

Need a Job?

There are a few opportunities in and around Naples right now. The position of SAD 61 Adult Education Director is open as Carrie Castonguay resigned to devote more time to a family business and work closer to home. A timely submission of your interest would be best, as school opens soon and they need a director in place. Dunkin’ Donuts in Naples is also hiring. You can apply by visiting www.qhire.net/coffeejobs. The only problem is you won’t know exactly when work will start, as an opening date for the new shop has yet to be announced. The Umbrella Factory, AKA Tony’s Foodland is also hiring for part time help for the fall. Contact Dave Allenson at 693-3988.

Congratulations to…

Mark Scribner, the newly appointed deputy fire chief of Naples. Scribner will replace the outgoing fire chief, Andy Burnham, next week. And to Debbie Lockhart who recently opened Cream of the Crop, a shop offering fresh juices, baked goods and more. Hours are 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. I hear they have amazing coffee and the only place as of now to get a fresh juice around here. The juices are unique blends, too, not just orange juice! Cream of the Crop is located in that small building at the intersection near Songo Locks School.

Congrats also go to the Lake Region Soccer Club on their successful car wash and bake sale fundraiser held this past Saturday at the Naples Fire Department. You can still help the club if you missed this event. Contact Robin Leavitt at photoartworks2000@yahoo.com or 653-6641 to donate bottles or cans. You can also visit the club’s Facebook page for upcoming season updates and club information.

Technology

Updating the Naples town website is an exciting proposition, and one that new Town Manager Ephrem Paraschak is ready to take on. Paraschak will work to get the website to be more user friendly allowing the public easier access to information and representative of all the town has to offer. The recreation department is also in the process of switching over all registrations to online, reducing paperwork.

Something to Think About

I know I will probably ruffle feathers with this one, but I have had something on my mind and maybe someone in the know can contact me to explain. I know I am not the only one questioning these things as I have heard in passing others discussing this. The other day, my kids were invited to attend a birthday party of a Naples resident. I drove my vehicle down there. I do not have a dump sticker on this vehicle as I never would take this vehicle to the dump, I have others for that purpose. I and several other Naples residents who attended the party got a warning that we had to be Naples residents, needed the sticker, or our cars would be towed. While the group I was with was offended by the warning, as was I, I understand the need for the dump sticker to identify Naples residents. It’s free, so why not get it. What I don’t understand is the policy in general. If we are a tourist-oriented town and state, trying to entice people to visit, enjoy, and spend money in our town, wouldn’t we want to welcome them to our lovely new beach.

I think that the town should use the attendant who puts the “warnings” on the cars, to sit at a booth and check IDs. Naples residents use the beach for free, and non-residents pay for beach privileges. Why not make some extra money for the town, and I am very sure out-of-towners would not mind paying for beach privileges. The attendant can put a cap on how many non-residents are allowed at one time or per day or something like this so residents would not be turned away due to overcrowding? Just brainstorming. Any thoughts?

Members of the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Sage of the Light in Naples on Aug. 5. Owners of the alternative therapy center are Ralph Reinard and Gregory Phillips.