Causeway Update

A special town meeting was held last Monday asking residents to vote on a bond of $220,000 to cover capital improvements to the Naples Causeway area. This bond will cover many of the expenses while also providing a cushion that selectmen can utilize for unforeseen costs.

Bridging the Generations Raffle

Naples Main Street has been working all along with helping to raise the funds for the renovation. The Bridging the Generations Raffle offers residents a chance to purchase a raffle ticket at the Town Office and be entered to be the last car over the old bridge or the first car over the new bridge. You can visit www.townofnaples.org and click on the link on the bottom of the home page or call or visit the Town Office for more information.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Parade and Reception

Naples is busily preparing a celebration of the new bridge opening. On Friday, May 18, stand on the new bridge and watch the festivities, which begin at 1 p.m. Many plans are in the works and include having an antique car built close to the year the first bridge was built go over the new bridge, the Lake Region High School Marching Band, and speeches from local representatives and key players in the project. Afterwards, head towards the tent at the Village Green for lovely refreshments provided by Naples own Lake Region Caterers.

Naples Clean Up Day

Before the big day here in Naples, the Causeway could use some spring cleaning! Join Naples Main Street and other volunteers on Saturday, May 5, at 9 a.m. They will meet at the Inn at Long Lake where assignments will be given.

Sebago Dishes Up Good Eats

As far as I know, there are no Maple Sunday Events in Naples so usually I head over to our neighbors in Sebago at the Town Hall for an awesome pancake breakfast smothered in the liquid gold! The feast runs from 7 a.m. till noon and is always well done and well attended. If you are looking for a good family dinner, there is a baked bean supper also in Sebago at the Sebago Methodist Church on Route 114, North Sebago, on Saturday Night, March 24 from 5-6:30 p.m.

Pirates of Penzance Opens

Don’t miss another fun performance from the kids at Lake Region High School. Opening night is Thursday, March 29, at 7 p.m., in the high school auditorium. Additional performances are scheduled for the next two nights, Friday and Saturday, at 7 p.m., with matinees held on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Advance tickets are $6 per student and $8 per adult ($2 less than at the door) and can be purchased at The Good Life Market, Lake Region High School, Lake Region House of Pizza and Bridgton Books.

Play Ball?

In order for local kids to play baseball, they need umps! If you have any experience or umpiring skills, you are encouraged to attend the Sebago-Long Lake Chapter of Cal Ripken Baseball on April 14 at 10 a.m. at the Casco Community Center at 940 Meadow Road, Route 121 in Casco. This chapter serves athletes age 14 and under from Bridgton, Casco, Harrison, Naples, Waterford, Sebago, and Raymond, with its season running from April till June. Umpires are compensated for games they officiate. FMI, contatct Jon Vaughn-Carr at 409-7421 or email at jcarr@auburnschl.edu.

Project Graduation

The seniors and parents at Lake Region High School are busy as usual all year raising funds for Project Graduation, a chemical-free, all-night celebration for graduates. This year’s March Madness Calendar Raffle was a huge success, with many area businesses donating fantastic prizes. Next up is a night at Happy Wheels Family Skate Center on Saturday, March 24, 5-7:30 p.m. The cost is just $5, with all proceeds going to Project Grad. Roller skates and inline skates are free at that time only. If you can’t make the Skate Night, you can always send in a donation to LRHS Project Grad, c/o Molly Brake, Town of Naples, PO Box 1757, Naples, Maine, 04055.

National Junior Honor Society

The National Junior Honor Society raises the money every year for all the kids to take a trip to Washington, D.C. Money is never an issue, all students get to go on this trip – hence, all they do lots of fundraising. They have sold wreaths at Christmas, flowers for Valentine’s Day and done bottle drives all year through. The Pancake Breakfast and Chinese Auction is the biggie! The breakfast is March 31 at Songo Locks School. Tickets are $5 for a single and only $20 for a family (4 or more). They will be serving pancakes, bacon or sausage, fruit, coffee juice and milk. Most all the food is donated from area businesses!

The Chinese auction has items donated from area businesses as well. There will also be a silent auction of some bigger items like tickets to a Sea Dogs game and the privilege of throwing out the first pitch. These students work so hard all year at school. They study hard, volunteer in the community, tutor, play in the band and chorus, and act as positive role models for other students. This trip is an excellent opportunity for they to see our government in action and learn about our nation’s history. It is an incredible learning experience for them.

So, who doesn’t like pancakes! Get the crowds out to support our honor students!

American Legion Update

The Naples Legion is a great place to get together with friends. On Mondays the legion holds an open pool night at 6:30 p.m., cribbage is played on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., and an open dart night takes place each Thursday night at 7 p.m. On Sunday, March 25, a benefit Dart Shoot Tournament will be held for the family of David Black, who recently passed away.

Stand Out Students

Both the Lion’s Student of the Month and the Rotary’s Good Citizen are from Naples! Congratulations to Lake Region High School students Ryan Skillern and Alice Sanborn. Keep up the good work. Congrats also to Ashley Hunt of Naples for making the dean’s list at Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., this past fall.

Thanks to the Q-Team of Naples, a local tree service, repairs to Naples Village Church were able to be done. The company donated the use of its 75-feet bucket truck for the work. (Courtesy photo)