Causeway construction

Work continues, luckily it has cooled down a bit. More sod is coming this week and additional seawall work is being done. The part of the seawall now being worked on is where the walkway under the new bridge will be. That is very exciting, so looking forward to the day we can walk on that.

The great birdhouse auction

This year the Naples Library fundraiser has gone to the birds! The Great Birdhouse Auction takes place this Saturday, Aug. 13, at the Naples Golf Course, starting at 6:30 p.m. The last of the birdhouses have flown in. Artist Christine Stanford did the chickadees and Ray Stanford, both of Naples, created the “Fire Hydrant.” These fine artists have donated their time to benefit our lovely Naples library.

Chris’s chickadees were hand-modeled out of clay and then painted and attached to the birdhouse. Ray’s creation would make the perfect gift for the firefighter in any family. All the birdhouses can be viewed on the library’s website: www.naples.lib.me.us, or you can check them out around town at Norway Savings Bank or the Naples Golf Course. Kudos to the library for coming up with such a creative fundraising idea. There is an auction preview from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. where there will be hors d’ouevres, music and a cash bar. The auction commences at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the library or at the door that night. If you can’t be there to bid, you may “pre-bid” by registering your bid along with a check at the library beforehand.

The houses were donated by Jim Turpin who owns Coveside Conservation Creations. They are all constructed with Maine white pine and assembled by Maine craftsmen. They include bathhouses and butterfly houses as well as bluebird houses. Some are pole mounts and some are hanging houses. All are fabulous! Painted, carved and decorated by local artists, each is a unique piece of art. They have been painted, mosaiced, carved and adorned. They are as varied as the artists who created them. That evening, the winner of the wonderful Maine quilt created by talented volunteers from the library will be chosen. It, too, is displayed at the library and on the website. Each carefully crafted panel depicts a scene typical of this great state of ours. Tickets are $5 each or three for $12.

Naples Rec Update

Naples Recreation is offering youth tackle football for children in grades 4 through 6 who reside in or attend SAD 61. The season will start on the first day of school. The deadline for registering is Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. The cost of the program is $20 for Naples residents and $35 for non-Naples residents, checks only and there is a $15 late fee for registrations received after Aug. 18 at 4 p.m. Registrations can be picked up at the Bridgton, Casco, Naples and Sebago town halls or downloaded off the town of Naples website, which is www.townofnaples.org.

The league also has equipment that can be rented for the season, the cost is a $25 deposit (separate check) which is returned to you when the equipment is returned. Scholarships are also available to those who are eligible. No registrations will be accepted after the deadline. For more information, contact Harvey Price Jr. at 693-6364.

Naples Main Street

NMS is hosting a golf tournament at Naples Golf and Country Club on Saturday, Aug. 20 to assist in the capital campaign for the Causeway renovations. The town has to raise $405,000 toward the project cost and the Selectboard has asked NMS to chair the Capital Fund drive. They will be doing various activities throughout the coming years, with this golf tournament becoming an annual event. Naples Main Street is looking for sponsors, auction items (there will be a silent auction after the tournament) and players.

Other upcoming and exciting projects coming up include the last historic cruise on the Songo River Queen and welding the bridge shut after she passes through, with a boat parade. Other fundraising efforts include engraved benches being sold now (a sample is in the Town Office) and a Naples Generations cookbook. Any other money-generating ideas would be appreciated. Contact kathy.m.sweet@gmail.com with your thoughts.

Reminisce…

The 1986 graduating class of Lake Region High School is having its 25th reunion this Saturday at the Freedom Cafe? in Naples. Join your classmates at 6 p.m. in the Shark Room upstairs. FMI contact Suzi Bakula Deschenes, you can find her on Facebook.