Weathering storms

Scary is the word I would use to describe this last week, weather-wise. Typically it is only our dog, Cally and our cats Gabriel and Bogey that head for shelter when lightning strikes.

This past week I was running past them to get to solid cover. I could look out over the lake and see the storms coming and felt like I was in Kansas.

Several years ago my eldest son and I were traveling from California to Maine by car. One dank evening we were coming in to Kansas and all of a sudden a warning came on the radio for severe ground lightning, hail, high winds and tornado warnings.

The sky turned an inky black and all of a sudden we were enveloped in this depressurized zone and could not see because of the pelting rain and hail stones. I freaked out, my ears would not pop and I just wanted to get off the road.

My son wanted to keep going because he really wanted to see the eye of the storm (however, he also wanted to see the Kool Aid Museum. There really is a Kool-Aid Museum), but we did finally pull off the road and found safe shelter for the night. We never did get to the Kool-Aid Museum, but maybe on the next trip.

Blues in a big way

It appears that the Maine Blues Festival was an enormous success. Mike McClellan, Mike Bray, Kevin Kimball, the festival committee and the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce deserve huge kudos for making this a wonderful event.

It looks as if we sold most of our 3,000 wristbands and everyone was happy, having fun and very engaged in the community, which is why we keep doing it. I hope all of you who participated enjoyed the venues, activities and camaraderie.

Seasonal signs

We know it is summer when the camp counselors start arriving in town. They arrived last week for training and orientation and the kids came this weekend. I went up to Skylemar and Takahoe just to see the kids come in.

Some are sad because they think they will be homesick, not the case as they will be so busy that parents will be the least of their worries. I wish that every child had the opportunity to go to overnight camp. It is truly one of the great adventures of childhood.

Another wonder of this time of year is the opening of the Lobster Pound. Owners, J.R. and Melissa Warren were working very hard today to ready things for the opening Thursday. This little spot is truly an historic area or our town. You should know that when my sister worked there back in the ’70s when Steve and Bonnie Edwards owned it, Lauren Bacall would pull up in her limo and order take-out!

Day trippers

The Naples/Casco Recreation Department has great programs scheduled for the summer, with outings for more than kids. A day trip to Ogunquit July 23 includes lunch at Jonathan’s Restaurant and then on to see “The Producers” at the Ogunquit Playhouse.

For any of you who have never been to the Playhouse or seen “The Producers,” this is a must. The bus will leave the American Legion parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and return at 6:30 p.m. Lunch will feature a choice of lemon-baked scrod or chicken piccata. The cost is $52 for residents or $82 for non-residents.

Non-residents will be placed on a waiting list. The sign-up deadline is July 2, so make this a day to plan where you do not have to drive, sit back, relax and enjoy the fun. For more information on this outing or the summer recreation programs, call Harvey Price at 693-6364.

Congratulations Elizabeth

Our congratulations go out to Elizabeth Neault, the daughter of Bob and Anne Neault for her incredible achievements. Elizabeth received the Girl Scout Gold Award for her community service project “Easter Play” at the 2008 Girl Scout Silver and Gold Award Ceremony in Augusta June 7.

Although I am on many committees with Bob Neault, he has never once mentioned his remarkable daughter’s achievements. Most of you know that Bob and Anne have been very involved with Boy and Girl Scouts and have made a huge impact on our community with their efforts. I know that they do to support the youth in our town and I believe that Elizabeth could run for president one day. I will keep you posted on that event.

Thanks John

All of you who made it through the vicious thunderstorms Sunday and attended John Thompson’s “surprise” retirement party at Colonial Mast Campground had a great time. He really was surprised, especially since he was sick that day and Karen (his loving wife of at least 17 years) had to roust him out of bed 15 minutes before the party.

I personally cannot thank John enough for the support and encouragement he has given me since I moved here and worked to become part of this community. It is not easy when you come from out of state, as many local residents have a reluctance to believe that you really care, but he has been behind me every step of the way and I personally can not thank him enough.

John, there are no newspapers on Frye Island. What will you do all day? Will you learn to use the computer that the Town of Naples presented you with for your retirement? That could take all summer!

Okay, those of you who have e-mailed me and called me have asked for a more personal column, please let me know if this works for you. I really do have to get information out and let people know what is going on, but I do listen.

Have a great week and keep the feedback coming.

Retired Naples Code Enforcement Officer John Thompson’s was feted at a retirment party Sunday. Among those attending, from left, are Town Manager Derik Goodine, Town Clerk Judy Whynot, Deputy Town Clerk Laurie Hodges, Thompson, new Code Enforcement Officer Bonnie Rickett and Town Secretary Barbara McDonough.