This is the Indian Summer for which I’ve been hoping and frankly, promised all of you. I hope you got to get outside this week, hike, boat, do yard work, play with the kids or just bask in this glorious weather.

Lions Club Tapping Fair Traffic

If any of you haven’t noticed, Route 302 is so heavy with Fryeburg Fair traffic that you can’t make a turn eastbound or westbound. I hope that means the fair is having the greatest season ever, but in the meantime, it means we residents of Naples have to once again endure the privilege of living and working here.

The Lions Club has certainly been taking advantage of the traffic, by selling apples and cider on the Causeway. If you are out walking or enmeshed in the relentless crawl, relax and pull over, have a chat and buy some apples or cider. You can take a break and at the same time help one of our area’s more noble causes.

Project Graduation Golf Tourney Slated

This Saturday, Oct. 6, is Project Graduation’s annual Golf Tournament. The shotgun start is at noon. The cost is $55, so let’s get out there and support our Senior Class of 2008! There is still time to sign up, so please call Connie Eldridge at 693-7298 with any questions or to sign up. The weather is supposed to be fabulous, so get out there and enjoy!

Historic Church Marks 150 Years

How many of you know anything about our historic Union Church? The Union Church, situated right next to the library, has been an aesthetic landmark since it was built in 1857. This fall, we are celebrating its 150th birthday. Thanks to a wonderful group of people who have become trustees of this lovely historic building, it has been maintained and preserved for all of us to enjoy.

The preservation is due in large part to the generosity of many people in our community over the years. With that being said, what better way to celebrate this 150th birthday than with a new coat of paint? It is going to be very expensive to paint the church and any donation would be greatly appreciated.

For those of you who have never had the opportunity to walk through the church or hear the history, it is a must. I am working with the trustees to find a day we can open it to any Naples residents who have not had the chance to see it in all of its glory.

Donations may be made payable to the Union Church c/o Linda Burnham, PO Box 97, Naples, ME 04055.

Fairs, Sales and Talent Contests

Okay, now we are on to craft fairs, yard sales and talent contests.

• This Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6 and 7, Lakes Region Habitat for Humanity will host its third annual yard sale. There is furniture, books, lamps, knick-knacks, antiques, just something for everyone. If it’s time to refurnish your rental cottage or just refresh you home, please join us. It will be held at the old Reinhard’s building across the street from Windsor Green on Route 302 in Naples, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days. We just want to give a special thanks to Norway Savings Bank for allowing us to store merchandise there for the past nine months in anticipation of this gigantic yard sale.

All proceeds from this event will go toward the cost of building our third Habitat home in the Lakes Region. If you would like to become a volunteer for our local Habitat Committee or would like more information on what we do and how we do it, please call Kathy Sweet at 693-3252 or Diane Monaco at 693-6586.

• The American Legion, Post 155 is holding its annual craft fair at the Naples Town Office (gym) on Nov. 3. For more information or to rent your table, call 693-6285 or 693-6285. The Legion Auxiliary Craft Fair will benefit our local scholarship fund.

• The second annual Lakes Region Shining Star talent contest sponsored by the Naples Grange No. 94 will be held Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Naples Gymnasium at the Town Hall. There are five categories: Instrumental, Vocal, Youth Vocalist, Dance and Duet. Bring your next American Idol out and enjoy the competition. The public is welcome and there will be coffee and tea along with a bake sale. Contestants should contact Sara Sprague at 647-5306 or Billi Lynn Burke at 693-4663 for details. All profits will go toward a scholarship for a Lake Region High School future graduate.

Flu clinic schedule

Unfortunately, this time of year also brings on the cold and flu Season. The Cumberland County Flu Shot Clinic is scheduled to be in Naples two times this fall: Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 2-5:30 p.m. at Lake Region High School; and Thursday, Nov. 1 from 9-11 a.m.

The clinics are open to people ages 9 and older. They accept Medicare Part B and Anthem/Blue Cross (you must bring your card). Otherwise, flu shots are $30.

For more information, call the Flu hotline at (800) 747-4FLU.

As always, I would love to hear your ideas for this column. The purpose is to get the residents more involved in our community, so if you have something going on, please let me know. Have a great week and get out and enjoy the weather.