Alice Fogg Update

A while back the local papers and television stations ran a story on Alice Fogg, an 82-year-old Naples resident who decided to make a difference in the lives of our troops. Mrs. Fogg created more than 1,700 pillows in 14 months and shipped them to Afghanistan to help comfort the soldiers who face danger daily and who are so obviously far away from home. My husband, Jeff, and I showed up at Mrs. Fogg’s house unannounced early one morning. Alice and her husband of 65 years, Richard, were more that happy to invite us in to chat about what she’s been up to. Alice’s daughter Ellen was the one who sparked Alice’s interest in making the pillows. “My daughter aksed me if I would knit hats and gloves. I really didn’t want to knit, but I said I would make the pillows,” said Mrs. Fogg, who explained that she received several nice letters thanking her for her efforts. These notes inspire her to carry on her work. “Getting those letters made me realize just how important this (her pillow making) is,” she said. Today Mrs. Fogg continues to make and ship the pillows, which are both comforting and practical. She noted that she had heard reports that some of the soldiers were using her pillows in a therapeutic way by propping up their wounded arms or legs. Mrs. Fogg loves making the pillows, but the cost of shipping them is steep. It costs about $70 to ship about three boxes of pillows. The donations of fabric, materials and even electric sewing machines (the first 1,000 pillows were made on a manual sewing machine!) has been extremely helpful and appreciated. If you have the means to donate any money to help ship the pillows, please send them to Mrs. Fogg at 402 Edes Falls Road, Naples ME 04055. When our visit was ending, I commented on the wonderful smell of the freshly baked Maine blueberry cake that filled Alice’s kitchen. The kitchen was warm and inviting, exactly what you would expect from a woman with such a warm heart. Alice graciously shared the fruit of her labor with us (nothing new there!), sending us off with two warm pieces of amazing cake exploding with the blueberries she froze from her bushes over the summer.

Benefit suppers

Head on down to Shakers on Saturday, April 10, at 4:30 p.m. for a Spaghetti Supper. All proceeds will go towards the Laurie A. Carter Bergen Memorial Field to be built at The BRAG Sporting Complex. The meal costs $10 per adult and $4 per kid 10 and under. Spaghetti, Sauce, Ham, Roast Beef, Salad, Rolls, Dessert and Punch will be served at this all you can eat meal. There will be a Baked Bean Supper to benefit the family of Bruce Bell who is suffering from Cancer. The supper will be held on Saturday, April 17, from 4-6 p.m. at Songo Locks School. The cost is $7 for adults and $4 for kids, 4 and under are free.

Comedy night

This great Fire Department Fundraiser is designed to help purchase items that are not in the department’s normal operating budget. In their invitation and appeal letter, the Department explains that they have had an influx of new volunteers, but the cost to properly outfit those new members surpasses the Department’s current budget. Please come on out to support our local heroes. The night includes a buffet bbq dinner donated by Lake Region Caterers, inc. of Naples. There will also be a silent auction with items donated by local businesses. The entertainment is always top notch, with comedians from the Comedy Connection. The cash bar opens at 6 p.m. with the auction following. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., with the comedians going on at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Naples Town Office, Naples Small Engine, and A2M Variety in Naples. Tickets can also be reserved by calling the fire station at 693-6852. Please be aware that this event is intended for mature audiences.

Poetry and pastry

Intrigued? I was when I saw the title to this upcoming Naples Public Library event. The Library is hosting this free event to celebrate National Poetry Month. The program begins at 7 p.m. sharp on Wednesday, April 21, downstairs in the gathering room. Please bring a favorite poem to share, either one written by a poet or even one written by you! The program will last about an hour and a half and will include a pastry and a beverage. The introduction will include, briefly, information on out National Poet Laureate and Maine’s own Poet Laureate.

Kidventure sign-up

Don’t miss out on the chance to provide some good old fashioned fun for you kids this summer. The Naples Recreation Department runs a wonderful program for area children. The camp includes day trips, swimming, crafts and lots of camaraderie amongst the children. Kids must be going into first grade through sixth grade. Registration will be held Saturday April 10, from 9 a.m.-noon and Monday, April 12, from 4-7 p.m. at the Naples Town Hall. For Naples residents, the cost for a week of camp is $110 per child, while non-residents should expect to pay $135. There is also a non-refundable $50 registration fee per child. For more information, contact Harvey Price Jr. at 693-6364. Scholarships are available to Naples residents through the use of the Chaplin Fund.

Alice Fogg of Naples has been sending supplies to U.S. troops overseas.