Storm warnings

Those of you who were fortunate enough to have this last week as vacation time have truly lucked out. This weather is what Vacationland is all about. If it could be this way 320 days a year, I would be in heaven. However, there may be more violent thunderstorms in our future.

The National Weather Service says there is no place outside that is safe even when lightning strikes far away. When lightning strikes, there could be a huge surge of electrical energy moving through the ground, so seek appropriate shelter as soon as there is a threat of lightning.

According to the National Weather Service’s Web site, www.nws.noaa.gov, if you cannot take shelter in a building or a car, the best option is to crouch in an area away from trees. It might not hurt to take a look at www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov as well and know what to do, because you never know “when and where lightening will strike.” I want all of you and your families to be safe.

On needles and claws

We have some great events coming up this weekend. The Edes Falls Sewing Circle is holding its annual summer craft fair at the Edes Falls Community Hall (home of the famous baked bean suppers and pie raffles) Saturday, Aug. 2, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m.

With tons of homemade items, crafts and decorative items, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. The circle is also serving its delectable lobster roll luncheon with chips, a pickle and beverage for $9. For the real gourmets there will also be the grilled hot dog package with the same sides for $3.

All proceeds go to benefit the Edes Falls Sewing Circle, which sponsors Thanksgiving and Christmas church dinners in Naples and Casco. Funds raised will also be used for maintenance, utilities, insurance and taxes for the community hall.

For those of you who did not know, the community hall is available for rent, for $75, for those special occasions. It is a great spot for a bridal shower, baby shower, anniversary celebration or family reunion. If you do not want to clean your house or do not have enough space for an event, please contact Lorraine Morton at 693-6309. She will make your life easier!

Blasts from the past

Also on Saturday is the Antique Car and Wooden Boat Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can stand on our Causeway and take a journey back in time without a time machine. I am sure that the wooden steamboat will be there and all of the captains are more than happy to bring you on board, give a tour and explain the history of their particular watercraft.

The antique cars will be positioned on the Causeway and while you are there, please admire the banners that Naples Main Street (our town nonprofit) has paid for and were erected by Henry Turcotte from Gazebo Tees.

We, as a group, think they need to be larger, but we are looking for your comments. We are also looking for design ideas for the welcome sign coming in to Naples over the Crooked River. I think it is rather lost.

Do any of you architects or landscape engineers or garden club members have any suggestions? We would like to make it more interesting, inviting and obvious. Please contact me at 693-3252 if you have any ideas, possibilities or direction.

Grange gathering

An event sponsored by the Naples Grange 94 happens Saturday. Yes, the Grange is alive and well and doing wonderful things for our community, including a real small town event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tux Burke and Megan Martin, both national and Maine vocal and karaoke award winners will be performing in the gazebo on the Village Green. Bring your lawn chairs, friends and family and experience what Naples has to offer on a Saturday in the midst of summer.

As wonderful as Tux’s voice is, there will also be peach cobbler made by dedicated Grange members from scratch, for sale. I remember my grandmother’s peach cobbler and I know Irene Burke, Grange member and mother of Tux, probably uses the same recipe from the Marjorie Standish cookbook. This is a true “Our Town” experience and I hope you will all take advantage of this opportunity. Tap your toes, clap your hands and sing along. Just come and enjoy the festivities.

Cruising for heat

A very large thank you to all of you who ventured out on the Naples Lions Club ’50s River Queen Cruise last weekend. The purpose of the excursion was to raise money for the Naples fuel fund for this coming heating season for some of our community members who may need heating assistance.

The Lions raised $700 for the fund and although we know that is not enough, we are planning something else for this cause. Naples Main Street and the Lions Club are considering a combined yard sale to benefit the fuel assistance fund.

We have not finalized all of the details, but if you have any items to donate for a real “Our Town” fundraiser for our community, or would like to participate, please contact Diane Monaco at 693-6586 or me at 693-3252.

Bigger every day

OK, you asked for it, so here is an update on our granddaughter, Sage Aysel. She is beautiful, has a full head of hair, but is very gassy. The last is something that my son is finding a little distasteful. All I can say is, ” Just wait until she is 13…welcome to the real world.”

Have a great week and as always please let me know what you would like to know about, information I am missing or just plain news! Please be safe and be happy.

Sage Aysel continues to charm her granmother Kathy Sweet, but has developed some habits that concern her father.