A kind community

Recently, Dottie and Drew Betz suffered a fire at their guest cottage in Naples where Drew’s sister and her family live. The aggressive efforts of the Naples Fire Department and fire departments from our surrounding towns saved many possessions for the family and also kept the fire from spreading to the main house and the nearby state park. All in a days work you might say. Not true.

There were three cats injured in the fire and several firefighters realized the family was too emotionally distraught to respond to the cats’ immediate needs, so these firefighters took the cats to the Naples Veterinary Clinic for treatment.

The compassion does not stop there. When news of the fire became known, the Lakes Region Middle School students and parents rallied together to collect clothing donations for the family.

Donating to Main Street

Due to the incredible generosity of one of Naples’ business owners and residents, the Naples Main Street committee has received a $10,000 donation to further our mission of enhancing the Main Street corridor of our town.

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Three years ago when the Maine Department of Transportation began to talk with folks in Naples about replacing the Causeway swing bridge, an ad hoc committee of townspeople began to discuss ways in which the Causeway could be upgraded and made more presentable.

Eventually the committee became a nonprofit group with the goal of linking several Route 302 improvements with the DOT project. The committee has met monthly and taken under advisement several projects; one of which is fundraising.

With her gift, Nancy Hanson, co-owner of Coldwell Banker Lakes Region Properties, has enabled Naples Main Street the seed money to begin work on some of the early phases of our priorities.

This committee seeks the support of the entire Naples business community and our residents. The bridge replacement and Causeway renovations will impact every person who lives here or works here.

We challenge you to help us match the gift from Hanson, doubling the funds available to begin initial enhancement projects. Specifically in mind are decorative banners to be placed on the utility poles (hopefully from just east of the Route 35 traffic light to the Town Green).

If you are interested in meeting this challenge, or just care about “Our Town”, checks can be made payable to Naples Main Street, P.O. Box 1053,Naples, ME 04055.

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Good year for the Grange

The past year was a great success for the Naples Grange #94 as they evolve into an organization that is going to make a difference in our community. The Naples Grange held a summer long yard sale where many members were able to share information on what the Grange is all about.

The Grange raised enough money to be able to offer a scholarship to a Lake Region High School graduate. The chosen student will be the first one to be honored by The Naples Grange #94.

The next venue that is taking place is “Christmas for Kids.” Last year the Grange provided Christmas gifts to many families with the support of several organizations including the Western Maine Board of Realtors. Norway Savings Bank in Naples wrapped all the gifts and the gifts were delivered Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. The Grange is looking for any donations to continue this program and if you are interested please contact Mrs. Tux at 693-4663.

Library fun

A new weekly program, Fun & Games at Your Library, has begun. This program is designed for children from kindergarten to sixth-grade. Every Thursday from 4-5 p.m. we meet for games, crafts, special events, movies and more. For more information, call the Naples Library at 693-6841 or visit our Web site at www.naples.lib.me.us.

Bottles and cans mean gifts

Please do not forget the Casco/Naples Boy Scouts’ bottle drive on Saturday, Nov. 17. Bottles and cans may be dropped off at the manned station on the Village Green between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you would prefer to have your bottles picked up any time during the month of November, you can call Heather Judkins at 329-5357. All proceeds will go toward Christmas presents for a family of four children through Project Grace

With less than a week until Thanksgiving, I hope you have all made some interesting plans. There is always something exciting going on in “Our Town”, so please feel free to share any of your ideas, information or just a funny story! Have a safe week.


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