News and notes from Naples

For the love of Naples

Naples Main Street is a group of volunteers who live, work, and most importantly, really care about Naples. The group’s goal is to enhance and improve all things in downtown Naples, creating a more pleasurable experience for tourists and residents alike. The group has some ambitious goals for Naples. Ideas being researched include water taxis and land trolleys, improvements to overall pedestrian traffic flow and parking, handicap accessibility for crosswalks, locations for public restrooms and how to improve the general look and feel of the causeway through flowerboxes, painting and decorations, etc. If you would like to get involved, the group holds meetings typically on the 3rd Friday of every month at noon at the Naples Town Office. For more information, contact Chairperson Barbara Clark at 892-8214 or director@sebagolakeschamber.com.

Naples American Flag Fund

A patriotic group of citizens established the Naples American Flag Fund in the spring of 2009 to help adorn downtown Naples with American flags from Memorial Day until Veterans Day. The flags are a wonderful addition to the town. Unfortunately, the flags are subject to wear and tear, and thus the fund pot needs replenishing to keep up with that demand. If you would like to donate to keep the flags up, send in your donation to: Naples American Flag Fund, P.O. Box 561, Naples, ME 04055.

Decorating contest winners

In an effort to promote the holiday spirit, Naples Main Street held its lst Annual Decorating Contest, open to all Naples residents. Winners of the contest were Maddy and Brian Merrill of Madison Heights, the Young family of Sebago Road and Hank and Cecil Wernau of Edes Falls Road. Congratulations to the winners and we thank them for helping to make Naples beautiful.

Family holiday event

The Naples Main Street group sure has been busy. On the snowy eve of Dec. 13, the group hosted a wonderful family holiday event. The night included games in the newly refurbished Singer Community Center, karaoke by Mr. Tux, hot chocolate and plenty of delicious cookies provided by the Ladies of the Grange and even a bonfire down at Naples Town Beach. The evening ended with the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the fire truck, just in time to light the town tree on the Village Green. Great job and a big thank you to Naples Main Street. We look forward to more community events like this one!

Chamber auction

Many thanks to all who donated and attended this year’s Sebago Lakes Region Chamber Holiday Auction. All proceeds from this event stay in Naples. Naples Community Resource Council, a fantastic organization that helps needy families get by, gets a much appreciated donation, while the rest helps to fund the Naples information booth run by the chamber. Auction organizer Karen Thompson promises next year’s auction will be better than ever, as it is the event’s 10th year anniversary. Always the first Sunday in December, it is perfectly timed to help kick start the holiday season.

Best pageant ever!

It is not too late to enjoy ” The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Saturday is the last day for this wonderful family show. Performances are Friday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Remember, Lake Region Community Theatre is raffling off one loaded holiday gift basket per show to anyone bringing in canned goods for the food pantries. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under and can be purchased at the door at Lake Region High School Auditorium or by calling 693-6221, ext. 285.

Party hardy and then party hearty!

So, you may join the throngs of people who will perhaps overindulge this holiday. Have no fear, Zumba is here. Get out of the post-holiday doldrums and head over to the Naples Town Gym for lots of fun and heart-pumping exercise. Zumba classes will begin Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 6:15 p.m. Zumba is a fun, easy, Latin dance-based exercise class. Your first class is free, so go check it out and do something good for yourself.

If you can’t make it Tuesday nights, there is a great cardio kickboxing class on Monday and Wednesday nights also at the town gym at 6:15 p.m. For something a little more laid back, try the Step into Fitness indoor walking program at Lake Region High School from 5-6 p.m. held on Fridays and Mondays. Evening exercise not your thing? There are great fitness classes available at the town gym on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Call the Town Office at 693-6364 for more information. Whatever you do, just do it!