Naples bridge opening

It was a picture-perfect day May 18 as the first car traveled over the bridge to mark the official opening of this long-awaited landmark. Town residents, guests and MDOT officials were on hand to cut the ribbon marking a new era for the town of Naples. Now just a little more patience on our part as the crew finishes up the details, paving, landscaping. I for one cannot wait to enjoy the new scene down there.

Memorial Day parade

There was a nice crowd on hand to celebrate our war heroes on the Naples Village Green this past Memorial Day Monday. The Lake Region Marching Band was on hand and they certainly set the mood for a wonderful parade. Another highlight of the parade were the many Girl Scout, Brownie, Daisy, and Boy Scout troops which marched in honor of our soldiers. I was happy to see that the youth of today are being taught what this day is all about, not just a long weekend.

Naples library update

Stop by the Naples Public Library and say hi to the new Children’s Librarian, Kate Johnston.

Johnson, recently of MSAD 52, Greene ME, began work on May 29. Miss Kate, will be leading the Library’s regular schedule of children’s programs: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 a.m. Story Time and at 6 p.m. PJ Storytime. Don’t forget to check out the Lego Club on the second and fourth Thursdays at 4 p.m.

Registration for the summer reading program begins on all levels Tuesday, June 19. In the children’s library, the theme for the children is “Dream Big” and for teens “Take Back the Night.”

In the adult library, the theme is “Between the Covers.” For participants 18-plus, there will be a weekly drawing of prizes. The ever-popular family movie returns with the showing of The Muppet Movie at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5. Family Art Night will be Thursday, June 28, 5:30-7 p.m. The Scrabble Club will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 12 and 26. Greg Semple will teach an Online Safety Course for Adults on Tuesday, June 26, from 5:30-7 p.m. Sign-up is required and limited to 10 participants.

Upcoming events include the annual yard sale to be held Saturday, July 28, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., in the Town Gym. Donations may be dropped off at the gym from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, July 27. The library cannot accept clothing, car seats, mattresses, paint, encyclopedias, electric blankets, electronics (including computers, FAX machines, humidifiers, printers, stereo systems, speakers, TVs, typewriters or telephones).

The house tour will be Thursday, Aug. 2. Tour a variety of homes in the area and check out the new Naples Historical Society Museum. Tickets will be on sale at the beginning of July. I hear the “Castle on Long Lake” will be a part of the tour this year.

Summer hours for the library are Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday 2-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m. From June 29 through August 31, the library will be open an additional day, Fridays, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Songo Garden Club

The Songo Garden Club has been a vital part of Naples since 1953 when a group of 24 ladies met at the home of Wyona Hitchcock to form the club. Today the club helps keep Naples beautiful. Some of their duties include maintaining the gardens at the Village Green, the monuments, the flower boxes on the causeway railings, helping with the cost of the Library’s gorgeous hanging plants, hanging wreaths on the town buildings at the holidays, and funding scholarships to the 4th grade students at Songo Locks School for various trips. On Saturday, June 2, grab your chance to own one of the fruits of the club’s labors.

Their Second Annual Plant Sale will take place on the Village Green from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. There will be more than 400 plants to choose from.

Maine Lemonade Day

Maine Lemonade Day is Sunday, June 3. Lemonade Day is a great national program aimed at teaching kids business basics. Don’t forget to buy some lemonade that day from any stand you see. Naples’ own Olivia and Brooke Toole have signed on with the Maine Lemonade Day organization. On Thursday, May 17, Olivia and Brooke were selected as finalists in the best recipe contest. The girls set up their stand in Monument Square in Portland and were judged by the likes of politician Elliot Cutler and radio DJ Lori Voornis. There was some stiff competition, but the girls managed to land a respectable Third Place. Come taste this award winning lemonade for yourself on Sunday, June 3, at Tony’s Foodland from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.(Tony’s is sponsoring the stand, thank you Tony’s!) The girls are raising money to benefit Songo Locks School, Naples Public Library and to help fulfill Olivia’s dream of travelling to South Dakota to meet her Pen Pal and see Mount Rushmore.

Some eager folks in Bridgton are also diligently working on helping kids get their stands up and running in time for June 3. Food City is generously supporting the efforts of these entrepreneurs. The epicenter of Bridgton Lemonade Day is the Food City parking lot (at the traffic light, in downtown). Naturally, kids can set up their stands anywhere they wish, but Food City has agreed to hand out free lemons and other supplies to help the kids.

Project Graduation needs your help

The clock is ticking and this year’s Lake Region High School Project Grad committee is finding itself short on money and time. Help the kids have a safe fun evening and have yourself some healthy fun! Join ZUMBA instructor Vicki Toole and friends of Project Grad 2012 on the Songo River Queen for some Open Air Zumba. The Songo Queen has graciously donated the boat so we can dance dockside! That means no missing the boat and you can get off whenever you want. The event runs from 6-7:30 p.m. and the donation is $10, all proceeds going to Project Grad. For more information, visit Facebook and check out the event page.

LRCT presents “Oliver!”

Come support our local talent and celebrate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens by purchasing a ticket to “Oliver!” Performances span two weekends, from Friday, June 22, through Sunday, July 1. Curtain time for Friday and Saturday shows is 7:30 pm, while Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets, priced at $15 for adults and $12 for 12 and under, are available in advance at various locations throughout the area. Check the website at www.lrctme.org for more information. All shows will be at Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Center in Harrison. Norway Savings Bank and Hancock Lumber are once again the proud sponsors of this LRCT production.

With a cast of 62, the show directed by Mary Bastoni follows the exploits of a young workhouse boy who dares to ask for more food. You’ll easily recognize memorable songs including “Consider Yourself,” “As Long as He Needs Me,” and “Where is Love?” From the opening number with the workhouse boys to those that follow with Fagin’s Boys and the ensemble, the production will be fun to watch. “Oliver!” is Bastoni’s third show with LRCT’s musical performances. Besides being a private voice teacher in Fryeburg, Bastoni directs shows for Arts in Motion in North Conway. Pam Collins-Stahle is the choreographer. The show is produced by Jyselle Jopling-Watkins, Janet Ver Planck and Lew Krainin. Set design is by Greg Harris. Michelle Brenner is the costume designer. Mary Brown and Patrice Foley-Olsen are in charge of props.

Before the show, enjoy dinner at Tom’s Homestead, The Black Horse Tavern and Ricky’s Diner in Bridgton or 76 Pleasant Street in Norway. Show your ticket and you’ll receive a discount.

Talent show

Congratulations to the Student Council, Michelle Gilbert and Mary Beach, Student Coucil Advisors

at Songo Locks School for producing a wonderful first-ever Talent Show last Friday. About 120 guests were delighted and entertained as they watched dance performers, musicians, comedians, poets and more give it their all on stage. The show was open to performers in grades three through five. The success of the show has prompted the organizers to aim for it to be an annual event.

Contact Vicki Toole with happenings at:

lrcjv@fairpoint.net

(207) 787-3327

From left, Laurie Hodges, Dana Watson, Molly Brake and Judy Whynot were among many to attend the reception held after the official opening of the new Bay of Naples Bridge on May 18.  
Naples’ local Brownie Troop forms a “friendship circle” led by Marie Caron and Amy Keenan at the troop’s final meeting of the school year. The highlight of the year for the troop was completing the requirements to earn the 100 Good Deeds pin.
Olivia Toole (seated) and Brooke Toole competed at the recent Maine Lemonade Day Recipe Contest in Portland. The girls’ recipe placed third.

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