Naples Causeway, Carnival Updates

Things will be quiet for the winter on the Causeway. I am referring to the Restoration project, as the crew takes a winter hiatus.

Do plan on some fireworks, literally, the weekend of the Naples Winter Carnival taking place this year Feb. 8 and 9. Most of the activities will take place right on the newly developed causeway and Long Lake. As long as the weather cooperates, the event will kick off with the torchlight snowmobile parade on Friday night at 6 p.m., which runs from the Black Bear Cafe and ends at Merced’s Restaurant.

On Saturday, the organizers of the event have all kinds of winter fun in store. Planned activities include a radar run, poker rally, fishing derby, plus lots of activities to busy the kids. If anyone needs a break from the cold they can just jump on the warm-up shuttle, which will take them to the Naples Town Gym for free hot chocolate and movies.

The event wraps up with a Long Lake fireworks display and a Saturday Night Party at the Village Side Restaurant in Naples at 8 p.m. No Sunday activities are planned for this year. For more information, contact Dan Allen at 318-6965 or 693-3876.

Airplane Classes

Learn all the ins and outs of designing and building a radio controlled model airplane with local expert Dave Slagle. The Naples Public Library will be hosting an introductory class for adults and older teens interested in all aspects of RC modeling beginning on Saturday, Jan. 26, from noon to 1 p.m., in the library’s meeting room.

The direction of this multi-week class will be driven by the interests of its participants. Classes revolve around safety, design, layout, cost analysis and building.

Slagle, a retired engineer, relocated to Naples from Camden last year and is a nationally recognized expert flyer and designer of RC aircrafts. These are not the 12-inch balsa planes of your youth. With wing spans from 6-8 feet these planes have gas and jet-fueled engines. He flies his planes on an airfield specifically designed for RC planes in New Gloucester. Sign up for this program by calling the Naples Public Library at 693-6841 or stop in and register at the circulation desk.

Valentine’s Day Laughs

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and Lake Region Community Theatre has chosen to take a look at love through the comedy, “Lovers and Other Strangers.” The play, penned by husband-and-wife team Rene?e Taylor and Joseph Bologna, is a series of five vignettes about couples and their love for each other–sometimes thorny, sometimes rosy, but hardly ever dull. Laughing at other people’s screw-ups and learning from them is the theme of the show. From seduction and a long-lived affair to pre-wedding jitters and shifting spousal roles, this show takes a humorous glimpse at how relations were perceived in the early 1970s.

Mary Bastoni, of Fryeburg, directs this Samuel French, Inc. production. Janet Ver Planck is the stage manager. Costumes are by Michelle Brenner and Greg Harris is the set builder. The show’s producers are Janet Ver Planck, Jyselle Watkins and Lew Krainin. Lovers and Other Strangers features a charming and talented cast including Nathan Sipe, Shannon Oliver, Tom Rebmann, Barb Stauble, Tim Lorrain, Paula Easton, Katelyn Jaeger, Chris Madura, Vin Brown, Susie Mosca and Keli Forke.

This battle-of-the-sexes comedy will run at Lake Region High School on Friday, Jan. 25, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 26, at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at Hayes True Value Hardware, Bridgton, Krainin Real Estate, Raymond, Raymond Village Florist, Casco Public Library, Naples Public Library and Bridgton Public Library or at the door. Those with a Winter Carnival/Musher’s Bowl pin may purchase a ticket at the door for $9.

Film for Thought

Cornerstone Gospel Church, located at 25 Sebago Road (Route 114) in Naples, will air the movie, “The Last Ounce of Courage,” starring Chuck Norris and Mike Huckabee on Sunday, Jan. 27, immediately following a potluck supper which begins at 5 p.m. A trailer for the movie can be viewed at www.cornerstone-gospel.com. A discussion of the movie will follow for any interested parties.

Stay in the Loop

Newly appointed state Rep. Christine Powers is preparing her first legislative newsletter via email and would like to know if residents are interested in being on the distribution list. Her plan is to send out a weekly update. Please email her at RepChristine.Powers@legislature.maine.gov if you would like to be added to the list. Also, please contact her with the email addresses of any constituents you think would like to receive the newsletter.

Food Pantry Fundraiser

The Sons of the American Legion Post 155 in Naples will host a fundraiser in support of the Naples and Casco food pantries. The event will take place at the American Legion Post’s function hall near the intersection of routes 302 and 11 on Feb. 9, starting at 7:30 p.m. and the public of all ages are welcome.

The Wrong Road band, featuring Dr. Steve Barter, Ray Stanford, Austin Burnell and Tom Betz, will play classic rock. Donations at the door will be $6 per person with all funds being donated to the food pantries. We will also have a 50/50 drawing, raffles and finger food buffet. There will also be a cash bar for beverages.

This will be the second year SAL will raise funds in support of this very important cause and they hope many people will join us in support of this event. Guests are welcome to bring can goods for the donation box, which will deliver to the food pantries. For more information, call the Stephen LaPointe at 693-6285.

Spotlight on Naples

Over the summer, the Animal Planet television channel, which produces “North Woods Law,” a series following the game wardens of northern Maine, came to Naples to film a segment on fun things to do in Maine. Featured was our own Moose Landing Marina’s replica pirate ship. The taping included filming the ship touring on Brandy Pond. The new season begins airing on Feb. 7. Check your local listings for times and subjects of each show as an episode will feature Naples. Set your DVR and check out some local color gone national!