How Sweet

Dave and Gail Allenson, owner of the Umbrella Factory, knows what people really wanted for Valentine’s Day: Free Ice Cream! This Valentine’s Day the Area 51 Dairy Bar offered free ice cream from 1:30-9 p.m. My kids certainly did the happy dance! Thanks again, Dave and Gail. You guys know how to show the locals the love!

Cool Beans

Did you know there is a Winter Farmer’s Market right here in Naples? I didn’t, but boy am I excited about that. Check it out Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Singer Center in the Naples Village Green (a.k.a. The Grange Hall). Items for sale include homemade cheese, granola, jams, as well as some artisan handgoods. Future farmer’s markets are scheduled for Saturdays, March 5, and March 22 at the same times. Free demonstrations and samples are also part of the experience.

Foxwoods Trip

With all this cold, miserable weather, we all need something to look forward to. Dea Dea Robbins has just the thing for you. How about sitting back and relaxing while you are driven down to Connecticut for some Foxwoods Casino fun. The trip is scheduled for a 7 a.m. departure on Saturday, March 29, from the American Legion on Route 11 in Naples. The bus will also stop for a pickup at the Larrabee Road park and ride in Westbrook in case you would like a friend to meet you for the trip! The bus returns to Naples at 10 p.m. Bingo on the bus is an option. The trip includes a free buffet, and $20 worth of slot play per person. A movie will be shown on the return trip. Sounds like an awesome adventure to me. Contact Dea Dea at 693-3408.

Aptly Named

I think the Naples Public Library is having a little fun with us this winter. Can anyone guess which kid’s movie they will be showing downstairs in the meeting room on Tuesday, March 18 at 4 p.m.? I’ll give you a hint, we can all relate. The film is called “Frozen!”

Peter Rabbit Update

I love that Mrs. “G” of Peter Rabbit Preschool gets the kids involved in current events. This month she incorporated some Olympic fun. They did some “opening ceremonies” with the Olympic torch, played some hockey and did some figure skating and sledded down the snow bank (a little chilly for the 45 minutes it would take to get out to the sledding hill and back today). The children received paper “medals” for their efforts! Can you say adorable?

Valentine’s Day was also celebrated with the making of cards for the children’s loved ones. The kids put a lot of work into them, judging by Mrs. G’s report of individual writing of names and family members by some, and some really nice cooperative play with a lot of people Valentine’s games and songs were sung, and the kids ended their day by making those cute Valentine’s mailboxes in anticipation of their classmate’s cards and treats.

Project Grad March Madness

March is a great transitional month here in Maine. Actually, I’m kidding. To me, March equals cold and mud. But there are things to look forward to. Among them, the Lake Region High School March Madness Calendar. This is so much fun. You buy tickets, inexpensive ones I might add, and then you hold tight till the winners are drawn on March 31. Each day there are great local prizes up for grabs. Support the safe celebration of the class of 2014 when you buy tickets for only $3 for one ticket or $5 for two tickets or get the best deal and get five tickets for only $10! Contact Sara-Sue Schrieber at sschrieber@customdisability.com to purchase your tickets.

Naples Art Fair

The Naples Arts Festival is back! The popular outdoor art sale and showcase was discontinued in 2010 due to the causeway restoration project. Now, both the town and the event organizer, Laura Imbriale, are eager to begin the planning for this year’s event to be held on July 26. There are 150 vendor spots available. The event is open to fine artists and craft artisans selling original work. Perhaps the most exciting aspect to vendors is the opportunity to win cash prizes, up to $1,250. At only $65 to rent a 100-square-foot space, it seems like a no brainer to me. Contact Imbriale at www.naplesforthearts.com for more information or to submit your reservation.

The extra staff on hand at the Area 51 ice cream bar was needed to accommodate the crowd on Valentine’s Day as the shop offered anything on the ice cream menu free of charge.