The clocks have been turned back, Halloween and Election Day are behind us. Time to start planning for the holidays, if you can believe it. It seems like the holiday fairs start earlier and earlier each year, the decorations and lights go up earlier, too. Maybe it is just society’s way of prolonging the magic-in-the-air feeling that the holidays bring. If you can quite envision what I mean, picture the day after New Year’s Day: exhausted and back to the mundane, hum drum of every day. I for one, experience post-holiday depression each year. So bring on the merriment, no worries in starting the fun early!

Holiday fairs
Head on up to Kimball Corner for the Common Folk Farm’s Open Farm Day’s Event, which runs for three days. The hours for Friday, Nov. 11, and Saturday, Nov. 12,  are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Or, drop by Sunday the 13th from 1-4 p.m. Visiting Common Folk Farm is always like visiting a good friend. Owners Betsy and Dale Golon make you feel right at home. In their kitchen will be breads, pies, jams and jellies for tasting and buying. Throughout the 250-year-old farmhouse will be local artisans, antiques, second-hand treasures, books and more. The address is 23 Kimball Corner Road. Just travel up Lake House Road to the top, take a left and look on the left and you’ll be there.

The Ho Ho Ho Crafts and Bake Sale, put on by the Edes Fall Sewing Circle each year, is the kind of event that makes living in the Lakes Region special. Homemade goodies and crafts are for sale from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12. Starting at 11 a.m., you can sit down to a lunch of clam or corn chowder, hot dogs, baked beans and biscuits. A Chinese Auction is also planned. The event takes place at the Edes Falls Community Hall at 319 Edes Falls Road.

The American Legion in Naples is having a flea market and craft fair on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in their upstairs room. Tables for vendors to rent at $20 are still available. Call Marion Merrill to reserve yours at 693-6016.

On Saturday, Nov. 19, our neighbors over in Casco celebrate the season with Christmas In the Village. Held at the Casco Village Church, at 941 Meadow Road (Route 121), the event runs from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be shopping and raffles, and the highlight of the day is the famous Lobster Roll Luncheon, which is offered from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Babysitter Safety Course

The Naples Fire and Rescue Department is holding its first ever Babysitter Safety Course on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 10 a.m. Open to kids 11 years and older, this course will show participants the skills necessary to confidently babysit. CPR and First-Aid certifications will be awarded along with tips about being a great responsible babysitter. The cost is $20 per person. Check out the Babysitter Safety Course Facebook page for more information, or look up Dani Small on FB and message her your child’s name.

Save the date

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Dec. 10, for the Naples Main Street Group’s Naples Village Winter Holiday Festival. Details will be posted on the organization’s Facebook page as they are firmed up. So much fun is planned. More details will be provided in this column in the near future.

Keep slowing down

The electronic speed sign at the Naples Fire Department is gone. One hopes it  brought some awareness to people about their speeds.

Cathy Hewson, right, and Jaime Smith, both of Sebago, created this awesome booth for the Trunk or Treat Event at Lake Region High School the Saturday before Halloween. Vendors were told have candy for 1,000, and judging by the crowds that seemed about right.