Spring?

These days, once in a blue moon it seems we get a warmish day or a peek of sunshine. Even so, with all the snow on the ground, it’s difficult to get that spring in your step, you know? Luckily, Naples has some great indoor fitness offerings to jumpstart your mission to shed that winter weight, or shake the SAD out of your system (Seasonal Affective Disorder), or just start feeling energetic again. Whatever your goal, one of these programs is sure to help.

Indoor Fitness

Being a fitness instructor, I know firsthand how important it is to vary your fitness routines. Strength, cardiovascular, and flexibility training compose the trio of activities you need to achieve a healthier body and mind. Your strength training options in Naples include a fabulous Kettle Bell Workout every Monday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 8:30 a.m., both at the Naples Town Gym. Instructors Thom and Gail Johnson will guide you through the workout, demonstrating the proper form, while encouraging you to challenge yourself. Contact them at [email protected].

If you’re they type that gets a little bored during the typical workouts, why not try the new Abs and Assets program offered by yours truly, Vicki Toole, and local Fitness Instructor, Denise St. John. Every few months, a new Fit Club is created to address our fitness issues and goals. This round we will focus on the trouble spots women often complain about. The program includes several local Zumba classes (perfect to get your cardio on in a very fun way), a Kickboxing Class for both cardio and strength, and a specialized weight training class in which you’ll use strap on ankle and wrist weights to target the toning of particular muscle groups. The program includes three weekly classes, nutrition tips, weekly weigh-ins if you’d like, and a very supportive group of ladies to help you along the way. The program costs $72 for six weeks or $4 per class. Contact Vicki Toole at the contact information above for more details.

As for the vital flexibility portion of your fitness program, Deb Goldstein’s Yoga really is second to none. Her class is at the Naples town office in the large carpeted room on Tuesday mornings, 8-9 a.m. where she practices Flowing Yoga and explores meditation styles. Drop-ins are $10 or you can sign up for the session. Contact Deb at 693-5247 or [email protected].

Kids!

The scene at Fern Hill Farm on Wiley Road in Naples is sure to lift your spirits. Dozens of kids (baby goats!) are being born and are for sale. Contact the farm for more information if you are interested in purchasing one of these little bundles of love. Female goats are more expensive than the males because they are intrinsically more valuable, offering milk to make all sorts of wonderful goat products, like milk, cheese and soap. Fern Hill Farm, of course, does make all of these products and yes, the goat cheese is as fresh and delicious as you’d imagine. Call Bob or Amy Jensen at 693-4320.

Baseball/Softball Sign ups

Naples Baseball and Softball is now taking applications for their league. The cost for baseball or softball is $30, and T-Ball is $25. There is a family cap of $60. There is also Babe Ruth Baseball for $85. Email the league at [email protected] for more information. Volunteer coaches, snack bar attendants, score keepers, and field clean-up help is also needed.

Help Local Explorers

Lake Region High School students are setting off for Costa Rica for Spring Break and they need your help. The Lake Region Costa Rican Explorers plan on bringing down school supplies and athletic gear for the Costa Rican school children. Do you have any new or gently used items such as writing instruments of all kinds, paints, glue sticks, erasers, scissors, paper, or sports gear like balls, jump ropes, Frisbees, etc. that you can donate? Donations are being accepted until April 9. Please drop off items at Lake Region High School, Room 219, or the Costa Rican Explorers box in the main office.

‘Fiddler’ this weekend

Check out this classic with your family playing at Lake Region High School this Thursday through Saturday with performances at 7 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Project Grad Spaghetti Dinner

Before heading over to the show on Saturday, April 5, stop by the Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by the Oriental Lodge A.F.& A.M. Masonic Hall on Route 117 in Bridgton to get dinner and support the seniors of Lake Region High School. Tickets are only $6 each or $25 for a family of five or more. Kids 5 and under eat free. Dinner will be served from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door or in advance. Contact Sara-Sue Schreiber at 329-8254 or Eileen Tidd at 232-0591.

Support the Naples Fire Department

Come out for the 9th Annual Comedy Night and Silent Auction Fundraiser held at the Naples Fire Station on Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m. The Fire House is transformed into a dinner club for the night. Naples’ own Lake Region Caterers, Inc., donates the Pulled Pork BBQ Meal with all the fixings. Tickets are just $25 per person with all proceeds going to the Fire Department. Tickets are now on sale at Naples Small Engine, Naples Town Office, A2M Variety. Lights and Sound provided by Naples DJ Billy Adams. For more information on the comics performing visit the Naples Fire and Rescue Facebook Page.

Naples Grieves

Our community mourns the recent death of Sabrina Titus, a young mother and Naples resident who recently lost her life in an automobile accident. Sabrina’s close friend, Ami Crosby, has set up a donation website on www.gofundme.com if you would like to contribute to help her family during this extremely difficult time.

In honor of Maine Maple Sunday, Songo Locks School Girl Scout Troop 1963, led by Marie Caron, visited Plummer’s Farm. Pictured is Lee Lee Warren sampling some of the tasty sap.