Causeway Update

The tar has hit the pavement! That explains the delays you undoubtedly experienced this past week as the final layer of paving material covered the Causeway area from Merced’s to SunSports. Hope you found an alternate route.

Boo!

Hard to believe the favorite holiday of children of all ages is fast approaching. Remember last year when there was snow on the ground? Let’s hope that doesn’t become an annual tradition. There are some fun things to do around the area this year.

The Casco and Naples recreation departments are hosting a spooky night for local kids ages preschool to fifth grade. On Halloween night head down to the Casco Community Center for games, and more. The fun begins at 5:30 p.m. At 5:45 p.m., Mad Science will be performing some mind-blowing tricks and treats. Or you might choose to stroll through the Haunted Casco Library (last tour starts at 6:45 p.m.). Finally, you can show off all your hard work in the Costume Parade, which ends the evening at 7 p.m.

Landmark Human Resources is hosting a Haunted House at the Bridgton Ice Rink behind the Old Town Hall (come to think of it, that building seems spooky even without decorations!) The festivities will run Friday and Saturday nights Oct. 26 and 27 from 6-9 p.m. Admission is $3 per person. The Haunted House will not be too haunted, so it would be appropriate for school-aged children. Teens can go get spooked and then go to a dance right at the town hall, all for only $5 on Friday night. The dance runs from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

At the Naples Library, in keeping with the season, the Family Art Night will be painting pumpkins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24.

Time to Swim Indoors

Naples Rec. is offering Aquacise at Colonial Mast Campground. The next session will begin on Oct. 18 and run for six weeks. Classes run every Tuesday and Thursday. The cost per session is $70 for Naples residents and $80 for non-residents ($7 a class) Drop-ins are welcome. For more information, please contact Harvey Price Jr. at 693-6364 or Colonial Mast at 693-6652.

Volunteers Needed

It’s that time of year again when volunteering your time makes your overall holiday experience a little warmer. CrossWalk, a local group that helps many local people year-round, is once again hosting their free Thanksgiving dinner at the Naples Town Hall on Nov. 22 at noon. The turkeys have been donated, and now they are seeking volunteers to help serve or donate other items needed for the meal. Specifically they are looking for stuffing, potatoes, rolls, butter, desserts, beverages as well as donations to help with paper goods and decorations. If you can help, contact them at [email protected] or call 615-3226. Over the past two years, CrossWalk has served more that 70 local folks a hot, hearty Thanksgiving dinner.

Naples Library Fundraiser

If you love pizza, and who doesn’t, then don’t miss the opportunity to eat some yummy carbs and support your beloved local library. The Black Bear Cafe is teaming up with the Naples Public Library to host a Pizza Tasting Buffet for the library on Friday, Oct. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. Irish entertainment and a 50/50 raffle are also planned.

Fall Yard Sale

Spalding Memorial Library is holding a yard-, bake-, and book sale on Saturday, Oct. 20, from 9-1 p.m. The library is located on Route 114, right over the Naples line. So grab a hot cider and a jacket and head on over. You never know what treasures you will find on a cool fall morning.

Food Baskets for Vets

The annual Christmas Cheer for Troops program sponsored by the CrossWalk Community Outreach has begun. The group is seeking names of military families of all statuses: deployed, retired or presently serving, that would enjoy receiving a holiday gift and food basket. The families must be from Naples, Sebago, Casco, Harrison or Bridgton. Call CrossWalk at 615-3226 if you know of a qualifying family. All information is kept confidential.

Congratulations

This past Saturday there was a fabulous event in our neighboring town of Windham. Octoberfest, the brain child of Lee’s Family Trailer owner Sherri Huff, was a huge success, raising more than $20,000 for 10 local food pantries. It was a fun, free family event. I know that many Naples residents made the trip down to Windham to check it out. One of the highlights was a coloring contest sponsored by the Lake Region Weekly newspaper and Cumberland County Credit Union. My daughter, Brooke Toole, won first prize in her age group and received several great prizes and lots of confidence! A wish of congratulations goes out to all the organizers of this great event, and to all the other winners of the coloring contest. Great job to all the businesses that contributed prizes and participated to make this event a huge success.

The abutment on the Brandy Pond side of the Causeway is taking shape.