Hanging Up the Hats

As I write on this dreary Monday, I am reminded why, with the project being so close to completion, that the Causeway construction crew is taking a hiatus for the winter. Come spring, they will get right back at it, finishing up the details as well as the highly anticipated amphitheater. I am curious to see exactly what that will evolve into and how it will be used.

Be in the Know

As I mentioned, today’s weather is not pretty, and so we welcome the first official snow day in the Lake Region School District. Luckily, the schools offer instant text messages to parents when school is canceled. Now you can easily keep abreast of Lake Region sports teams’ schedules and cancellations. Just go to www.schedulestar.com and enter “Lake Region High School, Naples, Maine, 04055” in the search box. Select the school’s name from the drop-down menu, click register to create an account, then you add a few more details, and then you can add an alert. Once you enter your e-mail address or cell phone you can then begin to receive texts or emails when the schedule changes. Please note that if you are already registered with highschoolsports.net, then you are registered for schedule star as well.

Tree Lighting, ?Wreath Auction

Join your neighbors around the Naples’ Holiday Tree located on the Village Green on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 4-7 p.m. Naples Main Street hosts the annual Naples tree lighting ceremony at the Singer Center. A fun afternoon and evening is anticipated, with activities and refreshments planned.

This year, Naples Main Street will auction off 25 beautiful wreaths decorated with “extras” and donated by area businesses. You do not need to be in attendance to win. Winners will be contacted after the auction closes at 6 p.m. The actual tree lighting ceremony takes place between 6 and 6:30 p.m. All proceeds will be used to supplement the town’s share of the causeway restoration project. For more information about this upcoming event, please call Connie Eldridge at 831-0890.

Yellow Dot

An introduction to the “Yellow Dot” program is also planned in conjunction with the annual tree lighting ceremony. “Yellow Dot” is the first program of its kind in the state. It is designed to assist citizens and first responders in the event of an automobile accident or other medical emergency involving the participant’s vehicle. The program can help save lives during the critical “golden hour” by improving communication at a time when accident victims may be unable to communicate for themselves.

The “Yellow Dot” program provides detailed medical information that can be crucial following a crash. Participants of the program receive a “Yellow Dot” decal, a “Yellow Dot” folder and an information form with the participant’s name, an identifying photo, emergency contact information, personal physicians’ information, medical conditions, recent surgeries, allergies and medications being used. A “Yellow Dot” decal on the driver’s side rear window alerts first responders to check in the glove compartment for the corresponding “Yellow Dot” folder. Having this information following a crash helps first responders positively identify the person, get in touch with family or emergency contacts and ensures that the person’s current medications and pre-existing medical conditions are considered when treatment is administered for injuries. This is a free service provided to individuals of all ages, with an emphasis on senior citizens. The program is being funded by private donations at this point and is being administered by volunteers. The “Yellow Dot” program is a cooperative effort of local law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency medical services, senior groups and concerned residents.

For additional information regarding this event, contact Molly Brake at the Naples Town Office, 693-6364.

Royal Christmas Tea

Is it true? Can you really go to a Royal Christmas Tea right here in Naples? Yes, you can! Our own Betsey Golon of Common Folk Farm on Kimball Corner Road is offering this lovely event for you to slow down and savor the season and all it offers.

Sunday, Dec. 16, is the second of the two Christmas Teas the farm is hosting. The event begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. If you’d like, you can stop by the farm the day before as they open their doors from

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for some homemade treats and shopping to delight visitors of all ages. A visit to the farm is an authentic New England treat not to be missed. Call 787-2764 or visit commonfolkfarmherbs.com for more information.

SLS Craft Saturday

I may be biased but I think our teachers are some of the best around. They seem to always go the extra mile, and this past Saturday was a shining example. About 70 students braved the icy roads to head down to Songo Locks School to make that special craft, perfect for a loved one’s Christmas gift. Students in kindergarten through fifth-grade were invited to make a variety of age-appropriate crafts. One of the most popular was the snow globe. Other crafts included the Popsicle stick card and candy cane reindeer. There was also a delicious looking bake sale and raffle of a really cute gingerbread house, which was won by Ben Mason. Thank you to all who made it possible to offer this creative outlet for our children.

Health on the Move

The Cumberland District Public Health Council’s idea behind last Tuesday’s Health on the Move, held at the Crooked River Adult Education building in Casco, was to bring health services and screenings to the communities that need them most.

Services offered at the event included blood pressure screenings, flu shots, smoking cessation information, infant dental care and more. A healthy lunch was offered to energize attendees as they made the rounds to the various health-related stations. At each station you could enter to win Hannaford gift cards, which were a nice bonus (even a nicer bonus if you actually won one like I did!). If you missed this event, have no fear, there will be more in the future. Watch this space for updates.

Songo Locks Elementary School student Atticus Slaughter works on crafting a snow globe with the help of parent volunteer Amy Berger.   
Joanna Moore, left, of CrossWalk Community Outreach in Naples, and Becca Matusovich, of the Maine Center for Disease Control, helped plan the recently held Health on the Move event for seniors. Zoe Miller of the Healthy Lakes Initiative and Opportunity Alliance (not pictured), also helped plan the event.?