Both will help

With snow undoubtedly on the way, the 2009 Project Graduation Committee is ready. The group is selling raffle tickets for a brand new snow blower now on display at Norway Savings in Naples. To purchase tickets, please contact Julie Tenczar at 893-2900.

The Naples Community Resource Council is accepting requests for Thanksgiving baskets for Naples residents who could use a little help this holiday. Applications can be made by calling 693-6594. All requests must be received no later than Thursday, Nov. 20.

Fairs and trees

I was thrilled to see so many people at the Hollyberry Fair and the annual Christmas Fair at the Inn at Long Lake. For those who missed those, there are still more events to come.

The Edes Falls Sewing group will be hosting its annual Ho Ho Ho Christmas sale Saturday, Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Edes Falls Community Center on River Road. There will be handmade items, crafts and many very reasonably priced Christmas gifts. The wonderful clam and corn chowder luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m., so please make sure you stop by.

Although this will be the last event at the center until spring, the committee members would like to thank all who attended the suppers and activities over the last year. The support has been very much appreciated as the proceeds from these functions go to support the many wonderful charitable causes that the group participates in.

In keeping with the Christmas spirit, it is time to start thinking about holiday decorations. The Naples Public Library will be selling decorated kissing balls and wreaths. These items are made right here in Naples with fresh and fragrant Maine balsam. Samples will be hung at the library where order sheets are also available. The kissing balls are $30 and the 23-inch double-sided wreaths are $20. Pre-paid orders will be available for pick up at the library Saturday, Dec. 7. For more information, please contact the library at 693-6841.

The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Naples satellite office continues to impress even those who put it together. Now open Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., the office is busy with walk-in traffic and phone calls. Expanded office hours are planned for next year.

Naples business owners are invited to stop by to say hello and see what the fuss is all about. Bring in business brochures and cards so that the chamber can represent you and your business. The office will be open during the Naples holiday celebration Dec. 7, so stop in for a treat.

The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce holiday auction is set for Thursday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m. at the Bridgton Town Hall on North High Street. The event emcee is Dan MacDonald of MacDonald Motors and Lake Region Caterers will provide the food.

There is no admission for auction but non-perishable foods for the local food banks will be collected. The auction will feature Chinese, silent and big-board auction styles. This is a great way to have a fun night, network and get some of that holiday shopping done.

More than 100 chamber members are offering items for auction. For more information, call the chamber at 647-3472 or stop by the office on Portland Road in Bridgton.

Champs!

The Lake Region U-14 girls soccer travel team won the 2008 Anthem Cup state championship Nov. 1 by a score of 1-0 against Kittery. The winning goal was scored by Kari Eldridge. The team is coached by Chuck Black with Tara Maker assisting. Brian Levasseur also helps with the team.

The team consists of three sixth-graders, four seventh-graders, eight eighth-graders and two ninth-graders. Several of these players were on Black and Maker’s state championship U-12 team in 2005. The team was undefeated during the regular season and was seeded first going into the playoffs. Catch these champions as they celebrate on a float in the Holiday Parade in Bridgton on Dec. 6.

Nicely made

Naples Grange No. 94 presented Huggie Pillows to Camp Sunshine in Casco last month. A. Josie Morrell and Billi Burke (known as Mrs. Tux) presented the pillows to Ashley Riley, the Camp Sunshine event coordinator in October. The grange is going to make more pillows, in November and December for the children of Camp Sunshine.

This is one charitable contribution that the grange is very excited about because it is for the children and the members enjoy getting together making the pillows. If anyone wishes to be part of this community service and assist with the pillow making, please contact Burke at 671-5804.

Seasonal queries

Our pair of cardinals has arrived for the winter. Can anyone tell me why they do not stay around in the summer, but they return when the weather changes?

Although the temperatures have remained relatively mild for November, my husband Russ and I finally had to give up the ghost and took our boat out of the water last week. We kept hoping for that last autumnal cruise down the lake, but as with many best laid plans, it just never happened. Maybe next year will be different.

My thanks go to all of you who have shared your kind words about our aging dog Cally. Right now she is holding her own, but I will keep you posted.

Have a great week and as always, if you have information to share, please let me know.

Inside Naples