Naples, ME

Located on Brandy Pond in Naples, Maine, in the heart of the Sebago Lakes Region, is Naples Golf and Country Club.

The Naples Golf and Country Club was established in 1921 with the fine front nine, then the back nine were added in 2000. The rolling fairways and views of Brandy Pond make this a premiere course in western Maine. About 2,000 feet of the course fronts the edge of Brandy Pond. Robert "Bob" Caron is the PGA Professional and General Manager of the club.

Gene Ferreira, who works in the Pro Shop told me his favorite hole is the 14th.

"It's an interesting par 5 with a pine tree smack dab in the middle of the fairway. Challenging," said Gene.

June Gyger also likes the 14th hole. "It's picturesque," she said.

According to Gene, playing the front and back nine is like playing two different golf courses. The back is narrower and more challenging.

The remodeled clubhouse features a full-service pro shop ready for repairs and sales. You'll find golf products from Cobra, Titleist, Ping and Callaway along with Ben Hogan, Tour Edge and AMF. Golf shoes are available from Foot Joy and Dexter, while there is clothing from Dockers, Ashworth, Page & Tuttle and Sun Mountain. Overnight regripping of clubs is available throughout the season.

Also located in the Club House is The Sandtrap Grille, which features panoramic views of the front nine, a full-service bar, outdoor deck and window seating. It's open during the season for a quick snack or a casual meal and is also available for banquets and other functions.

During the summer season you'll find golfers participating in a Scramble League on Tuesdays, Ladies League on Wednesdays and Men's League on Thursdays. Tournaments occur from spring till fall. Some are club tournaments, while others are special fundraisers.

One such fundraiser will take place on September 27th and is near and dear to Gene Ferreira's heart: Harvey's Second Annual Golf Challenge, which will benefit the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter at 1389 Bridgton Road in Fryeburg.

Gene said, "My wife and I run this event. She works at Harvest Hills. One hundred percent of the net proceeds go to take care of dogs and cats. We still have openings if people want to play."

Call 207.935.4358 to register for this benefit tournament. Registration is at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start to the scramble format at 9. A buffet lunch will follow. It costs $75/person or $300 for a group of four.

Other upcoming tournaments include the Lake Region Youth Football tournament and the Windham Class of 2010 Project Grad tournament. Check the club Web site for more details.

FMI: Naples Golf and Country Club, 136 Sebago Road (Route 114), Naples, 207.693.6424, www.naplesgolfcourse.com
Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg, 207.935.4358, www.harvesthills.org

As you play the front nine you might want to keep an eye out for these lakefront properties on Brandy Pond:

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If you're renting a lakefront camp or cabin this summer in Maine, your vacation is not complete until you've fully enjoyed the fun and beauty of our area lakes and ponds.

The Causeway Marina on Brandy Pond sits beside the moveable swing bridge in Naples, right in the heart of the Sebago Lakes Region. It has been family owned and operated for the last twenty years and been helping customers enjoy the fun and beauty of our Maine lakes all that time.

Though it's small in size, Causeway Marina offers big amenities. The owners, Dan and Dawn Allen, proudly claim the longest fuel dock (130′) in the Lakes Region as well as the largest boat rental operation in Maine.

Dan says, "We're very busy for the next few weeks ... for as long as the good weather holds."

This full-service marina offers the fuel dock mentioned above, sales and service, parts and accessories, boat slips, service and repair, storage, towing and even sunken boat retrieval. They make boat rentals easy by providing a rental form on-line at their Web site.

During the winter months, you can choose to store your boat in their 40,000 square-foot indoor storage faciltiy or outside where they have acres of storage. Shrink wrapping is also available.

On-site at the Causeway Marina, you'll find the handy ship store, which carries all of your boating needs, and the Tiki Bar and Grille. If you like to hang out near your boat at night, you can join other boaters at the firepit for a campfire.

There's a special cameraderie amongst boat owners at this marina.

Since the Causeway Marina is located between Long Lake and Sebago Lake, you'll find yourself situated in the heart of the Lakes Region. From here, you'll have plenty of water to ski, tube, fish or just drift and quietly explore.

FMI: 207.693.6832 or www.causewaymarina.com

If you'd like to check up on the lakefront property currently for sale on Brandy Pond just click on the box below:

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August 14, 10 a.m. Natural Community Hike at Pleasant Mountain, an introduction to the Ironwood-Oak-Ash woodland communtiy, sponsored by Loon Echo Land Trust, meet at the Ledges Trail trailhead, Mountain Road, Denmark. FMI: 207.647.4352 or http://loonecholandtrust.org

August 14, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Harrison Farmers' Market, "Our goods travel just a short trip from our farms to your table . . . Taste the difference," parking lot between the Town Office and Caswell Public Library, Route 35, Harrison. FMI: 207.583.4668 or www.harrisonfarmersmarket.com

August 14, 8 p.m. Meet the Artist: Avner the Eccentric and Julie Goell, an introduction to the world of clowning and celebration of the comic art of succeeding in the face of failure, Tickets: $8, Celebration Barn, 190 Stock Farm Road, South Paris. FMI: 207.743.8452 or www.celebrationbarn.com

August 15, 9 a.m. -2 p.m. 8th Annual Telstar Car Show, featuring cars, trucks and motorcycles of all vintages and types, Telstar High School, Route 26, south of Bethel Village, (raindate August 16). FMI: 207.824.2282 or www.bethelmaine.com

August 15, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 34th Annual Arts and Artisans Fair, over 55 artisans skilled in all types of art work will sell their wares at this juried fair, which benefits the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library, fair held at New Suncook School, 95 Main Street, Lovell. FMI: 207.925.1135 or www.hobbslibrary.org

August 15, 4:30-6 p.m. Public Supper, Pot Roast Supper, take-out also available, $8/adult and $4/child, Raymond Village Church, 21 Main Street, Raymond. FMI: 207.655.7749 or www.rvccme.org

August 15, 8:00 p.m. Paula Poundstone, benefit for Brownfield Library, $55/person (no credit cards accepted on-site), Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dug Way Road, Brownfield. FMI: box office open 9-12, M-F at 207.935.7292 or www.stonemountainartscenter.com

August 16, 2 p.m. "As You Like It," Shakespeare at Schoolhouse Arts Center, $10/adults, $8/children & seniors, Schoolhouse Arts Center, 16 Richville Road, Standish.
FMI: 207.642.3743 or http://schoolhousearts.org

August 18, 5-6:30 p.m. Public Supper, Beans, Chop Suey, Casseroles, $7/adults, $3.50/children under 12, North Waterford Congregational Church, Five Kezars Road, off Routes 35 & 37, opposite Melby's Market. FMI: 207.583.2655.

August 18, 5:30 p.m. Lakes Environmental Association's Annual Meeting, a time to catch up with friends, meet the LEA staff and interns, find out what's new at LEA, and watch the milfoil film, $12/person, Camp Takajo, Route 35, Naples. FMI: to register call 207.647.8580 or http://mainelakes.org

August 18, 8:00 p.m. David Scheel's "A Shorte Hysterical Historie of Musicke" with a mixture of music and wit, Mr. Scheel examines how musical geniuses through the ages would cope with modern society, Deertrees Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 156 Deertrees Road, Harrison. FMI: 207.583.6747 or www.deertreestheatre.org

Shabby chic furniture to decorate your lakefront property is available at the charming My Sister's Garage Antique Shop at 1328 Roosevelt Trail (Route 302) in Naples.

Sisters Sarah and Jen Tringali first opened the shop three years ago because "we like everything retro," explains Sarah. "We named it My Sister's Garage because it's located in Jen's garage."

The Tringali sisters began their business by giving up some of their own well-loved pieces. They've supplemented this with trips up and down the East Coast, including two trips a year to the Brimfield Antique Show.

Sarah says, "We remake items by salvaging pieces out of the other things. We rewire and make new chandeliers and we paint just about everything that walks through the door."

The motto of My Sister's Garage is "pre-loved pieces re-imagined."

Business has been good at My Sister's Garage, even in these grim economic times. According to Sarah, "We're reasonably priced and pass along a good deal. We want people to enjoy furniture. Customers realize: A. They got a Good Deal; and B. They're happy when they see it in their home."

The Tringali sisters love of interacting with people and playing with furniture has added to their success. The shop is open Wednesday thru Monday from 10-5 May 'til it gets too cold in the fall, and year-round via their web site.

My Sister's Garage may have just the right "cottage furniture, creative couture, romantic décor, vintage linens and camp classics" that will make your new lakefront property complete.

FMI: 207.221.5265 or http://mysistersgarage.com

If you're still looking for that new lakefront property to own in Naples just click below to see what's currently on the market:

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Last week Sebago Lake, Brandy Pond and Long Lake in the western Maine Lakes Region glistened with beautiful antique watercraft, including many woodies, as the Mountainview Woodies Classic Boat Club held its 16th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show on the Causeway in Naples on Saturday, August 1.

Some of the rarest and most beautiful antique and classic boats still in existence were on display for all to enjoy.

Wooden boats have graced the Lakes Region for many years. They recall a more elegant era, where form and function combined in a graceful work of art that glides across the water. With sleek, smooth lines, detailed handiwork and the extraordinary glow of mahogany, these boats offer unique beauty from bow to stern.

Though wooden runabouts, the first personal powerboats, were replaced by fiberglass in the 1960s, and major wooden boat makers shut down production, they never lost their appeal. Instead, they became objects of great desire.

And now you can enjoy these classic beauties, plus those made of fiberglass and aluminum, brought to us by the Mountainveiw Woodies Classic Boat Club.

According to club president, Jeff Murdock, "On Wednesday, July 29th, we gave rides to campers at Camp Sunshine." Camp Sunshine at Point Sebago Resort on Sebago Lake offers a retreat to children dealing with major health problems.

"On Thursday we had our annual Sebago Lake excursion with lunch at Migis Lodge. Friday afternoon there was a boat parade from Brandy Pond into Long Lake. The boats queued up on Brandy Pond about 4:30 p.m. and then traveled under the bridge into Long Lake. We made two loops around in front of the Causeway and then we lined them all up and at the drop of a flag everyone took off at once." It's an amazing site to behold.

An added enhancement this year, Jeff says, was a car exhibition.

"This year we had some cars exhibited in addition to the boats. It's a fun show in that there is no judging, although we're talking about a peoples' choice this year. In the past we've had anywhere from 25-45 registered boats, with a half dozen or so last minute entries," he said.

Wooden boat collectors and folks who appreciate fine craftsmanship enjoyed the parade on Friday night and Saturday show.

FMI: Mountainview Woodies Classic Boat Club at www.mountainviewwoodies.org , Camp Sunshine at www.campsunshine.org, Migis Lodge at www.migis.com .

If you're in the market for buying a lakefront property on Long Lake you can see all the current lakefront listings by clicking below:

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