February packed with Lantern events

The Maine 4-H Foundation is pleased to announce several great programs in addition to the Magic Lantern’s active movie schedule and restaurant highlights. All programs are designed to support the local community as a nonprofit.

The Movies are available from Thursday through Sunday, and the restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday. The website is active for the community to check out all programs, events, workshops, and the-

AERIAL VIEW of the proposed Maker’s Mill project, which would transform Main and Depot Streets.

Tapping history with modern twist

process.”

(Continued from Page 1A) ings, called the community approach “an interesting

“It’s been a collaborative project,” he said. “In my

25 years doing this type of work (as town manager), it is the first time I’ve been intimately involved in a major (downtown) project. It’s been quite a process.”

Fire destroys home in subzero temps

By Dawn De Busk Staff Writer

NAPLES — The Naples Fire Department got a 911 call for a fire in a dining room; and three minutes later, the fire had enveloped the home on 172 Chaplins Mill Rd.

“When I arrived on scene, I had a fully involved house fire,” according to Naples Fire Chief Justin Cox.

“The three residents were evacuated and they were out in the road by their vehicle. The driveway was small. They pulled the vehicle out in the street and they were in there with their dogs,” he said.

All the people had escaped the house fire with no injuries or smoke inhalation issues.

The 911 call came in at 9:54 p.m. on Feb. 2.

ater experiences. The website is https:// www.magiclanternmovies.

com

With February vacation coming right up, there are a number of special programs for youth planned. Included in program offerings is a week of Monsters:

• Tuesday, Feb. 21, Squishy Monsters,

• Wednesday, Feb. 22, Build a Junk Bot Monster

• Thursday, Feb. 23, Grow your own Monster

• Friday, Feb. 24, Magnificent Monsters.

Be sure to check the February vacation Monster Week of fun STEM activities and the Magnificent Monster Circus Live Puppet Show by Cactus Head Puppets.

Future shows for the theater include a Comedy Night on Friday, March 24, and Chad, the Hypnotist on

Chief Cox listed some reasons that the structure burnt so quickly.

“The fire load. We had wind that night. The house was in the middle of the field, and that didn’t help. We had issues with the water supply to start with. We had water, but we had hose lines freezing and valves that froze. Then, when we ran out of water, minutes were lost there,” he said.

“It is very difficult, when we start getting down in the negative temperatures, to move water,” Cox said.

The fire departments in eight towns showed up at the site. Those were Naples, Casco, Bridgton, Harrison, Sebago, Raymond, Denmark, and Otisfield, according to Chief Cox. Additionally, some other stations cov - ered for Bridgton and Harrison, he said. “It took probably 4 hours to get it under con - trol and the next two hours mopping up hot spots,” he said.

Help for family

(Continued from Page 2A)

Right now, the family is looking for a new place to live.

“The big need is when she gets into a place. She is going to need everything. She is currently working on getting into a place. So, she’ll need the kitchen essentials, bathroom essentials, bedroom essentials. Anything you would need in a home. She’ll need it all,” Harlow said. “There was nothing salvageable from their home.”

Kristin’s father agreed that housing was the next step — along with replac- ing ID’s that were lost in fire.

“The biggest challenge they have right now is finding housing. Even though they are being put up by a friend, it is temporary,” Andy said. “They are looking for housing right now. They want to stay in Naples.”

Marcia added, “This money will help to furnish the house.”

“The one thing we can do is: Who do I call now? We are working as a team to get the funds together and get the information together so they can start fresh,” she said.

Chao Thai to ML on Saturdays

Starting on Saturday, Feb. 18, the Chao Thai dinners will be at the Magic Lantern.

April 1.

The Magic Lantern is hosting community workshops as well including a Bee Keeping workshop for the community and Serve Safe on March 27.

Sign up for news alerts on the website, as well.

Chao closed her restaurant a few months ago and she is very excited to be preparing her Thai food for the community.

Chao tells everyone that, “I love to cook for the community. To tell you the truth, it was my father that first introduced me to cooking. Then, when I became an adult, I went to a cooking school and just fell in love with preparing new foods. I made my husband try everything, and I spent years cooking for our village in Thailand, when my daughter was young.”

Chao’s very first restaurant business was here in Bridgton. The restaurant became too much to run during the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnering with the Magic Lantern is such a great opportunity to still offer wonderful Thai food to the community, Chao said.

The menu will have some basic Thai favorites and specials each Saturday night. Take out will also be available.

Check out the website for all special programs and events at the Magic Lantern. All programs, the theater, and restaurant will all be supporting local youth education.

Sign up for news alerts on the website, https:// www.magiclanternmovies. com.