Hello friends and neighbors!

It appears that the snow is here to stay. The best way to enjoy a Maine winter is to embrace it! Luckily for us on Westport Island, we don’t have far to go to find public space to wander. The trails on the town preserve at Clough Point, as well as the Bonyun and Squam Creek Preserves are ready for you. Dennis Dunbar reports that after the late October storm, over 30 trees had fallen that were obstructing about five miles of trails on public spaces. But thanks to the efforts of several different teams of volunteers over the last few weeks, the trails are now fully accessible for hiking. Once enough snow has accumulated, there will also be opportunities to cross country ski and snowshoe. Thanks to Dennis, Archie, Dick, Nancy and all the other volunteers who helped with trail clearing. You are appreciated!

D-zerts by Daphne is ready to help with your holiday entertaining! Please call Daphne Cromwell at 882-6652 by Friday, Dec. 22 to order pies or cakes in time for Christmas. Some of the options recently available included carrot cake, chocolate Guinness cake, red velvet cake, and coconut cake. The photos on Facebook will make your mouth water! Daphne’s culinary skills can help sweeten your holidays in more ways than one.

The solstice arrives this week. Although the days seem short and dark, we can now look forward to brighter times ahead. May your holidays be filled with cheer and good will toward all, and may the new year bring hope and health to you. Contact your newshound pat-dick@midcoast.com or call 231-4049.