Dear friends and neighbors,

Spring is taking its time to arrive here, but I want you to know it could be worse! (That’s what we Minnesotans always say.) My Minnesota sister sent me a photo from their storm last weekend wherein my father’s old snow blower was still getting good use. They had a record April snowfall of 15.8 inches! Come on, Mother Nature, it’s getting old!

Lucky for us, most of the snow is now melted on the island. We can once again see all the unsightly trash and debris which has found its way to our road banks and ditches. It’s time to clean up Westport! Everyone who helps pick up trash this Saturday, April 28, will receive a complimentary gift for your efforts! Just show up at the Old Town Hall by 9 a.m. to get some refreshments, garbage bags, and a road assignment. Please bring gloves and wear appropriate footwear. Many hands make light work; we hope to see lots of folks there!

Gaye reminds us that all shellfish digging on Westport Island requires a valid license issued by the town. The season begins May 1, and licenses will be available for purchase at the town office Tuesdays from 11 am to 6 pm and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please bring two pieces of identification showing your current address. Fees collected are used for seeding and maintaining the shellfish population. Any person who is digging shellfish must carry a current signed and dated license. Resident recreational licenses are fifteen dollars. Those under the age of twelve or over the age of sixty-five can dig for free, but licenses are still required. Keep current on areas open to shellfish digging by consulting the Department of Marine Resources hotline at 1-800-232-4733.

Many thanks to Richard and Mary Denzer of Bay Shore Road, who have installed and filled a “Free Little Library” for Island residents! Drive on down Bay Shore to browse the offerings. Take a book and/or leave a book; the Little Library is there for all. Thanks to the Denzers for sharing and encouraging community connections.

Last Sunday was Earth Day. Let’s help spiff up our only Mother Earth this Saturday! Contact your newshound pat-dick@midcoast.com or call 231-4049.