Why do you spend the winter in Boothbay/Wiscasset/Damariscotta when you could drive down to the southland and be warm?

Do you get that question every year?

I do, and, as I pull on my heavy coat, the “mad bomber” hat and wonder if the snowblower will start this time, I ask myself the same question.

Then I open my eyes and look around and remember the other day how the surf looked at Ocean Point as Mother Nature put on a show of her power and beauty.

But the love of nature’s beauty is not the only reason we stay home.

For instance, when my bride and I went to the polls on Super Tuesday and were greeted with smiles. Republicans and Democrats alike got the same treatment.

It was quite a contrast with the long lines we saw in the southland as lots of folks delivered a big win to former Vice President Joe Biden.

While the nation’s focus was on the Democratic Party primary, here in Maine much of the excitement was on the referendum question seeking to overturn a state law requiring most schoolchildren to be vaccinated.

While the anti-vaccination side tried to focus on “Big Pharma,” most Mainers focused on children and defeated the referendum by a margin of 3 to 1.

I still have a vivid memory of my childhood when I had chickenpox and my brother had measles while my little sister had both at the same time. It was not a happy time in the Gelarden household.

Speaking of elections, I got several inquiries from Republican friends who were puzzled when they tried to vote for write-in candidates.

If you remember the ballot, it listed a number of candidates on the Democratic side while the Republican ballot featured the incumbent president.

But both ballots had a line for a write-in candidate.

One Republican tried to vote for Mitt Romney while another wrote in the name of former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld.

In both cases, their ballots were refused.

“I am a Romney Republican. Why can’t I vote for him,” one asked.

I wondered myself. So I called the Maine Secretary of State’s office to get an explanation.

Kristen Muszynski, the spokesperson for the office, said they do it that way because it is the law.

In order to be considered as a write-in candidate, a prospective officeholder must register with the Secretary of State and provide his/her party designation and residence.

So, there is a write-in slot on the Maine primary ballot, but you can’t use it unless the Secretary of State says it is OK.

Why is it there in the first place? Doesn’t it just confuse the voter?

One of the great delights of winter in Boothbay is the traditional church supper, like the one held at the beautiful little East Boothbay Methodist church last Friday.

It was advertised to begin at 5 p.m., but the basement was filled up by 4:45 p.m. If you arrived at 5:15, there was plenty of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans and hot rolls, but the selection of yummy homemade pie was dwindling.

Friends greeted friends. The seating was random and that gave many a chance to meet new neighbors. While the dinner customers were friendly, some declined the usual hug from old pals. “Good to see you, but I don’t hug anymore,” said one woman.

On Saturday, as we were on the way out of town, I noticed my old friend Ms. Pigette wearing a surgical face mask. I guess you can’t be too careful. Even in Boothbay, the specter of Coronavirus hangs over us all.

Finally, Paul Warren, the UPS driver who for 34 years drove packages to the front door of our homes and businesses wrote a letter to the editor of the Boothbay Register letting us know he is moving on.

Here is what he said. “Delivering here early in my career and now these latter years I am continually amazed how wonderful, generous and kind this community is in both good times and in bad. I’ve seen how you rally and get things done for the betterment of the community and the region. It was a really good feeling to be part of it.

“Of all the towns that I have delivered throughout my 34-year career Boothbay Harbor to me is second to none!

“In life it’s not always what you do it’s who you do it for. I am truly thankful for this.

“Thank you again for welcoming me into your community, homes and driveways and being so good to me.”

Well said, Mr. Warren. Thanks for your service.

We’ll miss you, too.