As we wait and hope for warmer temperatures in April and watch what snow we now get turn to slush or melt within hours of falling, thoughts of a fruitful summer come to mind. Boat owners are preparing their vessels to launch, seasonal restaurant owners are getting their menus and other things ready before opening their doors, and businesses providing materials for summer residents are anticipating their arrival by stocking their shelves with tools and more. Let’s hope we have a great late spring and summer ahead.

* * * * *

Did you pick any of the Final Four on your college basketball tournament bracket? I didn’t! It was a crazy tournament and, being a basketball lover, I have enjoyed the past two weeks sitting in front of the television. My last hope for a Final Four team was Kansas State, but they lost to the surprising Florida Atlantic University in the Elite Eight matchup. Alabama, UCLA and Houston were my other finalists. I got 28 out of 67 games wrong on my bracket (not a great percentage but better than I have done in a couple of years ... and considering how crazy this year’s tournament went) … but I did win the contest with my wife. I haven’t tallied her totals but a quick view of her sheet shows that I may have nipped her by four games. And she only fills in the bottom bracket ... I got all of the First Four winners correct.

* * * * *

Hats off to all of the students and teachers who have been displaced and are in classes elsewhere because of the flooding of Boothbay Region Elementary School in early February. Hopefully after the April break, things will be somewhat normal for them. And hats off to the workers and volunteers who are trying their hardest to get the repair job done.