Dear friends and neighbors,

Hope you are prepared for the next winter blast; ready or not, here it comes! A reminder that all folks interested in the RSU #12 School Budget are invited to an informational meeting at the Town Office on Monday, March 12 at 5:30 p.m., in advance of the selectmen’s meeting. Both the school superintendent and business manager will be available to answer questions. Also, papers are available for interested candidates running for either second selectman or school board member, both three-year terms. A minimum of 25 signatures is needed to run. The primary election will be held on June 12.

If you’re like me, you have been curiously watching the changes at 389 Main Road with interest this winter. I am happy to report that Lee Sprague Bodmer and her four charming alpacas will be inviting everyone to the official opening of The Barn at Lulu’s Garden in May! Lee (aka Lulu) is hoping her retail barn shop will become a community gathering place where folks can enjoy some delicious Crossroads Coffee roasted by Westport’s own roaster, Steve Arsenault. (www.crossroadscoffeebeans.com) Enjoy a cup of coffee along with a sweet treat from Mammy’s Bakery, operated by Jessica Deshiro of Wiscasset. (Check out Mammy’s Bakery Facebook page or stop in at Beelicious on 60 Main Street in Wiscasset to be blown away by truly amazing confections! Mammy’s Bakery was recently featured on the “207” television program to great acclaim!)

The Barn will also offer selected wines, dry goods, fresh flowers and vegetables, and home accents, all possible while canoodling with the alpacas if you so desire! Lee has done a wonderful job of using repurposed barn board from her former abode in Whitefield as well as recycled offerings from the Tarbox Farm to create a lovely yet quaint setting complete with antiques from Elmer’s. She has added a table and chairs that could host board games, as well as a comfy sofa, hanging chandelier, and assorted conversation pieces sure to please. And who doesn’t want to feed or pet the fuzzy alpacas looking on through the open windows?

Lee also will continue to sell her own product line of natural, made in Maine beauty products. Lee’s mother Helen, who lived with dementia for thirteen years, served as inspiration for her to develop and grow her own product line, known as Lulu’s Garden. Lee’s custom creations of luxurious lip and hand balms use ingredients such as beeswax, jojoba oil, almond oil, and cocoa butter along with aromatherapy ingredients to make a natural beauty line of products to nurture both the body and the spirit. A full display of Lulu’s Garden natural products won a package design award in 2013. Gift sets are available, and 50 percent of profits from each Alzheimer Awareness gift set are donated to the Alzheimer’s Association. Check it all out online at www.inlulusgarden.com.

Down the road Lee hopes to add some picnic tables for outdoor seating. She is considering offering classes by local residents in rug hooking and caring for succulents. If you are a potential vendor who might like to display your wares or someone who could teach a skill, please contact Lee at inlulusgarden@gmail.com or call 207-215-7039 with questions or ideas. Lee would love to hear from you, and the alpacas would love for you to stop by to feed them and give them a pat! The Barn at Lulu’s Garden will be open for business soon.

Contact your newshound pat-dick@midcoast.com or call 231-4049.