Spring continues to unfold. The dandelions vie with the forsythia and the daffodils for the most brilliant yellow. Purple azaleas, red tulips, and blue hyacinths add accents amidst the brilliantly green grass and blue sea. Three days of rain followed by three days of sun with temperatures reaching 60 degrees enticed these colors onto the pallet of life around the island.

Driving around the southern tip of the island, note the new sign announcing the location of the Southport library. The library trustees and the library aids shared the cost of this project. If you are returning to open a cottage or to start the summer season, remember you do need to rest from your labors, so stop in to borrow a book and to see the new ideas for our reading community. You can learn more about these ideas by attending the Southport Board of Appeals public hearing at the library, Thursday, May 16 at 5:30 p.m. when the Board of Appeals will consider the library trustees' request for a reduction in the minimum side and front setback.

At the moment, to park at the Island Store you must drive to the back parking lot because the front parking area has just been blacktopped. You can walk on the newly blacktopped, roped off area, but as of today, Tuesday, you can not yet drive on it. The smooth surface and less dust are welcome improvements. Thanks, Sarah and Doug.

The Gray Homestead on the ocean opened May first with camping sites and kayak rentals available. If camping is a bit too rustic for your taste, you can rent a cottage or an apartment. Suzanne and Steve Gray are completing a new, roomy, two bedroom apartment on the second floor of the Homestead with kitchen, living room, and master bedroom views of the ocean. Even today with temperatures in the 50s and overcast sky, the wind in the pines, and sound and smell of the sea made the campground area a temping scene. Call (207) 633-4612 if you want more information.

As well as the emerging flowers, physical improvements, and tanned familiar faces, license plates tell the story of the summer season's approach. Ready or not, here it comes.