Happy winter! Since it has finally been acting like winter, we can relax and be assured we are still in Maine! Some folks needed that reassurance with the goofy warm temps, and have been comforted with the recent cold snap, but are also thrilled to not have paralyzing ice storms, power outages, or five feet of snow…so far. Those of you having rural mail delivery are reminded to be sure the way is clear for access to the mailbox.

The "Frost Heave" report for the island is generated by my drive around the perimeter as fast as the speed law allows, waiting for those `denture rattlers' that occur when the heaves are in full bloom. As of earlier this week, there were no major heaves, but the frequent bumps may hold promise of bigger things to come. The area before Cozy Harbor Road, Christmas Cove Road, and Moore's Point are looking very suspicious at this writing.

Speaking of bumps, the bridge is now as smooth on the island side as on the Boothbay side. Bridge tender Jeff Keyes reports a collective effort by a Massachusetts company, a Maine company and the DOT that resulted in a new hydraulic pump installation. This new pump drives home the bridge wedges so there is a more even closure - without the bump. Asked how the boat traffic is this winter, Jeff stated in a month's time, probably 50 boats come through, and none of them at night (unless it is the Coast Guard). Demand opening will continue to be in effect until April when the daytime-scheduled openings will resume.

Another bridge tender, Dwight Lewis, is having tests at Maine Medical Center and hopes to be home by the end of this week. We wish Dwight a speedy return to good health.

It was fun seeing Kathy and Bill Messmer here for a winter working vacation on their house on Cozy Harbor Road. They began their visit warming up with the Library's Souper Lunch, and concluded with a nostalgic Midwestern meal of fried cornmeal mush at the Possible House. Anyone not familiar with this delectable feast is welcome to call me for the recipe.

A belated welcome to Henry and Judy Hurford's granddaughter, Hannah, who was born December 31. Nothing warms a taxman's heart like a timely deduction! Proud parents are daughter Heather and her husband Michael Hills.

Returning from California after working in the Southport Store this summer, is Janet's niece, Valerie Walker. Though she will fill in at the store again this summer, she was called back primarily to work at the newly opened Russell House. She is living at Grandma Grace Tellefsen's and adjusting slowly to the climate challenges.

Making steady progress at St. Andrews, Gus (Earl) Pratt was pleased to report that he had been served a crab roll recently. Being the king-of-all-crab-pickers, and a very particular connoiseur of crab rolls, Gus gave the St. Andrews kitchen staff a great rating on his meal, and is looking forward to the lobster stew that is served weekly. Son Wayne visited this past weekend and lifted Gus's spirits greatly. We hope Gus is back home soon making his own wonderful stews.

The library now has three copies of "An Inconvenient Truth," a documentary by Al Gore about global warming. The video has recently been nominated for an Academy Award and promises to be thought-provoking.

Also at the library on Tuesday, February 6, is a presentation by Jack Sprucinski. Jack will talk about ``The Future of Energy," drawing from his years of work in the nuclear industry. There is always hot coffee and often a sweet treat to entice islanders out of their burrows to greet this speaker and hear more on this important subject.

Our school's attendance has not been affected too greatly by the flu that is going around. Classrooms were working quietly when I visited, and have been staying inside during recesses on the colder days. Upper grades are working on inventions to be shown on February 5. K through 3rd grades are listening to five books selected by the National Principal's Association, and will be voting along with many other schools for their favorite book. The ``Good Manners" award was given to Madison Gaudette this week, and the Artist of the Week was Willow Beavis. How nice to know when special efforts are recognized!

Garden Tip of the Month: How could I end a column without sharing found wisdom to help us all garden with less stress? The advice for those concerned with the spring flowers that have gotten too early a jump out of the ground is: RELAX! Most of the three or four shoots above ground have yet to produce the bud that will result in our coveted flowers. As long as that bud doesn't emerge from the ground, there will be blooms aplenty this spring. There is no need to mulch, fuss or fret, just sit back and be thankful you planted those bulbs in the fall and be prepared to enjoy, ``come spring." (By the way, if you have not read Ben Ames Williams' book about the early settlement of Union, Maine, it is in the library and is a wonderful winter read. You may feel like turning up your furnace however, as the writing is very graphic about the rigors of Maine winters!)