Baby, it's cold outside!! But on January 16 about 30 Barters Islanders braved the freezing temperatures and came to the Community Center to wish their friends and neighbors a happy New Year and to enjoy a great potluck supper. Our Trevett chefs keep surprising us with their array of entrees, salads and homemade desserts. One thing we've learned - "always come hungry" as there is never a shortage of delectable food. Thank you to Brenda Wood, Carol Saunders and Barb Zarpentine for hosting.

What better time to enjoy a hot bowl of homemade soup or chowder than during the month of February? Mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 20, at 6 p.m., to come join us for a soup supper. Soups and chowders will be provided so just bring a salad, bread, or dessert to share and come enjoy the friendship of your neighbors.

Easter is fast approaching, so the BICA is already planning a fun event for Wednesday, March 19, at 6 p.m. We will not only be having our usual potluck supper, but we will also hold a "Wild Easter Bonnet" contest. So make your main dish, salad, or dessert to share, "put on your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it," and come to the Community Center for some great food and lots of laughs. Prizes will be given for the wildest Easter bonnet. If you choose not to adorn yourself with a bonnet, you will still be welcome.

The BICA has been busy planning several other events; they will include a discussion on identity theft in April, an Italian night in May, a lobster bake in July, and a Luau in August. Watch the Boothbay Register in the What's Happening and the Trevett columns for dates and times for all events. If anyone would like to help host any of our social functions, please call Evelyn at 633-6977 or Maureen at 633-6614.

Once more, I would like to remind everyone about our Barters Island Cookbook. We still need lots of recipes. Please put your name and phone number on them and send them to Lorraine Hodgdon, P.O. Box 401, Trevett, ME 04571 by March 31. Also, if you would like to win a free cookbook, enter our "Name the Cookbook" contest. Place your contest entry in a separate envelope from your recipes and DON'T put your name on it. Send these also to Lorraine. The deadline for your contest entry is also March 31.