For those of you without e-mail, I received this from our clerk, Deb Pierce. "I would like to thank all the island people who have called, and sent me cards during my recent operation and hospital stay. Also Dick Morrell and Dave and Muffie lifted my spirits by stopping in to see me." That was signed by our super Mike Thompson. He continued, "It's nice to know that we have such a caring family on the Isle of Springs. I'm doing well and have started walking two miles a day. It will take me two more months, but I will recover fully and with cardiac rehab plan in place, I don't plan to go through this again. I look forward to seeing you all this summer.

As it happened all did not go smoothly, as I learned from one of Mike's Rotary buddies. It seems that there was a problem with one of Mike's bypasses, and he ended up back at Maine Med for correction of that, but was at the Rotary meeting after the unscheduled visit to the hospital, looking hale and hearty and in great spirits. We couldn't ask for more, for both he and Lynn.

Another of our islanders has had a health run-in. At New Year's Joy Sturgis Foster had a debilitating stroke. She was taken care of at a hospital and then moved to a rehab center. In time she was able to be released into daughter Deb Widbiller's care at her home in Wiscasset. Susan Bean, another daughter, as you all know lives close by here in Boothbay and is able to relieve Deb, who has taken family leave from her job, until Joy can go back to her own home. Joy is recovering well, and is talking about being on the island for Memorial day, so she is working hard at her rehab. If you would like to send her a card, Deb's address is 12 Cricket Lane, Wiscasset, ME 04578. As though taking care of her mom wasn't enough, Deb broke her right arm, near the elbow, on December 19 th . She was just beginning to handle that when Joy become ill. During the February school break, Susan and Scott Bean were able to enjoy a week at an island off the Venezuelan coast, Vieques. Their friends the Crawfords, frequent island visitors, were able to enjoy the lovely warm Caribbean with them. P.S. I only learned of Deb's accident yesterday.

One of our island artists has been featured recently in two stories in the Boston Globe, February 7 and March 6, about Rachel Welty. These were sent to me by Joan MacGilvra and will go in the island album. Our bread tags made into the bowl is pictured, plus an aluminum foil sign called, "Shopping Experience."