The weather report: very windy, very wet from pouring rain, most of the snow gone, and the temperature on last Monday morning a chilly 24 degrees at 8 a.m. I found out that even a short trip to Florida (one week for me) thins the blood and reduces the tolerance to the cold winter breezes.

The sea has been rough and there is seaweed all over the shore roads. However, it appears that little to no damage has been done to the homes here. Our town roads are very hazardous from all the frost heaves and potholes. The lesser roads and driveways have been washed out and rearranged into drainage patterns that head toward lower land.

Jim Boyd alerted us recently that a fox was scratching on our back door. He probably is from one of the hand-fed litters that cannot survive in snow-covered conditions. Hand feeding most wildlife is a delightful experience but impairs them to exist in the wild winter weather. Native birds and the migratory robins and waxwings that misjudge spring arrival time, do need assistance and thrive on human care. We have observed downy and hairy woodpeckers gaily swinging on suet filled bags hanging in our friend's yard, while seeds and fruit were being consumed at a fast pace from the feeding stations.

There was a tragic head-on collision that killed three local residents near Shore Hills Campground on Wednesday, March 5 in the early evening. (See the details elsewhere in this edition of the Register.) In this small close-knit community, the sadness and impact touched almost everyone with deep shock and grief. Many of us, not knowing what had happened, were rerouted home via Back Narrows Road. The next morning, the news brought the grave realization how important it is to celebrate our friends and family each day.

Dave Dudley will be heading for Boston for surgery soon, and we send caring thoughts with him for a successful outcome. The Peter Klein family participated in the Myrtle Beach Marathon and Half Marathon on February 16th. In the Half Marathon, Beth ran it in two hours and Barb ran for her fourth year in three hours and five minutes. Peter ran the full Marathon in three hours 38 minutes. Jessica, their younger daughter, was a terrific team support member and may run next year. They ran for Team TSA and brought in $1,000 in pledges to help fund a research and education program for the National Tourette Syndrome Association, in which they have a special interest.

The "Point-of-View" cottage at Ocean Point was built around 1900 by E.E. Newbert, our great-grandfather and Anna's father-in-law. Anna's beloved home for ever-so-many years is now featured in the magazine, Coastal Living, March 2008 edition, with strikingly beautiful photos and graphic descriptions.

Her niece and nephews have refreshed the cottage's rental charm without losing the atmosphere that endeared so many guests to consider it their favorite summer spot. The article and cover page photo can also be accessed online at: www.coastalliving.com .

East Boothbay General Store hours for March: weekdays 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday 7 a.m. to noon, Sundays closed.

I can be reached at: (207) 633-3669 or e-mail: waldman1@road runner.com . More OP information available at: http://oceanpointcolo nytrust.org/ and http://www.brfrbo. com .