Happy spring! We all know the best way to survive winter is to keep a grateful attitude about it, and be thrilled for all of the skiers, snowmobilers, boarders and outdoor enthusiasts who embrace it. So, congratulations to all of them, because surely they had a stellar season and all of their prayers to Ullr, the Scandanivian god of snow, were answered.

I, however, spent the month of March obsessively scouring my seed catalogs, daydreaming about getting dirt under my fingernails and a suntan on the rest of me (well, most of it). A few years ago I was swimming in Highland Lake in early April, and while I don’t see that happening again, as soon as the ice is out I’m going to spend as much time as possible soaking up the sun, sailing, hiking and just generally kicking it lakeside. Until then, bring on the mud and the bugs, the blossoms and the birds…Spring has sprung!

Potholes A’Plenty

One of the parting gifts Old Man Winter left us are an impressive array of potholes, gullies and roadside washouts. It is always a challenge to head west on 302 to Fryeburg, but road conditions have never been worse on many of our major routes.

The Maine DOT is holding a regional public input meeting regarding all manner of transportation issues, and the public is encouraged to join the discussion. There will be two forums on April 1, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. in the downstairs conference room at the Bridgton Town Office. This is rare opportunity for you to talk directly to planners who will decide which statewide projects merit immediate attention, and a strong attendance will let them know how much safe, well-maintained roads mean to us. Come out and let your voice be heard! We are taxpayers and they are our roads. Let’s get them fixed. For more information, call Town Manager Bob Peabody at 647-8786.

Saddle Up

Sept. 14th seems far away, but the planning for the epic BikeMaine event rolling into town has been underway for months. The core committee has met for the past three months to discuss logistics, media outreach and the myriad minute details that will make the 400 cyclists’ overnight visit to Bridgton a highlight of their trek.

Now, it’s your turn. Community involvement is key to pulling this off, and we need dozens of enthusiastic, organized and dependable locals to step up and help out. This is a priceless opportunity to put our best face forward and show off the civic pride that sets Bridgton apart. This event will be a boon to both local businesses and residents, as the festivities on Depot Street and downtown will be free and open to the public. Please join us at our next meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6, at the Community Center. It’ll be a potluck; you don’t have to bring food to participate but feel free to. This is an awesome event and you will love being a part of it. See you there!

Inn-credible

Your romantic notion of owning a classic New England B&B could come true, if you can convince the owner of the Center Lovell Inn that you should be the next proprietor of the lovely property.

When Janice Sage announced her essay contest to the public, it was immediately picked up by national media outlets. Her goal of getting 7,500 essays was instantly in sight, especially because the entry fee is only $125. Sage will choose the most compelling 200-word submission and transfer ownership of the 210-year-old home to the winner. The deadline is May 17, which should give me (and you) plenty of time to come up with the winning entry. To read the rules and download the application go to www.wincenterlovellinn.wordpress.com.

Babysitters Training

Growing up in the suburbs of Nashville, I spent many summers babysitting. Even by 1980s standards, there was plenty of money to be made, particularly if you were available on short notice and did not get caught having friends over. In hindsight I probably was not the best or most attentive sitter out there, but I never took the BLAST Babysitting class, either.

The Bridgton Community Center will be offering the eight-hour course on Saturday, April 18, at 9 a.m. The class is geared toward 12- to 15-year-olds, and will teach them information on leadership, safe and responsible babysitting, basic care, safety, safe play, and basic first aid. The class fee will be $35, which covers the cost of the book and instruction. To register for this class, or for more information, please contact BCC at 647-3116. There is a maximum of 14 participants and the class fills up every year so call early to register. Attendees will receive a certificate at the end of the course, which could increase the hourly wage you charge, making the class fee well worth the money.

Big News

I love writing about “Big Night” because it is one of Mother Nature’s surest signs of spring. On a warm, wet night whose date is only known to them, millions of spotted salamanders, wood frogs, spring peepers, American toads, green frogs and other amphibians make their way to vernal pools, or fishless wetlands, where they breed. This explosion of amphibian arousal is awesome, and something your children will never forget.

These little lovers need our help crossing the man-made barriers that often separate them from the vernal pools they mate in. Big Night volunteers go out on local roads to help these intrepid travelers cross, as thousands of amphibians are killed every year when they make their way unaided to their wetland homes.

Join LEA for a Big Night Crossing Guard Training to learn about vernal pool species and to join the email watch list for the actual date of the Big Night. It is a fascinating natural phenomenon that once experienced will have you looking forward to those first warm spring rains every year.

Big Night training will be held at the Lakes Environmental building at Chase and Main on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. For more info call Mary Jewett at 647-8580.