Let me begin with a correction to information in some of the newspapers, concerning the Edgecomb Town Meeting vs. the Open House of the new Edgecomb Eddy School, both scheduled for Saturday, May 17. This is not a "special town meeting," but the Real Thing, the Honest-to-Goodness Edgecomb Annual Town Meeting! Y'all come, hear?

Chat-n-Check, Gail Boudin's free monthly blood pressure screening clinic, continues to meet at the Edgecomb Town Hall. Tuesday, March 18, is the next one, but note that it will run from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. this time. Gail's hopes are high that by April it will be possible to resume Chats-n-Checks in the Congregational Church vestry.

The Edgecomb Historical Society is gearing up for its spring season. Come join the fun on Thursday, March 27, at my house, 234 River Road, East Edgecomb. We are going to sort through our collection of materials from past schools of Edgecomb (remember my Past Schools of Edgecomb obsession?), with an eye toward displaying them in the newest of all our schools! Call me at 633-2978 or Sophie Quinn at 882-9326 for details and/or directions.

We are sorry to learn of a car accident happening to Krysten Benton, on her way back from teaching Spanish (part of a Lincoln Academy foreign language program) in a Jefferson elementary school. Fortunately, she and her passenger are not injured. Krysten kept her head and was able to reach emergency assistance promptly. This accident occurred as wet rain was freezing on the road surface, a terribly dangerous combination.

On the more cheerful side, Krysten has received several college acceptances. Just now she is favoring Acadia College in Nova Scotia, for their Spanish language program. Since returning from a wonderful experience in Barcelona last month, Krysten likes the idea of the program's mandatory year in Spain, at a location, needless to say, near Barcelona!

I have fond memories of Barcelona myself, although there for only 8 hours. At the Castello on top of the hill overlooking the city, Bruce and I and our two little children took in a splendid exhibit of miniature soldiers, arranged in proper regimental order, representing armies from several periods of history. Then we came down to the Plaza to a nice restaurant, small, narrow and dim, with a menu in many languages. We were intrigued by an entree named "Polpos." The English translation for this was "Pulps." ???? So, nothing ventured, nothing gained, we ordered it. Tiny little silver-dollar-sized octopus swimming in a red paprika sauce over rice, perfectly heavenly! I recommend this dish to Ms. Benton when she has off-time to wander about Barcelona!

An opportunity for anyone wanting hands-on experience about our region! The Midcoast Stewards Program for 2003 is looking for 25 people who want to learn more about Midcoast Maine and get involved in the region. The program presents a 10-day course from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting April 22, ending May 22. Most classes will meet at the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, with field trips to such places as Kresge Point, the Morris Farm, and local aquaculture facilities. Participants will learn about the ecology, biology, and history of our land, waterways and coastline. The course is free, in terms of dollars, but a 30- hour volunteer service commitment is required, to complete the program. Participants may create a project of their own or collaborate with one of our local conservation, historical or community-based organizations. For details, contact Jessica Lincoln at jessica-lincoln@me.nacdnet.org or at 273-2005, ext. 105.

Hark! Do I hear the baying of the Hounds of Spring, finally on Winter's traces? Bulbs are beginning to spike up at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in The Boothbay Register, The Lincoln County News, The Wiscasset Newspaper, and at www.Edgecomb.org.