THE YEAR HAS gone round and the light has come back. Some residents have reported feeling discombobulated by the changes in light at the beginning and ending of a day when there is still snow on the ground. They were not, however, complaining.

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Overheard on the Common, one man to another: “The wife and I are going to a B&B for the weekend. Break the cabin fever.”

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There was an impressive convergence of contractors: thirteen pickups and two vans were parked on the north side of the green. On Main Street, the hearse returned from an errand. Near the Guest House, the brothers Laird were waiting to cross to the Common, Francis driving his power chair and Robert driving his scooter. Francis wore his black cowboy hat and sunglasses but Robert, the American flag flying from his chair, was letting the sun shine in to his eyes. On North Main Street, Rocket J’s van sat in the parking lot awaiting the supper crowd. Near the bottle redemption, a gentleman on a bicycle was stopped for traffic. At first glance, one might think he had balloons on the handlebars but there were actually white plastic bags bulging with cans and bottles.

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To follow-up on the progress at the empty storefront between the barber shop and the pizza shop, passerby can now see that ceiling lights with fans have been installed. The construction permit in the window allows “rehabilitation”.

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Maple syrup reports received from friends and readers:

One woman said that while hiking Mt. Philo she smelled something so sweet that it caused her to leave trail and bushwhack through the woods to locate the wonderful aroma. It was sap dripping into metal pail and warmed by the sun. She said it tasted like the elixir of life.

One person told about a friend who was invited to a sugar on snow party where she was served maple syrup, donuts and pickles. Afterward, she wanted to know: “Who thought up that menu?”.

Then there was the owner of a sugarhouse who served guests a hot cup of half-boiled sap with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a ration of vodka. The person who provided this report said, “It was wonderful. You just stood there with your boots in the snow and not mind a bit.”

Raised doughnuts, specially ordered from the super market cost sixty-nine cents each. All things considered, serving sugar on snow is expensive.

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Do not bother going to see Alice in Wonderland, the movie, if you are under age 15 or over age 40. Before age 15, we fear it would be to frightening and over age 40 too ridiculous. The industry rated the film PG because it shows a caterpillar smoking an opium pipe. Actor Johnnie Depp is intriguing to watch, the scenery and costumes are wonderful but the movie is chaotic, so many heads are chopped off it’s stupid, and the music is so loud it may cause hearing loss.

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