The first good thing about February was it was no longer January. And the first good thing about March was February was over. Winter's latter half has been unpleasantly windy and often miserably wet, although, thankfully, not too full of snow. It also has been budget season for the schools and towns, which, for us, sometimes means just keeping up with the workshops and proposals and, for me, it also meant bypassing the February installment of 2026's six good things in or around Wiscasset. Here's a February-March combo, but I'm sticking with six because I don't have time for 12.

In fact, I'm counting the aforementioned ends of January and February as the first two good things about February and March. Dispute if you choose, but please send substitute "good things" to propose for those two. 

I was thrilled to get to talk with Boothbay's Ed Harmon and Wiscasset icon Allen "Big Al" Cohen about something completely different, a potential trade school and more in Wiscasset for veterans.

That potential project has figurative hills to climb, as most any big project can; but it has a lot of confidence and motivation behind it, and the records of success those involved have for getting things done; so here is hoping it happens, whether as so far eyed, or whatever end shape it takes. 

Another good thing this late winter stretch is something that happens every time Wiscasset selectmen meet, all year, and, in case I've never lauded it here before, it occurs to do so now: When the board is about to stand for the pledge, Chair Sarah Whitfield looks out to the audience and asks people to stand if they're able. Those three words, four syllables, show the town's inclusiveness and consideration, that if someone can't rise for the pledge or can't easily rise for it, that is OK, too. Of course, everyone knows you don't have to rise if that's an issue, but just to acknowledge it as Whitfield does is a positive, thoughtful thing.

Next up is a fundraising surprise: For a couple of weeks, Gretchen Burleigh-Johnson of Wiscasset Feed Our Scholars/Set for Success had sent us press releases about a basket-weaving event with Maré LeMay, to benefit those two causes. The releases mentioned, if there was enough interest, a second workshop would be added for the same day. After running those releases, we received the next one from Johnson and, would you believe, the second workshop was a go and, even better for the causes, both workshops had all slots filled and people could join a waiting list. Well done, all involved, including those who signed up, thereby helping those causes which help children. 

Number six is an amalgam: Wiscasset's progress on some big-deal items, including what to do with, or allow to be done with, the town's land opposite the former nuclear power plant and with remaining town property near Mason Station. The selectboard picked two of its members to help staff draft the process for requesting and evaluating proposals; also, the town received key reports assessing the needs of, and advising the town on, the municipal building's departments, Wiscasset Community Center and the waterfront.

Week's positive parting thought: See you in April with the next six or, with election season and more nearing, maybe another combo for April and May. In the meantime, have a good, safe spring. It's finally here!