This week's headline is not referring to this spring's zigzagging temperatures, although it could be. No, this is a combo editorial: The May installment of our yearlong, monthly five good things that happened in or near Wiscasset; plus, something not good which has continued to plague the town government.

Good news first, or bad? Bad, because it is important, and because I'd rather end this week's column on an up note. 

So, as we have mentioned here before, sometimes people are rude to the town office staff; that is no more OK than it is at the grocery store, a drive-up window, etc. People are doing their jobs and rare is the employee anywhere who comes to work thinking, they can't wait to give someone poor service.

Telling about a recent incident, Town Manager Dennis Simmons wrote in his manager's report ahead of selectmen's May 20 meeting, "Unfortunately, there continues to be an increase in incidents of verbal abuse directed at staff, including a recent situation where an individual pounded their fists on the counter in anger. This outburst frightened members of the town office staff and occurred in the presence of other members of the public, creating an unnecessarily hostile and uncomfortable environment for everyone."

Why is anyone rude to someone who is waiting on them? Maybe they are having a crummy morning, or are dealing with something serious like an illness or a loved one's; and (hypothetically) hearing they need to come back with some paper they didn't bring to do their town business, they, wrongly, let the spite out.

Or maybe they are not a finalist for nice person of the year, to begin with.

Maybe they can work on that, if they will.

Regardless: If you come in to the Wiscasset town office or any other one, please bring your A game of politeness. It serves no one, including you, to do otherwise. Simmons' report advised, "Such behavior will not be tolerated. Individuals who engage in threatening or abusive conduct will be asked to leave the premises and the police department will be notified."

Onto the good stuff. These five good things are really good.

First, can you say Harvey Gamage? Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Andersson announced May 13, the well-known, South Bristol-built educational schooner will have an open house in Wiscasset harbor June 22. The event comes as a relationship is being forged between the vessel's principals and the school department, according to the discussion and an interview with Andersson.

May 17, Wiscasset celebrated Scout Hall's makeover; American Legion Post 54 on Monday got outstanding weather for its Memorial Day observance at the veterans' wall; Wiscasset Newspaper readers learned how, last November, a Woolwich man's granddaughters and another young person helped save the man's life; and Wormfest was on its way for May 31 after its highly popular debut in 2024.

Week's completely unrelated positive parting thought: A tick you find in time is one that does not get to make you or your pet sick.