The second month of the year is not always kind. Local readers might remember the February storm of 1978, which was preceded by a big January storm. The coastline took a pounding with high winds, higher than normal tides and snow. And even more destruction than the January storm, according to our records (the Register published a special edition of the two storms featuring stunning photos of the damage).

I would like to think that the next four weeks will be calmer, due to the daytime temperatures being in the 30s and 40s recently, but it is wishful thinking. The storms we received in January weren’t as bad as in 1978 but the snowbanks are still frozen and there’s ice everywhere under that snow.

And … this Saturday, we are going to be in a deep freeze with daytime high temperatures expected to be in the single digits with strong winds – that means a minus wind chill factor. Bundle up and stay safe.

February has also been cruel to our local basketball teams during the school vacation week basketball tournament in Augusta. The sharpest sting was delivered in 2000. That year, the Boothbay Region High School boys’ team was perhaps the deepest team in regards to talent and was 21-0. Yes, the state championship loss to Penquis occurred in March but it still hurt after the region was sky high in February. A close second in the heartache category was the stunning loss to Sacopee Valley in the opening round of the 1997 tournament. Boothbay was seeded No. 1 at 18-0 and Sacopee was seeded eighth. Final score was 56-54. Other teams, namely Winthrop, Wiscasset, Falmouth and Old Orchard Beach, delivered February punches as well in the tournament over the years.

The only thing about February that I like is that it is the shortest month of the year. But remember, it can be the cruelest!