It’s surely a sign of spring when it’s time for the fish ladder bean supper! And, this year the event coincides with the first day of spring—an especially wonderful date for those of us who’ve been here through this long, cold, snowy winter.

There will be flowers on the tables, great food, and the company of neighbors and friends! Supper includes several varieties of baked beans, ham and hot dogs, mac and cheese, coleslaw, homemade rolls and biscuits, and homemade desserts. All for only $8. (donations accepted also). As usual, the bean supper will be held in the dining room at St. Patrick’s Church, 380 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle from 5:15 to 7 p.m.

With spring on the way, it’s almost time for the alewives to arrive. We had a wonderful run last year, with more than a million fish passing through the new fish ladder pools to spawn in Damariscotta Lake. That’s a record – we’ve been counting since 1987 and, before the restoration, the maximum number of fish passed was 286,360 with most years many fewer than that. It’s exciting to see so many fish passing through the ladder now and to know that we did it.

We aren’t done yet, however. We still need to complete some capping on the new concrete pool walls and it’s time to re-build the walkway between the fish house and the harvesting equipment. The current walkway, built in the 1950s, is undermined and in danger of collapsing. Re-building the walkway will require a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and some careful work in the tidal zone.

So please help us continue this amazing project and visit with neighbors and friends by attending the bean supper this Saturday, March 21. And, at the end of May please watch for the annual Fish Ladder Restoration Festival, which will again be held on Memorial Day weekend when alewives are sure to be running. We will keep the fish updates on www.damariscottamills.org.

Tax deductible donations to help restore the fish ladder and viewing area can be made to the Fish Ladder Restoration Fund, Town of Nobleboro, 192 U.S. Highway 1, Nobleboro, ME, 04555 or to the Nobleboro Historical Society, P.O. Box 122, Nobleboro, ME or online at www.damariscottamills.org  For further information, please call Fish Ladder Restoration Chairperson Deb Wilson at 380-6997 or email Deb (deb.wilson@roadrunner.com) or Russ Williams (rwilliams343@gmail.com).