New construction and improvements are well underway in our beautiful town of Damariscotta. A new drainage system is underway on Bristol Road and granite curbing is being installed for our new sidewalks, which will greatly improve the safety of people who walk along Bristol Road. There has been a real need for the last 15 years for a good sidewalk on Bristol Road.

This column marks the beginning of a new contribution to The Lincoln County News – keeping the community informed about the work of a grassroots collaborative known as the Public Safety and Accessibility Collaborative. As co-chairs of the collaborative, we will write a monthly column during the weeks and months to come. There is much to share!

My name is Haley Jalbert. I grew up in Walpole, Maine, spending many days going to South Bristol to swim and fish with my parents and grandparents on the island. Throughout my teenage years, I traveled a lot. In my senior year of high school, I moved to Abu Dhabi because my father was working for a Germany company that built luxury yachts out of old, decommissioned battleships. Living in the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East was a significant change for me. During the eight months I was there, I made many friends from all over the world.

Greetings all! I hope everyone is doing well and taking care of yourselves and your neighbors. I hope your Easter celebrations brought you joy. It is hard being apart from our loved ones, but hopefully we will all be together again soon. Being healthy is the most important thing.

The second week of April has started and we both sit here in our dining room working on everyday items. We both have had a great deal of time to think and talk over the events of the past month. We have watched all the news on local TV and read our daily newspapers and have received many calls each day from our close friends near and far off.

Weird times to say the least, folks. I know the truckin’ business is suffering badly, as are most businesses. It has really sunk in how we Americans, as well as the rest of the world, have been focused on getting rich instead of getting ready.

Somewhere, far south of here, a male ruby-throated hummingbird is making its way to Maine. Weighing little more than a penny, this tiny bird has been traveling since it left its winter home in southern Mexico or Central America. It has already traversed the Gulf of Mexico, flying nonstop for 500 miles. Juvenile and female hummingbirds are following its path, albeit a week or so later.

MVLT Founders Preserve consists of 107 acres and has some of the hilliest terrain found in Lincoln County. Combined with the 320-acre Quarry Hill Preserve, owned by the Town of Waldoboro, it forms a wildlife corridor of more than 400 acres that supports an abundance of species with its diverse habitat.

“How many rolls did you get?” Ollie asked Opie as I entered the barn.

Snowstorms and even blizzards in early spring that make you stick close to the hearth, are not unknown in Maine. The current one, created by a rogue virus and constant alarming news updates, is different. There are no swirling white flakes. The roads and sidewalks are not in need of shoveling. It took a little longer to arrive in Maine, but suddenly our world has become conducive to staying close to the hearth.

In times of heightened stress, nature offers us a balm for our anxiety. Spending time outside is always restorative, but it seems especially critical now.