We're off on a brand new year! Hold on tight as we toboggan together down the twisty, bumpy trail ahead of us.

Meanwhile, what news, what news? Teens To Trails is once again partnering with the Chewonki Foundation with scholarships for a 3-week wilderness trip come summer. This opportunity is limited to Wiscasset teenagers, but if any of them are reading this column, the application deadline is January 17, and the website is www.teenstotrails.org. Donations can also be made via that website.

Chewonki is also getting into surfboarding, partnering with Grain Surfboards of Yarmouth. Teens 16 to 18 will learn how to build their own surfboards, and then go to the "warm, inviting waters of Nova Scotia" for a week to test them out. Call Chewonki, 207-882-7323, to find out more.

I am not going to waste time on resolutions, which I break as soon as I've made them. But here are some interesting possible things to do during 2014: The Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association is rolling out a splendid opportunity to be a citizen scientist, with speakers on the subject scheduled during the winter and spring. Come and learn how to collect and record valuable data to help professional scientists who are studying the changes of weather and the environment.

Vernal pool watching, bird nesting behavior, all kinds of natural history offer rich lodes of information. You can check the SVCA website, www.sheepscot.org, call them at 207-586-5616, and yes, they are on Facebook, www.facebook.com/sheepscot. The first talk in this year's series will be Wednesday, Jan. 8. 6:30 p.m., by members of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Citizen Science Projects, on how to participate in Project Feeder Watch, e-bird, and the Great Backyard Bird Count. Saturday, Jan. 18, there will be a field trip to watch feeder birds (preregistration required, limited to 15 participants). Call the SVCA office, 207-586-5616, for more data.

If you have determined 2014 is the year to acquire a pet, the cats and dogs at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter are waiting for you! Call 207-882-9677, or go on over to Atlantic Highway (a former length of Route 1, now a sweeping back road connecting at both ends to the present Route 1, shortly before you get to Sherman Marsh, heading north, or shortly after, if you are southbound). And if you want to volunteer, or donate pet food or toys or other necessary supplies, you will be greeted with glad cries from the humans as well as the animals!

Daughter Daphne called the morning of December 27. They were just on their way from Connecticut. A half-hour later our power went out. Dreading the possibility of an unknown number of days without warmth or water, we called her back, "Don't come!" So she turned around and went back home to Northford. And then, of course, a half hour later, the lights came on again. We agonized briefly, but agreed best not to upset the family further. It'll be lonely, but hey! We can always telephone, or Facebook if I can figure out how. We even have Skype capability, perhaps we can be coached from afar on how to get it going.

Putting away the vacuum cleaner and finding a good book at 234 River Road, 207-633-2978 and jocam@tidewater.net.