Having lived in the Boothbay region most of my life and been at the forefront of knowing what has transpired as the editor of this newspaper for over three decades, I am still amazed at the amount of volunteerism that goes on to help nonprofits function.

I have experienced the joy that comes with being a volunteer as a former active Rotarian and youth sports coach. Helping others, whether it is through teaching/coaching, raising money for those in need, helping with community projects, or just lending your expertise and experience to an organization's focus, is what's important.

April is National Volunteer Month and April 18-24 is National Volunteer Week. Area organizations will be thanking their volunteers with advertising in next week's issue. I want to thank every volunteer – whether it's at the YMCA, schools, Boothbay Civic Association, Boothbay Region Garden Club, Garden Club of Wiscasset, libraries, churches, food pantries, those who plan and carry out area events, Lions and Rotary clubs, Boy and Girl Scouts, West Harbor Pond Watershed Association, Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund, Boothbay Region Land Trust ... I am ending here because there are too many to mention. If you volunteer anywhere, whether it's with an organization or just helping your neighbor, you are helping someone and hopefully you feel good about it.

If you have the time to volunteer, give it a try. Check with the above organizations or find one that you think you might be interested in helping. Like the saying goes, "many hands make light work."

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I lost again. My wife defeated me on our 2021 NCAA men's basketball bracket predictions. She edged me by one – I had Illinois going to the Final Four and she had Baylor. Both of us had Gonzaga to win it all but the Bears trounced the Bulldogs to take the title. Neither of us did very well overall on the bracket, with both of us finishing just under 50% correct. But it was a lot of fun watching this year's games and upsets.