Patriots’ Day has come and gone. That means Island water will be on soon and Islanders will make their way back for work parties and reunions. Can’t wait!

This is a bit of “old news” that has been incubating while I waited for column fodder: Jan Welty sent this: “Jim and I are fine, doing our usual stuff. We just returned from Portland, Ore., where we attended Jim's brother Ron's committal service. He passed away last month in Corvallis, Ore., where he had been a professor at Oregon State University for many years. His two children and one granddaughter live in Portland and Jim and I flew out with Russ. Bruce joined us out there. The service was a military one at military cemetery in Portland, located in a beautiful spot.

“It was nice to be in Portland where it was spring! Trees were leafed out, grass was green and it was lovely. (We're still grey around here although Pikes Peak is snow covered and lovely.) We've had a nice winter, some snow (lots is the mountains) and perhaps the drought has eased a bit. We've really felt for all of you and the Midwesterners, too, with the extreme cold and snow.

“News from our family. Asa is living in Boston and working there. Ian is getting ready to go to Melbourne, Australia for his semester abroad in June. And Nikki is making up her mind soon about college for next year.

“We're looking forward to summer at the island and plan to arrive in late June. I do think Linda will help us drive out as she has for the last two years. Best to everybody and belated birthday greetings to Edgar!”

Patsy Mackenzie offered this update: “Azzie's new show on Fox Sports 1 is called "America's PreGame" at 6 p.m. EST every day. It reports on the games that will be seen that night; baseball, soccer, NASCAR, hockey, tennis, etc. They premiered in time to cover the March Madness NCAA finals. So far, it has been on a week, and has gotten nice notices. Cade is in karate and has earned several belts, and his T-ball team (the Scrappers) is being coached by Azzie. Drake is breaking hearts in his pre-school class, and Michelle and Patsy are dancin' fools.

“Andy will be shooting a 2-episode story on NCIS: LA which will be the two-part season closer. He filmed a Disney show called "Kickin' It," where he played a 400-year old pirate. It is on the Disney XD channel (don't know what number) on April 14 at 8 p.m. Farrah will be shooting a cable show on the IFC network called Comedy Bang Bang, comprised of several skits. Don't know if anyone has seen Andy's Facebook page, but you can see Farrah there as a redhead! It was her request, and she's really rockin' it!

“Meanwhile, we're so excited to see our 'new' old house on the island, going back in time to its original architecture. Happy Easter to everyone!”

This past weekend, Scott and I, along with Micaela, Max and his friend Dylan, went to the Cottage of Joy to turn the water on there. Amanda joined us after working Saturday at the Boothbay Animal Hospital and made delicious chicken pot pie. (Deb had to work.) Other chores included putting some furniture together, dusting, and finding Easter eggs. The Easter Bunny found us there. We did think it a bit ironic, however, to watch Disney’s “Frozen” during the “birth of spring.” There were, however, a few signs of spring in the gardens at the lake.