Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were merry and bright. We had many family obligations in December, as I’m sure you did, and as wonderful as they were I am happy to leave the hustle and bustle of the season behind. My thoughts now turn to spring and counting the days until our return to Ocean Point.

Thank you for all of your cards and well wishes of the season; we appreciate your thoughtfulness. I must say I do love the cards with your beautiful family pictures although it does remind me of how quickly time passes!

We were fortunate to return to Boothbay in December for our annual Christmas shopping that has become a yearly tradition. I recall not so long ago we would spend a weekend before the holiday and often wondered why there were so few decorations and how quiet the town appeared. Fortunately all that has changed with the addition of the Gardens a Glow, Harbor Lights, the Gingerbread Festival, the Christmas Tree Festival and several holiday concerts.

We are now able to enjoy all of the festivities that Boothbay has to offer, lights decorations and activities. I highly recommend a trip to the region in December if you have not had the opportunity to do so; it’s well worth the trip.

No trip is complete unless you happen upon an Ocean Point neighbor sometime during the weekend; it was wonderful to chat with our neighbor Brent, Jean and John Webster, Chris and Betsy Betts, Coco Webber and Kippy. Congratulations to Kippy and Chris Kipp on the recent birth of their granddaughter, Mabel.

Congratulations to Lanny and Leslie Whitehouse who now make Boothbay their new home.

Of course a trip to Ocean Point had to include witnessing first hand the progress being made on our new Casino. I am pleased to report that it is progressing quite quickly; the framing of the building is under construction and the roof, I am told, will be in place soon preparing for the inside work to begin.

Congratulations to Peter and Patty Gardiner on the progress of their new home that is also under construction. It is going to be absolutely beautiful when completed; their project appears to be ready for inside work.

The annual Penguin Plunge took place in Linekin Bay on January 1st and I understand there were 40 or so brave souls who dove into the 40-degree water! Ocean Pointer Andy Hamblett was one of those brave participants; I’m sure there were others from the Point as well. I spotted Andy as I scrolled through the many pictures of the event. Congratulations to all!

I wish you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year ahead. Have a great week!