There is light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel with the available vaccines, but what we don't know is the length of the tunnel and whether the variants or other factors will slow the process of reaching the light. But the news is encouraging -- case numbers have dropped since the January spike, the death rate has slowed, vaccine manufacturers are working day and night, and new mass vaccination sites are popping up weekly. It is one thing to think positively about reaching the light, but to keep the proverbial "train on the tracks," we are advised to continue wearing masks, avoid closed spaces, wash your hands. And get vaccinated. The light will get brighter if we all continue to do the right thing, according to the health community.

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I have received several positive comments from last week's column on questioning the rebuilding of the schools. Questions and comments that have been passed on to me: what are the main reasons for such plans and expense; could the money (less money) be better spent in a curriculum change; perhaps we need a region-wide discussion about where this region's focus is; and providing more things to do for families besides a new school. Thanks for your support and ideas. We certainly need to get a handle where this region is headed and hold more public conversations on this plan.

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Friday was a great day to get outside and witness the changing of the seasons. People and dogs were walking on both sides of the roads at Ocean Point — avoiding the puddles from the melting snow and ice, rather than the ones created by the surf crashing ashore. Four days later (Tuesday), however, Old Man Winter let us know that he is still around with single digit temperatures and mighty wind gusts. Spring is coming — we'll just have to endure the March lion for a bit.