A new door is ready to welcome everyone to the BICA Hall (24 West Side Road). Thanks to Mark and Bill for this much needed improvement. You can try the door out at the May potluck which will take place May 20 at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring a main dish, salad, side dish, or dessert to share. Coffee and water will be available, and guests are welcome to bring their preferred beverages. All are welcome. 

Following dinner there will be a few spirited rounds of Bingo with Paul and Louise. It will also be the kickoff of the annual Lobster Raffle. Ticket prices are the same as last year, $1 per ticket or $5 gets you six tickets. Thanks for Laura and Bucky for taking this on again this year. 

Barters Island has many cooks who deserve James Beard awards, and they were on fire for the April potluck, providing clam chowder, white bean with spinach, cabbage, minestrone, split pea, and chicken with wild rice soups. There were also plenty of salads, homemade rolls, and an outstanding selection of desserts to round out the feast. And the fun pansy centerpieces made you think that winter might finally be done.Thanks to all who contributed to a fun evening, with special thanks to our hosts, Wendy, Kim and Allyson.   

And the hats: the parade of Easter hats was a hoot. Clark took home the award for Best. Joan was Cutest, Judy was Most Adventurous, and Frosty was Funniest. Ann and Evelyn provided great competition with their headwear. Brian, Sallie, and Sandy had the difficultjob of judging. Well done, everybody.  

Frosty reported on food pantry activities. The Barters Island food pantry is on hold until fall. Five new families have been signed up, and the pantry has proved to be a real convenience for them. Thanks again to Suzanne, Les, Frosty, and Ann for taking on this effort.  

This year the Better Than a Yard Sale will be held July 11. Suzanne has provided a list of needs as follows: glassware, dinnerware, wooden furniture that can be easily moved, holiday items, linens, small working appliances but no electronics, cookbooks, books of Maine, New England or local interest, puzzles, games, vintage, housewares, antiques, artwork, jewelry, lawn and garden items, plants, and baked goods. Keep a lookout for more information coming as far asduty assignments and scheduling work dates.  

With spring comes spring cleaning. We wrapped up the third annual Island and BICA Hall cleanup on Saturday, May 2.It was not a pretty spring day but lots of trash was picked up none the less.A big thank-you to everyone who participated. Volunteers picked up litter on the island, cleaned up a large stretch of Barters Island Road, and helped make a noticeable difference. Mel oversaw outdoor cleanup at BICA Hall, so everything is looking great. And a shout-out to Liza for setting up the hall for pizza and to Sandy and Rob Wheeler in absentia for providing pizza for all the hard workers.  

Volunteers are needed to host the monthly potlucks which are held on the third Wednesday of each month. Hosting includes setting up tables, arranging the food, and helping with cleanup. Most volunteers finish by 8:00 p.m., and training is available. If you’re interested in hosting or would like more information, please contact Louise at pandlcowan@hotmail.com. Please note:potlucks cannot take place without hosts.  

To join the BICA email list, contact Judy at judyb1625@gmail.com. Questions about BICA, or offers to help with upcoming events, may be directed to Bill at wfbutterfield@roadrunner.com.