We have some great news and that is that the Barters Island Community Association will be hosting the first potluck of 2023 at the BICA hall at 24 West Side Road on Barters Island on Wednesday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. The hosts would like you to bring either a main dish, a side, a salad or a dessert to share. You may bring you own appetizers for this gathering, but no sharing would be appreciated. You should also bring your beverage of choice and BICA will have coffee and water available.

The hospitality committee is working on some special events for future potlucks. And there is always a need for folks to help host. If you might be interested, you can always come to observe to see how it works and what’s involved. Let Evelyn know of your availability and/or interest.

There is also some not so good news and that is that the BICA hall is in need of a new roof. Many thanks to the folks you have already made donations to the “roof fund.” But more money will be needed so, as in the past few years, the yard sale will be the really big fundraiser to help cover this expense as well as the other usual hall expenses, such as heat, insurance and general maintenance.

The famous Barters Island plant and yard sale will now be described as Better Than A Yard Sale. It will include the usual yard sale but a plant and garden center area, a flea market, and a home-made pastry shoppe will be added. And there will be at least one lobster raffle. All this is scheduled for July 1 with drop off of goods at the Hall beginning June 22.

We already have some special needs for the sale and are asking for plant pots, cookbooks and gardening books. We are also asking for wine donations that can be used to create theme “items.”. Maybe bring two bottles to the potluck, leaving one.

In order to pull this off we will need folks to save their goodies so that we have an eclectic mix of items (think spring cleaning) for sale. Folks can also begin to think what baked goodies they might make, maybe making some ahead and freezing them. In addition to NOT taking clothes or large pieces of furniture for the sale we will not be taking books other than the gardening and cookbooks previously mentioned. We will need many helpers before and during the sale. If you have items that need to be donated now or if you would like to help with the sale let Evelyn know.

On April 30 there will be a Barters Island cleanup. This is a new event so we need lots of volunteers to make this an easy, fun community event. It will take place in the afternoon and require an hour and a half to two hours of one’s time. There will a pizza reward. Details are being finalized but if you can help on that day let Paul know at pcowan@roadrunner.com.

Don’t forget about the books at the hall that are available for your taking. The hall windowsills hold lots of good reading materials that have been left for the enjoyment by others. Help yourself.

The BICA community helps folks, especially when things get a little difficult. There might be folks that could use extra help but don’t ask. Please contact Evelyn (207-380-6977 or evelynshahan@gmail.com) if you know of a friend, neighbor or someone on the island who needs a little assistance or if you have any questions about anything.