even when we're not getting ready for the coming season. Businesses are opening, visitors are returning, there are signs of spring everywhere! 

Need a beautification project for your home or business? Try flowers. Today’s the last day to turn in your School Plant Sale order forms. The plant sale will be March 23rd at 8:00 am.

Tomorrow night you have to make the difficult decision about whether to go to Trivia Night at Gaffer’s (7pm) or the Ocracoke Civic and Business Meeting (also at 7pm) at the Community Center.

 On Thursday, the Saltwater Connections people will be on the island for the “Creating Sustainable Communities” workshop. This is the 5th workshop that Saltwater Connections has held on Ocracoke, and this one will focus on the Resource Team’s assessment of Ocracoke’s needs. It’s at NCCAT, from 2 – 4 pm.

Here’s an excerpt from their email: “North Carolina’s historic coastal communities are facing many challenges – politically, economically, environmentally and socially.  What can we do to achieve sustainability? We have many assets and cultural strength within the community – and we want to keep it that way.  By coming together and visioning our future we can adopt a plan that fits our needs and our vision.  The Creating Sustainable Communities Workshops are here to guide us through the process. 

We will look at the interdependent relationship between local economics, education, environment and community – all of which when planned well, result in sustainability.  The product of these workshops is an action plan.”

For more information, contact Robin Payne at Ocracoke Foundation.

Also, on Thursday, remember to Beware the Ides of March, and don’t be surprised if your best friend betrays you. (If you don't know that reference, ask 3rd grader Russell Stevens; he can tell you all about Julius Caesar.)

On Friday, remember to send supportive thoughts to the eight Ocracoke kids competing in the regional Battle of the Books in Moyock. After that competition, they’ll be hightailing it back to Hatteras for an Ocracoke Dolphins vs. Hatteras Hurricanes baseball game! (Four of the BOB contestants are also on the baseball team.) Ocracoke baseball is just a ferry ride away and they really appreciate their fans. Go Fins!

Enjoy your week on beautiful Ocracoke Island!