Daniel Hoebeke, Orr's Island Library

For the third time in 10 minutes, I put down my coffee and looked at my watch: 9:07. I was feeling a bit uneasy. The July children's program at the Orr's Island Library was due to start in under an hour. The planning of the presentation was not my responsibility, but board presidents fuss about such things.

Monday was a blustery, drizzly day, the kind of day when you wonder whether it is worth it to journey out. And yet, Harpswell Aging at Home's Lunch with Friends was bustling with lively conversation over delicious food provided by local organizations. Our table's discussion, which included a new resident of Bailey Island, took a familiar turn. How do you explain to visitors what an exceptional and supportive place Harpswell is?

It is difficult to imagine life in 1900. It was three years before the Wright brothers flew their first plane and eight years before Ford introduced the Model T. Making a living was an all-consuming effort, and entertainment as we know it now simply did not exist. However, one way to escape or explore new worlds was the same then as it is now — books.

The day before had been cold and raw. A daylong winter storm had dropped 5 inches of windswept snow. What remained in the morning was a peaceful and idyllic scene. The pristine white blanket of snow was only broken by the intermittent tracks of animals.

The young girl had been to the library before with her mother and was, as usual, walking toward the kids section when she suddenly stopped. To her left was a wall full of transparent backpacks, each filled with items to explore the beach, the woods and other areas of interest in Harpswell.

Some of the most enjoyable experiences are unplanned. The Orr's Island Library regularly sees this phenomenon firsthand, largely because of its location on Harpswell Islands Road.

"Well, the weather outside is frightful …" Yes, it is winter in Maine. Cabin fever takes many forms. Some people look outside at their dormant gardens and get the itch for an early start on their spring planting.