We're approaching that time of the year when, like it or not, folks in our part of the country start thinking about spring's arrival. Many of the traditional wintertime activities are starting to wind down; most hunting seasons will end at the end of the month, ice fishing conditions will begin to deteriorate, as will those for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. But we still have a ways to go before those spring crocuses appear, and if you don't have an alternative activities plan, March can seem like an endless month - kind of our local untropical version of "Survivors."
Yes, there are lots of appropriate indoor activities that have a connection with outdoor interests, but it often takes a major mindset change to motivate us into taking advantage of them – fishing gear, for example. Probably that gear was set aside last fall, before colder weather, and has been gathering dust ever since. Unfortunately, just getting it out and inspecting it often spawns daydreams of when you'll be able to use it again. So maybe it's wise to wait on that until a couple weeks before the trout opener on April First to do that.
Unless you plan to hunt coyotes or crows, you'll be packing your hunting gear away the first part of March. That isn't all that tough to take since, other than the spring gobbler season, you won't need most of it until next fall. So cleaning and oiling your guns, washing and storing your hunting clothes, and inspecting those well-worn hunting boots will have a less depressing effect than prepping fishing gear which may carry the "cabin fever" virus.
Of course, if we're lucky, March may bring us a couple of blizzards, dumping two feet of fresh snow on our springtime dreams. That should make the skiers and snomobilers happy, but might lead to total depression on everyone else. Conversely, an early spring arrival – as in March – would be cause for celebration by anglers, gardeners, and homeowners who are sick and tired of cleaning snow off driveways and sidewalks, and driving on slippery roads. Alas, you just can't make everyone happy during the month of March.
The alternative would seem to be that either unhappy grouping might adopt the couch potato mindset, watching videos or shows depicting their favorite activities. There's always a slew of those themes available, be it fishing, hunting, snow sports or even gardening. Heck, spending the entire month in front of the TV, munching junk food, probably wouldn't add more than 25 pounds to your body or cut your life expectancy more than a few years. Pass the corn chips and salsa please.
I'll admit that it isn't easy to survive that fickle period that exists between winter and spring. All too often, the weather changes almost daily, switching from winter-like to spring-like. Just when you think you've seen the last of the snow and cold, we get hammered by a winter season that seems destined to last forever. But all good things come to he/she who waits, and waits, and waits, as March creeps along on its traditional icy skids.
Sometimes it's wise to put things in perspective. Check out the weather conditions in Nome, Alaska, or atop Mount Washington, or maybe Siberia or the North Pole. And we think we have it tough.

Perch Derby Raises Over $3,500
Last Saturday's Perch Derby at Chenango Lake was a roaring success, despite postponements and worries of melting ice. The Oxford Lions Club raised over $3500, and will help the club support local area needs. The members of the Lions Club wish to thank everyone involved for their support.
Since no tagged Perch was caught, the $1000 prize was raffled off to six registered anglers: The winners were: $500--Ed Caputo, Norwich; $250--Brian LaTourette, Oxford; $100--Melanie Beebe, Greene; $75--Tim Valentine, Sherburne; $50--Mark Ostrander, Leyden; $25--Arron Fisher, Norwich. Raffle prize winners were: 10 person Paintball Party - $180 value sponsored by Mayhoods Sporting Goods--Dave Owens; $100 Cash Prize-- sponsored by NBT Bank--Darla Race; $100 Cash Prize--sponsored by Sidney Federal Credit Union- James Pike; Office Chair--sponsored by Hayes Office Products- Jason Rayno; $100 Gas Card--sponsored by Blueox Corporation-Joe Spence; $100 Ice Fishing Gear--sponsored by Mayhoods Sporting Goods-Pete Fabre; $100 Gift Certificate--sponsored by Bartles Pharmacy- Tom DeBritta.
Winners: of the fishing derby were: Largest Pickerel--Nolan Winton--25 1/4"; Largest Perch--Brandon Poyneer--13 14"; Largest Bullhead--Norm Winton--14 1/2"; Largest Crappie--Michael O'Brien--11 14"; Largest Rock Bass--Richard Ryan--10 1/8".

DEC's Annual Tree And Shrub Sale Underway
The DEC's annual sale of tree and shrub seedlings is underway and will continue through May. DEC's Saratoga Nursery produces over 50 species of trees and shrubs, many native to New York, for planting on public and private land. Schools across the state can receive free seedlings for spring planting through the program. The program provides 50 tree seedlings or a mixed packet of 30 wildlife shrubs to any school that would like to participate.
The objective of the program is to provide low cost planting material to encourage landowners to enhance New York's environment for future generations. The minimum order for conifers and wildlife shrubs is 100, for hardwoods 25, and for container stock 50. Mixed packets of 30-100 wildlife shrubs are also available for homeowners to attract wildlife.
To order seedlings, call Saratoga Nursery Seedling Stock ordering, weekdays between 8am and 4:30pm at (518) 587-1120. Call early for best selection. Mail orders are also accepted and can be sent to the Saratoga Tree Nursery, 2369 Route 50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Orders may be placed through the month of April. Seedlings are shipped in mid April to mid May. For participating schools, orders must be received at the nursery by March 31. Schools should contact the Nursery, or the nearest DEC regional forestry office and request a School Seedling brochure that contains all the information necessary to place an order.