First off, Happy New Year!

I haven’t had a chance to wish you New Year’s greetings because I’ve been out of the office for a couple of weeks collecting vacation time and recuperating from the holidays. It was fun not getting up before the sun. I’m sure if I’d had a few more months off, I’d have been able to develop a knack for sleeping until noon.

But that wasn’t in the cards and I’m back to looking out the window to see if the sun is going to be coming up and wake up the thermometer. I think mine died. It hasn’t moved above zero!

On a more positive note, the days are getting minutely longer. There’s hope! Now let’s see if the oil supply and the oil burner last until May!

Just for kicks (and to help pass the time), let’s go swimming next Friday in Passamaquoddy Bay down at Pleasant Point. I’m sure the weather’s going to be just fine and the water’s sure to be only about 20 degrees (or so) colder than it is in August. You are invited to join me and the student body of Washington County Community College at noon (high tide) on Jan. 23 at the Pleasant Point Fish Pier right off Route 190 for the fourth annual Polar Bear Dip to benefit Ronald McDonald House here in Bangor.

The students have done the legwork and all the organizing again, and they’ve set an ambitious goal this year to raise $25,000 for “the House that love built.” All you need to do to help is pledge some money, get someone else to sponsor you, or pony up a donation yourself, and join me and a couple of hundred others as we take the plunge for charity.

If you want to wimp out but still make yourself useful, volunteer to hold a swimmer’s towel so they’ll have something and someone to home in on when they come rocketing out of the water.

On Wednesday I talked with Tess Ftorek, student support services councilor at WCCC, who, along with my good buddy and weekend page mate John Holyoke, has me on the hook for the big dip. Ftorek and Bill Cote, president of the student senate at WCCC, want you to know that every penny of the money they raise goes to the Ronald McDonald House.

Ftorek also wants you to know she has ordered a January thaw that is supposed to arrive on Thursday, at the latest Friday.

You remember, of course, that Holyoke challenged you last weekend to help out the cause, AND that should your combined generosity exceed $1,000, he would join me in the frothy waters (he should have set a loftier goal in his attempt to get out of taking the dip.) Don’t let this opportunity pass. He’s already received some pledges, but nowhere enough for him to leave the beach. Come on! Loosen up those purse strings! Just the mental picture is worth a giggle.

He’ll be in good company. Ftorek said there will be representatives from all of the state’s community colleges on hand, the Penobscot Job Corps, along with an international student contingent from New Brunswick Community College in St. Andrews, and two Mexican exchange students. We’ll be joined in spirit by two former WCCC Mexican exchange student who will be taking a plunge in their native waters at the same time – and by several Florida swimmers as well who will forward their donations.

Closer to home, Ftorek said, the Eastport community is abuzz. The First National Bank and Machias Savings Bank have challenged each other to dip. Johnson’s True Value in Calais and Raye’s Mustard in Eastport are on board (and on top of the hot dogs). Local radio stations WQDY and WCRQ are all over this event, Ftorek said. One of the WCRQ DJs, Bill Connelly, who is a policeman at Pleasant Point, has challenged fellow officer John Preston to raise donations and take the dip. Be sure to check out Connelly’s costume that’s being made by the art pupils at Beatrice Rafferty School at Pleasant Point.

This year’s theme is Mardi Gras, Ftorek reminded me, so when you drive down on Friday, feel free to bring beads and masks and crazy costumes as well as a warm blanket. Be prepared to share a few laughs, too! The students would like to surpass last year’s $20,000 in donations. If you gather $50 or more in donations you’ll get a polar fleece vest.

To further help out the fundraising cause, Ftorek said, students purchased “winter caps, baseball caps (navy blue, white piping with WCCC embroidered on the front), and long-sleeved shirts to sell this year. The Perry Grange will be selling yummy hot chili to warm our innards (they are going to split the profits with the Ronald McDonald House). We’ll have [Lions Club] hot dogs (these alone should be enough incentive for Holyoke to take the plunge!), and [Perry Grange] hot chocolate and hot coffee, too. The Mex in Eastport will be sponsoring a dance that evening with the proceeds going to ‘the cause’ as well, and there will be prizes for the best Mardi Gras costumes.”

If you don’t have someone to hold your towel or blanket, have no fear. Calais Lionesses will be on hand to help you out.

And new this year is the Polar Bear Shuttle. Two buses from WCCC will run back and forth along the causeway to shuttle you to your vehicle. And if you need a handicapped-accessible parking spot from which to watch the fun, call Ftorek. She’ll see that you have a place.

If you’re online you can download a pledge sheet at www. wccc.me.edu or can call Ftorek at 454-1048 and she’ll be more than happy to get you signed up. You can also show up early on Friday (starting at 10 a.m.) and register. Checks can be made out to the Washington County Student Senate, or the Ronald McDonald House.

And here’s a final piece of advice to those who plan to take the plunge. Wear something that doesn’t require zippers or buttons. Zippers freeze and buttons are impossible when your fingers don’t work. And one layer is enough. It’s quicker and easier to get in and out of one thing in a rush, and believe me, you’ll be wanting to get into some dry clothes in a hurry! And lastly, wear something like wet suit booties on your feet. They’ll protect you from the rocky beach and offer some degree of thermal protection.

Jeff Strout can be reached at 990-8202 or by e-mail at jstrout@bangordailynews.net