Celebrate Spring!

I never thought I’d say it, but I had more than my fill of winter this year. I always thought if I could plan Mother Nature’s calendar, I’d have one month of spring, two months of summer, five months of autumn, and four months of winter. Maybe the appeal of slogging through the snow weakens as I grow older, because I’m seriously thinking of taking one of those months away from winter and giving it to summer. I know there were days this past winter when I’d look at the woodpile on the other side of a snowy driveway and think, “Oh, I don’t think I’ll start a fire in the stove tonight.” I am so ready to trade in my boots for flip-flops.
So, it’s with a great deal more enthusiasm that I look at the coming weeks here at the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) in Cape May, and count all the ways we have to welcome spring. It’s always nice to see the town coming back to life. Shops, restaurants and B&Bs are opening their doors to spring visitors, and it’s nice for us to see our historic sites, like the Physick Estate, the Lighthouse and the World War II Tower, humming again.
Our Museum Division staff gave the 1879 house a cleaning like it hasn’t seen in some years, and everything glows. We have an interesting theme for house tours this year, as well. It’s called “At Home With Nature,” and you’ll hear how the Victorians loved nature, even though that sometimes included dominating it, and incorporated so much of nature in their homes.
Right around the corner is our annual Spring Festival, April 24 through May 3, with a host of things to do, not only for visitors but for us housebound locals, as well, who want to get out and enjoy the sunshine. I’ll be at my usual spot here at the Physick Estate both Saturdays, grilling hot dogs and popping popcorn during our two Crafts & Collectible shows. Of course, we always wait until the last minute to decide: Do we offer hot chocolate or lemonade? Mother Nature can be capricious in the springtime. I’ve suffered through both sunburn and chills, but it’s just nice to be out again.
The Carriage House Café & Tearoom once again opens its doors starting with Spring Festival, with a brand new tent this year to keep visitors dry or shaded, no matter what the weather does to us. It’s nice to see the kitchen come to life again, and know that the aroma of freshly-baked tea breads will soon be wafting up the stairs to my desk.
Our trolleys have been rotating in and out of service during the winter months, getting tune-ups and inspections and are now ready for the streets of Cape May, a perfect way to see the beautiful Victorian architecture and the spring blooms. Our Show House is still open, too, but only until June 7, so if you haven’t had a chance to visit, put that on your must-see list.
Not to beat up on Mother Nature too much for dishing out the cold, snowy winter, because it does make springtime all that much sweeter. It gives the staff here at MAC a chance to recharge our batteries and come up with creative new things to do.
So, there is plenty to do or, if you prefer, just come and enjoy a rejuvenating spring day on the grounds of the estate and do a little shopping, and remember that there’s nothing tastier than a hot dog eaten outdoors. I’ll have yours waiting for you.
– Jean Barraclough is director of publications and website at MAC