We are gathered here today to wish Winter a fond farewell!  Yes, there is snow in the forecast for Maine this week, but all good things must come to an end.  So today we wish you, Winter, adieu and farewell!

It seems like just five months ago we were all anticipating the first snowfall of the season.  How much snow would this Winter bring?  Would there be any big storms like the Blizzard of ’78?  I even got jealous that other states got snow before us.  But then Winter, you came!  And you’ve been with us ever since!  Oh boy did we have fun together!  Remember when you kept us in record breaking subfreezing temperatures for weeks on end in January?  I thought I’d never feel my paws again.  Or how about in March when you tricked us all and sent three nor’easters our way?  Those were good times trying to sell all that extra snow to our friends in warmer states.

I never dreamed it would be so difficult to say goodbye to you in April.  But here we are, with light snow in the forecast for this evening, possibly even more snow on Friday, and no Spring in sight.  So today, I raise my water bowl as a toast, to wish you, Winter, Goodbye! Adiós! and Vaarwel!  But cheer up Winter!  This farewell is not forever.  We’ll meet again in December.  We’ll even remember you fondly on blistering hot days in Summer.  But today it is time for you to GO AWAY!   I’d like to end now with this video tribute: Farewell to Winter: A Video Love Letter.  It was made in 2015, and we’ve shared it every year since then as a fond farewell.  Until we meet again, Winter, Cheers!