By the Scott and Sunny Townsend Team

Higgins Beach Cleanup | April 25

Winters can be hard on beaches. Storms drag up unwanted items like trash, fishing gear, and even construction materials. Making them safe and welcoming again is a community effort. At Higgins Beach, the annual Earth Day beach cleanup is organized by HigginsBeachMaine.com and the Scott & Sunny Townsend Team. They invite everyone to join them on Saturday, April 25 at 9am. Meet at the base of Pearl Street by the ramp and join the community in helping to make the beach safe and beautiful for all to enjoy. Trash bags are provided. Please bring your own tools. Every hand helps!

Preparing Beach Houses for Summer

Just as the beach gets a spring refresh, beach houses are also waking up from winter. Salt air, storms, and cold weather can leave their mark. Here’s a checklist to help you get ready for summer:

Start With Summer Logistics

•  Check your propane tank. (Nothing says “rookie” like running out of propane mid-burger.)

•  Get visits on the calendar early (before your aunt and college roommate accidentally overlap).

• Make sure you have what your crowd needs—high chairs, baby gates, or extra railings for older guests.

Say Goodbye to Winter

Coastal weather is tough on houses. A quick once-over now prevents bigger headaches later.

• Check the roof for winter damage and clear gutters.

• Wash siding, inspect paint and caulking.

• Power wash decks and tighten railings.

• Sweep leftover winter sand and check the driveway for frost heaves.

The Not-So-Glamorous Stuff

• Test the sump pump and run a dehumidifier to keep humidity below 50%.

• Replace smoke and CO detector batteries.

• Service heat pumps or AC before the first surprise 90° day.

• Launder linens and stock the house for guests.

Tidy Up Outdoors

 • Rake lawns, prune winter damage, and start tick control.

• Turn on exterior spigots and test irrigation.

• Clean and check outdoor showers.

• Rinse salt from railings, fixtures, and hardware to prevent corrosion.

Spring in Maine isn’t just about maintenance. It’s about getting ready for long evenings, porch dinners, and barefoot summers. Do a little now, and when summer finally settles in, you’ll be ready to sit back and enjoy it.

Many thanks to Scott and Sunny Townsend for keeping Scarborough Living readers up to date on the happenings at Higgins Beach.