I would try your local freecycle or craigslist, and post a job ad. I did that last summer looking for a teenager to help me out a little, and I couldn't believe the responses I got! Just check your respondents carefully, and maybe walk them through your garden to get an idea of their gardening knowledge. Good luck! :) Dee P.S. Check the bulletin board at your local supermarket, library, etc. Sometimes there are people advertising exactly such services!

According to the latest UMass Landscape Message "Cicadas have emerged in Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich and Barnstable. The chorus has yet to begin; but with the onset of a warm weather forecast, the singing will be loud and clear." and under "Cool Stuff: Periodical Cicada â Reports began coming in late last week about the beginning emergence of this unique insect, which takes 17 years to reach the adult stage. Cool weather has delayed its emergence, but it is now on the verge of exploding. Thousands upon thousands of cicadas will emerge within one to two days time at the peak." To repeat "within one to two days time...." I'm just over the bridge from Sandwich - don't know yet if they're here or if the Canal deterred them. Claire

Goldgirl, I live about 20 minutes south of Boston and we visit Provincetown every summer. If there is anything I can help you with, please let me know. Most, if not all the nicer B & Bs and hotels in Provincetown have 3-5 night minimums and can be pricey. If you are planning your visit during carnival week (aug. 16th-22nd), things book up very, very quickly. We like the Crowne Point Inn - the standard rooms are very small, we usually book the upgraded rooms. The Carriage House and Carpe Diem are wonderful and a bit less pricey. All have great locations. Front Street (expensive) and Bayside Betsys (moderate) are our favorite places to eat. There are many fabulous restaurants and shops run the gamut from artsy boutiques and galleries to tee shirt shops. In Chatham, the Chatham Bars use to be the place to stay - friends have given it mixed reviews lately. If you want to treat yourself, the Wequassett Inn Resort is top notch. Great shops and restaurants there as well. In Boston, try to get to the North End (little Italy). On summer weekends there's a really fun farmers market. Transit is fairly easy once in town. I can't recommend a particular hotel, but I'd be happy to do some legwork for you - let me know what you're hoping to see and some idea of your budget!

I live outside of Boston and have a cottage in Mashpee. If you go to Sandwich take time to go to the Heritage Plantation, just 10 minutes outside of the center of town. It has beatiful grounds including a world renowned collection of Rhododendrons and several museums: antique car museum, arms museum and American Folk art museum including a working antique carousel. The whale watch does operate in April and the sightings are often very good early in the season. Don't worry about it being too early to be on the ocean, most of the trip you are in the relatively sheltered waters of Cape Cod Bay. By the way, we find that it is better to take the whale watch from Provincetown than from Hyannis - if you go early then you are back by noon and have the rest of the day to shop and see the sights "downcape." Also you have less time in the boat traveling out to where the whales are usually found off the tip of the Cape, therefore more time for whale sightings. If you enjoy art be sure to check out the galleries in Orleans, Dennis and Provincetown.