Monday, Aug. 10, was not a good day to be a menhaden in Linekin Bay. Sunday looked like a great day for them as schools were in session in a number of spots (of course, that could mean they were being attacked from below). Some of us were even saying that we hadn’t seen any where near that many fish this year. Well, I guess our phones are listening as at about 11:45 Sunday night the first boat came in, and with lights a blazing, the assault began. Throughout the morning, six more boats had circled their nets. I noticed one was even from Portland. All seemed to be successful, which is great. You want to see everyone who works the water making a good living while also hoping that there are plenty of fish and such to go around for future generations.

Thursday was a great day for a celebration of Sue Bradley’s life. If you haven’t yet heard of her families generosity towards the “Drive for 25,” read your emails! Thank you to her kids for their donation (and match offer) in their mom’s name. Each of them - along with a couple of grandkids - gave really nice tributes to her at her service at the Congregational Church. I can’t help but think Sue is smiling from above.

After the wardrobe change to more casual attire, it was on to deck of The Ledge for an old fashioned cocktail party. Mother Nature (or possibly Sue?) decided it was time to move everyone inside and provided a spectacular -and fast moving - rain and lightning storm that concluded with a lovely rainbow. A memorable goodbye.

Speaking of “The Drive for 25,” thank you to all who have contributed! Time is running out, so if you are going to donate, please don’t hesitate. Let’s get as many people participating as possible and get the Bradley match!

Some nice moments from my week; As my hip improves, I have been hiking a number of the BRLT trails. What a great resource to have around here! Newagen Inn is certainly a beautiful setting to listen to some music. The crowd was entertained with classics (?) such as “You Gotta Fight For the Right to Party” as it boomed across the lawn. Very local kid (Southport), Takoda Dionne, did a really nice opening solo act and displayed his obvious talent.

When out near Oak Island, I saw two adult bald eagles spinning down towards the water with their talons locked. A Google search shows it was courting or fighting. Either way it looked amazing.

There is another Celebration of Life coming up. Sadly, it’s the third of the summer, but the good news is they all had really nice lives and made it to their 90s, so they truly are celebrations.

Alina wrote the following regarding Robert’s upcoming…

“Family and friends will gather for Robert’s celebration of life on Thursday, Aug. 27, starting at 2 p.m.

“Robert’s son and daughter, Steven and Annette, with their partners, his grandchildren Bridgette and Charlotte from Oregon, and his nephew Greg Parbery from Alabama will be present.

“It will be an informal gathering in the Blakesley garden and on the porch. The ceremony will begin with a bagpipe player, and Andrea Goodman will lead the celebration, allowing space for friends to play music, share poems, and tell stories and memories of Robert.

“Afterward, a bagpipe player will lead us down to the dock, where Phil Roberts has kindly offered to take the family out onto Linekin Bay to scatter Robert’s ashes alongside his father’s ashes, as he wished.

“All are welcome.

“Refreshments will be served, and I’ll also be making one of Robert’s favorites—Polish torts—as a last hurrah and send-off, because he loved my Polish cooking.”

Have a great week, get your news to thejeffallison@gmail.com, and savor these last days of August.