Since our last column, we have been blessed by having Hurricane Dorian pass us by out to sea with no danger or damage. It is slightly bittersweet, though, when we remember the horrors of the Bahamas and other places — even Canada — so damaged by the storm.

As our season winds down here on the island, with families leaving to get their children back for the start of school, things slow down but there were still the usual summer’s end activities. These departures have shown clearly in our parking lot, the tennis courts and the dock.

In any event, the last annual social event of the season, as always, was held at the Morrell’s farmhouse on a beautiful Saturday. Some 87 islanders and guests enjoyed the picnic on the ledges overlooking Sheepscot Bay from their yard while folks were busy cooking on the huge grill and enjoying the company. It was wonderful that Ellie and Dick could get over to the Island to preside as they have done so graciously over the years. The entire extended Morrell family worked hard as always to assure the picnic was the delightful success it has always been. We all thank them.

Next evening, Margoe Shaw presided over our concluding Sunday Evening Service. She did a lovely job, reading some verse from her great-grandfather’s works and describing beautifully her and her family’s experience of the island over the years. Margo was accompanied on piano and organ by Michael Smith who did his usual great job and we concluded, as has become our custom, with a rousing rendition of “’Til We Meet Again.”

Over the past couple of weeks the water between us and Indiantown was graced by the presence of an 84-foot ketch at anchor there. Some islanders made the acquaintance of the owners and crew and we were all filled in on the vessel. She is the S/V Gadabout, her steel hull built in 1983 in New Zealand and brought to the U.S. The vessel was in the area for repairs and to wait out Dorian and to see where the hurricane would ultimately track. The vessel has been around the world once and the owners’ plan is to spend 10 years chartering it out in worldwide voyages. We were introduced to these folks when Ed and Jean Reed who took the owners “under their wing” so they could get to grocery and other necessary stores for provisioning. A number of islanders were treated to a day sail aboard Gadabout when she tied up here for a visit and to pick up “passengers.”

As the season winds down, our weather feels like October with cool temperatures and bright skies. It reminds us that the island will be closing down for the winter in the not-to-distant future. We would be remiss if we did not thank the ladies of the island who over the summer have stepped in to take on the task of writing this column. Without them we would not have been able to have our columns in the Register and to share our news with others, including islanders who cannot be here for the whole summer.

Finally, please do not forget to get your IOS women’s photographs to Susan Reece for her Island Women project. Thank you.