August already!  I’ve still got batches of fledgling juncos at the bird feeder, eating like starved teenagers and the day lilies are still popping out. But every once in a while a yellow leaf drops on the lawn, a reminder to enjoy every day of this month.  

Since it’s my column still,  I’ll start off by directing your attention to this week’s Register where Emily Whiting’s interview of chef Carl Dooley appears. As some of you know, Carl decided to become a chef after his kitchen experiences here in Boothbay Harbor many years ago. Emily has written a wonderful piece that gets to the genesis of his passion.  

Speaking of chefs, the  Chowder Cook-Off on Sunday had a great turnout despite the JPVIS website being temporarily out of commission.  Eight contestants vied for the judges’ award and the People’s choice award. The judges (Kate Culbert, Terry Paetzold and Liz Evans)   voted  Jose McComiskey’s shrimp and corn chowder the “Best Traditional” and Beth Green’s smoky chowder the “Best with a Twist”.  The “People” agreed that Jose’s chowder was the best, followed by the Lipschitz/Shadler family and Quincy Simmons. Other chowder cooks were Lee Corbin, Sally Barter, Cordelia and Alexis Izzo, and Ingrid Nevins. All yummy chowders by the way. Noelle Shearman did a fantastic job organizing the event, right down to signature drinking glasses.  

Breakfast cooks are the most nimble and the Pancake Breakfast before the Tennis Exhibition last Saturday proved it. The pancakes were hot and the fruit toppings  juicy. There was JPVIS branded tennis merch out for sale and a beaded bracelet outlet.  Those wearing VIP badges got to sit court side watching a variety of games with a mix of players. “Team Staff and Alumni” of Susan Kirby, Dave Taylor, Meg Taylor, and Soren Zimmer were declared the winners by a narrow margin against “Team Legends and Future Legends” of Rick Barton, Bill Barton, George Himes, and Xavier Tineo after an exciting display of triples, doubles, and singles.  A special thanks to Stu McGillivray for “throwing out the first pitch” with a wooden racquet for the triples game. 

As we went to press the Doubles portion of the Juniper Point tennis tournament was complete with the exception of Men’s Open Doubles. Results for the 2025 Doubles championships are: Ladies’ Senior Doubles Champions - Jose McComiskey and Anne Markette, Finalists - Sarah Khetani and Cammie Beattie. Men’s Senior Doubles, Champions - James Welch and Mike Derezin, Finalists - Rick Barton and Bill Barton. Ladies’ Open Doubles Champions - Lizzie Lewis and Phoebe Lewis, Finalists- Sarah Khetani and Sarah Barton. Mixed Doubles Champions - Alston Armstrong and Judd Armstrong, Finalists - Lizzie Lewis and Matt Zimmer. Congratulations all. We will have the singles results next week.  

On Sunday, Aug. 10 at 5:30 p.m. Mary Kowalski has again organized a visit from the Boothbay Fire & Rescue in the community house parking lot.  The firefighters will put on an exciting fire safety demonstration program, with “hands on” and interactive demonstrations about how to use a fire extinguisher and fire blanket, where to install and maintain smoke and C02 detectors. They will demonstrate their gear, show us the “jaws of life” and bring a real fire truck that we can all sit in. This will be followed by an ice cream social in the community house. Rain or shine, all ages are welcome. Seriously, last year I enjoyed it as much as my 5-year-old grandson.  Thanks, Mary, for organizing.