Yikes! The summer season is fast coming to a close. Well, it is for the younger folks with kids going back to school. But for us old folks, with no real deadlines, who have been coming to Sprucewold for a long time, how do we know that the summer is coming to a close? Easy—less traffic on the roads, mailboxes disappearing from the mailbox stands, floats being hauled away, quiet descending over Sprucewold, sailboats at the sailing camp gradually disappearing, shopping at Hannaford on a Friday night without being trampled, no lines at restaurants, no lines at the recycling center, people walking by with sweaters and hats on, shutters being put over cabin windows and the weather tells us. Our bones tell us it is getting colder, it tends to be windier than in August, fire place smoke drifts about the area and, if we are lucky, the weather in September continues to be beautiful. If we are not so lucky and the weather turns cold and rainy, we just pack up and head for warmer climates. What a great life in Maine with no schedules to be concerned about!

So what went on this summer? Lots of sailing, fishing, swimming, visiting friends, entertaining visitors from away and attending Sprucewold events. Starting with our opening party early in July hosted by Kathy and Wally Moulaison, always the genial hosts and good sports for offering their cabin for the evening. Although it is appropriate as their cabin, in its early years, was the recreation hall for the Sprucewold Lodge. By the way, lots of history in our book, Rusticators In Sprucewold, available from Ralph Kimball or David Otto for only $15. We then moved on to the Annual Meeting held on the Linekin Heights Green and its newly renovated barbecue and fireplace. On August 11, our very able Social Director, Sarah Stedt, orchestrated a pot luck supper on the Green and Sarah was magically able to hold off the rain so we could have an enjoyable meal outdoors and stay dry. Entertainment was provided by Eliza Goodell and her outstanding fiddling. Eliza has already left Sprucewold for Oberlin College where she will continue to fiddle (and, hopefully, study as well) and play the French horn.

In between all these activities, the Firewise crew was busy arranging a Firewise Day with opportunities to have cabins assessed for wildfire vulnerability. Our Maine Forest Service Ranger, Kent Nelson, had a full day of meetings with cabin owners and reporting how they can best defend their cabins from Wildfires. We may offer this opportunity next year as it was very well received. On August 13, our annual Firewise Brush Chipping Day resulted in over 5 tons of brush being removed from around our cabins in an effort to provide a 50’ defensive circle. Over the last few years, we have removed about 35 tons of brush from the cabins. This program will be offered again next year.

A few reminders: The Sprucewold Cabin Watch will begin on October 1st for those who have paid their dues. Once you have paid your dues, you will be added to the cabin watch list. The Fall letter from President Susan Goodell, will contain a review of the cabin watch service and what you can expect from the watchmen. And—speaking of paying dues, our Treasurer, Larry Jaeger, would really appreciate it if you would pay your dues before leaving Sprucewold. Contact Larry and he will make an invoice available to you. The early payment of dues not only helps with our cash flow, but also saves the expense of mailing an invoice to you as well as saving Larry countless hours of follow up work getting you to pay up. Please—when you receive your invoice, pay it right away. And—no excuses like oh, I thought I already paid that, my wife was supposed to pay that, etc. You better believe that Larry has heard them all! Prompt payment saves frustration at many levels.

Lastly, I would like to thank all who wrote columns this summer. I hope you found them informative and entertaining. Have a great Winter and look forward to seeing you all next year.