Has it been record hot, or what? As a result, there was a Sawyer Swim Redux: Jenny Mackenzie and Alice Pierce were periodically joined by Gabby and Nate Pierce with Captain Will Mackenzie and Rower Extraordinaire Arthur Pierce spotting them. Farrah did some high jumping off the dock and tubing with the big girls and she was so proud of herself.

The Mackenzie Cottage is seeing a lot of traffic this summer. As Andy and Farrah left for California, they crossed planes with Azzie’s wife, Michelle, and Cade (4) and Drake (21 months), who are staying for the week without Azzie. He had to stay behind to prepare for the launch of the new Rupert Murdock-sponsored network called Fox Sports 1 in August.

The Sturgis Clan gathered at the Corner Cottage over the Fourth of July for their annual meeting. They missed Carrol Grady Johnson who had stayed in N.C. to finalize things with the death of her mother, Alice, but the usual suspects were there: “Aunt Peggy” Ayer, Rob and Beth Ayer, Heidi Bevins Ayer with sons Jared and Caelin, Sarah Ayer Fatone, Alison and Mike Potts, The Lone Grady: Matt Johnson from Morristown, Tenn., Deb Widbiller, Scott and Susan Bean. Oh, and Max got his two cents worth in on his lunch break.

Edna Stoddard welcomed her long time friend, Fran Lee, from Brunswick for her annual stay with her.

The Smith-Kelley Cottage is being put to good use with several different families renting.

It was fun to see Rick and Valerie Kulbacki back again in the Kent Cottage. This visit they are entertaining their two daughters and their families: Kim and husband, Craig Rosenfeld, with Chace (3 and 1/2) and Kyle (8 months), and Lindsay and husband, Eric Castiglioni, with Maggie (3 and 1/2 months).

Eric, Lija and Anna Miller finally arrived after a harrowing experience with their truck. Evidently, he had tire trouble and after getting new tires, they set off with the island. But it was not to be. About 30 miles down the road, Eric felt the wheel pull and bam. Off flew the back right tire. The good news is, the tire store took full responsibility and replaced the tire and the axle that broke when the tire flew off.

Later, when Drea arrived with Lija’s friend, Katya, she was sporting an arm dotted with screws. Evidently, she and Eric were biking in Park City and had a set-to with their bikes wherein she flew off and broke her wrist in a few places.

Rachel Medwid Thomas and her children, Maddie (12), Beck (10) and Max (6) joined Tom and Diane for a week from Georgetown, Mass., and enjoyed a great boat ride to Five Islands in their little whaler.

After a frighteningly loud thunder and lightning storm Wednesday night, the sun emerged on Thursday in time for us to host the Squirrel Island Reciprocal Tour. Susan Reece called together a curious group of 25 “squirrels” to give a quick summary of our island, and three groups led by teams of two (Betsy Hastings and Will Mackenzie, Susan Reece and Susan Bean and Deb and Arthur Pierce) went to the Miller house, Woolson house and the Farmhouse, ending up at the NeKrangan II for the exhibit and refreshments. The guests were all thrilled to see and hear about the cottages built by Coombs that matched some of theirs on Squirrel.

Katie Richardson and George have been absent, but living in their cottage are the Grant family, consisting of Lee and Sarah and kiddos, Oliver and Elinor.

The West Shore picnic was questionable weather-wise up till the last minute, when a respectable (well, mostly) crowd gathered together to share heat stroke stories. Families came from far and wide, played games, shared children and spread blankets.

It was a nice surprise to see Linda Warner, up for a long weekend with her partner, Kathy, visiting Lars and Jackie Rydell. Linda and Kathy are preparing for their wedding in Belfast on Aug. 3 at First Church. Congratulations and best wishes, Linda and Kathy.

Now there is a big contingent at the Potts’ Cottage which is spilling over into the Sturgis Corner Cottage. Mike’s daughter, Kim and husband Sean, with kids Jordan (14), Katherine (12) and Jackson (8), are showing Sean’s parents, Tom and Jan, a good time in his cottage, so Mike and Alison have jumped over to hers. And so it grows.

Claudia Fleming Bogart and daughter Alexa welcomed Claudia’s brother, Harris, with wife Dawn and son Cooper (4) from Waldwich, N.J.

Lizzie Loughridge has been having success in her tennis clinics. She coaches kids Monday-Friday at 9:30 a.m. ($5), and adults M-W-F at 10:30 ($10). Racquets provided, if necessary.

Some new faces to the IOS are in the Sturgis on Boardwalk Cottage. They are Jonathan and Melissa Silver with 11-year-old twins, Becca and Jarred, from Washington DC. Later in the week Lisa Caputo and husband Rick Morris, with kids Drew and Caroline, will join them for a rockin’ good time.

Joan Faccenda had the Sunday Service and the theme for the night was “Island Children.” She began by remembering two of the early children, Alice Grady and Sue Bogart. Joan also welcomed two of our newest island children, Owen Reece and Quinn MacGilvra.

Don’t forget the Old Age and Treachery Tour “coming to an island near you” on Saturday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Casino. Check out the flyers around the island for more details.

This is it for me, so any news you have, please get it to Susan Reece. Thanks for indulging me.