I apologize for the lack of a column last week. I took a little timeout to calm down an over-rapid heart. It has now settled back into its steady rhythm and I, greatly refreshed, am back at the computer. My great thanks to the emergency room staff at St. Andrews Hospital, who were counting down their working hours in subdued conversations around me.

My great thanks, also, to the Boothbay Ambulance Service crew, who whizzed me down to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick.

Now that I'm back, I'm so full of energy that Monday night Bruce and I joined the vigil at the closing of St. Andrews emergency room, a beautiful but heartbreaking event.

Bravo Boulevard is teeming with Edgecombites these past two weeks. Freshman Avery Genus led Lincoln Academy’s cross country team at a recent regional competition in Belfast, coming in eighth in 18.57 minutes. Dr. Steve Feder has been honored with a Champions for Children Giraffe Award from the Maine Children's Alliance, for sticking his neck out for children.

New author Mindi Meltz, a former Edgecomb resident now living in western North Carolina, has just published a fantasy novel, "Lonely in the Heart of the World," to a host of glowing reviews. I will have to tell my bookseller daughter to look her up!

The Edgecomb Eddy School's garden was included in Maine's School Garden Open House, September 28. The students and the vegetables have thrived, under the guidance of Master Gardener Becky Benton.

Deb Boucher is now a Maine state-certified tax collector. But she warns that she will not be in the office Tuesday, Oct. 15 nor Thursday, Oct. 17.
Brad Fillion is playing "Donkey" in the Waldo Theater's coming production of "Shrek: The Musical." My favorite character! Performances will be on in November; you can get tickets at Maine Coast Book Shop and Community Pharmacy in Waldoboro in another week or so.

Winterize, winterize, winterize! The Midcoast Green Collaborative has joined with Habitat for Humanity and Seven Rivers Maine to offer interior storm windows to help reduce our energy costs. Topher Belknap of Englebrekt Road is conducting these workshops at Round Top Farm in Damariscotta, every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, starting this month through May 2014.

From my own experience, these windows are quick to make, and provide excellent insulation, particularly for the often drafty windows of older houses. The cost of materials is most moderate.

Flowers of the Forest: Let us salute the passing of Richard Harford, and send our deepest condolences to his wife Ann and his extended family. Donations in his memory may be made to the Lincoln County Animal Hospital, P.O. Box 7, Edgecomb ME 04556 or the charity of your choice.

Back on track, more or less, at 234 River Road, 207-633-2978, and jocam@tidewater.net.