From Corinne Larson comes the following news. “You will have to wait until next season to have lunch at Newagen Seaside Inn and Cozy’s Dockside as they have both stopped serving until next year. You can still have dinner at Newagen Sunday-Friday, and the new fall menu has just been introduced. On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Inn will host a four-course dinner with wine pairings. There will be two seatings: 5:30 and 7:30. Call the front desk 633-5242 for more information or to make a reservation.” What a good way to bring time at the inn this season to a close, together with friends and neighbors.

Those of us still here on the Island have seen the big sign across from Robinson’s Wharf announcing the closing of the Thompson Bridge (Decker Cove) on Sept. 23, with reopening expected May 21. Although the quickest way around to the east side is Plummer Road, we are asked not to use that detour, but to go on to Cross Road, especially in the winter when our road crew will be plowing.
Plummer Road is narrow, and its edges are not conducive to traffic continually pulling off to let oncoming traffic pass. The exception is, of course, for residents who live on Plummer Road or on roads turning off Plummer Road, and for those folks who live on the east side between the bridge and Cross Road. All the rest of us headed for the east side should leave a little earlier than usual and enjoy the scenery.

Should any of the Plummer Road residents need an ambulance or emergency assistance, the crews have been encouraged to investigate the Plummer Road situation now, so they are prepared for the conditions they will meet should they need to drive that route. Mike Ciccarelli, our emergency management director, is organizing the necessary traffic patterns with the state and other entities.
I was relieved to learn that all large commercial vehicles are directed to circle the island rather than use Cross Road. I expect, other than some construction trucks, most delivery vans will be headed for the Island Store and will use Route 27 on the west side as usual.

Other news from Town Hall is that all tax bills have been mailed and all taxes are due by Sept. 30.

Even though the boat traffic is slowing down, our beautiful days still draw some folks out on the water. After patrolling on Sunday, Sept. 15, one Coast Guard Auxiliary officer offers these reminders for safety: please do not allow children to sit astride the bow with feet dangling toward the water. A heavy wave or quick turn could too easily bounce them off. Also, animals should also wear life vests. Finally, please be sure you have the proper throwable, such as a cushion or ring.

Claire Fields’ house, what we always referred to as “the house of seven gables” next to Ship Ahoy Motor Inn, is gone. I have heard that the family intends to rebuild, but driving by, the analogy between the vanishing house and my own situation caused both a chuckle and some sadness. I, too, am getting moldy, creaky, and some day will have too many broken parts for life to go on. Then folks will look at the dug up ground and remember fondly, I hope, the life laid to rest there, keeping at least some of those memories close to their hearts in the years to come. So, too, we will remember Claire and her husband and welcome their family as new structures and new life emerge