Let the summer columnists begin. I'm sure there will be a sign up sheet at the library or floated at a Sunday Evening Service or LIS meeting soon, so please start thinking about when you would be able to contribute an hour or two of your time to the weekly column that keeps us all in touch, regardless of our distance from 04549.

In that vein, we still have four Sunday Evening Service spots unaccounted for. The schedule is available online, please give it a quick look and let Molly Bogart know when you might be able to stand at the lectern for an evening. Like the column, the services are an integral part of the island consciousness that we all know and love.  

All right, enough demagoguery. A post on the Facebook page (email or message Arthur Pierce if you're still not on it) informed Islanders of an opportunity to hear Deb Stoddard sing at a free concert on August 18 at 6:30 p.m. with the Nashu Symphony Choir and Orchestra at Holman Stadium in Nashua, N.H.

They will perform patriotic and classical pieces, and “a couple of selections from Phantom and Les Mis.” Sounds like a great selection.

Patsy Mackenzie also alerted Islanders on Facebook that she and Will are back. Patsy wrote, “this time it's the 70/75 Birthday Gala, so this is a (save the date) invitation to all islanders to come to the Casino on Saturday, July 27 for a celebration of the births of Patsy, Lea and Pat (the 70s) and Will, Judy and Roly (the 75s).

“Our music will be provided by DJ Don Hayford, whose last gig here was 25 years ago for Will's 50th birthday party! An official invitation with more info will be coming soon designed and executed by the ever-talented Chip Loughridge. Can't wait to see everybody so we can party down. Get out your dancing shoes!”

Many Islanders convened this past weekend to celebrate and remember the life of Sue-Who Eustis Bogart. At a memorial service, held Saturday, June 15 at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor, her family was grateful to be surrounded by family and friends from near and far. A eulogy given by her pastor, Sarah Foulger, and words from her family, Matt Bogart and Emily Ayer Thomas, perfectly characterized a life full of generosity, hospitality and spunk.

Readings of scripture by her grandchildren and the singing of some of the Island's favorite hymns made for a perfect service. The Bogart/Ayer/Eustis family would like to thank those who made the long, and in some cases early, trip to be there last weekend. Sue's sister-in-law Betty Eustis, nieces and nephews Dee Kitterman, Glenna Irvine, Randy Eustis and Kim Kolbe and cousins Don and Ann Hare, were among the family that made significant trips to attend.

And because, as my mother said, "a life well lived should not go quietly into the night," more than 50 Islanders gathered Saturday night on the Main Pier for a fireworks display over the river. I can't help but think that my grandmother (a woman with her own affinity for pyrotechnics) would have thought it was a perfect send off.

As the summer winds up, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone around the good ole Isle of Springs. Safe travels to those who are heading north.