It seems that two summers ago the season began as “The Year of the Owl.”  

I arrived in Maine and soon heard reports from several of my Sprucewold neighbors that there had been some interesting owl activity in our tall pine trees.  Sure enough, after a couple of days, I was able to spot a very large owl way, way up in the tree in front of my deck.  

Some had been lucky enough to see mother owl teaching her babies to fly, but I satisfied myself with just being able to watch her with my binoculars.

After a few days of quietly observing her, I decided to take a picture of her, and that was all it took to drive her away, never to be seen again. Oh well.

I am calling this year “The Year of the Raccoon.” Although I never saw them, my chocolate lab Maddie and I were very aware that we were not alone when we arrived in town this summer.

About four weeks previously, a raccoon was seen entering the chimney by someone walking by who reported this to the man turning on our water.  To make a long story short, Mama Raccoon decided our chimney would make a safe and snug place to have her babies.

After enduring a long week of noises in the chimney, an unusual odor and a nervous dog, they finally moved out, just in time for the arrival of my son’s family, and the weather has been perfect for having a few small fires in our now-clear fireplace. So, let the summer begin!

This column gives me a good chance to spread the word that the Nahanada Park Committee is planning a silent auction for Sunday, July 28. Dotty Reilly is chairing this event, which we hope will be a fun social gathering with the object of raising some cash for the maintenance of our neighborhood park.  

We are asking you to consider donating an item for the silent auction which will take place at The Lodge while we are enjoying wine and hors d'oeuvres.  Please join us and try to contribute a treasure, a talent or a service to help support our park. Call Dotty or me if you have any questions and if you wish to donate an item.

The annual stewardship day at Nahanada Park is almost here.  Every year, we have gathered as many volunteers as possible to spend a couple of hours beautifying the park.  As it has matured, the needs have changed.  There will be more pruning required, the usual weeding but less mulching as the beds have filled in.  

So bring your pruners, shovels, gloves and rakes to the park on Monday, July 8 at 9:30 a.m. Wheelbarrows always come in handy if you have one.  The rain date will be Wednesday, July 10.  Refreshments will be served.

I am sure most of us are hoping that this rainy start to the summer will put our gardens and forest in good shape but that we will have many beautiful, sunny days ahead.  Plan on getting together with your summer friends at the annual Fourth of July opening party, which will be held at the Lodge on Saturday, July 6.