Flowers of the Forest, and a most sorrowful loss for me, the passing of Veula Reed, as of July 27.

Veula, along with Dot Hathorne and Dot Brown, was one of my three "other mothers," in the village that used to be East Edgecomb.

I worked as a hostess at Emerson's restaurant one summer, between my sophomore and junior years in college. Veula was chef and manager, with her daughter Barbara and friend Norma as waitresses. Billy Koch was dishwasher that summer.

In addition, Veula was one of the crew responsible for the Town Meeting suppers, back when they occurred in March, and were apt to run into overtime.

Last I heard, she was helping out in the kitchen at St. Andrews Village, and a more gifted volunteer they could never have had! Let us send our deepest condolences to Bob and Herb Reed, their children and Barbara's. They ask that donations be sent in her memory to the North Edgecomb Cemetery Association, c/o Treasurer Ruth Bryant. I note also that Billy Koch's cousin Helen Kutschera, of a long-standing family of summer residents, passed on this past winter, and am sorry to hear it.

More recent history: There has been some confusion over the ownership of the sewer line crossing the Sheepscot from Wiscasset to Davis Island. The line belongs to the Town of Edgecomb. Sewage payments go to Wiscasset, for that town's water treatment facility; water rates are set and collected by the Wiscasset Water District. Edgecomb, as I understand it, still receives a share of those fees.

Last week I initiated a genealogical challenge derived from the Cochran Wedding Quilt, on display during summer months at the Newcastle Historical Society's Taniscot Firehouse Museum. It is composed of eight rows of squares across, seven rows down, each square the space for a name of friends of Robert Cochran and Annie Whitcomb Baker. NHS has a website for further information.

Here are the names from Row 2: 2.1: S. Harold (Howard?), 2.2: Mrs. Eben Trask, 2.3: Rea Cochran, 2.4: Rebecca Cochran, 2.5: Mrs. Mary Cochran, 2.6: Mary Chase, 2.7: Mrs. Abagail Dodge.

How many of these people were Edgecomb residents in 1885? Are any of my readers descended from their families?

The fourth of five Summer Suppers presented by the Edgecomb Congregational Church is this coming Saturday, Aug. 17, starting at 5 p.m., going until the food is gone. Baked beans, salads, casseroles, oh, my! And the desserts! This particular supper traditionally benefits the Edgecomb Fire Department, so y'all come, hear?

The Lincoln County Animal Shelter needs your help. They are overflowing with rescue animals, including parrots! If you can't take on a pet, donations of pet food, towels, cleaning supplies, cat litter, toys, and $$$ are always welcome. Their website, www.lcasmaine.com, will tell you about their wish list and other information.

Artists on parade: Don Josephson is showing his works at Studio 53 in Boothbay Harbor, call 207-633-2755 about it; Kim Traina is exhibiting her "Magic Hour: A Photography and Pastel Exhibit" at the Pemaquid Watershed Association's office gallery, 207-563-2196 or wwwpemaquidwatershed.org; and Susie Stephenson's hooked rugs and Bob Thomas' paintings are available for viewing and sale at the Stable Gallery on Water Street in Damariscotta.

Other artists to keep your eye on are Ramone Hanley-Warren, Peter Brown and Elizabeth Direktor, Scott Tindall, Bob Rose and June Campbell Rose, and Gayle Fraas and Duncan Slade. If I've left anyone out, I'm sure you'll tell me. Listening to the rain fall exuberantly outside 234 River Road, 207-633-2978, and jocam@tidewater.net.