The “summer off” is over for this schoolteacher. First grade is going well: 17 eager 6-year-olds and a bunch of colleagues that can’t be beat! How lucky am I? It really is what I love to do.

So, how do I get back into this column groove? Send me news.

Something old: From the Weltys: “We’re home and everything is OK at our place (in Colorado Springs).  However, flash floods have been terrible and are still in the forecast.  We drove around Denver to avoid any problems and haven't seen any of the damage here yet.  This area has really been getting it with fires, drought and now flash floods for the past two years.  We won't have any flooding problems here at our condo as we are on the mesa and the creeks are below us.  Not much rain since our return but we may have a lot tomorrow.

“Trip home was OK but seemed long.  We had a nice visit with Jim's sister and her husband in St. Paul, which added two days to our drive.  Had a few frustrations on our drive (e.g.) one town in Nebraska where we expected to spend the night was sold out at 6:30 due to some big do that was going on and  we had to drive another 50 miles).  Last day was short. We're celebrating our 60th anniversary with a brunch at the Broadmoor with our two families from Denver, plus Alyssa and Bryce who will be up for a wedding on Saturday. It should be fun!”

Wow, 60 years! Congratulations! We did have lunch with Jan and Jim at the Broadmoor when we visited a few years ago; it was a lovely venue.

Something new from Glen McCandless: “At the Jones Cottage, Keith and Janet McCandless from San Francisco spent a couple of weeks to celebrate their 50th year of ‘falling in love’ as an island couple and their 40th year as husband and wife. Keith and Janet met in August of 1963 when Janet’s family rented the Rydell cottage. On the heels of their departure, Glen McCandless arrived September 17 with his friend Bob Galloway from Asheville, N.C. Bob is a craftsman (carpenter, wood finisher, potter, artist) with a specialty in restoring old homes and properties.  

“Bob did a magnificent job refinishing the woodwork in the pantry of the Jones Cottage, while Glen and Don Jarvi tackled other projects to freshen up the cottage for its century celebration this spring as part of the opening party.  The weather was gorgeous — so while they were not slaving away on projects, Glen and Bob enjoyed some great Maine craft brews and viewing the full moon sparkling across the water over Spectacle Island, and an amazing silhouette of a large flock of geese squawking their way to the north across the moonlit waters.  

“Amazing!  A wonderful evening at Reeces’ with chefs Rob and Susan serving yummy, sometimes messy appetizers and ‘make you giggle beverages,’ good laughs and fun with Brad and Betsy Hastings and Peter and Carol Burvill — a beautiful sunset followed by a spectacular meal.  Closing up the cottage is never a fun job, but the company of island friends makes it much easier!  

“This year was very special as closing up signaled the official end of 100 seasons of the Jones Cottage magic for hundreds of people from around the world and a lovely maternity ward for red squirrels, who again this year have taken up residence in the attic after chewing a hole completely through the outside of the cottage!”

Oh, boy. Squirrels are never a good thing.

Something borrowed? Books! I, for one, have three books to return to the IOS Library when we close on Columbus Day. And I may even borrow some more for the winter. What a lucky gig we have here with the honor system … just sign ‘em out and return ‘em when you can!

Something blue? These skies have been so blue this week! Another lucky reason to be in Maine this fall. Field trips to apple orchards and chili and chowder cook-offs are only a few of the reasons we love this area … the Harbor Fest was busy and there are many more activities planned for the fall.

Don’t forget to send me your news.