Someone should be stationed at the ferry because that seems to be where “all the news that’s fit to print” happens. It is such fun to welcome old friends and new arrivals to the island. Jumping off the boat, heading back to Little Rock, Ark, was Deb Stoddard’s sister, Mary Lou Cathey. She had a quick visit with them this time.

Barry Prizant and Elaine Meyer, friends of Glen and Cindy McC, were on island for the day, and were soon off to their place in Cranston RI.

Good to see Tony Faccenda back with his folks. They have all been sharing the cottage with Carol and Peter Burvill this time, It’s nice to have them all here.

Lars and Jackie Rydell’s latest guests were the Federspiel family of Nancy, Suzanne and Martha, from Bolton MA, Meredith NH and Brookline MA, respectively. Rumor is that they all had a ball on the West Shore. Now young Katy Rydell is here for a visit.

News from the Germain cottage: Linda and Kathy Warner with Joey Warner’s son, Steve. He and his wife live in Brooklyn and are both school administrators. He said he was three years old when the Warner cottage burned, and this is his first time back. He loved meeting all the islanders he saw on his many runs around the isle. They left last Thursday after a five-day visit in the Germain cottage, which, ironically, is next door to the lot where the Warner Cottage existed. Folks may have seen

Linda clamming on the West Shore beach, which she remembered fondly from her childhood on the Island. The Germains followed them in for the weekend.  Now renting for two weeks at the cottage is Donna Gravely, with several friends. Donna and her husband Page and son Roman, from

Middleburg, Virginia, have stayed on the Island at the McCandless cottage for a number of years.

Joining the Gunn family in the Kent Cottage were friends Michael and Jodi Hayashida with Kaya(9) and Tess(7) from Auburn ME. Rounding out the group were Julia and Dan Edwards from Bridgton ME. John G., Julia E. and Michael H. are in a band together called “Bold Riley”. And now, through the revolving doors of the Kent, we see Val and Rick Kulbacki. They were anticipating the arrival of their daughters, Kim, with her husband, Craig Rosenfeld, and kiddos, Chase(4) and Kyle(19 mos); and Lindsay, with her husband, Eric Castiglioni, and their Maggie(15 mos).

On the other side of the island, at the Norton Cottage, we heard from Siv’s daughter, Katherine Van Buskirk and her friend, Kieran Smith, from Topsfield MA, that they are having a quick weekend here.

Church lady, Molly Bogart, brought Kara Eichelberger from Chapel Hill NC (coincidentally, down the road from Emily and John Thomas), and Kristen Berger from Lewisburg PA to stay for a couple of days.

The goings-on you may have heard next door at the Nash/Burvill Cottage was Joan’s brother, Ronnie, and wife, Susan Faccenda, from Newton MA, who just popped in for the weekend.

If you heard some splashing and cheering the other night, it was just Azzie and Michelle Mackenzie arriving in the dead of night with Cade(5) and Drake(2) in tow from L.A. Maddie and Asa had arrived earlier and they helped Poppy Mackenzie bring the family up the hill. Patsy and Rachel waited at their respective cottages to receive them. They can’t wait to get down and dirty with the boys, hoping to explore all parts of the island. Azzie has just returned from producing his America’s PreGame show on Fox Sports 1 at the All-Star Baseball week in Minneapolis. He’s happy to be here for some R&R. Drake is in his new class in pre-school and Cade is starting Kindergarten where Andy and Azzie went to school and Patsy was Librarian.

Marcy and Bob Thompson’s daughter, Jen, and husband, Dave Miles, are keeping the fires warm at the Sturgis on Boardwalk Cottage. Their daughters, Hannah and Rachel, have brought their dog, Birch, from Boxford MA, and their friends, Cassie and Kevin and Kyle Doyon from Bradford MA to join them. Jen’s brother, Steven Thompson, brought his son Deven(12) all the way up from Georgia. Some of us may remember Steven, who is a pilot, flew his BIG plane over the IOS one summer when he couldn’t be here. They are keeping the cottage ready for Marcy and Bob, who return later in the week.

Thirty stalwart islanders gave a round of applause to Carl Pierce, who came and gave us another brush up on the AED machines, and he reminded us of the importance of taking a CPR course. (They are available to view on YouTube if you can’t make it physically) He recommends familiarizing ourselves with the AED and the First Aid bag inventory in case we’re called upon in an emergency. Remember: the locations for the kits are in the Library, the Casino and on the Farmhouse (Morrell Cottage) back porch. It was great to see some young people interested in knowing the rescue ropes. Nate became a willing (?) victim for some of the demonstration…and he

lived!

Seen at the first wharf party of the season were Sandy and Chuck Rooney, with Jimmy and Elyse Morrell, whizzing through saying “Hi” and Bye” at the same time. Newlyweds Ruska and Alan Hutchinson chowing down on some mighty fine hors d’oeuvres. Thanks to Deb Stoddard for setting up and all who attended for bringing food. Pat Ridlon’s sister, Renee, with Greg, Lauren and Kristen arrived for a much anticipated visit. They are so happy to see Pat’s and John’s recovery progressing right on track. Brad and Betsy Hastings, never ones to skip a wharf party, brought their college besties, Clark and Ann Griffith, who, as of two weeks ago, live on Barter’s Island. They moved here from Lexington MA and are enjoying being in close proximity to each other again. Were those two cuties chomping on the chips, charming everyone in the vicinity, being chased by Elizabeth Pierce? So glad to see how happy they are.

Jenny Mackenzie’s friends, David Heubner and John Barabino with their son, Miles(4), had just returned from the harbor where Miles coerced the dads to buy him a new tie to wear to the party. He made a quick appearance to get sufficient compliments, then was wooed away by sitters, Lija Miller and friend, Katja. A few years ago, Jenny and David made a documentary for the National Institute of Health called LEAD WITH LOVE, which you can see for free online. David and John also entertained Jenny and Lizzie in Washington while Conor Ridlon was interning in the Supreme Court last year, and they all went in their boat on the Potomac River. What an adventure!

Max brought his beautiful friend, Xantha Morse, who works as a CSNA in Wiscasset. One duo missing were Edgar Reed and his trusty deviled eggs. Can anyone guess how many were at the party?

Robin and Jon Woolson have moved into the Ridlon Family Cottage with their girls, Lydia(8) and Georgia(4).

I’m really enjoying my beautiful personal cushions Nan Bogart made for the Casino seats, as I’m sure we all are. Thank you, Nan, for your handiwork. If you haven’t had some made, you’re missing something. All proceeds go to the LIS to help keep up the improvements for the IOS.

And now for some reminders: PLEASE consider doing a service this summer (or next summer, says Molly). The dates open (and calling for help) are July 27, August 3(tennis Sunday!) and August 24. She already has one family signed up for next year. Plenty of time to prepare something SIMPLE. I was remiss last week in not thanking the Reece family for the screen and projector for making a Power Point presentation. We’ll use the screen for movie nights, too. Glen and Mike put it up to the tune of words we can’t say here.

Andrea Miller was very inspirational with her service on Sunday, quoting Henry David Thoreau, who touted the advantages of traveling within your own realm. We do tend to take our surroundings for granted, and it would benefit us all if we took the time to appreciate a simple walk in the woods or a relaxing loll on the dock, watching the comings and goings of friends and maybe strangers. Drake Mackenzie(2) was so inspired by hearing all the singing, he broke into “Let it Go” from FROZEN. Debbie Pierce introduced her goddaughter, Debbie Arenberg, who brought her daughter, Sarah(12), from S. Berwick ME, to hang for a few days.

What fun to see the colorful signs around the island that Lija and Anna have made. The latest one is at the tennis court reminding all to wear the proper tennis shoes on the courts so they don’t dig into the clay. Thanks, gals. They also do babysitting, so if anyone you know needs awesome, fun playtime for their kids, call them at the Miller Cottage.

The LIS is wondering if anyone would like to take possession of one or two of the fire-proof safes in the Casino. You would need to arrange with Mike to deliver them, so please call Ellie Morrell if you would like one or both BY JULY 27. After that, they will be given to Mike for the Rotary Auction on August 2.

Remember the wine and beer tasting party on July 26 at 6PM in the Casino. Due to liability reasons, this is an adult-only gathering (which means there will be plenty of under-21s to babysit). There will be signups at the Library for simple specific appetizers to bring. If you have questions, call Cindy McCandless. Also, if you have any island-related home movies to show that evening during the party, please let Nan or Molly Bogart know so they can include them. We’d like to thank Rob and Susan Reece and Glen McC for providing the spirits.

It is a good idea to check the bulletin board often since notices will be put up to alert or remind you of events on the island. We don’t always get to send out emails to all. And please use the index cards available inside.

And now, a mild slap on the wrist to all: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, turn out all lights in the Library and Casino when you are through using them.  Note: not all the lights and fan need to be on in the Casino. (The new bathroom light is on a timer) And, especially, do clean up after yourself after using both buildings, as well as the new bathroom. We love that they are being used, just not abused.

Are you taking pictures of your men in the family, separately or together? Send them by email (or snail mail) to Susan Reece so she and Valerie Reece can download them for the Island Men book. The other items they are requesting for the NeKrangan II display next year are old hats, pix of islanders who are no longer with us, fun items in the cottage that pertain to men in the early days of the IOS.

Finally, if you have any guests, or you see any unfamiliar faces, please find out their info and write it down for us. We hate to misspell or misspeak. At this point, you can give it to Susan Bean and she will relay it to the next columnist. If not, there may not be a column. Please sign up at the Library. Thanks for listening.