In these late days of August, hints of autumn abound: luscious yellow goldenrod, Queen Anne’s Lace, and all the varieties of asters—white, purple, violet—greet us out on walks or just beyond the cabin door. Late summer in Sprucewold holds a richness, a beauty, that I want to take in and remember all winter long.

But summer is not over! We’ve been delighted this week to welcome a visit from our former Birch Road neighbors Sheila and Larry Jaeger. Their cabin at 8 Birch Road is now occupied by Jen and Dave Thompson and their three children. The Jaegers have been staying with both Doug and Dottie Reilly and Ralph and Gail Kimball. Having enjoyed many years of boating on Linekin Bay in the Kimball boat Gail Force, the Jaegers were pleased that Ira Casel, the current owner, has generously made the boat available during their visit.

The Ottos have had a busy week with family here to celebrate David’s 85th birthday—a large enough group, with grandkids too, that part of them took advantage of the fact that Annaliese Rittershaus Neff and her husband, Dan, make their great cabin on Crest available as a rental. Carol and Alan Fisher still have daughter Christie, from Seattle, here with them, and they’ve just said goodbye to their son, Garrett, who now lives in New Jersey, with easy access to New York.

Another August event, jointly planned at Linekin Bay Resort by the moms of Elisa Fisher Goldsmith, Rebecca Thorp Hutchinson, and Susan Otto Goodel, was a “180th birthday” celebration for these three women, who all turned 60 this summer. This occasion continues the tradition of marking big-number birthdays for the three of them over many years—most all of which were held at our iconic, greatly loved, and sorely missed Sprucewold Lodge. The LBR lunch became the essential “Plan B,” with the lodge now closed for these many years. It turned into a very happy time, especially with the help of the events manager there, Melissa Griffin Nein. Melissa, like Elisa, Rebecca, and Susan, grew up in Sprucewold and still visits often. Karen and Bill Griffin, on Crest, are her parents.

In the midst of our summer in Sprucewold, we have had to say goodbye to a number of residents who have died. I mentioned a few weeks ago the death of Sherry LaBelle, whose funeral occurred recently at the UCC church in town. We also mourn the passing of Greg Muzzy (he and Donna were long-time residents on Crooked Pine); Don Peck (who with his wife, Pat, also owned a cabin on Crooked Pine); Jack Angel (who lived with his wife, Sarah, also recently deceased, on Bayberry for many years); and Birch Road resident Debbie Smith. Debbie and Doug, residents of Palm Desert, California, arrived for the summer just as Debbie became ill, and they returned home quickly for possible treatment for her. Doug is part of the Barbara and Dick Smith family, Sprucewold residents for many years. Barbara and Dick were donors and participants in the design of our greatly valued Nahanada Park, a spot succeeding the historic salt water pool on that site. Susan Jaskot, a daughter of Barbara and Dick, is the current owner of their former cabin on Bayberry.

I had a heartwarming conversation with Susan Jaskot a few days ago, when she called to share the news of Debbie Smith’s death. In Sprucewold, Susan and I came to see as we talked, many of us who spend summers here come to believe we have found a place where we somehow connect more closely. Perhaps it’s a long family history here. Or the thoughtful structure of our shared resident associations and the benefits they offer. Or the ocean and the woods. Or the sense that we are supported and nurtured by how we live when we are here. Likely, all of these and more contribute to our sense of community.

As August winds down, our lives generally become more quiet. Guests are leaving. John Otto and Jody Lorence have sent their kids, Jessica and Andrew, back home to Bethesda, Maryland, and Bellingham, Washington—along with their four grandkids; Charles and Elaine Rittershaus have bid farewell to a large group of children and grandchildren; Barb and Curt Audin have undoubtedly enjoyed and are recovering from entertaining a four-year-old grandchild solo, in recent weeks. There’s a lot to remember.

The text on the last page of Rusticators says it all. Below a photo of the firmly latched wooden door of one of our cabins, we are reminded that:

“As August comes to a close, the days are shorter, and red maple leaves litter the road to the beach. Fewer boats tug at the offshore moorings. A neighbor has dropped off bottles of barely used ketchup and mustard, dribs and drabs of jams, and a carton of ice cream still half full, leaving behind as well the wish of a good winter for all. People close up their cabins, return to other lives. But only briefly. When December turns to January, the planning begins for another summer in Maine.”