All did not go smoothly, for I only got 11 miles out of town when my car, which had previously pulled the same trick a week before, broke down. I was trying to get to Bruce's house to pick up the emergency cell phone Bruce had acquired for me but didn't quite make it. Mind you, the car had been serviced after the first breakdown. A kind lady at the Boothbay Region Information booth on Route 1, let me use the phone and Bruce arrived after three different folks stopped to offer assistance. With his help I got a great rental car at the Portland Airport, and was finally on my way, but too late to observe the graduation ceremony for the nursery school, where Beth Ayer is the director.

The rest of the week went smoothly, but a crowd of 250 at the reunion dinner did not permit any sustained conversation with anyone but the folks at my table. I did skip some of the extra-day activities and had meaningful hours with selected old friends, making the trip worthwhile.

Spent an overnight visit with Mary Jane and Alden Reed in Worcester on the way home. Both are in great shape, and I was tickled with myself that after about 15 years I remembered the way to their house. After Eddie's disastrous fire, Alden had written me that he had found another Chris Craft like the one burned in the fire, but thought he would pass and have another 1930s Chris Craft that he owns restored. Or he may have Eddie finish off a fiberglass hull in the style of the open type cockpit of the antique Chris Crafts.

Our hobbily ex-islander Phyl Webster wrote of her fall, and said she had had to cancel ideas of being on the island for the 4th of July festivities with Muriel Dawes. Once her doctor says it's okay, she plans to spend the summer with daughter, Judy at her summer place. That address is: c/o Wm. Underkofler, Tee-O-Wana Cottages, 4th Lake, Old Forge, N.Y. 13420. I'll try to remember to post that address on the Post Office bulletin board. Currently she is back in her Englewood home with Judy doing the going and fetching needed. She will not show up in Bangor at all, and plans to return to Florida on September 6, hopefully to be able to get back to the golf courses.

Another besides me was attending a 50th reunion recently, this one from what used to be Westbrook College, now the University of New England. There, Eleanor Manning Morrell received the Tower Award, which is bestowed for Alumnae Achievement. This is a person who most often works very quietly behind the scenes, especially on the island, and it is great to know that others have recognized this ``giver'' for what she is. In case you haven't guessed where the info came from, Smoke, a very proud husband, let me in on the news. Congratulations!

The island has received an invitation relayed by Muffie Fernald, to a fund-raising bash for the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service, which is about to construct a new base of operations behind the Boothbay Post Office. The party, with drinks and hors d'oeuvres served by members of the corps, is at Christopher's Boathouse on June 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. Any islander is welcome and encouraged to attend. This is a service that we could not live without here in the Region, and needs our continued support.

By now, Hannah Morehouse should be on the island. In a June note she told of a recent babysitting stint she had with granddaughter, Emma, in North Hampton. Daughter Anne's sitter had to start a summer job, and Anne was still hard at work on her thesis, so grandma filled in for a week. It was strenuous as she points out, for the child does not sleep during the day, but does well at night. Without a playpen, Hannah reports that they did a lot of walks.

Hannah had also been reunioning. Hers was her 45th from Swarthmore. Since brother Tom lives in the vicinity, she saw them and carried back a painting by Diane, to be used for the NeKrangen auction. Peter and Hannah had had their annual southern journey this spring checking on his 95-year-old mom, who is in good shape, and Robert and Jenny, who plan to head for Massachusetts in October to meet their niece, Emma.

The lobster boat races were held in the Harbor this past weekend. Sue and Alan Hutchinson invited anyone on the island who was interested to view the commotion from their cruiser. According to Edgar, the crowd included the Weltys, Pierces, Woolsons, Ridlons, and the Morrells. Pat Ridlon missed the island departure, but arrived in their boat to bob around near the Hutchinsons. I'm sure they all enjoyed the spectacle, except probably Alan who must have been busy looking out for other boats as they jockeyed around.

I've saved the sad news for last. Louise Barr Mackenzie departed this life on June 9, peacefully in her sleep. Will called to tell me the news, and I had a good chat with him. Because of his recent ankle surgery he is not permitted to fly yet, so services will not be held until Tuesday, June 22 in Providence. She was cremated and her ashes laid to rest next to Bill. A memorial service will be held at the Central Congregational Church, Angel Street, at noon on the 22nd.

Even though she was the Shakespeare professor at Wheaton College for many years, I remember her best as a gracious hostess and a wonderful writer of poetry about the island. Since she died in June, I'll share the one she wrote about ``June Morning.''

I wake to the song sparrow singing his five note tune;

The twin pines by our window shine in the morning sun,

The cat's fur gleams as she stretches in lazy delight,

The grass glistens with dew. Humming softly I say,

``Today is a typical island day.''

The laughter from the milk truck calls me down the stairs

As the children's voices float on the morning air,

And the milkman's whistle tells me all is well.

I open the door to hear him say,

``Today is a typical island day.''

Our neighbor steps out on her porch and we talk

of the garden, and shall we prune the tree by the walk?

Or sail to the Harbor while the morning is new?

As we drink in the view I know she will say,

``Today is a typical island day.''

On Martha's Vineyard and Guernsey, Nantucket and Wight,

When summer sounds rise in the pale gold light

and sailboats and seagulls blend water and sky,

Like us, do they look at the view and say

``Today is a typical island day.''

I'm sure the island joins me in sending our sympathy to Will and the rest of his family. Louise was one of the last of the generation who held this island together after the great Depression and the agony of World War II. Although she wore very thick glasses, she ``saw'' with very fine eyes the spirit that is the island and could translate it into words.