As promised at the end of last week's column. A wonderful long e-mail from Charlene Rydell told of being on the island on April 10th in order for Lars to celebrate his 60th birthday. Even with no water on they tramped most of the island paths, had a picnic on the rocks at Deep Cove and saw some of the wild turkeys. They had hooked a ride with Mike back to the mainland and were delighted when he invited them to see his and Lynn's new home, which Charlene termed lovely and just perfect for them. The most exciting part of the letter was the news that their only offspring, Dr. David, is about to start work at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. He had been invited to come east and talk with the folks there because of his experience in both trauma and general surgery. The family accompanied him east and grandma and grandpa enjoyed the company of Katie and Carl over Presidents Day weekend. That hospital is expanding their trauma service and David just fit their niche. The family will leave Montana in July, but that will be an adventure, for they have horses which they will trailer 1700 miles across country. David's Maine medical license was granted a couple of days ago, all is in place for him to start practice. Welcome back to Maine, David. Lars and Charlene will make one last trip out to Montana this week to celebrate Carl's eighth birthday, with a planned trip to the famous dinosaur museum in Alberta. Just think for his ninth birthday it will only involve a two-hour auto ride!

Emily Ayer's accolades are for a poem she wrote which earned her first place, and $30 in her Ledyard High School's (Conn.) poetry contest. She is a freshman, and she beat out the senior who is the poet laureate of that high school. I had asked for a copy to share with you, but it hasn't arrived yet. Maybe it will come overnight. No so.

Edgar has moved over to the island and has issued this invitation for any and all who are on the island to a party on Saturday, May 25th at 5 p.m. at his cottage. He is calling it a party to honor the TWO historic 1888 Crystal Springs! Each person attending will receive a copy of the history of the two springs. You are encouraged to bring an hors d'oeuvre. See you there.

What I suspect is the final postcard from Susan Hutchinson showed Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. They had done an arduous 8-1/2 mile hike into the Rio Grande Canyon, but were rewarded with great beauty. They saw the pueblo and enjoyed an early Spanish church. Once they finished checking out Las Vegas they headed home. Do you suppose they will try to win back the money they spent for the trip? Knowing Alan and his bankers ways, they'll probably do all right.

Now for bits and pieces. There was some activity on the island this weekend. The Sturgis Corner Cottage was host to a crew to open it for the season. Joy Foster, Deb Widbiller and son Max and a friend of hers, Susan and Scott Bean and a friend of hers, Sarah Ayer Fatone, Rob Ayer and a friend of his, Jim Candee, were the ones I found out about. Rob stopped by my cottage and said he was going to have to leave before the rest, because he had to get back home and go to the State Banquet honoring Scholar-Athletes from all over Connecticut. His presence was required for his daughter, Kate, is the recipient for Ledyard High School. What an honor Kate! Congratulations.

From the cars in the parking lot, I perceived that there were Reeces and Fernalds on the island, but I did not see them. I had taken a walk around but I didn't see any of our purported wildlife creatures either.

Had a phone call from Judy Miller who was trying to track down Edgar Reed. Rolly was out fishing, and she is busy with year-end stuff at the college. The move back to Lenox will come in June, with the island not far behind.

An e-mail from Phyllis Webster thanked me for sending a copy of the column which told the story of the Miller-Mackenzie reunion instigated by her. She is hoping that Muriel will again invite her to visit so that she can enjoy our 4th of July activities.

And a retraction and apology from June Sturgis. Seems that son-in-law, Greg Aker, let her know that the alert about privacy which I gave you all last week is a bit of a scam to get people worried. I had not gotten around to making the phone call, and I hope not too many of you had either. That still doesn't explain the paperwork June had received in her mail after she made her phone call. Why anyone would go to those lengths to get people worried is beyond me.