The other day we saw a large flock of small black-headed gull-like birds constantly discussing something, as they swooped and soared over the heads of the black and white eider ducks, who were placidly bobbing around in the waves offshore. Oddly enough, no other gulls, terns, comorants, or seabirds were anywhere in sight. Does anyone know who they were, where they are headed or why they were so vocal? We have formed an impromptu "Chipmunk Rescue League" with Maria Poore, and have jointly managed to safely transport some to safer territory and snatch others from the jaws of the playful cat at my house. Ironically, this same cat leapt out an open upstairs window the next day onto the house roof, and had to be rescued herself! We enjoyed a pleasant evening with Maria, her neighbors, the MacDonalds, and Jean Slayton the other night at our home - it was great fun!

I have had many requests lately to provide assistance, contacts, and information about Ocean Point and Ocean Pointers. I welcome the chance to be of help, and to be able to share our experiences and the news that you provide for this column. Thanks to all of you who keep me informed. The conscientious cottage caretakers and contractors are putting in extra time and effort to have the cottages ready for the scheduled arrival of our summer neighbors. Jim and Barbara Brown have arrived, and Fran Evans, the Gibbons, Mattie and John Barnes, Berta and Ray Alden, Rudi and Jean Irmischer, and, of course, Bob and Ann Slayton, are due in very soon. The Browns had a great reunion with their families in Florida this spring. Most of the children and grandchildren will be up this summer. Bill, Rhoda, and Baby Rio plan to come up, if only for a couple of days. There's Ocean Point dedication at its best! We see Priscilla Alden and her friends and her dog Ali often in the early morning and Dave Dudley a little later each day, briskly walking past the house. John Webster also jogged by today, with a cool summer haircut and broad smile.

The Hambletts spent Memorial Day weekend at the Point with nine of their 12 grandchildren. Leslie, DJ, and their four children were there. Their youngest child is John Raymond Gamach III, born on January 17, 2003. Andy and Meagan will be staying at the cottage while their kitchen in their East Boothbay home is being renovated. The family held a John Stevens Memorial Croquet Tournament on Sunday, which Ted Fuller and Angela Horner won. They played John's rules, which sounded like a very lively game!

Tom McGonegal reports that Tom Jr. and his friend, Alexis McKay, spent last weekend with him here. Tish McGonegal conducted an all day National Writers Conference in Vermont recently. Tom also told me that Bob and Ann Slayton were here with Beckett, Hattie and Curly the dog. They trimmed the grass and posted some activity notices at the Casino. They will be here to open the Casino for the season on June 23rd. A weekly schedule will be available then. In the meantime, you can drop by the bulletin board and check out the bright colored posters. There will be Jr. Tennis, Kids Tennis, Ladies Day, and Mixed Double Scrambles. For the children there will be Monday Field Activities and Wednesday Softball from 4 to 5 p.m. Maine story telling time will be on Thursday a.m. (11:15-11:45) starting on June 26th. The Horribles Parade will begin at Van Horn Road at 9:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 5 . That happens to be the day of our 45th wedding anniversary, and some of you will remember that day at the chapel, when so many of our friends offered congratulations to a very young couple in love. Jim (Skeeter) Duncan and Virginia (Earl) DeCesare were our attendants. We honeymooned at my father's hunting camp in Washington County and had to come home two days early because a raccoon waddled away with all our food! I'd like to offer my best wishes to Peter Van Aken and Candy who will be getting married soon. A word of caution: stay away from hungry raccoons! Also, best wishes to Linda and Bayard Clark and their family on the upcoming birth of their new baby. I can be reached at (207) 633-3669 or by e-mail: waldman@gwi.net.