I'm a fellow baby-boomer of Ann Dooley who wrote last week's column. Thank you to Helene Barnes for her news of the summer.

A choral director professor I had studied under in the 1990s gave us an assignment at the University of Georgia. We were to listen to all sounds around us. While walking down Lakeside Drive toward Samoset Road, I heard the "major-second interval" bird call of the White Throated Sparrow in the forest, as it lingered on the higher of the two notes for four distinct beats. During a strong south wind, I'd hear the slap of the flagpole halyard across Reed's Cove at Ralph and Nancy Atkinson's' reassuring me that they were in residence. I'd hear the sound of three fog horns back then, in no particular rhythm, but in the pitch of a minor-second, followed by a major-third. Today we hear but one fog horn. Sitting on the porch at night after dark to star-gaze, the quietest time of day, we still hear the three-tone sound of the Southport Bridge as a car passes by. Because of that assignment, I have become more aware of the sounds around me: a dog in distress, an alarming scream at the beach, which is most often an exhilarating release at having finally immersed oneself in the refreshing cove. Chain saws, chippers, lawnmowers and crickets and all the other sounds, smells and memories of summers at Juniper/McKown Point are what we carry with us. We mark the weekend of Labor Day as the time to say "Auf Wiedersehen," literally translated not as good-bye but rather, "Until we meet again." I like that as it says that we will be reunited.

Nancy and Michael DeSisto's niece, Emma, 21, (daughter of John and Hugh Phibbs) and sister of Liam, finally came to Cedar Lane. She's been a figure skater from a young age and is now studying at the University of Delaware. Boyfriend, Reed, a hockey player in Canada, age 20, and Maeve O'Connell, age 19 and sophomore at Adrian College, Adrian, Mich. were talking with six baby-boomers. I asked these brilliant young people what our generation could do to help their generation. Their responses: Don't ask what we are majoring in because we don't know yet. Instead, ask us how college is going. Don't assume that we know just yet what we will dedicate our life to. Give us time. We will figure it out. I pass on the wisdom of youth. Maeve plays trumpet beautifully, is in the pep band at Adrian and sings in a crystal clear lyric soprano voice. She plays a mean game of Scrabble and has whipped this writer on many occasions. Maeve's brother James (and his wife, Connie), following completion of James' deployment to Iraq, are at Ft. Hood near Austin, Texas. We thank all service people in our military, whether or not we agree with the war. Our Lady Queen of Peace church has begun each carillon ringing with the theme song of each of the five branches of military. It's given this writer time to reflect on all the emotions we feel, and to remember those in harm's way.

Penny Kritchell and sons spent some time on Pooler Road. Joan Phibbs spent an extended time with son Liam above the shop along with Liam's Aunt Nancy and her husband, "Curly," I mean Mike DeSisto. Liam bailed our dinghy when we were unable to, and sailed brilliantly at Southport Yacht Club. We saw Liam the day after the camp-out on Spectacle (something our kids and friends did 15 years ago). Liam looked tired but happy after eating a hearty meal of lobster. He will be a senior in high school this year and runs cross country. He may run over to Occidental. Aunt Nancy had Reed and Emma cooking in the kitchen and Uncle Michael took them boating. Reed thoroughly enjoyed his first time in Maine. We look forward to seeing Hugh Phibbs next summer (husband of Joan and father of Liam and Emma) and learning more about the art preservation he does in D.C. and around the world.

Charlie Beattie worked in broadcasting in one of the Carolina's recently and his sisters Annie Beattie Walsh and Ginger were swimming on a cold day off the dock as we were greeting the farm boat. It was wonderful seeing the girls after 18 years. Annie and our Laura hung out back then.

When you speak with Bill Babcock and he tells you he was born in "aught seven," please don't believe him. Do believe him however, if he (or Victoria) tells you they had a 16-mouth courtship. Bill first came to McKown Point, having worked with the late Henry Tomkinson (father of Nancy Nybert and sister, Barbara, and uncle of Sandy Swope). When we met Bill 20 years ago, he said he was "the new kid on the block." We truly understand that statement now.

Leni Fleming is in her cottage on Juniper Point road having driven by herself from Los Angeles. Daughter Meg (25) is a full-time nanny and Erin (28) is a writer but funds it by being a substitute teacher. It was good to see friends our children had grown up with. Grandparents are Lou and Jean Fleming.

Jonathan and Jodi Sylvester, about 40, with son Henry, age six, were on the beach with grandpa Robert and grandma Dorothy, who now live in Damariscotta. Grandma assured Henry there was not one octopus in Reed's Cove. Henry has seen whirlpools in the cove and is enjoying the family's young black lab.

Cynthia MacCormac, (daughter of Ken and Mary, and mother of Emma, four, and Jack, 18 months, and Cynthia's chemist husband who is originally from our home state of Michigan), surprised the family by taking them to meet an "old friend." The friend happened to be Dwayne at the bridge. The family had quite a tour of how the bridge works. Although Dwayne and his twin brother don't know all of us, we sure appreciate them for all they do for that lovely, historic bridge.

Cynthia is now in her 40s, very happily married and was the first babysitter to our son David (nearly 31) and Laura, 28, when they were ages 11 and nine the summer of 1988, our first summer in residence at the Clock Cottage. Cynthia actually drove our old whaler to boating day at Outer Heron Island. Larry is an avid boater but he was at our home in Germany working. This Great Lakes' girl wasn't ready for boating on the ocean. Along came Jean Hazelton at age 80 who boldly climbed out of her escorted dinghy. Wow, did she teach me a lesson: that age has no limitations. Though our bodies age and we must do more gentle forms of exercise (like Tai Qi), our minds must keep active, pursuing things with enthusiasm just as Jean always did. We were blessed to have met Jean's two sons and their wives, Mark and Jackie Hazelton and Dan and Donna Hazelton and the three wonderful young (in their 20s) grandsons of Jean: Danny who sells timeshare condominiums in San Francisco, Whitney who just left Fla. for Calif. to go to a school for youth ministry, and Brook, head of Philips dePury & Co. in N.Y.C. Brooks' lovely girlfriend was glad to be visiting Maine for the first time.

Ann Swope, a signer for the deaf, used her skills to help us communicate with her young deaf friend (who has the cutest one-year-old child, Myron). The young mom is originally from Nicaragua and they enjoyed the warmth of Reed's Beach. Ann explained that each country has its own language of "signing/hand signals." American signing uses different hand signals than Spanish-speaking Nicaraguan signers use, for example. It was great seeing Kate Swope and friends and she appreciated working in Boston so that she can come most weekends.

Cary Edwards does docent training for the new installation at the Davis Museum at Wellesley College. Cary (and Peter's) youngest daughter, Julie, just graduated from Wheaton College in Massachusetts, class of '07 and mom Cary, class of '70, has just been elected a trustee of Wheaton, "sort of like ships passing." Cary reports that Julie is hoping to find work in an art gallery. Big sister (about age 27) Christina and boyfriend Aaron spent some time in their cottage on Pooler Road before returning to Lake Tahoe where Christina will teach for the first time a class of first graders, after having completed a master's in education from Boston College this spring.

The same day that we celebrated the 99 years of rich life, which Jean Hazelton had blessed us with, the Lewis family in the old Ross Green cottage was celebrating the gift of life which had been given back to their niece, Amanda, age 17. Last summer she had been diagnosed with brain cancer. Having completed chemotherapy and radiation in Maine this summer, she had but one request of Uncle Ben and Aunt Lizzie: To host a party for friends and family who had supported Amanda and family throughout her grueling and precarious year of treatment. It was an event on Cedar Lane to be remembered. Ben and Lizzie alerted us that there would be a party but asked nothing of us - not to move cars, not to do anything. However, in the spirit of community, John O'Connell directed traffic for family members dropping off elderly or food or babies. John and Genie along with Ted and Betty Repa made parking spaces available for the joyous event. Amanda's high school friend's band welcomed everyone and delicious food was served, brought in by Ben's siblings and parents. Amanda was sitting in the shade and absolutely radiant with delight at having finished treatments. With no hair and in a barely audible voice, she thanked Larry and me for coming. Embraces from Pa and Nana (a.k.a. Alan and Chalmer Lewis from East Boothbay) who are angels themselves, sent us on our way next door. It was an emotional day for this writer, having recently celebrated 24 months of remission, square dancing at night with four generations of JPVISers celebrating Jean Hazelton's life, and a memorial service to a great lady. Camera in hand, I got a beautiful shot of Nancy Nyberg in her square dancing dress as she was twirling around with husband David. They were the most handsome couple in attendance with square dancing matching outfits. Son, Noah Nyberg, graciously waited on us at Ports of Italy.