I'm back at my Monday morning assignment, writing about you Isle of Springers. I have thoroughly enjoyed my three months free of this requirement and must thank the 10 various folks who gave me the time off. It ran the gamut from teenagers to folks in their 70s and I am very grateful. You known who you are, and please accept my heartfelt thanks.

Most of what I have to tell you came from the immediate past columnist, Sue Woolson who kindly called me with news before she left. I believe she and Monty are now on their way back to Arizona. They have planned to leave tomorrow, because Sue, wonderful volunteer that she is at our local library, had signed up for a class to be given at that library this morning but unexplainably canceled so there was nothing to hold them back. We wish them a safe trip across the country.

Last weekend saw a number of folks enjoying the great weather we have been having. Lars Rydell and his "mystery lady" Jackie plus her dog, were here with Katy Rydell Sr. to close up that cottage on the west shore. The Fernalds have been back and forth from Portland. One day Muffie had a friend with her, Karen Henderson. Muffie is an elegant hostess and I'm sure Karen must have enjoyed a special visit.

The Millers have left "the building" so to speak, to take up residence on their second island, Martha's Vineyard. I believe they close on their new abode this Tuesday or Wednesday. Now I wonder if "Island Hopper" will become a fixture down in Massachusetts so they can come and go at will, and Roland can check out the fishing possibilities in a new venue. Pat and John Ridlon have returned to New Jersey, their principal residence, even though they will spend some time in Florida, when it's cold up north. Pat reported a nature observance to Sue Woolson. She heard and then saw a Piliated Woodpecker down near the NeKrangen II. I've seen one or two in my lifetime and they are magnificent, large and brightly colored. I hope this one stays around so more can se it next season.

Another nature sound was hissing at Keith MacGilvra in some underbrush. No sighting, but we wonder if it was a fisher, which Bob Adams had told me years ago that he had seen on the island. They are mean animals, and tough on cats, which we have an abundance of on the island in season. Sighted, but not engaged in conversation was Deb MacGilvra. She was seen by Art Pierce, who was down on the island to work with that group from the MIT outing club that Art had told us about earlier in an e-mail. They were back again to work on the clean-up on the Ram Islands. How lucky we are to have a group like that with ties to the Pierces who love to work in the outdoors and save the island a grand amount of Moola. Considering the amount we paid for the removal of two big pines at our cottage, it would have been extremely expensive for the island to have paid professional tree guys to clear the debris from the Patriot's Day storm.

Saturday I went over to Sawyer's to check out the cars in the parking lot, and ran into my son-in-law, Rob Ayer. This was the weekend that Ayers and Fosters arrived to close up the Sturgis Corner Cottage. Representing the Ayer branch was Rob, his mom Peg, his brother Tim, and his sister Sarah Fatone. By the way, her husband Anthony has retired from his plumbing business and is currently seeking that little white dimpled ball, otherwise known as golf to fill his days. Maybe we'll see more of him on the island in the future. The Foster side had Joy, her daughter Susan and husband Scott Bean, and daughter Deb Widbiller and grandson Max Widbiller. Good thing there were some strong men for there was much exchange of furniture which was accomplished with Mike, his lobstering boat and high tide. Yes, the ferry needed work on the water pump so she has gone for her winter haul-out. And it was Blake's workboat, our old "Dorothy W." that towed her down to Blake's Boatyard. With the Abigail Swett out of commission when I left the island, I had a very wet trip in Mike's boat along with Mike and Donald. I don't know what they did on arriving home, but I stripped off my clothes and they went right into the dryer.

An e-mail from Jen Mackenzie indicated that her documentary about Herbie will be screened at the New Hampshire International Film Festival in Portsmouth the weekend of October 13-14. There will be three showings, Saturday at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and on Sunday at 10:45 p.m. Chip and Jen will have Herbie Lovitt with them and they would love to see those of you close to Portsmouth at the showing. Since the water will be off on the island, Jen suggests it's a good time to see foliage on your way to the show. I'm so goad I saw it when they finally had a viewing later in the summer after the cancellation caused by Patsy's health scare.