The flowers in the region are waving their heads vigorously in thanks for the rain we had Sunday. Islanders up for the weekend got a very damp send-off as they left for the week. You can't keep everyone happy. I believe that Mr. A. Lincoln had a phrase similar to that.

Two more stalwarts are ensconced on the island in the Petterson cottage. Sarah and Andrew Van Hoogenstein are here to work in the harbor this summer. Andrew is working at Andrew's Harborside as a line cook in the kitchen. Even though he is actively looking for work in the police field, while he waits placement, he has had experience in the food industry. Sarah just graduated from Connecticut College, and is expecting to work in a local coffee shop. Her further plans after the summer concern working in Washington, D.C. as a volunteer with inner city schools. After that year she may try for her master's degree, something to do with her intense experiences in Spanish.

Deb Pierce entertained a group of friends this week. There was tennis, canoeing, kayaking and island walks. On one of those they encountered Lars and Jackie Rydell, and there were gals in the group from Orono who knew the Rydells, but were unaware of their island connection. Our little island offers wonderful surprises. Another thing the group did was to tour our beautiful Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, a grand surprise in itself. Art Pierce is the one who stopped by my house to spread the word, and his parting shot is that Chris Balcer is now a legal, certified DRIVER. How do these kids grow up so fast?

I took a ride over to the parking lot to case the joint and found lots of cars, not all of which I could identify. Matt and Chase Bogart arrived as I was trying to figure out who was on the island and then a very slimmed down Richard Phillips came across to rustle up lunch makings. He let me know that Dave Stoddard was on board and he and Deb were entertaining a group of three other couples, I believe. N.H. cars looked like Aeschlimans were there and a large contingent of Reeces, plus the newly engaged couple, Evan and Annie were gathering to take off for an adventure in southern France. I trust we will hear more when they return.

Joanne Phillips called me last night with a request and some information I did not know. She had placed the flower boxes at our little waiting hutch at Sawyers, and was asking folks to see that they got watered occasionally. Unknown fact. There is a spigot and small hose line at the connection where our Boothbay Water District connection is at Sawyers. This is a great help in the watering department, or if you need a drink, or water for whatever reason. That's a great new convenience. This week, since they are predicting rain for each day, you don't have to worry about the watering. Maybe you'll need to empty some out!

Some of the plethora of Massachusetts cars belonged to the Burvill and Faccenda gang. Even Kyle Burvill was with Peter and Carol, an infrequent visitor.