For those who came to open cottages this weekend, the weather was not nice. Rain on Saturday and Sunday and very cool. Sue and Rob Reece succeeded in their first visit objectives of raking, cutting up a blow down and to circle the island on foot, and then by kayak.

Bruce and Nan Bogart with the help of Molly and Hannah got our cottage to rights, and concentrated on getting the new digital TV, needed by February 2009, since we do not have cable, up and running, plus some repair work on the living room couch. They were a bit damp as they stopped here on their way home on Sunday.

News on the Hastings' front is that son Cooper has returned from San Francisco to the east coast and while job hunting is currently working part-time at the Pomfret School until the right position opens up. He wants to work in independent school admissions. Again, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Word from Phyl Webster in Florida is that she will be with her daughter Judy Underkoffler in Leominster, Mass. from June 18 to September 4. Judy's husband Bill is now in an Alzheimer's unit at Sunrise, and Judy has a two-bedroom unit in the same complex. It was chosen because Judy's son Mark lives nearby. For Judy's address: Sunrise #228, 6 Beth St., Leominster, MA 01453; call phone number is 607-240-1088. E-mail is

junderk

@stillmoon.com

. Judy is hoping their Vestal, N.Y. home will sell, but she does not plan to sell the cottages. This will make it a closer jaunt to the island if Phyl and Judy so desire. Hope we see you soon, Phyl.

Another bit of unfortunate news concerns Carol Esterberg, which came by way of a phone call from Kristen Esterberg to Susan Reece. Carol has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is home now from the hospital. She could use some cheering up at 1534 Wakefield Circle, Deltona, FL 32725. I'm sure Bob could use a word of encouragement too.

Sarah Van Hoogenstein will graduate from Connecticut College on May 18. This past January she was back in Granada, Spain where she had a semester last year, on a grant from alums. There she did further research on Spanish Gypsys known as Gitanos. Past graduation, she has accepted a job with City Year in D.C. and will be helping to teach students about AIDS and other social issues, plus a tutoring program for after-school hours. Andrew Van Hoogenstein is job searching now that he has finished his masters. He and a friend made quite a tour of the east coast managing to bunk in with high school or college friends all except one night spent in a hostel. Niki and Neil spent New Year's in Florida and were in Atlanta for a trade show the week before the tornado hit the building they had been exhibiting in. Whew! Niki went back to Florida for most of February, until mid-March when Sarah joined her for the semester break. They had great beach walking with the dogs. Sarah was also training for a half marathon she will run on Memorial Day weekend, so the good weather was a blessing. Niki and Neil will go to Connecticut College to see Sarah receive two academic awards for both her majors, sociology and Hispanic studies. Way to go Sarah.

This news may be late for you but Jenny Mackenzie will be in Portland on May 5, Bangor on May 6, Waterville on May 7, Augusta on May 8, and Lewiston on May 9 showing her video "Kick Like a Girl," a story about an undefeated girls' soccer team competing in a boys' division. It reminds us all of the lessons learned in competitive athletics and how sports has been one of the most effective instruments of social change.

Art Pierce had a very novel May 1 st . Heading for Sugarloaf on April 30, he hit the Super quad lift waiting line at 8:15 a.m. with about 12 other skiers. He skied three different trails and quit at 10:30 a.m. He then drove to Sawyers and launched his kayak at 2 p.m. and paddled to Ram to inspect for winter damage and trash. No trash and only one blow-down. On to Powderhorn where only trash was a fire ring of nails from pallets burned. On to Spectacle which yielded six beer cans and sightings of more spruce having come down added to the ones from Patriot's Day of 2007. This is not our island, but Art will be leading an expedition to Spectacle on July 18 for the Land Trust. Ospreys in evidence at Spectacle and Ridlons at IOS. Skiing and kayaking all on the first of May, quite a day. He got back to Belfast for a late supper with Deb!

Now for the sad and good. Unfortunately the death of Campbell (Cam) Niven on April 28. Cam had Alzheimer's but also had been on dialysis, and it was his kidneys that caused his death. There will be a service at the First Parish Church in Brunswick on Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. Betsy would appreciate condolences at 12 Atwood Circle, Brunswick, ME 04011 and their three kids, Andy, Allison and Doug.

One lost, but two gained. Nick and Carrie Saunders are crowing about the birth of their twin boys on May 1. Brody Nicholas at 7 lbs. 10 oz. preceded his brother Evan Mitchell at 7 lbs. All are doing just fine and can be congratulated at 373 Broad Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801. I can only think of one other set of twins for the island, the Reece ones and boys again. Congratulations to this doubly enlarged family.