While I was away last week on a working vacation – working on my house – I didn’t have much time to catch up with the local news. I was, as they say, “plumb worn out’ in the evenings. I haven’t done construction work for over 35 years but my son-in-law pulled me through it. Thanks Robbie.

I did read the good news that the Boothbay Region Clean Drinking Water Initiative and Bigelow Laboratory are working together to ensure that our drinking water supply remains healthy. According to the article, “Cyanobacteria, a form of bacteria that are photosynthetic, has been a particular concern for coastal and lake communities across the Northeast. Blooms of the species – colloquially referred to as blue-green algae and lumped under the umbrella of harmful algal blooms – can be toxic and cause rashes, nausea and illness in humans and pets.” Bigelow’s Senior Research Scientist Rachel Sipler describes Adams and Knickerbocker as “degrading, but not yet degraded.” Read more about the collaboration and work being done in the article, “Bigelow leading project to assess cyanobacteria in drinking water.”

I am beating the drum again for a local dog park, since the news that the Clifford ballpark has been locked – and rightfully so – because dog owners aren’t cleaning up after their dogs. Months ago, my wife and I visited our son and bride-to-be in Omaha, Nebraska where we brought their dog Gus to a couple of very nice dog parks – one is actually a dog bar. There are a few dog parks around the Midcoast but it would be nice to have one close by. I haven’t done much research since our visit in Nebraska but perhaps someday a group will be formed to plan a dog park. Last I heard, there might be a good location for one beside the Boothbay transfer station.

Hard to believe that summer vacation is coming to a close for the schoolkids. There’s one full week of their vacation left and schools start up right after Labor Day so motorists need to keep that in mind as there will be more kids walking, riding their bikes, and waiting beside the road for the school bus. Slow it down – then and now!