Hello friends and neighbors!

It’s summertime, and the livin’ is easy! By all reports, last week’s old fashioned Ice Cream Social hosted by the Westport Community Association was a huge success! As many as 70 people helped consume seven gallons of vanilla, chocolate, black raspberry and coffee ice cream topped with all sorts of yummy goodies. Both kids and adults enjoyed catching up with friends as well as playing croquet, badminton, horseshoes, bocci and corn hole toss. The younger set was entertained with bubbles, glider planes and balsa helicopters. Unfortunately, no one seemed to be able to master the hula hoop! Thanks to Round Top Ice Cream, Island Sign Works, the Squire Tarbox Inn, and event sponsor Wiscasset Ford for helping to make it all happen.

You will have another chance to gather with friends for some fun and food on Labor Day, when the Westport Island Democrats are sponsoring a public picnic at the Old Town Hall. Grills and games will be available for all to use and partake in. Stay tuned for further details, but mark Monday, Sept.4 on  your calendar now!

Team Casco has done it again! For the third consecutive year, Erin Bailey and her extremely athletic black lab Casco have been invited to the Dock Dogs World Championship! This year the competition will take place in Knoxville, Tennessee, from Oct. 25 to 29. Casco has proven that he can excel in all three sports: Big Air, Speed Retrieve, and Extreme Vertical. He will be competing as an “Iron Dog-Titan” in all events. Erin will begin fundraising soon for the upcoming trip. Congratulations, Erin and Casco!

Calling all runners and walkers! The 13th Annual Westport Shore Run 10k Road Race will take place next month on Sunday, Sept. 10 starting at the Old Town Hall. Race director Rob Whitney has helped the Westport Volunteer Fire Department acquire over $17,000 since the inception of the race. The 3.5 mile “fun walk” starts at 8:30 a.m., and the USATF-certified 10K race that crosses two beautiful waterways begins at 9 a.m. For more information and to register online, go to www.westportisland.org. Bib pick-up and on-site registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. on race day. Bring the whole family and check out Maine’s “Best Little 10K Road Race.”

We may not be ready, but Chief Mooney reminds us that “Cold and Flue Season” is rapidly approaching! It’s never too early to get your chimneys cleaned and inspected. Basic precautions can help prevent chimney and structure fires once we light up the wood stoves again. Furthermore, remember that soft woods like pine produce much more creosote than hard woods like oak, maple, and birch, and dry wood will always burn cleaner. Chimney maintenance belongs on your fall “to do” list!

I still have painting jobs on my summer “to do” list, so I had better get busy soon. How can we already be in the middle of August? What is on your “to do” list? Contact your newshound pat-dick@midcoast.com or call 231-4049.