Hello friends and neighbors!

Labor Day has come and gone; school has started again. Please be extra cautious driving, as traffic patterns will change and children will be out and about more regularly. The air has a nip to it many evenings now, and it’s already getting darker earlier. Fall is just around the corner, and that is a wonderful time to live in Maine. I hope you will take advantage of some of the events happening outdoors on Westport Island this month.

There is still time to register for Sunday’s 13th annual Westport Island Shore 10K Road Race at www.westportisland.org. For those who like spontaneity, just show up at the Old Town Hall on Sept. 10 after 7:30 that morning to register and/or pick up your bib. There is also a Fun Walk that starts at 8:30 and the certified race begins at 9. The Westport Fire Department will help support the race, and it will benefit from this fundraiser that has added $17,000 to its coffers over the years. It’s a beautiful course and the athletes always run faster with a cheering section. Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Wayfair; Wiscasset Ford; Maine Yankee, Hodgdon Yacht Services; Sheepscot River Marine Services; Ames True Value Supply; Sharon Drake Real Estate; Bath Savings Bank; First Federal Savings; Westport Island Brewing Company; Newcastle Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge; Westport Community Association; Norm’s Used Cars and the Hampton Inn of Bath.

It’s never too early to think about holiday gift giving. Saturday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Westport Island Artisans’ Guild will present their 19th annual Craft Show at the Old Town Hall. You can find unique gifts and collectibles, quality home décor items and wearables while enjoying refreshments and visiting with friends. Refreshment proceeds will benefit juvenile diabetes. Plan now to avoid the holiday rush!

One week later on Saturday, Sept. 23, the Westport Community Association is working in conjunction with the History and Cemetery Committees to host a free, guided driving tour of eight different Island cemeteries chosen for their historical significance and ease of access. The tour will begin at the Old Town Hall at 10 a.m. and is expected to last about 2 ½ hours. Free refreshments will be available at the end of the tour. Non-perishable food donations to Helping Hands Food Pantry are always appreciated. For more information, visit www.westportcommunityassociation.org. All are welcome!

Later that afternoon visit Ames True Value between 1-5 p.m. to buy some baked goods and help raise funds for Team Casco’s trip to the World Championship Dock Dog Competition in Knoxville, Tennessee. Erin Bailey and her super athletic black lab Casco will be competing in Iron Dog, meaning all three events: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve. If you have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Erin and Casco, I hope you will make time to do so on Sept. 23. They are fine ambassadors for WestportIsland.

Your newshound is always looking for items of interest to Westport Islanders. Please contact pat-dick@midcoast.com or call 231-4049.