A beautiful summer evening, over 200 people, great food and outstanding entertainment made for a wonderful community get-together last Saturday. We raised about $2,300 for the volunteer fire department.

The department’s grillmasters served up tasty barbecued chicken and hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, rolls, and beverages, and desserts as usual were provided by the Community Association. There was plenty of food for the friendly crowd and, as usual, no leftover desserts.

The Back to Basics Bluegrass Band said that they like coming to community events where people relax and talk with neighbors while they play. Apparently, our barbecue was the first stop on their world tour that will end this coming Saturday. Gaye Wagner has put together a nice selection of pictures and music from the evening on her blog at westportisland.wordpress.com.

We seem to fill the summer with favorite foods, whether hot dogs or chicken, potato salad or cool soups. Fortunately we don’t have to go out of town for very fresh lobster. Be sure to shop at the North End Co-op on Boatyard Road. The Co-op is open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can call 207-882-9797, and they’re also on Facebook at North-End-Lobster-Co-Op.

Do you spend more time in the winter reading, or in the summer relaxing on your porch or stretched out on a beach? Lots of us enjoy reading anytime, and for the next few weeks, we have a chance to meet a few of our very excellent local authors. This Thursday, at 7 p.m., the Wiscasset Public Library hosts Lea Wait from across the river (in Edgecomb), and Kate Flora (from the other direction, Harpswell).

They’ll talk with us about their recent books and upcoming projects. The next two Thursdays, July 25 and August 1, feature two authors from Wiscasset, Janet Morgan (many of us know her as the former WPL librarian) and journalist and publisher Phil Di Vece.

Since the RSU 12 budget was voted down at the polls, the new superintendent, school board and finance committee are back to work, trying to develop a more acceptable budget.

With the latest information on the exact state subsidy and other adjustments, a revised budget is likely to be presented at a RSU 12 district meeting on August 13 at the Whitefield Elementary School, with the final referendum vote scheduled for Tuesday, September 10.

The adjustments made do reflect income and expenses, and parents and residents will also want to keep up with the educational and program changes being proposed.

The Westport Island Artisans Guild is busy organizing for their great fall Craft Show, their 15th annual. This will take place on Saturday, September 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the town hall. Anne Cole-Fairfield and Pam Shockley are handling many of the details, including applications from local artists and crafters for indoor and outdoor spaces. Call Anne (207-882-5078) or Pam (207-882-9412) to reserve your space.

Some folks headed to Pennsylvania a couple of weeks ago for the reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg; it’s an impressive site and so amazing with the thousands of dedicated reenactors. Many events and programs are being held this year, including in Maine, to remember the Civil War. For a story about a Westporter who was at Gettysburg in 1863, again head to Gaye’s blog to learn about William McKinney.

Looking for a breeze (any breeze) and my next murder mystery at mewbarnes2@yahoo.com or 207-882-6055.