Many people noticed I didn't write a column last week and most of you know the reason. My beloved grand-mother, Jennie Cromwell, passed quietly in her sleep last Wednesday, September 12 while being cared for at my mom's house. While we will all miss her immensely, we are happy she was finally able to go be with her much loved husband whom she has been missing for several years.

Last Saturday evening we were treated to a program sponsored by the Westport Community Association. They held a potluck supper followed by a presentation from Maine humorist John MacDonald. As I looked around at the crowd in attendance, I found all 45 or so of them laughing and truly enjoying the evening. Please, if you've been thinking about becoming involved in the community, give this group a call (882-8143). They work so hard to plan and present several activities for the public to enjoy every year.

Sunday brought beautiful clear skies and a slight breeze that made working on the Wright Property a true pleasure. The Wright Property Ad Hoc Committee gathered at the public property on Ferry Road for some maintenance work. A group of men (who looked a bit like goats the way they climbed the roof!) shingled a shed roof while the rest of us scraped and painted trim. It didn't seem so much like work due to the wonderfully funny and warm group of people who showed up. Mikki Smith, Richard Devries, Art Ballard, Bill Hopkins, John Nelson, Mary Ellen Barnes, Sandy and David Beesecker, and Paul and I worked very well together.

After four hours of labor, Linda Davis treated us to a delicious selection of sandwiches, drinks, snacks and desserts. It's always a pleasure to be reminded how lucky we are to live in a community where neighbors can gather on a Sunday to provide a service that will benefit the entire community. If you have a chance, stop down at the landing project and get a breath of fresh air, eat a lunch on the picnic tables, or just plain enjoy the view.

Another view you should not miss is the one from the Clough Point Project. A disabled accessible road has been added to the preserve on the north end to enable more people to enjoy this wonderful sight. Just drive down the North End Road until you are near the northern tip of the island, and it is on your left.

And if you are up to a longer hike, try the Bonyun Preserve. This is a beautiful time of year to hike these well-kept trails. There is parking at the entrance located closer to the southern end of the island. Travel about eight miles south on 144 after the bridge, turn right onto the second entrance of the West Shore Road and it's about one half mile down on your left.

The Westport Island Artisans Guild will present their ninth annual Craft Show this Saturday, September 22. Area residents will find a wide array of gifts and collectibles to get a head start on holiday shopping at this gathering of the best of Island creative talent and invited regional craftsmen.

The group will be offering lunch and refreshments for sale, including some generous donations of baked goods.  Profits from the food concession and show management benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. More donations of baked goods are very welcome

The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the old Westport Town Hall on Route 144, Westport Island. For more information, contact Anne Cole-Fairfield at 882-5078

Some of the crafters participating are: Trudy Metzger AKA "the Jelly Lady;" Sally Metzger with dried and silk floral arrangements and candy bouquets; Kathy Closson, "Apron Strings," with American Girl doll clothes, and her unique design of bibs and bonnets, including adult or Lobsta bibs; Pam Shockley, "PS Designs," with Critter scarves and bean bag and stuffed animals; Anne Cole-Fairfield, "Instant Comfort," with microwave comfort packs and MagiCool cool ties; Jill Cooney, "Island Crafts with her folk art Santas and snowmen; Linda Estabrook, with kitchen decor items and hand-painted Draft Stoppers; Carina Walter, "Naturally Maine," with herbal soaps, lotions and remedies; Cheryl Greenleaf and Senie Morton, with a wide array of handcrafted and hand sewn gifts and ornaments; Ralph Brazier with his unique wire birdfeeders; Joan Goldsmith, "Cross River Crafts," primitive painting on wood, tin, slate and pot buoys; Joelle Webber, "Mermaid Bindery," with hand bound books, scrapbooks and photo albums; Vickie Huskins, with her decorative painted items and mailboxes; Priscilla Clark with tablecloths, placemats, runners, potholders and towels; Lee and Maddy Frinsko, with hand carved walking sticks; Brenda Bonyun, with hand-sculpted porcelain dolls.

And finally I'd like to make a plea on behalf of the fire department. We've had many new families move to Westport recently, and we're hoping some of them will consider joining the fire department or becoming a first responder. Or perhaps you've been here for awhile, maybe a teen looking for a way to fulfill your community service credits.

The fire department is a great place to get to know the island neighborhood and provide a much needed and appreciated service. Whether you want to become a fully trained firefighter or just volunteer to help out, they would welcome new members. They meet at the firehouse every Wednesday evening around 6:30. You can call Chief Bob Mooney at 882-5952 for further information.

If you have any news or information you'd like to see in this column, please contact me at pbonyun@ gwi.net or call me at 882-9032.