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Well, the gas prices sure scared us out of a vacation. We were all set to leave for Wyoming to visit my sister, when the rumors, some of which proved to be true, started flying, so after a little calculating, it was determined that a large portion of our budget would go toward the ever-climbing gas prices, so needless to say, we didn’t go. The prices are working their way downward, which is helpful to those of us who commute every day more than 30 miles.

The weather continues to delight everyone and Labor Day truly turned out to be that. Windows got washed, canning was done from the bountiful gardens, lawns mowed, and some things put away for fall and the white stuff that follows. All in all, with a few hours of rain, the last few weeks have been as close to perfect weather wise as we can hope to get.

Getting into the vacation mode, or so I thought, put any tiny town news on the back burner. I know I’ve missed a lot, but the phone stayed fairly quiet. I do believe everyone thought I had left.

My friend and neighbor, Connie Paquin, who I understood had surgery and a tough recovery in late July, did call and let me know of the many family members and friends who passed through her door and said hello and visited with her mom, Shine. Among those were Dick and Diane Stebelton Jr. of Brooklyn, Dick and Rita Stebleton of Brimley, along with a niece, Ada Patch, and a nephew, Robert Bisard, with a friend, Bob, of Grand Rapids. They didn’t all show up at once though, even though a large contingent showed up to celebrate Shine’s 77th birthday a few days early with balloons, flowers, and a cake holding 77 candles. Among those were Lori and Samantha Bates of Lennon, Pam and Bob Beasinger of Flint, David, Ruthie, Camdon, Misty, and Raina Johnson, along with Shine’s brother-in-law, Jack Jackson of Mt. Morris. Following close behind were Mary and Don Markgraff and Mary’s dad, Floyd Ivester, of Maybee. Shine, after all the visiting, managed to blow out 76 of those 77 candles and still have time to watch her granddaughter, Rose, play basketball for the Lady Eagles.

The lazy upward spiral of the campfires were evidence of the many folks who chose the Labor Day weekend as one of the last times to head north before hunting season. The many cabins and homes in the area were occupied by four-wheelers, dirt bikes, and anything that could travel on the back roads. The gas prices didn’t seem to stop them.

Euchre will begin Wednesday, September 14, at 7 p.m. at Johnny B’s on US-2. It’s a welcome midweek diversion. For more information, call Peggy Benoit.

The Rexton Mennonite Church will have its first of the fall season TGIW, Wednesday, September 14, which is great for the youngsters and oldsters alike.

Bill and Gwen Miller Black are here from Indiana and plan to stick around for the week.

My sisters-in-law, Evelyn Burgess, Martha Sheppard, Fran Berry, and Louella Snow, are taking their annual sisters week and headed for parts south of here for a little rest and relaxation. Their destination is the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.

An elder meeting with the newly formed Land of Echos group will be Wednesday, September 28, in Naubinway at the pavilion. If you’re an area elder of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Unit 2, you’re invited to attend.

Evelyn Selby has some ablebodied help as she gets new siding on her home, thanks to Jim Worjowski and friend, Dennis, of Sanford. Jim’s wife, who normally would come along to help and visit, is a bit under the weather and was unable to make the trip north this time.

Dave Livermore, Lester Livermore, Mike Sheppard, and Al Saunders will be participating in a golf fundraiser for the Woodburn Christian Children’s Home in Woodburn, Indiana, under the “can you help” direction of Lester Livermore. The area churches have pitched in with monetary donations and there are four children’s bikes donated as well as monies from the sale of wood cut and piled by Lester Livermore and whoever had the time to give him a hand. With all of the focus on New Orleans, just a little bit has been shifted to the needs of the children’s home in Indiana.

And while helping your neighbor has never gone out of style, it will be brought even closer to home as a benefit dinner for Allen Jones and family will be Saturday, September 24, beginning at 5 p.m. at the Rexton Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall. Allen, a diabetic, was seriously injured in a logging accident and has no health insurance.

So many folks are under the weather, battling serious health problems, or on the way to recovery. Among them are Sandy Garavaglia, Don Goudreau, Allen Jones, Lois Darknell, Bev Stephenson, Sam Fraleigh, and Deb DeWyse’s mom in Ohio. Get well wishes and a speedy recovery is wished to them all.

Birthday wishes, many belated, are sent to Belynda Cobe August 29, Steve Browning, Julia Wheaton, and Christina Fultz August 30, April Gouza August 31, Shauni Rutledge September 1, Shirley Konle September 3, Sandy Livermore September 4, Rose Paquin and David Derusha September 5, Gloria “Shine” Paquin September 6, Lacey Bigelow September 7, Shelby Flatt September 8, Anna Gouza September 9, Deb DeWyse September 10, my son-in-law, Charlie Fosdick, September 11, Ashley Paquin and my brother, Dave Beaudoin of Curtis, September 12, Kevin Gouza September 14, my daughter-in-law, Amanda Livermore, September 15, a resident good guy gardener, Bud Hart, September 16, and Debbie Formolo September 17. Whew, half a month gone already.

Way to go to the Engadine Eagles boys varsity football team, who are 3 and 0. See you at the game.