We all share the grief of the Reed and Stanley families at Barbara Ann Reed Stanley's death June 19th. When I was a 7-year-old newcomer to the Salt Marsh School, Barbara and her brothers took me under their wing. I will never forget her.

Health Alert: Brown-Tail Moth caterpillars have been sighted, worse, experienced! Here in East Edgecomb! Be careful when you are out near shrubbery. The caterpillars look like gypsy moth caterpillars, but with longer hairs. These hairs cause a lasting severe itching rash. Even when detached from the insect, if lodged in clothing or drying laundry, the chemical persists. Most times an over-the-counter itch reducer will help, but for severe cases, see a doctor!

Gayle Fraas and Duncan Slade have been exhibiting at the Vermont Quilt Festival in Sunopee, Vermont.

Charlie and Cheryl Armstrong joined forces with the Camerons for a barbecue of duck breasts! As well as roasted corn in the shucks, Green Potato Salad (that is, the salad dressing was green, not the potatoes), and Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake. A pleasant evening, cool, not chill, even though the sky had become overcast.

Friday's great accomplishment was getting the asparagus roots into three trenches. We are rebuilding my family's once prolific asparagus bed. Barn swallows zapped us whenever we would get too close to the birdhouse. Inside the large black O of the birdhouse entrance would appear one or two smaller Os, surrounded by open beaks and on long teetery necks. Ain't youth grand!

Ducking parent swallows from 234 River Road, bonesukl@midcoast.com, 633-2978.

This column appears in The Boothbay Register, The Lincoln County News, The Wiscasset Newspaper and on www.edgecomb.org.