The new Edgecomb Eddy School has graduated its first 6th grade class. Wednesday morning, June 18, Kevin Brooks, Holly Bruns, Dotti Cost, Joe Foye, Lucas Graf, Samantha Hersom, Maggie Hoyt, Jason Kransen, Charles Libby, Heather Nelson, Logan Schifflet, Elizabeth Smith, Jack Smith, Mathew Tedford, Gabriel Warren, and Katy Worthley all received their diplomas from Boothbay Region Schools Superintendent Eileen King and Edgecomb School Committee chair Steve Ward, and gift dictionaries from Anne Poole, President of the Edgecomb Parents and Teachers Committee. Principal Joanne Krawic recounted this year's adventures, packing and unpacking, in some cases, re-packing, when moving from the old school to the new.

All the younger classes presented gifts to their departing friends. Then, inaugurating a new tradition, Elizabeth Smith, on behalf of the Class of 2003, presented the school with a young red oak tree to be planted in honor of the life-long lessons the class has received from the Edgecomb Eddy schools, new and old.

Academic awards were received by Samantha Hersom, who has scored in the high 90s percentile in nation-wide achievement tests, and to Holly Bruns, an all-A scholar. Asked by classmate Maggie Hoyt what the 6th graders foresaw for their futures, answers ranged from professional sports careers to lobstering, singing and acting, if not the Oval Office. One boy said he was going to make sports cars! The ceremony concluded with a spirited rendition of "Now It's Time to Go," followed by a cake and punch reception in the cafeteria.

Kiah Bayley, founder of Lincoln Academy in 1801, graced Newcastle's 250th Anniversary Parade on Saturday. Bruce Cameron of the River Road has been playing the role since the Academy's 200th anniversary in 2001. Elsewhere, the Friends of Fort Edgecomb participated in re-enactment activities in Sheepscot Village. I represented the Town of Edgecomb on the reviewing stand.

The Schmid Preserve Committee will hold three work days over the summer: Tuesdays July 1, 8 and 15, between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Work details will go to a link between two northern trails used for skiing, and to build a bridge on the Brook trail. Another project is to clear out around the several old apple trees, to see if they can be encouraged to bear fruit.

Chuck Olney has been appointed as alternate member of the Edgecomb Planning Board.

Five generations of the Brown family shared a birthday Monday, June 16. Great Great Grandmothers Dot Brown of Wawenock Road in East Edgecomb and Marjorie MacDonald of Woolwich, their children Robert Brown and Cynthia MacDonald Brown on Route 27, granddaughter Diane Brown Gustafson of Woolwich, great granddaughter Jeanna Gustafson Ward and great great grandson Steven Ward, six months old! The Ward family is building a home in Edgecomb. It is a Brown family tradition to celebrate all birthdays from January to June in June, while those from July to December are celebrated in September.

Dig out your lobster bibs and prepare to chow down Saturday evening, June 28, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.! Or until the corn on the cob, salad, baked beans and blueberry cake run out, whichever comes first. Chicken ($8) is available as an alternative to lobster ($12), and kids can have hotdogs ($3). For reservations and details, call 563-5236 or 882-4060. This fund-raising supper by the Edgecomb Congregational Church is to benefit H.O.M.E., their summer workcamp in Orland. Homeworkers Organized for More Employment (H.O.M.E.) was organized in 1970 by low-income local people looking for a way to augment their meager earnings. It has grown into a multi-faceted community development corporation to meet people's basic needs for shelter, food and health care, a part of the World Emmaus Movement founded in 1949 by Abbe Pierre who worked with the famous "ragpickers of Paris," people dispossessed by World War II. Their guiding principle is "Serve first those who suffer most."

All hail, Frank and Kathy Richards' red horse chestnut! In full flower, it gives me great joy as I go up and down the River Road. Frank tells me people have tried starting new trees from the nuts, with no success. According to the garden books, its botanical name is Aesculus carnea, a hybrid from the horse chestnut and a pinkish buckeye. Two varieties: A. carnea Briotii or Ruby and A. carnea Plantierensis or Damask. An internet search found several nurseries which carry these trees.

Another site for early summer beauty is the stand of blue flags full abloom along the McKay Road.

Taking time to smell the roses at 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in The Boothbay Register, The Lincoln County News, The Wiscasset Newspaper, and at www.Edgecomb.org.