Party, party? Party party! Barn-raising at Dave and Debbie Boucher's newly named Parsons Creek Farm. The crew--all kinds of neighbors, from Edgecomb and away, put up the first four walls. Meanwhile, on the Glorious 4th itself, we Camerons picnicked with friends, grilled steaks, all that good stuff, over at the wayside park along Sherman Lake! Air full of singing redwing blackbirds. Loverly! And Saturday, farther down the River Road, Su Ripley celebrated her sister Joanne's birthday with a neighborhood shindig Saturday, July 5. Grand conversazzione, ducking a few raindrops, admiring Su's formative butterfly garden.

Amanda Boucher had a near miss near her home on Mill Road, two speeders in succession whizzing by while she was on her bike (in spite of all those nice signs that the Town has put up!). Mrs. Boucher would like to thank the driver of the green pick-up truck, who stopped to see if Amanda were all right. Bruised but not broken, thanks. And thanks to child-sitter Samantha Beam for her calm competence, helping Amanda.

Which causes me to pontificate a bit: Bicyclists young and old, and parents of bicyclists, please be aware that a bike is legally considered a vehicle. Bikes must go with the flow of the traffic, not against it! Bikes must stop at all points where cars must stop, and hand signals must be used when turning. Another point: Remember your vehicle is only about 30-40 pounds, and can go, even if a 10-speed, only so fast, and not so maneuverable as you might think. An automobile weighs at least 2 tons, and can reach speeds of over 100 mph. Bike vs. car, car wins.

Moose vs. bike or motorcycle, moose wins. Barry Johnston reports two bull moose in the middle of Cross Point Road, July 3; July 6, he confronted a big cow moose. Barry cautions: Moose at night blend into the dark, and they do not give way. Drivers, be wary, and go slow on our back roads.

Looking ahead, the Friends of Fort Edgecomb are holding an encampment at the Fort the weekend of July 12 and 13. Their monthly meeting will be held there Saturday, at 6 p.m.

Further off in my crystal ball, Saturday, July 19, I see all Edgecomb arriving at the Congo Church for a splendid supper to benefit the Church's Mission Outreach for its various up-coming projects.

The cemetery on Old County Road across from the Edgecomb Baptist Church is getting pretty shaggy. Is there any member of that congregation, or other volunteer, who is willing to mow, prune shrubs and otherwise keep it up? Those interested, please get in touch with the selectmen at 882-7018. Meeting times are Mondays, 4 to 6 pm, or leave word with the Town Clerk.

The last Schmid Preserve work session will be Tuesday evening, July 15. If you have loppers, bring them! Call committee chair Bob Leone, 882-9613 for details.

Early warning: I will be leaving town July 15 to help my daughter Daphne out while she recovers from foot surgery. Two feet to mend, two kids to mind. So I will be in Bloomington, Indiana, for a bit more than a month. I had good luck remote-controlling the column from there last winter, but if you have news items, either personal or organizational, please get them in now so I can plug them into my "Future Columns" file, pop it onto a floppy and into my suitcase. Also, you can call as usual, and talk with my husband, Bruce Cameron. Be sure to give him your phone number and/or e-mail in case details need to be checked. He will relay me your messages, one way or another, from 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.