Artists' opportunity! The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is holding a poster competition for next year's Common Ground Fair. The selected design will be featured on posters, t-shirts, promotional literature and merchandise. The winner will receive a cash award of $1,000 as well as news articles and press releases focusing on the artist and the work. This contest is open to Maine residents; artists may submit 2 entries. All entries must arrive in the MOFGA office by 4 p.m. on Friday, August 8, 2003. Selection will be made by September 1. MOFGA will retain full rights to the design. All interested artists should contact the Common Ground Country Fair office for complete details and application form: PO Box 170, Unity ME 04988; phone 568-4142; e-mail cgcf@mofga.org; website www.mofga.org.

Lea Wait will be holding a benefit publication party for her new mystery on Saturday, August 9, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Thistle Inn in Boothbay Harbor. "Shadows on the Coast of Maine" is the second title in her Antique Print Mystery series. This novel is set in the Marie Antoinette House, full of legends and myths from the 18th century; currently it is Lea Wait's living address!

Incidentally, Lea's first Antique Prints Mystery, "Shadows at the Fair," was nominated for an Agatha for Best First Mystery this spring! In addition to the festivities on the 9th, Lea will be signing books at Sherman's in the Harbor, 6 to 8 pm, August 7, at Bookland in Brunswick from 7 to 9 p.m. on August 15. Keep your eye out for future Lea Wait signings in this column.

Nice note from Becky Benton: The varieties of grapes she and Chuck are growing are "Swensons," (red),"Cayuga," (white), "Leon Millot," and a test patch of Vallant. Alas, Japanese beetles have found the vines, but steps are being taken to bring them under control. "The blue tubes will be coming off as soon as the vines have securely attached themselves to the first trellis wire (There are three wires at different heights.)" The tubes are in place to hold the vines erect until they grow tall enough to reach the trellis, of course.

In addition to the Battle of Fort Edgecomb (1812) in June and The Sheepscot Encampment (1740), the Bentons were involved in a re-enactment of the Battle of Monmouth (1778) in Monmouth, New Jersey.

Bruce, in my absence, enjoyed a nice weekend with friends in Bar Harbor. George Kidder is an emeritus researcher at MDIBL, and Bruce helped him fish (killie fish, small minnow types, are George's research focus.)

Meanwhile, in Bloomington, Daphne is now in a walking boot and making great strides! Katy is a blooming belle with a piercing yell, and Ben is bicycling, climbing trees, all sorts of things. Great kids!

Please keep your news coming to 234 River Road, 633-2978, bonesukl@midcoast.com. This column appears in the Boothbay Register, Lincoln County News, and at www.edgecomb.org.