It’s true, September is upon us! Labor Day weekend is almost here and for many that means summer’s last hurrah. Days are getting shorter, cooler and quieter - a combination many people here welcome - and why not? Fall is a glorious time of year!

This morning (8/29) Fishhawk had quite the convention of cormorants. There usually is quite a gathering, but this seemed larger than usual as it spread from one end to the other. On an aside, I’m not sure what happened to cormorants around here in the past or in an evolutionary sense, but in Maine they certainly seem to spook a lot more easily than other seabirds, while in Florida you can get right next to them.

Thursday was the celebration of Robert’s life at the Blakesley Cottage. It was a beautiful day and a very moving service. In what may have been a Bayville first, live bagpipe music filled the air. Peter Bedford was on the pipes to begin the celebration and in an unplanned duet, Lucky joined in with some timely barking and howling.

Andrea Goodman, who I learned officiated (my apologies if my terms are wrong) Robert’s 70th birthday, led the ceremony. She began by calling Robert’s spirit to attend. I’m not sure it was him, but an osprey did begin circling overhead. Robert was a spiritual guy (his dad was a minister, his mom a director of religious education) and there were lots of meaningful stories, poems and two musical performances (with singalongs) given by family and close friends.

Robert’s favorite sayings were mentioned; “Turn differences into gifts” and “It’s not the goal, but the journey thank your dragons. Enjoy your path.”

After Alina closed out the garden celebration (where monarchs and other butterflies flitted about) with her loving remarks and an unveiling of Robert’s favorite cake, music again drifted across Bayville - and Linekin Bay - as the bagpiper led people down to the dock where two boats awaited the family. Like his father before him, Robert wanted some of his ashes spread in Linekin Bay. Phil Roberts (sans flamingo flag), brought out one group and Billy Brittingham another. Captain Phil had no problem negotiating the placid waters, however, Captain Billy didn’t fare quite as well as he ended up catching a lobster pot in his prop. It took two people to secure Billy while he went over the stern and freed the undamaged pot. I would think Robert was amused - and touched - by the whole scene. The water ceremony then continued without incident.

After Alina’s return to shore, the celebration continued on the porch with refreshments, spring rolls and cake. Robert loved Alina’s Polish Tort (a pecan chocolate vanilla layered cake with raspberries) and after a taste, everyone understood why. It was a huge and beautiful cake, large enough to feed 30-plus people and was a final send off for Robert.

Saturday night Spencerwood (RIP Dolly) was the place to be as it was time for another fire pit. The west coast Blakesley’s - including Robert’s kids, grandkids and nephews - made an appearance. Discussions turned to things we are grateful for - and there certainly are a lot. Of course, as always, there were lots of laughs, too. As a result of one of the discussions, you can now purchase customizable life size cutouts in your likeness at the Village Store. Can’t make an event, let your cutout appear in your place so that people don’t forget you. Of course, there were some concerns voiced. As Billy himself said, people might like Cardboard Billy better than the real thing. You said it Billy, not us.

The story I loved (which wasn’t told at the service) was when visiting Bayville, Robert’s 15-year-old nephew, Greg, met a fellow 15-year-old, Debbie, on the porch of the Wood & Brittingham Cottage. I guess they hit it off pretty well and later that summer, Debbie hitchhiked her way from Jersey to Virginia. When it was time to return home, Greg’s older brother drove her back to the highway, so she could thumb her way home. Yes, things were a bit different in the 70s.

Over at Hardscrabble, things have been pretty busy. JJ Allison has been visiting from Miami. Brian McNamara is back from El Salvador awaiting his next assignment and Liam McNamara is here in town with girlfriend Cam year round.

All the prayers for the return of Philbert have been answered as he showed up at our door. Phil Roberts had planned out the perfect practical joke but, unfortunately for him, he did a pocket dial to yours truly while pulling of the stunt. That’s right, I heard the whole thing while he directed his accomplice. Thanks for the laugh Phil and better luck next time!

If you have any news, I can certainly use it this week as because of the long weekend, columns are due Friday, instead of the usual Monday. Send it thejeffallison@gmail.com, it’s that easy!