Eft Alert! The woods are crawling with them! We are being overrun by efts!
Influx of Wileys: Several of the Wiley clan were in the area, from 23 June through 8 July or thereabouts. Sean (our own Sean) placed second in their annual Oh Hell! tournament on 4 July, despite his wingeing about the game(!). We even got some bridge in. One of Cad's Squinch scores was actually, really, truly unbelievable (43 or something), and we will be consulting a physicist to see if she violated any of the known laws of that science in achieving it. (Only Bran has ever scored this high within living memory, using crafty maneuvers in parallel dimensions to achieve the feat.) Altogether, the Wileys et al. were a lovely crew.
There is now a functional gas grill in front of the Barn, for those who wish to use it. Please replace the cover after use.
Probyn, Julia, and Finn: A visit is planned for 28 July to 3 August, with Trust presence but staying at Pater & Denise's in Fitzwilliam.
Alex and brood: Alex and children will be staying for a few days prior to the Apple Hill session - they arrive on 25 August and will head to camp on the 28th. The session ends on 5 August (all are invited to the final concert on the 5th), after which they will possibly be again in residence for a couple of days before heading to Fire Island. They will be staying at the Barn due to the lack of hot water and general disarray in the Bungalow.
Steven, Sveta, and Anna: Although Ivan will not be along (he is vacationing in the Balkans this summer) these guys will be in the US starting mid-August, possibly to drop Anna off at school. (Hopefully we will be seeing more of them in future if she's at BU!) Updates to follow...
Sue: Sue has come and gone, attending the Thorndike weekend festivities over 9-10 July with her friend Adair. This included a recitation of Kipling's "If" in its entirety, so there may be more going on at the business meetings than we always suspected... (If anyone wishes to go to Thorndike, we have paid the Gregory famb membership for the year so you won't get evicted - for non-payment, anyway...) It is likely that we will see Sue again later in the summer, although timing is not currently known.
Bungalow Maintenance: We have had (thanks, Sharon!) a clever maintenance guy in to take a look at the heater in the Bungalow - there are fixes required, and the necessity of replacing the heater looms. Minimum fixes at least will be effected soon, and the option of replacing the heater with an electric one taken under consideration. We will see how much it all costs. The same gentleman will be doing a walk-through of the Trust buildings to give us an expert summary of what all needs to be done. If any former residents have kept long lists of things which need doing (you know who you are) then now would be a good time to produce them. More on this anon...
Family Meeting: The Wednesday morning when Probyn is here (1 August) has been proposed as a date to have the required annual family meeting. I (Wusk) have volunteered to write up a draft agenda and to take minutes, as required by law. We are hoping that everyone can make it - people are constrained by work schedules, but if we can assemble at least 5 of us, that would be good. Please let me know.
Sue has sent me through a link to an article of which Ivan is the co-author - interesting! 'Devilry' In Siberia As Darkness Descends