After the fire that destroyed Wingspread Gallery next door to Local Color, that property looked like a gravel pit. Local Color's side yard was looking pretty dismal as well. (Click on the images for a slideshow.)

After talking to Jason he and Matt agreed to design and build a patio for Local Color. A place to sit and enjoy a cup of tea ,or sandwich. It would make the stores' yard more attractive and improve Main Street.

There was a very small window of time to build this in early June as both Jason and Matt were very busy. Finding the right stones for the project took time and energy...going to many locations on Mt Desert Island to find what they wanted. I really enjoyed watching Brad (a friend who helped ) place the huge stones with his back hoe under Jason's direction.

As you watch the slide show you can see the evolution ....where Matt and Jason stop to discuss how to place the stones to look and function well....

An amusing aside...across the street is an Insurance company. The owner,Randy knows Jason and Matt well. One day he came over with a big smile and said to me" Could you please have Jason and Matt wear tshirts? The girls are glued to the window watching and not getting any work done!"

I love that story..very true too:)

Thanks to:
Jason Ashur. Designer/ drew the original rough drawing for the patio, builder, designer in action
Mathew Frongillo(Matt). Partner in execution, building, consultation on design once actually building.
Brad Gray...machine operator..good friend

My boots crunched as I walked down the middle of Main Street.The air was cold and still.Bundled up in multiple layers with my black mink(not real !)hat practically covering my eyes, I gazed at the beautiful window displays as I walked.Alone on the street at 7:30pm.,no cars ,no people,nothing open.

The Chamber of Commerce in our tiny village had a window display contest for businesses and a separate one for residences.Walking home was a treat as many homes were decked out with festive yard and window displays.Some definitely "over the top",which once upon a time I frowned on as "tacky", but now I looked forward to the extravagance.It brought a smile to my face.

I was leaving Local Color late after our jean swap at the store.We enjoyed some tasty appetizers, a bit of wine and conversation along with trading jeans.The swap events every week have been fun for all who attend.We have a small rack in our Tea Room with sweaters,jewelry,books etc. from various swaps.It is a "bring something,take something" area.

As I look forward to returning to Washington,DC and city life I have taken a moment to look back at what has been happening in my life and Local Color;which are really one and the same.

We had a camelot kind of summer.One beautiful sunny day after another from June to September.Almost no fog,practically unheard of in Northeast Harbor, where we are often socked in with fog when Bar Harbor fifteen minutes away is enjoying bright sunshine.Along with wonderful weather we had a season with lots of visitors and shoppers!

Having President Obama and his family visit our island was very cool.It was fun to hear the endless speculation just prior to his arrival as to where he would go, stay etc..Needless to say it was front page news in all the papers, and I have saved all the articles.One big front page photo of the whole family walking at the top of Cadillac mountain was my favorite. I tried to get a copy for our website. No luck. Oh well.

All during our busy summer season we were equally busy working on Local Color's website.Lots of fun but boy lots of work too!What an education.The process continued into the fall ..right up to now.I especially enjoyed the photo shoots.

We are all proud of the result.It has been a long process and of course there will be changes and improvements as we enter the new season.

I acknowledge and thank the fantastic website team:

Erika Wind
Nicole Ouellette
Heather Frongillo

Thank you to all the wonderful models:

Jason Ashur
Heather Frongillo
Sophia Albert
Lindsay McDaniels
Marcia Hemingway