When my daughter MollyRose was three or four, a group of moms from her preschool decided to go on a hiking trip to the Adirondacks. Over the past 16 years, this fall outing has become an annual event.

I have been working in the summer camp business for a couple of years now and most people seem to have an appreciation of how hectic the summer can be, but they tend to think my winter months are spent lounging around or perfecting my fantasy hockey picks.

I've always looked forward to winter and find myself getting gleeful, unlike most of my friends, at the first snowfall or brisk day. Perhaps it's because I grew up in rural Vermont or because I was born in January. Whatever the reason, I know winter is coming whether I like it or not, and so I choose to embrace it rather than “survive” it. If not, I’d have a miserable eight months!

Our daughter MollyRose had one of those long college weekends off, the kind that make you wonder why the short academic year costs so much. But whatever, she had time to visit her brother Jake to see how he was faring out at Slide Ranch, and we tagged along.

When I first met Joan Plisko and she told me what she does for a living I was so interested and finally got to sit down and talk with her for a newsletter article last year.

This was a summer of firsts. First summer with the Eco-Lodge, first real, live Canadian on staff, first Quidditch match, first pink monster in center field…first center field! Yes, as usual the place was in a state of flux and no one adjusted to that more than our group of tweens.

Neily Jennings, Common Ground Center's new communications coordinator, has just completed our Fall 2011 Community Newsletter. As we write, it's in the mail on its way to all of you. Can't wait to get your hands on a copy?

August in Vermont is truly a magical time. The sounds of summer are at their height; berries, veggies, and more are coming to fruition faster than you can eat them; the days can be hot, but the creek and the pond are running cool and clear.

Peg has written the Final Chapter to her Eco-Lodge Progress Page. What an amazing journey it was and thanks to Peg for documenting it so well! The Lodge is now complete and we can't wait for Camp Common Ground campers to see it this summer. To read her post, click here.