This year I was caught off guard when summer arrived. When the school bus made its last rumblings at the bus stop right across from my house, I was ill prepared. In fact, the teacher thank-you notes and ingredients for appreciation cookies still sit on the kitchen counter – somewhere.

Not only did the last day of school escape me, the month of June did as well. A written calendar may well tell me where to go and what to do, but it is the feel in the air, above all, that sets the season in motion. And somehow, there was no feeling of summer creeping up on me. The temperatures outside said otherwise. Add to this, relatives graduating, friends getting married and a gathering of friends – all out of state each weekend in June – and I can find darn good reason for not getting anything done in preparation for summer.

The air of panic sets in as I drive down Ocean Avenue to my Higgins Beach home. Everyone’s yard looks great, and they’re well on the way to welcoming summer guests. I finally manage to make the phone call for the mulch delivery, which lands in both my front and back yard. A blanket of mulch may cover up those nasty weeds and make for a good summer impression, and then the weed whacker can take care of the rest – but what to do with the kids?

I know it’s summer when the pile of Higgins Beach High Tide newsletters and tide charts land on my side porch. It’s time for my kids to deliver them to our street. Whew, I think, that will keep them busy. And when they return, the next project gets started in the back yard: the wood saved as fire wood from a fence torn down years ago is being put to good use as they construct their ownlemonade stand. It will only be a matter of time that they’ll be in business, and they let me know that it’s time to hit the store for the Country Time and cups. My youngest gets the idea that he’ll sell lemonade in the summer and hot chocolate in the winter. I remind him that in the winter he’s in school, and besides, the foot traffic is only here in the summer. Lemonade it is.

As my young entrepreneurs set up shop, I’m off to my summer Rotary assignment. Wearing my grubby clothes I meet my fellow Rotarians at the concession stand at Memorial Park. Wash buckets, soap suds, wash clothes and paper towels are in full motion as we clean the concession stand from top to bottom in preparation for summer concerts in the park. Coffee, doughnuts and camaraderie make the task fun as the summer menu is confirmed. Hot dogs for a dollar, shrimp on a skewer for $2, and pulled pork for $3 – the prices this year are family friendly. No need to cook on Thursday nights – dinner in Memorial Park it will be. I’m beginning to see my summer take shape.

This time of year I search for the low-cost family activities. Maine may have a short summer season, but one thing is for sure, there is never a shortage of great low- or no-cost summer activities.

It’s easy to take for granted the treasures in your own back yard. Especially when all you see is weeds and a pile of mulch. Capitalizing on Maine’s rich offerings is the operative word; parades, festival, fairs, art shows and concerts are here. And Scarborough has an impressive array of offerings. Check out the great artists coming to Scarborough’s Memorial Park this summer: July 5: Coos Canyon, July 12: Bob Charest Band, July 19: Wavelength, July 26: Don Campbell Band, August 2: Motor Booty Affair, August 9: Tony Boffa Band.

There’s plenty of ways to soak up summer. Don’t forget to hit the beach. Summer is short – drink lots of lemonade.