Summer 2008 Publisher’s Letter

When i sat down at my desk yesterday afternoon to write this letter, the temperature outside was 70 degrees, the sun was shining brilliantly, and the neighborhood sidewalks were bustling with children on bicycles, joggers, and dogs and their owners. Of course, I had to join in the fun, so I turned off the computer and went outside for a walk. I’m glad I did. Today it is 45 degrees, gray and rainy, and the neighborhood is eerily quiet. Typical spring weather in New England.

Summer is different, though. Gorgeous sunny days at the beach and bike rides through the countryside more than make up for the harsh weather we have had to endure. For most of us, summer always goes by too quickly, and this year, I hope to take more advantage of it by taking some time off to visit our house in Maine, explore new routes on my bike, and catch up with some old friends on a weekend getaway or two.

Summer is all about simplifying our lives so we will have the time to enjoy nature’s bounty. In this issue, our “10 Tips for Summer Entertaining” will get you started with some ideas to help you entertain with style and ease. Summer evenings provide the perfect ambience for outdoor gatherings with the scent of newly-mown grass and steaks and barbecued chicken sizzling on the grill. Only in summer is a hamburger a presentable meal to serve guests along with corn on the cob and a basic salad. I love dining on our deck, but some local residents are taking outdoor entertaining to new lengths with built-in fireplaces, grills, patios, dedicated seating areas, and even infinity pools for more fun in the sun. Our “Earthly Pleasures” article highlights how functional amenities and creative thinking are creating lavish landscapes and over-the-top entertaining areas that can be used well into the fall.

For a weekend getaway, our “Excursions” department takes us to Martha’s Vineyard, an intriguing island with a variety of quaint towns, scenic wonders, and beautiful resorts to satisfy even the most fervent homebody. We also have fun recipes that provide some “rum punch” by adding the flavors of Bermuda to classic dishes, courtesy of Weston resident Malcolm Gosling and Gosling’s Rum. For those of us who like to dine out, get a taste of California without leaving town at Wellesley’s own Cottage restaurant, highlighted under “Local Cuisine.”

Summer is also all about water for swimming, boating, and drinking. With so much worry about water quality and safety in the news these days, it really is refreshing to learn in Peter Golden’s article “Water Works Magic” that our water is remarkably reliable and pure, thanks to excellent local water resource management. And like everything else in Wellesley and Weston, our local water supply has an interesting history.

I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in Wellesley and Weston or wherever your travels may take you. I hope also that this issue, bursting with ideas for fun and loaded with interesting features, will help to enhance the slightly slower-paced, blissful days of summer.

Sincerely,

Beth Furman