According to the calendar, it’s now summer. According to the weather, it’s still spring. Although we have not had two whole days without rain, it’s still been chilly.

As I write this on June 22, I’m wondering if the scheduled North Fork Landowners Association hike to Hornet Lookout today is actually happening. It is 52 degrees F at my cabin at 9:30 a.m. The hike was scheduled to start at 10 a.m., and I’m sure the higher you go the colder it will be — not to mention windier. Too cold for this old guy and, on top of everything else, there are high clouds and no sunshine which will minimize the great views from Hornet Lookout.

The river is finally dropping and has turned from a creamed-coffee color to a mild leafy-green but is still very fast and well below the 70 degree launch time temperature that I require for fun and comfort. In fact, the NFLA has rescheduled the June 30 float from the Canada Border to Wurtz airstrip for Thursday, July 5.

The river is just too swift and dangerous for beginners and will no doubt remain that way until after the Fourth of July. In fact, if floaters want a relaxed trip with decent fishing opportunities, it’s almost always better to wait until after the Fourth of July and leave June to those who want a fast, more exciting experience.

Since this column will not appear in the Hungry Horse News until June 27, the next social event will be the first church services at Sondreson Hall at 10:30 a.m. on July 1. This will be the third year that the ecumenical services will be hosted and conducted by Don and Sue Sullivan and, as always, services will be followed by a social hour.

On July 2 at 5 p.m., there will be bocce ball at the Mercantile hosted by Bob and Linda Nelson. I will have to go at least once just to see what bocce ball involves. Explanations so far make it sound like it’s an Italian version of croquet without mallets or a bowling game on grass. Others have told me you need a flat hard surface, so I will have to go just to expand my basic education.

After bocce ball, there is a one-day break to put together a float for the Fourth of July parade. As usual, the parade will start in front of the Polebridge Mercantile at noon, will travel out to the North Fork Road, then turn around and end at the Merc. The Northern Lights will be open for food and drink, and the Mercantile will have a great selection of baked goods as well as their normal selection of wares. Look for Stuart to have a funny hat and Flannery to have a big smile.

On July 11, the NFLA will host a workshop on stewardship, forest health and hazardous fuels reduction from 9:30 a.m. until noon followed by a free lunch and the summer interlocal meeting from noon until 4 p.m. Residents with concerns about any county, state, or federal agency should inform NFLA president Debo Powers so she can inform the agency and have answers at the meeting. Both meetings will be held at Sondreson Hall.