As a lifelong lover of musical theater, I have spent the last several years enjoying a subscription with my husband for “Broadway in Portland,” and I typically spend weeks before the show practicing along with the Spotify soundtrack. Why? So that I am fully ready to secretly live out my Broadway dreams as I sing my heart out from the comfort of my third-row balcony seat!

While September is a lovely month throughout most of the United States, with its “second summer” days and crisp evenings, it can also be a busy time. New routines and schedules, changes in clothing and decor, first thoughts about plans for the holidays, college applications and continued seasons of harvest and preserving, all collide and make it seem like one minute it’s summer and the next minute the Tender Timer on that turkey is up.

As many of you likely know, my term as chair ends next month. I will be passing the baton to the extremely competent, Dr. Sarah Rahkola. Sarah has been my “Vice Chair,” a term that we confirmed with her onboarding, and has served in this position extremely well. Sarah has been my wing woman in most everything I do and is an outstanding sounding board when decisions have been difficult. Sarah was there for me during personal orthopedic surgeries, when I had to take a break and did a fabulous job.

So, I hope you enjoy a fabulous summer that might include a nice vacation, a staycation and a few good books to draw you close to the Lord while you appreciate His creation.