The last strains of big band music and of fireworks crashes have gone down Route 90 as Aurorafest of 2008 ends.

There was a total of 932 hot dogs, 450 hamburgers, large quantities of chicken, salads, desserts and other solid gastronomic dynamite eaten. All the refuse has been cleaned up; all the trophies have been taken home, and all the road cones put back into storage. The fleet of pleasure craft is hydroplaning again with a watchover from cloud radar, and the fire trucks are sitting in their house, but newly shined to perfection.

Aurorafest is another example of prime community spirit and participation. There is some limited commercial motivation, but for the large part, the usual support organizations are the greatest part of the volunteers, while Wells College donates facilities and people. But it is the citizen volunteers who man the pumps while the games are going on.

These are also the people who have stepped up and held one, two or more village offices successively because the need was there, over the years. In order to survive as a political unit, Aurora must have a changing roster at the village hall, and hopefully, some of the younger residents will recognize the need and duty. If that does not happen, we should look at consolidating with the town.

For today though, I can't say enough about the current involvement of our residents and government in making a special day just for having fun.

Fire District buys a new truck: $450,000.

Village floats bond for new roof on Post Office building: $70,000

Village purchases new truck for Water Sewer Dept.: $40,000

Village participates with volunteers to manage Aurorafest: Priceless

William Dugan is former supervisor for the town of Ledyard.