We've had another beautiful week of sunny days and comfortable sleeping weather at night. Sadly, this was not so on the 4th of July, and the boat parade was prematurely canceled, as most of the morning was drizzle and fog. But on the Friday night following, we had wonderful fireworks. The hoots and hollers of appreciation could be heard back and forth across the lake and down the valley, along with a few answering salvos. And someone was good enough to donate the flags up around downtown, so we looked right smart.

Swan Lake Garden Tour

10 a.m.-2 p.m., Aug. 4*

*rain date: Aug. 5

Travel by pontoon boats (or travel by your own car) from the west side boat launch area to six spectacular gardens on Swan Lake.

Tickets may be purchased through:

• Belfast Chamber of Commerce
• Swan Lake Grocery in Swanville
• Swan Lake Boat Landing
• Tozier’s Market in Searsport
• Website:  swanlakemaine.org
• Phone 338-6099; Peggy Stout

$15 per person, if purchased prior to Aug. 4

$20 per person, if purchased Aug. 4

The pontoon ride and light refreshments are included in the price of a ticket.

Fine dining tip of the week: Surprise! Pig Out BBQ is down and behind the Purple Baboon and Weathervane's on Marshall's Wharf, Front Street, in Belfast, 338-6009. If you love down-home Southern barbecue, Pig Out is the place to be! Warm, cozy atmosphere, the best macaroni and cheese on the planet, ribs and chicken and five varieties of southern barbecue sauces to pile on, Georgia cob corn, and loaded reds. Peach cobbler.  Nothing comes from a can. It is all the real deal.  Hoowee! I haven't had such good barbecue since Wes's Rib House in Providence, R.I., fell to the mafia loan sharks! Sticky fingers. R & B blasting. Bottomless sweet tea. Need I say more? This is the barbecue we've been missing since we moved back to Maine!

Movie pick of the week: Dark Knight Rising. Five stars. Intelligent, insightful, and fast-moving. Not for your grandmother.