Peals of thunder, torrential downpours and flash flooding may have dampened Maine this Labor Day weekend, but not the spirits of those determined to enjoy summer’s last hurrah.

According to Tom Hawley of the National Weather Service in Gray, radar indicated that up to 6 inches of rain fell across parts of New Hampshire and Western Maine.

By Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service reported that 4.6 inches of rain had been recorded in Durham, 2.74 inches had fallen in Gray, and Portland had set a record with 2.04 inches.

The totals were listed as tentative and may go much higher through Monday night as more precipitation is expected, prompting flash flood watches throughout southern, central and western Maine, as well as all of New Hampshire.

Due to the wet weather and soggy grounds, Bates College in Lewiston decided to postpone its fireworks display for arriving students until Friday.

For some, however, a little rain could do little to dampen the holiday that has become the unofficial final celebration of summer.

At Riverbend Campground in Leeds, many sites remained occupied with RVs, pop-ups and tents as drizzle dominated Monday evening.

Lovia Koscinski, who has owned Riverbend with her husband, Marc, for the past 11 years, sees her campers as a steadfast bunch.

“They all go home on Monday, but it was full all weekend,” Koscinski said, adding that some of her seasonal campers remain until Columbus Day weekend.

Koscinski said she had a couple campers leave for the night to seek drier accommodations, but they were quick to return the next day.

“Actually, we didn’t have anyone who chose to leave early,” she said.

Despite some standing water, Koscinski said the grounds didn’t receive any damage from water and winds.

“We were pretty lucky we didn’t,” she said.

Although most of Riverbend’s temporary residents bring campers and RVs, she said tenters arrive as well. Much to her surprise, she said there were no complaints from owners of ill-placed tents.

Grounds were quiet Monday evening, except for the occasional hum of a television inside a camper or conversation through screen porches.

Seasonal campers Gary and Hazel Harriman of Lisbon Falls relaxed on their screened-in porch, watching doves and squirrels frequent their bird feeder.

Gary said the couple have been coming to Riverbend for the last 17 years, occupying the same spot.

“It’s real private,” said Hazel, noting that the treeline in front and Native American burial ground behind them made for quiet neighbors.

Hazel said she likes cooking on the couple’s fire pit out front.

“It seems like it tastes better outside,” she said.

She was quick to point out that she and her husband are not roughing it. Despite their humble beginnings in a tent, the couple now enjoys the comforts of a furnace, recliners and DIRECTV.

“It sure is a nice place,” she said. “So nice and peaceful, but you don’t have to go a long ways (to get there).”

“They had a full house this weekend,” Gary said. “They turned down four or five campers, even though it rained.”

Gary said he helps the Koscinskis cut wood and mow grass, adding that they had been at Riverbend this year since April to save gas, only going back to Lisbon Falls occasionally to keep up with their yard work.

dmcintire@sunjournal.com

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