It started last week when we reported that a tractor-trailer loaded with chicken manure overturned on a man's lawn, caking his yard, trees and parked cars.

It continued Sunday with a remarkable story about a Waterville
dentist whose license has been suspended for a variety of reasons.

The story told how staffers engaged in inappropriate sexual
behavior at the office, performed poor dental work -- and that the dentist herself
showed up wearing a belly dancer costume. You can read the story
here: Disciplined dentist seeks to regain license

We also reported on a possible tornado that touched down in Somerset County
Saturday. Tornadoes are unusual in Maine, but Saturday's weather conditions
sparked either a small tornado or a "microburst" in Pittsfield and East
Madison that caused up to $1 million in damage.

You can read Darla Pickett's stories here:Tornado-like winds cause extensive property damage in Somerset County

Wind crushes cars, fells trees in Somerset County

In the Morning Sentinel yesterday, we reported on Sister Katherine Kelm, who
apparently thwarted a burglary by slamming shut a window on someone as they tried to enter the convent. This was the same place where two nuns were killed 11 years ago.

You can read that story here:Nun thwarts burglar at Waterville convent

What's my point? Summer traditionally is regarded as a slow season for news
(though I've always doubted that), but this summer we've reported on many
unusual and just flat-out interesting events. The summer of 2007 has been
anything but routine.