Many thanks to Maureen Kinsey and Maria Doelp who kept Southport news flowing while Kit and I enjoyed the beauty of the Dalmatian Coast. Pictures are posted on my Facebook page if you are interested. My only caution should you consider this trip is that in these countries (Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia) the mountains meet the sea. That necessitates many long stairways most of which were constructed out of stone blocks many years ago. Most streets are made of cobblestones, and tripping possibilities abound. Fortunately no one in our group of 16 people fell.

Thank goodness we returned in time to attend the dinner in honor of Kathy Barter. Our Southport Town Hall was full to overflowing with many people enjoying their meal on the front steps because there was no more room at tables. Great music by the Spoffords kept us in an upbeat mood.

As Betty Goulette, Kathy’s mother, said, “I always knew my daughter was a social butterfly.” But in my experience, she was a social butterfly not in the flighty social sense, but in the sense of always helping someone else. From giving an “in home” haircut, to helping you give a party, to entertaining folks at St. Andrew Village, to caring for pets and home while you were away, to playing with the pre-school children at the Southport Memorial Library as well as raising her son and providing for her husband’s needs, Kathy was always busy, upbeat, and smiling. That disease and disability could strike her so suddenly is outrageous.

Thanks to the Southport Memorial Library aides and all others who made this fundraising party a great success. I am sure more is written about it elsewhere in this paper.

Sandra Seifert writes that her husband, Cy Seifert , our Southport neighbor and friend, died Tuesday, May 22 at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Before his death, he joyously celebrated his 90th birthday at a party held at the library with 50 friends attending. Cy loved living on Southport and especially loved his library friends and coffee group members. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Aug. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor. In lieu of flowers at this celebration of life, Cy has requested donations be made in his memory to the Southport Memorial Library, the Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor, the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor or the Boothbay Region Student Aid Fund. His obituary will be forthcoming in the Boothbay Register.

From Debbie Sylvester comes this good news: “On Saturday, May 19, there was a birthday celebration for Dick Butler of Southport and his twin brother, Bob. The twin World War II vets celebrated their 93rd birthday with over 33 friends and family. The twins are snowbirds and had returned from Zephyrhills, Florida on May 10. Dick has six daughters, 21 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. After a visit with his brother here, Bob has gone to Houlton to spend the summer with his daughter.” Happy belated birthday, gentlemen.

Our Southport school children and teachers are busy with the last weeks of school. The sixth grade students enjoyed their “Adventure Bound” outing last week that included rock climbing and white water rafting. Next week on Wednesday night, June 6, the children will present their final concert of the year beginning at 6 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. Then on June 15 at 1 p.m. at the town hall the sixth graders will graduate. They will also enjoy Field Day and continue with Forest Fridays. The pictures and descriptions of activities in their weekly newsletter could easily entice me back to elementary school.

I am sure you have noted that between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. our Southport Bridge is opening on the hour and half-hour when a boat needs to duck under rather than on demand. After 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. the bridge will open on demand.

We now have three bridge tenders working shifts on the bridge, but one shift remains open to complete the roster of four tenders. During the winter when we had only two people tending the bridge, they were working every day without relief as our bridge is always tended. Carl Jordan joined the staff several months ago and enjoys the work, but the full complement would be a relief. Pass the word along to anyone you know who would like to apply for the job.

Southport Yacht Club opened last Saturday evening with their Memorial Day potluck supper. Since this column was due Friday afternoon, news in this column of that event and of the Memorial Day parade will have to wait until next week. The club’s sailing program will begin Monday, June 25.

Remember to make your reservations for the Firemen’s Dinner on June 7 at Newagen Inn, beginning with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and dinner served at 6:30 p.m. Call the Inn at 633-5242 to make reservations and pay the cost, which is $35 per person plus tax. Our firemen will greet us and serve us, and benefit from our generosity.