What better way to teach fractions than to buy a pie at the Southport General Store and then have your class decide which fraction of the pie they want to eat. Of course, such a “hands on” and “mouth on” lesson is probably only possible with a small class, but the lesson certainly was successful with Mrs. Clarke’s second grade class. Those with an eye only for the biggest number learned the lesson the hard way when they found out 1/16 of the pie was a very small portion compared to 1/2 of the pie. So often because of small classes, education at our Southport School can be creative. I wish I were a student there.

The school’s ice skating rink has been tucked away for the winter with the water drained into the pond. Many thanks to Charlie Britton and helpers. Let’s hope we get even more skating opportunities next winter.

Big news for the island probably also written about elsewhere in this paper, is a letter the selectmen received from Susan Collins earlier this month. It says that “I am writing to request federal funding to upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Southport. At my request $3,878,000 has been included for this project in the fiscal year 2024 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill, which has passed the Senate and the House of Representatives.” If President Biden signs this bill, we will be able to have town water in the Southport Town Hall and up the west side of the island and around Newagen, a plan that has been long in the works.

Last Thursday morning at the Southport Memorial Library Jim Singer received birthday greetings from all his buddies, and the buddies receive delicious pieces of his chocolate birthday cake. Even those of us who came for the gardening discussion could share in the festivities and the treat. Our library is more than a place just to get and return books. It has become a meeting place for friends, artists, and gardeners, among others. It is also a place to enjoy the work of local artists. Look for an article elsewhere in the paper about the current pictures decorating the walls, assembled by Andre Benoit.

At the selectmen’s meeting last Wednesday, Maddy Kaler explained why she had stepped down from the school board to which she was recently elected. Since she had not yet been sworn in, she did not have officially to resign, but explained that as she chooses to continue substitute teaching, she can not accept the school board position as it would be a conflict of interest. The school board will hold a special meeting to appoint someone to fill this position for a year.

From the Southport General Store comes some big news. They are going to renovate the indoor eating area to make it more cozy. New tables will be purchased as well as a fireplace to put in the northwest corner. A counter will stretch across the windows facing south with about four stools, so one can eat and watch the activity at town center. Some of the seating will be comfortable lounge chairs. Next month, on April 22, the store will begin to be open again on
Sundays for at least part of the day. Five J1 workers, that is folks from foreign lands, will begin work in June for the summer season. The menu will continue to change with more takeout meals. Most of the time, when I pop into the store for news, I have to leave my pocketbook in the car because all the food offerings look so delicious. Thanks to the owners and staff for creating such a comfortable and convenient place on our island.

A wood panel now replaces the broken glass in our post office door. Probably it will be May before the door is properly replaced, but at least now it can be fully closed.

From her son, Bruce Wood, comes this news. His mother, Frances Bailey Wood, died on March 14 at age 105. Her grandparents built a summer cottage on Molly’s Point in about 1910, which continues to be used by her descendants. She was a lifelong summer resident of Southport. Her obituary will be in a future issue of the Boothbay Register. Rest in peace, Mrs. Wood. What a long and fruitful life.