A reminder that the memorial service for Fred Helming, a long-time Southport summer resident who died at his home on Southport on June 12, will be this Saturday, July 1 at 9:30 a.m. at All Saints by-the-Sea on Southport’s east side. If you are unable to come to the service, please know the family would still love to see you at the reception following at the Southport Yacht Club (10:30 a.m. until noon). Fred’s obituary was in last week’s Boothbay Register and can be accessed online.

Another loss on the island is Merry Knowlton. With family by her side, Merry died peacefully on Saturday morning, June 24 at St. Andrews Village. She was an omnipresent organizer, faithful friend and adept activist. Gregarious gardener and lover of all things green, library lover and constant cheerleader for the Southport Library, steadfast steward and dedicated doyenne to the Boothbay Region Land Trust. Merry’s boundless energy and spirit will be missed by all and held forever in our hearts. A remembrance gathering and celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Life goes on for the rest of us. This past weekend saw members gather at the Southport Yacht Club first for the members’ meeting at 10 a.m. and then for the Commodore’s Reception in the evening. With the weather clearing and the air warming, most people gathered on the lawn for the duration of the event. This Monday the sailing program began with the dreaded swim test and full classes, especially for beginners.

Sunday evening the Southport Town Hall was filled with folks enjoying good finger food and libations, greeting returning friends, meeting new people, and celebrating the Southport Island Association’s (SIA) Bolster Day, named for Judge Bolster who was initially instrumental in organizing these gatherings. As an added attraction the cast from the Carousel Music Theater sang a preview of their coming shows.

Coming next week on Tuesday is the third annual Fourth of July community celebration on Southport. The Boothbay Region Community Band will begin playing at the library at 8:30 a.m. with light refreshments for all along with flags and small prizes for the kids. A festive parade, organized by the SIA, will begin from the Newagen town dock at 9 a.m. All of our island neighbors are welcome to walk, bike, push a stroller, or walk a dog behind the motor vehicles in the parade. Additional floats are very welcome from the community colonies or clubs! Please contact Medea Harris (350-9142) or Stephanie Guite (courageousliving@yahoo.com) for more information. Join us in a flag salute at the Library after the parade. Three cheers for the red, white and blue!

Far from Southport Lisa Lunt and family, taking advantage of the New Zealand school calendar that has schools in session for ten weeks and then off for two, will be meeting up, once again, with Jen Elderkin Wickline, another Southporter, and her family who live in Whangarei on the North Island. They will be spending time in Russell together at a Top 10 Holiday Park, a favorite with Kiwis and visitors alike due to their many activities for kids. What fun to see these two families so far from their roots, meeting and having fun together.

Here at home Hendricks Hill Museum is facilitating local sightseeing by offering a driving brochure of the island. The route starts at the museum and circumnavigates the island highlighting significant island landmarks labeled on the map. Please stop by and pick one up for your family and houseguests visiting this summer.

Also know that in addition to Nan Jackson and Ann Roche mentioned last week, both Kathy Bugbee and Shelby Kaider were appointed board members of the Friends of the Southport Historical Society.

Are your guests rooms overflowing? One solution could be Cozy Harbor Bed & Breakfast that opened Friday, June 25 for summer business. Located at 40 Pratts Island Road the Seiferts’ home provides beautiful views of Cozy Harbor as well as the across the Sheepscot River. See www.cozy-harbor.com for more information. Cy and Sandra Seifert welcome you.

A wonderful weekend or week on Southport can provide many memories, but it can also provide at least one, if not more, bags of trash. Think ahead as to how you will dispose of that trash because although our local dump is open six days a week from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., it is not open on Sundays. Area businesses with dumpsters do not deserve to incur extra costs for removal due to unplanned for trash.

The summer chapel of All Saints by-the-Sea has now been open for three Sundays and continues throughout the summer and into the first two week of September with two services on Sunday, at 8 and 10 a.m. Tuesday mornings at 9, you are invited for conversation and study with the visiting minister.