Thirty-three island residents joined in the Southport Island Association (SIA) Winter Walk and Social held Feb. 21 at the Pratts Island home of Russell and Nan Jackson.

Seventeen of the group walked in four different "waves" to the north end of Pratts Island. There they took inventory of how many lobster boats still graced the harbor and were pleasantly surprised to see two lonely loons braving the chilly waters of the Cosy Harbor channel. 

After exercise in the chilly air, all convened for over an hour of food, hot and cold drinks, and an abundance of winter snow talk. As things wrapped up just before 5 p.m., a few lonely snowflakes began falling, later giving us another three to four inches of what folks hope is a parting winter "shot."

The next SIA event will be the Ice Breaker at the Southport Town Hall on Saturday, March 14, from 5 to 7 p.m.

A few hours with above freezing temperatures have allowed the deep snow to settle a bit, but still the earth and roofs that have not been shoveled are heavily covered. Brilliant sun and a quiet sky greeted us this morning, Tuesday, Feb. 24, with temperatures in the single digits. More snow perhaps tonight. So much for a parting winter “shot.” At Hendricks Head Beach this morning ice remained draped over the sand and rocks as the tide retreated. Love’s Cove is frozen as far as the eye can see, from Route 27.

Town reports for 2014 are now available at the Southport Memorial Library, the Island Store, the post office and Town Hall. In addition to the lovely cover picture of the new Pratts Island Bridge, the dedication this year is to Phyllis Cook. Listed in the dedication are the many ways Phyllis and four generations of her family have served the town of Southport in a variety of capacities. Thanks, Phyllis.

We wish Tanya Thibault a speedy recovery from hip surgery accomplished last Thursday. She returned home to Southport on Saturday and so far is doing well.

Perhaps you have seen a new person behind the desk in our Southport Post Office. Jeanette Murphy will still be with us most Mondays and Saturdays, but our new postal clerk is Ashley Holloway. Since she grew up in Boothbay; she sees some familiar faces. She and her family now live in Woolwich. In May she will have worked for the U.S. Postal Service for nine years.

The pillar near the counter at the Island Store is greening up, not due to twining ivy, but due to generous persons who donate one dollar to combat muscular diseases. When you give that donation, you can write your name on a green shamrock and tape it to the pillar.

As if we did not have enough to cause us worry, around the table at the library this morning Austin McKenney explained that molecules of methane hydrate, expelled from volcanic vents beneath the sea, which had previously been solidified due to the cold temperatures, are now breaking apart due to warming water.

Although the resulting gas can be a source of fuel, it also causes the water to be less dense, which, in turn, causes ships to have less buoyancy. Ships sailing into these patches can sink. What a surprise for a captain of a ship in such a situation.