Another Southport summer resident, Mimi (Maria) Goslinga Havinga, passed away peacefully on Feb. 6. Mimi has been living recently at St. Andrews Village where she reached her 100th birthday. Mimi had a most eventful life that Sarah Sherman McGrail wrote about in her book, “Southport, the War Years” introducing us to Southporters who served in World War II. The article about Mimi begins on page 382. A few bits from the article: Mimi was born in Holland in 1924. In 1937, When her father was offered a job in the Netherland Antilles in the West Indies, his family of five boys and two girls plus his wife, insisted they make the move because Hitler’s troops were advancing across Europe. When Mimi finished high school in 1942, her family decided she should continue her education in the United States where she initially she worked for the Netherlands Government in New York as a secretary. Then she became secretary for the Queen of the Netherlands, who was living in exile in England and then Massachusetts. In 1944 Mimi enlisted in the Netherlands Indies Women’s Army Corp, training in Georgia and then traveling to Australia on a troopship. There she became secretary for the Netherland India government in exile, soon being reassigned to Ceylon, but after six weeks, returned to Australia when her boss was transferred there. Other travels followed, but in 1947 Mimi ended her time with the military and returned to the U.S, becoming an American citizen in 1953. In 1954 she married Jan Havinga, also from Holland, and raised her family, Anne and Cathy, in New Hampshire, with many summers in their Dogfish Head home on Southport. As you may imagine, living such a long and eventful life, Mimi was a stalwart woman. When I knew her, the enemy was old age, which she worked hard and cleverly not to allow it to defeat her. I recommend you look up the total tale of her life in Sarah’s book. We can learn a lot from her resilience.

Homemade soups were served with lots of corn bread and brownies for dessert at the Southport Town Hall last Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. About 40 people enjoyed the winter gathering even though the day itself was not very wintery. Most fun were the young children who had room to play and roll about on the floor. Also to the piano player who, after he enjoyed his soup, entertained us all with music, some of which we knew well enough to sing along. Thanks to all who brought food, the Southport Island Association who organized the event, and especially to Cindy Smith who made parsnip soup from a recipe Kit had shared with her.

Visiting Hendricks Head Beach last Monday, I chatted with the dippers, Morgan, Andrea and Jason, who were in their bathing suits ready for a swim about 10 a.m. Although the sun was shining and the water a glistening blue, the temperature was about 38 degrees. I admire those who do “dip” but cannot bring myself to join them. At least Morgan said splashing my face each morning with cold water was also good for my system.

A reminder that if you are interested in gardening, mark your calendars and plan to attend a coffee klatch to discuss gardening beginning Thursday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m. at the Southport Memorial Library. This meeting and discussion will continue each Thursday morning. For additional information call Claire Tomlin 305-775-2166.