‘Tis always sad when we hear of a death of an island resident, but the sudden, unexpected death of a vibrant friend, who, as far as we knew, had no health problems, is a shock.

So the word spread Friday through the island community that Charles F. Baker III (Charlie) had died suddenly in his home at Newagen. Further information about Charlie’s life is available through his obituary in this paper. Our thoughts and sympathies flow out to his family.

Throughout the three-day rain storm, the workers laying pipe to the new water tower site continued their efforts. First they were slogging around in the muddy mess. Then they were enveloped in a dust storm, as were drivers on the east side as they passed by Sawyers Pond Road. Hats off to the resilience of these workers. They have certainly earned their pay in recent days.

The Pratts Island bridge is taking on yet another new look. Although the span remains the same, the on and off ramps now are finished with granite pieces more reminiscent of Cuisenaire rods or curbing than of clunky chunks. That is to say the new blocks have less depth (I left my measuring tape at home) and are irregularly fit together, creating a more pleasing appearance. Thanks, I assume, to Mr. Coulombe for this change.

The good news from the Island Store is that they are installing a large, automatic generator that will power all the store’s needs and the gift barn when we experience a power outage. I warned Oliver that we might bring our sleeping bags if a long outage occurs, and I wished him more luck than we have had with our now useless automatic generator.

Doug Goldhirsch was enjoying a slice of Island Store pizza when I asked him what was new at the Southport Island Marine. He said they are repowering a Southport 30, exchanging an inboard motor for an outboard motor. When I asked the advantages he explained the outboard system would allow more room in the cockpit, better speed and less noise.

First we have Halloween, evidenced at the Southport Memorial Library by the preschool children parading in the costumes and then shedding them for the very serious work of decorating a gingerbread house with Halloween candy. Frannie Johnson’s real house of Route 27 is also decorated with jack-o-lanterns and witches in the windows, a good stop for your trick or treating.

After Halloween comes, Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Our polls will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. The Southport Central School parents will be selling home baked goodies, so do remember to bring your wallet.

We did not lose all our leaves in the nor’easter last week, but enough to keep us raking daily. Now our roads are lined with the deep purple red of the blueberry bushes, another photo luscious opportunity.