With some free time Saturday afternoon I conducted my annual survey of seasonal businesses on Southport. Since the Southport temperature May 16, was only 53 F, those folks staying at the newly opened Newagen Inn enjoyed a roaring fire in the living room fireplace, warming me as well as I stopped in to collect news.

The inn with its fine new circular entrance under a new portico is not yet open for retail business, only for functions. This past weekend couples from all over the states were on retreat, learning among other things how to unclutter their marriages.

On Thursday, May 28, the inn will host the annual Firemen’s Dinner beginning with drinks and live music at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served by the firemen at 6:30 p.m. Call the inn at 207-633-5242 and ask for Lynn to make a reservation. Cost per person is $37.80 tax included.

News for tennis players is that the nets are up on the Newagen Inn courts, but the courts are now locked. You need to make a reservation to use the court and will learn the combination when you pay $10 at the main desk to play. With this system the inn can better serve their guests.

Ocean Gate also opened May 15 and is gathering its student helpers from around the world. Several businesses in the area, including Newagen Inn and Ocean Gate, find excellent summer help through a U.S. State Department J-1 Visa Program. Not only do students earn money for their continuing education, but they also experience life in an American resort town and meet many people from across the country. Frank Gaynor, general manager at Ocean Gate, says he expects students from Jamaica, Russia, Macedonia, Croatia, Taiwan and Slovenia.

In other Ocean Gate news, Mr. Gaynor says the resort plans to resurface their tennis court this season, but since they now have only one court, they cannot open it to the island residents.

Grays Homestead Campground also opened for the season on May 15. Some campers are already in residence. The only change at the campground is construction on the right as you enter, near Route 238. The clearing is not for more campsites, but for Larry Gray’s new home.

Ship Ahoy Motel was not yet open for business as I traveled around the island on Saturday. I wonder if they are remaining closed due to the water line construction occurring along their property.

Remember that all Southport Yacht Club members and their guests are invited to a potluck supper at the club on Saturday, May 23 beginning at 6 p.m. Bring food to share and your own libation.

Look for pictures and an article elsewhere in the paper about the German American Partnership (GAPP) dinner last Saturday evening at the Southport Town Hall. Good food, great items for bid, and good work, everyone.

About 15 people, mostly neighbors, attended the public wharf and weirs hearing on May 13 at Robinson’s Wharf. The purpose of the hearing was to explain the seven additional floats the business wants to add off the dining wharf, which will provide more tie up space for persons coming by boat to dine. Because the drawings needed to be refined, no action was taken. Watch this paper for any further public hearings.

Also from Harbormaster Jim Gagnon comes the reminder that Southport mooring invoices must be paid by June 1 and all moorings tagged by July 1.

A correction and a warning. The correction is that the cute cake made in the shape of Frannie Johnson’s house was made not by her, but for her by her son Larry’s fiancée, Mary Ann. The warning is that if you get a notice in your email that your computer has been infected by a virus and a company known as C.P. Support will get rid of it for you before the virus eliminates all your data, check with the Better Business Bureau first.

Maria Doelp will be writing this column for the next three weeks, so please send her news at pdoelp@roadrunner.com or put written notes in the large envelope just inside the Island Store door. Maria is also often behind the counter in the Gift Barn, so you can give her news there. Thanks, Maria.