Our harbor master tells me that the life ring at town landing in Newagen has disappeared. If anyone reading this column can make it reappear, please do so. Should someone fall in the water, the best response is to extend a hand, a towel, or throw a ring, rather than jumping in the water yourself. I know from firsthand experience that even a frightened two-year-old can get a mighty grip around your neck. The life you save could include your own.

We are approaching the height of summer activities. In spite of heavy rain, the lobster luncheon at the Southport Town Hall as part of Southport United Methodist Church fair was a great success. Singers from the music theater in town serenaded us during the meal, perhaps overshadowing a bit of the conversation, but it was fun nonetheless to hear the talented group.

The families of Rachel Venezia, granddaughter of Mel Rines and the late Mary Jo Rines, and Allen Dickerson were delighted that the earth dried out for a lovely evening wedding on Saturday, July 19 at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Kit and I enjoyed being part of such a delightful group of young people.

The Southport Island Association (SIA) will sponsor a presentation on “Raptors of New England” at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 28 at the Southport Town Hall. Emma Balazs of the Chewonki Foundation will tell us about raptors we might see on Southport and in the Boothbay region. This program is appropriate for ages second grade and up, so be sure to bring your children and grandchildren.

Early August brings us several fun events. On Saturday, Aug. 2 the Southport Yacht Club (SYC) is hosting a fun community event for walkers and runners of all ages. The “Rock the Boat 5k” will start and end at the SYC, with the 5k starting at 8 a.m. and the Kids' Fun Run starting at 9:15 a.m. The route goes from SYC to Pratt's Island, back to the General Store, down Dogfish Head Road and up the Beach Rd. heading back to SYC. Traffic on the course will be limited to one lane from 8-9:30 a.m. Traffic on Dogfish Head, Salt Pond Road and Beach Road will be one way, traveling away from store on Dogfish Head, towards the beach on Salt Pond and up towards the store on Beach Road. Course marshals will be on site to help direct cars. Please go to www.syc.wildapricot.org to learn more about the event or volunteer to help. For more information, contact Hollyanna Bates at 970-389-7885.

If running isn’t your skill or you finish the race early, come to the Southport Central School on Saturday, Aug. 2 beginning at 10 a.m. for an all-island scavenger hunt. At 11:30 a.m. family games and activities will take place on the school field followed at 11:30 a.m. by a silent auction, food sale, and the sale of island souvenirs. At 2:30 p.m. the winners of the scavenger hunt will be announced and prizes awarded. The rain date for this event will be August 3.

The Southport Yacht Club news appears in its own column, but I call your attention to the little model turnabouts available at the Island Store. Denis McWhan has made them from plastic with 3D technology and hand-painted them. Although they are being sold at the store, proceeds go to the SYC sailing foundation. They make good Christmas gifts and for those sailors who return home in other parts of the country, they are a reminder of good times on the Sheepscot.

Many people enjoyed the fireworks Sunday evening, some from their homes on the west side of Southport, some from Hendricks Head beach, and some from boats off the end of Pratts Island. Thanks to Paul Coulombe, who I understand provided the fireworks to celebrate his wedding anniversary, and to Skip Rideout who set off the display.

Three speed bumps will be installed on the Pratts Island Road in an effort to slow traffic in this heavily populated area. I wrote in a previous column about the clever signs such as “No Wake,” to alert drivers to the need to proceed slowly due to the many children walking, biking and playing in yards along the road. Perhaps the speed bumps will help further.

Traffic will be a bit heavier on Friday this week, July 25, when three Southport sites will be on the Garden Club house tour. Thanks to the owners, Anne Vartibedian and Nick and Joan Hurd whose homes address the theme, “The Sea Around Us” and to the All Saints by-the-Sea committee who has allowed the small summer chapel to be included in the tour although the chapel is also open to the public at all times during the summer months. The official tour is from 9:30 a.m. until 4:40 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce.

Newagen Inn looks beautiful these days. An island tennis round robin continues on Thursday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. Contact Rosalie Baker at 207-633-6434 to sign up or go to http://doodle.com/a3s235c9wr7ytapv, add your name, and check the dates you can play. In addition, at the inn the public is invited to Tuesday night lobster bakes and on Wednesdays to fireside tales and a bonfire, beginning at 7 p.m. You can also sign up at the inn’s front desk for a tai-chi class with John Jacobs either for the Tuesday class from 8 to 10 a.m. or for a personal time. The cost is $15, and you must sign up ahead of time.

It is time again to register for the Rowgatta, a special row or paddle around Southport Island to benefit the Boothbay Region YMCA’s aquatics programs that will take place on August 9. You can find more information and sign up at www.boothbayregionymca.org.

Finally do not miss Ron Orchard’s display at the Hendricks Hill museum of the steamboats, which in days of yore delivered passengers to various locations on Southport. Ron is a master at such displays, putting in many hours to get the visual and the verbal story just right. The museum is open Tuesdays, Thursday, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.