Weather continues to dominate the news, but this week in a good way. Since last Friday the cold temperatures have allowed the Southport School students to begin skating on their new ice rink. Some of the children were moving about on the ice with great confidence and others were using a chair for balance as all enjoyed a good time. Over the weekend other folks also enjoyed the skating, safe from wondering if the ice were thick enough to hold their weight.

Many thanks to those who worked to make and sell food during the Firemen’s Auction last summer and to the Southport General Store, for raising and donating enough money to buy helmet and skate packages for each student at the school in their own size. I wonder if they have learned yet to play “crack the whip.” That was my favorite ice skating activity. The rest of us can try that game when school is not in session as that is when the rink is available for the
general public.

A request from Ella Long and the Climate Action Team. They are looking for stories about the recent storms. You can send your story to ellalong@roadrunner.com. I am sure Southport folk have a number of tales to tell.

A reminder that the Southport General Store will be closed until Jan. 28 so that the kitchen can be renovated. Note that when the store reopens, the breakfast special will be a sausage biscuit with gravy, and the following week will be french toast, sausage, and maple syrup sandwiches, all made, of course, in the new kitchen.

Good news began this column but now some sad news. Byron Atwood, a Southport summer resident and then year-round resident, died last Saturday at the age of 95. I suspect you can find an obituary either in this week’s paper or soon. Byron was a long time parishioner at All Saints by-the-Sea beginning when he was a young child. One of his many contributions was ringing the bell to celebrate the end of World War 11, perhaps a symbol of his life-long commitment to being involved and celebrating the good. He and family members have rung the bell additional times to mark special occasions. His funeral will be held at the chapel this summer.

Another summer then year-round resident, Anne Grimes, also died last weekend on Sunday evening. Anne was one of the mothers of the “Pratts Island Gang” that included the Grimes, McWhan, Phippen, Moreshead, and Sherrill families. The mothers sat together on the western rocks to watch the sailing races. In the evening the children played flashlight tag and other games throughout the island. In our house, the rules were to come off the water when the noon whistle blew and home at night when the lighthouse came on. Since at that time most of families lived in cities or highly populated suburbs, such freedom was exercised with great delight. The Grimeses eventually moved permanently to Cozy Harbor. The McWhans bought a year-round home also on Cozy Harbor. The Moresheads lived in the winter in Augusta. The Phippens, with their family, bought a year-round home on Pratts, and we built and live in our home permanently on the east side of Southport. So, although none of us are native Southporters, we all love the place and settled our roots down here. Anne and now the McWhans moved to Massachusetts to be closer to family when more attention to their lives was needed, but Maine is always in their hearts. Look also perhaps next week for Anne’s obituary.

Driving around the island I see that the road has been cleared of debris at Hendricks Head Beach, but the road will need to be resurfaced. The metal barrier has been secured at the town landing so you will not slide into the sea, and notices as you approach All Saints by-the-Sea say the property is closed due to storm damage. Much work to be done.

Looking ahead to Sunday, Feb. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Boothbay Region High School gym, the Democrats will hold a caucus meeting to elect Southport party officers and select nominees to recommend for key local and national offices. The current officers, Bill Messmer, Jane Lunt and Leigh Sherrill, note that by attending this caucus you are committing to maintaining our democratic values and our democracy.

Next week your Southport scribe will be Maureen Kinsey. Please sent her news either by email at maureenkinsey10@gmail .com or phone her at 350-1134. She will need the news by Monday morning, Jan. 29, as the column is due by 3:30 p.m. that day. I will be spending the week with family at our time share in Stowe, Vermont. Thanks, Maureen.