Kit and I were sad to miss Southport Island Association’s Winter Walk last weekend, but we were out of town with a number of other Southporters at the Camden Conference. Thanks to Carole Zalucky who sent me the following information.

About 10 of the 21 people who showed up went for a walk before settling into the library ambiance for wine, warm drinks, snacks and conversation with neighbors and friends. What a great way to get out after several days of being snowed in. In just a few weeks, on Sunday, March 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall, we will gather again for the annual Ice Breaker. Do put that activity on your calendars now. Thanks to the Southport Island Association for organizing these events.

On Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m., eight Southporters showed up in the Selectmen’s office for a public hearing on three articles that will be up for vote on the town warrant. In Article 29, for the third year in a row the management at Oliver’s Restaurant is asking the town to allow the serving of hard liquor in additions to beer, wine, and other usual libations. Last year this article failed by just one vote.

As you may remember, although initially the restaurant was not allowed by the terms of its lease to serve any alcoholic beverages, the town voted several years ago to allow the service of beer and wine. Last year’s failed article was amended on the floor to serve hard liquor only after 5 p.m. when most of the young sailors from the Southport Yacht Club next door would have gone home. When Melissa Neel, representing Oliver’s management, was asked if that restriction could still apply, she indicated that it could, although such an amendment would again have to be asked for and voted on from the floor at the meeting.

Other discussion centered on restricting service of both food and beverages to the specific area of the restaurant and not to any tables beyond the restaurant’s outdoor seating. Ms. Neel indicated waiters and waitresses would honor that restriction, but that people could order food to carry-out and then consume that food at those tables.

In Article 30 the management at Oliver’s asks that the restaurant be allowed to advertise. Currently in the lease advertising is limited to a small sign on the building although that restriction has not been honored. Those present noted that although that restriction had been added to the lease when the plan was to keep the space much as it had previously been, we had moved rather far away from that idea, so to legitimize advertising for Oliver’s was probably reasonable. Questions did arise about how parking would be handled as the restaurant grew even more popular and whether it was fair to the neighbors to allow parking on the grass of the adjoining property.

The third article discussed, Article 31, concerns the sale of marijuana on Southport. This warrant specifies that no store or social club may exist on Southport for the sale or use of marijuana. Private use would be allowed as legalized statewide in the past election. There seemed to be general agreement and few questions about this article.

Again, each of these article will be voted either up or down at our town meeting on Monday, March 6. From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. you may vote by secret ballot on Articles one and two. Voting on Articles three through 65 will begin at 7:30 p.m. Some of those votes will occur by show of hands; others may be conducted by paper ballot.

Note that effective March 6, our Town Hall hours will be as follows: Monday through Thursday the offices will be open from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. On Monday evening the offices will be open from 6 to 8.

In other Southport news the library crowd was delighted to welcome back Jessica Brewer from her home in Stevensville, Montana, where she lives with her husband and works for the U.S. Forestry service, especially on reforestation. In addition to Jessica’s visit, we welcomed Sandra Thibault and her daughter, Betsy around the table. We all miss husband and dad, Ed Thibault, but know he lived a good and long life, which was celebrated at the American Legion Hall last Saturday with about 150 people in attendance. Thanks to Jim Singer who delivered a lovely eulogy.

Work continues apace at Robinson’s Wharf as they finish remodeling the kitchen, the dining room, and the downstairs bar. Today, February 21, they were resurfacing the floors in those areas, getting ready for a March 14 reopening. Thanks to Josh who let me step inside to witness the work in progress.

I hear that several power outages occurred over the weekend due to transformer problems near the Southport Bridge and at Four Corners. We have been relatively lucky not to have had extended outages in quite a while.

Meanwhile our above average temperatures continue to melt the snow, but across our yard and meadow over a foot of snow remains. In the morning and evening sun, the light and shadows create a lovely scene. Enjoy.