Summer water is off; summer friends have departed, but beauty remains. Fall leaves are nearly at their peak, skies are brilliant blue, ocean water is sparkling. After heat and hurricanes’ remains in Florida and Cuba, Kit and I are delighted to be home once again on Southport and intend to stay put awhile. Many thanks to Maria Doelp who brought you the Southport news on short notice while we were away.

The purpose of our short trip was to attend a reunion with Kit’s navy buddies. While together, one family received news that their Sonoma home for 32 years had burned to the ground along with so many others. They, Hank and Diane Mayo, are grateful that their offspring who live close by are okay and that they have insurance to rebuild, but the conversation and images reminded me of how fast a fire can spread, especially when the area is dry and wooded. Here on Southport we are not as dry as northern California wine country, but we are dry and wooded, and much downed timber lies on the ground. Perhaps we should give some thought to the danger such debris creates.

Many of us who have taught enjoy the reward of students and parents occasionally thanking us for helping them through the educational process, but few of us have the pleasure of seeing a building built and named for us. Phil and Holly Smith were among those few as they traveled back to Trinity Pauling School in New York state where Phil had been headmaster for many years. On Oct. 6 the new field house was dedicated as the Smith Field house, named for the most recent two headmasters, both named Smith. Congratulations, Phil.

John and Jane Lunt had a heart warming “look back” of another kind last weekend at Bowdoin College, where the Meddiebempsters celebrated 80 years of men’s acapella singing. About eighty past and present Meddies gathered in Brunswick to rehearse and present a concert of old favorites and new renditions at Pickard Theater. John Lunt, class of 1961, and Jane (one of the many Meddie “widows”) participated in this every-five-years tradition. While vocal chords have diminished, bonds of friendships have strengthened over the 56 years since John’s graduation.

Ramona’s grandson, Jason, popped in to see his grandmother just for a quick night’s rest after finishing hiking the complete Appalachian Trail, but he could not stay long because he was off to Portugal for a vacation to “rest his feet.” When rested we hope he will put together a talk and pictures so we can share in his adventures. Stay tuned.

Kathy Barter is looking for pre-schoolers to enjoy story hour and other fun at the Southport Memorial Library on Tuesday mornings beginning at 10 a.m. Those of us gathered for coffee and conversation also enjoy seeing the little ones troop in.

Frannie Johnson hopes to be home from St. Andrews rehab in time to prepare for her usual Halloween surprises. Both at the library, around the monument, and in front of Sweet Dreams Bakery, where the large, fire breathing dragon is again moving menacingly in the wind. Halloween decorations alert us to the coming fun.

Looking ahead, on Nov. 7 we have an opportunity to vote in a referendum election. The polls at the Southport Town Hall will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. On Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Southport Memorial Library, Chris Johnson, our former state legislator representative, will explain and answer questions about the ballot issues. Although organized by the Southport Democrats, this meeting is open to all.

A sample ballot is posted at the Southport Town Hall and news of the issues have been printed in this paper, but briefly the issues are whether voters will permit casino activities in York County; whether the state should expand Medicaid; whether voters support a bond issue for roads, bridges, harbors, railroads, and aviation; and whether voters support a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of time from 10 years to 20 years to refund the Maine Public Employees Retirement System. As always, I urge all of us as good citizens to become informed and vote.

Just a few more weekends to take advantage of the 30 percent off sale at the Gift Barn, which will be open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this coming weekend from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. We took the lovely Southport scene refrigerator magnets to the Navy buddies, which they all enjoyed.