There were a few empty tables but no lack of enthusiasm for the Southport Central School’s Winter Carnaval last Saturday night. Three long tables holding baskets of games, stuff toys, food, and other appealing prizes, plus items too big for baskets such as a slow cooker and a heater, lay on display, awaiting tickets to be stuffed into the plastic tubs indicating a person’s desire for the object. Most everyone won something. Several younger children ran about the room hugging a newly prized stuff animal. A few lucky people saw the pile of prizes pile up in front of them. Kit and I were pleased to win a gift certificate to Pinkham’s Seafood and a jewelry set, which will be a birthday present for one of the younger women in our family.
Homemade clam chowder, chili, macaroni and cheese, rolls, and cupcakes filled our tummies. Proceeds will send the older students on an end of school adventure that includes whitewater rafting. Thanks to all who gathered the prizes from local merchants, to the merchants for donating them, to the cooks, and all others who made the evening such a success.
Last week’s paper carried the obituary for Elaine Fairweather, the sister-in-law of the pastor of the Southport United Methodist Church, Richard Rego. A celebration of her life will be held at the Boothbay Harbor United Methodist Church on April 1 at 11 a.m.
The Southport Island Association(SIA) has awarded William (Liam) Cullina an educational grant for a Cornell University Summer Program in Marine Biology at the Shoals Marine Laboratory on
Appledore Island. The class, being held Aug. 14-21, is “Intro to the Biology of Sharks, Skates and Rays.” Liam is a sophomore at Lincoln Academy and a resident of Southport. He said in his thank you note to the SIA that this week-long opportunity would likely "change his life.” Congratulations, Liam. SIA offers educational grants to Southport residents under two separate categories: Students in
grades K-12 who may need help financing an educational trip or experience not part of their regular curriculum, and young adults who want to further their education beyond high school. Grants for both categories are normally capped at $500 per applicant but can be greater depending on circumstances and grant committee concurrence. Anyone needing more information or wanting to apply for such a grant should contact Carole Zalucky at 633-0846 or
czalucky@gmail.com
The preschool children who come to the Southport Memorial Library on Tuesday mornings always have a great time with Kathy Barter as their surrogate mom, but on April 4 they will have a special treat. Kathy and Peg Wartime, a retired pre-school teacher, will be hosting an Easter tea. All preschoolers are invited.
Southport Island is home to many artists as well as being the source of much artistic inspiration. One such artist is Tom Lalley who has harvested the sea in front of his Newagen home as well as
scrounged through many area yard sales to construct a most imaginative garden as well as a “Museum of Fine Arts” on his property. Although snow still remains several inches deep on much of the island, those at the Southport Memorial Library this morning not only enjoyed two delicious cakes in honor of Ralva Orchard’s birthday, March 21 and Ralva’s and Ron’s 61st wedding anniversary this week, but also we had a tour via video of Tom’s artistic efforts. The garden consists of an area about 20 by 25 feet where driftwood, picked out of the sea in front of the house, has been imaginatively placed and decorated with living plants, colorful pots, figurines, woven baskets, and even a bright yellow boot tucked and wedged into recesses among the wooden pieces, planted with flowers.
Also on the property is the museum chocked full of memorabilia juxtaposed for shock and humor. For example a photo of J. Edgar Hoover hangs above a wooden, open casket holding a life-sized
figure of Count Dracula. Another scene is a picture of the Sistine Chapel’s classic figure of God extending his arm, hanging above a picture of Elvis Presley in the same pose. These are but two of the hundreds, maybe thousands of artifacts arranged to delight, dismay, or puzzle those who view them. When one wonders what people do in Maine, as some of my friends so, Tom’s work presents one answer. Another answer is found in an article in the March 17 edition of Maine Magazine that has a picture of Southporter, Michael Barker, among his hops plants, on its cover. The article that the picture references explains how Michael began to grow hops on farmland he and his mother own elsewhere, and how Michael is then able to supply several of the micro breweries in Maine with a locally grown product.
Another answer as to what people do in Maine is travel. Next week I hope to have more information on the trip Jane and John Lunt took to Vietnam and New Zealand. I do know that while
in New Zealand, they had lunch and visited with Jennifer Elderkin and her husband Jim, from Southport.
