About 35 people attended the public hearing held January 14 at 5 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall concerning the problems with the Cuckold Council’s efforts to establish the Cuckolds Fog and Light Station at the entrance to Boothbay Harbor as a historically rebuilt project. The council had been informed by the National Parks Service that much of the reconstruction efforts on the Keeper’s House, boat house, and boat ramp were historically inaccurate.

In 2006 the Cuckolds Council obtained ownership of the lighthouse and the surrounding land from the United States General Services Administration and began to renovate the buildings, raising money from private sources. A number of contractors have worked on the island, but currently the Knickerbocker Group is in charge of the permitting process and the construction work.

The basic problem seems to be differentiating the work such that visitors will clearly see the parts of the project that meet the criteria for historic reconstruction and those parts that meet the standards for rehabilitation as compatible new construction. In general the tower and light will meet the historic standards, and the Keeper’s House and boat house will be compatible new construction, but the National Parks Service and Marine Historic Preservation Commission are requiring several changes to make that differentiation clear.

Other problems exist with the project such as conveyance of water, electric and sewage service to and from the island as well as the safest manner to get people on and off the island. Those matters will be the topic of future hearings. Stay tuned.

The good news first. Mollie Moore celebrated her 80th birthday Monday, Jan. 20. She also celebrates 50 years since she came to the states from England where she lived in London. She still has family in England who sent many best wishes and greetings.

As I pulled into the front of the Southport Memorial Library to park today, I saw a portable basketball hoop, a good sign that children are nearby. Librarian Linda Brewer says the neighbor across the road asked to place the hoop there saying he would move it if anyone objected. I hope no one objects because it’s fun to see signs of children playing outdoors. Reading is great, the activity the library exists to foster, but we also need some fresh air and exercise.

Other benefits from our library are passes provided by the Library Aides to the Farnsworth Museum in Rockport and the Portland Museum of Art in Portland. Kit and I picked up the two passes to the Portland Museum last week and saved ourselves $24. Thanks, Library Aides.

Now to the sad news. Roger Roche died this past weekend. He had been very helpful around the island in many ways, especially helping to design the addition to the Southport Memorial Library and, perhaps also, the addition to the firehouse. Wife Ann was for many years the Saturday librarian. An obituary will be in the paper later.

We also lost Sarah Plummer, who, although she lived in Edgecomb, had many connections to Southport. Her husband Todd Plummer is a Southport lobsterman, his parents are Bob and Suzanne Raudenbush of Southport, and his grandfather, for those who have been on the island for a while, was Elbridge Plummer. Look for this obituary elsewhere in the paper.

Other folks to keep in your thoughts and prayers are Norman Blycher, a Southport summer resident who was seriously injured in an auto accident last Tuesday. Leslie Brewer who now lives in Miami, Fla., but who was born and raised on Southport, is battling lung cancer that has returned. Larry Johnson, son of Frannie Johnson and brother of Linda Brewer, is having a pacemaker installed, and Lynn Schafer is having a knee replacement.

Back to good news: The Southport Town Hall was filled with about 75 people Monday noontime enjoying bowls of homemade soup along with homemade rolls and desserts. With 23 pots of soup to choose from many folks chose to sample several varieties. The event, the Souper Bowl Luncheon, was sponsored by the Southport Memorial Library Aides who made a record $625 for the library. Thanks to all who contributed food and to all who came to enjoy time with friends and neighbors, and donated generously from their pockets and pocketbooks.

Do not forget that coming up next Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 4 p.m. is that important meeting at the Southport Post Office when officials from the USPS will report on the survey results concerning the fate of our Southport Post Office and to hear our comments. If you haven’t yet sent in your survey, please do.

Perhaps some folks and businesses welcomed the disc that arrived in the mail last week from the USPS advertising postal service from home. Apparently with this disc you can print your own postage to mail anywhere in the world. Convenient, yes, but seems to me that if enough people use this service we will take another step to closing local post offices.

A note for the future, necessitating a flip of the calendar page. The Southport Island Association (SIA) is holding its Annual Winter Walk on Sunday, Feb. 16, from 3 to 5 p.m. Many of us welcome this chance to visit with our Southport friends and neighbors and walk off our winter blues. The plan is to meet at John and Jane Lunt’s house (44 Joppa Road) at 3 p.m. where we will learn of several walk options, none too strenuous! Refreshments will be served after the walk.

Parking at the Lunts is limited, but you can park at the Southport Town Hall, only a short walk away. If you have questions, call John or Jane Lunt at 207-633-2133. If weather is a concern, call or check your email for any updated information.

SIA is nonprofit organization focused on activities that benefit the entire Southport community. SIA encourages all Southport Island residents and visitors to participate in our Island-wide, year round activities. We hope to see you on February 16.