A reminder that this evening, July 29 at 6:30 a.m. at the Southport Memorial Library, Gerry Hawes, a Southport homeowner and author of “Albatross,” his first book of fiction, will be talking about his book and the writing process. Gerry’s background is flying commercial planes and wartime planes during the Vietnam War. His books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information you can call the library at 633-2741. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Heavy rain did not deter folks from coming to the Cape Newagen Alpaca Farm, for “Maine Open Farm Day.” We could visit with the alpacas, learn about the types of alpacas we were viewing, enter a raffle, and view spinning and weaving demonstrations. Even two musicians from the Harbor played for a bit, a part I sadly missed. But I enjoyed receiving alpaca kisses, feeling the difference in wool between the Suri alpacas, rather new to the farm and of which there are two, and the Huacaya alpacas of which there are 22. Although the Cape Newagen alpacas have recently been shorn, you can usually tell the difference between the two breeds by noting
that the Suri have coiled fiber that hangs down whereas the Huacaya alpacas have crimped fiber that looks rather like small springs, causing them to look rather fluffy. Numerous products made from both fiber were for sale, causing me, as usual, to buy a new pair of socks. Someday I will get more adventurous and buy a rug or a shawl, or one of the cute miniature animals, all made from the alpaca fur.

Although the rain had stopped by 5 p.m. Sunday evening, it seemed that only well experienced croquet players showed up at the Southport Yacht Club, many in the traditional white garb, for an early evening of Pimms Cup, tea sandwiches, finger food desserts, and a rousing game of croquet. I am sure any British players would have been horrified at the conditions of the turf, but some good shots were made in spite of the humps and bumps. Martha Weil was the winner on our team; and a handsome young man too young to win the bottle of wine, was the winner on the second team. Great to have Will Keller on our team, one of the Pratts Island gang when our children were young. Thanks to all who organized and provided delicious food for this event.

I have noticed through obituaries in this paper and from conversations that we have lost a number of Southporters and members of Southport families lately. These include Liz Ferber, Ruth Davison, Robert Barter, Diane Eames Esterly, and Carla Allen. Last week’s paper had obituaries for Ruth Davison, Robert Barter, and Carla Allen. And on the happy side, who could have missed Bob Mitchell’s proud picture in last week’s paper of daughter Mae and her husband, Ben, who celebrated their wedding with family and friends at Mae’s family home and the next day with more friends at Barrett’s Park. Congratulations to that lovely couple.

Mae’s younger sister, Morgan, and her husband, Andrea, have purchased property off Eagle Ridge Road and have cleared land to build a home there. Another new Southport family off the same road, whose new home is further along, is Mike and Rachel Wallace, who are eager to move in with their three children. Mike, who grew up on Southport, is especially eager to “get back home” and has won Rachel over to his way of thinking.

Administrator to the Selectmen, Ashlea Tibbetts, will be leaving her job in the Southport Town Hall at the end of the summer, so that job is open for applications. If you are interested, stop by to talk with Ashlea and the Selectmen. They hope to hire a replacement before Ashlea leaves so that some training can take place. Ashlea is moving on the elementary school in town to work with students learning life skills. We will miss her.

Upcoming events includes one for the whole family on Friday evening, July 30, at 6 p.m. on the field at the Southport Central school. Hosted by Healthy Lincoln County, coordinator of the USDA Summer Meals for Kids, this event will feature the Lady in the Red Cloak who will tell ghost stories and a picnic meal for the kids. Another event for children to which I am trying to worm my way in, is “Talking to Horses:, to be held on Aug. 14 from 1 to 3 p.m., and sponsored by the Southport Island Association. Led by Kristen Long, a Southporter who is studying equine science at the University of Edinburgh, children will learn how horses speak to us – and how we can speak with them! The children will meet Jessie, one of Kristen’s horses whom she has owned for a little over a year. Miss Jess was starving and injured when Kristen first brought her home and although she has come a long way, she still has a long way to go on her healing journey. Kristen will demonstrate and help the children learn some horse care basics, and then all will have an opportunity to participate in a fun training activity where the children can learn how to communicate with the horse and begin to build a bond of cooperation and trust.Space is reserved for the first ten youth callers (410-353-3861) either for this event or to express interest in another time. Please wear a sturdy pair of closed-toed shoes.

Other upcoming events include the Annual Book and Bake Sale at the Southport Memorial Library on Thursday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon featuring special home baked pies, cakes, cookies and other treats, and, of course, many books for sale.

Additional shopping on the island will be at the annual Arts & Crafts Show at the Southport Yacht Club, to benefit the SYC Junior Sailing Scholarships, to be held Saturday, Aug. 7 and Sunday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The Reverend Martin Smith has one more Sunday at All Saints by -the-Sea with services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. This past Sunday he challenged our theology by proposing a new reading of the Bible story of the feeding of the 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes. Among his shared thoughts on the passage was the idea that the group was a rebellious mob, eager to anoint Jesus king. Food quieted them down after which Jesus escaped to the mountain top, until he needed to come down to rescue his disciples by walking toward them on the water. Exciting stuff, these Bible stories. Bible study continues on Tuesday mornings on the chapel porch at 9 a.m. All are welcome.