The last day of April and we are still uncertain what the future will bring. We know now that school will not reconvene this year, and with a new furnace being installed in the Southport school building, summer school, if any, may be curtailed.

Will this notice be the first of many cancellations? Time will tell. For now the notice is that the annual Island Clean-up sponsored by the Southport Island Association,scheduled for Sunday, May 3, has been postponed to an unknown future date. But that does not mean that you who walk along Southport’s roads cannot pick up, with gloves on, of course, any trash that you see. When the trash is a bottle, you may even increase you income or your donation through CLINK.

Another request for pick-up is especially along the road we call the ‘bridge loop.’ Next to the steps leading down to the sand at the beach, is a green dispenser with bags in which to put any droppings from your dog. Usually folks are good about exacting this courtesy on the beach, but now that so many more people are walking their dogs around the ‘loop’, it is reported to your scribe that folks are not so careful to clean up after their pets. Please grab a bag before you begin your walk or bring a bag from home if the dispenser is empty, to keep our walks beautiful to all our senses.

Too often recently a notation in this column has referred you to the obituary page. Today the referral is for Ron Sheay who died shortly before Easter. He and his wife, Ginny, are summer residents who donate much time to All Saints by-the-Sea as Ginny is both an organist and Episcopal minister. Ron went to the University of Maine earning a forestry degree. Read more about his life in the obituary.

On a sunnier note if you go to Sally Giantris’ page on Facebook you will see a lively rug she has almost completed, a good way to keep busy during these stay-at-home times. The rug has a light blue background with a man and woman in Albanian costumes dancing. Several people noted that the couple reminded them of Sally herself and her husband. The work of art will be a wall hanging.

The Southport Island Association continues to remind members of the community who need assistance during this difficult time that help is available. Please try to call before your situation becomes an emergency that could lead to further complications. Contact Carole Zalucky at 207-841-0577 or via email at czalucky@gmail.com. All requests will be handled with strict confidentiality.

SIA also continues to offer to residents, concerned about community exposure, assistance with picking up groceries or medically related items from the pharmacy.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the newly established SIA Pandemic Relief Fund can mail a tax deductible donation to SIA, PO Box 505, Southport, ME 04576. Designate on the check or in a separate note that your contribution is to go toward the pandemic fund. The SIA board wishes to thank all those who have already come forward to help fellow islanders caught up in this global disaster.

Even on this dreary day, Monday, as I sit typing, the color in the forsythia and daffodils as well as the green in the pines, brings a smile. On Saturday, a beautiful day, as I was walking around Ruth Gardner’s house across from Hendricks Head Beach, I found several patches of blooming daffodils covered in weeds and briers. In my mind’s eye I could see Ruth planting and tending the bulbs as she kept her eye on activity on the beach. Then retiring to the house, she would create a new map or play her cello or turn on one of her many mechanical creatures. I keep hoping the house and/or property will come alive again.

Hope you all, dear readers, stay alive and stay well.