Babies are part of the news coming through on my computer this week. Shawn Gallagher, a teacher at the Southport Central School, started the school year off as a new father. His son, Arthur, was born to him and his wife, Elizabeth, on Sept. 5. I suspect that means that Mr. Shawn may come to school a bit sleepy some days.

The Cape Newagen Alpaca farm also has a new baby, born Sept. 7, appropriately on Labor Day, at 1 p.m. in the afternoon on the 349th day of her gestation. (Mrs. Gallagher, aren’t you glad human babies come sooner?) The mother, named “America,” was surrounded by the female herd under the spruce trees as she gave birth. Of course, Anne and Mike were there also, having watched for this birth for some time. The cria — a baby alpaca — is a beautiful rose grey female weighing in at 15 lbs. As yet unnamed, her aunties are very excited and watchful over this beautiful new addition to the
farm. If you want to see this new cria and tour the farm or go trekking with the alpacas, please book your tour online at the farm website, capenewagenfarm.com — If you want just to visit the shop,
please make an appointment. The new fall hours are Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. for farm tours in the viewing pen. Alpaca treks continue into the winter on Wednesdays and Fridays, and private tours are Thursdays and Saturdays.

The Southport Central School newsletter was full of great pictures and news this week. For example, all students can received free breakfasts and lunches through the end of the year. Also free is a program at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens call “Fall Explorations.” Students and one accompanying adult may come to the Gardens to pick up their explorations packet and to conduct some of the assignments. Through Oct. 12 students participating in the program and their adult companion may return to the Gardens with no admission charge. Parents are reminded to keep the school informed if after school pick up and/or plans change. Attached to the newsletter is a publication titled, “Helping Children Learn,” which has some very good tips for completing homework and other at home studies. So far the weather has been good with students using the tents and other outdoor spaces for learning as well as their classrooms.

Dan Fayen sent a note saying that we are invited to exchange books in the Free Little Library Box he has installed along side the road at 1006 Hendricks Hill Road on Cape Newagen. Browse through the books that are there, take what you want, and donate any books you think the community might want to read. Also Dan says that on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday mornings, there will be non-perusable food items free for the taking with the expectation that similar goods will also be contributed, just like the book exchange.

At Newagen Inn this week a reminder that the Pub is closed on Tuesdays. The Music in the Pub on Thursday will be provided by Chris Gagne and on Sunday by Steve Jones. A warning to anyone who walks a dog on Newagen property. One such dog returned home to smell something under the small guest house. Before the young walker could more tightly hold the lease, the dog was away to find the prey, which turned out to be a porcupine. A fierce battle with many yelps ensued until the dog finally emerged adorned with quills, especially in its mouth and around the face. After quill removal at the vet and many stitches, the dog is recovering.

Although I thought we had all the possible names for the town beach, a new one came this past week from Ellen Purcell. She noted she has been a summer resident of Southport all her life and has always called that beach “Artists” beach. Her friend on All Saints Road, Susie Curwen, agrees. Any more names out there?