Southport Column: Benefit supper for Kathy Barter and more

Wed, 05/16/2018 - 10:30am

This is it ... we are on the brink of a “real” spring, just a bit slow this year. However the island is stirring with news.

Looking at dates: a reminder of the Benefit Supper for Kathy Barter which is next week Wednesday, May 23 at the Southport Town Hall from 5 to 7 p.m. The Southport Library Aides are preparing the meal which will include several pasta dishes, salads, breads and beverages. Several community organizations are donating desserts and cakes (watch for the acknowledgment next week). Music will be provided by Dick and Sally Spofford. (Kathy would love it!)

If you are interested in donating a pasta dish or a salad, please contact the Southport Memorial Library at 633-2741 or Maria at 633-7933. The bonus is a silent auction table. There are nine baskets of varied items from an Italian food basket, a Vera Bradley purse and wallet, two handmade designer pillows, a basket with a large bean pot and cookbooks, pottery dish and much more! You can preview the items at the library before the 23rd. Kathy is indeed special to this island ... she is now closer to home at the Zimmerli Pavilion at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor.

Our island restaurants are opening this month. Newagen Seaside Inn opens on May 18 for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm) and dinner ( 5 to 9 p.m.). Reservations suggested.

I checked in at Robinson's Wharf and they are now open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The seafood market opens Memorial Day weekend.

Oliver's not open yet...will keep you informed.

Hugh Thompson proudly shared his joy about his son Collin who just finished his junior year at Maine Maritime and is headed to sea on a training ship to Spain this summer.

The Southport Gift Barn opens (yes ... exciting!) on Thursday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 pm and be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until June 18 and then be open to shop every day! Lots of new children's toys, books, new Southport sea bags, new jewelry, cards, glasses, trays, mugs. You will love it!

Lisa Clarke, principal of the Southport School, has an idea ... the school would like to consider helping families find suitable housing with the ultimate goal of increasing their enrollment. The thought is to encourage island residents who have rental property to contact the school at 633-3132 or email the principal at lclarke@aos98-admin.org. Lisa says that they are often contacted by families who would like to move to the island and looking for housing ... and of course be able to join this exceptional school program.

One more item. The Boothbay Region Garden Club is planning to build a pollinator garden at the Southport Memorial Library this summer. This will be an educational garden to demonstrate what plants attract bees, butterflies and birds. Southport Central School has already participated by planting sunflower seeds for this garden, as well as learning about pollination from Linda Bonin, the youth chair of the garden club. Here is how you can help. The garden needs a few items: a bird bath, potting barrels or large pots, necter producing plants that pollinators like such as purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, catmint, lavender, bee balm and verbena. If you have extra to share, contact Sandra Seifert at 633-3546 or any garden club member for pick-up.

I can hear the “buzz” already... fun awaits!