If you are reading this article before Wednesday, April 20 at 6 p.m., please note the meeting with the Southport Selectmen and representatives from Axiom will take place at that time in the Southport Town Hall so that citizens of Southport can discuss and ask questions about the process to install fiber optic cable throughout the island. Last Wednesday, at the Selectmen’s meeting, several citizens presented a petition with 144 signatures to require another vote to decide whether or not the project can continue to go forward. They also presented the Selectmen with a second petition carrying 82 signatures to allow the town to withdraw money from the general fund to install connectivity to those homes on the island that cannot currently get service. The town attorney will examine these petitions to see if they must be fulfilled. Look for a letter to the editor and another article in this paper for more information.

Even though the our island school is on vacation this week, registration for kindergarten is beginning for children who reside on Southport Island and will be five years of age on or before Oct. 15, 2022. Parents interested in enrolling their children, or who have questions, should call the school when it reopens at 633-3132. Also, if you live off the island but want your children to attend school here, you can add their name to a wait list. If you would like more information, please call the school or email Principal Lisa Clarke at lclarke@aos98schools.org.

The Southport Island Association (SIA) is busy getting ready for spring activities. First, they organized an Easter Egg Hunt for all the children at the school. Now they are organizing for the annual Southport Clean Up, which is scheduled for May 1. Starting at 11 a.m., we will gather at the town hall to organize volunteers into their cleaning zones and to give further instruction on what to do when you’re finished. You then pick up supplies and of course to get some grub before we hit the streets. Grill master Gerry Gamage will be cooking up hot dogs for all to enjoy. After you know where to go, it’s time to head out into the community and make our island shine! No matter how little or how much you can help, we will need all hands on deck. Cleaning zones will be selected on a first come, first serve basis, so grab your working gloves and come early! In my experience, for some areas, boots are also very important.

Next up for the SIA is a Mother’s Day lunch for all Southport mothers. Robinson's Wharf and Sweet Dreams bakery have partnered with SIA to gift you a delicious Mother’s Day crab roll lunch. Once a mother, always a mother, so grandmothers - make sure you grab yours too! Reservations are needed, so please call 633-3546 by May 5 to reserve a lunch for the mother in your life. Then on Saturday, May 7 between noon and 1 p.m. drive into the Southport Town Hall parking lot to pick up your lunch.

Robinson’s Wharf restaurant has been closed this past week, but plans to reopen on Thursday, April 21. “An abundance of caution,” was cited as the reason for closing, which, I assume, means that someone, either guest or staff, has come down with Covid.

The Caregiver Support Group had its first meeting last Thursday, April 14. About six people attended to share ideas and ways to help aging relatives. The group has decided to continue meeting on the second Thursday of the month. If you plan to attend, please call Anne at 207-633-2741.

A summer resident is looking for a quiet office space to rent so that he can continue to work from home during his family’s stay in Maine. If you have such space, or if you have questions, please email joannecarlisle@mac.com.

Great to see Susan and David Tobin visiting Susan’s parents, Callie and Denis McWhan, for Easter weekend. They were even able to stay an extra day, Monday, to enjoy our great weather.