Last Monday evening, July 10, the junior building at the Southport Yacht Club was overflowing with folks eager to hear Mark Colby talk about his knowledge of the club and life on David’s Island. He described how the island was settled, and who originally built homes there. Both through pictures and conversation he showed how the island was once connected to Southport at low tide both by a small bridge and a rocky walkway. Also in conversation and in pictures he described the beginnings of the sailing program, including, to my delight, a picture of our turnabout, the Sea Nymph, # 432, which we bought from Mary Browne in the early ’70s. Thanks to the Friends of the Southport Historical Society for this event.

Not on Southport but about Southport, the Boothbay Harbor Museum hosted a talk on Thursday afternoon by the Lewis twins, Dwight and Duane, about their time working on the Southport Bridge and living in a house without running water next to the bridge. Of the two men, Dwight described himself as often getting into trouble, for example, walking the top girders of the bridge and standing his ground when a motorist ordered him to open the bridge, which at the time needed repairs and could not be opened. Some of his stories alerted me as to what may be ahead of us as the bridge receives major repairs this fall. I hope the guys will give their talk again as the room at the museum as so full some people had to be turned away.

The 75th anniversary of the Southport Memorial Library was also well attended on Wednesday, July 12, one of our few days of sun, so we could enjoy our hot dogs and hamburgers cooked by head selectman, Gerry Gamage, on the front lawn where picnic tables were set up. Fresh watermelon and a delicious, homemade blueberry cake provided dessert.

The next day, Thursday, July 13, at the library, award-winning author, Matt Cost, who lives in Brunswick, explained how he develops his novels, beginning with the idea, then an outline of the plot, research, many edits, and then finally publication. His first book, “Mainely Power,” was selected as the Maine Humanities Council Read ME Fiction Book of 2020.

Don’t forget to pick up your lobster lunch, if you ordered one, from the Southport Methodist Women, who are presenting their 50th “Takeout Lobster Lunch and Craft Fair” on July 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. Lunches were sold out by the last date to order, which was July 15. You can enjoy the Craft Fair at the town hall and also buy some cookies.

That evening, for those of you who have tickets, a reminder that the second MusicFest evening, organized by the Southport Island Association, will begin at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of Newagen Inn. This event will feature Piano Men, the music of Elton John and Billy Joel.. This event is sold out. Let’s hope for a dry day.

The next day, Thursday, July 20 at 6 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall, we can learn more about the world scene. The Southport Island Association will welcome resident expert, Paul Zalucky, who recently returned from two weeks in Ukraine. Zalucky will share his personal observations and bring us up to date on events as they are unfolding in Russia's war against Ukraine. Zalucky, a retired CIA senior executive operations officer who served in the region, will share his insights on the direction of the war and on the resolve of the Ukrainian people to fight for their freedom. This event is open to the community.

A reminder that Tech Support is now available at the Southport Memorial Library. If you need help with your phone, tablet, or laptop on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30, high school students Abby and Mia Dupee will be available to help you. This service will continue through mid-August. Call the library with questions at 207-633-2741.

Another new face at the Southport Memorial Library is Haley Bailey, who earned her master’s degree in library science at the University of Missouri in Columbia, but who now lives in Wiscasset. She works full time at the Boothbay Region Elementary School as an Ed Tech, but is with us this summer on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays.

Next to the library you can visit Cape Newagen Alpaca Farm on Sunday, July 23, for the 34th Maine Open Farm Day to celebrate agriculture in the state of Maine! The event is free, but you must register on the farm website: https://www.capenewagenfarm.com. You can choose one of four hourly time slots, and your ticket is either for one group or one person, allowing Mike and Anne to plan accordingly. The first time slot is 11 a.m. Tours will be offered to view the alpacas, chickens, and newly arrived sheep. Anne and Mike have added three Finnish Landrace “Finn” lambs to join the fiber production! Two arrived last week, and they wait for the third to arrive in the beginning of August. Carding and spinning demonstrations will show visitors how yarn is created. Visitors may choose to make their own felted soap and enter a raffle! Meet the alpacas, chickens and sheep will be held rain or shine. Any questions or help needed navigating their website, please email at the address above or call the farm at 633-0416.

Also on July 23, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, the Southport Yacht Club is sponsoring a Family Fun Day at the Southport Central School from 1 until 3 p.m. All fun and food is free and open to the community. Lots of games and nibbles will be available.

On July 24 at 7 p.m., at the SYC, Jack Bauman will talk about the early history of the Southport Yacht Club. His talk focuses on how a “yacht” club, founded in 1923 as a motorboat racing organization and with a membership drawn as much from local Southporters as from people calling Malden, Massachusetts their home, thanks to a “Maldenite,” future commodore, and New York advertising man, Donald H, White, had, by the 1930s, evolved into highly reputed sailing organization. The talk will feature a film highlighting White’s piece de resistance, the 1938, U.S. Coast Guard-monitored Sheepscot Regatta.

The Reverend Canon Victoria R. Sirote, former Rector of St. John’s Church in Yonkers, New York, will be the rector at All Saints by-the-Sea again this Sunday with services at 8 and 10 a.m. She will also host a study group on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at the chapel. All are welcome.

On July 31, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall, the Friends of the Southport Historical Society will sponsor ‘Movie Night’ during which the island’s history and stories will be told by those who lived them and from various DVD melded together.

On Aug. 3 at the Southport General Store a second chance for Open Mic performances and fun will be available, weather permitting, beginning at 7 p.m. Come relax in a blue rocking chair and enjoy the music. Next up on Saturday, Aug. 5 at the store is the summer celebration from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. Lots of music, games, food, and fun open to all.

Friends of the Southport Historical Society invite you to join Gerry Gamage for a walking tour of historic Cape Newagen on Saturday, Aug. 5. Two tours are offered, one at 9 a.m. and another at 1 p.m. Each tour will start at the Newagen Inn parking lot. Space is limited so reserve a spot by calling the Museum at (207) 633-1102, giving your name, your choice of tour time, and the number of people in your party, or email the Museum at hendrickshillmuseum@gmail.com with this information.

With so many the events scheduled, I hope I have noted correctly. Check the bulletin boards at the store, the post office, and the library as well as individual ones around town for more info, and mark your calendar for the Fireman’s Auction, this year on Saturday, Aug. 19.

Now some more personal news. Thanks to Gail Richter who places the American flags each year on veterans’ graves in our town from Memorial Day through the 4th of July. On a sadder note Leal Brinegar is now living in at HillHouse Assisted Living in Bath, Maine and her husband, Will, who has been caring for her at home, is in Miles Hospital. A funeral service for David Winslow will be held at the American Legion Hall on Saturday, July 29 at 10:30 a.m. with a reception following at Robinson’s Wharf. Later that day at 3 p.m. a funeral service for Jane Nies, a longtime summer resident, will be held at All Saints by-the Sea.