Things are changing, the leaves, the sounds of the animals, day and night, the spiders inside and outside are abundant, flowers fading, some with last bursts of fullness and color, but there is the lull, a quiet is lurking in the golds and maroons, an island settling after a good, busy season, a restorative peace is at the cusp. The week began in an ordinary fashion, took a turn with a chill on Wednesday, two hours later I found myself in bed with fever and Covid, not sure where from, but it hit hard, two blurred days of on and off sleep. Not out from under, butsought cleansingby the sea the last three days, have a bit less brain fog and will attempt to write a column, while there are fewer events, there is life and community.   

You still have time bid in the Silent Auction at the Southport Memorial Library. The watercolor is by local artist Cecile Clifford and the image is of the center of old time Southport, a lovely piece, bid is at $150 right now, worth several more bids, stop by, all the proceeds go to the library we know and love, a true heartbeat of the island all year round.You can also enjoy the retrospective of paintings by Richard Wiggin Johnson, and of course all the services that the library offers. 

On Oct. 5, there will be tours at the Cape Newagen Alpaca Farm at 10, 11, 12, and 1 p.m. for the 5th annual Maine Fiber Tour. If you choose this free to the public event you will be celebrating Maine fiber and yarns. The goal of the Maine Fiber Tours is to focus on all fibers from animals solely in Maine, and Cape Newagen Farm is a proudparticipant in this yearly event.Their yarns are mostly spun in Troy at the Moorit Fiber Mill in Maine however some of  yarns are spun on the farm by Anne on her spinning wheels. So, visit the farm, meet the animals they raise to create the beautiful yarns. There are the alpaca yarns, Finn sheep wool yarns, and the alpaca/finn blends.  All of these are naturally colored with plant dyes from the farm; the ones I have seen are sumptuousand saturated with the essence of the nature that is the island.Either before or after the tour, the nearbyBarn at the Southport General Store (Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4–5, and Friday through Monday, Oct. 10–13) encourages knitters to relax, craft, grab coffee, and connect with fiber friends around their craft table.Having somehow lost the art of knitting over years of neglect I would possibly muster the courage to join the knitting group every Wednesday from 4 to 6 p.m., I am not theseasoned pro, I am the one figuring out which end of the needle is which, but I would love to create something with the yarns from Cape Newagen Farm, and be surrounded in their warmth and colors.  For the knitting group call 207-633-0402.  For signing up for the Maine Fiber Tours at Cape Newagen Farm, go on-line:  https://www.capenewagenfarm.com 

While we are speaking of getting creative, you might also be interested in signing up for some fun with a fused glass plate workshop led by the always-fabulous Kathy Faass at the Barn at Southport General Store on Oct. 11.  Whether you lean into pumpkins, bats, or autumn colors,or skip the seasonal theme altogether, you will have the chance to design and assemble your very own 5" glass plate. Kathy will then take your work back to her kiln to fire, and your finished piece will be ready for pick up the following week. (Shipping available for $10 per student.) Her classes are beginner-friendly, and full of inspiration. No prior glass experience is needed, just bring your imagination and get ready to have fun.The class is $65, to sign up go to:  southportgeneralstore.com If the class is sold out, callThe Barn at (207) 633-0402, or email Annie@SouthportGeneralStore.com to be added to the waitlist. Cancellations less than 48 hours in advance are non-refundable. 

There is no registration required forThursday, Oct. 16, 6p.m. at the Southport Town Hallwhen the Southport Island Associationwelcomes retired CIA Executive Officer and regional affairs specialist, Paul Zalucky, who will, once again, address the community with an update on recent developments in Russia’s war on Ukraine and what it all might mean for global stability. This free event is open to the public and all are welcome. It is sure to be an insightful talk on this complex issue. 

As a reminder of all that the Southport Island Association does, I just received a notification that they along with Nathan’s Pharmacy will be hosting the 4th annual Flu Shot Clinic on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 4 to 5:15 p.m. This will be at Town Hall. Almost all medical insurance plans (including Medicare) pay for influenza vaccination. Please bring your medical insurance information to the clinic (e.g. Medicare card, Blue Cross / Blue Shield card). If you are uninsured, the cost is about $65 for the "under-65" vaccine and about $100 for the high-dose "senior" (age 65+) vaccine. If you are unable to pay, please come anyway - SIA will help offset the cost.    

Signs of thanks for a great season are all around the area, also at the Hendricks Hill Museum which did indeed have a great season with many visitors in house and with the Friends of the Historical Society brought uswonderful lectures as part of the Donald and Joyce Duncan Lecture Series.  While the museum is now closed, volunteers carry on in various capacities during the winter in preparation for 2026, this often requires a bit of help from the rest of us, this bit of help is more a curiosity, but depending on response could lead to information that may add to the already large repository of history.The museum is looking forpostcards, photographs, or knowledge ofthe North Bridge, connecting Oak Point on the Boothbay shore to somewhere near Upper Steamboat Landing on Southport. The bridgeconstructed in the 1860’s replaced the previous ferry service which connected these two locations. The exact dockage is uncertain, but information suggests that it is somewhere between present day Ocean Gate Inn and Landing Road.The bridge stood and provided access to the island until 1871 when anice floe destroyed it.  No attempts to rebuild it were made and ferry service resumed.  Many questions remain about this bridge, how did it open? Surely it would have had to do so or it would have curtailed boat traffic.  Where exactly did it come to shore on Southport? What did it look like? A quest for answers is being placed out to you. So, as you go through memorabilia from the boxes beneath the bed, at the top shelf of the closet, or venture into the chests in the attic during the next months, be on the look out for items that may fill in the gaps about this bridge. Should you find something, email the museum by going to the website:  southportmainehistory.com or through this link from the website: hendrickshillmuseum@southportmainehistory.com  

By the time you are reading this, it will be October, often a month of lovely weather and natural wonder, the land now green and brown will transform into a colored carpet as the canopy descends to thefloor in a series of swirling and twirling arabesquesmixing textures, shapes and sizes, rustling as they fall and then beneath our feet, emitting a glorious earthy musk.  Rain is still badly needed, despite last week’s full day of beneficial precipitation water tables are well below normal levels, drought is still very much with us, and fire risks are still high, prudence is advisable on both fronts.  Until next week, check on a neighbor, make someone smile, share something, or your time, and Peace Be With You All.