Well, the weather continues to be beautiful and yet possibly dangerous with dry conditions, stiff breezes, and fire warnings at high level, which might give us pause about setting off the fireworks, and wonder about preparedness in case of fire or other emergencies. 

For this reason, I will mention the following from the Southport Climate Action Team and Southport Resilience Network. The Southport Island Association is hosting a discussion of Southport emergency preparedness options at its next meeting, Thursday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. at the Town Hall.  At this meeting, the Southport Resilience Network, an ongoing effort of the Southport Climate Action Team (SCAT), will report on progress on multiple fronts.  Kathy Jacobs, a member of the Team, will share information about the interim results of the Southport risk and opportunity assessment and request feedback on various strategies for supporting residents, workers, and property owners in building community resilience and preparing for emergencies.  I believe this will be a worthwhile meeting and one that could impact all of us, so I hope many will feel moved to attend. 

The season is wearing down and not many events are out there for reporting, as people are choosing to spend this last weekend of summer vacation with family and friends in smaller, more intimate gatherings or in or on the water. 

Southport Central School began on Sept. 2 in the location they moved to in 1947. There is much excitement for this new year among students and teachers, let us get them off in a fun filled manor. Please drive slowly, 15 mph in the school zone, to keep one and all safe.  They might be on foot, being dropped off by parents, getting on and off the bus, wherever, or however, it is up to us to be mindful of them, as they are thinking of this new school year adventure, and excitement may override their normal caution. Collectively I am sure that we wish them all the best in their endeavors. 

Well wishes and thanks from Betsy Thibault go out to all of you who have aided her in recent weeks. She has asked that a bit of an update be given. She is still in the hospital but will be moving to New England Rehab once her vitals are stable for the next partthis journey, after which she will be with family, and then an apartment of her own. She has found aSouthport friend to care forAngel her 16-year-old cat, she is very grateful. 

As fewer cars begin to cross the bridge, the fall flowers fade and more leaves turn days get shorterso do hours of operation for some of the places that we frequent. The Southport Memorial Library will switch to winter hoursthe first week in September. They are as follows:  Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with Thursday also having 6-8 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.In addition, the Hendricks Hill Museum will remain open through September but only on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so go and take a look, many wonderful items in all the rooms, even if you have been before you will see something new that conjures the past days of Southport and life in the 18th century. 

Hours at the Southport General Store will be reduced, but not dramatically, still plenty of time for coffee, sweets, lunch,and dinner treats.Monday – Saturday 7a.m.-7p.m., Sunday 8a.m.-6p.m. One of the reasons for the changes is that the summer students are preparing to return to their homes, but not before a proper send off. Friday, Sept. 12, 4:30-7:30 p.m. will be that celebration, an International Foods Festival. There will be Wine and Cheese Tasting from 4:30 to 5:30 and Dinner from 5:30 to 7:30. Dinner will feature Romanian and Egyptian Classics prepared by the summer students.  The cost for the event is $45, tickets are available online or in person at the store. 

It sounds like a delicious way to say thank you and afond farewell to all of them for their hard work. We have already had some fall weather, there are monarchs hovering about the golden rod and echinacea, humming birds still visiting the feeder, filling up before their migration, many bees, on the flowers hardy enough to have made it through the drought and heat, off the shores some scoter ducks, and semipalmated plovers gently walking atop the seaweeds rising at the beachduring high tide, so little and light, theirsmall flocks flying in unison, trilling as they turn and dive in the air, not the mighty ospreys, but a delightful wonder this time of year. 

Until next week, may peace be with you all.