Another morning of actual freezing temperatures, but sunshine, blue sky, wind and wisps of occasional clouds being moved by them. While tending the feeders this morning I looked in awe as the nuthatches, both red and white breasted, defied gravity scaling the trees, being upside down and descending head first. Work continues on trying to communicate with the murder of crows that come in the mornings, one always sounds the alarm as I open the door, but they no longer fly, but wait to see if a stale cracker or two will be left by the lady in night dress and boots attempting to speak crow, some days I do, some days I do not, but there is more ease between us. Their luster is stunning, and many who have studied them have realized that their intelligence, curiosity, and sense of community are quite high, perhaps I will be able to gain their trust. As we move into April the birdsong has increased, lovely are these Sunday mornings with little traffic or human noise, when it can be truly taken in. Sundays move into Mondays and so on we go entering the week.

At the Southport Memorial Library, 1032 Hendricks Hill Road, the extensive volumes await you, all genre to meet your interests, as well as the art exhibit, Painting Pathways, which will run through April, and features the work of nine plein air artists, you will recognize some of the places they have captured. Should you be there on Tuesday or Thursday morning you are welcome to join the coffee table for some lively conversation, a sweet treat, and possibly piano accompaniment provided by Bob Moore Jr. Tuesday morning from 10 to 11 you will have the bonus of Tech Time With Tarsha as she will be back to answer questions about your phones and computers, from set ups to unruly apps. She is incredibly knowledgeable. Thursday evening, April 2 from 6 to 7:30, Game Nights will continue due to popular demand. There is a large variety of games on the shelf, but feel free to bring your own, bring friends and family, gather around the tables and have some fun. The following week there will be a Library Aides meeting, Tuesday, April 7, at 1:30 p.m. If you are interested in what this group, which is almost 100 years in existence, does to support the library, or how you might be a volunteer, stop by, you would be welcome. Regular hours are Tuesday 9-4, Thursday 9-4 and 6-8, and Saturday 9-4.

Friends and Tacos will carry on Tuesday, March 31, 4-6 p.m., and through April (maybe longer) at the Southport General Store. Community Taco Bar, chips and salsa, all for $15/person. Further along in the month, but worth noting now to save the date, Friday, April 17, 5-7 p.m., will be the next installment of the Winter Supper Series, Italian Night with a cookbook and recipe swap and wine tasting. Join the staff for rich flavors, and good company. The community style buffet will feature Bolognese lasagna, vegetarian lasagna, Pasta e Fagioli and rresh Insalata, all for $25/person. Eat in or take away. If lunch is more your thing, you will want to try the new sandwich that was introduced this week called the “Arrr” Beef and Cheddar. It consists of shaved roast beef, sharp cheddar cheese, mustardy onions and red peppers all on a hoagie roll for $16. Do not forget that the Community Knitting Group meets each Wednesday in the back room of the store from 2 to 4 p.m. I dropped by this week and found the group busy at work on beautiful projects, and having some warm and friendly conversation, perhaps just what you need to take the edge off.

In case you missed this in the Boothbay Register last week it a call to all of us from the Southport Selectboard. They invite residents, property owners, and interested members of the public to attend a status update meeting on the Hendricks Head Restoration Project on Wednesday, April 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m., at the Southport Town Office. 

The Hendricks Head Restoration Project is a municipal infrastructure and coastal resilience initiative focused on the restoration of the road crossing and culvert at Hendricks Head Beach. The project aims to improve tidal exchange, address longstanding infrastructure concerns, and enhance the resilience of the roadway and surrounding coastal environment. The project is being managed by Sunrise Ecologic and developed with support from engineering consultants and in coordination with state and local regulatory requirements.

At the April 15 meeting, the Selectboard and project representatives will present the current status of project design and permitting and address questions raised by residents and abutting property owners during the design review process. The project manager will be available to walk through the plans and designs and to answer questions.

The Selectboard will also announce the appointment of a community liaison to coordinate ongoing communication between the project team, abutting property owners, and the Selectboard as the project advances through permitting and construction.

The town of Southport is committed to transparency and meaningful community involvement as the project advances. The goal of the Hendricks Head Restoration Program has always been to improve the hazard resilience and environmental sustainability of a much-loved public resource. The Selectboard encourages all interested parties to attend and participate in the discussion.

For more information, please contact Devin Domeyer at devindomeyer@gmail.com 

Still in the need of an Easter bonnet, a tisket, a tasket, or a green and yellow basket, things to put in it, a new outfit, or some charming plates, dishes, tablecloths, or springy décor, make a trip to Southport Island Treasures, the island’s very own thrift/resale shop at 608 Hendricks Hill Road, you will find just the thing you are looking for and so much more. The items are beautifully displayed, the whole shop charming. Open Monday-Saturday 10-4, always worth a visit. 

If by the day of any week you just want to unwind a bit, have someone else do the cooking, or listen to live music, Robinson’s Wharf is the answer. Open Tuesday – Saturday 11:30-8, with live music Fridays from 5 to 8.  This week featured musicians, The School Street Band. Daniel (DJ) DeChristopher is back for his fourth season, his second as chef, and his 26 years of restaurant experience benefit all of us here. Along with Brandon Piers, Sous Chef the two will make you a fantastic meal, it will be served by great wait staff, and your beverage will be long and cold, perfect. Go ahead, take yourself out. 

Signs of spring are terrestrial and celestial. I always count on Orion to be above my head on those wonderfully clear winter nights, but as we shift to our northern spring, now to April, Orion shifts into the sunset glare, since we have more light, I will miss him. This afternoon I looked up to see a cardinal and realized that the maple tree branches had swelled, and the maroon buds are emerging just a touch, that color so rich, against the blue sky it has a royalness. Tonight however, not far off in the forest, a sure signal that spring is near, the woodcocks are uttering their distinctive sound, their love is in the air, while the peepers, newts, tree frogs and salamanders are still waiting for the most part, the woodcocks are ready, a most welcome sound indeed.  May your week be filled with seasonal encounters, bunches of crocuses, a single daffodil, the groups of robins before the sunrise, the last of the snow piles melting, the full moon on the first of April, neighbors emerging into the longer and warmer periods of sun, bid it all a warm hello, and May Peace Be With You All.