Welcome to winter! Southport has been experiencing either the joys or the travails of snowy weather, depending on your perspective. When we drive around the island, we can’t deny that it has been a beautiful sight…

Leigh Sherrill is off to her annual winter trip to Vermont. We wish her and Kit safe travels.

It is nice to see the lights on again at Enid Johnson’s house as she continues her recovery.

The SIA is once more sponsoring a Lasagna and Love event with a take home lasagna dinner. If you would like to participate, call Sandra Seifert at 633-3546 and then pick up your dinner on Feb. 5 at the town hall between 1 and 2 p.m. There is no charge but donations are welcome. Thank you to the SIA folks who work to produce this lovely gesture for our town!

School news: Southport teacher Julie Browne participated in a Zumba Charity Event on Jan. 29 at Lincoln Academy’s Gym with proceeds going to the Michaud family to help son Ian’s fight against Osteosarcoma. Donations via cash, check and Venmo will be accepted.

It is the annual fundraising drive at the Southport Library. We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful place to borrow books, ask for one to be purchased for the library, use the internet, gather with friends, view the monthly art exhibits, enjoy the speaker programs, or just stop in to say hi.

Speaking of the library, Mary Hanley reports on the upcoming Author Talk at the Southport Memorial Library on Feb. 18 at 1:30 p.m. Cathie Pelletier will discuss her latest book, “Northeaster: A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952.” Cathie was born and raised on the banks of the St. John River, at the end of the road in Northern Maine. She is the author of 12 novels, including “Running the Bulls” (winner of the Paterson Prize for Fiction) and “The Weight of Winter” (Winner of the New England Book Award). As K.C. McKinnon, she has written two novels, both of which became television films. After years of living in Nashville, Toronto and Quebec, she has returned to Allagash, Maine and the family homestead where she was born.

“Northeaster: A Story of Courage and Survival in the Blizzard of 1952” is the gripping story of an epic Maine snowstorm that tested the very limits of human endurance. Northeaster weaves together a rich cast of characters whose lives were uprooted and endangered by the storm. Housewives, lobstermen, loggers and soldiers were all trapped as snow piled in drifts 20 feet high. In the midst of the blizzard’s chaos, there were remarkable acts of heroism and courageous generosity. One hero was Southport native Gerry Gamage’s father, Weston Gamage. It is recommended that you arrive by 1:15 p.m. Refreshments will be served.