By the time you read this we will have entered September, school will have begun and only one more big summer weekend lays in store. The weather has been stellar, water temperatures are up, perfect for in the water and on the water, but the cost is the continued drought. We have received 8 inches less than normal ... significant. Even the hardy Montauk daisy is getting brown leaves, delicate astilbes are crisped, only shaded areas have retained some green, all else is brown bristle. Some of my favorite marshy wetlands, the ones that have not been erased by building sites, show no pools of water, but are cracked mud, normally lush vegetation drooping. Many maples have begun to trade their green for oranges and reds, perhaps an early foliage spectacle. One thing is certain, some places have switched their hours, and there is still much to do.

Starting at the southern tip of the island, The Pub at the Newagen Seaside Inn will be open for a rare Saturday night Sept. 5, but will close for a private party Sept. 6, so you will want to plan accordingly. The last lobster bake is on Tuesday, so be sure to sign up on the website. Kids will love the enormous lobster pot bouncy house, while you enjoy sitting on the lawn feasting on fresh-from-the-boat Maine lobster, New England clam chowder, steamed mussels, grilled chicken, red potatoes, corn on the cob, and blueberry cake. All begins at 5:30 p.m.

Next, the Southport Memorial Library which has switched its hours to: Tuesday 9-4, Thursday 9-4, 6-8, and Saturday 9-4. With this comes a change for the Mah Jongg meetup; it moves from Wednesday to Thursdays 2-4 p.m. starting Sept. 3 and throughout the fall. Also Thursday, Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m., come to an Author Talk with Claire Ackroyd discussing her newest book, “The Body in the Blueberry Barren.” Claire Ackroyd is a landscape designer, independent organic inspector, educator and writer.  She grew up in rural England in a big garden with pets and ponies and now resides in Orono.  Of course, you can enjoy a warm beverage and a baked good with the Coffee Table Group on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to whenever conversation runs out.

You still have opportunity to see the Hendricks Hill Museum; they too have new hours. To guide yourself, or have a docent take you through, you only need to arrive Saturdays, 11-3, there is parking, admission is free and the home and boat house are filled with wonderful artifacts that give you a good sense of life here from the 1800s- 1920s. 

Something that would have been around then would have been the Southport General Store, which has been a community hub since 1882. The staff there are asking you to join them for the International Dinner Sunday, Sept. 6, 4-6 p.m. This is a can't-miss event featuring traditional cuisine from the homelands of the beloved J1 students who have work tirelessly over the summer to make your visits to the store happy and filled with good food and service. To get further information of cost and to get your tickets go to the event link: https://tinyurl.com/yahs8wm8 , drop in or call: 207-633-6666.

If you do drop in, stop at the Barn, a certified Maine Made retailer focused on supporting the robust community of traditional craft in Maine, as well as regional art, creative workshops and artist talks.  The next workshop will be: Fused Glass | Sun Catcher Saturday, Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-noon. You will be able to create a fabulous sun catcher in this glass fusion workshop while learning how to work with different techniques depending on your design. The glass will be fired in the instructor's kiln and ready for pickup one week after class. For more information and to sign up visit the Event Link: https://southportgeneralstore.shopsettings.com/9-12-26-Fused-Glass-Workshop-Sun-Catcher-p835213045 

Southport Island Treasures announced their free raffle winner, Marsha Gamage, could not have gone to a nicer person, congrats. No purchase is necessary to enter for the fall accented table runner with quilt stars and pumpkins, but you should stop by the shop and browse, it is so tastefully done and there is really at least one thing you need or want. Monday-Saturday, 10-4 and while there consider donating to the Southport Historical Society which is the charity for the month.

The Veterans Banner Program on the Boothbay peninsula sponsored by the American Legion is just about to wrap up its fourth season. By Veterans Day nearly 750 banners will be displayed. The final order will be submitted Sept. 8. This is a hard deadline. While they continue to process orders through the winter and spring, those banners will not be displayed until May 2027. As only a week remains, they will process new orders electronically. You can contact any committee member (Legion Post Commander Robin Ford (207-607-2965); Phil Chapman (207-380-7020); Sue Burge (207-350-1581); Sarah Sherman McGrail (207-380-3844); Joel Morley (207-798-1288); or Jim Singer (207-751-8540). 

A few brief showers last night, but another sunny day today. If you get a chance, admire the pair of grebes at the beach and May Peace Be With You.