Many thanks to our Southport firemen who left the comfort of bed and/or newspaper to respond to a woods fire early Sunday morning, Nov. 22. Gerry Gamage writes, “the fire located 350 feet off the road has probably been smoldering for at least a week. It burned deep into the ground causing dozens of trees to topple as the root systems were compromised. It looked like a tornado had struck. Two dozen firefighters spent three hours getting a hose line out to the scene and shuttling ten thousand gallons of water to extinguish the fire. Approximately a tenth of an acre burnt. Fire was reported by Cooper and Sarah Evello, the nearest neighbors.”

Although we have had a lot of rain recently, leaves on the ground in the woods dry quickly and can be quite combustible, ignited by a cigarette butt or campfire.

We have lost two stalwart Southporters this past week. From Susie McGuinness I learned that Elizabeth Randolph Cole (Betsy), age 89, died on Nov. 16 at her current residence at Ocean View in Falmouth. Her extended Southport family includes Matt Cole, Lauren Graham, and Isabel and Finn Harkins. I assume the obituary with more details of her family and life is available elsewhere in this paper. The family plans an outdoor memorial in Southport this coming summer when it is safe to gather. The other person no longer with us, except in spirit, is De Amplo, who, I am told, died Nov. 29 at home on Southport with family around her. De had been valiantly fighting cancer for some time, but any time I saw her she was spirited and cheerful. Again, look elsewhere elsewhere in this paper to read her obituary.

On a cheerful note greens and lights are going up all over Southport. The Town Hall front porch is garlanded with greens, and the windows are decorated with wreaths. Similar decorations can be seen across the street on the Southport United Methodist Church with the addition of a lighted angel in the middle of a large wreath on the bell tower. The Southport Memorial Library also has lovely green wreaths hanging at each window. On
Monday morning when I stopped at the Island Store, it was being strung outside with lights, so even if we cannot gather in the parking lot this year for hot cider and coffee to see “Southport Lights Up,” we can enjoy all the lights as we drive by or stop in for business. Private homes add to the displays with lights and scenes. I especially like the North Pole scene at Turtle Cove with Santa in a sleigh and three elves waving to us.

Take time to enjoy the continuing creativity of our Southport Central School children displayed at the Post Office. This Monday I enjoyed the variety of brochures they had made to advertise Southport. What a good way to learn about our community.

The Island Store smelled so good when I stopped in Monday morning that I was tempted to buy more calories than I should, especially after consuming so much Thanksgiving food. But looking forward to Christmas food, if you do not want to bake your own pies, you can order them at the store through Dec. 19. In addition, watch for a new flyer from the store describing all the various home cooked foods you can buy each day of the week to enjoy at home. Do remember, though, that the store is closed on Sundays, that Saturday you can shop from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., and Monday through Friday the store is open from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

On Monday morning a number of folks were taking advantage of the “lull before the storm” to get in their walk. That made gathering news more fun as I drove around the island, stopping the car to talk to friends and neighbors, wearing a mask and keeping our distance. Please do this, dear friends, wherever you are, to stay safe.