This Sunday is not a repeat of the last, no snow appears to be coming with this “storm,” just frigid temperatures and winds that make them feel much colder. The storm had an interesting descriptor, Bomb Cyclone, essentially a winter hurricane, fueled by cold temperatures. There are certainly more nomenclature for weather phenomena than there once were, though we still have just the five primary types, sunny, rainy, windy, stormy, and cloudy, their intensity and meteorological upgrades give us some of the current designations, like Polar Vortex, Atmospheric River, and this Bomb Cyclone. Weather is fascinating. I marvel at those who seem quite good at prediction without the news and forecasts, relying on life experience, memory, observation, and a connection to nature, worthy attributes. The foremost attribute is the resilience with which most take winter here. Yes, it is long, cold, dark, icy and snowy, but preparedness and community help us weather it all. So, let us take a look at what is happening in our community.

Much of what is happening is at the Southport Memorial Library, 1032 Hendricks Hill Road, open Tuesday 10-4, Thursday 10-4, evenings 6-8, and Saturday 10-4. First off, you will receive a warm welcome from the librarians, then get to look through what is new in fiction and non-fiction, and currently the front table is featuring books that are in need of someone to show them some interest, they have never been taken out of the library, won’t you consider being the first, they are an eclectic bunch.

You can still take in the works of Sarah Wilde the first Artist of the Month. Known for her land and seascapes, this exhibition, "Inspirations," represents a different kind of energy. The paintings are inspired by places within rather than outside and have a contemplative quality emerging after years of exploring an intuitive and expressive approach to painting. Sarah hopes these works will offer a sense of serenity and calm among a noisy world. She is a member of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) in Boothbay Harbor where she served for many years on its board of directors. Over the years Sarah's work has been exhibited at Archipelago and the Maine Art Gallery.

If your visit to get a new set of books to keep you company is between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesday or Thursday check in on the coffee table and sit a while, have a cup of coffee to warm up, taste the treat, enjoy conversation and discussion, songs, jokes, a get together, and more, a fun way to forget winter for a bit. As an added bonus on Tuesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., you can get some tech support and guidance from Tarsha Damore regarding your iPhone, or your laptop, bring them along and she can broaden your skill sets in a very fun and encouraging way.

This Thursday, Feb. 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the library will host the first of three game nights. This one will be Trivia Games, a time to shine with all that knowledge you thought might never come in handy, you know you have some niche information to be retrieved from that Rolodex in your head, bring it and play. If you need a ride to get there and home again, call the library at 207-633-2741, there are some volunteers willing to help. Bring a friend, make a new friend, bring your competitive spirit, or your Valentine, just venture out and play.

If you would like to mark your calendar for the future Game Nights, they are Thursday the 12th and Thursday the 26th. The 12th will be one-vs-one games, and the 26th will be classic board games.

If games are not your thing but fiber projects are, do not forget that the Community Knitting group meets in the dining area at the Southport General Store on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. They welcome all to join, beginners that want to get some instruction to get started, those that wish to carry on with their talents and those in between. As you would imagine, a cozy group to work and enjoy time with, so do just that.

While on the topic of the General Store, a heads up. They will host the second of their Winter Suppers on Friday, Feb. 20. This one is a good old-fashioned Bean Supper along with another Book Swap, where you can exchange your gently loved book with someone else. More details will follow, but remember you can eat in or take out, either way it will be delicious and a fun town event.

Sooner on the horizon is the next Open Mic Night at the Opera House. Yes, I know that is not necessarily Southport news, but some of the talent is home grown, so come support the Newagen Crew. Doors open at 5:30, mic goes live at 6. It will cost you $5 to get in, well worth it for all the fun that is had, you may also get to sing along.

There are a few other items in the works but not planned enough for this deadline, so perhaps the next column. In the last one I mentioned the bobcat in the Cozy Harbor area, apparently there is now also a coyote in that area that is not as shy as it should be. It seems not to be troubled by humans being close and is out and about at all hours of the day, so just be aware of your surroundings and again perhaps let those kitties stay in the house. It is warmer and much safer.

Birds abound on the feeders these cold days, I have moved one right to the window of my work area and find endless joy from watching them all at such close vantage. My cats enjoy them as well, talking to them with an endless string of chatter which intrigues the dog who will watch and listen, simple pleasures. The other simple fascination has been the growth of the icicles, they are growing faster than my garden did this past summer, sometimes inches a day. The girth of some grows too; they are stunning when they catch the light, tapered, prismatic natural wonders. None of mine are causing harm or potential danger, so I will see how long they might get, a few are forming stalagmites beneath, perhaps they will join creating a wintery column of ice.

May your week be filled with both small joys and larger ones that might take your breath away, stay warm, share your warmth in any way that you can with others. It truly works magic for all involved.

May Peace Be With You All.