The Southport Town Hall was full of parents, grandparents, and friends last Friday evening, March 24, for the Southport Island School’s talent show, auction, and bake sale. We are fortunate to have a loving grandfather of two SCS students in the audience who is also the editor of this paper, so look for pictures and an article among these pages.

I especially enjoyed the class whose dancing students wore black clothing decorated with fluorescent sticks. Very clever idea. Kit and I won bids on a number of items related to food so my tummy will grow even more! Overall, the children raised about $1,000 for the sixth grade spring trip scheduled for May 23-25. Well done, everyone.

Mark your calendars for upcoming school-related dates such as the Cultural Fair Day on April 30, the school concert at 6 p.m. at the Town hall on June 6, Field Day on June 12, graduation on June 6, and finally, with luck and no more snow days, the last day of school on June 18. (What fun to type the word, “June.” I assume the snow will be gone by then.)

Another big event on the island was the celebration of Cy Seifert’s 90th birthday at the Southport Memorial Library on Tuesday, March 27. Over 50 people gathered to greet Cy, enjoyed three different birthday cakes, and many other goodies. We were encouraged to note on our name tags how we first came to know Cy, which enhanced the conversation until all were invited to tell Cy stories. A general theme to people’s remarks underscored that Cy is a person who sees a problem and comes up with a solution. Sometime the problem is noted for fun or to hassle a friends; sometime the problem is real. For example, Cy observed one day to Donald Duncan that creche scenes have many animals, but not a cat, which one might expect in a stable. So Donald saluted Cy with a poem on this subject and a present of a very small cat to add to next Christmas’s creche scene.

Jean Hawley praised Cy with a more serious example, citing Cy’s help in raising money for the expansion of the library. When the building was finished, the need for more furniture was obvious. Cy began a program where library patrons and friends donated an academic chair from their college, university, and other school. Now 33 chairs grace the library rooms, displaying especially for children who come to use the library, the wide variety of academic choices available. Since Cy has served for many years on the Student Aid Fund board, this program also furthered those ends.

Cy’s other achievements over his 90 years are too numerous to list, but a few examples are that he achieved the rank of Lt. Commander in the military, has survived 46 years of marriage, and worked successfully for many years in the insurance industry, in addition to enjoying especially sailing and skiing.

Tom Lally also saluted Cy for many fictitious actions not fit for publication, but which brought much laughter to the group. Cy himself said what he is really thinking about these days is reaching age 91.

Several people have asked me about the action in front of our property that involved Gerry Gamage and an ambulance. I gather that Gerry came upon someone pulled alongside the road who was unwell. I do not know the outcome, but thanks, Gerry, for being the Good Samaritan.

Another summer season note: Lynn Schafer's next-door guest cottage, aptly christened "Next d’Oar,” has recently passed inspection and is ready for summer visitors and guests. The former Dale Dannels' ( Lynn's cousin) property was razed two years ago. A seasonal structure was then constructed on site by Howard “Chip” Davison of Wiscasset. Availability of the cottage will follow the Island water schedule each season.

Occupants will be able to enjoy Lynn’s garden flowers, Cozy Harbor boating and dining, the Island General Store, the beach, “Possibilities in the Shed,” and relaxing walks to access all of these central Island attractions. Pass the word along.