News of a summer Southporter for more that 60 years, Ann Charlesworth, is that she fell recently in her home on Dogfish Head and cracked a hip, needing surgery. Currently she is in the Inn at St. Andrews Village. I am sure cards sent to the Inn at St. Andrews Village would find her and would cheer her up. Visits are a bit difficult due to Covid.

Thursday, July 21, at 10 a.m. about eight of us joined Bill and Kathy Messmer for a walk around Cozy Harbor while Bill helped us learn the early history of the area beginning with the Indian tribes who fished here, leaving behind some shell middens. Later white settlers came too, building fish flakes to dry the fish for market as far away as Boston and even Europe. Bill told us the harbor has had several names, including Marr’s Harbor and Hendricks Harbor, but Cozy Harbor probably is the best name as with its narrow entrance and relatively deep and rock free center, boats could moor safely even in the strongest storms.

Other names have been attached to the harbor such as Pierce and Pratt, which some of us know well. Lobstering continues, if fact some men pulled their traps across the cement pier and slid them onto their boats as we were watching, but also the harbor began to draw tourists and summer residents who stayed at the Cozy Harbor House and bought homes on Southport and the islands around the harbor. Bill shared a packet of pictures and maps of the area to help us stay oriented. Further info is available at the Southport Museum. Thanks, Bill and Kathy, for providing such good ‘take away’ material and for organizing the walk/talk.

In more history news the Hendricks Hill Museum is looking to expand its photo archive to include Southport images from the 1940s through the 1970s. With the recent purchase of a new computer and scanner, we simply need to borrow any photographs or slides you have from these time periods and make copies of them. We are looking for any images that depict island landscapes, buildings, boats, vehicles, people, and activities from these eras. Please contact Museum Director, Bruce Joule, at 633-1102 or email hendrickshillmuseum@gmail.com or joulebruce@gmail.com to make drop off and pick up arrangements. The museum staff thanks all contributors for allowing the museum to continue to preserve Southport Island's photographic history.

And as a way to celebrate history, remember July 30 is the “1882 Day” at the Southport General Store. Beginning about 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. a variety of fun will be available to celebrate the140th year of the store being in business. Be aware that the parking lot will be used for activities so plan to park elsewhere.

After celebrating the store’s history, perhaps you music lovers will want to come to All Saints by-the-Sea for an organ concert by the resident summer organist, Henry Lowe, beginning at 4 p.m. No tickets or advanced reservations required.

Our two restaurants on Southport have had some staffing issues recently, but Robinson’s Wharf is now open every day again from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Cozy’s Dockside is returning to an earlier schedule of closing on Tuesdays, being open six days a week from 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.

New telephone poles were being erected last Monday morning, one on the school grounds and another across the street near the entrance to the Island Store parking lot. A new pole was erected not too long ago in that second location, so not sure why we need another one now.

On the Southport General Store’s bulletin board is a notice with a picture of Bamboo, a lovely cat of that color, who is missing. Please call 207-837-2312 if you think you have spotted the wandering one.

Look in the obituary section of this paper for a notice for the death of Earl B. Walker, who died at home on July 19. A memorial service will be held at Hall’s Funeral Home on Saturday, July 30 at 3 p.m.

People gathered at the Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club on Monday, July 25, to celebrate the life of George Ross, another long time Southport summer resident. Many good stories were shared about his life among us.

A reminder that the Southport Memorial Library will host its annual Book & Bake Sale on Aug. 4. The bake sale hours are 9 a.m. to noon and the book sale is 9-4 and 6-8. Sponsored by the Library Aides, many print and audio books of all types, as well as DVDs and CDs, will be specially priced for sale. Antique books are ½ price. In addition, the Library Aides and Staff will offer all things blueberry and other fresh baked goodies. If
you would like to contribute gently used books or fresh baked goods for this sale, a sign-up sheet is available at the librarian’s desk.