Prepare well because our island store will be closed Thanksgiving Day. On the Friday and Saturday following the holiday, the store will be open from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. On Sunday you will be able to get your paper, that slice of breakfast pizza, and other needs from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Saturday morning pancake breakfasts will continue from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. If you have houseguests, or even if you are just tired of cooking after the big food day, Janet’s homemade pancakes are a treat. Kit and I tried them out after Early Bird. You can choose between plain and blueberry, between one to three pancakes, and between sausage and bacon. Delicious!

If you need to learn how to use the online card catalogue at the Southport Memorial Library, you can, of course, ask the librarian or one of the aides, but now you can also ask any fourth through sixth grade student at the Southport School. They came to the library last Tuesday for instruction on how to find books they wanted not only in our own library, but also in the state library system.

Birthdays are in the air these days. Among those I know of are Holly Smith and Kathy Bugbee as well as myself this past week. Congratulations are also due to Joyce and Bob Marshall who celebrated their wedding anniversary.

Many people from the area journeyed to St. Luke’s Cathedral in Portland Friday morning for the funeral service for Gene Story. What a full and productive life well lived. As with many people whom Kit and I have known only in retirement, we did not know Gene’s or Ruth’s extended families. When children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren attend and take part in such a service, they allow us to share in the life that has passed.

This sharing was also true at the Southport United Methodist Church on Tuesday morning when the community gathered to celebrate the life of Margaret McDonald. And again the week before when many of us attended the service for Bob Zimmerli at the Boothbay Harbor Methodist Church. We are privileged to have had and continue to have so many good people among us.

So when we gather around the Thanksgiving table, whether with family and friends, whether many or few, take a moment to think on life and try to take in the essence of those who are gone and those who are with us, think on what is trivial and what is important, and act before the gravy gets cold.

May your holiday be full of joy and thanksgiving!

And may your holiday joy increase with the Christmas season following just four weeks later. As you flip the calendar page to December, here are a few dates to note. Friday, December 4 beginning at 4:30 p.m., Southport will light up. Gather at the Island Store to watch the animated figures on the far side of the school pond suddenly brighten the dark. Look for additions to the traditional scene of children throwing snow balls to knock off the snowman’s hat and a lobster waving its claws, which have delighted us in the past. We will sing a few carols, Santa will arrive on his red motorcycle bearing a bag full of goodies, and we can enjoy pizza, cookies and hot beverages. Parking is available behind the store, at the post office, and at the school. Thanks to the Southport Island Association for the new scenes and for this party. All are welcome.

Another date to mark is Sunday, December 6, beginning at 5 p.m. with a light soup and bread supper at the Southport United Methodist Church, following by the choir’s presentation of the traditional Lessons and Carols service. The service will begin after supper, about 6:15 p.m.

Then on December 14 at 6 p.m. in our town hall, the Southport school children will present their holiday program. The snow date for this event is the following evening, December 15, at the same time, 6 p.m.