Well there it is in print, 2024! I remember when I was a child about 12 years old, as I was playing with my close friend, both of us wondered if we would live until the year 2000 and what life would be like then. Both of us did so, although Susanna died in 2003, having lived a very productive and adventurous life. And here I am, still digging up news about Southport.

We did lose another Southporter recently. Craig Tukey, age 86, died Dec. 12. Look for further information as part of his obituary elsewhere in this edition of the paper.

Those of you in residence probably have noted the apparatus being assembled on the Southport School playing field near the town pond. Perhaps some of you remember several years ago when the town decided the pond was too deep to be safe for the children to skate. Fortunately, the money raised for the natural play area still under construction on the school grounds was enough to pay for the builder’s contract as well as for the ice rink. The children are very excited about being able to skate again. Skates and helmets have been bought for all the students with funds raised during the food sale at Firemen’s Auction. The rink is 44 feet by 88 feet, so there is plenty of room for everyone. What we are waiting for now is the liner so that the pond can be filled, and cold enough weather to freeze that water. The principal does ask the the public give the students priority and skate only when school is not in session. Many thanks to Charlie Britton who will manage the rink and assembled it along with Trevas Britton, his son, Bucky Holloway, Matt Thibault and Nachiketa Tiwari. Also thanks to Finn Carroll and crew who unloaded the equipment when it arrived, and to Gerry Gamage and town helpers who erected a pole that will allow lights to illuminate the skating when necessary. As they say, it takes a village…

A reminder that the Southport General Store will be closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas in spite of our rainy weather and wish everyone a very happy new year.