A correction from last week’s column. Working along with Sandra Seifert and Medea Harris on the Southport Island Association’s Winter Walk were Laura and Tom Blake. Again, many thanks to them and all who brought food to share.

Kit and I just returned from the Camden Conference where the conference title was “The Media Revolution: Changing the World.” Two of the many fascinating ideas to share are (1) so many local papers have closed that we are very lucky to have the Boothbay Register publishing and keeping local news flowing; (2) when asked what journalist do when they publish incorrect facts, the answer was they correct them. So I just did above.
Experiences I have not encountered, at least so far, are arrest and torture. One speaker, Maria Ressa, from the Philippines, had to pay several bonds to allow her to attend the conference even though she has won numerous awards, including being selected as “Time Magazine’s Person of the Year” in 2018. Another journalist from Mexico was arrested and tortured for writing about prominent persons in Mexico involved in child pornography. Another couple, the husband a writer for the Washington Post, were arrested in Iran, held in solitary confinement, until released and flown quickly back to the United States where they landed first in Bangor, Maine and were given lobsters.

Not all of the 10 speakers related such horrendous responses to their work, but all urged each of us to get involved in our local communities, pay attention to the sources of our news, be aware of VD, which one speaker defined as “viral deception,” something you should not share. In about a month’s time you can hear these speakers on the conference website, www.camdenconference.org

“Get involved in your local communities,” said these journalists and academicians during the conference, so chances to do so are upon us. The Republican caucus for Boothbay, Southport, and Boothbay Harbor takes place Friday, Feb. 28 at the Charles E. Sherman Jr. American Legion Post in Boothbay. beginning at 5 p.m. This is your time to elect officers to the county committee from each town and delegates and alternates to the state convention.

On Tuesday, March 3, the primary election for candidates for the office of U. S. President will be held at the Southport Town Hall. From 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., registered voters can cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice who is running within your party. If you are not registered, you may do so onsite. If you are unenrolled, you may register for a party, but you may not switch your enrollment in a party as the deadline for that action is passed.

On Sunday, March 8, the first day of Daylight Savings time, the Democrats from Southport, Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, and Westport will caucus at the Boothbay Region High School, beginning at 1 p.m.with registration.for the caucus. The caucus will begin at 2 p.m. Unenrolled and Independent voters may register as Democrats on caucus day.

Vernon Rail will convene the Southport meeting to elect caucus officers, town Democrat officers, as well as State Convention Delegates and County Democratic Committee representatives. By-laws will also be approved. Southport Democrats may discuss issues they think are important. During the afternoon all attending regional Democratic municipal parties (Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, and Westport) may also meet together to hear any prospective state-wide candidates who wish to speak. Until 6 p.m. March 6, you may preregister for the caucus at:www.mainedems.org/checkin>

Our Southport Town Meeting will convene Monday, March 2 at the Town Hall. From 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. you can vote by secret ballot on Articles 1 and 2 in the Town Meeting Warrant concerning election of a moderator for the meeting, as well as a town selectman, assessor and overseer of the poor, a town treasurer, a member of the Water District, and a member of the school committee, each for a three-year term. The voting on Articles 3 through 58 will occur when the meeting reconvenes at 7:30 p.m. Copies of the town report are available at the Town Hall, the Southport Memorial Library, the Island Store, and the Southport Post Office. I urge you to pick one up, read it, and come to the meeting informed. Especially note the picture on the back cover.

Checking up again on the Southport Yacht Club’s Junior building, I see it is now sitting on its new foundation, and stones have been spread along the building’s east side. Work continues underneath the building and on the west side.

Susan Quinby reports that veteran Newagen denizen Dick Snyder has just “graduated” from his temporary residence in short-term rehab at Windward Gardens in Camden to his new home in the assisted living area. Wellness cards and new home wishes are greatly appreciated and can be sent to Dick @ Windward Gardens, Room #30, 105 Mechanic Street, Camden, ME 04843.

Sad news, not yet confirmed officially, is that Toby McLeod died last weekend, apparently from a heart attack, while in London with his wife, Nancie Atwell.

Good news from the Island Store is that furniture for the back room will be in place in about a month and new flooring is in the works. Stay turned.