Rather like spring comes to Maine, slowly, almost one leaf at a time, so Covid restrictions are being rolled back. Most businesses no longer require masks on vaccinated customers, All Saints by-the-Sea summer chapel no longer requires masks or pre-registration and does allow singing at the 10:30 service. Various activities are returning to the Southport Memorial Library, the Southport United Methodist Church, and the Southport Yacht Club.

At the library, as I mentioned last week, the Tuesday morning ‘chat group’ has reconvened, beginning when the library opens at 9 a.m., but pop in any time during the morning. A reading group for children gathers at the library on Wednesday mornings, and the Annual Book and Bake Sale is back, occurring Thursday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. You will find the special home baked pies, cakes, cookies and other treats, and, of course, many books for sale.

Southport United Methodist Church Summer lobster feed is back on July 28 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Southport United Methodist Church parking lot, carrying the title, “Lobster Roll-in, Roll-out,” because rather than eating in the Southport Town Hall, you will pick up your roll, a bag of chips, bottled water, and a piece of homemade cake to go, all for just $20. But you must order ahead of time by calling one of the following UMW members between July 15 and 23: Elaine Goodwin (cell) 1-360-301-6715 or Deb Tukey 633-5144. You can pay by cash or check written to SUMW on the day of pick up.

A modified pre-order version of our popular Cookie Walk, including assorted baked goods, will also available. This year, you will get to choose your favorite sweets through an order form that lists popular types (i.e. Chocolate chip, Peanut Butter, etc.) and includes likes/dislikes (nuts, raisins, cinnamon, etc.) What will be different is that there will be no public display of cookies. Cookie order forms will be available to pick up and drop off on the Southport Methodist Church porch from through July 25. Please consider filling out an order ahead of time so we can have your personalized cookie order, with your name on it, ready for prompt pick up at the Church on Wednesday, July 28.

Some cookie orders may also be made out the day of the fair and will be filled as soon as possible from the choices available. If you cannot drop by the church to pick up an order form, you may also order on-line using this web address: https://forms.gle/afmsHyB6oGfcKKGL8. You select your favorites, and they will be packed for you. The price has not changed! You can once again get a selection of cookies that in previous years would have fit in a coffee can for $5 or a double size for $10. There will be no Attic Treasures, Books, or Precious Past, so no donations are needed this year.

You can find lovely scenes of Southport in the July/Aug issue of Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors. An article titled “Southport, a trip around the island” includes pictures and text by Mimi Bigelow Steadman. Beginning by boat in Newagen Harbor she describes the trip around the island and ends with tips on visiting. You can find the article at https://maineboats.com/print/issue-171/southport, or, of course, you can buy the magazine. Thanks to Susan Quinby for sending the reference.

Our island school is getting new basement flooring. Perhaps you have seen the storage container which is holding the appliances and equipment that has been removed from the lower level of the school housing our kitchen, lunchroom, and two small work spaces. All the old tiles are being removed and the surface leveled before the installation of new Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) flooring.

Because of the work at the school Kim Burnham began summer teaching on July 6, but classes are by Zoom on a one to one basis as well as some in person teaching at the YMCA. Summer services are provided on Tuesday throughThursday for six weeks, concluding on Aug. 12.

Looking ahead and thinking of school, note on your calendars that “Set for Success,” which provides our area student with their school supplies, will be held at the YMCA on Aug. 22.

Robinson’s Wharf is still uncertain as to whether they can open one more day instead of being closed both Tuesday and Wednesday, but they are certain that July 16 Berry Young and Phil Brooks will be playing in the Tug Pub.

Much to do and lots of moisture to do it in, welcomed by all of us on wells and who love our gardens.