Another delightful rainy day helping to replenish the 11 inches we are still behind from last year’s drought, those vital veins deep beneath the surface do not refill so easily, but this rain is gentle enough to penetrate the soil and not all run off into the sea.

Many used the glorious Friday warmth and sun to get gardens ready, turning the ground and putting seeds in. It is still too early for most above ground plants, evenings still bring a chill, but soon enough. Some magnolias, crab apples and maples are now in full bloom, forsythia continues to bring brightness to the dark backdrop of the piney woods and daffodils are growing where they please, many branching out well beyond the beds they were placed in, I find their wild abandon refreshing.

The past week was sprinkled with events here and there, the Southport Farm talk and Seed Swap at the library, the good food and live music at Robinson’s Wharf, the knitting group at the general store, and the Southport Island Association Clean Up day, now we can look ahead at what awaits your presence this week and might enrich your days. 

The Southport Memorial Library, 1032 Hendricks Hill Road, will host the Coffee Hour on both Tuesday the 5th and Thursday the 7th beginning around 10 a.m. Both days will feature a treat and options of coffee or tea. Tech Time With Tarsha will be held on Tuesday the 5th from 10 to 11, I have a spreadsheet project she will assist with, but she is indeed quite wide ranging in her trouble shooting skills with both phones and computers, so if you have a problem or question about your devices she can most likely solve and answer.

If you are there on Thursday the 7th you will be able to take in the May art exhibit while you take out some new books to read. Magical Maine will feature oil paintings by Lori Lynn Hoffer, and continue through June. Her vibrant work is based on an intrinsic impulse to convey the glory of nature. She believes that the beauty, abundance and diversity surrounding us is a necessary counterpoint to the issues and upsets in our world. She believes that art focusing on nature reminds us of the imperative to create climate solutions that preserve the treasures of our planet. This exhibit will include some botanicals but will focus on Maine based plein air landscapes, several that will be familiar to those that know and appreciate Southport. A collection of her floral and garden paintings will be showing simultaneously at Blooms, Birds and Bugs – the season’s opening exhibit at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (May 1 to mid-July). If you are curious about her and her work, you can find out more at LORILYNN@WATERLILYDESIGN.COM and  Instagram LORILYNNFINEARTS.   

On Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., community, friends and family are being asked to show the library some love and attention and work together throughout the various rooms to make the library and books shine and sparkle. Groups will be assigned an area and be provided cleaning implements and given guidelines for book and shelf dusting and then putting it all back together. Though the gnome has been helping around the library for quite some time, it remains unnamed, so during the Spring Clean suggestions will be taken. If not seen during the work at hand, perhaps it will be found during the scavenger hunt that will also be offered, an excellent way to get to know all the areas in the library.  How long you stay is entirely up to you, any amount of time you can lend to this effort is appreciated. There will be pizza provided during the lunch hours and light beverages, or you can pack a lunch. Coffee and tea will be available throughout. Consider joining this community event, you are all welcome to experience the special magic the library has to offer. If you have any questions regarding this event, or all things library call:  1-207-633-2741. 

You can help raise money for the Southport 6th graders’ trip by attending the PTO fundraiser on Friday May 8 at the Southport Town Hall, 361 Hendricks Hill Road. The Tricky Tray Raffle will begin at 5 p.m. and dinner concessions will be available for donation. Generous local businesses have given a wide range of items that you may win by purchasing your raffle tickets and placing them in the tray corresponding to the item of interest, winners will be drawn at 6:30 p.m. but you do not need to be present to win.

Southport Island Treasures, the thrift and resale shop, continues to collect for the 6th graders field trip. Anna Paradis was the winner of April’s raffle and you will not want to miss getting your name in the jar for this month’s prize, a beautiful table runner in pale hues of blue and yellow with a print of succulents, so cute and springy. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10-4. 

The water is on, so on a good note, the Southport General Store will now be open on Saturdays from 9-3, breakfast, sandwiches, To Go goodies, and more. On a cautionary note, there are more bikers and walkers on and in the road, be mindful for everyone’s safety.

May Peace Be With You All.