What great fun we had clapping and cheering for the eight, sixth grade students, graduating from our local Southport Central School last Thursday evening. The fire engines were blazing, horns honking, balloons flying, and the participants smiling and waving. Our neighbor, Edee Crosby and ourselves were joined by Kristen and Scott Yoeman of Pig Cove Road, who drove by, saw the sign, heard the noises, and pulled into our driveway to join the fun. I suspect the students may have rather had the usual graduation activities, but their parade around the island in each family’s car, escorted by our Southport fire trucks, will be a time they will always remember.

Lots of openings to report. Elsewhere in this paper you will find news of Robinson’s Wharf reopening, June 17. The article describes the safety procedures that will be in place, and notes that although you can eat on the deck or inside, perhaps the best way to be served is to come by boat. You can tie up to the wharf, order your food, which will be delivered to you. You might miss the fun that comes when gathered around the bar or at a large table, but you will be safer, can eat good food, and enjoy the authentic ambiance.

Note also an article about services at All Saints by-the-Sea summer chapel. Those services this summer will be virtual, filmed in various places and available not only on Sundays but also any time during the week. Since many of the guest clergy come only for two weeks, and many of them come from out of state, their time in Maine, because of the out-of-state quarantine, would be confined to the small cottage the chapel has rented for them. Granted, the cottage at Newagen has a lovely view of the ocean, but still even that view cannot make up for the inability to enjoy the community. So we may have their virtual presence, but not their actual one.

Since the chapel is small, holding only about 100 people if they fill every pew and sit close to one another, and since most usual Sunday services draw about 60 to 70 people, the building itself could not be reconfigured to meet safety requirements. But the chapel will be open during specific hours with a volunteer present to ensure safety. Work is still being done on that schedule, which will be public shortly.

Southport Methodist Church has now been open for two Sundays at 9 a.m. Since their building is larger than All Saints, they can usually accommodate their parishioners at the prescribed distance.
Another article in this paper is about the reopening of the Southport Memorial Library, which will again be offering curbside pick-up for books beginning June 16. They will take requests by phone at 633-2741 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Library card holders may request any book from our collection on a first come, first served basis; there will be no holds at this time.
Our Southport Bridge is now on its summer schedule of opening on the hour and half hour from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Other time the bridge will open on demand.

To create a safer environment the Alpaca Farm is open with a new online booking system for small group tours Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. People cannot just drop in, but must register online both for a visit and for individual alpaca treks. All visitors are required to wear a facial covering/mask.

This will be an exciting summer for the farm as Anne and Mike watch for the birth of mama America’s second cria (a new born alpaca). They really appreciate the continued support of the community and invite anyone who has any questions or needs help with the new booking system, not to hesitate to contact them at https://www.capenewagenfarm.com

News from Lynn Schafer, who is back from Kansas and has completed her quarantine. First she was pleased that the summer “Home and Landscapes” issue put out by the ‘Register’ as a guide to summer living, featured on its cover the Possible House and her planted old Schwinn bike in the side yard.

Lynn also reported that opening this week is her “Possibilities” shop featuring vintage linens, quilts, ceramics, folk art, furniture, handmade rugs and gardening accessories. All are offered to add charm and interest to gardens and homes. Lynn welcomes children as well as adults, garden questions, and will even give an occasional tour of her gardens. Hours: “most afternoons”....call ahead if coming a distance so you won’t be disappointed. The number is (207) 633-0788.

Another opening is the The Pub at Newagen Seaside Inn. They are so excited to welcome back Chef Thomas and some of his signature dishes. Dining will be by reservation only, so please call ahead and reserve a table for lunch, dinner, or a special event, 633-5242. Hours are lunch from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5 until 9 p.m.

Much has been written about Newagen Inn’s unique way of opening this season: During June Maine residents are able to suggest their price and come to the Inn for at least two days. Now Ocean Gate Motel is also open, but only to those who make a reservation prior to appearance.

Gray's Homestead Campground & Cottages is open for seasonal guests, that is folks who come back yearly. If from out of state, they can quarantine for two weeks. Call for reservations.

We welcome Polly Gibson back at her home on the island having made the trip from North Carolina and prepared for her two week quarantine. She said her travel by plane, even though she had to change in Philadelphia, went very smoothly.

The Southport Island Association is grateful to the kind citizens of our island community for their continuing concern for neighbors who might be in need during these difficult times. If you live on Southport and need some help making ends meet, please contact Carole Zalucky at 207-841-0577 or via email at czalucky@gmail.com Asking for help is not always easy in so small a community, so it is also perfectly acceptable to funnel a request through a third party for the sake of anonymity. The association also continues to offer long time residents, concerned about community exposure, assistance with picking up groceries or medically related items from the pharmacy.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the SIA Pandemic Relief Fund can mail a tax deductible donation to SIA, PO Box 505, Southport, ME 04576. Designate on the check or in a separate note that your contribution is to go toward the pandemic fund.

Finally, if you will forgive a homey analogy, our nation today seems to resemble the ham loaf I was trying to put together this afternoon, a loaf full of good things, but not wanting to stick together. Finally I plopped it into the loaf pan, patted it on the top, and stuck it in the oven. The heat did the trick. The ingredients melded together and held firm. May the heat of emotions in these days meld us together into the one nation we strive to be.