Southport Column: Meals for kids, new librarian and more

Tue, 06/16/2020 - 11:00am

Elsewhere in this paper you will find an article about “Healthy Summer Meals for Kids” hosted by Healthy Lincoln County and the USDA. Having begun Monday, June 15, Healthy Lincoln County is providing free healthy summer meals (both breakfast and lunch are available) to children 18 years old and younger at 18 locations throughout the county. No registration is required for these meals. Here on Southport meals are available for pickup at the Southport Central School from noon to 12:30 each Monday through Friday.

All meals are prepared by professional food service staff at the Edgecomb Eddy School and delivered to the meal sites. The program is part of the USDA annual nutrition program for kids. The local program sponsor is Healthy Lincoln County, with offices located in Damariscotta. Any questions should be directed to the Program Director Kate Martin (kmartin@mcdph.org).

Children can stop by the school to pick up lunch, and a breakfast for the next day, or their parent or guardian can do so for them. Participation is on a first come first served basis. Once there is an idea of how many Southport children (year-round and seasonal) will participate we can order accordingly. Due to public health concerns, meals cannot be eaten on site unless parent(s) accompany their child and plan to picnic on the school grounds.

Jen Britton is our new head librarian. Although it is not officially in her job description, she was on her hands and knees weeding the garden in front of the library last Sunday afternoon, so already her dedication and willingness to go the extra mile is evident.

According to Gerry Gamage, chair of our Board of Selectmen and a library trustee, Jen was selected because she has been involved in education most of her career; she has library experience, and she has computer skills. I know Jen also as very affable and willing to help. When we will be able to welcome her in person remains a mystery, but we can speak to her or to Anne on the phone to ask for a desired book, which will then be placed outside on the bench for pickup. Welcome, Jen.

Time to say goodbye to Bill Thompson. He and his family were longtime summer residents first in the Azzoni home and then in their own home on Pratts Island. Bill’s beloved wife, Julie, died in Florida several months ago. Bill had returned to their Boston home and hoped to get to Maine, but it was not to be. A kind, generous couple, they will be very much missed as part of our summer population.

Solar panels are installed on the frames at the town sand lot, but I could not tell by looking at the installation whether or not the power was flowing.

I see a food truck with signs that say “Coastal Crave” and “Stay Tuned” parked at the home next to the Southport Post Office. I suspect we will see food offered for sale there soon.

Railings are finally going up around the deck at the Southport Yacht Club junior building. Hope they will soon be up on the stairs as well. Since the building will not be used for classes this year, I suspect many see the railings as the finishing touches to the relocation of the building, but as a former OSHA employee, I see danger!

Gus’s, Oliver’s, Cozy’s Dockside, all names for the eatery at Cozy Harbor, sits vacant, with weeds growing among the once lovely plantings. I hear that the restaurant will not be opening this year, a sad chapter in the long story of a favorite place for refreshment and conversations for many.

The summer chapel of All Saints by-the- Sea will begin summer services this Sunday, June 21, at 10 a.m. with The Reverend Maria Hoecker officiating and preaching. Since this service will be archived, it can be brought up any time from the All Saints by-the-Sea website, allsaintssouthport.org. The chapel will be opened for prayer and meditation according to a schedule to be published at a later date. Look for more information elsewhere in this paper.