As plans for the renovation of the woods playground at the Southport Central School continue, here is the “Miracle of Change” report. Total number of coins collected by the school children is 2,785 (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters), equaling $257.17. Total paper dollars contributed is $392 for a grand total of $649.17! The Miracle of Change people note that “this is incredible for a school with 18 students!” and add “Thank you for letting us be part of your small community and showing that we genuinely do ‘shine brighter together!’” I also remember a poster in your room that stated, "Imagine with all your mind, Believe with all your heart, and Achieve with all your might." SCS proved that even a small group could achieve as long as they believed.” Note that fundraising will continue for this project to be completed.

Mark your calendar for some fun on Saturday, Jan. 28 at 2 p.m. at the Southport United Methodist Church. The women of the church are sponsoring a musical event for the whole family. All are welcome! No admission charge will be collected but you may make a goodwill offerings to the church as well as donate spare change, especially quarters, by placing them in the community fuel fund collection tube. The musicians are the Back River Fiddlers, who consist of three fiddlers and one guitarist, including Southport’s own Nancy Harriman. They will perform a mix of traditional Irish and Scottish tunes, along with some rag, blues, and baroque sounding
pieces. Should we have too much snow to drive, the event will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29 at the same time. Light refreshments will be served following the performance. Come and enjoy some toe tapping music and community fellowship on a winter afternoon.

A reminder that Sarah Sherman McGrail’s presentation of her writing "Southport, The War Years: An Island Remembers" is on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. Sarah has interviewed many of the veterans on our island and in the area as well as those who experienced the war personally in other ways, and then written a compilation of their stories in several books including the one by the title above. The books are available at our library. If it snows too much to get together on Jan. 21, Sarah will offer her talk the next day, Sunday, Jan. 22, again at 1 p.m.

Southport Island Association is planning its Lasagna and Love event on Feb. 5. Seventy-five meals will be prepared, but you must reserve a meal by calling Sandra Seifert at 633-3546. Fresh baked lasagna, crispy salad, roll and dessert will be packaged to go with lots of love from SIA. These meals are free, but donations will be gratefully received to benefit the Helping Hands fund. Pick-up will be at the Southport Town Hall from 1 to 2 p.m. on Feb. 5.

From Annie Buchholz comes news about five workshops coming up at The Barn at the Southport General Store. All of the details about the classes, times, and teachers are listed on their website! People need to register for the classes in advance online and can email Annie if they have any questions. Annie’s email address is annie@southportgeneralstore.com. The website address is https://southportgeneralstore.shopsettings.com/Workshops-c141860566. The first workshop is “Intro to Knitting” with Annie Buchholz on Feb. 4 from 9 to 11 a.m. The next is “Candle Making” with Annie Buchholz on Feb. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m. The third opportunity is March 4 when you can try “Watercolor Batik” with Jeanne Lally from 9 a.m. through noon. Next up is “Creative Flow” on March 18 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. with Morgan Mitchell. The last workshop currently scheduled, “Palette Knife Painting”with Sarah Spencer, is on April 1 from 10 a.m. until noon. Lots to keep us busy during these winter months and lots of creativity to share.

Thinking ahead to summer - Southport Yacht Club’s sailing program has opened its registration for classes next summer. You can register by going to http://app.campdoc.com/register/sys. A happy thought on such a snowy day.

One piece of creativity either due to miss fingering or other rascally intervention is that the Southport General Store hours during the week, Monday - Friday are 7 a.m. until 4 p.m, not 4:40 p.m. as was printed in last week’s column!