Residents of Southport and surrounding communities have many opportunities for current event lessons and history lessons. On Southport last week, beginning Monday night, the town hall was packed to hear Paul Zulucky bring us up to date on what was happening in Ukraine and fill us in on some of the history between Russia and Ukraine. He said the controversy bends back all the way to Peter the Great who was a Tsar of Russia and later the Russian Empire from May 7,1682 until his death in 1725, jointly ruling before 1696 with his elder half-brother, Ivan V. Under his reign, Russia was modernised and grew into a European power. Putin wishes to emulate Peter the Great’s accomplishments, perhaps being known as Putin the Great.

Many of us remember November 1989 when the Berlin Wall came down. Then in 1991 the Soviet Union fell apart, causing the West began to relax a bit. In 2014 Russia began its rebuilding with the annexation of Crimea. Putin has now launched his military offensive to continue to reassemble the Soviet Union. A frightening statistic Mr. Zalucky quoted is that 77% of the Russians support Putin. He believes only a strong stand by the West will deter further expansion of Russia’s influence and belligerence.

Looking back at our Southport history, on Wednesday night at the Town Hall Jack Bauman, a retired history professor, relayed the story of Bob “Ponytail” Speed, a man who lived on Lower Mark Island from 1957 to 1964. Several people in the audience remembered Ponytail, but perhaps did not know much of his life before he came to Southport and lived as a hermit.

Jack filled us in on his eccentric Czechoslovakian mother, his time as a World War I veteran, and his more lavish life during the ’20s. When Jack had finished and others who knew Ponytail had spoken, I was struck by how accepting our island was of such an odd person. Gus Pratt cared enough to try to restrain Ponytail from returning to his cabin on Mark Island one night as the surf as really rough. Not to be deterred, Ponytail left in his battered skiff, never to return as a living person. His body was eventually found, but no one knows where he was buried.

A large crowd enjoyed good food last Saturday night at the Southport Yacht Club’s annual lobster bake, this year prepared and served by the owners and staff of Cozy’s Dockside. Using both the space outside at Cozy’s and inside and outside at the yacht club, we had lots of space to spread out so we could eat our lobsters and other foods without much worry about Covid. Thanks to all who put this event together.

Elsewhere in this paper, you will see an article about the Southport Selectmen’s meeting last Wednesday at which some neighbors of Sawyer’s Pond objected to people perhaps camping there and to others causing crowding at the pond. Checking out the scene last Sunday on a lovely afternoon, I found only one other couple, Southporters, enjoying the scene while their dog swam. After a bit a family of four arrived with two paddle boards, which they launched, enjoying that challenge and swimming. Several other kayaks are tucked away around the edges of the pond, so the pond is being used, but I cannot see that it is being abused. When the pond at the school was at risk of being drained, some conversation suggested that Sawyer’s Pond could be a town gathering and play space. I hope so, and that all users are respectful of the elements.

At the summer chapel of All Saints by-the-Sea, many people have been inspired by the preaching these last two weeks of the Reverend Martin Smith The clergy for the next two weeks will be the Reverend Canon Victoria Sirota. Look for an article about her and about the chapel elsewhere in this paper.

Now our quick rundown events on the calendar. First up is the Southport United Methodist Women’s Craft Fair and Lobster Roll luncheon to be held Wednesday, July 20 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. Hope you have ordered your lobster roll, which you can pick up between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Southport Methodist Church parking lot. A few cookies may be available for purchase too.

Thursday, July 21, at 10 a.m. another opportunity to learn more of Southport’s history is offered by Bill Messmer who will take us for a walk around Cozy Harbor telling tales of life there in the past and sharing other sights and thoughts. Thanks to the museum and the Southport Historical Society as well as Bill for this opportunity to learn.

Hope you have marked July 30 on your calendar for “1882 Day” at the Southport General Store. Beginning about 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. a variety of fun will be available to celebrate the140th year of the store being in business. Be aware that the parking lot will be used for activities so plan to park elsewhere.

Last week I wrote that also on that day the Southport Yacht Club’s arts and crafts show is scheduled, but Hollyanna Bates has told me that event will not take place this year.

The Southport Memorial Library will host its annual Book & Bake Sale on Aug. 4. The bake sale hours are 9 a.m. to noon and the book sale is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Library Aides, many books of fiction, non-fiction, mystery, large print, audio, and classic books will be for sale. DVDs and CDs will be specially priced. Antique books are ½ price. In addition, the Library Aides and Staff will offer baked goods for sale. All things blueberry may be found in addition to other homemade items. If you would like to contribute gently used books or fresh baked goods for this sale, a sign-up sheet is available at the librarians’ desk.