Lots of good news this week. Talked with a Water District employee working to activate meters who said all of us on Southport connected to summer water should have it flowing by the end of  this week.

The Island Store will be open from 8 a.m. until noon this Sunday and following Sundays until the summer season begins. They are still looking for help, so please be in touch if you would like a pleasant summer job.

Another reminder that the Southport Memorial Library is now open by appointment on the usual days, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Phone 633-2741. They will also continue putting requested books on the bench outside for pickup.

The Southport Community Broadband Committee has been very busy hosting Zoom meetings so that island residents can get all their questions answered. The second such meeting, following the public hearing, was held last week. The third meeting was Tuesday, April 20, at 10 a.m. If you happen to be reading this column early and thus can attend the meeting, the Zoom link is bit.ly/SBCZOOM. The next informational meeting will be on Thursday, April 22 at 5:30 p.m. Please watch for an email with details on the location. Additional meetings will also take place as the committee strives to get all questions answered and everyone prepared to vote on Friday, May 7. Absentee ballots are now available. If you cannot attend the meetings, you can either send your questions to SouthportCommunityBroadband@gmail.com or call 207-217-7743.

A reminder that the Island Cleanup, sponsored by the Southport Island Association (SIA) will be Sunday, May 2, preceded by lunch of hot dogs and beverage served at the back of the Southport Town Hall beginning at noon. After the lunch, you pick up the provided garbage bags and sign up for a street or road. You may leave your filled bags by the side of the road where they will be picked up. Be sure to wear boots and bring work gloves and your mask for wearing when you are not eating, and if you choose to work with a friend or in a group. SIA wants all to stay safe and thanks those pitching in to keep our Island lovely!

More SIA news is that they are partnering with Robinson’s Wharf and Sweet Dreams Bakery to celebrate all mothers who live on Southport by offering seventy-five complimentary lobster rolls and a sweet to bring joy to the palettes of Southport mothers. Please call 633-3546 to reserve this delicious gift for Mother’s Day. Then on Saturday, May 8 between 11 a.m. and noon, drive thru at the Town Hall to pick up this gift for your special mother or for yourself if you are that special mother! SIA celebrates the special mothers of Southport. “We Care! We Thank You! Happy Mother’s Day!”

From the Southport Island School newsletter comes this question. “Do you know of a child who is eligible for kindergarten in the fall of 2021? If a Southport resident will turn 5 by October 15, 2021, he or she is eligible to enroll in our kindergarten program.” If your child meets this criteria or if you know someone who does, please pass the info along to call Mrs. Higgins (633-3132) to begin the registration process. At this point in time the school is uncertain if they will be able to hold screening this spring or will need to wait until later in the summer.

I keep envying these lucky Southport School children and the creative way they are taught. This week’s newsletter has a picture of students in their “forest school” listening to the sounds of nature by the pond and then drawing bright pictures of a frog they heard and saw there. Last week I passed the older students in Mr. Shawn’s class walking to the beach for their math class during which they drew their calculations in the sand. Even I might have liked math under those circumstances.

After all the good news I have some very sad news. A number of people have called me to ask about our local UPS driver who has become well known and helpful to Southporters on his route. On Sunday, April 11, Jeremy Robert Smit, loving husband and father of three children, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 42. His obituary is posted in our post office and is obtainable from Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, in Damariscotta, phone: 1-207-563-3550.

The obituary describes Jeremy as a talented photographer and a “venturesome and curious soul,” who loved camping, traveling across country, sailing, and hiking. He loved his family and worked hard to provide for them. An example as to why he was so beloved is a story told by my neighbor who was carrying wood from a back lot wood pile to the house when Jeremy pulled up with a delivery. “Here, let me help you,” he said, jumping out of his truck. A public memorial service is planned for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 24, at the family home at 392 Jones Woods Road, Newcastle, Maine. All are welcome to join in this gathering to celebrate Jeremy’s life. You are also invited to plant a tree in Jeremy’s memory.

At many places around the island you will see a poster asking for help locating a lost female cat. She is a short haired, tuxedo fixed cat, about two years old who is very shy with stranger, so you are asked, if you see her, to take a picture and call 315-1726 with information as to where she is.