Southport Column: Reminders, author’s talks and more

Tue, 08/27/2019 - 1:30pm

We are not quite to the end of August and thus in many people’s mind to the end of summer, but almost. Even the weather, at least as I type on Monday morning, has dried out and cooled off.

In spite of the fact it is not yet Labor Day, and again, many of us associate school beginning after Labor Day, many schools nowadays open before Labor Day, including our Island school which opens Aug. 29. Although signs are up announcing the opening, Principal Lisa Clarke and I would also remind drivers to slow down and be aware of children waiting for the bus. Thus far 28 students are enrolled, up a bit from last year.

Another reminder that as of Sept. 3, Thompsons Bridge onto Route 238 will be closed for replacement. All traffic except those persons living on Plummer Road, is asked to follow Route 27 to Cross Road if you want to get to the east side of the island. Of course, if you are headed to Newagen or just want to enjoy the scenery, you can drive all the way around.

Until the end of September, the Southport Bridge will remain opening on the half hour from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on demand at all other times.

From Sandra Seifert comes this report of the Southport Memorial Library’s Author’s talk last Thursday evening and news of the next talk:

“The audience attending author David Rosenfelt’s talk at the library were treated to an evening of laughter and smiles. While David talked about writing his books, he also talked about his successes and non-successes being president of marketing for Tri Star Movies. His Andy Carpenter Mystery Series has been his biggest success. Next year he will do a spinoff from this series and develop a K Team series of books. We look forward to that and no doubt will have them at the library. Books from last night’s talk are available at the library. Rescheduled is Douglas Preston on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. Mark your calendars to hear this New York Times best-selling author speak and show slides about his book, ‘The Lost City of the Monkey God.’ Preston will take us into the rain forests of Honduras with an elite group of scientists to find a Pre-Columbian city only rumored to have existed. In a limited number of days, this group will machete their way through the rain forest to uncover the remains of this city, reclaiming its existence. They cannot do this without the use of LiDAR, (Light Detection and Ranging), an expensive laser technology on loan from NASA that could map the terrain under the dense rainforest canopy to a resolution within three feet. And the area is so dangerous that they cannot do this without the help of the Honduran government who sends military protection. Preston accompanies this expedition as the journalist sent by National Geographic to record this discovery in 2015. In addition participating in this very dangerous venture, Douglas writes fiction and nonfiction and co-authors the Pendergast series of novels with Lincoln Child.”

Again a reminder that we can join together to celebrate the life of Ralva Orchard on Saturday, Aug. 31, beginning at 10 a.m. at the American Legion Hall.

Another sign that summer is quickly drawing to a close is that All Saints by-the-Sea is open only for two more Sundays. The Reverend Bonnie Spencer will be the celebrant and preacher Sept. 1 and 8. She comes to us from Denver, Colorado where she is the part-time priest in charge at Church of the Holy Redeemer in Denver, Colorado. Look for a longer article about her elsewhere in this paper. About 60 people gathered on a chilly, but lovely evening last Sunday for the season’s Evensong service conducted by St. Columba’s rector, the Reverend Maria Hoecker.

Whether it is a sign of waning summer or just hungry fish, a seal was spotted jumping in Decker Cove and sunfish have also been spotted close to shore. Last year we were seeing whales. Anyone out there who can report such a sighting?