Southport has lost one of its iconic people. Ramona Gaudette died suddenly early Sunday morning at St. Andrews Village where she has lived in recent years. Whether at the Village, at home, around the island, or at school where she provided food for the school children and staff, Ramona always had a smile and a cheerful word for those around her. One of my favorite encounters with Ramona was in the school kitchen area. A small child walked in saying she was hungry. Immediately Ramona produced an apple for the child to enjoy as she went back to her classroom. In all my years of teaching in several school, students would have to wait for meal time before receiving food, but not at the Southport Central School with Ramona in charge. I am sure many other warmhearted stories will be told as we remember Ramona and her place in our community.

About 30 people enjoyed delicious food and a lovely evening at the Southport Yacht Club on Saturday, May 27 during the first event of the year, the annual pot luck supper. No program or issues to discuss. Just catching up with old friends. Good crowds showed up on Memorial Day both at Newagen and at the monument on Southport to enhance our memories of those who served and those who died in the armed forces of our country. Thanks to the American Legion, Pastor Greg Foster, the band, the Color Guard, and Girl Scouts, and the veterans who paraded, and to all others who participated and made this remembrance possible. Pastor Foster reminded us that “a house divided will not stand.” Certainly those who attended were united in honoring our veterans.

Vote to raise or not raise the debt ceiling for the Boothbay Region Water District was held on May 30 with about 30 people voting at the Southport Town Hall. The item passed, so the debt ceiling has been raised from 12 million dollars to 19 million dollars. This was a regional vote, not just a Southport vote.

Many more folks enjoyed the concert that evening at the Southport Methodist Church when the Boothbay Region Seahawk Singers, led by Dr. Mary Miller, enthusiastically sang a variety of songs beginning with several movements from Carmina Burana, not an easy piece to sing, but the twelve young women did a beautiful job. They also sang songs from Broadway musicals, folk songs, and ended with an Irish Blessing. Mary passed out several awards individual singers had won from participation in state and national musical events and noted the chorus captains for this year and the coming year. A great group and a great evening.

About seventy five people enjoyed a delicious dinner served by the firemen at Newagen Inn on Wednesday, May 31. Not only could we relax on a beautiful evening in a lovely setting, but we also enjoyed a crispy salad, fresh rolls and butter, plates of haddock, pork chops with sauerkraut, and pasta with red pepper, topped off with a delicious strawberry short cake, leaving all of us feeling well fed, perhaps for several days! Proceeds from the dinner went to the firemen.

Southport Historical Society invite us to join the Friends of the Southport Historical Society for their annual meeting on June 14, at 7 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. Following a brief business meeting, Jean McKay will give a talk, “The Evolution of the Burnt Island Lighthouse Since 1821.” Ms. McKay is an educator for the lighthouse and the island’s programs, a director/treasurer of the Keepers of the Burnt Island Light, and an educator for the Maine State Aquarium. Light refreshments will be served after the meeting. The museum will open for the season on Saturday, July 1.

A reminder to mark your calendars for Saturday, June 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. to come to the Southport Town Hall for Bolster Day, one of the fundraisers that the Southport Island Association (SIA) organizes to help underwrite its many activities held throughout the year. There will be a cash bar, and attendees are asked to bring an appetizer to share.

On Wednesday, July 19 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the Southport United Methodist Church’s Women (UMW) will be hosting a ‘Made in Maine’ craft fair at the Southport Town Hall in conjunction with their popular ‘Lobster Roll Lunch To Go’ and cookie sale. The UMW group is seeking crafters selling handcrafted in Maine items, only. There will be a fee for 8-foot x 30-inch table on which to display your wares. Call Sue Kibbe at 633-3624 by June 30 to reserve a table.

Skip Simonds has published a new book, the third in his series of ‘chairs’ that change your perspective. First was the “Genesis Chair, then the “Meta Chair”, and now the “Eternity Chair.” You can read them separately or bound in one column as “The Chair Trilogy.” All three stories are science fiction having to do with time travel, but also with our choices in living our lives. While you sit in the Genesis Chair you go through a succession of trials during which you learn you cannot achieve immortality through your own efforts. In the Meta Chair you learn selflessness. In the Eternity Chair you experience timelessness and what that experience can teach you about living. The books are available at the Gift Barn, the Southport Memorial Library, and from Amazon. They will stretch your imagination and cause you to think about how we can improve our ways of life.

More book news is that author, Julia O’Brien-Merrill will be giving a talk at the Southport Memorial Library on Saturday, June 24 at 10 a.m., telling the story, using historical documents of the original lyrics from “M.T.A.” - the campaign song written for her father, Walter A. O’Brien Jr., in his run for Mayor of Boston in 1949. A timeline at the end of the book has fascinating tidbits of Boston history and lore of the time-honored folk song. Our local musicians, The Newagen Crew, will provide entertainment singing the Kingston Trio’s version of “M.T.A.” Julia will be signing and selling her books.

The campaign to raise funds for the woods playground at the Southport Central School is underway, with construction of the project beginning soon. Many thanks to all who have donated thus far.

Look for an article elsewhere in this paper about the Southport General Store’s need for workers and their ability to house those who qualify.