The Southport Central School is in session with just under 20 students in grades kindergarten through six. As usual many creative teaching techniques keep the youngsters busy such as gathering monarch caterpillars and watching them turn into butterflies, learning about the Netherlands as the students try on wooden clogs, and walking to the beach for writing exercises. This year, in addition to regular subjects, all the children are learning French. I would have gotten in so much less trouble if my teachers had been that creative.

From Jim Helming comes news of his mother, Toni’s, 97th birthday party. Although her actual birthday is Aug. 24, the party took place on on Saturday, Sept. 3 with all four of her adult children, several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren attending. As a special treat many past commodores and spouses from the Southport Yacht Club potluck supper walked up to the house at the end of Marr’s Point to serenade her with a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday,” a very touching tribute. Although Toni no longer races the family turnabout, she does enjoy paddling her kayak around Cozy Harbor.

An obituary in this paper dated Sept. 6 told us that Sandra Thibault died on Aug. 22. Although she was being cared for at the Gregory Wing of St. Andrews Village, she was a native born Southporter, with a home in Cozy Harbor. A memorial to her life is planned for next summer at Hendricks Head Beach.

Polly Gibson, for over a year a resident of St. Andrews Village and previously a longtime summer resident on Southport, died Saturday, Sept. 10. A service celebrating her life is being planned for next spring or summer. Look for her obituary elsewhere in this paper. Her picture, showing her lovely smile and sparking eyes, will convey to you Polly’s special personality.

Note signs announcing the Southport Flue Clinic on Sept. 22 from 3:30 until 6 p.m., organized by the Southport Island Association (SIA) and administered by Nathan’s Wellness Pharmacy. The clinic will be at the Southport Town Hall, as are the consent forms that you will need to complete, one from Nathan’s Pharmacy and one from the SIA. The forms are on a table outside the door to the town hall office, so you can pick them up even when the office is closed. You must sign up by Sept. 15 and bring your insurance cards and your consent forms with you to your appointment on Sept. 22. If you have any questions as to whether you should receive the shot,
please consult your primary care physician.

All the chairs were filled in the boat house at the Hendricks Hill Museum on Saturday at 1 p.m. as people gathered to hear certified antiques appraiser, Richard Plunkett, give his talk on “What’s Hot, What’s Not” in the world of collectibles. He began by defining an antique as being at least 100 years old, but noted that collectables can be as young as 50 years old. Currently what is popular are mid-century items such as those dating from the 1950s through the 1980s, noting that with each generation of collectors, ideas change. Some of what is “hot” are military items and Indian items; what is “not” are silver plate and Hummel figurines. A number of people had brought items to be appraised with the fee of $5 per item or $10 for three items, the money being donated to the museum.

All Saints by-the Sea completed its summer worship schedule this past Sunday with the Reverend Juliana Anderson conducting the service.

The Gift Barn at the Southport General Store is now closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but will be open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m until 4 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. T’is a great place to buy a hostess gift and a wide variety of Maine mementos.