Applications for the Property Tax Stabilization for Senior Citizens are now available online at maine.gov/revenue/tax-return-forms/property-tax, and at the Southport town office. They must be filed by Dec. 1 with the town office. Such applications are for property owners who are permanent residents of Maine, who are or will be 65 years old or older by April 1 of the upcoming year, and who have owned the homestead they are applying for at least 10 years by April 1. An accepted application will freeze your property taxes for the year following the submission the application. Should your taxes go down as ours did this year, you will be billed for the decrease. The purpose of this legislation is to relieve the burden on seniors on fixed income who cannot afford to stay in their homes due to rising property taxes, although the acceptance of your application is not based on your income or ability to pay. Towns may apply to the state for reimbursement for taxes lost through this act.

In spite of uncertain weather the Southport Island Association (SIA) picnic set up on the Sandra Seifert’s lawn on Pratts Island Road last Wednesday evening. The rain held off; the temperature was comfortable; and about 50 folks, including children, attended. Sandra Seifert and Janet Duchane did a great job of organizing and together with the help of the board the evening was a great success. The children’s library table and chairs provided a place for their activities. Eden Climo came prepared with table games for the kids and a cornhole game. Emily helped as well. Thanks to those who cooked the hamburgers and hot dogs and to all who brought additional food to eat as well as to Ashlea Tibbetts for the good publicity.

The next SIA event was the annual meeting held at the Newagen Inn this past Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. Handouts with summaries of the work done on Southport by the organization, of the current financial situation, and of the proposed new members and current members of the Board of Directors were available for people to read. After a short welcome and introduction by outgoing president, Alice Mutch, the folks present voted to approve the slate of board members offered by the nominating committee. Then they settled in to enjoy the good food both prepared by Newagen and brought by members. Perhaps a picture in this paper shows the new president, Eden Climo, with her son and husband as well as Alice Mutch as outgoing president and her husband. Eden exemplifies the new board that consists both of continuing members, but also of members of the younger generation. How great to see these younger folk accept the handoff of responsibility.

In 2021-2022 the SIA has sponsored 13 different activities such as “Holiday Lights Up,” an “Appreciation Day for Teachers,” and the “Island Cleanup.” In 2021 SIA made donations to 20 different organizations and projects totaling $75,547 and thus far in 2022, $38,735. For more specific information about these donations, please go to www.southportislandassociation.org.

Started 75 years ago the organization has evolved from organizing cocktail parties at summer people’s homes to having as its mission “to preserve the natural beauty of the town of Southport, to promote community initiatives that embrace all town residents and to participate in initiatives that contribute to the general welfare of the community.”

Aug. 20 will be a busy day for many of us because the Southport Firemen’s Auction is that day, opening with a Flea Market or Garage Sale at 6 a.m.; a Lawn Sale at 7 a.m. and the auction beginning at 9 a.m. Breakfast sandwiches, drinks and other goodies will be available in the morning in front of the the Southport Central School, sponsored by the school. If you are willing to volunteer to help with that project, please let Eileen Higgins or Lisa Clarke know.

Also that day is the meeting of the members of the Southport Yacht Club at 10 a.m. and the Commodore’s Reception at 6 p.m.

And also 6 p.m. we have an opportunity to learn some more Southport history. Come to the Southport Town Hall where Sarah Sherman, who has thoroughly researched and written several books on the topic, will speak about “The History of Southport Vets and Life on the Homefront.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 6:15 p.m. the Southport Memorial Library Aides will host an author’s talk by Dr. Chuck Radis. Dr. Radis has authored “Go By Boat” and “Island Medicine,” both classified as non-fiction memoirs. When in his second year of residency at the Osteopathic Hospital in Portland, Dr. Radis realized the need for a primary care physician on the islands of Cliff, Long, Chebeague and Peaks in Casco Bay. Eventually he was able to open part time clinics on Peaks and Chebeague, making house calls when needed to Cliff and Long. Come listen to this interesting, sometimes hilarious recounting of his doctoring experiences. The library doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, call the library at 633-2741.

A little further on in the month, Saturday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 28, “Art for Art’s Sake, Show and Sale” will take place from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Hodgdon Yacht Service on Ebenecook Road, Southport.

Anyone looking for a turnabout to buy? If so, call Sarah Khetani, at 617-290-7855 to get more information.

The Southport General Store especially thanks the four young women who came to help this year from Romania. Aurora, Cota, Simina, and Paula will be sorely missed when they return home on Sept. 27, says store manager Nancy Long.