First a correction of last week’s column. I had written that Mel Rines was an Air Force pilot. Kathy Bugbee informed me that he flew for the Navy. Thanks, Kathy.

Our library was overflowing into several rooms for the talk on Tuesday, Aug. 27 by Ken Nomiyama about the action taken against Japanese Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese government on Dec. 7, 1941. Most of these families had settled on the west coast and were finding their way to make a living, establish a family, and become American citizens. Mr. Nomiyama was born into one of these families while they were living in one of the concentration camps in Tule Lake, California, established quickly after the bombing. He is the third generation of his family living in the U.S.

His talk was mainly a description of the camps and the story of the events that followed such as the attempts at restorative justice many years after the war ended. His family, like many who endured atrocities during the war, did not talk much about their experience. When the war ended, they were released, went back to their home turf in California, and started their life over again. Mr. Nomiyama was able to go to college and live a more normal American existence. Eventually, in 1988, those persons able to establish their experience in the concentration camps received a letter of apology from the U.S. Government and a payment through the Redress Program of $20,000.

Some of the interred Japanese were given an opportunity to fight in the war and received recognition for doing so. Three individuals who fought the incarceration and special requirements for joining the armed forces were tried and imprisoned. Later through the Redress Program they were recognized as heroes and given honors. Many of us noted that treatment of the Japanese at this time somewhat resembled treatment of our black population for many years. Many also noted that even though we were also fighting Germany and Italy, peoples who had immigrated to the U. S. from those countries were not incarcerated, though a friend whose parents had emigrated from Germany in the 1930s and still had German accents said she was harassed in school well after the war had ended for her German background. Such is prejudice in our country, which I hope we will someday eliminate. Thanks to all who organized this thoughtful program.

We can stay in Asia for a bit by attending the talk titled “Maine in the China Trade” at the Southport Town Hall on Saturday, Sept. 7 beginning at 7 p.m. This talk, to be given by Cipperly Good, who is the Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History at the Penobscot Marine Museum of Searsport, is presented by the Friends of the Southport Historical Society. With the current news about our trade with China, this talk should be especially interesting.

Another author’s talk will be offered at the Southport Memorial Library on Sept. 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Matt Cost, who lives in Brunswick, writes about history and mysteries. Look for more information elsewhere in this paper.

Also at the library during September and October will be an art show featuring the work of two Boothbay area artists that have had side by side studios for many years in the Weatherbird building (now Beal House) at 72 Courtyard Street in Damariscotta. Dana Moses of Southport will show her colorful tin fish, which have been fabulously popular in the area for well over 30 years, along with wonderful paintings of local scenes. Paintings by Irene Plummer of East Boothbay will also be featured. Inspired primarily by the beauty of the natural world, the sea, and particularly by the mystical nature of flowers, the paintings range from very realistic to semi-abstract.

The Southport Town Hall was comfortably full for the Southport Climate Action Committee meeting with the public Thursday, Aug. 29. Some of us enjoyed pizza and cookies before the meeting began at 6 p.m. The purpose of the meeting was for the committee to give a status report on actions accomplished and in the ongoing work, such as finding vulnerabilities, setting up lines of communication if evacuation is necessary, announcing the grants Southport has received, and a specific report on the progress of Hendricks Head Beach and marsh restoration. If my notes are correct, we have received a $50,000 grant to create an evacuation plan, a $50,000 grant to examine shoreline problems, and $10,000 grant to correct problems at Hendricks Head Beach where we need to balance the needs of the wetlands while maintaining access to the beach. Many thanks to the committee members: Smith Climo, Kathy Jacobs, Claire Tomlin, Ella Long and Shri Verrill, who is hired to help with getting grants and other activities. You can call Claire Tomlin at 305-775-2166 or claire@themarketcompany.com with questions.

Classes begin at the Southport Central School on Tuesday, Sept. 3, so please be aware of the school bus traveling our roads and any people walking. I have noticed this summer walkers and bikers who seem to think that since our roads are lightly traveled they can position themselves wherever they like, not realizing that drivers coming around a bend or over a hill have to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid an accident. Fortunately, so far for me in such a situation, there has been no oncoming traffic, but will we always be so lucky?

I understand that Betsy Thibault is looking for a one bedroom apartment to rent. If you know of any such housing, you can call her at 207-315-6419.

After Labor Day the Southport Store will be opening at the same time, 7 a.m., but will be closing at 5 p.m. Cozy’s Harborside is now closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but open the rest of the week.

If you are thinking of voting in the national election by absentee ballot, note an application for such a ballot will be available Oct. 4, but you can apply now at the Southport Town Hall. The ballot, when it is available, will then be mailed to you.