Please note that our annual town meeting is coming up fast, this Monday, March 3. Voting on Articles 1 and 2 will occur by secret ballet between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Articles 3 through 59 will be voted on at the in-person meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. As you all know, this is our opportunity for direct participation in democracy, so please be there. Annual reports are now available around town, so do pick one up, read it, and be prepared. Note especially the dedication this year is made to Jean Louise Luther Thompson, who served the town in many ways for 100 years. Also honored in Memoriam is Eugene Huskins who served the town in a variety of ways for many years.

Matt Thibault is back on duty as the Southport Central School bus driver. Parents went to bat for Matt, knowing what a great job he has done in that position over the years. Well done, everyone!

About 35 people attended the town meeting last Wednesday, Feb. 19, beginning at 5 p.m., to ask questions about the rezoning of the land, about 20 acres, given to the Southport Methodist Church by the Winslow bequest. The proposal to be presented for a vote at the annual town meeting on March 3 will be to change the designation of the land from residential zone to growth zone in order to allow the acreage to be divided into smaller lots, probably 10-12 of them, about an acre each. Smith Climo chaired the meeting.

The church does not intend to make money on these sales, but rather hopes to make it possible for young families to build their homes on Southport. The church plans to build an access road and bring electricity to the property. Smith Climo said he is also working hard to bring water to each lot, but if that is not possible, the purchasers will have to dig wells as well as install a septic system.

Many questions ensued. The church is working with a local lawyer to determine the conditions of sale. One already agreed upon condition is that the property will be used for a year-round residential home and not for a commercial enterprise. Any profit made by the church will be used for further outreach in the community.

The baked bean and weiner supper at the Southport General Store last Friday evening, Feb. 21 was a great success. About 30 people enjoyed the beans and wieners, as well as biscuits, corn bread, brown bread, applesauce, coleslaw, and cookies. When my friend and I stopped by to pick up our dinners about 5 p.m. only a few people were there, but around 6 p.m. people were crowding in the door. Next up will be a St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 14 from 4 until 7 p.m. consisting of traditional corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, and other goodies. Mark your calendars now.

From Ella Long comes this news. “Southport Firemen, Southport Island Association Members, Southport Historical Society Members, and any other interested Southporters are invited to join in a discussion of Southport’s Emergency Preparedness and Communications at the Town Hall on Tuesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. The session will be led by members of the Southport Climate Action Team, who will offer an update of their findings, and will present some ideas that may enhance Southport's emergency preparedness. Town feedback and discussion of these ideas is essential to SCAT’s next steps. Please participate!”

Be sure to read the obituary of Southporter, Millie Santiago, wife of Jim Gagnon. The great picture of Millie there captures her warm, friendly personality. The article describes her very active and accomplished life. We were so lucky to have her in our community.

A reminder from Carla Boussen that the Keepers of Burnt Island Lighthouse (KBIL) are looking for volunteers—greeters, guides, gardeners and program helpers. They also hope that previous volunteers who know the ropes, plus the new volunteers, will blend the tried and true with new energy and ideas. She asks that we stay tuned for more info coming soon in the Boothbay paper.

Enjoy the warmer weather this week. Perhaps it will melt the snow and allow us to dream of spring.