Our Southport bridge is so dependable both for those going underneath and those crossing on the roadway. However, on Tuesday, Sept. 21, due to a failed relay switch, those wanting to pass underneath had to wait for several hours until the replacement part could be delivered from Scarborough. The bridge will change its opening times after September so that it opens only on demand.

Watch in your mail, if you are a Southport resident, for a brochure explaining the ideas collected so far for improvements to the town land around the school. Also, you will find a short questionnaire asking you to share your thoughts and ideas about this project, which is a community effort, funded by donations. Answer quickly and be part of the action.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., good food is waiting for you at Karen’s Hideaway, Route 27, Boothbay. You can select from a special menu and pay by cash or check, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to help a Southport School family provide necessary improvements to their home. I have already decided to have the haddock Reuben, but other fish dishes, as well as chicken nuggets, grilled cheese and a BLT, are available.

On Sunday, Oct. 3, the Southport museum will have its annual closing party. Between 2 and 4 p.m., you can gather at the museum, enjoy the exhibits, while you visit with friends and sip cider, nibble on doughnuts, and this year, spoon up some applesauce made from the fruit of a “volunteer tree,” not one the volunteers planted but one that just appeared and grew on its own.

A change that always comes with fall is that summer water disappears. That will happen, according the Boothbay Region Water District website, on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7 a.m. Either take your shower early that day or the night before if you depend on summer water.

Another calendar alert as we move into a new month — On Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 31, the Southport Island Association and Robinson’s Wharf, plus some additional Southport citizens, are working to create a Halloween party at Robinson’s. So far, the thinking — in addition to costumes which, of course will include masks – is a chili cookoff with a grand prize to the winner and dinner to the rest of us, while the children, if they choose, can have mac and cheese plus hot dogs. Also for adults, beer and wine will be for sale. Households on Southport may sigh up to be visited by trick or treaters, perhaps increasing the visits fro some of us who often end up eating our own candy treats. Stay tuned for more information.

As to changes to businesses as fall progresses, Robinson’s Wharf will continue to be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and continuing open for dinner. The Island Store continues with its reduced hours, closing at 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and closed all day Sundays. The Barn, gift shop at the store, is open Thursday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.and on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but only for two more weekends, closing on Oct. 9.

Not closed yet is our need to be vigilant about protecting ourselves and other from Covid. To remind us, Ashley, at the Southport Town Hall, has signs you can pick up and place for yourself and others to read, saying “Spread Kindness, not germs,” followed by a picture of a mask, washing your hands and social distancing. One such sign now sits at the end of our driveway at least partly because I remember fondly, when my uncle turned 90 years old, I called him to ask what wisdom he had gained, living so many years. After thinking a few minutes, he answered, “Be kind.” So, I hope, will we all.