In case you missed the obituary notice or this column last week, the celebration of the life of Michael Eastwood will be Friday, Jan. 24 at 11 a.m. at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church.

Also a reminder of the public meeting to discuss and ask questions about the town budget on Monday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall.

We all hunkered down for the moderate storm on Wednesday night, which did close the schools on Thursday and sent several cars off the road, and then we prepared again for what was to be a bigger storm on Saturday night, but we awakened on Sunday morning to sunshine.

Yes, it did snow, rain, and sleet all night and into the early hours of Sunday, but, I assume because of the rain, the snow accumulation was only about a couple of inches rather than the five to nine inches the weather experts forecast. Still plowing and shoveling were part of the Sunday morning agenda.

Snow and ice has not stopped Jewett Construction and other workers from moving the Junior Yacht Club building back up the slope, away from the rising tides. Looking intact despite of the move, sitting on a series of piled up steel squares, the building awaited the workers’ completion of pouring concrete, before resettling on a firm foundation. Amazing what machinery and these folks can do.

I see that our Island Store now has a bench in the entrance way with a sign saying “Complementary coffee for Road Crew.” What a great idea for the folks who keep movement around the island at least relatively safe. Our roads today, Monday, do still have icy spots, so drive aware.

Reading the message board in the store entrance way I see that “Finn has salt.” Call 380-6839 if you need some for ice on your driveway and walks. Also on the board is a notice that you can sign up for voice lessons with Betsey de Groff either as an individual or as a group. Call 207-450-8323 for more information. Singing is a good way to chase away the winter blues.

Inside the store on the pillar is a notice advertising for census takers. Sounds like reasonable pay for a short time job. The store has hired a new employee experiencing her first day of work last Monday. Sadie Gerry, who lives just a short way down Dogfish Head Road, has a great smile to greet customers, so introduce yourself when you see her.

The store continues to reshape itself, having cleared the back room of products for sale. Instead the walls are currently covered with Bob Mitchell canvas prints, my favorite being a fluffy, white rooster, sitting on a rock in the foreground with Hendricks Head Light in the background. All prints appear to be local scenes.

From Hendricks Head beach on this holiday Monday morning, Sequin Island looked like a huge seal, head lifted on the left as I stared out to sea and tail lifted on the right, with the belly settled comfortably on the water. Not sure what physical phenomena creates this illusion, but I wished I had a camera with me.

Off now to the Souper Bowl Luncheon that the library aides are hosting at the Southport Town Hall. Just what we need on this chilly Martin Luther King Jr. Day.