What fun I have had reading the email responses to last week’s column asking people’s name for our town beach. Let me get the news in first, and then I will share some of those responses with you.

First, a note from our Harbor Master, Jim Gagnon, who reminds anyone on the mooring waitlist that they need to submit a letter postmarked by Sept. 1, to the Southport Harbor Master, requesting to remain on the waitlist,. Thanks for taking such good care of our harbors, Jim.

Next up is a special outdoor book signing at the Southport Memorial Library, celebrating our local author Gary Wayne Snowman. On Thursday, Aug. 27, from 1 until 3 p.m. on the library lawn, Mr. Snowman will sign his newly published book “Searching the Horizon.” The book contains the life stories and genealogies of Cape Newagen families from 1790 to 1940. It includes 195 photographs of the daily work and lives of Cape Newagen villagers. Mr. Snowman is a lifelong resident of Southport whose family history began on the island in the 1800s. You will need to be wearing a mask and bring either cash or a check as credit cards will not be accepted, and you will be asked to keep six feet apart from others at the library. Any questions, please call the Southport Memorial Library at 633-2741.

The next evening, Friday, Aug. 28 at the Newagen Seaside Inn, in partnership with with Harbor Theater in Boothbay Harbor, you can attend an outdoor movie. Remember those? Only this time you will not be in your car, but on the lawn. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. for “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” The movie will start at dusk, but live music will entertain you as the sun sets. Food and drink are available for purchase.Admission is free, but seating is first come first served up to the 100 person state limit. Donations may be made to local charities. For more information on the other locations and films visit boothbaycinema.org Also at Newagen Inn at the Pub, Dave Gagne will be playing from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday evening and Don Pride during the same times on Sunday evening.

Another option for outdoor gathering and information will be Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the home of Bruce and Medea Harris (the prior Lawnmere Inn), beginning at 4:45 p.m. Various Democratic candidates for state offices will speak about their goals for the upcoming legislative term and will answer your questions. Again, please wear masks and maintain social distancing. Chair Bill Messmer looks forward to a fun and informative, if slightly unusual political meeting. If you wish to attend, he asked that you please RSVP to the email if you received it or call 973-723-1334. Also you can call if you have questions. Attendance will be limited to approximately 35 people.

Our Southport General Store will be closed Labor Day, so stock up early, and if you are leaving the island for the winter, stop by to thank the staff and Nancy for their hard work keeping us safe while we shop.

Now a quick review of past events. The Southport Yacht Club’s annual membership meeting was conducted by Zoom at 10 a.m. on Aug. 22. The club seems to be in good financial and physical shape in spite of the virus keeping the actual buildings closed.

The outdoor meeting about extending broadband with fiber optic cable throughout Southport took place on the Southport Central School lawn this past Thursday. About 35 people attended to hear Alan Hinsey of LCI explain how such a network could encompass most of the island. Look for more information elsewhere in this paper or online at LCIFiber.net The committee working on this project including Maureen Kinsey and Nancy Prisk will continue to gather and present information to the public.

Finally, the vote on the name of the town beach thus far: Hendricks Head 16; Dogfish Head 1; Lighthouse Beach 1; Front Beach 1; Ruth’s Beach 1; and Sissy Beach 1.

And here are some of the rather heartfelt responses: “As a 23-year Southport resident, it is Hendricks Head Beach. There are only two very small sand “beaches” on Dogfish Head, where we reside: one near Mel Rines north of Deep Cove and one at the northern tip of the headland near Laird Cleaver’s octagon house.”

“We in the Bennett family (231 Dogfish Head Road) have always called the beach “Sissy Beach” for two reasons. My grandparents, Christine and Frank, were friends of the lighthouse owners at the time, Pratt and Mary Browne. Their daughter, Mary was nicknamed to us, Sissy. So it was Sissy’s beach. We also considered that beach for sissies since the water was so much warmer and beach so much easier on your feet than our Dogfish cove. That’s our name and we’re sticking to it. Nancy Evans Bennett”

And finally from Donald Duncan: “How about Ruth Beach or Gardner Beach in honor of the many years that she welcomed the public to her property prior to the town's purchase. I'm against Hendricks Head in that no one seems to know who Hendricks was and who wants to swim with dogfish anyway.”

Let’s carry on this fun for another week. You can send in your favorite beach name and perhaps history as well to kitleigh@roadrunner.com, and I will continue to tally and report the votes.