Cold has finally arrived with most coves showing icy rims. Too bad the liner for the skating ring is not yet in as perhaps the rink would be frozen enough for skating. Most people I talk with who were eager for snow had their wishes granted as we watched it fall on Sunday. About six inches at my house. Thanks to Finn’s crew for plowing and shoveling so soon after it stopped. And thanks to the weather gods who provided bright sun on Monday morning! Not sure about the Southport Methodist Church, but I imagine services were cancelled there on Sunday as was true at the Congregational Church downtown and also St. Columba’s.

As the holiday news fades away, island business becomes more to the fore. Look elsewhere in this paper for a report about the school committee busy with a budget for the coming year, which is due to include notable increases, but does not everything these days. Also notice that there is one contested spot on the ballot for the school committee. Both Madeleine Kaler and current member Adam Harkins, whose three-year term is up, are competing for the position. Election day is March 4 with the town meeting beginning at 7 p.m. that evening.

Thus far ‘YouTube’ reports 171 persons viewed the All Saints by-the-Sea Christmas Eve service. Although many persons had hoped the in-person service would resume this year, at least as many or more have tuned into the recorded service. Thanks to the many people who made the recording possible, a very creative effort as much of the service had to be filmed during the summer and fall, yet it still felt like Christmas.

The Southport General Store has settled into winter hours, being open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. and closed on Sundays. Robinson’s Wharf has been closed for some time, but plans to open again in March 2024.

Fortunately our great library is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays so we can drop in to visit with friends and the librarians as well as collect a good book to keep us reading during the cold and dark days. Most days fresh coffee is available free and often some sweet nibbles.

Covid is around again attacking more people. Many folks, including two of my grandchildren, had Covid before Christmas, and many more folks I have talked with either had Covid over the holidays or currently. Medical staff are back to mask wearing, and I suspect that would be a good idea for all of us when we are with a crowd.

As the cold weather settles in, I have admiration for the crew working on the Southport Bridge. They seem to have assembled the correct attire to keep themselves outside during the coldest weather. Yet they are so bundled up, I hope they do not lose their balance and tumble overboard.