Look for three items about Southport in this week’s paper: (1) “ A new era” at the Southport General Store; (2) the three graduates from the Southport Central School; (3) a sculpture installed in the garden at the Southport Town Hall.

In other news on June 11, 95 Southporters voted, 80 people at the poles and 15 people by absentee ballot. The election results were Republicans for U.S. Senate, 40 votes for Demi Kouzounas and 11 ballots blank. For Representative for U.S. Congress 15 votes for Andrew Piantidosi, 25 votes for Ronald C. Russell, and 11 ballots blank. For State Senator, 43 votes for Dale C. Harmon and 8 ballots blank. For a Representative to the State Legislature 48 votes for James William Hunt III and 3 ballots blank.

Among the Southporters registered as Democrats, for U.S. Senate 32 voted for David Allen Costello and 12 ballots blank. For Representative to the U.S. Congress 44 votes for Chellie Pingree and 0 ballots blank. For State Senator, 42 votes for Cameron D. Reny and 2 ballots blank. For the Representative to the State Legislature for District 48, 44 ballots for Holly B. Stover and 0 ballots blank. For Judge of Probate, 8 ballots for William Avantaggio, a declared write-in candidate, and 36 ballots blank. For County Commissioner ( District 1) 36 votes for Evan C. Goodkowsky and 8 ballots blank. For the Green Independent candidate, Nicholas Vigue, a declared write-in, no votes were cast.

New summer workers at the Southport General Store have arrived. Their names are Owen, Edina and Szabi. Please welcome them to our island.

Firemen’s dinner at Newgen Inn last Wednesday evening, June 12, was a great success. The large dining room at the Inn was full. Firemen greeted people as they entered and then served platters of delicious food presented family style, haddock, chicken, or pasta on one platter, a variety of vegetables on another platter, rolls and butter, and a delicious blueberry cake for dessert. These delights were preceded by a free drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres. As you entered you were also given a ticket for a raffle prize. For the first time ever I won one of the prizes, a lovely painted ocean scene of rocks, waves, and a sailboat off in the distance, well framed, and painted by Sandra Harper. Such a lovely evening. Thanks to the staff at Newagen Inn for celebrating and supporting our firemen in this way.

The next evening, June 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Southport Memorial Library, Jerry Farnham drew a large crowd to discuss his debut novel, “Red at Night,” a story set on the coast of Maine. He described his writing habits that he needs to weave around his day job as a machinist. People asked many questions about how he began to write, how he found his subject matter, and how he balanced both his writing and his full-time job. He says he writes every day, usually early in the morning before work. As you might guess, the sequel he is working on has to do with the morning sky being red.

All Saints by-the-Sea opens this coming Sunday, June 16, with services at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

If you are reading this paper in time a reminder that Monday evening, June 17, 7 p.m., at the Southport Town Hall, Friends of the Southport Historical Society (FSHS) will hold their annual meeting. The program will begin with a raffle for the lobster trap table built by Gerry Gamage, as well as a call for sponsorship and donations for the handsome new copper lanterns to grace the Museum. Next will come a presentation, "Southport Maine: The Postcard View" by Kevin Johnson, photo archivist at the Penobscot Museum. Refreshments will be served!

Southport’s Land Use Ordinance needs to be brought into compliance with a new state law relating to the availability of housing in the state. Thus there will be two public hearings on this change, the first being Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m., and the second June 25 at 7 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. The amendments can be found on the town’s website’s Planning Board page. The town also has scheduled a Special Town Meeting for July 1, the date the new law takes effect.

Cozy Harbor is already full of boats as you might expect with the Southport Yacht Club (SYC) sailing program beginning Monday, June 24 followed the next day, June 25, by a 420 race beginning at 4 p.m. Before all that activity the SYC board will meet on Sunday, June 23, with members invited to help clean up the waterfront at 11 a.m. The Commodore’s Reception will be 6 p.m. June 29.

The Southport Island Association (SIA) will hold their Annual Meeting and Bolster Day on Sunday, June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Newagen Seaside Inn. An annual tradition for decades, Bolster Day is a cocktail party named for Judge Bolster. It is a great way to welcome friends and make new ones. Prospective members are welcome to attend. There will be a cash bar and attendees are asked to bring appetizers to share.

Remember that July 6 at 9 a.m., the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Southport Central School’s Playground Expansion will take place on the school grounds. All are invited to see the Gaudette Family cut the ribbon officially opening the playground, which includes the Ramona Gaudette Mud Kitchen, dedicated to the beloved school cook of 57 years. Light refreshments will be served.

Beginning Sunday, July 7, the Southport United Methodist Church will begin sharing a new pastor with the East Boothbay Methodist Church, with the time of worship changing to 8:30 a.m. Let’s all gather to welcome Steve Murray, and his family, wife, Julie, and their son, Joshua, to our region.