Last Monday morning many family and friends gathered first at the Catholic Church, Our Lady Queen of Peace, on the east side of the harbor to honor and celebrate the life of Jean Luther Thompson, a longtime resident and active citizen on Southport. Folks then processed to Decker Cemetery for her internment. A sterling example of what a good citizen and family member can be, Jean’s life will continue to be celebrated in our memories.

The first MusicFest event at Newagen Inn, this Wednesday, June 26, sponsored by the Southport Island Association (SIA), is sold out, but a reminder if you have your tickets, bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy what we hope will be a lovely summer evening of relaxation and music. “Doors” open at 5:30 p.m. The other two concerts will be July 17 and Aug. 24.

The Southport Yacht Club will open officially for the season with the Commodore’s Reception June 29 beginning at 6 p.m.

The SIA will hold its 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. A kickoff to the beginning of the summer season, it is a great way to catch up with 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.

We are all invited to join the Fourth of July parade, also sponsored by the SIA. Come to the Town Landing at 8:30 a.m. to form up for the parade that will step off at 9 a.m. Be prepared to walk, bike, or create and drive a decorated vehicle past the Southport Memorial Library to Newagen Inn, then trace your path back again. Or you can gather along the route and cheer on the parade. As usual there will be giveaways and treats for all. For more information call Laura Blake at 207-380-4896 or Sharma Schacknow at 561-876-515.

One of our summertime opportunities is Story Time at the Southport Memorial Library every Wednesday during July and August beginning at 10 a.m. The first gathering is July 3. If you haven’t been in the children’s section of the library lately, the colors and toys as well as the books and colorful carpets to sit on as you read are delightful. Another library opportunity is the gathering of folks interested in gardening on Thursday mornings at 10 in the Mystery Room. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and discuss various problems and successes with gardening. Plans are in the works to have some guest lecturers addressing gardening subjects on Thursday evenings. Stay tuned.

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.

Later on July 6, the Hendricks Hill Museum can supply us with a hand-dipped ice cream cone during their Ice Cream Social from noon to 2 p.m. While licking your cone you can enjoy a tour of the museum and boat house. No charge - rain or shine - all are welcome.

Other news from the library is that the next author’s talk will be Thursday, July 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Barbara Ross, author of 12 mystery novels and six novellas in the Maine clambake series, has been nominated for many Agatha Awards for the Best Contemporary Novel and has won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Her latest novel is Torn Asunder, a story that involves an island wedding, a dead guest, and a storm.

The Southport Town Hall was full of curious folk eager to see old photographs of Southport presented by Kevin Johnson, photo archivist at the Penobscot Museum. I think Evelyn Sherman and Mark Colby get the prize for recognizing the most locations. The Colby house on David’s Island was clearly visible as was the Southport Yacht Club, although the yacht club looked quite different as mostly fields surrounded it. Lack of trees was the biggest difference to me as I tried to identify locations, but the challenge was fun. The presentation was preceded by the business meeting for the Southport Historical Society led by the president Mari Tiwari.

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. The first public hearing on changes was held Thursday, June 20 at 7 p.m., but the second hearing, scheduled for June 25 at 7 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall, has been postponed until July 10. The final version of the amendment can be found on the town’s website’s Planning Board page. The town meeting on this matter previously scheduled for July 1 has been cancelled until a later date is found. Stay tuned.

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.