One way to deal with all the debris from our winter storms is to have a ‘pick up’ party, which is what the Horn Cove residents did last Saturday. They gathered chain saws and other implements to cut up and carry away the unwanted presents the storm deposited on the beach. Then they lit a bonfire with all the wood, followed by a picnic supper. During dinner the next night with Perry Nies and his daughter, Betsy, who live
on Horn Cove Road, I heard what they were able to accomplish and what fun they had.

Our Southport Memorial Library, in addition to books, records, tapes, and CDs, also provides pleasure for us with changing art exhibits. Now available for our pleasure are pictures taken by Bruce Burnham, a local man who deeply loves this region and displays this love in his photographs. Experimenting with photography since elementary school, Bruce has traveled to many places, and his work has been displayed in the Portland Museum of Art as well as the Harlow Gallery and the Boothbay Art Foundation. During your next library visit allow time to enjoy his work.

Many of us enjoyed the talk last Monday evening at the Southport Town Hall by Niesa Ryder, from a Squirrel Island family of many generations, about the history of the island. She showed pictures of the island before development started in the 1800s, and then of the lovely large homes that began to line the shore. One fact that stayed with me is that several of the homes were built by a Mr. Davenport, who had made his money selling couches. Thus many of us have davenports in our living rooms. Thanks to the Hendricks Hill Museum for this presentation.

Wednesday evening the lawn at the Newagen Inn was filled again with families and friends enjoying the lovely scene as well as the music of Spencer Albee and his band, sponsored by the Southport Island Association. Again I loved watching the children run about the lawn and dance to the music, accompanied by several adults! The event was sold out, so if you are eager to attend the final event, Rupert’s Orchestra, on Aug. 14, better get your tickets soon at ticketleap.events.

Now we have a lot to keep us busy for the next several weeks with events hosted by several organizations and families.

First up is the community picnic at the Southport Memorial Library on Wednesday, July 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. You will have choices of hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, watermelon and dessert. There is no charge for the lunch!

Later that day, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall is the town meeting to vote on proposed changes to the Southport Land Ordinances pertaining to building housing and on blasting. Two public hearings have given folks a chance to ask questions and gain information. Now we vote!

Cape Newagen Farm in Southport is participating in Maine Open Farm Day on Sunday, July 28. You can visit and enjoy the animals by choosing times from one of the four hourly sessions beginning at 11 a.m. Celebrate agriculture on this special day in Maine with farms across the state open to the public to share the importance of local farming and agricultural products. All tours are free and open to the public, but the farm requests that you make a reservation on their website https://www.southportalpaca.com/ and choose “viewing pen farm tour” In addition to being able to meet and feed the animals on the farm, you can also enjoy the feel of some of the many products that can be created using the natural fibers from the alpacas and sheep. Also you can watch several people demonstrating fiber crafts such as spinning, carding, braiding, and wet felting with fiber.

For volunteers at the Hendricks Hill Museum, the Friends of the Museum are hosting a luncheon at the Southport Town Hall on July 31, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Next up at the library will be the Book and Bake Sale on Aug. 1. Baked goods will be on sale in the morning from 9 until noon, and books will be for sale from 9 until 4 p.m.. The book sale will continue on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 2 is another wine tasting at the Southport General Store, beginning at 4 p.m., this time coupled with a Gallery Walk and talks by four different artists. The store also has two additional international students who began work on Tuesday, July 23. Their names are Bodgan and Ramona. Please help them feel welcome.

On Monday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. the Southport Island Association will hold its annual picnic. All Southporters, their families and guests are invited to enjoy this community event that will be hosted by Emily and MacKenzie Hurd at their home at 30 Cozy Harbor Road on the west side of Southport. Cost for the picnic is $10 per person, but children under the age of 12 are free. Hot dogs, hamburgers, rolls, condiments, water, seltzers and lemonade are provided. Should you want something stronger, you may bring it. Also a dish to share such as salads, finger food, and desserts, would be greatly appreciated. Parking is limited, so please carpool if you can, and bring lawn chair(s) if possible. For more info, call or text Janet Duchaine at 860-484-9006. Rain location: Southport Town Hall.

Aug. 8 beginning at 6:30 p.m. the Southport Memorial Library will host another author’s talk. The author this time is Diane Lechleitner. Her poems and short stories have appeared in numerous literary magazines. “Faron Goss,” her debut novel, is a Gold Winner of the Foreword Indies Award for Fiction. It tells the story of a boy born into a hardscrabble community, with themes of vulnerability and resilience, “as well as the
magical abilities of time, friendship, and love to steady a life initially marred by neglect and tragedy.” Refreshments will be served.

Sunday, Aug. 11 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Southport Yacht Club we are invited to gather in memory of Anne Grimes who died Jan. 21 of this year. Anne and her husband, Mike, and their three children, Susan, Andrew and Anne, began coming to Maine over 50 years ago, and then Anne and Mike retired to live here full time in 1993. Anne served as membership chair and treasurer for the Southport Yacht Club and belonged to the St. Andrews Auxiliary and the Land Trust. Her daughter, Anne, is now chair of the yacht club, and daughter, Susan, and her husband own a summer home on Pratts Island. Many of us have memories of Anne we are invited to share with each other at this gathering that will be primarily in the junior building of the yacht club.