Those of us not attending Saturday night parties instead made a good audience for the talk at the Southport Town Hall, sponsored by Joyce and Donald Duncan and arranged by Friends of the Southport Historical Society, titled “Maine in the China Trade.” The presenter was Cipperly Good, who is the Saltonstall Jr. Curator of Maritime History at the Penobscot, Marine Museum of Searsport. She put together her talk from the collection at the museum having to do with Maine’s involvement in the China trade beginning in the 19th Century, artifacts such as log books from ship captains and even pictures that a captain’s daughter had taken during one voyage. This trade began soon after Americans were free from British rule. China wanted furs, cotton, and later oil and coal. Americans wanted tea, porcelain, silk, souvenirs, and sandalwood. Other products such as opium were carried from India to China by U.S. ships legally until 1917 when it was banned. Maine’s primary role in this trade was providing seamen and ships. Often the captain’s family would accompany him on the ship, ensconce in quarters that somewhat resembled home. Originally the trade was very restricted with China controlling entry and if allowing entry, would not allow persons to leave. Later more open trading occurred when more ports were opened. One gentleman in the audience offered that persons in his family had participated in such trade.

Another talk will be offered at the Southport Memorial Library on Sept. 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Author Matt Cost, who lives in Brunswick, writes about history and mysteries.

Classes have begun at the Southport Central School with one new student in kindergarten and 16 students total attending. Pictures on Facebook show the happy group of teachers and children working in class and playing and learning in their new woods playground.

All Saints by-the-Sea ended its summer season with services at 8 and 10 a.m. this past Sunday. Folks are invited to gather on Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. for one last porch discussion this season, focused on next Sunday’s scripture readings. Also a gathering for a picnic lunch at the chapel for fellowship and fun will occur on Saturday, Sept. 21 with a rain date of the following Saturday, Sept. 28. Progress is being made on repairing the deck and ramp into the building and to the bathroom. For the last two weeks coffee hour has been able to be held on the completed portion of the deck. Acknowledgement and thanks continue to flow to the workmen and volunteers who have enabled the chapel to open for the season, and who have restored the dock and will soon have completed repair on the deck.

The Southport General Store is now open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Barn is open on Friday-Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. A special event will be the Romanian Community Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. You can make your reservation now and pay your $25 dinner cost when you come to the event. The store also has three new chefs who are cooking all the fresh food from scratch. I recommend the meatloaf.

We can welcome Clark and Louise Phippen back to their Pratts Island home. The younger generations have returned home for school and work, so the patriarchs now have the house to themselves.

On my calendar for this month is Evelyn Sherman’s birthday, Monday, Sept. 16. As one of Southport’s matriarchs, she has earned our special greetings on this day.

As I am sure you know by now, our tax bills have been mailed with property taxes due the end of September. Of course, they have gone up, but with storm damage to be repaired and expenses rising in general, that is not such a surprise. The town dock at Newagen is finally finished and ready for use again.

If you are thinking of voting in the national election by absentee ballot, a request for such a ballot will be available from Donna Climo at the town office until the Thursday before Election Day.