A shock to all who attended the Commodore’s Reception at the Southport Yacht Club last Saturday evening was due to the announcement that member Robin Farrin had died. First of all Robin is too young to die. Second we all know her as full of energy and enthusiasm, especially in recent years for her practice and mastery of Zumba. But unknown to most of us she had been ill, although keeping up her good spirits and determination to get well.

The assembled members of the club had the traditional moment of silence during which more than a few tears fell. Robin’s family, sons Kelly and Kipp and husband Pat, will host a celebration of her life at the Southport Yacht Club (SYC) on Sunday, Sept. 1 from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. All are welcome. Look for an obituary elsewhere in this paper.

The public hearing at the town wharf in Cozy Harbor on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m., concerning adding an additional 15 by 20-foot float, was attended by lobstermen and other interested people, including the three selectmen, the harbor master, Jim Gagnon, SYC instructors and members, and those who had moorings near the current float. Selectman Gerry Gamage opened the meeting and explained that the official part of the meeting would concern only questions about adding a float.

He stated that Bud Brown, a consultant who shepherds the application for the mooring and the dredging of the harbor, would stay after the official meeting to answer questions about plans for dredging.

In answer to questions about why the additional float was being considered, Gerry Gamage answered that Mr. Coloumbe had requested the float to add tie up spaces for Oliver’s and that he would pay for the expense.

The fishermen present seemed much more interested in having a hoist than in having an additional float. Other people stated that additional traffic in the harbor and for the restaurant would be difficult for Cozy Harbor to handle safely. Chris Jacobs asked if the “No Wake” sign could be returned to the mouth of the harbor so that boat traffic could be reminded to move more slowly.

In answer to questions about the two moorings affected by the additional float, the harbor master stated they would be moved, probably to the northern end of the harbor.

After the official meeting ended, conversation about the planned dredging occurred. As with the south end of Pratts Island, the dredging will be about six feet deep. Material removed would be “dewatered” onsite on a barge and then trucked away. The dredged area would reach approximately 80 feet from the existing east/west float out into the harbor. Since many people acknowledged that the harbor had silted in over time, the idea of dredging seemed to cause little concern.

Conversations continue about the proposed changes to the water off the south end of Pratts Island. Bud Brown has said that a lobster count will occur there this week although no date or time had been set as of Monday evening. According to Mr. Brown, Sarah Sherman McGrail will be his point person through which he distributes information. Her email is shermanmcgrail@yahoo.com.

Although SYC activities are over until Columbus Day, the Newagen Inn continues to offers us the following: Sunday, Sept. 1, Gage Tonon will be playing in the pub and Thursday night, September 5 Dave Gagne will provide the music, both from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

At 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Inn Commander Bill Wilson, USCG (Ret) will present his latest talk on RMS Titanic.

Commander Wilson, a Member of the Titanic International Society, has been lecturing on RMS Titanic since 1962 and is known internationally as a Titanic authority. In May and June of this year he and his wife Pat spent five days in Belfast, Northern Ireland with the Belfast Titanic Society and Titanic International Society in a joint research convention to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the launch of RMS Titanic at Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland on May 31, 1911.

The years 2011 and 2012 are significant in the history of RMS Titanic. She sailed from Southampton, England April 10, 1912, struck a massive iceberg at 11:40pm April 14, 1912 and sank at 2:20 a.m. April 15, 1912 in 12,500 feet of the Atlantic Ocean with a loss of over 1,500 lives. There were just over 700 survivors. 

Plan to attend and learn the reasons why the supposedly unsinkable RMS Titanic sank on her maiden voyage. Eight selected members of the audience will be presented tickets that evening for a free cruise ... on RMS Titanic.