Election Day on Southport Island gave voters a new voting machine, which will tabulate both the ballots and the number of people voting.

Donna Climo, our town clerk, indicated that we will use the tabulating machine for all state and federal elections and then for our “small town voting” we will get to cast our ballot by hand and the” brown ballot box” will return. (Something very basic and simple to cast your vote and then place it in the box to be hand counted).

A quiet sense of respect and dignity hovered over the Southport Memorial Library lawn as veterans, their families and island residents gathered in the chilly sunshine on Monday, Veterans Day. There were a few pansies and bright red berries on the winterberry bush in the Rachel Carson garden as the veterans stood together and the American flag was lowered to half-staff by Boy Scout Jake Brewer.

A brief program included veteran Jim Singer with a moving message, a prayer with the island pastor veteran Greg Foster followed by everyone joining in “God Bless America.” The honored veterans joined together for a few moments, modest and humble … having served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Europe and the Far East, on air craft carriers, medical corps and Seabees, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines, Navy and the Army.

The veterans who attended (and actually “represented” all veterans) were John MacDonald, Ron Orchard, Carl Williams, Mike Eastwood, Cy Seifert, Bud Hawley, Fleet Davies, Russ Jackson, Ed Furber, Peter Doelp, Jim Singer, Bob Eaton, Bob Conn, Tim Hanley, Ed Thibault, Donald Duncan, Tom Lally, Greg Foster and Bob Raudenbush.

Following the tribute, veterans and the families enjoyed refreshments and a slide presentation, put together by Jim Singer, of all the area veterans, titled “A Salute to Boothbay Region Veterans.” The tribute to veterans gives a picture of the entire area veterans and is available to view on the local BRCTV station.

A wee bit of holiday jingle came my way. Remember the lighted lobster at Robinson’s and the skaters on the school pond? They are about to “appear” again this year. Plus a holiday party, scheduled for December 6 at the Southport General Store. Watch for more information.

One day last week we were “off to see the Wizard.” That is, the current exhibit of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland. The ongoing presentation of character “reflections” brought delight in seeing Ham Meserve giving a bit of nostalgia (sitting right on “the wicked island”) about his mother, Margaret Hamilton, in the role of the Wicked Witch.

Don’t miss the charming collection of Oz memorabilia with games, dolls and many books. Free passes for the museum are available at the Southport Memorial Library (our own magical emerald city) — just had to say that!