The meeting room at the Southport Memorial Library was full to overflowing for the party to celebrate Donald Duncan’s 96th birthday. Organized by Donald’s daughter, Nancy, and her husband, Larry Pritchett, they provided delicious cupcakes and water with the library, as always, providing fresh coffee. Nancy shared a picture of Donald as a little boy standing on the rocks at Pemaquid Point and another of him as a handsome young man. She also read several framed accommodations, including one given to Donald by Milton Academy when he retired after many years teaching math there. Donald recited from memory several poems, one of which was his mother’s favorite. In all a delightful celebration of a life having been and being lived well.

The Halloween Party organized by the Southport Island Association at the Southport Town Hall was a great success. The main meeting room at the hall was decorated with lights strung across the ceiling, on one strand of which hung a skeleton and on another strand a spider crawled. People coming in the main door had to make their way through strips of black ribbon. Colored balloons and other blown up objects bounced about the floor and off some young folk’s bodies as they became “weapons” for some batting. One table, as you entered from the kitchen, contained pots where the children, if they were brave enough, could insert their hands to ostensibly bring up icky substances, but which I think were really jellied candy. Across the room many pots of chili and bowls of salad fed mainly the adults, and to the right of the stage popcorn and hot dogs were offered to others. Costumes on both adults and children enlivened the scene, lots of witches hats and veils, some blow up costumes covering the whole body, and lots of other creative covering. After people were fed, a quick parade of costume wearers moved across the stage. Then “trick or treaters” left first for the Methodist parking lot for the “trunk and treat” fun. A Southport fire truck and crossing guards ensured their safety. Cars with open trunks not only open provided candy, but also were decorated in Halloween fashion. Children were also encouraged to walk down Joppa Lane, stopping by those houses indicated as ready for them to make a “trick or treat” visit. I think the youngest participant in all this fun was several months old and slept in Dad’s arms most of the time. From that age up to elderly grandmothers, all had a great time. Many thanks to the SIA and everyone who helped make this such a creative, fun, and safe evening.

Hope you have on your calendar Nov. 11, when we will gather at the Southport Memorial Library for the annual Veterans Day observance to honor all who are currently serving our country in the military, as well as those who have previously served, and those who have died. You are invited to gather at 10:45 a.m. with the ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. The service can also be seen on Channels 7 and 1301 along with Jim Singer’s slides of our local veterans. It will also be time to say “good-bye” to all those veterans whose pictures have decorated our roadsides this spring, summer, and fall as they will be put away for the winter.