The hot dog and baked beans supper this past Friday, Jan. 24, at the Southport General Store, was a great success. Twenty-eight people chowed down. We had a choice of three different beans, including some gluten free ones, brown bread, biscuits, coleslaw, and lots of difference cookies and brownies for dessert. Since the back room with the tables and chairs is not very big, we had to be careful not to eat too much or we could not squeeze by friends to return to the counter, but that was very hard to do because everything was so good.

Not usually part of a baked bean supper but offered nontheless was Kit’s parsnip soup that he used to make when we had a mid-winter ‘Souper’ lunch at the Southport Town Hall. People liked it then, and many people commented on how good it was this time. Many thanks to Bonita and the other cooks who made the soup for this event. It is a bit of a chore to make as you have to clean and finely chop the parsnips and the potatoes, and then blend the whole soup after it is cooked. I thanked Kit in my prayers that evening. Stay tuned for other eating events being planned.

If all the food is not eaten when first presented, some is frozen for future sale, but much is taken to the Community Fridge. For last Christmas the cooks and bakers at the store made Christmas food especially for the Community Fridge.

More philanthropy you may have experienced or heard about is the Southport Quilters group who gets together to make quilts for children, veterans, and families in the Boothbay region as well as around the state of Maine and abroad. These quilts provide comfort, security, and warmth to those who are encountering hardship or need a little help. I know Kit was comforted when he was in the hospital by a quilt made for him. To help sustain this group, a thrift shop will be opened on Southport this spring and is now accepting donations. If you have questions or have something to donate, call Angel Ames at 207-350-5505.

Something fun to look at are the photographs on display at the Southport Memorial Library caught by Michael Giglia. He has been photographing since age 8, and at age 16 had two of his photos exhibited in Chicago at the Kodak national conference. In the library exhibit he is focusing on wildlife with an emphasis on birds. The pictures, full of color and action, practically spring off the wall. Professionally Dr. Giglia is also a chiropractor in Damariscotta.

Lots of sliding and skating possibilities this past week if you had the outer gear to keep warm. I loved watching the increasing number of tracks in the snow across my yard, playing a game to see if I could guess what animal made them. Deer, of course, along the squirrels, birds, and, I am sure, a variety of other four legged beings. Fortunately I did not see any human foot prints except my own.

A reminder that if you are interested, the Town of Southport is hiring a part-time administrative assistant! Strong communication skills are essential. Familiarity with bookkeeping, being organized, and proficiency with basic office equipment and software are among other qualities needed to fulfill the duties of the position. A notice of the availability of this job is published elsewhere in this paper, and a full job description and applications are available at the Southport Town Office. They will be accepted until the right candidate is found!