We have two people to thank for the flags flying around Southport. Duane Lewis has made the island a gift of the new flag flying on the pole at the Southport Bridge. Gail Richter, as she does every year, has placed American flags on the graves of veterans in Southport’s cemeteries. These cemetery flags will still up until Labor Day. Many thanks to both of you for honoring our country and our veterans in this way.

You can appreciate another gift to our town at the Southport Town Hall where the old sign, “Union Hall” over the front doors has been refurbished by Jeff Brown. Amazing what Jeff was able to do by removing the old varnish and brightening up the sign considerably. Thanks, Jeff.

More thanks goes to E.M. Wood who did not charge delivery on the ‘good dirt’ delivered to the Southport Library for the children’s garden. Today, June 10, the little children with Kathy Barter and Librarian Linda Brewer, were hard at work in the new dirt planting the garden. From the looks of the ring of dirt around some little mouths, I wonder if they tasted a bit of it, too. 

The Southport Central School children and faculty, with some family members joining in, had a great day for Field Day on Monday, June 9. The school was divided into two teams, green and yellow, with team assignments passed down through generations. The day began with the students wearing as many articles of clothing in his/her team’s color as they could get onto their bodies. They also brought as many objects as they could find in their color to school. These counts were part of the scoring system. An egg toss and a number of other athletic challenges took place on the field. After enjoying a lunchtime cookout, everyone went to the beach to “chill out.” The Yellow team won this year by 10 points. Team captain was Clarence Burnham with Bailey McGuire as co-captain. Best of all, what was evident this morning was the good sportsmanship. All students were enthusiastic about the fabulous day. Everyone had fun. The weather was perfect. Congratulations everyone.

Another fun event Thursday, June 12, beginning at 3 p.m., will be a one mile run led by Shawn of the school faculty. Open to everyone from one to one hundred, the run will begin at the Island Store and go to Hendricks Head Beach and back with refreshments on the store lawn following.

Graduation for the Southport Central School’s sixth grade will be Monday, June 16 beginning at 9 a.m. in the Southport Town Hall.

Even though school will soon be out, children will have several opportunities to continue learning. One of those opportunities is the “Southport Library Summer Reading Fun.” Coordinated by volunteer, Jeanine Phippen, the program will take place on Tuesday mornings beginning July 1, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room at the Southport Library. Children from ages 3-16 are invited to read a book and then come to the library to tell the volunteer about the book. Those youngsters not yet reading can ask an adult to read to them. With each book you read you move a marker around the map of Southport. A prize awaits the child who reads a certain number of books.

Another opportunity for summer fun for the whole family and/or visiting friends, especially if you do not have your own boat, is Captain Bruce White’s private charter service. His boat is launched so charters are now available for all sorts of outings: picnic lunches, trips to restaurants, or a tour around the Island. Last Sunday Captain White took a group to Eastern Egg Rock for Puffin sightings! He is also providing his lobster tours again this summer, with the able assistance of Captain Larry Knapp, aboard the fishing vessel, Lady Esther. These tours are every Tuesday and Thursday. Learn all about the lobster industry, see how lobsters go from the ocean floor to your plate, and, if you so choose, you can purchase lobsters directly from the boat. Call Bruce at 207-319-8123, or check out www.hayvalcharters.com.

Several events are coming up on Southport. You can read more about them in the Goings On section of the paper, section 2, page 1.

More fun comes in July at the Southport United Methodist Church Country Fair to be held this year on Wednesday, July 16 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Preparation has already begun with workers at the church each Monday from 9 a.m. until noon to receive donations of housewares, trinkets, crafts or other items of interest. If you have any questions or need an item picked up, please call Deb Tukey on her cell phone at 207-462-5655 or Betty Goulette at 207-633-5375. The fair day features the traditional lobster roll lunch, a cookie walk, a baked goods table, and plant sale in addition to the donated items mentioned above.

And far in the future but good to mark on your calendar is a flu clinic that will be held at the Southport Library on Tuesday, September 16 at 10 a.m. arranged by Rite Aid Pharmacy. More details to follow.

We welcome Jim and Becky Singer home from a lovely driving trip through England to Edinburgh, Scotland, and back, including the seaside town of Southport, England, as one of their stops. On the wide, sandy beach at low tide, many people were wading far out into the ocean, enjoying the good weather.