The Southport Central School concert was well attended at the Town Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The students pretended to be on a scavenger hunt, reading the clues from a large envelope before each song. Look for an article and many pictures elsewhere in this paper.

Open house at the Southport Library on Thursday, Dec. 19 was sparsely attended probably due to most peoples’ busy schedules before Christmas. Four children had a great story and play time with Leigh Perkins in the morning and then all those who came in the afternoon could enjoy Christmas music played on the piano by Bob Moore as well as coffee, hot chocolate, tea, and sweet snacks.

Christmas season does not seem to be the best time to be reading obituaries, but in the last two weeks the obituary page in this paper has had notice of three Southport deaths. Leal Brinegar, a long time summer resident and then year-round resident, I have mentioned before in this column. She died Nov. 27after several years of illness. On that same page of the Dec. 12 edition of the paper, Thomas D. Marshall’s picture and life summary appears. He died Dec. 6 with his funeral service at Hall’s Funeral Home on Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. In the Dec. 19 edition of this paper, Mary B. Bowden, a Capitol Island resident, smiles at us as her death is announced, and her life summarized. She died Dec. 13. Her funeral will be in Vero Beach, Florida, her winter residence. I remember when we used to joke about old people turning first in a newspaper to the obituary page. Now I understand why we want to know who among our friends have passed on.

On a more cheerful note, if you are on the island, take a look at all the good food at the Southport General Store and buy what you need before the store closes for the holidays from Dec. 22 through Dec. 29 and also on Jan. 1. And you can buy a gift card to share these goodies with friends and family.

Thanks to Southporter Ham Meserve who has served for 12 years as county commissioner. He along with another retiring commissioner have decided not to seek a fourth, three-year term. but were honored for their service by Sheriff Todd Brackett.

The Southport Methodist Church will celebrate Christmas with a Christmas Eve service at 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

The recorded All Saints Christmas service featuring visiting clergy from the 2024 season will be available for viewing on the website, www.allsaintssouthport.org, on Dec. 24. Although the Christmas season celebration is no longer available in person, the message, music, and beauty of the beloved chapel can bring spiritual joy this holy season. And you can stay warm!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!