Thanks so much to Jim Singer who wrote this column last week while my sister and I hung out in the sunshine and waters of the Dominican Republic. Ocean swimming and sun in the morning; pool swimming and sun in the afternoon. Never a chance for our swimsuits to dry. After several days of watching the parasailors drift above the ocean, we decided to go for it. What fun to rise in the air and float there even for fifteen minutes or so. I also earned a bottle of wine for winning a ball game in the pool. Not bad for an 85-year-old woman!

Now back to reality, one piece of which is that is column is my last. Beginning April 1, I will be an apartment resident at St. Andrews Village. I find it so hard to leave Southport, which has been my year-round home since 2001, and my favorite place to spend a month or two in the summer since 1960 when my husband and I spent our honeymoon here, only a week that time. I thank all of you who read this column, and been neighbors and suppliers of news. I plan to return often to sit on the beach, get delicious items from the Southport General Store, visit our wonderful library, and, in the summer, attend services at All Saints by-the-Sea. If all goes well on the legal end, our daughter, Susan, and her partner, Jeff, will be living in the house, so I will be back often to visit with them. Life goes on!

And I hope the column goes on. Writing the news once a week, due each Monday by 3 p.m., can be great fun because you hear news from many folk, thus staying in touch with island life. If you would be willing to take on this fun task, please call Kevin Burnham at the Boothbay Register, kevinburnham@boothbayregister.com, or phone him at 207-844-4626, ext. 112. We may have a one week surprise next week.

A couple of closings coming up. The Southport General Store will be closed for renovations this coming Saturday and Monday, March 22 and 24. Donna Climo, at the Southport Town Office will not be in her office March 31.

About 32 people attended the delicious St. Patrick’s Day dinner at the Southport General Store on March 14, consisting of traditional corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, carrots, and small boiled potatoes with enticing cupcakes for dessert. Since cherry pie is my favorite dessert, I skipped the cupcakes and bought a piece of pie instead. Many thanks to all the cooks. The corned beef was the best I have ever had!

About 35 people, including enthusiastic children, turned up at the library to greet the alpacas and participate in the Southport Island Association’s Winter Walk held Saturday, March 15. After Ann Globes shared some alpaca facts and safety features so a child could safely walk an alpaca, we strolled off to the Newagen dock. No sunshine to warm us up, but if our hands were cold, we could bury them deep in the alpaca fur for a few minutes. Upon return to the library we continued to warm up either with hot chocolate and donuts and small cups of candy for the children, or wine and savories for the adults. Thanks to all who made this fun happen. I am sure you will find pictures elsewhere in this paper.

The Boothbay Region Democratic Committee (BRDC), the Southport Democratic Committee and other interested persons are invited to attend a meeting March 22 from 2 until 4:30 p.m. at the Rotary Club building on Montgomery Road in Boothbay Harbor. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on the merger of the Southport Democratic Committee and the BRDC and to elect officers for the Regional Committee and Vice-Chairs for each town. Speakers will include Maine Senator Cameron Reny, Representative Holly Stover, Keith Mestrich, and Brian Coleman. Bring refreshments to share if you wish. For more information, contact Lucian Laurie at dem.chair.23@gmail.com.

A reminder from Carla Boussen that the Keepers of Burnt Island Lighthouse (KBIL) are looking for volunteers—greeters, guides, gardeners and program helpers. They also hope that previous volunteers who know the ropes plus the new volunteers will blend the tried and true with new energy and ideas. She asks that we stay tuned for more info coming soon in the Boothbay paper.