Lucky and hardworking firemen got their annual auction completed before the rains came. And, as always, they had the incredible slew of objects either sold or cleaned up by Sunday morning. The event was well attended, and everyone was well fed with breakfast sandwiches either made with sausage or bacon and delicious cinnamon buns. Since we went home before lunch, I did not try the hamburgers or hot dogs I expect were available at that time. Thanks to all who make this event such an island happening.

The Southport Community project had a box for suggestions as to how to broaden the use of the town land around the school near the food table. I saw many pieces of paper in the box so am eager to hear what folks had to say. The next meeting will be Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 7:30 a.m. at the school. Anyone who wants to know more about this project is welcome.

The other events for the weekend, I suspect, were rained out. I hear the informational meeting concerning broadband for Southport scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at the Town Hall was canceled. To update us Nancy Prisk reports that “Axiom Technologies, under contract with the Town of Southport to build Southport's fiber optic broadband network and be the network's Internet service provider, is in the process of taking pre-registration requests for service. Early subscribers qualify for free installation. If you did not have a chance to talk with Mark Ouellette from Axiom at the Fireman's auction this weekend, please do reach out to Axiom with your
questions and your service requests. Contact Axiom at 207.255.0679 or info@connectwithaxiom.com A brochure with further information can be viewed on the Southport Fiber website: https://www.southportislandcommunitybroadband.org/”

You can plan an end-of-summer outing to the Newagen Seaside Inn lawn on Thursday, Aug. 26 to see the movie “Back to the Future.” Arrive by 7 p.m. to find your place on the lawn (bring chairs and blankets), get your hamburgers or hot dogs down by the shore, and settle in for one of the all-time favorite sci-fi films of the 1980s. A big yellow moon will rise over the screen as the film ends…..guaranteed! Film is sponsored by a generous local resident.

A memorial service and reception will be held at the Southport Yacht Club this Sunday, Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. to celebrate the life of Joan Britton. The celebration will be an outdoor gathering. For those individuals who are not vaccinated for COVID-19, the family requests that masks be worn. Please join Joan's family to pay tribute to her long and extraordinary life.

A good news story from the Hurd family. Perhaps some of you remember that at the beginning of the summer, I wrote about young Jack Hurd losing the cross that he had been given at confirmation. The family put up flyers around the island asking for the cross’s return, if found. This past week it was found buried in the sand on the small beach in front of Nick and Joan Hund’s house where Jack and his family has been living to escape Covid, and while his family builds the barn house on Cozy Harbor Road. Aggie Harris was playing with a group of children, digging in the sand, when she uncovered the cross, and now it is again around Jack’s neck. Well done, kids.

Perhaps not such good news, but always necessary is our tax bill. The taxes on Southport property have been committed, that is determined, and bills will probably be mailed out as I type on Monday, Aug. 23. Payment is due by Sept. 30.

Some of that money goes to pay our public works department, which is needing another employee. If you or someone you know needs a job and enjoys outdoor work, this position comes with a good salary and benefits. Check in at the Southport Town Hall if you are interested.

The Rt. Reverend Mark Beckwith will again conduct services at All Saints by-the-Sea next Sunday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. After serving as Bishop of Newark in New Jersey, Bishop Beckwith now comes to us from New Hampshire.

Gone is the activity around the Southport Yacht Club! After a very busy summer of classes and races, the dock, buildings, and harbor revealed only five turnabouts still moored, one turnabout on land waiting transport, and no opties on the dock. This weekend the Southport Yacht Club will have its members meeting at 10 Saturday morning and, weather permitting, the closing reception at 5:30 p.m. Look for a longer article with more details elsewhere in this paper.