We have the opportunity to remember with fondness and say good-bye to two long-time Southporters the second week in July. First, on Thursday, July 11 at 11 a.m. at the summer chapel, All Saints by-the-Sea, a memorial service for Byron Atwood, who passed away on Jan. 21, 2024, will be held. Although Byron and his wife, Margo, moved to St. Andrews Village several years ago, Byron grew up coming to Southport in
the summers and raised his family also here in the summers, eventually moving here full time. An active sailor and a just and fair man, involved in many ways to help others, Byron was both fun and there when you needed him. There will be a reception at the Newagen Inn directly following the service.

Many positive words describe Toni Helming, but from my experience with her as a friend for many years, my choice is “resilience.” For example, last summer, even though she was 97, when I would offer to drive her from the yacht club to her home at the end of Marrs Point, she would decline and stride up the hill with all the energy of a 50-year-old. Under the watchful eyes of her family and neighbors, she would paddle her kayak around Cozy Harbor. She even wrestled away death at one point when we all assumed it was immanent, before peaceful nodding her acceptance a few weeks later on March 29 of this year. To celebrate and share remembrances of this special woman you are invited to gather at the Southport Yacht Club on Saturday, July 13 from 1-3 p.m. Whether you knew Toni through church, the yacht club or elsewhere, the family welcomes you to this community celebration.

Look elsewhere in this paper for an obituary of another summer Southporter, Sandy Drayer, who died peacefully on June 23. Her funeral service will be July 13 in Hilton Head, South Carolina at All Saints Episcopal Church.

The rain held off for the this year’s first MusicFest at Newagen Inn last Wednesday evening, June 26, sponsored by the Southport Island Association (SIA). The event was sold out, but you will have an opportunity to attend other two concerts on July 17 and Aug. 24. Go the the Southport Island Association web page for tickets. Just as last summer, the youngsters enjoyed running about, often in their bare feet, bouncing
to the music. Adults enjoyed talking with each other in the the relaxed atmosphere of life on the lawn. Drinks and snacks were available, but many brought their own dinner food. In sum, the event is a big picnic with friends, accompanied by music to which many people danced.

The Southport Island Association (SIA) Annual Meeting and Bolster Day were held on Sunday, June 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Newagen Seaside Inn. Officers elected were president, Eden Climo; two co-vice presidents, Laura Blake and Scott Larson; secretary, Janet Duchaine; treasurer, Carol Allison; and clerk, Carole Zalucky, plus nine board members. Thanks, everyone, for serving, both for bringing fun to all of us and for doing many good works. I hear the food was delicious and enough that few people a thought of dinner afterward.

We are all invited to join the Fourth of July parade, also sponsored by the SIA. Instructions tell us to come to the Town Landing at 8:30 a.m. to form up for the parade that will step off at 9 a.m. Since on Monday, the dock at the town landing was still being repaired, we may need to form up at the library, but time will tell. Be prepared to walk, bike, or create and drive a decorated vehicle past the Southport Memorial Library
to Newagen Inn, then trace your path back again. Or you can gather along the route and cheer on the parade. As usual there will be giveaways and treats for all. For more information call Laura Blake at 207-380-4896 or Sharma Schacknow at 561-876-515.

One of our summertime opportunities is Story Time at the Southport Memorial Library every Wednesday during July and August beginning at 10 a.m. The first gathering is July 3. If you haven’t been in the children’s section of the library lately, the colors and toys as well as the books and colorful carpets to sit on as you read are delightful.

Another library opportunity is the gathering of folks interested in gardening on Thursday mornings at 10 in the Mystery Room. You can enjoy a cup of coffee and discuss various problems and successes with gardening. Plans are in the works to have some guest lecturers addressing gardening subjects on Thursday evenings. Stay tuned.

Remember that July 6 at 9 a.m., the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Southport Central School’s Playground Expansion will take place on the school grounds. All are invited to see the Gaudette Family cut the ribbon officially opening the playground, which includes the Ramona Gaudette Mud Kitchen, dedicated to the beloved school cook of 57 years. Light refreshments will be served. You may want to bring a chair to be more
comfortable.

Later on July 6, the Hendricks Hill Museum can supply us with a hand-dipped ice cream cone during their Ice Cream Social from noon to 2 p.m. While licking your cone you can enjoy a tour of the museum and boat house. No charge - rain or shine - all are welcome.

The July 10 public meeting on changes necessary to our ordinances bring them into compliance with to LD 2003, a ruling on Land Use Ordinance, will take place as scheduled beginning at 7 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall. A second hearing and a town meeting on this topic have yet to be scheduled. In other town business the harbor master now has a new boat, replacing the old one that needed many repairs.

Other news from the library is that the next author’s talk will be Thursday, July 11 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Barbara Ross, author of 12 mystery novels and six novellas in the Maine clambake series, has been nominated for many Agatha Awards for the Best Contemporary Novel and has won the Maine Literary Award for Crime Fiction. Her latest novel is “Torn Asunder,” a story that involves an island wedding, a dead guest, and a storm.