Many thanks to Donald Duncan who wrote an interesting article in last week’s Register about Ron Orchard and many of his works on behalf of the historical society and the Southport Museum. A memorial service to remember and celebrate Ron’s life will be held on Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Boothbay.

Many thanks to Nan Jackson, who nestled the plastic Easter eggs into the window boxes at the Southport Post Office. Even though spring is springing slowly, the eggs are among the signs it is coming.

It comes as no surprise to me that the Southport Bridge needs rehabilitation. As I have noted before, the bridge and I are the same age, both appearing in 1939. Over the years both of us have received some restoration. On the bridge the steel grid deck of the swing-span replaced the previous wooden structure in 1970; the bridge was completely repainted in 2005; in 2014 some structurally deficient floor beams were strengthened, paint was removed from the flanges that were receiving cover plates, and all the new steel was painted. When an oversized vehicle struck the overhead portal braces of the truss in October 2018, they were weakened. I will not bore you with my restorations.

The bridge is an historic structure. Therefore any renovations may be reviewed and commented on by the public and other interested parties before any action is approved or begun. Julie Senk, the Historic preservation Coordinator at the Maine DOT Environmental Office, has sent documents to the town describing the recommended plans DOT has suggested to restore the bridge that do not adversely affect its historic character. You may view and comment on these plans by going to https://www.maine.gov/mdot/env/NEPA/public/index.shtml or by stopping in at the town office.

In response to some questions and comments about Axiom Fiber Networks experience, a two page document is available in the town hall with short descriptions and a list of all the Maine communities now working with or have worked with Axiom. Most are islands or small towns, the closest to Southport being Georgetown Island. Bring further questions or concerns, to the meeting set for April 20, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall.

Many thanks to Mary Handley who has organized the entire CD collection at the Southport Public Library, and thanks to Joan Chatterton who is organizing a story and craft time at the library for young children. This event, part of the “Week of the Young Child,” will be Saturday, April 9 beginning at 10 a.m. Ms Chatterton, currently working Wiscasset, has much experience with young children as a preschool educator.

Be sure and enjoy the pictures of large, bright sunflowers our school children made and hung for our enjoyment in the Southport Post Office. I am sure the children were inspired to create these works of art in support of all the children in Ukraine who have had to flee their homes to save their lives.

Another new offering at the library is a Caregiver Support Group that will meet monthly beginning Thursday, April 14 at 6:15 p.m. The discussion will focus on caring for aging relatives. This will be an informal peer support group where members can share stories, voice questions, and get advice from others dealing with similar issues. Please note that this meeting is intended for lay people, not for professional care givers. If you
plan to attend, please call Anne at 207-633-2741, as space is limited. If there is significant interest, the group will continue to meet on the second Thursday of each month.

A reminder that this weekend the Southport General Store will add more hours and more staff to their enterprise. The new hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. until 4 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. until noon. New staff, some of whom began the beginning of this week, are Tristan, Rachel, and Teresa. Do welcome them. Notice also that the furniture for outdoor dining and visiting is in place for our comfort and enjoyment.

Welcome back to Linda and Peter Brewer who have returned from two weeks in Fort Pierce, Florida. How lucky they are to have been away during some of our chilliest times.

From Estelle Weedon comes a “thank you” to the Lunts, Knickerbocker, and Tim’s Tree Service for attending to her fallen tree. She says, “It is indeed nice to have such good Pierce Cove neighbors, and I am so lucky that so many of them are year-rounders!”

If you are looking for summer employment, check out the poster in the Southport Post Office stating the Ocean Gate Resort is looking to hire an assistant manager, who can have housing onsite, a front desk clerk, and several food service employees. You can call 207-633-3321 or email gm@oceangateresort. com for more information.