Summer news comes from Anne Gobes and Michael Ciccarelli who own the Alpaca farm in Newagen. They tells us that all the alpacas are loving their summer haircuts! Anne is busy processing the fiber just shorn off all the alpacas in May, some to spin on the farm and the rest to send to the local mill in Troy, Maine. Georgie, Beatrice and Theodora, the three last babies born on the farm, are growing fast and loving the hay treats from our farm visitors. Anne says, “We are finally full of alpacas with eighteen females and eight males!”

The second season of PACA Lunch has begun! Younger children, ages 3-9, who are not old enough to trek with our alpacas, really enjoy this experience with their family members from young to old, rain or shine. Babies are allowed in backpacks, and toddlers who are walking can join. The farm is collaborating with the Southport General Store to bring some of their local favorite sandwiches to you! Sandwiches are ordered through the website, and they will have everything ready on the farm for PACA Lunch goers to enjoy on the picnic or porch tables in view of the alpacas and chickens. After lunch, all PACA Lunch visitors will enter into the alpaca
paddocks (where they live) to enjoy feeding them a treat, getting an alpaca kiss, or petting them if they are in the mood to socialize. Anne and Mike are offering this Private PACA Lunch Tour on Wednesdays during July and August only. (July 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2, 9, 16) from noon to 1:15 p.m. For more information and to book your tickets, please see www.capenewagenfarm.com All tickets are purchased online.

They also have a Veteran and First Responder Program. They know from the experience of raising alpacas and sharing them with visitors, that alpacas bring a joy and calming effect to all humans. It is this experience that they want to share to thank all veterans and first responders for their service to our community and country. Any veteran or first responder is welcome to the farm on Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. free of charge. They are collaborating with the Southport Memorial Library for this program. The library has set aside a coffee/snack hour from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for veterans and first responders to enjoy after visiting the farm, There is no need to register or book a time because both venues have reserved this time for the program. Please share with anyone who would enjoy this program!

Alpaca treks offered on the farm are selling out fast. The farm posts the summer to autumn season trekking dates on the website in March of every year. Alpaca Treks are walks with humans to the Town Landing or the Newagen Seaside Inn during summer months. Trekking days this season are Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The end of July and end of August have some open slots. All Alpaca Treks are booked online for youth ages nine or older to adults who are ambulatory at any age!

Other farm news: One hen has gone broody! That means that she will hatch her own chicks and hopefully the farm may have more eggs for sale by the fall. The farm is closed from 6/23 to 7/5 and 8/19 to 8/25. All open tours and treks are booked online at https://www.capenewagenfarm.com Any shopping needs can be met by making an appointment with Anne or Mike at 633-0416.

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Southport Yacht Club SYC. To begin to celebrate, on July 7 (rain date July 21), SYC is hoping to get 100 boats on the Sheepscot River from 3 to 4 p.m. All boats (sail, motor, paddleboard, dinghy, kayak, or rowboat) are welcome. SYC is asking folks to congregate near Cedarbush nun “6” – outside of Cosy Harbor, keeping power boats separate from non-power boats. We are inviting the community to join with the SYC membership for this event. If you would like to join the festivities or have questions, please contact Hollyanna Bates (hollyannabates@gmail.com) 970-389-7885. Post event there will be cake at the SYC Clubhouse, but be advised that there is limited parking at SYC as well as limited docking space at the SYC docks and floats. We hope to be able to have aerial/drone photographs of the fleet. Look for further details as the date approaches. Boat decorations are encouraged!

All Saints by-the -Sea, located on All Saints Road off Route 238 on the east side of Southport, opened for Sunday worship this Sunday, June 17 with the Reverend Paul Tunkle leading worship at 8 and 10 a.m., followed by a coffee hour on the deck. An almost full house enjoyed Paul’s stories as to how you can avoid an automatic “Stranger/Danger” reaction when someone comes to your door and instead follow the biblical dictum to welcome the stranger. Paul will also conduct the service this coming Sunday and lead bible study on the porch on Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m.

Look for a detailed article about the Southport Historical Society annual meeting and the talk given by Jean McKay titled “The Evolution of the Burnt Island Lighthouse Since 1821.” The museum will open for the season on July 1.

In spite of the rain all day on Saturday, June 17 the Southport Town Hall filled with residents celebrating Bolster Day and greeting folks returning for the summer. Good food, drink and conversation, plus a bit of money added to the coffers for Southport Island Association sponsored activities.

If you are reading this in time, and if tickets are still available, the first MusicFest will be June 21 on the lawn of the Newagen Inn opening at 6 p.m. with music beginning at 7. Let’s hope our deluge of rain is over by then, and the grass has had time to dry out. The group playing is Motor Booty Affair. Two other opportunities for this fun time are listening to “Piano Men” (The music of Elton & Billy Joel) on Wednesday, July 19, and then “The Mallett Brothers” on Wednesday, Aug. 30. Each concert is designed for all ages. All ticket sale proceeds raised will go to support the Southport Island Association’s “A Helping Hands Fund.” Tickets and prices are available now at southportmusicfest.com. Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets. Seating is limited so best book now!

A reminder that author, Julia O’Brien-Merrill will be giving a talk at the Southport Memorial Library on Saturday, June 24 at 10 a.m., telling the story, using historical documents of the original lyrics from “M.T.A.” - the campaign song written for her father, Walter A. O’Brien, Jr., in his run for Mayor of Boston in 1949. Our local musicians, “The Newagen Crew,” will provide entertainment, singing the Kingston Trio’s version of “M.T.A.” Julia will be signing and selling her books.

Some other reminders of island art opportunities at the The Barn across picnic space from the Island Store. First up is Triangle Shawl Knitting on July 7. Next is Cyanotype Printing on July 22, and third is Pastel Knife Painting on Aug. 25. You can sign up for these classes on the store website; SouthportGeneralStore.com. Another calendar item is Community Day at the store, a summer celebration planned for Aug. 5.

Frequently these days our progress around the island is slowed by one way traffic as brush is cut from underneath the power lines. If you see an orange tape around a telephone pole that means the brush has been sufficiently removed at least for the time being.

As more people come to the island I have noticed more trash on the edges of the roads. Please folks, if you finish with your food or drink, take the containers home and dispose of them properly. We have island cleanup in the spring, but not every week or month!