Beauty, whether it is medieval, walled cities on bluffs with steep winding streets, such as Carcassonne and Les Baux in southern France, along with acres of vineyards, lavender, sunflowers, snow capped Pyrenees mountains, and blue Mediterranean Sea, the teasing art of Salvador Dali, the colors in the paintings of  Van Gogh, Cezanne, and Sisley, the comfort of a good bed at the end of an exhausting day, beauty revives the spirit. And beauty always greets us when we arrive home, even if the grass needs cut and the flowers need pruned. We see much beauty in our travels, this time to southern France with Callie and Denis McWhan and shepherded by a travel company called Odysseys Unlimited, but the Boothbay area with sea and boats, pine trees and rocks matches or surpasses any beauty we see abroad. All of us who live here are blessed.

Many thanks to Maria Doelp who kept our readers up to date with Southport news while we were gone and sorry that one week of her efforts were unpublished, at least in the paper version.

With my summer stint as a volunteer in the Children’s Garden ended, I returned to my favorite news source at the Southport Memorial Library. The lively crowd was gathered as usual around the table, but a new and bigger table, allowing room for most chairs to pull up to the rim, but also big enough so that conversations are not as easily shared. Under the table is a new and colorful rug, which seems to be able to absorb the crumbs falling from goodies shared.

Also to catch your attention is the pumpkin tree in a front library window. What in a few months will be a Christmas tree is currently decorated with librarian Linda Brewer’s colorful pumpkins in a variety of sizes for sale just in time for the coming holiday.

Today I learned that Ramona’s grandson, Jason Gaudette, is about to complete walking the full length of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Mt. Katahdin. Ramona says she will treat him to a full day in bed with her at his beck and call when he gets home, but I suspect that being too still after such rigorous daily exercise may not be possible.

Among the island businesses closing for the season is Lynn Shafer’s ‘Possibilities’ shop as Lynn heads off to Kansas.  

The Newagen Inn is still open for business and invites us to join them before they close for the season on Oct. 14.  Until then the Pub will be open for informal dining from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., but note that it will close on Friday, Oct. 13. Entertainment on Thursday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 1 will be live music, first with Don Pride and then on Sunday with Arthur Webster. Locals can still get a special room rate with 20 percent off. Call the Inn or check their website for more information.

Good news for early Christmas shoppers is that the Island Store’s Gift Barn is having a 20 percent off sale on most items. The Barn is open Wednesdays through Mondays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

All of us are invited to the Hendrick's Hill Museum’s closing event this Sunday, Oct. 1, from 2 until 4 p.m. Cider and doughnuts will be available as well as a last chance this season to enjoy this unique historical place  and to honor the many volunteers. 

Among our recovering friends is Frannie Johnson who had another fall which cracked her hip bone.  She is happy to be closer now to home in St. Andrews in rehab center. I also heard while we were away that Gardiner Rapelye had a stint in Maine Med. Hope he is recovering well now.

If you have not seen the movie, “Beauty and the Beast” or want to see it again, mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 14 at 4:00 p.m.  The Southport Methodist Church will host the movie along with hot dogs, chips, popcorn, soft drinks, and desserts, all for free although I suspect donations will be accepted.