It was a pleasure driving into town yesterday to see folks raking leaves, pruning trees, and putting out deck furniture in honor of the 80 degree temperature. Spring is finally here! By the time you read this, Southport will look clean and tidy thanks to the volunteer effort on Sunday to clean up the roadside around the island. The work followed a hot dog lunch expertly cooked by our own Gerry Gamage. Thanks go out to the Island store for its contribution of hot dogs and rolls, and to Robinson’s Wharf for the chowder! Also, many thanks to the volunteers who gave their time and effort to our island’s beautification.

The “Celebrate Service” event at the Boothbay Railway Village was indeed a celebration as our many community volunteers mingled with those from other organizations, and visitors learned about the various opportunities to become a volunteer. The generosity of so many people who give their time to help enrich our lives in so many ways is impressive indeed.

Southport school news this week is that it is Teacher Appreciation Week. Our teachers are appreciated by all of us, not just the school Also, the K-2 children will be visiting the Botanical Gardens tomorrow.

There is news to share about a couple of Southport natives. Holly Lunt Houston, the daughter of Jane and John Lunt, was just named Maine Art Educator of the Year by the Maine Art Education Association. A graduate of Bowdoin College, where she majored in studio art, she has taught in Saco, Portland and Falmouth, and has spent the last 12 years at Yarmouth High School. MEAE president Suzanne Goulet said Houston’s commitment to the “highest quality” of art education is the “Platinum standard.” “This commitment is shared with us through her classroom studio and statewide service to professional development, and recognizing quality educators and programs,” Goulet said. “It is the core of her ethic. It is the best or she does not rest.” She will be honored in March 2019 in Boston at the NAEA convention. Congratulations, Holly!

Our daughter Gretchen’s family will be moving from Cumberland to Southwest Harbor this month as husband Brent has taken a position as general manager at Hinkley Yachts there. Gretchen will continue in her job with Tyler Technology, working remotely. Gretchen invites her Boothbay region friends to visit as they can visit the Acadia National Park with her family.

There is a correction about last week’s report of Bob Eaton’s companion to the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. It was Alex Vise, not Russ Jackson who accompanied Bob.