Southport Column: Farewell to Ann Roche, the SIA and more

Tue, 02/12/2019 - 7:30am

I hope each of you gets at least one valentine, or hug, or otherwise love and affection on this Valentine’s Day. For me, I thank each one of you who sends news for this column. My ears are not big enough to capture it all myself.

Our Southport Memorial Library filled with “well-wishers” on Tuesday afternoon as we bid farewell to Ann Roche, a long-time resident who is now moving to Portland to be near her daughter and experience city life for a change. A delicious cake, cookies, candies, and cheese and crackers plus a lime punch kept everyone’s energy up as well encouraging us to exchange winter tales of snow, ice, and even warmth. Thanks for the librarians and the library aides who hosted the event. I am sure Ann will be back occasionally for a visit.

From Bruce Wood comes this news. Another family celebration will be held for Frances Bailey Wood, a longtime summer visitor to Southport, who turns 100 on Feb. 20. She is the daughter of Milton and Gladys Bailey, granddaughter of Milton and Sarah Bailey.

The elder Baileys built a summer cottage on Molly’s Point, Southport before Frances was born, so she visited Southport nearly every summer until recent years. The cottage still is in the family. Frances’ four children, Bruce, Wendy, Susan, and Janet, will join her at her house in Boston, Virginia, on the big day. Lobster will be on the menu! (Yes, there is a Boston, Virginia. I just checked.)

A surprise met those living close to and driving by on the Cozy Harbor Road on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Quick demolition work took down what most of us call the Pierce house overlooking the harbor and on the ground above Oliver’s. Both the historic house and the garage have disappeared. Not sure what plans the current owner, Mr. Paul Coulombe, has for the property. If you missed the demolition, you could read the notice in the “Morning Catch,” on Saturday, Feb. 9, that the Building Permit, or in this case, the demolition permit, had been approved.

About 21 people attended the Southport Island Association’s Winter Walk hosted by Carole and Paul Zalucky at their home on Joppa Road. A few warmly dressed and energetic individuals walked to the end of Joppa Road and back, stopping to enjoy Love’s Cove scene from several porches. The northwest wind was fierce and the air cold, so we were quick to accept the offer of warm cider when we returned to the Zalucky’s.

Medea Harris, president, could not attend this event, but she dropped off some prototypes of the florescent walking vests, the sale of which will be a fundraiser this year. The vests with the SIA logo on the back will be available by the March Ice Breaker, which will be held on Saturday, March 16, at the Southport Town Hall from 5 to 7 p.m.

The SIA officers are preparing a new brochure and the season’s schedule of events, which should be in the mail this week. They welcome Laura Blake, new to the board, who will be coordinating the Ice Breaker with Carole Zalucky.

Another way to get out of the house and see friends is to come to the Southport Town Hall on Wednesdays for lunch. Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 13 and continuing every Wednesday through mid-April, a community lunch will again be held at the Southport Town Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.. The resumption of the Southport community lunch has been facilitated by Brenda Tibbetts and her cooking aficionados, with support from the Boothbay Harbor Rotary Club and the Southport Island Association. There is no charge, but donations are welcome to defray a portion of the cost of the food. All are welcome!

We also welcome Arlene Smith to Southport. A longtime resident of the area, she has recently moved to Captain’s Way on Southport’s east side.