Congratulations to Oliver Cusano, who auditioned for the Tapestry Singers and was accepted into their world of song, joining Southport friends, Skip Simonds and Betsey De Groff. Watch for news of their next concert.

Mark your calendar for Ralph “Cy” Seifert’s memorial service on August 16 at 11 a.m. at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church.

If you were driving across the Southport Bridge on Sunday and saw bird feathers mashed into the flooring grates of the bridge, know that the bridge tender told me it was a sea gull, probably hit by a car, not, as I feared, one of the ospreys’ two babies who are now flying from their bridge nest on their learning voyages.

The bridge state workers continue to weld the metal mesh matts more solidly together in the hope of stabilizing the road surface and stopping some of the noise.

A word to the wise from our harbor master: “In an effort to clean up the abandoned and unregistered moorings in the waters surrounding Southport and have a more accurate sense of what is available for mooring space, delinquent moorings are being tagged as unpermitted and will be scheduled for removal beginning this fall.
 The harbor master wishes to remind those mooring owners who have unpaid mooring fees that their moorings are subject to removal under Article VI, Sec.1(20) of the Harbor Ordinance of the Town of Southport, Maine.  If you have not paid your fees and wish to retain your mooring, please contact the town office or Harbor Master to make arrangements.

“The Harbor Waitlist for moorings is being updated and will be available on the town website soon. All waitlisted persons who wish to remain on the waitlist must submit a letter or an email requesting to remain on the list by September 1 of each year. Letters may be mailed to the Harbor Master at P.O. Box 149, Southport, ME 04576 or emailed to: southportharbormaster@gmail.com”

As usual our summer activities are barreling along with opportunities for continued learning, continued shopping,  continued playing, and even to begin or to continue, collecting art. Get your calendars out! First up, if you are reading this online or in the morning, at the museum is another  “Small Talk” on Thursday, Aug. 2 from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. at the museum.  Entitled “Morgan Rhees Jr, The Mysterious Artist of Southport” the talk will be presented by Pegi Stengel and will focus on the story of this award-winning artist whose works can still be found in and around this area. Participants will have an opportunity to view a few of his paintings that hang in the museum. Again the talk is free, but space is limited, so pre-registration is necessary.  Call 633-1102.

On Friday, Aug. 3, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library, the 91st Book and Bake Sale will be offered. Gently used books of fiction, non-fiction, mystery, young adult, children’s books, audio books, CDs, will be on sale at very low prices.  A great bake table will be stocked with freshly made pies and other Maine goods. These treats sell out fast so get there early. Follow route 27 south to the southern end of Southport. Call 633-2741  for more information. 

From Newagen Inn come these opportunities for fun and food.  Pre-Thursday online readers please note that singer/songwriter Charlie Barrale returns to Newagen Wednesday, Aug. 1 and will be performing at the Fire Pit from 7 to 9 p.m. while his audience enjoys s’mores. Thursday is Dave & Chris Gagne in the Pub at 7 p.m. and Sunday at the  Pub Steve Jones will entertain.  The Inn is unveiling a new Gazebo Bar this week featuring frozen drinks for all ages and other summer favorites. Please note that the Pub will be open for dinner Saturday, Aug. 4. This is the only open Saturday in August, so call for reservations.

For the art collectors Southport Junior Yacht Club Sailing Foundation is holding a fundraiser auction of two signed (one is a tennis theme, the other golf), limited edition (one of 50)  archival prints from Southport artist, Ed Parker. Ed is one of America’s leading marine painters working in the folk art tradition.  As a very special bonus, included with each print are several framed and matted original pen & ink sketches and figure studies used by the artist during the creation process. Proceeds from this auction will benefit the youth sailing program, including the scholarship fund and equipment upgrades. The prints are on display at the Boothbay Harbor Country Club. You can bid on these items online by searching for Southport Sailing Foundation on the website charity.ebay.com. The auction ends Aug. 6 at 5 p.m.

For the history buffs, from Tuesday, Aug. 7 through Thursday, Aug. 30, visit the Southport Memorial Library to view a display of photo copies made from the antique glass plates found in the archives of the Hendricks Hill Museum.  The display, entitled "A Look Back: West Southport in the 1890s" Photographs from the Towle Collection" chronicles island life during a bygone era. 

On Thursday, Aug. 9, 1:30 p.m., Donald Duncan will be holding forth at the Hendricks Hill Museum as the day’s captain of  "Small Talk," informing us of ice harvesting in this region. The formal title of Donald’s talk is "Ice Harvesting, Maine's Acres of Diamonds." Participants will have a chance to view ice harvesting tools and learn exactly how they were used for this fascinating industry. Event is free, but space is limited so please register in advance by calling 633-1102.

For good food and fun, another mark on your busy calendar is for the Southport Island Association’s annual picnic, this year to be held on Tuesday, Aug. 14, beginning at 5 p.m.  The picnic fun is returning to the home of Sandra Seifert, 40 Pratts Island Road on Southport. With fair weather we can enjoy each other’s company while also enjoying the view over Cozy Harbor.  The cost for the picnic is $10 per adult and $5 for children under 12, with donations for beverages.  Hot dogs and hamburgers are provided.  Any dish you might  bring to share would be appreciated :  salads (starch, vegetable or fruit), baked beans,  finger food desserts.  Please carpool if you can, and bring a lawn chair.  For more info, call Janet Duchaine at 860-484-9006.  Rain location: Southport Town Hall.

More news next week about another “Open Mike” night at the Island Store on Aug. 16, 7-9 p.m., weather permitting, and the Firemen’s Auction on Saturday, Aug. 18.