Robinson’s Wharf is opening March 13 with a new chef, Joel Rissinger, who, even though he is from Rochester, New York, has had much practice in cooking fish, having worked in Hawaii and other coastal locations. Even in Rochester, where he began his career, he said they had a good supplier of fish from Maine. Hours at Robinson’s will be 11:30 a.m. until 8 p.m., but closed Sundays and Mondays.

A Southport article with a pictures tells us about naming the room at the boathouse addition to the Southport Museum “The Sherman-Thompson Room”, honoring the many years those two families have worked to create and sustain the museum, an honor well deserved.

Another article and pictures are about the upcoming Southport Island Association’s annual Winter Walk that will take place on Saturday, March 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. The SIA is partnering again with Cape Newagen Alpaca Farm, and the Southport Memorial Library to get us outside in the fresh air and enjoy these special animals. The Winter Walk begins at 3 p.m. at the library with alpacas in the lead along with owners Mike Ciccarelli and Anne Gobes. All are welcome to join in this multi-generational fun! We will gather at the library to lead the four alpacas to the Town Landing and back. Please leave your dogs at home, the alpacas are a bit frightened by dogs. Upon return to the library, stay for some good cheer with coffee and hot chocolate and enjoy a wine and cheese hour sponsored by the SIA. All are welcome to bring an appetizer to share. The Library will be open to the public as well, and walkers can shop for used books for sale. Snow date will be Sunday, March 10.

Also, I assume there will be an article about the Southport town meeting that took place on Monday, March 4, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Since this column is due by Monday at 3:30 p.m., I necessarily needed to leave that writing to others.

Word from Susan Rice is that her mother, Jan Moreshead, died March 1 at her home in Hallowell. Jan and her family were part of the Pratts Island Gang, although husband, at the time, Charlie, was not often there as he was a lawyer in Augusta. Jan and the four children, Andrew, David, Susan and Cynthia, romped around the island and sailed at the Southport Yacht Club for many summers. Always with a smile, although life sent her some difficult times, Jan taught school, volunteered at the Alfond Center, was active in her church, and served on many boards. Her funeral will be at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 41 Western Avenue in Augusta this Wednesday, March 6, beginning at 11 a.m. with a reception following at Governor Hill Mansion, 136 State Street in Augusta.

Does anyone have a room or a one-bedroom apartment for rent? Betsy Thibault, a familiar family name on the island and an employee of the Southport General Store, needs a space to call home. You can contact her at the store or by calling 207-315-6419. If requested, she has many references to vouch for her worthiness.

The gardening group met again last Thursday morning at the Southport Memorial Library with chairs filled around the table in the Mystery Room. The topic began with mosses and how valuable and lovely they are, how you can transfer them from a nursery or elsewhere on your property to where you want them, and how to keep them flourishing. Claire Tomlin had brought some examples that decorated the center of the table. This meeting and discussion will continue each Thursday morning beginning at 10 at the library. Everybody is welcome. For additional information call Claire Tomlin 305-775-2166.

Also news from the library is a gathering on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 3:30 p.m. You are invited to drop in to draw or paint. Bring your own materials, but no oil-based paint. Also you will find no instruction, no criticism, and no pressure.

Remember that you have until March 15 to purchase a banner to honor a person who has served in the military. The banners will begin appearing on poles around the area in early May, in time for Memorial Day and will remain up until Veterans Day. Contact Sarah Sherman (633-7161 or shermanmcgrail@yahoo.com) or Jim Singer (751-8540 or singerjo@aol.com) to place your order.

As perhaps expected, there has been some ‘blow back’ against naming June as Pride Month and flying the Pride flag. Some folks have noted that we do not fly flags for other groups who have been ostracized, such as Jews and people of color. Another person has noted that flying the American flag is enough as it stands for the unity of the American people. Both ideas have merit. We do see the American flag as the symbol of our country as a whole. But I also think we benefit from a reminder that America has not always been, and, in truth, not yet is as unified as perhaps we need to be. The American flag always flies at the top of the pole, but symbols of those among us who have been outcasts or discriminated against are part of our history. Flying the flag of those groups of people reminds us that we are making progress toward inclusion and understanding. As to the criticism of flying the Pride flag for a whole month, as a retired teacher I know we need to see something many more times than once to have understanding and acceptance become part of our thinking. Again I applaud our Selectmen for signing the proclamation and being willing to fly the Pride flag for the month of June. Please treat them and the flag with respect.

A reminder that you can sign up for a workshop to learn to dye Pysanky Eggs on March 30 by emailing Annie at Annie@SouthportGeneralstore.com or calling her at 633-0402. And you can put money in a donation can on the checkout counter at the store for three young children of Sam and Shale Maynard who have died, leaving the children in the care of their grandmother.