You would think, living as we do in a relatively tight knit island community, that there would not be much new to discover after 15 years. Well, such is not the case, for me at least.
Recently an email arrived from Barbara Baseman (lady unit in above photo), the just retired president of the Southport Island Association, aka, SIA. Donald Duncan was also about to retire after 18 years as treasurer of the association and a gift of some “iconic” island scene might be an appropriate thank you for many years of service. Cuckolds Light came to mind. As it turned out, a view of the Cuckolds is pretty accessible from Mr. Duncan's location on the island.
I coordinated the gift creation with Gardiner Rapelye (taller male unit in above photo) who is to become the new president of the SIA. His name rang a bell but it turned out that bell rang for his father who I had met years ago at his house next door to Dave Bean's lobster pound over in the Harbor. Gardiner lives in a house that was originally built by Ralph Spinney along Island Route 238. I didn't even know it was there — talk about keeping up with current events.
Anyway, when I popped over to the SIA's annual meeting at the Newagen Inn to make the above photograph, I was astonished by the number of people. The entire dining room was full. There must have been 100 people in attendance.
As it turns out, the SIA started out in 1948 under a different name. Since then its “charter,” if you will, has become more general and generous contributing to all sorts of local organizations from the ambulance service to FISH to financial assistance for college bound students. Perhaps even most importantly, SIA offers “helping hands” to neighbors for heating bills, school supplies and emergency needs.
Might be time for me to pay more attention.
Congratulations Southport Island Association for another year of generous support. Thanks for being there — or here.