Growing up is a life-long project, but in our culture today, being "grown up" comes at age 18, when most young people graduate from high school. This week we welcome to the world of grown-ups the eight Southport young people who will be graduating tomorrow: Sarah Blaney, Allison Cole, Lydia Cole, Alex Hutchins, Janna Hutchins, Jake Norton, Maddie Rideout, and Dalton Tibbetts. Each one deserves our applause and congratulations for navigating the shoals of high school successfully and for the contributions to the voyage each has made. All deserve our support as they take on the duties and responsibilities of adulthood.

Whether off to college or full-time into the working world, most of you will live away from home and take full responsibility for yourselves. You now can, and we hope you will vote. You can serve your country in the armed services. Each of these freedoms offer chances to grow and chances to fail. We assume, like most of us, you will do both. We trust, like most of us, you will continue to have people to love you through both conditions. For now, enjoy this weekend, knowing the whole community is proud of you.

Many in the community gathered Friday evening in the medieval castle Town Hall had become to enjoy music made by our friend and neighbors. Organized by Lynn Orne and friends, with the transforming decorations provided by the Southport School, we listened to Jerie Phinney, Faye Christy, and Brian Howe play guitars and sing songs they had written and other familiar melodies. Alina Blakesley contributed Polish folk songs, which she sang and played on the accordion. Donald Duncan informed us that the mark of an educated man is one who can play the bagpipes, but when asked, doesn't. Yet we all clapped when he demonstrated how the bagpipes work and played, "Scotland the Brave" and other familiar tunes. The unique offerings of the evening were the rhythms of the Cabin Spirit Drummers. African drumming and other percussion instruments melded into stories and tunes that drew us all in, so that by the end of the evening most people in the audience had chosen a percussion instrument and became part of the show. Thanks to Laurie Cartier, Lorri Higgins, Lucy Schmidt, Lynn Orne, Jody King, Jerie Phinney, and Kitty Hartford. I suspect this group was the provider of good food too. Thanks, everyone for a great evening.

The decorations were part of the Southport School's Medieval Festival project during which the youngsters dressed in costumes, ate food from trenchers with their fingers, and played medieval games, although any jousting done was without horse. Fifth and sixth graders also went to the University of Southern Maine campus for a Water Festival, in which they won many of the honors, included having their logo chosen for the festival sweatshirts, thanks to the efforts of Robert, Chelsea, and Zak.

With the summer season approaching or already here, we see possibilities at Possibilities. Lynn Schafer's bright yellow sign and beckoning gardens draw us into the shed where an eclectic mix of furniture, antique quilts, braided rugs, and other interesting household items are available for purchase. My eye was caught by a vase chandelier, each arm holding a small vase in which live ivy was growing. You can find Possibilities on Route 27, shortly after the store on the left, heading south.

As we mentioned several weeks ago, Sweet Dreams Bakery is now open 7 a.m. through 7 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. The possibility of dinner there has been a boon to several husbands, including mine, who find themselves alone at dinner time. In addition to the usual fare of sandwiches and pizza, Marie will have several specials. Husband, Kit, enjoyed marinated pork chops. Seven tables invite you to eat in, or food will be prepared to carry out. Cookies, pies, muffins, donuts, and bars are also available. Sweet Dreams is next to the Post Office.

You can find Molly of Molly Hutchins Designs sewing in her shop and display room on the right just after you cross the bridge onto Southport. Molly has added collars to some of her jackets this year, has new fabrics, and tote bags for sale.

If you need a clock repaired, try Gene Hauser on Pratts Island. Gene and his wife, Cathy, return from California each summer to stay cool and enjoy their view of the Sheepscot River. Call 633-6167 for attention to your clock.

A former summer resident of Pratts Island, Janice Moreshead, has welcomed a new grandson into her flock. Andrew and Brenda Kelsey Moreshead of Smyrna, Georgia, are parents of son Andrew Clark, born in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 15. Dad, Andrew, was granted leave to return from duty in Afghanistan for the birth. Paternal grandfather is Charles Moreshead, formally of Augusta, Maine, now of Juno Beach, Florida.

June 10 will be the next opportunity to help tidy up the museum for the summer season. Come anytime between 9 a.m. and noon. Just bring your elbow grease. All cleaning supplies will be provided.