After the carnival week, the ladies of Barbara Baseman's family arrived, including Mom, Molly Axler, and Aunt Elenore of Pembroke Pines, Florida; sister Elaine Brownstein of Boynton Beach, Florida; and niece Lisa Brownstein of St. Cloud, Minn. The highlight of that week's visit was a trip to Monhegan where everyone hiked to Whitehead Peak, including Barbara's mom, age 88, and aunt, age 87. Congratulations to the stamina of that gathering.

More congratulations to Joyce and Donald Duncan whose family, friends, and colleagues gathered the weekend of July 22-23 to celebrate the Duncan's 50th wedding anniversary. Daughters Nancy and Fenn organized the events which included a tour of the Botanical Gardens by Joyce and the Southport Museum by Donald on Saturday morning. In the afternoon all gathered for speeches, cake, hors d'oeuvres, and cake. Great fun, said Joyce, and no one embarrassed them.

More congratulations to recent birthday celebrants. Bud Hawley's sons planned and executed a lovely surprise party for his significant birthday this past week. Those gathered at the library on Tuesday last serenaded Ramona Gaudette with the birthday song as she was 39 again on August 3.

Now to future events. Tomorrow, Friday, August 5, from 9 a.m. through noon, at the Southport Memorial Library you can buy food and books, the food home made by very good cooks, and the books donated but no longer needed in the collection. Again at the library on Thursday, August 11, author David W. Shaw will give a brief lecture on his latest book, "Sea Wolf of the Confederacy."

More food opportunities for Southport Yacht Club members is the annual officers' clam bake. In order to avoid conflict with the Mark Island Race the officers have changed the date to August 6, an earlier date than in years past. The price for the bake is $18 ($8 for a child's plate), and advance tickets are mandatory. As usual the fare will be lobster, clams, mussels, corn, potatoes, and onions, all cooked at once in huge cookers layered with seaweed over a blazing oceanside fire. There will be two bakes. For those afraid of lobster, you can order steak. In addition, cole slaw, drawn butter, and dessert cake are always on the menu. The bake begins with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and usually - if all goes well - the first bake is off at 6:45 p.m. Remember, advanced reservations deposited at the yacht club are mandatory.

Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. at the Southport Yacht Club you will find the annual Arts and Crafts show. Check the yacht club column for more details.

Saturday, August 13 (inclement weather date - August 14), departing at 8:30 a.m. from the Southport Town Landing at Newagen will be the annual "Around Southport Rowgatta." Any person powered craft may enter for the $30 registration fee. All money raised benefits the Boothbay YMCA. Rowers will receive a pledge sheet and are encouraged to collect pledges in honor of their efforts. Spectators are encouraged to line the shores of Southport to cheer the rowers on. All participants receive a Rowgatta tee shirt to acknowledge their attempt or accomplishment of rowing the 12 nautical mile course. Call either Michelle Farnham (633-2855) or Susan Quimby (633-4753) for more details.

Thursday, August 18 the Southport Methodist Church is offering a one-day community Bible School for all ages. The day will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude with a cook-out at 2 p.m. In between participants will journey in faith by means of Bible lessons, music, crafts, games, and enjoying food together. Everyone in the greater community is invited. Call Mary Merrill (633-4619) to reserve a spot or pick up a pre-registration form at the church or library and send it to the church.

Every Tuesday Dave Berry's Market Boat comes to Southport about noon at the Town Dock in Newagen Harbor. On Fridays about the same time the boat docks at Capital Island. Bobbie Wallingford says that Dave has the best tomatoes and string beans she has found anywhere.

In addition to bridge repair we can experience our tax dollars at work when we use the new Y-Fi internet service at the Southport Memorial Library. The new system was installed by a state library representative earlier this week. The bridge slows our life down; the Y-Fi speeds it up.