The Sarah Sherman book signing at the Southport Memorial Library on Saturday, December 8, has been cancelled until further notice, although several of Sarah's books are available for sale at the library along with Anne Ross's photographic books of Gus Pratt's store and an old Maine farmhouse. In fact for Christmas shoppers the library is a good place to begin as unique arts and crafts, including Sue Heil Kibbe's jewelry, June Elderkin's note cards, Linda Brewer's Christmas ornaments, and other items are available for purchase along with a good selection of used books.

Feeling grumpy? Want to get into the Christmas spirit? Come see the classic story, "The Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens in which the grumpiest man in town, Ebenezer Scrooge, witnessing the consequences of his grumpiness and stinginess, changes into someone filled with the holiday spirit. The show, with many Southporters in the cast, will open at the Boothbay Playhouse (dress warmly - it is a barn) this weekend, playing Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the YMCA and at the Playhouse.

At the Boothbay Region Garden Club's Festival of Trees, the Southport Memorial Library Christmas tree with the Wizard of Oz theme sold for $450. The purchaser, Penny Thumith, has donated the tree to Barbara Bush's Children's Center in Portland. The children will be delighted by the many handmade ornaments that depict the story as portrayed in the movie. I wonder how many adults know that since the tale was written by L. Frank Baum in 1900 some scholars have interpreted the characters and plot as a parable. If you remember your history of the time, in 1896 William Jennings Bryan was nominated as the Democratic candidate by the silverist wing of the Democratic party, beginning a strong Populist movement. Although the United States did not abandon the gold standard until the early 1930s, Bryan brought the economic issue to the voters' attention by proclaiming, "… you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."

Gold was Wall Street's money. Silver was the small town's money. In the land of Oz the yellow brick road (gold) led nowhere. Dorothy's silver slippers (and they were silver in the book) took her back to security in Kansas. Henry M. Littlefield, a scholar, suggests that author Baum intended the character of Dorothy to be the well-intentioned common person; the Tin Man is the industrial worker; Oz a politician whom Dorothy exposes as a fraud.

Other interpretations have also emerged as issues changed, showing the endurance of a tale with connections to Southport Island through the residence in Newagen Harbor of the actress, Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West in the movie version. (Thanks, Margie Spratt, for sharing these scholarly references.)

Gerry Gamage brought me up-to-date with the news that on November 16 the town of Southport did purchase the Gus Pratt property. Discussion of the modification and use of that property will be among the topics at Town Meeting.

Several people have put their names on a list to ride to Augusta in the YMCA mini vans to attend the legislative hearing on school administration consolidation Wed-nesday morning, December 12, leaving Southport approximately at 7:30 a.m. and returning in either late morning or early afternoon when the hearing adjourns. If you would like to attend that meeting in which the modifications to the legislation that most affect Southport will be discussed, please call me at 633-0672.

The Southport Methodist Church and our tummies were filled Sunday evening as we first ate the delicious homemade soups, breads, and desserts prepared by the choir and church members and then listened to the traditional service of Lessons and Carols.

Next for our holiday enjoyment, the school children will present their annual seasonal pageant at the Town Hall on December 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Expect lots of music and perhaps a short play. Do support our school and our children with your attendance.

After what was forecast to be nearly a foot of snow, here on the island our accumulation is only a few inches deep, and our island school has begun on time today, Tuesday. Our grandson Vlade's first grade in Nobleboro is starting two hours late and William's pre-school is not convening at all, so Kit and I must leave early for our child care responsibilities. Consequently, "That's all folks!"