Last week I wrote that the town had completed the purchase of the Pratt Property on Cozy Harbor on November 16. Additional information on that topic is that we spent undesignated funds to meet the asking price of $495,000. Selectman Gerry Gamage says that after Christmas the committee of volunteers from our first town meeting on this topic, Maynard Brewer, Jean Hawley, Austin McKinney, Cy Seifert, and Alfred Norton, will resume meeting to consider the modifications and use of the property. Gerry plans talks with the officers of the Southport Junior Yacht Club Foundation about their needs and if those needs can be met through some shared use of the property.

Now we know what those messages are on the numerous road signs that have been veiled in black plastic secured with duct tape. The Thompson's Bridge over Decker Cove is closed for repair. We can drive up the east side of the island either by Cross Road, the detour the state directs, or by Plummer Road. Repairs began on December 10 and are estimated to take about two weeks.

Some people wondered who would plow our roads during last week's snowstorm as both of our Public Works Department employees had resigned. After 22 years of service to our town, Aaron Blaney, the previous Public Works Foreman, would not leave us stuck in snow drifts so he kept our roads cleared and sanded during our first snow of the season. Newly hired are Matt Thibault and Ben Morse who began working for us on Monday, December 10. Aaron will continue to assist when his schedule permits, and if we need additional manpower during extremely bad weather Hugh Thompson will continue as back-up. Many thanks, Aaron, for your many years of faithful hard work in all kinds of weather.

For those who love a winter wonderland theme, during this past week our island has provided the perfect picture: snow-ladened trees, the woods carpeted in white with the sparkle of frozen drops when we awake, wisps of sea smoke, bright blue skies. Those who must get somewhere on time, have had to shovel and plow, leave early, drive more slowly, or cancel the trip altogether. More freshening snow for our scene is due tonight and about every other day through the weekend.

Only one more day to stop by Sweet Dreams Bakery between the Post Office and the school. Although Marie Kelley says she will close for the winter on Friday, December 14, she will continue to take orders for cakes, pies, and cookies, including sugar free varieties. To order, call her at 633-5956.

To continue a review of shopping opportunities on Southport, in addition to braided rugs and other gifts for the home at Lynn Schafer's Possibilities shop and various crafts and books on sale at the Southport Memorial Library, Marie at Sweet Dreams has some Maine-themed photographs for sale. The Island Store has begun to stock some new items such as imported cookies, cakes, and chocolates. They also are packaging home-made Christmas cookies, an excellent hostess gift or quick snack to accompany hot chocolate when the children come from sledding. Wines for Christmas are also on sale.

Last Thursday Penny Thumith, Sandra Seifert, Linda Brewer, and Barbara Lally took the Southport Memorial Library's tree, trimmed with ornaments representing the Wizard of Oz, to the Barbara Bush Children's Center at the Maine Medical Center, erecting and redecorating it in the sixth floor lounge where families and children take respite from the hospital bed. The Center was especially glad to have the tree as their previous tree, stored somewhere, could not be found. A few children able to be about and hospital volunteers stopped by to help add the ornaments to the tree.

The Southport Methodist Church Choir supper on December 2 raised sufficient funds to divide among the Boothbay Region Food Pantry, the Community Resource Fuel Fund, and the church's contingency fund. Choir members thank all who attended and donated to these good causes.

Our next island holiday gatherings will be the school's holiday concert on December 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall and the Christmas Eve worship services: 7 p.m. at the Southport Methodist Church and 10 p.m. at All Saints by-the-Sea. The service at All Saints will occur if weather conditions permit reasonably safe access. You can call the Sherrills at 633-0672 if the weather conditions on the 24 th are questionable.