The full moon and the summer solstice came and went in the fog but thankfully summer activities that roll rapidly through the calendar convince us the season is really here.

Tonight, June 26, beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Southport Town Hall, the Southport Island Association (SIA) will host Susan Morse, a naturalist, who will talk with us about our small and not so small animal neighbors. "She won't bring snakes, will she?" one friend asked. No snakes, but pictures of those carnivores indigenous to our region such as weasels, mink, black bear, and lynx. Admission is free, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

Although the SIA functions year- round to serve Southport residents in a wide variety of ways, its official start of the summer season is 'Bolster Day,' the annual gathering at Newagen Inn, in the tent by the water on Sunday, June 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. to honor the memory of Judge Bolster who started the organization and to renew summer friendships while enjoying the beauty of the Newagen Inn property. All Southport residents, friends, and guests are welcome.

Jean and Bud Hawley are proud grandparents all the time, but in their spotlight at the moment is Ruthie Hawley, the daughter of Rob and Wendy Hawley and big sister to Joe Hawley. If you are a regular reader of this column, you will remember on May first we learned that Ruthie, as a ninth grade student at Klahowya High School in the Kitsap School District near Seattle, Washington, had won first place in her local and then regional division of the National History Day competition in which she prepared a documentary project about a "Conflict and Compromise in History." Influenced by her summer time on Southport, Ruthie chose to research Rachel Carson and her work.

Due to her success in Washington State, Ruthie was invited to College Park, Maryland, June 17-19 to spend three days with 2,000 students from across the country who submitted their projects to the following categories: Individual Documentary, Group Documentary, Individual Performance, Group Performance, Papers, Web Site, and Exhibits. Ruthie's category was Individual Documentary - Senior Division (high school). The title of her work was 'Rachel Carson's Life and Legacy: Conflict and Compromise." Approximately 88 students were competing in Ruthie's division. After the first day, she was among 14 finalists who competed for top honors the next day. Although only in her first year of high school, Ruthie finished sixth nationally and also received a medal for 'Outstanding Entry' from Washington State.

Grandma Jean says Ruthie has spent six months on her project and is relieved to have the experience behind her. While at the National Finals, she participated in tours of Washington, D.C. including a special tour of the monuments. Ruthie wishes to thank the following Southporters who helped her through telephone interviews: Phyllis Cook, Roger Christie, Mimi Havinga, Evelyn Sherman, Jean Thompson and her grandmother, Jean Hawley. When she visits Southport later this summer, she will share her research with us.

Accident news comes from Toni Woods and Al Azzoni. Al executed an involuntary karate move accelerated by a throw rug, splitting a solid maple dining room table with his head. Although he now refers to his raccoon look, we know this must have been a terrifying moment and wish him a speedy recovery.

Toni Woods is recovering at home on Dog Fish Head from a fractured pelvis, tended by husband Gary, who is multi-tasking as a nurse, housekeeper, and construction supervisor. The construction project on their home began in mid-May and at this stage their main house is suspended eight feet above the ground so that a new foundation and a two-car garage can be built. Toni and Gary are living in the "Blue Shutters," one of the cottages on the property, a small space in which to maneuver a walker. Their son Peter, a sophomore at the University of South Carolina, remains in Hilton Head for the summer teaching sailing at a South Carolina Yacht Club.

A reminder from the Harbor Master, John Lunt: Southport's 2008 mooring identification

stickers should be on your mooring by July 1, after which mooring permit-inspections will begin. Moorings without permit stickers will be identified and can be removed at the owner's expense or assumed by the Town as unclaimed property.

And another reminder that the Southport Memorial Library will now open an additional day a week on Wednesdays beginning July 2 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., the better to serve us all.

Looking ahead, mark your calendar for breakfast on July 5 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Southport town Hall. The members of the Southport United Methodist Church's Evangelism and Outreach Committee with additional helpers will serve scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, beans, French toast, muffins, juice, and coffee, all for $6 (adults); $2 (children 5-12); younger children free. And remember the church fair on July 16.