Hello friends and neighbors!

The Westport Community Association (WCA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1955 by Westport citizens. The WCA undertakes an annual program of community events to bring people together while simultaneously donating to the local food pantry as well as raising scholarship money for Island residents pursuing post-secondary education. In addition, the WCA has the task of maintaining the historic church adjacent to the Old Town Hall. These are all worthy goals that need both people and capital to succeed!

Each spring the WCA seeks both individual and business sponsors to support the year’s program. If you have a business that could use some local publicity and if you want to help build community on the island, please consider joining the WCA or contributing whatever you can. Donations of any size are gratefully accepted, and can be sent to the WCA, 6 Fowles Point Road, Westport Island, ME 04578. For more information, contact either Laurie Jaramillo or Bobbie Newberg at westportcommunityassociation@gmail.com.

The WCA promises to advertise your business at any chosen event for a minimum contribution of $75. If you would like to be a season sponsor and earn yearlong publicity, the WCA is asking for $250. There are currently seven scheduled events looking for sponsors, and we hope you will jot them on your calendar and plan to attend!

Start the season with an island concert from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 21 at the historic church. The Shipmates, a local group creating sea Americana, traditional American music and early blues will provide harmonies and humor accompanied by guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin.

The bylaws call for an annual meeting, but the WCA has decided to turn it into a casual Meet and Greet on Saturday, June 17, from 3-5 pm. Both year round and summer residents are invited to meet or re-connect with new and old friends while casually sampling some wine and enjoying some scrumptious goodies.

Saturday, July 8, is the annual Westport Volunteer Fire Department Benefit Barbecue. While the firefighters double as cooks for the evening, the WCA provides a wide array of tantalizing desserts. Bring your lawn chairs to enjoy the entertaining blue grass tunes of the ever popular group Back to Basics. Catch up with your friends while the kids play games.

The Old Town Hall will be the venue for an ice cream social with sundaes and toppings galore on Sunday, Aug. 6, from 2-5 p.m. After enjoying a sweet treat, join in a variety of lawn games such as volleyball, badminton, croquet, horseshoes, bocce or water balloon toss! Plan to have fun with the whole family.

Westport’s history and cemetery committees are teaming up with the WCA on Saturday, Sept. 23, for a 10 a.m. vehicle caravan tour of some of  Westport Island’s cemetery treasures. This tour promises to be a perfect fall event for anyone interested in local history and genealogy. History displays also will be exhibited and history books available for purchase.

Don’t miss the fun of the annual Halloween Costume Party on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 7-9 p.m. Dance to the tunes of our popular DJ while enjoying the spooky transformation of the Old Town Hall. Prizes and goodies for all and games for the kids.

The 2017 season will close with the annual Island Christmas celebration on Sunday, Dec. 3 starting at 4 p.m. Join the island musicians and choir in holiday song under the kerosene lamps of the historic church. Hot cider and goodies follow next door at the Old Town Hall.

All events are free, but the WCA always suggests that folks consider a donation to Helping Hands, Westport’s food pantry. Please help support our community by joining the WCA, attending local events, and perhaps becoming a season or event sponsor. You will be glad you did!

Finally, Dedee requests that island residents update their email addresses with her at municipalagent@westportisland.us. Dedee is happy to remind people of upcoming due dates, but she needs current contact info to do so. If you no longer use an email address or have changed yours, please let Dedee know. Thank you!

Your newshound pat-dick@midcoast.com (231-4049) is always looking for news!