With blue skies and warmer weather, many folks turned out for our two Memorial Day celebrations on the island. Beginning with an 8:30 a.m. service in Newagen led by Joe Beardsley and then onto a 9 a.m. service at the Civil War Monument, we enjoyed the Community Band augmented by players from the Boothbay Region High School Band, along with a Color Guard, the Veterans, and the Boy Scouts.

Selectman Gerry Gamage acknowledged that he ran a bit of a risk choosing Robert E. Lee as the patriot of the day, but noted Lee's exemplary record for his country before the Civil War, his agonizing decision as to which side to back, his gentlemanly conduct in defeat, and his stewardship as president of Washington and Lee College after his military service.

I assume Lee made his choice on the basis of his belief in states' rights rather than in his defense of slavery, but I have not had time to check my history to be sure of the accuracy of that assumption.

We were sorry to hear of the death of Charlie Rogers of Spruce Drive in Newagen. Perhaps there will be an obituary elsewhere in the paper. We wish Kathy Barter skilled doctors as she works toward good health at Maine Medical Center.

The small Southport Yacht Club building was bursting with folks happy to see each other and share good food on Saturday, May 23. Although the building was cold when crowds first began to gather, soon the fellowship helped us forget the rain and cold outside.

This is last call for the Firemen's Dinner at Newagen, Thursday, May 28, beginning at 5 p.m. with food served by our firemen at 6 p.m. Call Newagen at 207-633-5242 for reservations. When I checked in on Tuesday, 60 people were on the list, but there may be a few more spaces.

In addition to good food by returning chef Fiona Dunlap, you will enjoy live music, hors d'oeuvres, and experience of the Inn's newly reconstructed restaurant area. Tickets are $30 a person with all proceeds going to the firemen.

Also available at the Inn will be Happy Hour from Sunday through Friday, 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. Half price wine and draft beer will be featured along with food specials.

Lunch will be served to the public every day from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Although the swimming pool is not open to those not residence in the Colony or at the Inn, the tennis courts may be reserved by anyone living on Southport.

I hope this column makes it to the editor's desk. My computer crashed this morning, so I am very grateful to neighbors Edee and Bruce Crosby for use of their equipment. Computers are wonderful until they cease to function.