I am sure you all saw the Boothbay Register's front page picture last week of this year's Shrimp Princess flanked by the two runners' up. On the right was Southport's own lovely Abby McGrail, who was chosen first runner up for her grace, charm, and light-hearted rendition of, "On the Sunny Side of the Street." Congratulations, Abby.

About 40 people gathered in the Southport Town Hall Thursday night, May 1 to hear the presentation from the Pratt Property Committee and Selectman Gerry Gamage of ideas for the property's use. Pratt Property Committee members present were Jean Hawley, Chair, Cy Seifert, Maynard Brewer, and Sarah Sherman. Because one possible scenario presented was to tear down the existing building, leaving a rebuilt wharf and an open gazebo, much of the conversation centered on whether or not the building was worth saving and if saved, what its use could be. Several people who spoke for saving the building suggested that commercial use could bring in revenue to offset repairs.

Others stated that any commercial use of the property, building or pier, should result in the user paying a fee to offset costs. Although the discussion identified groups of users such as fishermen, small boat owners, yacht club members, and people who would like to sit and enjoy the view, persons making final remarks stated that they hoped the committee's goal would be to provide access and use for the whole community, not just one specific group.

The purpose of the meeting was to allow the Pratt Property Committee to hear ideas from the community but not at this time to take any action. They will hold another public comment meeting in July.

Evelyn Sherman and her co-workers at the Southport Museum are looking for cleaning volunteers each Tuesday morning in May to ready the museum for the summer season. All supplies will be there, but the energy and time to use them are needed. Museum trustees and friends will be available to organize the work. No need to sign up; just come and help.

Artists from the Southport Central School can show you their work at a reception for students and friends on Mother's Day, May 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation in the Harbor. You may also view their work during the foundation's normal weekend hours May 9-11 and 16 - 18.

Diana, Harry, and Meris Esterly responded to a previous column that described Diana's family, the Eames, by sending greetings to all Southport friends. They will return to Maine August 5-27 and hope to reunite with many of you.

A note found on the ground by the post office made its way to me with the assumption that the message was meant for this column. The note sent thanks to Jennifer Gaudette of Marine Supply for donating a life ring and 50 feet of rope to the school pond and to Jeff Brown for lettering it. Since our young grandsons enjoyed catching and releasing frogs there last summer and in their exuberance could easily have fallen in, I also send my personal thanks to Jennifer and Jeff.

As businesses begin to open for the summer, Scott Larson, owner of the Lawnmere and Newagen Inns on the island, wanted the community to know that Lawnmere Inn will not serve public meals this season. The Inn will operate as a bed and breakfast serving breakfast only to registered guests. Newagen Inn will continue to serve public dinners Monday through Thursday and on weekends when no weddings are scheduled. Russell House on Route 27, another Larson property, will serve lunch and dinner with a new summer menu, every day of the week except Tuesday. Daniel Stevens will continue as executive chef.

Newagen Inn will open on Thursday, May 29 with the annual Firemen's Dinner. Cost of the dinner this year is $35 per person, with the Southport firemen serving the meal and collecting tips and a portion of the proceeds. Make your reservations early to enjoy the evening with neighbors and friends, digest a good meal, and benefit our Southport Fire Department.

Two island summer young people, Emily and Willy Leathers, are carving out exciting lives for themselves. Emily who graduated from Carnegie Mellon University last June went immediately to the country of Qatar in the Middle East near Saudi Arabia to teach computer science and math at a branch of her alma mater. In February she returned to San Francisco to join a start-up computer firm named Rapleaf. If you Google this company you will find their description of Emily as a "superb engineer" and a description of the company as "start-up who aggregates social networking profiles." I think we all can understand the description of Emily, but kudos to those of you who understand the description of the company.

Emily's brother, Willy, finishing his second year at the Maine Maritime Academy, has earned his Coast Guard license for a 200-ton vessel and will be interning as a deck hand in Portland on tugboats for McAllister Towing and Transportation Company. Both these young people were sailors at the Southport Yacht Club.