I mentioned it last week, but if you missed it, here’s a reminder: Friday is the day we will gather at the library to nibble on some cheese and crackers, indulge in a cookie or two and wash it down with some homemade punch while we applaud Jane Slater as she receives the Chilmark Historical Commission Award from noon to 2 p.m.

We will gather to share a few words and anecdotes and see her name emblazoned on a brass plate affixed to a plaque right underneath that of Bette Carroll, whose name was added back in 2015.

Claire Ganz, teen Andy Carr and their posse of Chilmark Church Sunday-schoolers created a piece for Featherstone’s The Art of Flowers exhibit. Valentina, Georgiana, Clayton, Alexander, Callum, Jude, Tasher and Isla glued food coloring dyed tissue paper to a glass vase creating a stained glassed like appearance, filled it with freshly cut daffodils and tiled it “Sunday Morning Patchwork.” It’s a rarity that Featherstone accepts artwork for their shows created at off-site locations, but the work done by these youngsters (some of whom are Featherstone students) was simply too fanciful to pass up on.

Not only has the annual May Day celebration come and gone, but a week of remembrances, birthdays and get togethers has, too. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the Amish barn nestled in the back yard of the late Fran and David Flanders was the gathering spot for friends and family members who traveled from near and far to celebrate the life of Beth Flanders Campbell. Among others, I had the pleasure of swapping stories with Julie Hersey who traveled from Alaska and Wanda Irion who traveled from Pennsylvania.

The first week of May brought bountiful birthday celebrations. Nancy Aronie celebrated while the May Pole was being danced. Steve Broderick, Peter Knight, Josh Scott, Ben Poole and Tracy Thorpe celebrated on May the Fourth (be with you). Bill Smith and Sarah Flanders celebrated on Cinco de Mayo. Marie Larsen, Lisa Burkin and Tim Carroll celebrated on the sixth. Tim was surrounded by family and a table adorned with two cakes courtesy of his youngest brother, Chris. He whipped up spice cake and chocolate wowie cake following old family recipes which can be found in the Chilmark Church spiral bound cookbook. For those of you I didn’t call out by name, I hope your celebrations were laughter-filled.

Stanley and Lanette Larsen at Menemsha Fish Market and Marshall and me at Menemsha Texaco are pleased to have neighbors again. Our seasonal business operators begin to trickle back into town and a few new faces appear. This week you’ll surely be pleased to know Betsy, Kristine and right-hand cousin Scott opened the doors on May 2 at Larsen’s Fish Market. The doors are intermittently open at Ben McCormick’s Under the Surface Gallery and goods are being trickled into Pandora’s Box, Ruel Gallery and the Chilmark Store, which will all soon welcome customers for the 2024 season. Tasty meals are nearly ready to be served at the Chilmark Tavern and the Galley, then the Homeport will soon follow.

Just as the osprey are slowing their building and are preparing to sit on their nests, life around town is slowly beginning to bustle.

I received a little shout out from Linsey Lee who was super excited to share news of an upcoming event at the MV museum on Tuesday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m, Folks are invited to view short videos from Vineyarders talking about their relationships with the land and sea. Excerpted from oral history interviews conducted by Linsey with Fred Fisher, Gladys Widdiss, Elmer Silva, Helen Manning, Donald and Patsy Malonson, Eric Cottle and more. As Linsey’s communication states: “This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the Island’s rich history of environmental stewardship and commitment to preserving its natural beauty through the voices of its own people.”

Linsey also shares that seating is somewhat limited. If you want to be sure to get a seat, reach out to the fine folks at the museum.