Chilmark is up and running. The sun has returned and we are now able to get on with the spring chores. Many businesses are opening or at least dusting out and preparing for weekend openings. Betsy Larsen has opened her popular fish market on the dock; the Chilmark Store and Menemsha Market are both open; the Bite and the Galley should be up and running this weekend. Pandora’s Box is also open. Best to call ahead if you are planning to come up-Island just to be sure of spring hours.

We are happy to give Stanley Larsen and his family the weekend off to celebrate the marriage of daughter Janelle Larsen to Dakota Fogg in Menemsha. The reception will be at the community center. We are send cheers and congratulations to the popular couple.

The selectmen are overseeing some renovations to the Menemsha comfort station this week. Work should be completed by the weekend. Major renovations are still being discussed for next year.

Bella Thorpe will travel with her mother, Julie Flanders, to the New England Dressage Association spring horse show in Marshfield this weekend. Bella will ride Reina and compete at the second level. We wish them great success and a ribbon or two.

Chilmark’s college students are returning from their studies across the country this week. Home are Andrew Ruimerman from Roanoke College and his brother Peter from Manhattan College, Mariah and Jessica Campbell form the University of Massachusetts, and Katie Smith from Simmons College. Katie Carroll has travelled to William and Mary College in Virginia to return with her daughter, Bradley. Chilmark welcomes all of our youth home for another Chilmark summer and all that it has to offer.

Fran Flanders is traveling to Virginia this weekend to visit former Chilmark resident Sheila Price, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday. We all send cheers to Sheila!

The friends of the Reverend Dr. Michael and Marie (ACSW) will be happy to know that the couple will be returning to Chilmark for the first time in four years from their new home in St. Louis. They both retired in 2014, Michael from his practice as a pastoral psychotherapist and congregational consultant and Marie from her position as coordinator of the Child Abuse Prevention Center of Loma Linda Hospital. A year ago they moved from Claremont, Calif. to the city where they met and were married 32 years ago, St. Louis. They will be staying at the Jaffe Pond House on Stonewall Pond.

Emily Gadd sends word that she is back from her winter in Bozeman, Mont. and happy to be at her South Road summer home. She will be checking in with her many friends and getting right to work on her successful gardens now that the sun is out.

Please remember that the family of Daniel W. Greenbaum is planning a memorial program called the Final Going Away Party for Dan at the Chilmark Community Center at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. All are welcome to share stories, photos and memories of this special man. Please call Anne at 617-429-4679 for details.

Pathways Projects sends thanks to all who participated and supported the winter programs at the Chilmark Tavern. They plan to return in November with another full schedule of arts for all.

Ed Greenebaum of Bloomington Ill. will be spending some time at his Menemsha home for a spring visit to friends and family.

The conservation commission has posted its agenda for the May 18 meeting to be held at town hall at 12:30 p.m. Among other things, they will discuss possible plans for changes to the parking lot and road sides of Menemsha as well as details pertaining to the Squibnocket proposed changes Interested citizens are welcome to attend.

Best wishes to Jim Morgan who is at home now and recovering, and we hope soon to be out and around.

Please allow me a personal sentence or two to thank my many friends and fellow Chilmarkers who have been so helpful to me as I adjust to recent health issues. All goes well and I appreciate beyond measure all your help and support.

Send Chilmark news to slaterjn@comcast.net.