This past weekend, amidst the comings and goings of all of the MV Film Festival happenings, Miss Zora Morais, daughter of Mathea and Chioke, made her theatrical debut playing the role of Erino in the MV Public Charter School’s performance of The Neverending Story. The production offered acting and dancing opportunities for a wide range of performers from first through 10th grades. Under the guidance of Heather Capece and our remarkably talented Jesse Jason of The Yard, Maeve Cook-Martin played the part of a dancer and character named Uylala, while Ella Oskan played a horse named Atrax.

Tara Larsen has escaped the snow, wind, sleet, rain and power outages Chilmark has had to offer for the sun and warmth of the Florida Keys. Between spending time with her dad and reading books she managed to squeeze in two, yes two, 5Ks into one weekend. She placed eighth for female walkers in the Run With Key Deer and then placed fourth in the Irish Kevin’s, improving her time by eight minutes. High five, Tara!

Sisters Allison Parry and Christina Colarusso represented the Martha’s Vineyard Master’s swim team at the New England LMSC Short Course Yard Championships hosted by the Charles River Masters at Harvard’s Blodgett Pool. Christina placed 13th in the 100 IM, 14th in the 50 back stroke and 16th in the 50 freestyle. Allison, according to her sister, “crushed it and broke a team record.” Allison earned a 2nd place in the 100 breaststroke, 6th place in the 100 individual medley relay, and second place 50 yard freestyle setting a new MV Masters team record and qualifying for nationals in each event. They plan to compete as a team with their sister Colleen Colarusso, in the LIVE LOVE TRI, the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard’s annual indoor triathlon to benefit the Y FOR ALL financial assistance and community outreach.

Graham Stearns traveled to Tufts University this past weekend to receive his Scholastic Art & Writing Award, a Gold Key honor sponsored by The Boston Globe. Graham received his honors for a poem he submitted titled “True Love” which tells the tale of his love for fishing. Congratulations, Graham.

I’d like to shout out a hi, hello and happy birthday to Cameron Soulagnet. I’m sure you remember the Soulagnet family made locally famous by their pup, Daisy the roof dog, from Up on the Roof. Cameron, youngest son of Christian and Christina, turned 16 on March 19. Chase, now 19, is a sophomore at Eastern Connecticut University.

It saddens me to share that yet another one of our local characters has ceased walking on Earth. Bill Merry would often stop in at the Texaco for a coffee and a lengthy chat. Sometimes he would have his nephew Danny’s pup Zeus waiting patiently in the car to continue their ride. Other times he would be coming from or heading to Ralph Sherman’s to assist with gardening or other chores. I will miss his twinkly smile and heartfelt interest in how I was faring on any given day we had a chance to catch up. Bill’s life will be celebrated at the Lambert’s Cove Cemetery on Saturday March 24 at 1 p.m.

A brand new blue shovel has gone missing. It was perfectly tucked alongside the entryway of one of our wonderful town residents. If anyone can account for its whereabouts please get in touch with me. Thanks folks.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.