Spring has arrived. The forsythia is in full bloom all around Aquinnah and the pinkletinks are not too far behind. The sap moon has been bright and beautiful all week. A touch of frost on the ground Wednesday morning.

I will see you at the 19th annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival taking place over the weekend with many great movies and something for all ages.

Town clerk Gabriella Camillieri has informed us that there are three planning board positions needed to be filled. Peter Temple is retiring from the planning board after many years of dedicated service to Aquinnah.

Congratulations to Jacquie Renear on the launch of her children’s book My Sister and I. Jacquie will present her book, illustrated by Emily Keith, on Sunday, March 24 at the West Tisbury Library at 3:30 p.m.

Our summer neighbor Max Batzer has been involved as an instructor with the Special Olympics Vail Ski/Snowboard Team (SOCO). His idea was to remove economic roadblocks to enable the athletes and their families to share experiences that would otherwise be unavailable. This thought evolved into the “Mountains and Martha’s Vineyard” exchange program. They have completed the first exchange in both directions. Brandon, a 24-year old with Down Syndrome is a Colorado athlete. He and his family visited the Vineyard last August. Phillip, a 37year old with Down Syndrome is another athlete who went to Vail with his family and skied with the SOCO Vail “Dream Team” a few weeks ago. Max and his wife Cheryl are making a difference for these young athletes. If you would like to assist, please make checks payable to SOCO and note “Western Region” on memo line and mail to: Julie Fite Western Region Manager (SOCO) PO Box 2205, Glenwood Springs, CO. 81602 .

Congratulations to 10-year-old Kayden Devine for receiving a medal this past Friday night for his participation in playing basketball over the winter on the All Stars team.

Let’s be mindful of the Fischer family who lost many of their farm animals and their barn in a fire early Tuesday morning. A Go Fund Me site has been set up for them and received more than 150 donations in less than 15 hours.

Noah Manning, and his Falmouth Academy classmates, recently participated in Model U.N. at Clark University in Worcester. His presentation was on Romania and their governmental issues.

Jay Smalley could not wait for the bingo hall to open and therefore went to Foxwoods for the weekend to celebrate his birthday on March 14.

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Seth and Joanna Wakeman who passed away together in a tragic accident on March 9 in Mystic, Conn. I have many fond memories of Seth going back to my days as a toddler in Menemsha. Joanna and I worked together at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. They will be missed immensely. Rest in peace my friends.

Across the channel at USCG Station Menemsha, all the best to MK3 Joshua Hughes and his wife Emily as they head to his new assignment in Panama City, Fla.

SN David Galan has returned following his extended leave to visit with his family in California. SN Justus Christopher has returned from a visit with his family in Louisiana.

Happy 37th anniversary to Michael and Carol Mayrand on March 26. Happy 31st anniversary to Albert and Linda Fischer who celebrated on March 20.

Belated happy birthday wishes to Iona Winter Kelley who celebrated her third birthday on March 9. Rodeo Langer is now 12 as of March 16, sharing the day with Natalie Francis, Meghan Smith, Mike Stutz, John Floros and Taylor Ives. Belated birthday wishes also go out to Gabriel Olsen on March 17, our beloved publisher Jane Seagrave on March 18, Christina Brown on March 18, and Marshall Carroll, who celebrated half a century on March 19, and is still recuperating from his skiing accident. Kristie Mayhew partied on March 20, Beth Erickson on March 21, and Albert Metros celebrated his first birthday that day.

Ellen Reynolds will celebrate on March 22 and shares the day with Annette Anthony, and twins Heidi Stutz and Cynthia Stutz Craig. March 23 is a day of celebration for Paul Galbraith, Renee Metell, Dan Sauer, Dwight Kaeka, Travis VonDessonneck and Nanauwe Ama Vanderhoop. Aretha Witham, Rya Baird, Karen Van Brakle, and Hal Child share the day on March 24.

Happy birthday wishes this week to a very special group of nursery mates — Faith West Williams, Rita Harrington, Peter Vincent and Douglas Asselin. March 24 is a day of celebration for Cindy Doyle, Rya Baird, Hal Child and Ned Casey. Gary Foster, Jimmy Benoit, Emma Mayhew, Liz Berardi and Eloise Boales will celebrate on March 25. March 26 is a day of celebration for Shirley Robinson, Mason Jeffers, Anita Vanderhoop Keegan, Michael Marshall, Stephanie Mashek, Jessica Oliver, Polly Simpkins and Harold Zadeh. Jackie Flynn Morgan will party on March 27 as will Brenda Smith and Tauras Biskis. Cathy Chase, Linda Dickson Unczur and Lynne Gale Silva party on March 28. Jannette Vanderhoop shares the day on March 29 with Ed Fantasia and Diane Reed. Randhi Belain and Heidi Vanderhoop party on March 30.

And last but certainly not least, March 31, is Durkee Day in the Vineyard Gazette newsroom as Steve Durkee serenades the masses. Amy Macey and Michael Dolby will party on March 31 as well.