The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival’s big weekend is upon us. The fun filled weekend of movies, workshops, discussions, tasty eats, live music and conversations with friends and neighbors kicked off Thursday, March 21 with Children of Bal Ashram and The Biggest Little Farm. Both films involve some local participation so be on the lookout for people you might know from around town. Check out the details of the weekend lineup at tmvff.org.

There’s a lot of neat stuff to report from the Chilmark School these days. Students participated in the nationwide Global Strike for Future. Members of the Thomson family, Waldman family, Allen-Posin family, Wise family, Biskis family, Taylor family, Cabot family and Davis family all participated holding signs that read: “there is no plan(et) B”, “teach, earth, peace, change” among others.

On March 13, the Chilmark School broke from its typical academic schedule and held a Tinker Day for the students. Each teacher created a unique STEAM activity — an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. Options were creative and fun.

Family and friends gathered on Wednesday to say farewell to the Wakemans and lay them to rest atop Abel’s Hill. Somehow I think they might have enjoyed a quote from one of Basil Welch’s town report submissions when he was cemetery superintendent: “As I’ve said before, things are quiet at Abel’s Hill Cemetery. Some stones repaired and the grass gets mowed. They are non-buildable and do not have a water view.”

He also advised not to be in hurry to use a cemetery plot. But, I think, when the time comes for one to be laid to rest, Abel’s Hill offers company of dear old friends. I’d like to think they’ll be content there. Farewell old friends.

Graham Stearns had another rock solid performance with the high school varsity hockey team. They traveled to the Pot-O-Gold tournament in Woodstock, Vt. where they shut out the Ice Hawks in the championship round. Graham received the winner’s trophy in the goalie skills tournament. The relay team also took home a win.

Around Christmas-time Jacquie Renear moved to Chilmark to live closer to Beth (Renear) and Louis Larsen. During that move a 50+ year old treasure was uncovered: the children’s book Jacquie had written, which had lay dormant for so many decades. The family decided publication was a must and teamed up with illustrator Emily Keith. Join Jacquie on March 25 at 3:30 p.m. at the West Tisbury Library to celebrate the publication of her book, My Sister and I. It would be especially fun to have her former students join in the revelry. Marshall Carroll, Malia Scott, Patrick Jenkinson, Bruce Haynes, Peter Keene, Shannon Gregory and more please spread the word.

I had a visitor at the Texaco the other day. We chatted for almost an hour touching on subjects including former employment, cribbage, bridge, first and third dinners, old friends, fishing and more. He’s one of my favorite visitors who always greets me with a big smile and kind words. My friend Carl Leaf will celebrate his 91st birthday on March 25. I wish him joyful celebration and hope to hear about it the next time he stops in.

The U.S. Government is nearing completion of the upgraded septic system at Station Menemsha. There’s been some disruption for the crew but they are a great group of folks who have taken it all in stride.

In the midst of excavation, the crew at the station bid farewell to Petty Officer Josh Hughes after completing his tour here in town.

The excavation portion of the Menemsha Harbor electrical upgrade is in full swing with Fenner Construction at the helm.

Joe and Susan Chapman are back after spending a few adventurous days in Nashville. The Peases Point Way couple was joined by daughter Hadley, a student at Purdue University, and her beau whose name I cannot recall at this time. Yes, folks, I am human and sometimes my brain fails me.

Keep your eyes peeled for the first blooming daffodil. They’ll be here in no time.