I attended a standing room only book signing at the West Tisbury Library this past weekend by 92-year-old Jacquie Renear. Years ago she wrote a wonderful tale about her daughters, Beth and Meg, titled My Sister and I. The story lay dormant until a few short months ago when the family was packing boxes and discovered the story again.

Mrs. Renear was Marshall’s kindergarten teacher from 1974-1975. During that time Chilmark kids traveled to West Tisbury for kindergarten then back to Chilmark for grades 1-6. In earlier years they traveled to the Tisbury School. I digress. But my point is that I had a special few moments strolling down memory lane with the woman who said: “Marshall, I remember when you brought fish to school!”

Dianne Smith and Jane Slater are back in Chilmark after a most enjoyable eight days in Cozumel, Mexico. It is an island in the Caribbean Sea that is 184.5 square miles. Jane gave me these figures so feel free to double check and razz her if she’s off. The weather was warm and sunny. The pools were cool and refreshing. The ocean was inviting with small fish of varied colors swimming tamely alongside them. It was the perfect vacation from New England’s late winter chills. Jane also proclaimed that the food wasn’t bad either. Oddly enough, there were no Martha’s Vineyard connections this trip. But every time they told anyone where they were from they said, “that’s where the rich people live.” To which Jane and Dianne always added: “And us.”

Scott McDowell, Annette Cingle and Annalee Hoy are back from their Hawaiian adventures. Quality time with family, including Scott’s daughter Lauren Sheppard, fresh fish caught by Annette’s brother, dinners out and tons of adventuring were the highlights. On the way back to the continental U.S., a Californian pitstop was made so Scott could snuggle his new grandson, Reno Hendrix McDowell. Of course, a little visiting with Reno’s parents Ross and Sophia was squeezed in as well. Pup Ozzie is back taking his morning walks on Basin Road after vacationing himself with Tim and Laurisa Rich.

Mariah Campbell has returned to town after what some might call the trip of a lifetime. She embarked on her adventure in November with the first leg of her journey taking her to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam. She now holds a yoga teacher certificate from Rishikesh, India, yoga capital of the world, and she has made lifelong friends on her journey. I won’t reveal too much more and leave it to Mariah to share some stories.

Arlington National Cemetery welcomes thousands of volunteers for its annual Wreaths Out event each January. But here, at Abel’s Hill Cemetery, Susan Murphy, our dedicated cemetery superintendent, relies on the friends and family members of those laid to rest to remove Christmas wreaths and other worn or tattered decorations. Out of respect it’s time for spring clean up and time to re-familiarize yourselves with the list of recommended spring decorations found on our town website.

Bella Flanders Thorpe welcomed home her new and beautiful Hanoverian dressage horse this past week. Bella, yes, her name is Bella also, will reside at Woodbe Farm in West Tisbury where Bella trains under the guidance of Tracey Amaral Olsen. Bella and Bella are on the fast track to being truly kindred spirits.

Stanley Starztzell and Deborah Zetterberg of Larsen Lane connected with Kim Simonsen of Cambridge and Flanders Lane in the most interesting of places. All three traveled to Abu Dhabi, UAE for the Special Olympics World Games. Stanley and Debbie volunteer and Kim, along with her mom Brooke Richter, cheered on her brother, Ken. Ken’s bocce team took the gold and he placed fourth individually. Congratulations.

A quick shout of congratulations goes to Noah Glasgow, a sophomore at Falmouth Academy, who placed first at the South Shore Regional Science Fair and was invited to be one of nine high school students representing Massachusetts at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair during the week of May 12 in Phoenix, Ariz. There are 1,200 students from around the world who will be competing for top honors. Noah will also compete at the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair, held at MIT in early May. Go Noah!

The end of March is fast approaching which means you will be seeing more of Roberta Morgan as she preps her Harbor Craft Shop for late spring and summer shoppers. Be sure to keep a look out for her and say hello if you lay eyes on her.