Spring has sprung in Aquinnah with the chorus of pinkletinks arriving on March 28 along Lighthouse Road. Daffodils are in full bloom, and the temperatures have been in the high 50s.

All the best to Aquinnah police officer Michael Lecesse who has moved to the north shore of Boston after spending the past several years in Aquinnah. He will be greatly missed by many.

Congratulations to Adam and Meghan Smith on the arrival of their daughter Adelaide Lorraine who was born at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on March 28. She is welcomed home by her sister Elliana Mae and her grandmother Kathy Huber, who is visiting from Pennsylvania. Adelaide was born four days after her Mom’s surprise baby shower, held at State Road Restaurant where Kathy Huber and Meghan’s aunt Dorothy enjoyed the company of Meghan’s friends.

Max and Cheryl Batzer were at their Aquinnah home over the weekend. After being involved as an instructor with the Special Olympics Vail Ski/Snowboard Team (SOCO) and an involved supporter of Camp Jabberwocky, it became clear to them that the athletes’ disabilities cut across all social and economic boundaries. Max and Cheryl had an idea 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 their first exchange in both directions. These families deal with many challenges and perhaps we can make a difference. The organization is 100 per cent donor supported. To support them, make checks out to SOCO Western Region and mail to Julie Fite, Western Region Manager SOCO, P.O. Box 2205, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602.

Thank you to Aquinnah Fire Chief Simon Bollin for his talk this past week at the up-Island Council on Aging regarding fire prevention. His discussion was very informative and enjoyed by all. Thank you to Stanley and Lanette Larsen of Menemsha Fish Market for donating chowder for the elders attending the discussion.

Across the channel at USCG Station Menemsha — welcome to MK1 Nathan Diabaj who arrived for duty on March 28, after being transferred from Honolulu, Hawaii. He is originally from Ennis, Tex. and has been in the Coast Guard for the past 11 years. His family will arrive at the end of the school year. He and his wife have three daughters, the youngest being three weeks old. While in Honolulu, he met up with Vineyarder MK3 Nicholas Gonsalves who formerly served at Menemsha.

MK2 Jacob Waters-Maciel and MK3 Brody Schilling are presently studying for the first responders course for the Tisbury Fire Department where they both serve as members.

BM3 Ryan Martyn has recently received his coxswain certification.

SN Ryan Ouellette earned his boat crew member certification aboard the 47-foot Motor Lifeboat. Since he reported last fall from basic training, he’s made significant contributions to the team and the crew is lucky to have him. Congratulations Ryan on this outstanding achievement.

BM1 Adam Smith will be transferred to Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel in Woods Hole. He and Meghan and their daughters Elliana and Adelaide will move to Air Station Cape Cod. After serving at Station Menemsha for the past five years, how ironic to be transferred a mere five miles north.

Happy birthday wishes this week to Jennie Greene, who shares the day with Taza Vercruysse on April 7; Douglas Vanderhoop will celebrate on April 8, sharing the day with Megan Alley and Cynthia Low; Beth Kaeka parties on April 9; April 11 is a day of celebration for Judith Manning Milavsky, Robert Rose and Tim Kausch; April 12 will be a day of celebration for Barbara Wallen, Kathy Mercier and Eddie Cisek.