The sun rises over a calm and glass-like harbor. The air is crisp and cool but the sun is already beginning to feel warm on the lobsterman’s back. He’s headed out with a load of gear eagerly anticipating his first haul and hoping the pots will be full and excitement will await him as he unloads at the market. The transient docks still sit empty but the electrical is being upgraded and talk of dredging is a necessary conversation. Boats are slowly starting to trickle back in to the resident slips. Jeffrey Maida’s High Life is the first of those that were hauled for the winter to reappear with warming waters and talk of northbound fish migration.

Speaking of northbound migration, Kathie and Emmett Carroll have returned from their six-week adventure in the Florida Keys. They departed Sugarloaf Key last week, followed the Cracker Barrel Trail north stopping at any spot that caught their eye and made it in time to catch the 3:45 p.m. boat home on April 8. Their southern adventure was a tad quieter this year without Ted, Judy and the rest of the Mayhew clan in the mix but Chris, Kendra, Oona and Emme livened things up along with a great visit from Dan, Meg, Clara, Zeb and Penny Athearn. They also had a day’s adventure with Steve, Emily, Steve, Hunter, Duke and Zeke Broderick. Fishing, boating and warm water adventuring were the highlights. They, however, are happy to be back at their Peaked Hill home settling in to the sights and sounds of spring in New England.

Pam Goff shares that the annual Easter sunrise service will take place at Menemsha Beach at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday April 21. If you are ambitious and want to enjoy some good company along with a little extra time in the great outdoors be sure to meet at the church at 5:30 a.m. to walk to the service. A hearty breakfast will be served at the church from 7:15 to 8:50 a.m. There will be an additional Easter worship in the Sanctuary at 9 a.m. with Sunday School running simultaneously. The morning is rounded out by a traditional egg hunt. All are welcome to any or all parts of the morning.

Josh Markievitz, nephew to Bret Stearns, approached Bill and Kathy Smith some months ago asking if they would give him their blessing to propose to their daughter Katy. Josh and Katy’s friendship, which began in middle school then later blossomed into love, was a cause for joy so Bill passed along his mother Joanne’s ring to Josh and sister Samantha began scheming a plan to wear a disguise and video the beach proposal which was going to take place in the Bahamas — Josh and Katy’s long planned vacation. Long story short, she said yes, so congratulations to Katy and Josh on their recent engagement. Be sure to ask Katy if she was surprised and be sure to ask her the heartwarming details.

Gloria Burkin has adorned the Chilmark Library meeting room with artwork that will be on display for the rest of the month. The 18 paintings are compiled into what she calls Up Island Landscapes & Seascapes. Her exhibit of oil paintings reflect her affinity for the changing seasons and instill a sense of joy for the viewer as she plays with the warmth of early morning and late afternoon light.

Occasionally, out of the blue I hear from Russell Cleary of f/v Skipjack. He always has a wonderful wander through the past tale to tell. This time, he included a photo taken on August 21, 1981 aboard the f/v Carole L. while docked in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Capt. Stanley Larsen had ducked in to avoid Hurricane Dennis which was expected to sweep across Georges Bank. With no fishing to keep them occupied the crews from rafted boats were doing some reveling. Although Russell does not recall all who made the trip, the photo does show a teenager sporting some very snazzy sunglasses. That teen is Karsten Larsen.

April 16 is the day my son Brooks will celebrate his 16th birthday. I know he doesn’t read my column so I won’t bother with rhymes or some sort of roast. But, if you see him in the coming days it may be behind the wheel — oh my. Happy happy to Westley Wlodyka and Susan Larsen who celebrate the same day.

Don’t miss out on the Chilmark fire department open house at the Crossroad station this Sunday April 14 from 9 a.m. to noon. Weekly radio check takes place at 10 a.m., so be sure to stop in, meet department members, observe and ask questions, check out the equipment and consider being a volunteer. Call 508-645-2550 for more information.