Tony Horwitz was one of those people who had a way with words, both written and spoken. In even the most casual of conversations, along the sidelines of our boys’ lacrosse games, waiting in line at the Galley, or at a social function, he could make you ponder the deepest of topics and drop to your knees with belly-aching laughter. His most recent book, Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide, follows the path of Frederick Law Olmsted before his days as an urban planner. Tony had an epic Huck Finn-ish adventure researching his book and managed to bring together his well-honed reporting skills alongside seemingly effortless prose. Tony Horwitz is no longer with us. Although he lived just over the town line where the Tiasquam wanders, our community suddenly got just a little less interesting. My love goes out to Geraldine, Nathaniel and Bizu.

Congratulations to Mackenzie Flanders, whose proud father, Matt Flanders, shared that she recently graduated from Coe-Brown Northwood Academy in Northwood, NH with high honors. She was awarded cords for honors in the International Thespian Society, the Tri-M music honor society, and as an honor graduate. She also wore a medal awarded to NH Scholars with a STEM distinction, and a white sash identifying her as a family, career and community leader of America. Finally, she was awarded the CBNA Faculty and Staff scholarship, an honor that cannot be applied for and is bestowed upon the one student in the graduating class whom the faculty feels is most deserving. To say that Matt, Carole Lee, Sydney, and grandparents Brian and Noreen Flanders are over-the-moon proud is an understatement.

MK2 Jason Breau was recently thanked and congratulated for his efforts as acting engineering petty officer this past winter. He stepped up to the plate and took on a number of tasks above and beyond his typical daily duties and was recently awarded the Commandant’s letter of commendation for his effort and dedication to Station Menemsha.

Sophie, Susan and Jason Balaban arrived at their Wayside Farm home to let the fresh spring air in and push the cobwebs out. According to Sophie, they traveled from their New Jersey home, arriving a tad later than usual and filling their week with numerous social engagements. These included a pitstop at Larsen’s for tasty seafood and the Texaco for a stash of sweets.

Congratulations to Rowan Steere, son of Lila and Lee, and grandson to Ed Sussman, Heather Somers and David and Bonnie Steere, on his recent graduation with honors from the UMass-Amherst Isenberg School of Management. Extended family and friends traveled to join in the festivities.

Welcome to the world, Liriel Cecile Castro. The 8 pound 10 ounce little beauty was born on May 17 to proud parents Adele and Emanuel. She is the granddaughter of Wanda (Murphy) and Burt Irion and great grand daughter of Valerie (Norton) and the late Lynn Murphy.

Diane Tipton Morgan and dear friend Deborah Thatcher Robbins are excited and proud to have launched a new project called ‘Give Grief A Chance’. Their goal is to help people open up to having conversations and sharing their experiences and stories of grief and loss. They will be, as Diane says, popping up in various locations around the Vineyard this summer.

Chuck and Ann, the owners of Off Main, one of the great gift shops in Vineyard Haven, welcomed their first pop-in mini shop. Want to know more? Send Diane a message though the link on her website: dianetmorgan.com.

With these words of Nathaniel Parker Willis I say farewell to May, welcome June and eagerly anticipate summer: “It is the month of June, The month of leaves and roses, When pleasant sights salute the eyes and pleasant scents the noses”.