There’s something new in Menemsha. Has anyone spotted it? I’ll give you a couple of hints. It has been there for what seems like forever, has a number 2 on it and has a green counterpart. The starboard side day marker on the west jetty entering Menemsha Harbor, part of the U.S. aids to navigation system, has had a facelift. Just the other day the USCG installed a red flashing light which now balances out the Menemsha green 3 which has been lit for quite some time now. It may not seem like much, but for boaters attempting to navigate back into port on a dark evening it certainly will make life easier and safer. The word is that the bell buoy will be adorned with a white light come early December.

Congratulations to petty officers Ryan Martyn and Brody Schilling of Station Menemsha for earning good conduct medals. First issued in 1923, this award is bestowed upon coastguardsmen who have dedicated three years of honorable service.

Well wishes to Dick Vincent who is recuperating at his Naples, Fla. home after his thumb made a bad connection with a power tool. He may not live in town anymore, but he and bride Susan (hello Susan!) were here for long enough to have left a lasting impression.

Bill Smith is back at his Crossroad home after undergoing some heavy duty back surgery. He has weathered both it and inpatient physical therapy well, but is still moving a tad slowly around the house. He was lucky enough to have his youngest daughter, Katy, make her way to town from Boston for the weekend to extend a little love and tlc.

Congratulations to Ryann, youngest daughter to Keith and Wanda Emin, on her marriage this past weekend to Jeffrey Born. Surrounded by family and friends at The Ridge Club in Sandwich, the happy couple exchanged their I dos then proceeded to dance, laugh and cheer the night away. Among many family and friends who were in attendance, childhood friend, Samantha Smith, eldest daughter of Kathy and Bill, was there to support her dear friend as a member of the wedding party. Sam’s beau, Phil Hollinger, accompanied her to this most memorable occasion.

Congratulations to Bari and Doug Fischer who welcomed a grandchild into the world this past week. Farrah Ray Fischer was born to Jessica and Nick Fischer and will call Fort Meyers, Fla. home. Although they are no longer with us, this lucky little lady will certainly feel the love from all of Ozzie and Rena Fischer’s descendants.

You’ll be glad to hear that Kevin Oliver’s knee surgery was performed without a hitch and he’s already making his way around town without even a limp. The whole gang (Liz, Solon, Barrett, Delilah and Hollis) tagged along to a follow up doctor’s appointment in Boston where they celebrated his rapid healing by planting themselves at the Garden for not only a Bruins game but a Celtics game too. Who wants to be an Oliver kid with me?

I’ll wrap it up this week with a travel adventure vicariously taken with Jane Slater and Dianne Smith. The pals made way to Lucerne, Switzerland where they toured for two days before making their way to Basel to board a Viking River Cruise which would magically transport them on an eight-day adventure down the Rhine River. Daily stops in various port cities in Switzerland, Germany, France and the Netherlands including Breisach, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Koblenz, Cologne, Kinderdijk and Amsterdam allowed for many exciting tours and breathtaking views. Although it was not tulip season, a visit to the Mauritshuis to view the Vermeers was a reasonable choice.

The two viewed Rotterdam by way of a river tour that enabled them to see that city’s many modern glass skyscrapers. The trip was an educational and enjoyable mix of medieval to ultramodern cultures that exist side by side in so much of Europe. On a side note, when one travels they are never truly that far away from home as Jane and Dianne found out when they spotted a passerby sporting a Black Dog T-shirt.