Shh . . . it’s quiet around town. It’s school vacation week. It seems like nearly everyone has ventured somewhere. Many opted for warmth and a quick dose of vitamin D. Others chose to take advantage of snowy destinations and take to the slopes.

Whether it’s Mexico, Jamaica, Italy, Belize, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Florida, California, or some other lush environment, I hope to hear stories of warmth and sunshine. Perhaps your adventures to Utah, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont or Colorado will provide you with some tales of black diamonds, snow boards, skis and more.

Even though it seems as if life around town has hit the pause button with so many folks off adventuring, there are many who are happily celebrating birthdays. Happy, happy to Caleb Slater, Dardy Slavin, Dennis Jason, Maggie Mayhew, Hugh Singer, John Diamond, Patrick Ruel, and more. My dad, Frank Tamoshunas, a Leap Year baby, is celebrating 80. Happy birthday to all, especially my dad.

Although they haven’t been to town in a few years, Bob and Claudia Mill kept a finger on the pulse of Menemsha Harbor even if vicariously through friends. They arrived every spring on their wooden sport fisher, Phalarope, and immersed themselves in the summer community which included weekly trips to the Chilmark Church. Sadly, Feb. 2 was the day Claudia’s life came to a close at the age of 94. The news traveled to town through Barbara and Howie Gold, longtime friends and frequent visitors. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 14, in the Chapel of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield, N.J Condolences can be offered at www.grayfuneralhomes.com.

I am also sad to share news of the death of Harding Hill resident Bill Randol. After retiring from the financial world some 15 or so years ago, he became an active Big Brother. He told me stories of how he passed time with his little and the words flowed joyfully as if he were a new parent. Among other things, he had been a dedicated member of both the housing and finance advisory committee. I am glad to have bumped into him not that long ago. We chatted about his unfortunate broken wrist and how he was amazed to see my daughter Bradley walk through the door in her EMT uniform to tend to him. He said he hadn’t seen her in quite some time, but immediately knew who she was. Life hadn’t been easy for Bill as of late and he will be missed by family and friends. Condolences to wife Marcia, sons Jeremy and Benjamin and their families.

Although he and his partner Monique, along with their pup, Mona, have made Alameda, Calif. home, Tim Damroth — son of Mary Jane Nevin and David Damroth, stepson to Barbara Lee, brother to Jessie and uncle to Ayden and Logan — still holds life growing up in Chilmark near. A short while ago, Tim was diagnosed with shingles. Shingles surely can be miserable, but when he was diagnosed with having contracted MRSA somewhere along the way, things took a turn for the worse. At this writing, Tim has undergone surgery and is undergoing continued care at a San Francisco area hospital. A GoFundMe (easily found by typing Timmy Damroth into the search bar on the GoFundMe website) has been set up to alleviate some of the financial strain this has put on his family. Keep him in your thoughts. Drop him a line through any of his family members here and, if you are able, share a few dollars.

March is upon us, and life begins to trickle back in. Snowdrops and purple crocuses have popped up around town, with daffodils rearing their greenery. I’ve spotted a bald eagle soaring along the south side and eagerly anticipate the arrival of osprey. I wonder if the nesting pair will return to the Lewenbergs’ Osprey Lane home? Taking a walk or an afternoon drive makes me wonder about so many things.