It’s almost go time for Allison and Sarah Flanders. The sisters have been working tirelessly to perfect their chocolate recipes which will be distributed at pop up shops and local events under the label Salt Rock Chocolate Company. They have a few new concoctions of their own like a white chocolate, cardamom, rose petal truffle, but have also earned the right to a few of MaryBeth Grady and Allison Berger’s Chilmark Chocolates recipes like the sweet and creamy peanut butter layered with just the right amount of chocolate and the perfectly proportioned butter crunch. Thank you MaryBeth and Allison for working with our community’s daughters to allow all of us to savor the tastes we have grown to love over these past few decades.

Salt Rock Chocolate Company will be available at their first pop up shop at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival March 26-29 at the community center.

The film festival folks have been working tirelessly on curate the perfect combination of films for folks to enjoy. You can both read up on their offerings and purchase passes through their website. Chef Robert Lionette of Morning Glory Farm, who many of us know for his biggest claim to fame as dad to Jack, will be laying out a fabulous spread of food. If you plan to purchase meals TMVFF is requesting you bring your own place setting. The goal is to host a zero-waste event.

Chilmark police officer Liz Rogers, who many of your children know from her visits to schools morning circle and more, is all smiles after her son Greyson celebrated his first birthday. He was all smiles while mom and dad, Jeremy, watched him enjoy his Cookie Monster-themed cake. Happy birthday little buddy.

Kristen Brown has returned from her cross-country adventure. She set out across the northern part of the country taking in sights along the way to her first major destination, the Pacific Northwest. Little brother Robert, fondly known as Bubba, was paid a visit and Kristen couldn’t have been happier to see him. She also had the opportunity to spend a little time with Emma Tobin at her home in Northern California. Some other highlights included camping in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, driving the Avenue of Giants, camping in Big Sur and a few other remarkable locations in Wyoming and Oregon. Kristen also had the opportunity to visit with both of her grandmothers along the way.

Bridget and Matt Tobin enjoyed a little escape from their Tea Lane Nursery. They paid a visit to daughter Emma and just so happened to overlap with Kristen while she was visiting. I can’t imagine the laughter that must have been involved with this get together. According to Matt, Emma lives way up on a mountain in a cool spot suited just to her.

Bobby Brown also embarked on a little road trip of his own. The warmth and scenery in sunny F-L-A was fabulous, as always. He and Allyson Reed also took a few days to pop over to the Bahamas which also added to the adventure.

Well wishes to Kathy Smith who suffered a broken leg a short while ago. Her team of family and friends have rallied to not only nurse her back to health, but to celebrate her birthday. Thinking of you, Kathy, for so many reasons.

I don’t know about you but I check my email periodically hoping to spot something in my inbox that’s not linked to clothing sales, politics, “Extraordinary Chris the Psychic” or strange dieting fads. I consistently get emails from my dad (thanks Dad) and every so often a friend drops a note, too. In my role as Chilmark Board of Health member, understandably, my inbox has been filled will communications regarding COVID-19. There was also one from Katie Edison. It was like a shining star in a sea rising with concern. Thank you, Katie. Your email made me smile and take a moment to turn my thoughts to all those times your father, Bill, stopped by the Texaco in his well-weathered Volvo with the window rolled down calling my name while motioning for me to come closer. His long wiry arm would extend to pass me a piece of yellow legal sized paper folded in thirds. We would chat for a few moments touching on various topics as I held that piece of paper wondering what words I was going to read once I opened it. The words were always funny and witty and there were never too many of them.