Spring weather has arrived at last. Birds begin their songs at 4:30 a.m., lilacs are in bloom, skunk cabbage is in abundance, and fiddleheads are at attention along the byways. We are all awaiting the next phase of opening in the midst of the Covid-19 virus. This will be the last week to spend time at Philbin Beach, Squibnocket, and Lucy Vincent before residential stickers are required. Seasonal residents are arriving daily and adhering to the two-week quarantine requirement. It has been a pleasure waving to them from afar while socially distancing ourselves.

Many people are in the midst of spring cleaning. If you have any items that would be appropriate for sale, please consider a tax deductible donation to Chicken Alley Thrift Shop which we anticipate will be opening in the near future. Items sold through Chicken Alley benefit the programs of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.

The Aquinnah Shop restaurant is open weekends for take-out. Chilmark Tavern opens this weekend for take-out service.

It is always difficult to say so long to friends at USCG Station Menemsha but we know we will see each other again and it has been a pleasure knowing them.

BM2 Joel Behr, originally from Dover, Pa. has been the longest serving at Station Menemsha at the moment. Joel arrived in May 2016 and rose to the rank of BM2 in 2019 as well as heavy weather coxswain. He was recently awarded the Military Outstanding Service Medal for volunteerism and his extensive work with the Oak Bluffs Fire Department. In a few weeks, Joel will report to Seattle, Wash. to serve aboard the USCG Cutter Polar Star. He anticipates the annual trek to Antartica to clear the shipping channel to McMurdo Station which is four months at sea with a few enjoyable stops along the way from San Francisco, Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia.

MK2 Jason Breau, originally from Malden will transfer to the USCG Station in Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands for the next three years. Wow. Jason has served at Station Menemsha since July 2016. His new assignment will include frequent interdictions for contraband as well as boarding large cargo vessels, and migrant interdiction among his new duties. He is well informed of fish identification having had extensive training a year ago. This will be very different from his work at Menemsha. It was a pleasure meeting his parents on one of their visits a year ago and they are looking forward to his new station. He is looking forward to his promotion to MK1 within the next few months.

MK3 Brody Schilling has recently received a Letter of Commendation for making a repair while at sea.

Former USCG Station Menemsha personnel, Master Chief Robert Riemer, has transferred from the USCG Cutter Hawk and is now serving as the Silver Badge Master Chief at USCG Station Staten Island. Sam Hoppe completed A school and is now stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. Martin Ridge just graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Academy and is now a state trooper.

Congratulations to all.

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Theophilus Miguel Araujo who passed away at his Edgartown home on May 17. A former purser on the Steamship Authority ferries, Theophilus was known for his great sense of humor over the loudspeaker on the ferries, dressed as Uncle Sam on the Fourth of July or in his Santa suit. TM, as he was fondly known as, could brighten anyone’s day.

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ingrid Reuter of Manhattan who passed away this week. She was a longtime seasonal resident of Aquinnah. She and her husband enjoyed their home along Old South Road and were an integral part of the annual Fourth of July parade.

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend. Be mindful of those who served and sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Happy 19th anniversary to Greg Clark and Maureen Williams on May 21.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to John Macey on May 8; Lydia Fischer, Leigh Vanderhoop, Herb Moody, James R. Taylor, Jody Reston, James Seccombe and Ed Stahl on May 16; Tom Seeman and Aquinnah Witham on May 17; Genie O’Donnell on May 18; Famine Othmane on May 19; a very special wish to Joan Kistner on May 19; Meredith Trimmer on May 20; Elsie Fantasia Scott, Jean Entine and Kathleen Kendrick party on May 21; Bridget Tobin, Matt Hayden and Maureen Stanus party on May 22; Mia Rae Jeffers on May 23; Logan Boytek will be four years old on May 24; Kaye Manning will celebrate on May 24, sharing the day with Jon Mayhew and Nicholas Wallen; Marsha Shufrin and Mariah Duarte share May 26; Dr. Richard Koehler and nurse Jan Brown share May 27 along with Kayden Keith Devine.