I always thought of Boston as a safe and fairly sensible city. I’d be the first to enthusiastically share with friends and family planning to visit, that it’s a city steeped in history and tradition and lends itself to being wonderfully walkable. I never envisioned it being a place where peaceful protest would turn to civil unrest. The violence saddened me immensely and I realized it made me question so much about myself, my community, my country and the world.

I pushed through most of my day wearing a smile, but I had one particular customer whose behavior almost outweighed all of the positive interactions I had. He approached me as I sat enjoying the breeze from my perch in the Texaco window. He asked if we sold T-shirts. Most of you know we stock our locally almost famous squid Ts in a rainbow of colors. I brought the stack of his requested size to the window and began to show him. I held up a white T-shirt, then a dark green one and then a blue one that he requested to see next. He then proceeded to say: “I wouldn’t wear one of your T-shirts if you paid me.”

Somehow his nasty words felt like a kick to the gut so I thank Roberta Morgan, Albert Fischer, Liz Rogers, Brian Kennedy, Matt Poole, Deb Hancock, Barbara Armstrong, Jeremy Bradshaw, Jack Russo, Ian Andres, Jake Waters-Maciel, Joel Behr, Brody Schilling, Patrick Shanahan, Ryan Martyn and more whose names I may not know, for the positive interactions that brought me back from the disheartened spot this one person sent me to.

I took a few moments late in the day to take a quick walk. I spotted a nesting pair of oystercatchers and, much to my delight, there were chicks, too. I stood a couple hundred feet away squinting my eyes trying to see them more clearly as the papa swooped in to feed his family. It was fascinating and joyful and I was thrilled to be a part of it from my viewing spot in what felt like the bleacher section at a ball game.

A wonderful few moments happened outside Larsen’s Fish Market last Sunday. The market has been the sight of weddings, funerals, flash mobs and more, but Everett Healy’s graduation from Eagle Hill School marked a first. When not at his family’s Mermaid Farm he is in the market assisting Betsy, Kristine and Scott. He plans to attend Clark University, which, coincidentally, is my alma mater.

Congratulations to all the folks at Station Menemsha who received commendations this past week. A few stand outs are Tanner Poe who was recognized for his heroic efforts to pull his shipmate to shore after suffering a medical emergency that resulted in him falling off the dock. Brian Wood has since made a full recovery. Monty Buffington advanced to BM1 and both Joe Behr and Jason Breau celebrated achievements as they transfer out to new assignments. They will head off to the Polar Star and Station Saint Croix respectively. With their departure the face of Menemsha changes once again.

Sadly, I must share Susan Whiting Shanok died peacefully at home on Monday, May 26 at in the wee hours of the morning. She was at home in New York with her husband Bill, daughter Sarah, son in law Johnny Kitchens and grand-daughter Hazel. Plans for a service are incomplete due to the Covid-19 issues, but once arrangements are made they, along with daughters Tori and Tovah and their families, will will share information. Take a moment to send a little extra love to the extended Shanok family.

It’s that time of year again when Lucy Vincent Beach and Squibnocket Beach go to sticker-only admittance. Stickers need to be purchased online this year so be sure to go to the town website’s Beach Committee subcategory and follow directions from there. Thanks to Martina Mastromonaco, Clarissa Allen, Margaret Maida, Jennifer Wlodyka, Allison Cameron Parry and Wayne Iacono for working up new safety protocols.

Caleb and Chris Slater paid a visit to Jane Slater and popped their boat in the water for the summer. No sooner did they launch did they find themselves in the fish.

A 90th birthday will soon be celebrated by Howard Harrison who is back in residence on Mayhew Lane. If you see him out and about be sure to wish him a happy birthday month.