A few moments of snowfall this past week and quite a bit of rain, but the water table is still down and the April showers have been scarce thus far for this month. 

Up-island Cronig’s will reopen this coming Monday.  

Justice has been served in Minneapolis this week.  Accountability and honor are important for all law enforcement officers. A consultant will meet, as part of the Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition, with all Vineyard law enforcement officers next month for diversity training. If you are interested in making a donation towards the diversity training, please send to:  Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation - PO Box 243 - West Tisbury, MA  02575.

Off-island disposal in an environmentally friendly way! Martha’s Vineyard Community Services is partnering with Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in a fundraiser to benefit both MVCS and the Student Government at MV Regional High School, supported by Bruno’s Rolloff Inc. Recycle your old and tired electronics: Air conditioners, cell phones, computers, copiers, dehumidifiers, fax machines, microwaves, monitors, laptops, printers, refrigerators, scanners, stereo equipment, televisions, washers & dryers, and more, for fees between $5 and $40 per item. Masks are required and payment will be taken via check or credit card – no cash — at the event: May 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the high school.

Max and Cheryl Batzer have been at their Lobsterville home for the past week. They have especially enjoyed overlooking their osprey family. We had a brief visit and reminisced about their longtime Fourth of July party that was the highlight of the summer for many of us in town. Thank you for the flowers to brighten my day.    

The La Soufriere volcano on our sister island of St. Vincent in the Grenadines is continuing to erupt and conditions there are very serious. Many Vineyarders have connections to the neighboring island of Bequia, if not St. Vincent itself. Betsy Shay of Moshup’s Trail divides her time between Bequia and Martha’s Vineyard. She wants her friends and neighbors here to know that she is safe there right now, but as the volcano continues to erupt there is much uncertainty ahead. A GoFundMe account has been set up for emergency relief: St. Vincent Volcano Relief Fund - Sister Island. 

Get-well wishes to Zachary Smalley who underwent orthopedic surgery this week and will be resting comfortably at home for a while.  

Nicholas Wallen passed away unexpectedly in Stonington, Conn. on April 15, 2021. Nich was born at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on May 24, 1987. After living in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Bahamas and Rome, he returned to Martha’s Vineyard in 2003 and graduated with honors from the regional high school in 2005. He then attended Brandeis University. Nicholas was an avid sailor, golfer, rock climber, and traveler. He sailed across the Pacific to New Zealand, around Cuba and extensively in the Caribbean, bicycled around Taiwan, climbed the highest peak in Colombia and explored much of southeast Asia. In between he worked as a house painter on the Vineyard and in food service in Boston and in Portland, Maine. Nich is survived by his parents, Jim Wallen and Kathleen Smith of Aquinnah, his brother Zachary of Bergen, Norway, his aunt Joan Wallen of Andover, N.H. and Aquinnah, aunt Barbara Wallen and uncle Gary Paraboschi of Aquinnah and numerous cousins. His family is broken-hearted. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to NAMI MV(National Association for Mental Illness), PO Box 2844, Vineyard Haven, Ma. 02568, attn: Lisa Belcastro. There will be a memorial at a later date.

Sincerest condolences to Nicholas’s family and friends around the world, as well as to the families and friends of Betty Hoyle Daniels, Frances Flanders, Peter Herrmann, Jennifer Colligan Kuehne and Corrine Rogers.

 Belated happy birthday wishes to Carole Ann Vandal on April 16. Bertha

Williston observed a milestone on April 20. Jason Dyer and Jason Wells party on April 23. Olivia Sims will party on April 24. Martha Cottle parties on the 25th. Phil Parent will observe his special day on April 26. Jean Lince and Rodney Bunker share the day on April 27. Ron Tolin and Michelle Duarte share the day on the 28th with Samuel Murphy Kausch, who will be 6 years old. Albert E. Rose will observe a milestone and shares the day with Kylee Darcy and Judd Fuller. Tom Shaw and Richard Rose will celebrate on the 30th.