Their last in-person visit was Christmas 2019, but after a year and a half brother and sister were reunited. Kendall Harris ventured off-Island to be met by his sister Tracy (Harris) Stillman. Since they have been Face-Timing regularly, the two recognized each other quite quickly. They visited, caught up and reminisced over brunch along with Tracy’s husband Nat and a former co-worker from Old Colony Montessori School in Hingham where they make their home.

Ninety-one years have passed since Marshal David joined the world. He’s a regular summer visitor to Menemsha Harbor on his boat, Echo, and the occasional off-season visitor, too. When in town he passes the time with his family, Lobster Louie and Cookie Baptiste on their boat Rhonda’s Revenge, George and Barbara McLaughlin on their boat Grumpy, and a whole posse of land lovers including and most importantly, Margaret Maida.

The annual Blessing of the Fleet was something many folks were sad to miss last year due to the pandemic. The members of the Chilmark Church are pleased to share they have addressed all the Covid-19 protocols and will happily host the event Sunday, May 30 at 9 a.m. at Menemsha Harbor alongside the Texaco. Rev. Ernest Belisle will facilitate the service and all are welcome to attend. Members from U.S. Coast Guard Station Menemsha will be in attendance for the singing of the Coast Guard hymn and the reading of vessel names and captains. It also sounds as if a bagpiper will join the festivities. If you are interested in having your vessel blessed for a safe seafaring year please email me so I may add your name to the list. If you plan to attend the service you are asked to please wear a mask, distance from those outside your group and bring a folding chair if you would like to be seated.

A job well done and pat on the back goes out to Chilmark Board of Health assistant, Marina Lent. She has been working tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure the safety of our community and part of that work has been hours and hours of contact tracing. Her efforts clearly showed our community was lacking trained medical interpreters. After 60 hours of training in a joint effort between Marina, the Community Ambassador Program, ACE MV and more, 10 people have graduated from the program, received their certification and have been immersed in the community making contact tracing more streamlined. Congratulations to all.

Pam and Rodney Bunker adventured to Florida for a little getaway. They managed to make their trip a reunion by mixing in a fun lunch get together with Dickie and Susan Vincent. Captiva was the place for this event that, hopefully, will become annual.

The families from the Chilmark pre-school are hosting an online raffle fundraiser from now through May 24. The raffle items have been generously donated by local businesses and include: Grey Barn cheese tasting, Fish House gift certificate, Chilmark Store gift card and tote, Slough Farm meat lovers pack, Morrice Florist gift box and Katama General Store lobster dinner for two. Tickets are $5 each and all profits support the Chilmark pre-school’s enrichment programs. The winners will be chosen at the pre-school’s end-of-year celebration and notified via email by June 21.

Visit their website at chilmarkpreschool.com. Thanks to preschool mom, Katie Oskan, for bringing this FUNdraiser to my attention.