It’s been another week of enjoyable weather. Temperatures reached 80 degrees over the weekend. Beach plum bushes are in full bloom.

In remembrance of those who served and those who lost their lives in battle, Thomas Murphy, our Aquinnah veterans’ grave officer, will place flags at the graves of those who have served our country all the way back to the Civil War.

The Memorial Day weekend Blessing of the Fleet at the Menemsha waterfront will take place on Sunday May 30 at 9 a.m. The Rev. Ernest Belisle as well as members of the Chilmark Community Church have organized this annual event that was unfortunately canceled last year because of Covid. The blessing, which has its roots in the Catholic tradition, began in coastal communities in Southern Europe where the seafaring life was risky but an integral way of life. The Coast Guard hymn will be sung and a list of the captains of commercial and recreational boats to be blessed will be read. A bagpiper will play. All are welcome. Observers are asked to bring folding chairs if they want to be certain of having a seat.

The Menemsha Galley opened over the weekend. Most shops in Menemsha are now open for the season.

Welcome to Martina Buretic and Ivan Bolkovac who have arrived from Croatia to spend another season with the Manning family and to return to work at Cliffhangers.

Gabriella Camilleri and her son Adam Castro returned over the week from a small family reunion of sorts in Rockland County, N.Y.

Donald Smith has arrived from his winter in Florida, accompanied by his son Russell. We will undoubtedly find Don at the Outermost Inn each morning for breakfast with his daughter Jeanne and son in law Hugh, granddaughter Alexandra Taylor and his great-granddaughters Olive and Violet.

Welcome home to Tobias Vanderhoop and his brother Thomas Fantasia, who have arrived to care for their brother Eddie Fantasia while their mother Fawn Fantasia is undergoing medical care.

Congratulations to Brian Weeden, who recently won the election for tribal council chairman for our sister tribe, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Brian was a former youth program coordinator for the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe.

Condolences to the family and friends of Fonnie Morse Austin who passed away at Windemere. Fonnie was the bookkeeper at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital in the early 1970s when the accounting was completed by hand, prior to computerization. Following her retirement, she focused on her beautiful artwork.

Condolences to the family and friends of Maureen Flanders Healy, who passed away this week. She was the former executive secretary for the Town of West Tisbury and spouse of current selectman Kent Healy. Maureen held her Flanders family members close to her heart, as she loved them all.

Condolences to the family and friends of Esther Hopkins who passed away this week. Esther was an amazing woman who accomplished a great deal in her life. One of her achievements was that of becoming the first female selectman for the City of Framingham, yet she had many over the decades.

Condolences to the family and friends of Jill Sparkman, the daughter of the late William Sparkman and his wife Artis, who passed away in Maryland on May 19. Jill was a retired special education teacher. She and her sisters Gayle and Donna were all young girls when their family built a seasonal home in Aquinnah where they have enjoyed their summers since childhood.

Condolences to the family and friends of Merle Tankard, who was fondly known as Ferd. She passed away at Windemere on May 24.

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Keep those who served in your thoughts as we observe the true meaning of their memories.

Happy 36th anniversary to Gary and Lisa Foster as they celebrated on May 25th.

Happy 14th anniversary to Isaac and Noli Taylor on June 2.

Happy birthday wishes to Corinne DiPietro and Latham Higgins on May 28 and Nancy Benoit, Leanna McKenna and Fan Ogilvie on May 29. Susie Crowley, Sam Feldman and Michael Gilman share the day on May 30. Roxane Ackerman, Monty Buffington and Jasmine Devine share the day on May 31.