Congratulations to seasonal Prospect Hill-er Sarah Levy, who has been awarded the Legal Services Award given to “an attorney employed by a public or nonprofit agency to provide civil legal services to low-income clients, and who has made a particularly significant or meaningful contribution to the provision of low-income legal services, above and beyond the requirements of his or her position.”  

Sarah, who works for Greater Boston Legal Services, will be honored at an event to be held early this summer with Representative Joe Kennedy as keynote speaker. Although family and friends are very proud, her kids Josh and Sam and husband Eugene Langner are hip, hip, hooraying.

Debby Packer and her mom Dorothy did a little project together. They often take hikes, have picnics and generally enjoy each other’s company but this was an actual hands-on project that involved tools. Debby, as a Valentine’s Day gift to herself and the our community, ordered up a little lending library kit from an Amish manufacturer. Debba’s By-the-Sea Little Free Library is well stocked, sitting at the base of Harbor Hill Road and has already seen some action. Last time I looked, a copy of Anne of Green Gables was nestled within among other wonderful reads.

Elexis Wildanger will be hosting the fourth annual foster parent recruitment event at her home on Saturday March 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. She has been a foster parent for many years and is a staunch advocate for finding wonderful adults on the Island who are able to help a child in need. Please contact her at 508-326-1155 to register for the event or to simply do a little more fact finding. One thing you’ll find out about Elexis is that she is open, honest and very forthcoming with solid and clear information.

Graham Stearns is on the homestretch of his high school hockey career. At their final regular season game, the Vineyarders took on Nantucket and pulled off a win. Graham had his seventh career start and took home high honors by receiving the title of player of the game. He has been lacing up his skates, donning those pillows — extra protective pads — minding the net and tracking the puck for what seems like forever.

Congratulations to the Vineyard Montessori School middle schoolers including Hollis Oliver, youngest of Liz and Kevin, who recently received a $200 mini-grant after submitting an application and participating in the international Youth Ocean Conservation Summit online event. The students plan to spend their hard-earned cash by working on a proposal to reduce the carbon footprint and become more eco-friendly among Island schools. They have their sights set on speaking to politicians and school administrators and put together a display of their information and ideas at a booth at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society Fair.

Congratulations to Jennifer Christy and replay partner Kim Wells of team Over Fifty and Fab. They finished fifteenth over all in the Amity Island Relay that took place side by side with the MV 20 Miler this past weekend. Their time put them in second place for Island relay runners. Way to go. Congratulations to Beth Wike who completed the 20 miles in 3:13:30.

When you say Kennedy was president or Duke of Earl by Gene Chandler was the top song in the U.S., 1962 seems like a long time ago. But when you put it in a different perspective, like how old you’d be in dog years — specifically German shepherd — you’d only be a bubbly and energetic eight. Based on the data published by the United Nations Population Division, Julie Flanders shares her special day with 305,639 other folks who celebrate being born on Friday, Feb. 23, 1962. I could go on and on about why she’s such a special human but I’ll leave it with a simple Oh Happy Day!

Although I will no longer see him in body, I can close my eyes to hear his voice say, “Well, hello, Katie. Pull up a chair and let’s talk.” I can close my eyes to hear the squeak of his blue GMC pick-up as it buzzes the Bight with him behind the wheel, headed to the Chandlery to work or spin a few yarns with friends. I can close my eyes and smell the sweet aroma of his pipe — a scent that is reminiscent of grandfathers worldwide. I can close my eyes and envision him at the podium, standing proudly in front of our townspeople and keeping us in check.

To say I will miss Everett Poole is an understatement, but the loss of him has me longing for the right words to share just how much. Fair winds and following seas, captain. You will be missed by many.