Hardy New Englanders moved mountains to stand as witness alongside Andrew Ruimerman as he and Kimberlie Willard exchanged “I dos” this past weekend. Although the sky was overcast and the air cool, Braeloch on Glenburn Farms — nestled into the Blue Ridge Mountains of Vinton, Va. — provided the memorable setting for the weekend festivities. Andrew and Kimberlie met while attending Roanoke College, from where they graduated in 2019. Kimberlie grew up in the area and Andrew has managed to happily transplant.

Peter, Andrew’s younger brother by a just few minutes, stood as best man and longtime childhood friend Galen Mayhew was a groomsman along with fraternity brothers Chris Fenton and Josh Storo. Kimberlie’s sister Jessi was maid of honor along with bridesmaids Chantel Young, Jessica Shelburne and Erin Standish who are dear friends and former Roanoke dance teammates.

Andrew’s folks Janet Weidner and Tom made the journey from Chilmark as did longtime family friend and honorary aunt Julie Flanders. Cousin-like friends Mariah and Jessica Campbell also traveled to the festivities with their partners Max Gibbs and Mike Dullea.

The opportunity to gather with family and friends was just what the doctor ordered and, I am certain, they’ll be talking about it for years to come.

Kris Vrooman from the League of Women Voters MV asked that I remind you all of the candidates forum where candidates Susan Murphy, Eric Glasgow and Robert Rosenbaum will answer questions about their desired role as members of the finance advisory committee. Susan and Eric are both up for re-election. The forum will be shown live on MVTV at 7 p.m. on April 19. You can submit relevant questions ahead of time to krisvpt@comcast.net.

Where else can you have hot dogs for breakfast? The 47th annual Kids Trout Derby was, once again, held at Duarte’s Pond with Coop and Leia Gilkes overseeing the festivities — just as they have done for the past almost half century. Kids rolled out of bed in the predawn hours to stake out the prime spots along the shore, eagerly awaiting the clang of the opening bell. Many casts were made. Many bobbers were caught in and retrieved from the bushes. Cups of hot cocoa were enjoyed along with doughnuts and world famous hot dogs for breakfast. Fingers were grungy from all the wiggly worms provided and, as we all know, that makes the hot dogs taste even better. Congratulations to Westley Wlodyka on his stellar, winning 16-inch rainbow trout. What a way to wrap up his final kids derby.

Westley will celebrate 15 on April 16. Also celebrating that very same day, among others, are Brooks Carroll, Clarissa Allen and Susan Larsen.

I know wood ducks are not rare in this part of the country or in Chilmark specifically for that matter. Where they are rare is in my back yard. The other morning, while standing looking out the kitchen door sipping some chocolate milk before work, Brooks blurted out, “Mom! Quick come here!” High in a tree, perched overlooking the mix of oaks, Beech and a small grove of Beetlebung was a beautifully eye-catching male wood duck. He sat there for quite a while surveying the landscape with us watching in awe. He flew to a higher perch and then we lost track of his whereabouts. Grandpa Emmett would have been pleased with his grandson becoming a birdwatcher for a few minutes that morning. It was an opportunity to just slow down and enjoy the moment.