May 1 is more than just the first day of the month. It’s May Day, when Chilmark School fourth and fifth graders celebrate a longstanding community tradition. No longer can students frolic all over town for the teachers-versus-students “Where are the children?” variation of hide and seek, but the May pole is danced around for community onlookers to enjoy, and May baskets are compiled by fifth graders for teachers and a few select folks around town. The night before is bound to be busy with flower arranging and baking goodies for the baskets. 

All are welcome to gather in front of the school for the festivities on Thursday, May 1 at 9 a.m. The rousing version of “find the children” will take place just prior and all-school morning circle just afterward. What a wonderful way to welcome the halfway point between the first day of spring and the summer solstice.

Tim Rich was sorting through some memorabilia the other day and came across a book the 2006 fourth and fifth-grade class made for him after he brought some revolutionary artifacts and stories to share with them. Somehow it seems fitting that it coincided with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Each page was a thank-you note written in cursive by a student. My daughter Bradley was a fourth grader at the time along with friends Mariah and Jessica Campbell, Janelle Larsen, Katy Smith, Ian Bardwell, Ella Mahoney and others.

This is public school vacation week in Massachusetts. Some families are traveling to us, some away from us and some are stay-cation-ing. Leo, a seven-year-old summer friend, stopped by for a visit with his mom Karen Pollak. Leo’s highlights were a much needed ice cream sandwich at the Texaco, skipping rocks on Menemsha Beach and a trip to the Flying Horses. He exceeded his monumental goal of four brass rings by grabbing six including the first two “regular” rings of the season. What fun.

Caleb, Chris and Celia Slater made their spring pilgrimage to Basin Road, both to visit Jane and uncover and prep their boat for it’s annual launch. Short work was made of the task and they had the pleasure of mixing in sunset walks and dinner out at Offshore.

Jeremy and Annie Bradshaw made a trip to Boston for the long weekend and met up with their Vermont grandkids to take in the sights including a multiple museum tour. They all had a wonderful time mixing in celebration in honor of their 34th wedding anniversary.

High schooler Emily Boyd took her folks, Mary and Jonathan, on a tour of colleges from the suburban Boston area to the Pioneer Valley. Fun was had along the way, including a pit stop in the memorable city of Salem.

There was a little excitement in their neighborhood while they were on the road when a brushfire was ignited on land near their home. With quick response ranging from a resident’s call for help to the final fire truck’s departure, the scene was capably handled and successfully controlled. A good reminder that despite what has felt like a lot of rain, things are still dry.

They may have broken the mold with Karsten Larsen, but his memory will be celebrated on Sunday, April 27 at 1 p.m. on Menemsha’s commercial dock. All are welcome to stop by to listen and share stories, partake in a few sweets ­— bring something if you can — and raise a glass of milk to the one-of-a-kind guy who always ended a conversation with, “Think about it.”