Palpable shifts. May is the month when things come to life. May is the month that prompts celebration. There may be over-the-top festivities encompassing May Day, college graduations, Memorial Day and birthdays. But there are also those small little victories than need a cautiously optimistic yippee. The sowing of seeds, the first mow of green grass, goslings crossing the road trailing behind their mama, and the exuberance of a teenage fisherman after he reeled in what might have been “biggest tautog of his life.”

That teen was Aiden Olsen, who happens to have a new-found freedom and dreams of more jetty time after acquiring his drivers license.

The thrill of salt water fishing isn’t the only thing that’s contagious. Fresh water fishing, especially this past weekend, from the edge of Duarte’s Pond in the early hours of the morning was yet another experience for the memory books.

The night prior, Cory Medeiros was prepping trout gear in anticipation of taking his little brother Mica Zoref. When asked if his family would be participating in the trout derby, Elisha Weisner responded with, “Absolutely!”

Ryan Rossi took to the water’s edge with Sloane and Jack along with tens of others. As always, it was a fantastic morning of echoing laughter, the occasional squeal and, of course, the traditional hot dogs for breakfast.

Lady M, with Captain Matt Mayhew at the wheel and cousin Todd Mayhew by his side, set out for their first squid trip of the season returning to the dock satisfied. What fun it is to watch her coming and going from the harbor.

Little Lady, with John Keene’s Hillary Ann II by her side and tug Sirius, too, made the journey to Vineyard Haven where she’s on the hard while funds are being raised for refurbishment. You can find out more on the MV Fishermen’s Preservation Trust website.

Speaking of overhauling, Wayne Iacono has set gear after replacing Freedom’s deck. It was a much bigger project than he’d anticipated, but he got it done in no time. The good thing is, the boat looks just the same. Isn’t that almost always the goal when you make a repair?

At the helm of a fully reworked USCG ‘47, BM1 Joel Behr made a pitstop in Menemsha to say hello to some old friends including us. Having been stationed in Menemsha, it only seemed fitting to put that shiny vessel on the dock for a spell as they made their way from Connecticut to Station Southwest Harbor on Mount Desert Island, Me.

Joel’s visit coincided with Menemsha’s coming to life. Larsen’s has joined the open doors of Menemsha Fish, the Copperworks and the Texaco. Kara has been trickling goods into Pandora’s Box and Ben pulled the door open at his Under the Surface Gallery. The folks at Iggy’s will be brewing coffee again Sunday, May 11 and 25 from 8:30 a.m. until noon.

After spending the last few years at the Henrietta Brewer House, 93-year-old Ann Deitrich’s book of life came to an end. She filled each page with adventure and immersed participation. The days of bumping into her as a Chilmark School reading buddy will be fondly remembered by, not only me, but by countess Chilmark kids. Her memory will be celebrated on July 19.

For those who knew Kathy Coe knew that she was, simply put, a spectacular human.

For those who didn’t have the please of knowing her just ask someone who did and they will probably surpass me in the sheer volume of positive attributes that left a lasting impact. Her family and friends, with sons Phil and Chas and husband Tom Hollinger steering the way, will gather at 11: a.m. on May 17 at Abel’s Hill cemetery followed by a celebration of her life at the Chilmark Community Center. Please consider bringing a dish to share, stories to swap and most of all a smile to light the room just like hers did.