The tiny screen of my phone is a poor substitute for the desktop computer I left behind as I travel. It’s 10 p.m. It’s the peak of “write night” and I find myself surrounded by the hum of family at a gathering that was spontaneous in the making.

The Texas sky stretched wide and blue, a vast canvas for a weekend that felt less like a trip and more like a homecoming. Though evolving circumstances pulled us toward the heart of Dallas, they ultimately wove a tapestry of connection between my mother, my aunt, my cousin and me. Time, which usually marches forward without mercy, seemed to pause as we gathered. In the quiet corners of garden patios and the lively bustle of local streets, the miles between our daily lives evaporated. To see my aunt’s smile mirrored in my mother’s eyes was to witness a living bridge to our past, while the easy rhythm of conversation with my cousin felt like picking up a book I had never truly put down. I am grateful for the time which passes far too quickly.

Our friends at the Chilmark Church will host two services on Sunday, April 5. All are welcome to start the day with sunrise service at 6 a.m. at Menemsha Beach. For those not interested in early rising, but want to celebrate with an Easter service, the doors will be open at 9 a.m., the usual time, at the Chilmark Church. Many thanks to Pam Goff for always sharing these reminders.

Also on Sunday, April 5, the Chilmark Volunteer Firefighter’s Association will host an egg hunt at the Chilmark Community Center, starting at 10:30 a.m. The first fire department egg hunt should be a shining example of community spirit. Through the tireless work of volunteers and the opening of their station doors, they provide more than just a momentary chase for prizes — they provide a sense of safety, community and joy that lasts long after the candy is eaten. Come one. Come all. Frolic at a venue where everyone belongs. Many thanks to Heather Maciel for leading the charge.

Bea Phear shares that the League of Women Voters will host a forum on April 20 at 6 p.m. at the library. Candidates will have an opportunity to speak and there will be time for questions from the audience. It’s an opportunity for folks to get a feel for candidates who may be running for the first time.

Thanks to our select board members — Marie Larsen, Jeffrey Maida and Matt Poole — for diligently going through our town warrant articles. Mark your calendar for Monday, April 27 at 7 p.m. This is the time of annual town meeting to be held at the CCC. Town elections will follow on Wednesday, April 29 also at the CCC. Doors will be open for voting from noon to 8 p.m.

Mike Broderick and Mary McConneloug are doing their darnedest to reconnect with the world mountain biking community. It seems their legs and bikes treated them well at the Masters Mountain Bike World Championships held in the Nevados de Chillán, Chile. The venue combines natural trails and technical sections in the Andean range. It includes demanding climbs, stretches of native forest and open areas with views of the volcanoes. It requires endurance, technical skill and strategy due to its ascents, fast singletrack descents and technical sections. Mary earned herself a place on the podium and both earned clap-worthy results.

There is a unique kind of magic in the number one. It marks the end of a year of “firsts” and the beginning of a lifetime of “nexts.” As Jesse and Denny Jason celebrated Quint’s first birthday, it was likely impossible not to look back at the whirlwind of the last twelve months and marvel at how much one tiny person can change the world.