It’s hard to believe Basil Welch has been gone since 2011. What’s even harder to believe is that, if he were still with us, he would have celebrated his 100th birthday on April 16. Basil was, as they say, a quintessential Island character and long time caretaker of Abel’s Hill Cemetery.

For the longest time, Basil wrote the cemetery department’s contribution for the Chilmark Annual Town Report. It only seems fitting to share one of his contributions so, from the shelf, I pulled 1995: “The residents of Abels Hill Cemetery have asked that I keep my annual report brief, it being a grave matter, so I shall. Lots are being sold and lots are being occupied. We have lost half a dozen trees again this winter. Cedars and pines both. Everything else seems to be okay. Parties are kept to a minimum and we have had no complaints from neighbors about noise or rowdyism. Things are quiet on Abels Hill.”

April 16 is also the day Clarissa Allen celebrates along with Westley Wlodyka and my very own son Brooks who turns a milestone, 21 years old.

Word on the street is Ann Noyes celebrates 85 years this week. I’m hoping she will take her daily harbor stroll with her sidekick, Hal, so I can hip, hip, hooray her as she goes.

Buffy Knight Carroll snuck off to Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. to pass a little time with her mom, Billie Hancock. Billie had a little whoopsie with her knee so she’s not her usual out-and-about self, but Buffy’s presence is a spirit booster for sure.

Amy Cody and John Furst call California their home away from home. The big draw has been quality time with grandkids, and now granddaughter Frida has a little brother and her family couldn’t be any more excited. Rooney Davis Furst was born on April 3 to Arlo and Jess. The Furst littles will join their cousins, August and Rosemary, along with their folks Alex Weiss and Madeline Furst on Squid Row for a Popsicle and family photos before too long. Amy and John will return to town on May 1 and, my hope is, they’ll bring pictures.

Although she hadn’t lived in town for nearly 20 years, after deciding to call Florida home, Gail Derick and husband Phil still often came up in conversation. Sadly, recent conversation has revolved around the death of Gail just two months shy of her 90th birthday. She will be missed.

Bradley Carroll and Cory Medeiros took advantage of a little gap in their work schedules and shipped up to Boston for the opening day of the Red Sox. It was the 20th anniversary of the 2004 championship team so they were jaw-dropping starstruck as iconic players wandered by them. There was also a touching tribute to hall of famer Tim Wakefield and a Vermont Air National Guard’s 158FW (Fighter Wing) Unit flyover. It was a great day to be at Fenway despite the loss.

It’s time to mark your calendar for Tabor House Road’s resident artist, Gloria Burkin’s art show. The Chilmark Library will have her work lining the walls from April 26 to May 15 with a reception scheduled for May 11.

Coast Guard member Shane Mullin bid his farewell from Station Menemsha and packed his bag for his new orders in Bahrain. Well wishes to him on this exciting opportunity.