I fully believe in ice cream. It seems to have, depending on what ails you, similar healing qualities to Tylenol, Penicillin or Robitussin. It can be used as a reward for acing a test. It can boost your spirits after a hard day. You can eat it for dinner. You can have it as a snack. You can find it in a full assortment of flavors and textures in addition to having the choice to eat it on a stick, in a bowl or a packed into a cone. You can eat it on a cold day or while basking in the sunshine.

Now that it’s May, all of our favorite little ice cream treat consumers are trickling back to the Texaco. A stretch of time had passed since we’d laid eyes on Tavi, Arlo, Scout, Audrey, Zelda, Georgiana, Valentina, Clayton, Henry, Sadie, Finley, Oscar, Phoebe, Ollie, Ida, Luma, Winston, Leo, Sloane, Jack, Annabelle and more. They have all grown inches taller and the younger ones, who only had a few words in the fall, now have full sentences. Ice cream, and all the great kiddos it draws to our porch, never fails to make me smile and always cures whatever little thing might have me feeling down.

The heat of the Florida Keys nudged Jen and Chris Yeomans north for a little New England weather and adventure. Despite the chilly evenings, nestled in to the tiny house at the head of the harbor sure feels cozy.

The harbor is beginning to have moments of hustle and bustle. Not only has the MV Shipyard been setting moorings and delivering boats, but a few visitors have made pitstops on their way north from wintering in Florida.

Not only are pleasure craft starting to stir about, but the commercial fishermen are busy setting and hauling gear. Matt Mayhew has brought the Lady M back to town after a winter’s worth of work. Younger brother Chris still has a little bit more engine work to do on Solitude, but he’s got some gear ready to haul. It’s nice to see the next generation of Mayhew brothers on the water with what is reminiscent of the 2024 version of the Quitsa Strider and Unicorn.

Matteus Scheffer has been busy setting and hauling on his new boat Mary Night. He, too, has a few adjustments to make to really feel at home on his boat, but he’s getting there. His excitement is palpable.

Both the Martha Rose and Menemsha Rose were at the dock at the same time last week. Having them side by side is a rarity. I’m not even certain they’ve been at the commercial dock together ever. I’ll need to follow up with Captain Wes Brighton to get that answered.

If you’ve been wondering about the Carolina wren nest in my chicken coop and the status of the eggs, you’ll be pleased to know I heard a very faint peeping sound on Saturday. Mama bird flew the coop briefly so I quietly jumped at the opportunity to take a peek inside. There were four little pink bodies with very large and wide open yellow beaks. It’s been a couple of days since I’ve had the chance to look again. There may just be more.

Gerry Caton, a dear friend of the late Will Parry, reminds us all that there will be a graveside service at Abel’s Hill on Saturday, May 18 ant noon. In traditional Chilmark fashion, a potluck gathering will take place at the Community Center immediately following. Please, not only bring a dish to share, but your memories, stories and anecdotes about Will. I will share he was, among other things, quite fond of orange Popsicles on a hot summer day.