Speaking of Paul Revere’s ride and the shot heard around the world, I am remembering the late Jonathan Revere, who replied, in response to the obvious question: “I come from the branch of the family who said, ‘the brutish are coming.’” Jonathan is sorely missed.

Today’s topic is old-time West Tisburyites, including some long-gone loved ones. It is also the promise of May.

I talked to Joan Merry about a long ago May Day activity that has petered out over the decades. It was, I had read, a popular event in the 19th and a good part of the 20th centuries in New England. 

That was, home-grown Joannie told me, when groups of children made May baskets from boxes they collected at the grocery store. The kids then decorated the boxes, using tissue paper, crepe paper, ribbons, wallpaper samples — whatever looked colorful and pretty.

Then, they filled the boxes with a variety of  treats they had assembled — candies, cookies, gum. 

The baskets were then delivered to the doorstep of their teacher. The occasion had to have the element of secrecy, Joan told me.

The kids then rang the doorbell and ran as fast as they could to hide. The teacher had to act puzzled and surprised. The youngsters didn’t stay hidden for long before they were caught.

“Then everyone gathered inside the teacher’s house and ate the contents of the basket,” she said.

Joannie added that she remembers the activity frequently and fondly. She told me, “we were not included in the private lives of our teachers. We certainly didn’t use their first names. But the May basket game gave us a glimpse inside the way they lived and it was a happy event.”

Linda Alley, from a somewhat younger generation, also remembers the same May day game; picking flowers, mostly daffodils, and delivering them “to Priscilla,” although back then, Linda would not have dared to call Mrs. Fischer by her first name.

Meanwhile, though we still have a handful of April days ahead, plans are afoot in many quarters for festivities this summer. 

  One group working on a novel event is Friends of West Tisbury Village. The plan is for an occasion, which sounds particularly attractive for those who have long-time family connections with the town.  

As of now, what the committee is looking for are people who have family members buried in the town cemetery. The group wants to include photos, LED candles, flowers and stories to celebrate those ancestors who helped to shape West Tisbury and the Island. Perhaps a few who made or received May baskets.

The event is a fundraiser to pay for a new and historically correct fence around the cemetery. The friends, along with the Martha’s Vineyard Museum and the town, have chosen July 19 for a Vineyard version of Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead. 

The contact person for the event is Meg Carman, who can be reached at 919-924-8327.

Happy birthday wishes flow this week to Susan Reidy on April 25, to Josh Goldstein April 26 and Jill Rosenkranz on April 27. 

Jennifer Whitman and Emily Fischer will celebrate on April 28, and Bea Phear may bask in the spotlight April 29.

Happy birthday May Day bouquets to Richard Knabel and Nancy Aronie on Thursday, May 1.