After 30 years, yes, three decades, the osprey pole on Osprey Lane has been turned into a home. The glorious fish hawk couple has been bringing in sticks and other bits of material to form a nest that they will, for now, call home. According to their neighbors, Liz and Steve Lewenberg, although the male has been putting on quite a display for his mate the pair might not have young this spring. Even if these two are just playing house, it certainly is noteworthy to have the excitement of their presence.

Mid-May in Chilmark is a bit like opening day at Fenway Park. Our seasonal business operators begin to trickle back into town and a few new faces appear. This week you’ll surely be pleased to know Betsy, Kristine and right-hand man cousin Scott opened the doors on May 10 at Larsen’s Fish Market. Cybele McCormick opened the doors at the Menemsha Deli and is ready to serve. Folks will be pleased to sit at her brand new brightly painted picnic tables outside the revamped space which will be offering up a yummy assortment of sandwiches among other tasty treats. The Galley, under new management but familiar faces Tony Saccocia (of The Grill on Main and the Feast of Chilmark, remember that place?) and Jack O’Malley (the MVRHS culinary guru) will open May 17 with Barbie, Frank and Merrily pulling a few shifts. The Chilmark General Store will open on the May 18. Stanley and Lanette Larsen at Menemsha Fish Market and Marshall and I at Menemsha Texaco are pleased to have neighbors again.

A very happy belated 50th birthday shout out goes to Peter Knight. His thoughtful bride Alicia (Fenner) rounded up so many friends and family that they were spilling out the doors of their Daisy Lane home sharing warm wishes with excitement that resembled fireworks.

It’s that time of year when we cannot manage to accept every invitation to dinner, a party, a workshop or meeting. The towns of Chilmark and West Tisbury received a grant to hold a two-part workshop through the MA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program which I was invited to participate in, but regretfully I had to decline the invitation. The purpose of these workshops was to generate a better understanding of our two towns’ vulnerability to climate-related hazards, a clear list of achievable actions we should take to build resilience, and eligibility to receive state funds to implement these actions. I’ve had an opportunity to get the scoop from a few folks who represented Chilmark and, in summary, it sounds like we have a forward-thinking community. I’d recommend getting the scoop from a participant as well. A few Chilmarkers in the mix were: Robert Hannemann, Rich Osnoss, Warren and Nan Doty, Tim Carroll and Julie Flanders.

You may recall him standing in the town hall scene, plaid shirt, red cap, and dog by his side, as Quint offers to get “the head, the tail, the whole damn thing” in the classic film Jaws. He was also fixture at Larsen’s Fish Market for as long as I can remember. A gathering to celebrate the life of Hershel West will be held, in true Cricker fashion, on the Commercial Dock behind Larsen’s Fish Market on Saturday May 12 at 10 a.m. Bring your memories, share your stories and, if you’re able, bring along some bite-size desserts or pastries to share. We all know Hershel had quite the sweet tooth. I’ll miss my morning chats with him as he waited to board the VTA for down-Island.

Also on Saturday, an opportunity to gather and share fishing stories about Greg Mayhew will be held at the library at 3 p.m. Greg was a vivid storyteller and quite the conversationalist so bring your version of his tales. The absence of such a remarkable human may weigh just a little less heavy if smiles and fond memories fill the room and our hearts.

Welcome home to Pater and Andrew Ruimerman. The sons of Janet Weidner and Tom have recently completed their junior years at Manhattan College and Roanoke College. Pete participated in a DC spring internship. He had a remarkable experience so be sure to ask him about it.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.