Nice to finally see the sun for a few days this week, after a weekend of rain. The lilacs are beginning to bloom down-Island and are mere buds in Aquinnah.

The special town meeting passed the issue of the regional high school playing fields on Tuesday night. On May 15 the only contested seat on the Aquinnah ballot is that of Board of Health with one candidate, Dr. Gerald Green, in the race.

To kick off National Safe Boating Week as well as Armed Forces Week, USCG Station Menemsha will have an open house for all to enjoy on May 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The station helicopter will land at 11:30 a.m. and will give tours for an hour. Tours of Station Menemsha and the boathouse will be open for the public as well.

Congratulations to Chris Fischer and Amy Schumer who have birth to a baby boy, Gene Attell Fischer, born on May 5. He is the grandson of Albert “Bert” and Linda Fischer.

Congratulations to Sam Hart who will assume his new duties at Trustees of Reservations as the Director for Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Sam has been the Director at ACE-MV for the past few years and is looking forward to his new position.

Noah Manning, his parents Paul and Theresa, as well as Kayla Manning Darcy and her daughter Kylee all returned home on Sunday night after spending the weekend in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. to celebrate Joan Kistner’s birthday. It was a surprise party at the home of her son Michael. Joan’s family arrived from California, Florida, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. A grand time was had by all.

All the best to Steve Myrick as he retires as a journalist from the Vineyard Gazette. A truly great investigative reporter !

Condolences to the family and friends of Anita Rose Combra who passed away at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on April 28. I have fond memories of celebrating Anita’s birthday on Dec. 31 at her family home. Anita enjoyed her work at the Steamship Authority counter on the ferries for years, knowing most of the travelers.

Across the channel at USCG Station Menemsha, BM2 Joel Behr has just returned from Cape Cod Air Base for training as a Living Marine Resources Boarding Officer. SN Ryan Ouelette has met the qualifications after six months of training to advance from Seaman Apprentice to Seaman. FN Colby Storm departs on May 15 for A School in Petaluma, Calif. after transferring from engineering to advance to health services. SN Daniel Gonzalez-Respeto and his family will head to Petaluma on May 15 as well. BM2 Joshua Boytek has returned from a surfing trip to the Maldives to celebrate with a group of friends at a 40th birthday.

Happy Mother’s Day to all. May your day be a special one.

Happy 173rd anniversary to the Vineyard Gazette. It is nice to be a part of Vineyard history.

Happy 50th anniversary to Michael and Karen Colaneri who celebrated their special day on April 27.

Happy 20th anniversary to Darren and Nancy Leport on May 15.

Happy birthday wishes this week to youngest sister Jyl Manning on May 12, sharing the day with Marjorie Galbraith and Lucas Batzer. Beverley Evans observes her special day on May 13, sharing the day with Ed Belain. Bret Stearns will celebrate on May 14. May 16 is a day of celebration for Jody Reston, Lydia Fischer, Barbara Hirsch Malkin, Ed Stahl, Leigh Vanderhoop, Herb Moody, Kathy Kendrick, James Seccombe and James R. Taylor. Tom Seeman celebrates on May 17, sharing the day with Spencer Thigpen and Kyle Killebrew.

Send Aquinnah news to junemanning152@gmail.com.