Wonders will never cease. I had some seeds kicking around from 2008. They were stored in less than ideal conditions.

Saturday, May 14 dawned a little differently. It was the morning of Felix Neck’s Birdathon and there was not a strong wind roaring out of the northeast. The woodlands were pretty quiet as the day started out overcast, but the sun shone through about 9 a.m. and seemingly brought the woodlands to life. The complete list of birds observed on that Saturday appears at the end of this column; here are a few highlights.

Ben Franklin was chockful of advice; in one famous saying, he encouraged behavior that would make us healthy, wealthy and wise.

Early to bed and early to rise is not the only way to get there. One could alternately seek out the water-loving plant, horsetail, which fills the bill on all three counts.

Arthur R. Railton, 95, of Edgartown died Thursday, May 19, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. His funeral service is pending for next week.

Two small earthquakes were reported on Sunday night near Nashawena in the Elizabeth islands chain, east of Cuttyhunk. One of the quakes was felt in Fall River.

The first earthquake, a magnitude of 2.1, took place at 8:39 p.m. The second occurred seven minutes later and was recorded at a magnitude of 1.3.

CAPT. JOE CRESSY

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

Chappy and Martha’s Vineyard have lost one of their most extraordinary citizens. Joe Cressy’s intellect, integrity, kindness and zest for life were matched by few. One of Joe’s great loves and pleasure came from being on the Edgartown fire department. And so my dear friend, rest assured I shall be on this year’s Fourth of July’s parade route and will wave to your truck and the legend that once rode her.

Love you, Joe.

Gus Ben David

Waldorf Teachers

The Island Waldorf Community has announced the teaching team for the coming academic year at Plum Hill School, a developing Waldorf school for children ages two years, nine months to five years old. Rachael Curtin will become lead teacher, expanding her role. Longtime assistant teacher Marie Meyer-Barton will continue her role. Joining the group will be Lucia Dillon, also as an assistant teacher.

Come meet them all at Plum Hill’s Flower Festival off New Lane, in West Tisbury, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.

Birthday Challenge

Island Alpaca farm store is offering a $100 gift certificate as part of its second alpaca birthday challenge. Guess which alpaca will be the first to have her baby this year, guess the day (date and time of day — hint: most alpacas give birth in the morning or early afternoon) and, just for fun, if you think it will be a male or a female. (Alpaca names are listed with their due dates as hints online at islandalpaca.com).

Designs on Saving

Aaron Teves, a student at Tisbury School, was the national first place winner in the T-shirt design contest held in April, sponsored by Save For America and schoolsavings.com. Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank was the local sponsor.

Students who participated in the School Savings program contest were required to submit a T-shirt design that included the words, “I’m Saving”

Aaron won with his design “I’m $aving for the Road Ahead.”

The Vineyard Nursing Association has received a $2,800 grant from Our Island Club for its professional education program. Currently, funds from that program are helping Samantha Cron, LPN, become a registered nurse.