Water striders always come out on top.

They also stay on top! Water striders are those zippy, semi-aquatic insects that seem to magically skate along the surface of ponds, streams and other slow-moving waters. These above-water acrobats never plunge into the water or become submerged; they live on, not under, the surface of the water through their entire adult lives.

It’s happened again. I’ve seeded too many flats, taken on too much work and ordered too many potatoes.

Have you ever wondered where our nesting birds spend their winter? I have. Well, thanks to a study conducted by Dr. Cheri Gratto-Trevor, a research scientist for Environment Canada, we now know that at least one of “our” piping plovers spends its winter on Andros Island in the Bahamas. I put our in quotes because it probably spends more of its year in the Bahamas than the five months it is here.

Tisbury selectman Jeff Kristal narrowly survived the challenge from Tom Pachico, 461 votes to 449 in Tuesday’s election.

It was the second close victory for Mr. Kristal over Mr.Pachico. Three years ago, as the challenger, he ended Mr.Pachico’s nine-year run on the board, by a margin of just 14 votes.

This time, it was only 12.

Tisbury voters also decided two ballot questions which would have increased town property taxes, decisively rejecting both of them.

Tisbury School principal Richard Smith announces the honor roll for the 2010-2011 third quarter.

Fifth grade high honors go to: Casey McCarron and Elizabeth Williamson.

Fifth grade honors go to: Magarett Burke, Kevin Cardoso, Carolyn Duarte, Curtis Fisher, Belle Hattingh, Alexis Hughes, Sophia Kent, Tika Lampart, Coralee LaRue, Graham Lewis, Dillon McAndrews, Evelyn Medeiros, Michael Moore, Gabriel Nadelstein, Gabriel Oliviera, Larner Peak, Myeta Petrucelli, Lily Pigott, Nathan Tenorio, Devon Teves and Benjamin Tillman.

Edgartown School principal John Stevens announced the honor roll for the 2010-2011 third quarter.

Eighth grade high honors go to: Aubrey Ashmun, Gabriella Hoxsie and Megan Hurley.

Eighth grade honors go to: Dunovan Belisle, Sabrina Carlos, Matthew Davies, Erik Faber, Andrew Fournier, Austin Fournier, Charlotte Hammond, Hanna Kim, Charlie Morano, Daniel Nelson Jr., Schuyler Small and Alexander Vukota.

Seventh grade high honors go to: Samantha Hargy, Olivia Green-Lingren, Jared Livingston and Sara Poggi

Collegiate Scholar

Brianna Buchanan of Vineyard Haven has been nominated for membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She is a freshman at Northern Arizona University.

Blood Drive

The Red Cross has put out word this week that blood donors are needed: There is a critical need for type O negative and B negative blood.

A blood drive will be held this coming week on Tuesday, April 26, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Portuguese-American Club on Vineyard avenue in Oak Bluffs. Please come and give blood if you are able.

Trainings for Islanders who want to learn more about becoming a volunteer for Red Cross disaster services — and become a member of the Vineyard’s disaster assistance team — will be offered by the Red Cross on Friday, April 29, from 6 to 9 p,m, and Saturday, April 30, beginning at 8:30 a.m. They will take place at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging located at 21 Wamsutta avenue. Beverages and snacks will be provided.

Chilmark voters acted with dispatch on a 37-article annual town meeting warrant on Monday night, approving a $7 million town budget that includes a 2.6 per cent cost of living increase for town employees, overhauling the town personnel bylaw and approving a new set of rules for swimming pools in town.

A Community Preservation Act spending article for the Tea Lane Farm restoration project, and two articles that would funnel CPA money to Martha’s Vineyard Museum projects were indefinitely postponed.