Vermonter Andy Rice, the traveling sheep shearer, has arrived on Martha’s Vineyard for the annual spring shearing, eager to clear the winter wool from local flocks and catch the start of the Island’s saltwater fishing season. His daily routine centers on moving between farms, but he always finds time to stop by the Texaco for a coffee and a chance to spin some yarns — yes, a play on words just happened right there.
Squeezing in casting sessions from the Island’s shore and docks between his agricultural commitments allows him to fully experience the rhythm of May on the Vineyard. Armed with local advice and his favorite rod, he seamlessly transitions from the barns to shorelines, making the most of his working trip.
Let’s welcome Rhode Islander Corey Forrest to the helm of the Martha’s Vineyard Seafood Collaborative. Bringing her Ocean State expertise to our shores, Corey commits to the philosophy of supporting independent commercial harvesters and keeping our Island community connected to the bounty of its local waters. Although she’s been dockside for days meeting people and settling in, she managed to pop off-Island this past weekend to participate in her son’s graduation festivities at the University of Rhode Island.
As Solon Oliver walked across the stage at Bridgewater State University last week, his diploma wasn’t the only reward after the culmination of years of hard work. Looking out into the crowd to see his parents — his mother likely wiping away tears and his dad beaming with pride — was a reminder of the endless sacrifices they made to help him get there. They never sat in a Bridgewater lecture hall, yet the whole family crossed the finish line together. Congratulations, Solon.
For Caleb and Chris Slater, summer and retirement can’t come soon enough. They are slowly making the transition to Chilmark residency having taken multiple trips to transport belongings and stash them away with Caleb’s mom, Jane. This past weekend, they ventured to town with their new boat, Island Time, under tow. It’s been splashed just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Helen and Arne DeKeijzer spent a relaxing spell at their home on Larsen Lane, enjoying the quiet comfort of their familiar surroundings. As the heat of the weekend reached its peak, they decided to cool off by indulging in an ice cream treat. As they savored their indulgences, they lingered at the Texaco to catch up with me. I feel lucky.
For Nell Thompson, her teammates, coaches and parents, packing the trailers and heading for Fieldstone Show Park in Halifax is a highlight on the spring equestrian calendar. Leaving the Vineyard ring behind demands serious coordination, from booking ferry slots to managing horse transport. However, the reward is immediate as they step onto the mainland facility to kick off their competitive season. Testing their skills against the region’s top hunter and jumper riders provides invaluable exposure and brings them closer together as a team and equestrian family.
Hellie Neumann’s dad, Peter, died this past week at the age of 93. He lived an incredible life and was a truly remarkable person, and his loss is a heavy one for Hellie. She spent much of her time recently with him in California, making those final years deeply meaningful, and she will miss him tremendously. Peter’s full obituary can be found in the New York Times. His was a life well lived.
It was prom weekend. Time moves with a quiet speed. Seeing the familiar faces of Lathrop Keene, Maeve Cook-Martin, Bess Carbon, Matt Day, Grazina Biskis, Hunter Bolduc and more all dressed up, radiating confidence and adult elegance, brings a sudden ache of disbelief. It feels impossible that they are old enough to be standing there, on the precipice of adulthood, looking so mature.
The true magic of the weekend happened after the dancing faded. Stripping away the tuxedos, a group, with Lathrop and Aiden Olsen at the helm, traded the loud energy of the dance floor for an after-party fishing trip. There is a beautiful poetry in that choice. On the quiet water, the pressure to look grown-up disappears. Holding fishing rods in the midst of the cool night air somehow bridges the gap between the adults they are becoming and the children they still are.
This article appears in May 22, 2026.