I just heard from Abby McGrath, the driving force behind Renaissance House here on Island for so many years. While we could not find a house to rent this season for our writers, poets and artists workshop, Abby and I are still very interested in setting something up for next year. Come on, all you patrons of the arts! I

Oh, dear gentle readers, I disappointed you again! Just like a fisherman telling about the big one that got away, I must say I wrote a wonderful column last week and was at the picnic table typing it on these newfangled machines, had just gotten to “many happy returns,” when Nonna felt the need to press her medic alert button for the ambulance.

It’s another Blooming day! That’s right, the annual Bloomsday event honoring the writings of James Joyce will be held at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on Wednesday, June 17, beginning at 8 p.m. John Crelan has kept this wonderful event going with his nonprofit, tax deductible Arts & Society group. This will be the 37th event. It comes with music, Joycean tales and famous writings, and showcases some of your talented friends and neighbors in a most theatrical setting.

Memorial Day weekend never really ends — the power, the patriotism, the prayers for our service people through all our wars and conflicts. Because his birthday is this week, and because he is a stellar guy from an amazing family, I would like you all to acknowledge Billy Kingsbury who served as an Army Ranger, a Green Beret, in the Viet Nam conflict. Billy returned at a time when many of us didn’t have the grace or knowledge to accept that Billy wasn’t part of the problem, he was trying to serve as part of the solution. A shout out to the wonderful Kingsbury family.

I know he’s sitting on our shoulders, organizing everything from step off to guest speaker to laying of wreaths to the hanging of flags. Gentleman and patriot Ed Colligan is very much on my mind this Memorial Day weekend, our first without him, he who began the tradition of the Avenue of Flags. He who was so devoted to his community, his country, his family and friends.

You can take the cheesecake out of New York but you can’t take New York out of the cheesecake. Or can you?

Congratulations to all the poets and musicians who participated in MVTV’s live event on April 30, the last day of poetry month.

I hope you all rested up during the snow months because the Island offers so much excitement from now on, starting with tomorrow’s annual Bike MS: Ride the Vineyard. The fun, fun ride is brought to you by the New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and our own Boys and Girls Club. It is not too late to register to ride; registration on the day of the ride is $35 plus a $2.50 pledge requirement.

There is so much to celebrate this last week of April. A big hurrah for better weather!

Our annual sure sign the season has changed — Martha Dunham and her rugged clan on Skiff avenue have been using their outdoor shower for the past month.