When April steps aside for May,
Like diamonds all the rain-drops glisten;
Fresh violets open every day:
To some new bird each hour we listen.
— Lucy Larcom
Happy May Day, everyone! This past Friday morning was full of fun and frolic at the Chilmark School’s annual May Day celebration — a tradition at the Chilmark School that has stood the test of time.
After the children hid from their teachers for the traditional game of “find the children,” the maypole was the centerpiece of the morning. The 4/5 students, under the tutelage of Anne Colangeli, put on a glorious display with fun music, colorful ribbons and flowers, and some really funky sunglasses. The maypole dance was performed in front of a crowd of friends and family and followed by entertaining games and May baskets. The morning’s festivities were organized by the fifth-grade students with the guidance of parent coordinator Mary Ambulos.
Welcome home to Hellie Neumann, who has just returned from the most glorious trip through Italy. She was kind enough to share pictures throughout her trip via Facebook. Each time I took a little peek I felt as if I was there. Just spectacular.
The Quitsa Strider and the Unicorn, with Captains Matt and Todd Mayhew respectively, have returned from their first squidding trip of the season.
Josh Aronie of the Menemsha Cafe shared that their Friday night supper hours have been slightly adjusted, to 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. A little birdie told me that Nancy Aronie celebrates a decade-changing birthday on May 1. As we all know, age is a matter of feeling and not years. I think Nancy has figured out how to look within and find her person, not her chronological age — a job well done.
Also celebrating birthdays this week are Stephen Taylor, Margo Villa, Sarah-Jean Flanders, Gwen Mayhew, Lillian Kellman, Sheila Price, Lynn Murphy, and my very own brother-in-law, Tim Carroll. I am sure he is thrilled to have his name in the limelight.
Perhaps a perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday is by attending Native Earth Teaching Farm’s Seed Day. From 10 am to 3 pm all gardeners, would-be gardeners, mothers, children, and any enjoyer of the great outdoors is welcome to attend. Stop by and gather green thumb tips and tricks, enjoy an opportunity to participate in the seed swap and sale, let your kids play games and do crafts, and take in the demonstrations and activities that Randy BenDavid and Rebecca Gilbert have to offer on North Road.
I bumped into Rebecca Miller and her daughter, Sadie Dix, the other day. Sadie is doing her best to recover from mononucleosis. I hope the sunshine and fresh spring air will heal you in no time, Sadie. Rebecca mentioned that plants are for sale at their North Tabor Farm farm stand on North Road.
Down Island, COMSOG kicks off their month-long plant and seedling sale Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm. You will find heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, herbs, hanging baskets, sunflowers, zinnias, and so much more. COMSOG is located on New York Avenue in Oak Bluffs.
Wednesday, May 11, at 5:30 pm, is the second leg of John Maloney’s poetry workshop at the library. Again, all are welcome to attend.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. You may have seen the “Honk for Teachers” sign planted at Beetlebung Corner. So when you drive through the center of town just give a little toot. Throughout the week, members of the Chilmark School PTO have honored our teachers and recognized the lasting contributions they make to our lives with small tokens of appreciation each day. There is an “apple tree” decorated in the school foyer with paper apples adorned with notes from the students. The teachers were treated to a duty-free lunch yesterday. Thank you to our educators for opening doors, pushing boundaries, and showing our children that they can achieve even the highest of goals.
