It seems like we should be so far removed from the nighttime glow of artificial light, but in reality it surrounds us. It can cause tremendous difficulties for critters, the environment and us humans. Humans are messy creatures. One of the pollutants we create on a daily basis is something we can easily get a handle on: light pollution.

As I have mentioned before, a couple of my favorite spring pastimes are listening to the pinkletinks and tracking the return of the osprey. After a busy day of work, chores, volunteering and more, a twilight stroll grounds the senses. What would make it better is having a darker and more natural sky. Darkness is essential to our biological welfare. Darkness is essential to the animal world (migration, hunting, feeding) it’s all affected just as it threatens aquatic ecosystems.

Here is my heartfelt request to do a few simple things to transition what’s feeling a bit more like a suburban sky back to a dark sky site. Turn off your outside lights when you head to bed if not sooner. Part with those lights that constantly illuminate features in your yard — your stone wall is prettier without being lit. Consider adding a motion sensor, transitioning to warm tones rather than cool and be sure your outdoor fixtures shield the light. There’s plenty more, but this is an easy place we can all become stewards of our community.

Another opportunity of stewardship lays firmly in the hands of Krishana Collins. For those of you who don’t know her, Krishana is the extraordinary overseer of Tea Lane Farm. Flowers, joy and a tremendous amount of beauty abound when she and her staff tend to the fields. She is taking time out of her busy schedule to visit with you at the Chilmark Library over soup and refreshments on Friday, April 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Let’s send some well wishes to Russell Smith who’s recuperation after knee surgery is taking a bit longer than anticipated due to an unanticipated infection. Although he has a great group of friends and neighbors, sister Robin and brother-in-law Jim Hickey decided to check on him in person. After a lengthy stay, Robin has returned home just in time to hear the first pinkletinks and Jim will soon follow.

Things are exciting and busy in the Thompson household. After a quick and first-time getaway without kids to celebrate Zoe’s brothers 50th birthday in Colorado, she and Simon returned to relieve doting grandparents Becky and Doug Thompson who made the trip from Maine.

Big things continue to happen with the addition of a newly leased pony for Nell. Pink Cadillac made her way north from Wellington, Fla. and it seems there is reciprocal smitten-ness. While Nell is jumping fences and practicing equitation, Mae has been busy preparing for the MV Figure Skating Club show happening this weekend at the rink. Part of the mental preparation was a trip to Boston with mom to soak up the sights, sounds and excitement of the 2025 ISU World Figure Skating Championships held last week at the TD Garden.

Signs of spring are everywhere — from the sounds the pinkletinks make, to the otters rolling around in ponds barking as we startle them. The shore birds begin to bustle along the lapping edges of the water and F/V Freedom makes her annual pilgrimage for her haul out.

Menemsha lobsterman Wayne Iacono switched things up this year. He ventured across the Sound and into Buzzard’s Bay where the haul out went smoothly. Freedom is all spiffed up for another season and Wayne had the opportunity to dine out a couple of times. It was such a change in scenery that the effort almost meets the criteria of a vacation.