Overnight the grass turned green and the dandelions came up yellow! I guess spring has sprung! Last weekend, Scott and I were in Durham, N.H., visiting his mother, Jean Bean, and connecting with both his siblings. On Mother’s Day, all 7 of us (Deb, Amanda, Micaela, Max, Scott, Joy and I) had lunch at HillHouse. It was a gorgeous day and we had a photo op on the back porch.

Kristin Esterberg sent Arthur this email: “I don't know if we'll be up to the island much this summer. I've been appointed president of (State University of New York at Potsdam) and so we'll be moving there over the summer. It's an exciting opportunity for me, but it'll be a long drive to the island.”

Congratulations to Kristin and how nice to be just 20 minutes from St. Lawrence University where Kristin’s and Sue’s daughter Katie is a student! Then Elizabeth Pierce sent this link to Arthur: www.potsdam.edu/about/administration/president/search/index.cfm in case you want to check it out further. And, of course, Arthur has posted that link to the IOS Website.

Linda Stoddard Harper sounds relieved in her email: “Mark has finally made his choice between air and sea — and the sea won! Come mid-August, Mark will be attending Maine Maritime Academy. His decision was made simpler by the wonderful adventure he just completed at Sea-mester sailing around southeast Asia. Mark has completed all the theoretical parts of his 200 ton yachtmaster certification. Now he just needs some more watch hours. If any islanders know of anyone needing a crew member over the summer, Mark has yet to find a job. Meanwhile, Sarah has completed her junior year at St. John's in Annapolis and is looking forward to an essay-free summer, probably working at a local stable.

“Tony and I are just doing our usual, going to work, providing meals and laundry facilities for the kids. We're planning on spending time at the island this summer, but have yet to figure out exactly when.”

Just in time for Mother’s Day, a trio of new Islanders! Charlie Oscar Reece, son of Erica and Hugh, was born April 27, 2014. James (Jamie) Scott Erickson, son of Jessica and Doug, was born April 28, 2014. In a forward from Mike via Facebook: Erin and Kenny have a second child, a bit overdue but arrived today, May 8: Shepard Michael Deprez in Philadelphia.

Here’s an announcement from Arthur: “Also, many thanks to the 16 cottage owners who have responded to the request for updating the list of cottage and cell phones, which resulted in 12 new cell phone numbers. The updated list has been posted on the Island website. If there are any cottage owners who wish to add or change phone numbers associated with their cottage, please send your information to Arthur.”

Susan Reece sent the NeKrangan II update for 2014: Attention all Islanders: The NeKrangan II Committee is announcing this year’s exhibit, “Island Artists.” Its focus will be on both contemporary and vintage works created by Islanders or guests of Islanders and whose subject matter, for the most part, is related to the IOS. We are requesting loans of your paintings, photographs, or works of art in other media for display at the museum. Items may be dropped off at the NeKrangan II in June. We plan to hang the exhibit the week of June 23, although items may be added to the exhibit over the summer. For each work, please provide the name of the artist, the approximate date of the work (if available), and the cottage name.

As an additional reminder: for the 2015 season, we plan to do the exhibit, “On the Waterfront: IOS Boats and Vessels.” We are soliciting vintage and current photos of boats, lists of boat names and their owners, IOS seafaring stories, and other possible nautical items this summer in preparation for next year’s exhibit.

Don’t forget the Memorial Weekend Gathering at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 24, at the Pierce cottage. All ages are welcome! As usual, please bring your own beverages. The hosts will provide glasses, ice and food.