BY LIZA STROUT - The women of Hudson’s have been declared the champions of the 2012 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.

There was a symmetry to their day: the first call of “Fish On!” went up from their boat, Casuarina, two minutes into competition. Their last fish bit with only two minutes left in competition.

The team of Theresa Lasher, Emily Wise, Judy Kesterson and Barbara Jaeggi had already won the day with three tarpon released when a last minute tug at the line sent them back into battle. Capt. Charlie Coleman was at the helm to see them through one last fight.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Mary Alice King was an empath. She worked the register at Hudson’s Grocery for over 10 years, and she could single you out from across the store and just know that something was wrong. Although most of us only got to see her for a few minutes a day, if you were a regular at Hudson’s, a visit with her was like being in the eye of a hurricane. She would take your hand, grasp it warmly and say, “Now you take care of yourself.”

This beautiful lady who, to my knowledge, didn’t dislike one person in this world, left us suddenly Tuesday night. When I heard she was gone the news hit me like a ton of bricks to the gut. It was hard to walk into Hudson’s the next day, knowing she wouldn’t be there anymore.

If you love our troops and you love ice cream, have we got a deal for you.

Englewood Bank Branch Manager Alison Henderson has announced that if you bring in a donation for U.S. troop care packages before May 31, you can get a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream at the Loose Caboose, courtesy of Blanche and Jacques Boudreau.

The donation drive is through the Englewood Rotary.

BY LIZA STROUT - When you grow up on a small island, you know everyone your own age. When you are the daughter of the island cop, you know everyone at the station. So when Island School teacher Theresa Caccavale first saw Patrick O’Connor, she was curious.

“It was Fire Prevention Week at The Island School, and we were out with the kids, looking at the fire trucks and watching the demonstrations,” said Theresa. “There was this firefighter who I had never met. He was my age. And I had no idea who he was.”

“It was October 13, 2009,” said Patrick with a grin.