Robert Skiff Sr. is going to wake up and smell the lilacs. Well, not till May, actually. But that's a good thing, as there are a lot of chores to do at the Shelburne Museum — like, get the place ready to open for the season — before its bazillion bushes bloom. When that happens, the perfume puts everyone in a pleasant stupor for three days.

But I digress. As the headline above hints, Skiff (pictured) was just announced as the interim director of the museum, taking the reins during a search to replace outgoing director Stephan Jost. After five successful years at the helm, Jost is stepping down in order to learn how to surf in Hawaii.

OK, I made that part up. But who knows what he might do in his spare time after he starts his new job as director of the Honolulu Academy of Arts?

Skiff, happily, does not want to move to a tropical island. He has deep roots in Vermont and has been very productive here. While the president of Champlain College from 1977 to 1992, he multitasked as president of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Skiff also founded the Vermont Commons School in South Burlington, is a director at the Merchants Bank and has sat on the board of the Shelburne Museum since 2002.

Sounds like he knows how to run things. Skiff will be doing just that beginning March 15 and until Jost's replacement is hired. Fellow trustee Bruce Lisman is heading up the national search. Best wishes to the both of 'em!