JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-9087

alleys@vineyard.net

Since it is spring, although it has not felt much like it, people are beginning the task of cleaning up the yard after the long winter, throwing away the Christmas tree that is beginning to turn the color of rust out in the back yard, raking the lawn and flower beds. Some folks have already begun planting peas and other hardy vegetables in their gardens. The day after it was stocked the Mill Pond has had a steady stream of anglers, young and old, fishing for trout. It rained most of Sunday and we were treated to our first thunderstorm of the year. The lightening was particularly sharp. March was a little cooler than normal but in fact did go out like a lamb with a bright sunny day.

Joan Jenkinson, animal control officer, reminds you that tomorrow the rabies clinic will be held at the MSPCA headquarters in Edgartown from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staff from the Vineyard Vet and Sea Breeze Clinics will be on hand from 10 to 11 a.m.; My Pet’s Vet and Caring for Animals from 11 a.m. to noon and Animal Health Care from noon to 1 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $15.

Marian Irving reports that the Congregational Church welcome members and friends to share in the Palm Sunday and communion service at 10 a.m. this week. Join them on Thursday evening, April 9 for the Tenebrae service, or service of the shadows, when we remember Jesus’s last supper and his betrayal. This is always a moving service. This year Easter’s sunrise event will be held at Ann Nelson’s home instead of Peaked Hill.

The church was filled to capacity with family and friends last Saturday afternoon for a memorial service for Bill Fielder who died earlier this month. Linda Berg, church organist, premiered the benediction portion of a new mass she composed this winter.

Cathlin Baker, minister, reports that the winter was been anything but sleepy and quiet at the church. Some 26 children were in Sunday school and about 125 on average worshiped in January, she said.

Colleen Morris over at the library reports that tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. there will be a spring concert titled Made in Brazil. For information call 508-693-3366.

Elizabeth Cecil is home after a week in Rockport, Me. on business.

Phyllis Meras is also home from a working vacation in Alabama. She reports that she had a wonderful time.

Deborah Koines and Linda Alley, co-managers of the West Tisbury Farmers’ Market, recently returned from a three-day conference and trade show sponsored by Harvest New England. While there they attended a half-day seminar and workshops with market managers from all over New England. Many topics were discussed, and there was information on a pilot program that would allow shellfish to be sold at farmers’ markets as long as state regulations are met. For vendor information or applications for the 2009 season call 508-693-9561.

Richard Knabel reports that the distributed antennae system committee (including Chilmark and Aquinnah) will hold a public information meeting and presentation Monday evening at 7 p.m. in the Chilmark Community Center. The committee has been working hard for the last year to improve cell phone reception up-Island.

Gloria Sylva over at the school reports that Monday and Wednesday will be half days due to parent/teacher conferences. A cakewalk will be held at the Grange Hall tomorrow at 6 p.m. Jeanine Fitzgerald will give a talk on bullying at the Oak Bluffs School at 6:30 p.m. Monday. And the PTO will meet at 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday.

History Notes

On April 15, 1954 Fred Melchior, manager of the Airport Luncheonette, opened the Skyline Restaurant to the public. It was the newest eating place on the Island with a panoramic view of the airport. A large dinning room 35 feet by 25 feet, and a kitchen 35 feet by 10 feet, was constructed on the second floor of the former Navy Administration building that originally housed the flight operations for the wartime airbase. Fred classified the new place as a white tablecloth dining area with a la carte dinners.

Happy Birthday to: Doris Day, Rosemary DeSorcy and Stacy Gouldrup today; Deborah Mayhew, Marlene Distefano and Andrew Warlock tomorrow; Phil Spaulding, Charles Hodgkinson and Kelley McCarthy on Sunday; Lynne Dwane, Ken Vanderlaske and Suzanne St. Andre on Monday; Don Ogilvie, Craig Saunders, Joshua Alwardt and Adam Sullivan on Tuesday; Rosalee McCullough, Sally Anderson, Ken Bailey, Simon Goldberg and Joe Amaral on Wednesday; Marilyn Fish, Julie Hitchings and Robin Brown on Thursday, and Emily Gadd on Friday. Belated birthday wishes to Kailyn Hart.

Well, that is all the social news for this edition. If you have any news you would like to share please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.