MARGARET KNIGHT
508-627-8894
Lots of people don’t like February, but I think it’s the nicest winter month. It’s much lighter than December, warmer than January, and more sunny than March – generally speaking. By now, we’re well past the halfway point, which means the rebirth period is already happening. The birds know it, and sing out on sunny mornings like it’s spring. It feels as if the sun is rising at a more acceptable hour, and sunset seems almost reasonable as well.
Flocks of sea ducks, normally seen farther offshore, have been hanging around the Edgartown harbor. You can often see fifty or more eiders, some mergansers, and others swimming and diving as you cross on the ferry. I don’t remember who called the eiders “swimming skunks,” but the males do have an unmistakable black and white coloring.
In February, people take heart that spring will come again, and hold lots of events, community dinners and classes. The newspapers list all kinds of traditional and newly-thought-up activities, at which people can come together to be fed, entertained, or both.
For example, the Chappy Community Center is holding a Valentine’s Day Tea on Sunday, Feb. 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. It’s actually an old event – the Holiday Tea that was snowed out – metamorphosed with the help of some hearts and other appropriate decorations. It will be “high tea,” served from silver tea pots into fancy tea cups, with sandwiches and sweets made by Chappaquiddickers. This tea is not just for ladies; it’s for everyone, all ages, and there will be hot chocolate for those who don’t drink tea. You can dress up or come as you are.
The next bimonthly community center potluck will be held Wednesday, Feb. 17. Appetizers begin at 6 p.m. Bring a main dish or dessert to share, and come enjoy some good food and conversation with your Chappy neighbors.
The League of Women Voters is turning ninety! This group registers voters at the High School and the Agricultural Fair and, year after year, they sponsor the candidate forums in all six towns, providing us with crucial information on the candidates and issues. The league will celebrate their big birthday at Zephrus restaurant in Vineyard Haven on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 15. You can join the party, and give the league a birthday present at the same time by making dinner reservations between 5 and 9 p.m., as a portion of the proceeds will go to the league.
If you don’t know what to do for entertainment in February, I recommend getting goats. They are endlessly amusing, especially if you build them a play structure. Sidney made one for our goats out of a big wire spool and two ramps. The goats love to chase each other up and down and under the ramps, and play “queen of the castle” (they’re both females) on top of the spool, after which they make flying, twisting leaps to the ground.
Goats are chicken about weather, though. As the first few flakes of snow fell on Wednesday, they stood on their little porch and looked anxiously up at the sky before retiring into the goat shed for the duration of the storm. Our four chickens, on the other hand, stayed out rustling around in the leaves until the snow got above their ankles, after which they retired to our front porch, quickly making it a minefield of droppings hidden beneath a layer of white.
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