JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Well, the month of March came in like a lion, no doubt about it. On Monday there was about an inch of heavy wet snow in the morning and it was cold and blustery and especially biting if you were just back from a vacation in the South. The old saying is that March will leave like a lamb: we shall see. Spring is theoretically just two weeks away, bringing warmer sunshine. That light getting longer each day gives us hope. Remember that daylight saving time begins next Sunday.
Anna and I drove up to Dartmouth, Taunton and Providence last weekend. We had our Toyota repaired in Dartmouth, stayed with Sal Laterra at his house, had dinner with Nicole and Arsen and took everyone out on son Sam’s birthday. When we returned Sunday night, boats were packed with people returning from vacation.
Manny and Sharon Estrella of Indian Hill Road returned home last Friday after a five-day vacation in Ledyard, Conn. They made their annual trip down to Foxwoods casino. Manny reports that they had a wonderful and rewarding time.
Phyllis Meras of Music street returned home on Thursday after a business trips to New York city, where she dealt with what was a record snowfall for that city last week. Simi Horwitz, who lives in the city, reports that it was like a winter wonderland but she was still able to get to her job with minimal delays.
Rev. Cathlin Baker, her husband and their children returned home Sunday night from a week’s vacation on an island off the Florida coast.
Noah and Susan Block of New York city arrived on Thursday for a visit to their Music street home, which has undergone extensive renovations. They plan to move here permanently next month.
A winter vacation roundup:
Amy and Olson Houghton and their children, Molly and Catlin, went down to Atlanta, Ga., where they visited her brother, went to the aquarium and made a trip to Stone Mountain, which they found fascinating.
Charles Silberstein, his son Oliver and his friend Silas Berlin went to Aspen, Colo., for some skiing and a fabulous time.
Spencer Booker, his wife, Melinda, and family went to North Conway, N.H., to ski and visit Spencer’s sister, Richard Andre, his wife, Ina, and son, Nicholas.
Tina Miller, her husband, Steve Gallagher, and their children, Theo and Henry, went up to Brentwood, N.H., also for some skiing.
Jill Carlton and husband, Pete Karmen, have returned to the Island after a vacation in Italy.
Old friend Edith Plakins passed away last Thursday in Doylestown, Pa., on her 90th birthday. Her husband, Greg, died in January. They were staples in the summer community for decades and will be missed. Our condolences to her lovely daughters, Eva, Naomi and Tamara, as well as to their families.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Edgartown will hold a workshop in collecting oral histories tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a follow-up meeting Saturday, March 20. Explore methods for conducting interviews and learn more about your family, community and the Island around us. In the workshops, museum oral historian Lindsey Lee will work with participants on interview techniques, care of collections and creative uses of oral histories. During the workshop, the museum’s collection of over 400 recorded interviews with people of the Vineyard will be reviewed and utilized. For details, call 508-627-4441.
Lynn Ditchfield reports that week one of the spring session of Martha’s Vineyard Adult Community education classes over at the regional school begin on Monday, March 8. The GED course and pottery with Scott Campbell begin on Tuesday. A Microsoft Excel course with Niki Patton, classes in buying real estate, house renovation and contracting and gardening, as well as other courses, begin Tuesday. On Thursday, the first of five classes in fencing with Dr. Michael Goldfein commences. There are plenty more learning opportunities available, so please call Lynn at 508-693-1033, extension 240, or e-mail lynn@acemv.org.
Paul Karasik reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School will be having an open house soon for families from all Island towns. Learn about this unique, project-based public school option and enter the enrollment lottery. Call 508-693-9900 for information.
The town parks and recreation committee is again sponsoring a family skate, scheduled for Sunday, March 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Ice Arena. Admission is free, just bring a dessert or snack to share.
“William J. Rotch, chairman of the West Tisbury board of selectmen, was asked to conduct an investigation into the ownership of the town clock, and on March 7 he issued this report. ‘Hannah Look, who died in 1877, left in her will the sum of $200 to the Congregational Society to purchase and erect a public clock, with said clock to have a face on four sides. The money, proving to be insufficient at that time, was placed in an interest-bearing account, and in 10 years enough money was earned to purchase a clock and install it in the tower. The cost of winding and oiling weekly has been about $20 per year. Half was paid by the church; the other half by public subscription. If it is proved that the town can not continue to do so, Mr. Rotch said he will undertake to see that the public share of the upkeep will be provided, rather than lose the clock. Many other people are of the same opinion.”
Happy birthday to Ira Lowe, David Brodsky and Kenneth Vincent today; Doug Seward, Patricia Kirwin and Hans Adcock tomorrow; Jeanne Barron, Polly Bassett, Mike Eldridge and Susannah Maher on Sunday; Jim Alley, Elizabeth Mahoney and Wayne Arruda on Monday; Alma Benson, Jane Konicki Donald DeSorcy and Shannon Rynd-Ray on Tuesday; Sue Merrill, Jeffrey Enter and Max Currier on Wednesday; and Whit Griswold, Alix Small, Eileen Maley, Allison McMorrow, Sheriff Mike McCormick and Carol Brush on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Leonard Jason.
Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. If you have any news, please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.
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