Once again another storm is expected over the next few days. We are just a few short weeks away from spring. Baby lambs are being born around the Vineyard. Hens are beginning to lay their eggs in abundance. The birds are singing praises for their seed. It is really beautiful to experience the newly fallen snow on the trees, houses and roadways — a real winter wonderland feeling, and memories of long ago when these storms were more prevalent. The children enjoy using their sleds and saucers. A few were even able to go ice skating this year on the ponds. We anticipate the arrival of spring, but in the meantime, have a joyful and happy Valentine’s Day filled with love.

Chilmark Chocolates will close on Sunday, Feb. 16, for a few weeks of rest and relaxation while preparing for the busy Easter season.

Maura Fitzgerald sent an email about the lighthouse poetry project in the schools. Part of the Save the Gay Head Light effort, the lighthouse poetry project is going to classrooms across the Island to inform students about the need to prevent the light from toppling into the sea. Project organizers hope to ground the students in the history of the lighthouse so that they understand and are excited by its importance. They will be encouraged to produce an original work of poetry or art to commemorate this moment in history. Educator and poet Fan Ogilvie will lead the students in poetry writing exercises, and Gay Head Lighthouse keeper Richard Skidmore will speak on the history of the light and illustrate his talk with images from the 1880s to the present day. The first presentation took place at the Chilmark School and the students are now working on their responses to the danger facing the Gay Head Light. The keepers, Richard Skidmore and Joan LeLacheur, will meet with the students on Feb. 21 to see and hear about their efforts on behalf of the light. Similar presentations will be made to fifth and sixth graders at the charter school, as well as to sophomores at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. In Chilmark one little girl asked “Can’t I just say, ‘Lighthouse, I love you’?” The town of Aquinnah is in need of a representative to serve on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and also a Gay Head Light project assistant. Please submit letters of interest to Adam Wilson, town administrator. Condolences to the family and friends of Benjamin Araujo, son of Joanne Walker Araujo of Tisbury, and John Araujo and his wife Cynthia of Falmouth, who passed away on Monday afternoon in Boston following a brief illness.

Condolences to the family and friends of Edwin Drew who passed away on Monday at Windemere following a long illness. Eddie worked for many years on Steamship Authority vessels after serving in the U.S. Navy, and hosted many gatherings in the 1960s and 70s.

Condolences to the family and friends of Theodore Meinelt who passed away at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital on Feb. 5. Ted was a friend to many and art teacher to hundreds across the Vineyard. Ted and his wife Polly (Mary Hillman Mayhew) were friends with many in Aquinnah and would often visit with them throughout the year, but especially in the summer. Ted had fond memories of his summer sojourns at Lobsterville. Needless to say, they were multigenerational friends of many.

Condolences to the family and friends of Arthur Metell who passed away on Saturday. Arthur was also a multigenerational friend. He especially enjoyed his time assisting his father Arthur in construction projects in Aquinnah.

Congratulations and all the best to Jessica Seeman and her husband Andrew Dubno on the birth of their first child, Ava Louise Dubno, who was born at her Manhattan home on Jan. 9. Grandparents Tom Seeman and Marsha Shufrin are thrilled about the arrival of their first grandchild.

Congratulations to Pearl Vercruyssee, daughter of James Vercruyssee and Layne Bazzy, who with her project co-coordinator Patrick Best, won the grand prize at the 15th annual regional high school science fair over the weekend. Their project, Do Mirrors Have an Effect on the Electrogenic Output of Different Species of Cyanobacteria?, used mirrors to produce electricity from cyanobacteria. Pearl and Patrick also won a special award from Cape Light Compact.

A very happy birthday to fellow Vineyard Gazette columnist Jane Slater as she celebrates her special day on Feb. 15. Also celebrating on Saturday will be Karen Belisle Child, Fred Thifault, Kayla Manning and Trina Kingsbury. Douglas Fortes will celebrate on Sunday. OMG — Ava Stearns will become a teenager on Feb. 17. Linda Scott parties on Feb. 19 and shares the day with Rose Marie King Roberts and Olivia Marie Sims. Another special friend and fellow genealogist Wendy deGeofroy will observe her special day on Feb. 20, as will Cedric Belain. Feb. 21 will be a day of celebration for Anne Vanderhoop Madison, Leonard Jason, Steve Garvin Jr., Brenda Lehman and Connie Iadicicco.