Well, spring will be here in a mere six days and that will not be soon enough for many of us. The car wash at the airport Mobil station did a lot of business Saturday and Sunday, washing cars that had many layers of road salt and winter grime. Maybe washing the car is a sign that winter is finally over. The snowdrops are in full bloom at Betty Knox’s house, Phyllis Meras’ on Music street and Charlie Kernick’s on Edgartown Road. Susan Block reports that she spotted perhaps the first mayflower of the season on Tuesday.

Bea Whiting reports that the lambing season will begin at the farm soon. Katherine Long will soon be catering to newborn chicks. It is also about time to locate the outdoor barbecue that was carefully put away last fall, and while you’re at it, give Jim’s Small Engine Repair a phone call and schedule an appointment to tune up your lawn mower.

Warren and Marilyn Hollingshead, of Pond View Farm Road, returned home last Wednesday after their annual six-week vacation on Virgin Gorda Island. Warren reports that they had a wonderful time and the weather was wonderful.

Andy Boass and his wife Susie, one of the famous Glimmerglass Girls, came down to attend the funeral service of Ted Minelt. They plan to relax on their farm off of Middle Road. Andy, starting in spring, will put out jars of homegrown honey on their roadside table every morning. He enjoys his trips to the landfill. Susie says that he refers to it as “a wonderful Christmas present.”

Richard and Toni Cohen, of Edgartown Road, returned home last week after an extended vacation in Costa Rica.

Frank and Celeste Polagruto, of Great Pains Road, celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary last Tuesday. They shared dinner with family and close friends. Frank reports that he received many good wishes directed to them on his Facebook page.

Holly Wayman, of Lambert’s Cove, has published a poetry book, Homeward Way, that is available for sale at the Bunch of Grapes bookstore, and will soon be available at Pathways in Chilmark. She also illustrated the book.

Aela Hill Mass over at the Chamber of Commerce reports that the annual Martha’s Vineyard Health Fair takes place tomorrow from 8 a.m. to noon. There will be screenings and exhibits designed to increase awareness about health issues, promote healthy lifestyles and highlight all of the health services and medical programs available on and off-Island.

Old friend Otis Burt passed away last week. He was born in North Tisbury and he and his wife Ann and their family lived off of Music street for a number of years. Our condolences to his family and friends.

Last Saturday there was a very good turnout of friends and former students at the funeral service for Ted Minelt, of South Road. A large contingent of his friends went on to the Granary Gallery where a reception was held for him. On display were several of his paintings and many photographs. Our condolences to his son Terry and his family.

The library trustees invite everyone to attend the grand opening celebration of the library on Saturday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. In July of 2011, the public library learned that it was one of only eight libraries in Massachusetts to receive a state construction grant that would pay about 50 per cent of the cost of a much-needed renovation and expansion. The remainder of the funding came from the West Tisbury Library Foundation Inc., which conducted a capital campaign to raise $1.87 million. To accommodate future growth, the new library has more than doubled in size, expanding from 5,600 to 13,000 square feet.

Weaver and designer Julia Mitchell will give the first talk in the new facility on Sunday, March 23, at 3 p.m. Julia will be giving an artist’s talk at the dedication of the tapestry she recently completed for the library. It will celebrate the new space and commemorate the old.

On March 17, 1947, the Grange held a St. Patrick’s Day party at the Agricultural Hall, which was decorated with shamrocks. More than 50 members were in attendance and several of the local musicians — Everett Whiting, Mike and Leonard Athearn, Ernest Correllus and Elmer Silva gathered to play and sing Irish tunes. George Magnuson sang several Irish solos and he brought the house down with his rendition of “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.”

Happy birthday to Wendy Marzbanian, Richard Skidmore, Elizabeth Kent, Elaine Carroll and Benjamin Post today; Edmund Cottle, Peter Fisher, Dr. Jay Segel, Mike Gilman, Dwight Kaeka, Jib Ellis and Tamara Hersh tomorrow; Robyn Bollin, Mike Stutz, Geraldine Roddy and Jemima James on Sunday; Estelle Thompson, Maureen Hitchings, Patricia Sheehan, Richard Leonard and Bill Wilcox on Monday; Chuck Schmidt, Jane Seagrave, Bob Douglas, Patricia McCarthy, Jake Merrill, Emily Walsh and Emily Galligan on Tuesday; Patrick Jenkinson, Shelly Brown, Nancy Huntington and Joanne Roddy on Wednesday, and John Bartkus, Arthur Eakin, Linda Hughes, Ernie Thomas, Betsy MacDonald, Nora Winsryg and Maria Mood on Thursday. Belated birthday greetings to Sarah Anne Nelson and Alix Small. Also, belated second anniversary greetings to Ann Billings and David Thompson.

Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. Please call or email me (alleys@vineyard.net) with your news. I trust you will not forget to wear something green on Sunday. After the traditional dinner of corned beef, cabbage and soda bread, be sure to watch the 1944 classic Oscar-winning film “Going My Way” with Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald.

I would like to close this week’s column with an old Irish blessing: May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead! Happy St. Patrick’s Day everybody.