Well, as you have noticed, the days are getting longer; we now have more than 12 hours of daylight each day and the thermometer climbed to nearly 42 degrees at noon last Saturday.

To make the coming of spring complete — although it doesn’t feel like it — several robins flew into the backyard and were warmly welcomed by my wife. She reminded me it is about time to locate the outdoor barbecue that was carefully put away last fall.

Tomorrow is the grand opening of the library from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To accommodate future growth, the new library has more than doubled in size, expanding from 5,600 to 13,000 square feet. It will be a grand time with music, balloons, food and friends all checking out the newly refurbished establishment. Welcome back, we have missed you!

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 new library’s tokonoma it will celebrate the new space and commemorate the old.

Tara Whiting, town clerk, reports that the absentee ballots for the annual town election have arrived, so if you are going to be out of town on election day, you may cast your vote at the town hall during normal business hours until noon on April 7, or you may apply for an absentee ballot. The annual town election will be held on April 10 from noon to 8 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. There are no contested offices. However, on Tuesday Maria McFarland announced a write-in campaign for the open seat on the board of assessors. If you are not sure you are a registered voter, now is the time to contact Tara at 508-696-0148.

Abigail Higgins reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society will host its annual pot luck dinner and social hour next Saturday night starting at 5:30 p.m. at the hall on Panhandle Road. The entertainment will be provided by the high school Minnesingers and all are welcome; just bring a covered dish for six to share along with you. If you have any questions please call 508-693-9549.

The Dukes County/Friends of Sengekontacket Barrier Beach Task Force will dig out spotted knapweed and plant beach grass in test plots on the State Beach on Saturday, March 29. The rain date is March 30. Volunteers are welcome. Meet at 10 a.m. on the beach at pathway 22, the nearest path to the Big Bridge on the Oak Bluffs side. Bring work gloves, a trowel or garden spade, and sun protection.

Anna Carringer over at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, is looking for photographs taken during the 1960s on the Vineyard. If you have images that you want to share, curators will be on hand at the museum on Saturday, March 29, to scan your photographs and add them to their growing digital collection. They may even be included in the upcoming exhibit, Sea Change: Martha’s Vineyard in the 1960s. All images will be scanned and returned immediately. For more information, contact her at 508-627-4441. Also, the museum is sponsoring another Pecha Kucha Night at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Harbor View Hotel.

Paddy Moore reports that Sen. Dan Wolf will be holding a meet and greet on Wednesday, March 26, at the Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company in Oak Bluffs from 5 to 7 p.m. Come hear what’s happening in the state legislature, tell Dan what you think about the issues, and share your thoughts with friends. Come and relax after a good day’s work — spring is really on the way!

On March 24, 1945, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Athearn, of Crow Hollow, received word from their youngest son, Cpl. Clifton H. Athearn, telling them of his safe arrival in France. They had two other sons in the service, Lt. Elmer W. Athearn of the engineers’ aviation battalion who was stationed somewhere in the South Pacific, and Sgt. Leonard B. Athearn of the Air Transport Command who was stationed in India.

Happy birthday to Heather Rynd, Julie Robinson and Jon Nelson Jr. today; Beth McElhiney and Christina Shropshire tomorrow; Paul Jackson, Renee Metell and Lori Vanderlaske on Sunday; Sophie Brush, David Stanwood, Hal Child, Nick Briggs, Ed Pierce and Carla Hutker on Monday; John Nelson and Trudy Russell on Tuesday; Jessica Oliver, Wayne Embry and Lea Robinson on Wednesday; Lynne Silva, Laura Murphy, Jackie Flynn-Morgan, Brenda Hayden and Kevin Peters on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Anna Hill.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. Have a great week.