Spring arrived, as did another nor’easter and a blizzard to top it all. Those rare snowy owls are still lingering around. Even more rare was the report of a coyote washed ashore. We do expect the temperatures to be in the 60s by the weekend, and other pleasantries of spring to continue budding.

At least the Aquinnah Public Library looks as though spring has arrived. Lots of seeds are available for exchange through the end of April. Tomorrow will be origami day for the kids from 12 to 3 p.m. On April 5 at 1 p.m., there will be a craft master class to turn those awful plastic grocery bags into fabric.

Speaking of those awful plastic bags, thank you to Maureen Williams for spending Sunday clearing the plastic and other debris from the Lobsterville Road area.

There will be a dinner/benefit for Lena Araujo Vanderhoop on Saturday, April 12, at the Portuguese-American Club at 5 p.m. Lena recently underwent major open heart surgery at Cape Cod Hospital. There will be great food served and a live auction as well as a silent auction. Lena worked at the Aquinnah Shop for 17 years and most recently for the VNA. We are still looking for donations from her Upis Land family and friends. Donation checks may be sent to Lena Vanderhoop Benefit, P.O. Box 2647, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. To donate auction items, please contact Marla Tucker at 571-232-3668.

There will be a benefit for the supportive day program of the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living on Sunday, April 13, at 5 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on Beach Road in Tisbury. The film Away From Her, starring Julie Christie will be presented. It is about a marital relationship that is strained when the wife is sent to an Alzheimer’s facility. While there, she falls in love with another patient in plain view of her husband and family, and the reviews say witnessing simultaneously both her happiness and her cognitive decline is heartwarming and heartbreaking. Tickets are $25 per person and $20 for film society members. Hors d’oevres will be served by Quitsa Cuisine from 4 to 5 p.m., and wine will be available. Karen Achille, Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living board president, will facilitate discussion. For reservations, please call the program’s director Leslie Clapp at 508-939-9440.

The grand opening of the West Tisbury Public Library on Saturday was rather grand. It’s a beautiful new library for all to admire and to enjoy.

Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Hector Asselin who passed away at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. His services will be held at First Baptist Church tomorrow, co-celebrated by his pastors the Rev. Ellen Tatreau and the Rev. Roger Spinney.

Get well wishes to former schoolmate Walter (Pat) Jenkinson who returned home this week following major open heart surgery at Cape Cod Hospital. Congratulations to my nephew John R. Rose who was appointed the Oak Bluffs fire chief on Tuesday evening. John’s family is very proud of him and his accomplishments. The Rose and Sylvia families have a century-long history of serving the town of Oak Bluffs and he will now carry on their tradition.

Faith Smalley, daughter of Jay and Millicent, recently enjoyed her spring break with her family. Faith is a senior at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield and is awaiting her acceptance to college this week. Oh, the choices she will have!

Get well wishes to many of our Aquinnah family and friends who are hospitalized and those who have undergone surgery over the past two weeks in hospitals from Cape Cod to Boston. Healing thoughts and prayers for all.

Happy birthday wishes this week to my Martha’s Vineyard Hospital nursery mates Faith West Williams on March 24, Douglas Asselin on March 27, Rita Harrington on March 28 and Peter Vincent on March 30.

Happy birthday wishes today to Aquinnah moderator Michael Hebert. Jannette Vanderhoop and Edward Fantasia share the day on March 29. James Glavin Jr., Randhi Belain, Heidi Vanderhoop and Justin Vanderhoop share the day on March 30. Monday will be Durkee Day at the Vineyard Gazette as our favorite baritone Steve Durkee celebrates his special day. Michael Dolby and Patt Burgess celebrate on March 31. Linda Fischer, Alison Barrett, Robin Meader and Peggy Yoars share the day on April 1. Jim Sharp, Audrey Jeffers-Mayhew and Levi Vanderhoop share the day on April 2. Amy Vanderhoop and Pam Knight party on April 3.