Since it is spring, although it has not felt like it, people would love to begin the task of cleaning up the yard after the long, hard winter. Usually the Christmas tree that normally turns a rust color out in the backyard has remained remarkably green because of the cold. Our son Sam has raked flower beds and cleaned up the garden. Some folks have already begun planting peas and other hearty vegetables. My wife Anna reports that blue jays and cardinals have been at her bird feeder for several days, so spring can’t be far behind. Last Sunday was the last of the discount gas at the station on State Road until after Christmas. We want to thank Pat and Joan Jenkinson for making it available to all of us. Businesses are reopening for the season — Middletown Nursery and 7a Foods, to name just two.

This is a big week for us with the annual town meeting on Tuesday. We will deal with the business of a 43-article warrant. Not including the budget, funds are requested in raises and appropriate items. The matters of contention are whether or not to go ahead and begin plans to restore the Mill Pond, and will we get to decide wether or not we want an appointed treasurer or one we elect.

The town elections are on Thursday. Tara Whiting, town clerk, reports that all will be ready in the Public Safety Building (opposite Conroy’s Apothecary) to receive voters on Thursday. The election will be held from noon to 8 p.m. There will be a write-in candidacy by Maria McFarland, currently the administrator of the conservation commission, for an open seat on the board of assessors.

Leslei Monast, of Waldron’s Bottom Road, will be hosting a small gathering of family and friends next Thursday to help celebrate her husband’s birthday. Congratulations, Will!

Malcolm Hall reports that his wife Judy is busy painting in Mexico at a Carmen Miranda art festival. He also reports that his wife has opened a store in Oklahoma City where she sells her paintings.

Over at the Portuguese-American Club on April 12 at 5 p.m., there will be a pasta dinner, music and a live and silent auction to help defray medical expenses due to a recent heart operation for Lena Araujo Vanderhoop. For donations or to help, please contact Trish Moreis-Stiles at 703-451-2812.

Colleen Morris reminds us that Wednesday is National Passport Day. If you need to renew your passport or have other questions, go over to the library and they will have answers and forms at hand.

Marjorie Pierce, of Music street, reports that the community suppers put on every Wednesday by her committee for the past 13 weeks served over 900 meals. The suppers ended last week. She wants to thank people for their generous donations, especially Cronig’s and the Black Dog Bakery. She sends thanks to all of the volunteers who contributed many hours to make it all happen. She would like to thank the people who turned out for the dinners and the giving and receiving of good food and warm fellowship every week. Ginger Duarte reports that Martha’s Vineyard Community Services is holding its annual Electronics Disposal Day on April 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on their campus located right across the street from the regional high school. This is your opportunity to get rid of all those old and tired electronic appliances taking up space in your basement. It’s time to do some spring cleaning!

On April 10, 1942, a large wildfire started accidentally from a pile of burning brush in the field to the east of Mabel Johnson’s house. It was fanned by a brisk wind and easily jumped the Edgartown Road and spread rapidly over seven acres of dry grass and into the woods. Prompt arrival of fire trucks from Vineyard Haven, the State Forest, along with a crew of men from Oak Bluffs and Edgartown who happened to be working on the WPA New Lane Road project and Antone Alley, who was busy planting his garden just up the street, responded immediately and they were able to get the fire under control in short order. The homes in the path of the fire belonged to Laura Lee, Margaret Howland and Flora Jordan. The barn on the Cleaveland estate, now owned by Sidney Riggs, caught fire but was saved from serious damage by Mr. Alley.

Happy birthday to Shelia Franklin, Deborah Mayhew, Andrew Worlock, Joshua Gray and Jenifer Sanders today; Phil Spaulding, Charles Hodgkinson and Mike Michalski tomorrow; Pat Gregory, Susan Britt, Josh Sommers, Hannah Webster, Alyssa Adler and Joe Van Ness on Sunday; Craig Saunders, Neil Withers and Emily Walker on Monday; Rosalee McCullough, Sally Anderson, Robin Brown and Joe Amaral on Tuesday; Will Monast, Julie Hitchings, David and Max Berlow, Reid Silva and Joan Huston on Wednesday and James Ferry, Heidi Pachico and Robert Silberling on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Kailyn Hart, Emily Gadd, Janice Goldiklang and Doris Clark.

Well, that is of the social news for this edition. If you have any news you would like to share, please call or email me at alleys@vineyard.net. Have a great week.