Sunday found us under a blue sky and with milder temperatures. The orioles (birds that is) have returned to town. The late Emma Whiting kept records to prove that they always return by May 12, and bird watchers will keep a sharp eye out for them on Monday. The baseball fields and tennis court were busy and there was a small brush fire near the school ball field on Sunday afternoon. Many seasonal businesses have or are getting ready to open for the season. The Glass Works, Middletown Nursery and Banana’s clothing store are now open for the season. Roger Blake’s outdoor pie gazebo is open on weekends. The warm weather has allowed the trees in the cemetery to break out into full bloom. The Gay Head Lighthouse will be open to the public on Mother’s Day from 3 to 5 p.m.

Sig Van Raan reports that he recently returned from California, where his son Jackson graduated from University of Redlands — the whole family came out to celebrate. His wife Susan then flew to Memphis, where she chaired an annual board meeting of the women’s health organization called Provide. Two days later she flew back to New York, where she was the planning co-chair for the 80th birthday gala for Gloria Steinem, the co-founder of Ms. magazine. Sig meanwhile drove his daughter Zoe back to Santa Fe via Sedona, Az., and then flew back to New York to join his wife at the Ms. gala.

Ginger Duarte reports that the first annual Memorial Day bike ride, a nine-mile ride to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living’s supportive day program, happens on Saturday, May 24. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at South Beach. The cost is $20 for adults and $5 for children under 12. The first 100 registered riders receive a T-shirt.

Emily Gadd of Bosman, Mont., arrives on Sunday to spend the summer at her Vineyard home on South Road. She can’t wait to begin preparing her garden, which yields a bountiful supply of vegetables each year. Emily reports that her winter was almost as hard as ours, but she looks forward to her visit. Welcome back, Emily!

Amy Hoff over at the library reports that on Wednesday and again on May 14 from 5 to 6 p.m., the library will host two readings showcasing writers from the Martha’s Vineyard Writers Residency program. Also, last Sunday was the last Sunday the library was open until mid October.

Beth Kramer, library director, reports that the Friends of the Library met last week and discussed a number of items. Lee Revere, book sale chair, needs paper bags. If you have any, please drop them off at the sheds at the school. This year’s book sale will be held August 1 to August 4 in the school gym. When you are spring cleaning, save your books as you may wish to donate them to the sale. Small amounts can be handled in the sheds near the school. If you have a considerable amount, please wait until the gym is theirs and bring your donations there after July 7.

Marjorie Pierce at the First Congregational Church reports that all volunteers, members and friends of the congregation who are committed to the community supper ministry are invited to a discussion about this year’s community suppers. Despite weeks of snow and ice, along with the simultaneous sanctuary and parish hall renovations, they served over 1,000 meals.

All of the Island congregations that sponsor a community supper are currently considering extending the community supper season. They would like your input on this proposal. A discussion will take place on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and will last just one hour. For more information, please contact Karen Achille at 508-693-0165.

Richard Paradise reports that the 2014 Sundance Film Festival film Freedom Summer will be screened at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center with special guest director/writer Stanley Nelson on May 18 at 4 p.m.

Geoff Currier reports that the West Tisbury Library Foundation will host authors Ward Just and Paul Schneider in a Speakeasy evening on May 14 at the State Road Restaurant to benefit the foundation. The program begins at 5:30 p.m.

In 1910 West Virginia became the first state to officially recognize Mother’s Day, and 100 years ago Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance . It is her day so take her to lunch, cook her dinner and do all the chores she has been asking you to do.

Happy birthday to Shanti Blum and Rebecca Rattner today; Phyllis Meras, Chris Decker and John Osmers tomorrow; Bruce Smith, Michael McCarthy, Shane Fisher and Todd Murtha on Sunday; Beverly Mazza, Liza Williamson and Daniel Benedetto on Monday; Rufus Peebles, Martha Hubbell, Nicole Galland, Edmund Cottle 3rd and Janice Paul on Tuesday; Bill Eville, Susan Hopkins, Kitty Murphy, Jason Napior and the Vineyard Gazette on Wednesday, and to Julie Meling and Everett Whiting on Thursday. A very happy 31st wedding anniversary to David and Eleanor Stanwood on Tuesday.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s column. If you have any news, please call or email me. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there and have a great week.