Do you like good writing? Do you like to read? What do you read, Emmanuel Kant, David Berry, Primo Levi, Danielle Steele? All the town columns, the editorials, the letters to the editor? If you like writers, if you like to read, we are counting on you to help us out. Time marches on but circumstances change it. Abigail McGrath, one of the stalwarts of the Renaissance House summer writing program on Martha’s Vineyard, has held this writers’ workshop for 15 years. It is a famous retreat for writers, poets and thinkers. She has just found out that her annual rental in Oak Bluffs will not be available this year. In the spirit of Dorothy West and Helene Johnson, please help us scramble to find another rental or — it would be perfect — a donated property. Abigail says it does not matter which town on-Island the retreat is available, it has always been OB but that is subject to change. Please, if you like and support writers and readers contact me at the above addresses and phone numbers or Abigail directly at Renaissance House, P.O. Box 3048, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. We are in such a hurry to get relocated. You may also contact her at Renaissancehse@aol.com. I hope all librarians, intellectuals, teachers, readers, and writers on-Island come to our rescue.

Who knew computers could be simpatico? When my body was in the shop last month so was my computer, this has occurred during each of my recent surgeries. I might have been remiss in informing you of my good friend and former neighbor’s accomplishment at 8:09 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Say hello to Emmalee Rose Ward, new daughter of Ken Ward and Chyenne Cimeno of Oak Bluffs. Emmalee weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces. She was 19.25 inches long, probably longer by now. Emmalee has already been to Woodside Village to visit great-grandmother Anita Cimeno and everybody’s best friend, Shirley Robinson. Welcome to the world, Emmalee!

If you are tired of being housebound try Betty Burton’s next movie in the program room of our library on Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. Whiplash won a best supporting actor award at the Oscars for J.K. Simmons. Betty serves popcorn and all screenings are free.

On the other hand, if you have been shut in by weather down here in the vicinity of my Old Country, as I have, visit and support Island artist Nancy Purnell next Tuesday night at 5 p.m. in the Big Apple. Nancy will host a reception on the last day of her exhibition of hand-painted New York city photographs, all street scenes. I certainly hope I am well enough to catch a train in for the Tavern on Jane next week. There will be a cash bar, Nancy herself, and many of your friends.

Richard Paradise is screening a terrific movie Friday night at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society theatre in the Tisbury Marketplace. Stop by at 7:30 p.m. for the showing of Mr. Turner, a movie about British painter J.M.W. Turner. The film will be shown through Thursday, March 12.

Long way coming, long way to go . . . March 8 is International Women’s Day, this whole month is dedicated to our herstory. It’s about time and we need more time.

Want to hear my three most recent mistakes? I referred to the movie about the Lost Boys, which was never shown at our library because of constant weather interruptions, as The Good Lie. It is actually The Good Life. Betty is not sure when we can reschedule. I wrote the wrong date for Wednesday night’s Purim gathering at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center, it was on March 4 not the date I wrote down. May I be sentenced to Saturday school for three months running for neglecting to inform you of Janis Wightman’s March 3 birthday. There, I think those were my only mistakes last week!

I know he has more than earned his retirement. He has certainly earned all of our love and respect. But Island pediatrician, Dr. Michael Goldfein, retiring after 40 years of service? Oh, my, thank you, Doctor G, from all the parents and all the children you so loyally served.

Anniversary bouquets go out to Dana and Deanna Bangs on March 12.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along twins Doug and David Seward on Friday, along with Michael Preston. March 7 is a party for Dick Cayer, Jesse John Seward, Jacob Murphy and Louis Giordano. March 9 smiles at Naomi Paulson, Ashley Shine and Bill Stokes. And on March 12, James Taylor and Kane Joseph Araujo take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send your Vineyard Haven news to: iklean@yahoo.com.