JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
After a hard January and temperatures into the 50s on Monday, we had great hope for a milder February but the weather took a turn for the worse. It snowed on Tuesday and turned colder. Just five years ago we had the coldest February in 111 years. Oh well, maybe this weekend it will warm up. Richard Olsen, highway superintendent, reports that the town has used over 80 tons of salt and more than 320 tons of sand on the roadways so far this winter, and the sander malfunctioned on Wednesday morning. The days are getting longer and now it is light until 5:30 p.m. Daylight Saving Time begins on March 8; we are inching closer to spring.
A packed house, nearly 100 people, attended Cynthia Riggs 20th annual Groundhog Day party last Monday afternoon. Early arrivals were greeted by open doors and smoke alarms buzzing and smoke-filled rooms reminiscent of old-time political events. The reason for the minor disruption was that that someone neglected to open the chimney damper in the fireplace. It was a great chance to socialize with neighbors and friends, catch up with the latest political happenings around town and have an enjoyable evening with delightful food and adult beverages. The political season has begun. Candidates so far are Ike Russell and Laura Marchard for library trustees, Greg Orcutt for finance committee and Tara Whiting for town clerk. Several people promoted the idea that the town should buy the former Waldron property for park purposes. Rumor has it that Jonathan Revere will run for assessor and land bank commissioner.
Heidi Pacheco reports that Girl Scout cookies will arrive today. Her brother Manny will have them available at Cash and Carry in Vineyard Haven, or give her a call at 508-696-6975.
Alexis Garcia of the PTO reports that at the school tonight at 6:30 p.m. there will be a winter festival with music, games, raffle, bake sale and guaranteed fun for the whole family. On Feb. 10 there will be a coffee with Mike (the school principal) at 8:20 a.m. A garden project meeting is set for Thursday.
Elaine Barnett, a teacher at the school and senior member of the staff with 36 years of service, retired last Friday. She began teaching children before the school was housed in the present building. A special assembly was held with her students, past and present and many parents.
Fred and Jeanne Barron returned home on Wednesday after spending an extended holiday season with their daughter Julia in Los Angeles, Calif. Fred reports that they enjoyed their visit and the nice weather. He was off to London, England on Wednesday where the snow was about a foot deep and the city was at a standstill.
Bob Luskin reports that his sons Cass and Peter were home for the holidays and spent a good deal of time riding their motorcycles around Atlanta, Ga. He left the States last Saturday to travel to Damascus, Syria to visit Cass who lives there. He says you have never experienced romance until you spend Valentine’s Day in Damascus!
Lois Crane of the Vineyard Transit Authority is pleased to report that annual bus passes have been available since last month. You can obtain yours at the VTA office building in the airport business park from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Seniors may call the up-Island Council on Aging at 508-693-2896 or stop in during normal business hours. Lois reports that the Islandwide bus system carried over 777,000 passengers last year.
Colleen Morris over at the library reports that this month is devoted to Humphrey Bogart films, beginning Monday night at 7 p.m. with a showing of African Queen. The craft group will be working on winter collages tomorrow.
The dumptique will be closed for all of February.
History Notebook
On the night of Jan. 24, 1951, the home of George and Lillian Magnuson was bulging at the seams as 43 people attended a penny auction put on by the home and community service committee of the Grange for the benefit of the March of Dimes. George Magnuson and John Forbes, master of the Grange, were the auctioneers, assisted by Natalie Vincent and Alma Benson. Home-cooked foods were auctioned off after the penny sale. Refreshments were served by the hostess, assisted by Mary Seiberlich and Alma. Net proceeds from the sale were $63, the largest single sum ever collected for the charity. Lillian, town chairman of the March of Dimes, thanked everyone for coming out and supporting a worthy cause. She also reported that a total of $219 had been collected so far this month with another week to go. This is the largest amount of money that has ever been collected during the March of Dimes annual drive in town.
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Happy Birthday to Maggie Brenham and Lisa Van Horn today; John Scanlon, Ken Campbell, Richard Olsen and Jill Napier tomorrow; Elaine Barnett, Elizabeth Carr, Kate Warner and Dianne McDonough on Sunday; Paul Thurlow, Alley Estrella and Harold Lawry on Monday; Mabel Medowski, Al Davit, Catherine Minkiewicz, Lynn Hoeft and Nicholas Peters on Tuesday; Bevy Bergeron, Deirdre Ling, Anne Parker and Karenna Hammarlund on Wednesday; Debbie Otto, Ken Kram, Malcolm Young, Brad Tucker, Sandra Polleys and Jill Amado on Thursday.
Well that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Have a great week.
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