KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

There have been more signs of spring around. First the sun has been great, then there are two more crocuses in the garden and there was a red-winged blackbird on the feeder. Their song is music to the ear in spring.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Michael Ducatt-Luce who celebrated Feb. 22; Tristan Blair and Dorian Johnson, Feb. 24; Kenneth Hammond and Katharine Wallace, Feb. 25; Dylan Burke, John Henry O’Shaughnessy and Christopher Patnaude, Feb. 28.

Cindy Krauss just received her certificate from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Cindy is now officially a member. This means that she was able to trace blood lineage back to my fifth great-grandfather Abraham Isaac Livermore b. 1749, a private citizen who performed patriotic service to aid troops fighting during the Revolutionary War. Cindy is now looking forward to being a member of the local chapter of the DAR which is the Martha’s Vineyard Seacoast Defense Chapter. Congratulations, Cindy.

Kerry and Bobby Branca had their first baby last week on Feb. 16 here on the Island — her name is Laila Elizabeth. Bobby is a state trooper on the Vineyard and Kerry teaches at the Edgartown School. Proud grandparents are Mike and Sandy Joyce, and Ray and Annie Long and Elizabeth Branca from Canton. She even has great-grandparents — Sally Fritz of Edgartown and Aloha and Gordie Long of Oak Bluffs — and many aunts and uncles and cousins.

It is funny as you drive around town; everything has been so quiet and somewhat deserted but now you can see some of the places starting to come out of hibernation as the caretakers are starting to putter around their properties.

The street has been quiet this week as the kids are on vacation. It does not just affect me but my animals are thrown off. Harry, my Schitzu, knows the time every kid walks by the house and accommodates them with a heavy barking. The kids also enjoy this as they walk slower by the stone wall and have often stood at the end of the walkway to wave. So the house has been quiet and not once have I had to tell Harry to be quiet, but he still looks for the kids.

I know there are families that have taken some great vacations and I am sure people would enjoy the stories, so give me call and share the experience with us.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.