MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

March the lion roared in on Sunday with snow, ice, rain and wind. March comes just when you think you might have enough firewood or, in our case, wood pellets, to last until spring. It lets you know you were wrong about that, and about having those fantasies of spring.

This is the month during which cabin fever becomes epidemic. It’s the month when crazy ideas get acted upon, when Island residents might rise up as a whole for a common cause. Remember the March that the Steamship Authority told us we couldn’t stay in our cars on the freight deck during the trip across the Sound? If they’d tried to implement that rule in July, it probably wouldn’t have been a problem — we wouldn’t have even realized it until it was too late. As it was, we wrote letters, made phone calls, and just simply refused to do it, until the SSA gave up on the idea (let them get blown up by a car bomb if that’s what they want!).

It’s not that tempting to go outside in the blusters of March, but it may be worth it to go on the Vineyard Conservation Society walk this Sunday at 1 p.m., to walk Norton Point and see the Katama Bay breach from the other side. Islanders of all ages are invited on this free guided walk, which is approximately two miles over sand, so wear good shoes and bring your camera! Meet at the left fork parking lot of South Beach. Cider and cookies will be served, and you can call VCS at 508-693-9588 for more information.

When the temperatures rise above freezing, it’s time to check yourself and other animals for ticks, which become active at this time. I didn’t used to think much about ticks, other than checking myself nightly starting in the spring, but after having had Lyme disease a couple of times, I’ve come to weigh the decision to, say, go into a field and pick a flower, against the increased likelihood of catching some nasty tick-borne disease. I still choose the flower sometimes.

Field scientist Dave Sinser will be back on Chappy in March with his experimental tick abatement program. He has again gotten the permits to set up deer feeding stations where tick pesticide is applied as the deer reach in to eat. According to Dyan Redick of the Martha’s Vineyard Lyme Disease Association (marthasvineyardlyme.org) the program is having some success in reducing tick numbers.

On Monday, March 9, there is a local food dinner at 6 p.m., in the culinary arts dining room of the regional high school. It’s a benefit for Island Grown Initiative and the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School culinary arts program. Tickets are $25 at SBS or Cronig’s in Vineyard Haven or by e-mailing: noli@islandgrown.org.

Women Empowered invites the public to dine at Zephrus at the Mansion House on Sunday, March 8, to celebrate Women’s International Day. Zephrus will donate 20 per cent of the night’s proceeds to the ongoing operations of Women Empowered. The dinner is open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Make your reservations now; there is no extra fee beyond the normal dinner charges. For more information, call Women Empowered at 508-696-8880.

Classes with ACE adult education begin at the high school next week. It’s not too late to register, either online or on the evening of the class. I’ll be giving an introductory Alexander Technique workshop on Thursday, March 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Lily Morris will give a knot-tying workshop on Wednesday, March 18.

Bob and Marvene O’Rourke’s daughter Brenna has made her way to Chad for her job with the International Rescue Committee that provides relief for refugees from the wars in Somalia. Her job will last a year, with time off every three months, and she’s writing a blog chronicling her life there. The Web address is: lavieautchad.blogspot.com. She posts items on Wednesdays.

Not everyone dislikes March, I found out from an informal survey I took. Some people actually do like it! Someone mentioned a birthday (that’s partly why I like February), St. Patrick’s Day, the spring equinox and, also, March Madness basketball. Marvene O’Rourke likes the way the weather is always a surprise: “You just never know what you might get and that’s always fun, like looking for the surprise in a Cracker Jack (does anyone still know what that is?) box!” Someone else is going on a cruise to Hong Kong, which sounds fun. Shirley and Ted Dewing will celebrate their anniversary on March 9 — 56 years! That’s a good reason to like March.

Nancy Slate is knitting up a storm, with help untangling knots from Shirlee Miller, to get ready for a grandchild. I took a cross-country ski on a sunny day and decided March isn’t all bad.