JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Well, it is clearly evident that the winter blahs have set in. The weekend weather was cold with an occasional dusting of snow. However, on the brighter side we are less than two short months away from the start of daylight saving time and spring. Seed catalogs have started to arrive in the daily mail and we can study them in front of the fireplace and dream.

On Monday the West Tisbury Grange #251 officially disbanded. It was the last of the three Island Granges. It began meeting in the old Agricultural Hall in December of 1905 and held regular monthly meetings for 99 years. At one time it was considered THE organization to belong to. It was a fraternal organization that was instrumental in helping nonprofit organizations and the betterment of the community. It sponsored in 1948 the original Mill Pond restoration project, purchased the first two-way radio for our fire truck, the World War II memorial at State and Edgartown Road, helped a countless number of people in the community, was famous for its Saturday night ham and bean suppers to help fund projects, and many, many other things. However, the attendance, inability to recruit a sufficient number of new members and enthusiasm to take on projects dwindled. Plus, the membership was getting older and the introduction of nightly television in the 1950s begat its demise. The Grange gave its last resources to a number of organizations and charities. Those present expressed a thank you to the many members who had worked tirelessly for the Grange and its principles that have passed away. An era has slipped into history.

David Stanwood, of Lambert’s Cove, reports that his son John, Mike Parker, and Jamie Greene are off to Argentina where their band, Dukes County Love Affair, will perform and tour for a couple of months. Jesse Sylvia, who produced their recently released CD, How Do They Shine, is with the group as well. Their first stop is the coastal summer resort city of Mar del Plata. The group is looking forward to infusing themselves and their music with the culture of Argentina.

Steve Murphy Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, of Gilford, Conn. spent the weekend at his parents Music street home.

Cynthia Riggs, of Edgartown Road, reports that everyone is invited to the 23rd Annual Groundhog Day Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Cleaveland House, on Edgartown Road. All are welcome. Bring your favorite hors d’ouvres, if you’d like, but that’s not a requirement. Parking will be in the west pasture. It can easily be reached if you take the first left as you turn down New Lane Road. For more information call her at 508-693-9352.

Micheline Sonia reports on two activities over at the school tonight. The middle school’s student council is holding a Hawaiian dance at the school for all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, and next Friday at 7 p.m. Jeremy Berlin will host a coffee house. For more information ask Melanie or call Jeremy at 508-696-3007.

Marilyn Hollinshead, of Pond View Road, reports that a course on first aid, including HPR and the Heimlich maneuver, will be held tomorrow in the Chilmark Community Church education building. Led by an American Heart Association certified instructor, Peter Tennant, participants will earn first aid and Heimlich certificates. Lasting from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the course is sponsored by the church and is free of charge. Bring a sandwich. Dessert and beverages will be provided. The course is open to all Vineyarders. To preregister call her at 508-693-5803. This course is underwritten by the United Methodist Society of Martha’s Vineyard.

Colleen Morris, over at the library, reports that tomorrow at 4 p.m. will be the beginning of the winter concert series featuring Taffy McCarthy and Bob Johnston, The following week Jemima James and Dan Waters will hold court. On Monday at 5:30 p.m. there will be another forum discussing the proposed expansion of the public library. You will have a chance to see preliminary drawings and the new floor plans, learn about the extent of state funding and trace the steps that will lead to a final vote next year.

Lynn Ditchfield reports that the Adult and Community Education (ACE MV) is offering some exciting cooking classes taught by talented Island chefs. On Tuesday, MJ Delekta, director of the Sacred Circle of Yoga, will be teaching the Yoga of Food Cooking Workshop. On Feb. 2, especially (but not exclusively) for Valentine’s Day, chef Christian Thornton, owner and chef of Atria Restaurant, will be guiding would-be lovers of all ages to cook a simple dinner for those you love that’s sure to impress with minimal time in the kitchen. In March and April chefs Jan Buhrman, Marvin Jones and Eniko Delisle will be sharing secrets of healthy and pleasurable ways to approach cooking of Indian cuisine, Latin American delights, and the art of cake decorating. Preregistration online is strongly encouraged to assure a place in these informative cooking workshops. For more information call 508-693-1033, extension 240, or e-mail lynn@acemv.org.

“On Jan. 15, 1946 Mike and Elizabeth Athearn and their young son George moved from the farm house of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Athearn of Crow Hollow. They had been living there since his discharge from the US Army last year. Their new home is the upstairs apartment in the home of Emma Terry, on State Road. The house is located between S.M. Mayhew’s store and the First Congregational Church. For many years the house was owned by Ulysses Mayhew, a state representative and partner in the store with his brother Sanderson.”

Happy birthday to: Nancy Britt, Nili Goldstein and Carl Tack today; Sandy Atwood, Willie Levesque and Anya Toteanu tomorrow; Georgiana White, Kristine Scheffer and Paul Vanlandingham on Sunday; Zack Wiesner, Lewis Waring and Dan Sharkovitz on Monday; Abigail Higgins, Tony Omer, Mitchell Gordon and Zackery Schwager on Tuesday; Harold Lawry, Melissa Clay, Cathleen Vincent, Leigh Hammond and Ed Sylvia on Wednesday; and Tim Mathiesen, Susan Sigel Goldsmith, Taggart Young and Tom Engley on Thursday. Belated birthday greetings to Catherine Deese and Nora Nevin.