JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

We were surprised by thunder and sharp lighting along with the heavy rain last Saturday night. This has been a winter to remember although we have not had the snow that other towns in the commonwealth have had. On Sunday the temperature soared to 48 degrees under sunny skies, it felt spring-like and nearly all the snow and ice melted away. I’m sure we are due for some more snow soon, so we won’t forget how miserable it has been. It is mighty quiet around town; a lot of people have left or are leaving for a winter vacation.

Rufus Peebles, chairman and keeper of the togas, wants to remind all registered Democrats that the town Democratic committee meets tomorrow at the Howes House at 10:30 a.m. to reorganize and select two delegates and alternates to the state convention in June.

Cathy Minkiewicz reports that the garden club has two suggestions for getting over the winter blahs — the bus trip to the New England Flower Show in Boston on March 17, arranged by Sandy at the Tisbury Council on Aging (508-696-4205). And a trip to see the gardens of the Delaware Valley will be arranged by the Polly Hill Arboretum in May; call Karin at 508-693-99426.

Sal Laterra, of Providence, R.I., will be the guest of Phyllis Meras this weekend. He plans to take her out to dinner for Valentine’s Day on Monday night.

Paul Karasik returned last week from this year’s comics festival in Angouleme, France. He arrived a week before the actual festival began to teach at the Masters in Comics program at the European School of Visual Arts.

Colleen Morris over at the library invites you to the weekly library movie on Valentine’s Day at 7 p.m. Dr. Strangelove is the film, but when you have an opportunity to go to a movie with Colleen, who cares what the title is!

The third and fourth grade students at the public charter school will be performing at the Vineyard Playhouse on Saturday, at 3 and 7 p.m. as part of the wonderful Fourth Grade Theatre Project.

The PTO reports that family pizza and bingo night will be tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. in the school gym. It should be a fun event for all. A $10 donation for each family includes dinner and bingo. The bring-your-parents to lunch event saw an overwhelmingly positive response. Now the school is planning to try bring-your-parents to lunch week, since most parents have busy schedules and one day does not necessarily work for all. The week will be Feb. 22 through Feb. 25.

Marian Irving reports that on Sunday at 4 p.m. the Congregational Church will present renowned pianist Lisa Weiss in concert with cellist Jan Hyer, soloist Kevin Ryan and Matt Pelikan on alto recorder. A reception will follow in the parish hall with an opportunity to meet the performers and enjoy refreshments. Suggested donation is $15.

Anthony Saccocia, head chef of the Grill on Main in Edgartown, will be offering a three-course Valentine’s meal.

Happy birthday to: Beverly Bergeron, Deirdre Ling, Jennifer Marcus and Karena Hammarlund today; Sandra Polleys, Abe Lincoln, Deborah Otto, Ken Cramm, Gayle Stiller and Brad Tucker tomorrow; Dr. Michael Bigby and Vincent Lenza on Sunday; Beth Toomey, Chris Morse and Michelle McCormack on Monday; Kevin Peters Jr., Leah Houghton, Karen Child and Suzanne Fenn on Tuesday; Dan Gouldrup, Don MacDonald, Megan Higgins and Nancy Cox on Wednesday; Leslie Eaton, Barbara Paciello, Janice Feltz, Garrison Vieira, and Emily Thomas on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Julie Wells and Spencer Booker. Anniversary greeting to Tim and Eileen Maley on Sunday.

Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. Please call or e-mail with news you wish to share with others. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day on Monday and a great week.