MARGARET KNIGHT

508 627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

March has arrived but can’t make up its mind whether it’s coming in as a lamb or a lion. Either way, this is the best time of year to go away — the weather is usually a disappointment. Some people might like March because it’s heading into spring, but it makes me think of all the outdoor work spring brings, and I’m not ready to exert that much energy.

As some people expected, Bay State Piping plans to return for an encore underwater operation. NStar wants to reinstall the conduits under the Edgartown harbor to ensure we have a backup the next time something happens to an electric cable, since three out of the four conduits recently installed are not usable. Bay State’s return may be an alternative to lawsuits, but it’s nice to know NStar is thinking about us over here. There is no date yet for the start of the work, but NStar says it will be finished by the end of March or beginning of April. Ferry lines will be longer as soon as spring work on Chappaquiddick houses begins — time will tell just for how long they will be longer.

The shore at Wasque continues to wash away at rapid rates, up to 30 feet in a storm. The wreck that was uncovered earlier on Norton Point continues to appear and disappear. According to Bob Gilkes, it probably isn’t the Mertie B. Crowley that sank 100 years ago, but the state’s one marine antiquities person hasn’t made his way down here yet to verify this. There was something that sank off Wasque in the 1970s or 1980s, and by the shape of the pieces, it looks more as if this wreck was a barge. Bob and Skip Bettencourt have been documenting the wreck as pieces appear.

The Edgartown side of Norton Point continues to grow toward Chappy, narrowing the opening, as the Chappy side of the point continues to hook around into Katama Bay. The swan pond is a short, narrow ghost of its former self, frequently washed into by the ocean. It’s hard to believe it will still be here by summer. The right fork’s main beach parking — the large lot with posts down the middle — is half washed away. It’s amazing to see a place I feel as if I’ve known all of my life just disappear. The Trustees of Reservations will have to figure out something new for summer, but it will probably pay to wait and see where the shoreline is as summer approaches.

Meanwhile The Trustees of Reservation has scheduled a beach cleanup for Saturday, March 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain date March 19) to remove the brush and trees that have washed up this winter as a result of the erosion at Wasque. Soon the birds will be nesting and access to the beach will be limited, so this is the time to get the beach ready for summer use.

If you look on the Martha’s Vineyard Surfcasters Association Web site, you can find all the details, or see below. This web site is worth checking out. It’s very cheery and has all sorts of interesting information, for example, phases of the moon and tides, weather, and nice pictures. Will Geresy is now president of the association.

As incentive for coming out on a cold, windy March day, the Trustees will draw a volunteer’s name from a hat to win a prize of a free combination 2011-2012 over-sand vehicle permit to Norton Point and Chappy. Also the Trustees will provide lunch.

Everyone is invited: young, old, out of shape, energetic or lethargic — the Trustees want you! There are jobs for everyone. What to bring (if you have them, otherwise not to worry): work gloves, warm clothes in layers, 4 x 4 pickup truck if you have one (if not please come anyway!), shovels, garden rakes, safety glasses (very helpful especially if windy), bow saws (for making the larger trunks more manageable to handle) — no chain saws — you’ll ruin them. Please call Bob Mill at 508-693-7662 to let him know if you can help out, how many will be in your party, and which of the above tools and equipment you can bring.

The ACE MV solar greenhouse design workshop begins March 8 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. This five-week design experience explores the science, art and technology of building a food and heat-producing passive solar greenhouse. Participants will help develop plans for a greenhouse at the Farm Institute as well as for your own home. For information, call Sidney Morris at 508-627-7007, extension 104.

The March film series at the Edgartown Library features movies with great performances by child actors. The film on Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. is Kramer vs Kramer with Dustin Hoffman, Justin Henry and Meryl Streep.