JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Well, we were sure treated to a surprise snow event! There was a cold rain (and snow in some places) on the first full day of spring on Monday, with more expected. The temperature did not make it above 36 degrees all day; not a very nice welcome to springtime. Those of you who heat with wood had to keep a fire going all day to keep the chill out of the house. Susan Block, of Music street, reports that she spotted perhaps the first mayflower of the season last Friday, while snowdrops are blooming and daffodils about to burst in several yards around town.

Town clerk Tara Whiting reports that the absentee ballots for the annual town election have arrived, so if you are going to be out of town on election day, you may cast your vote at the town hall during normal business hours until noon on April 13, or apply for an absentee ballot. The annual town election will be held on April 14 from noon till 8 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. There are two contested offices; two members of each of the library trustees board and finance committee have three candidates listed on the ballot. If you are not sure you are a registered voter, now is the time to contact Tara at 508-696-0148.

The annual town meeting that will be held at the West Tisbury School on April 12 has a warrant that contains 45 articles this year. Items expected to generate discussion are the annual budget, as the up-Island school budget has not been recommended; funds for a feasibility study for a new police department building; library expansion and acceptance of a state grant; a number of Community Preservation Act articles, including purchase of the Field Gallery; a petition to the legislature to allow for the sale of beer and wine to be consumed on premises in town. The budget was the only article not recommended by the finance committee.

The League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard invites the public to meet the candidates for town offices at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Howes House.

Sarah Monast and her husband, Elton, of Old Courthouse Road, recently returned from a winter in his native country of Brazil. Sara reports that it is a beautiful place and they enjoyed the winter. A day or so after their return Elton picked up his carpentry work, and he and a friend have reshingled Jill Carlton’s roof.

Ed Konicki, of Webster, who under-went a nine-hour heart operation procedure was discharged from the hospital on Monday. While he faces a long recovery, he looks forward to a Vineyard visit this summer.

Phyllis Meras, of Music street, returned home on Saturday after a 10-day vacation in Puerto Rico with Sal Laterra and his family. Linda Baughman, who was holding down the fort and feeding her livestock, departed on Monday for a vacation in Philadelphia, Pa.

Carol Carrick will be back home in town shortly after four months in Gulfport, Fla. She and Jack Burton will miss the ballroom dancing and the 38 miles of bike trails they have traveled, but they look forward to seeing their Vineyard friends again.

Kathy Lobb reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society will host their annual potluck dinner and social on Saturday at 6 p.m. in their Hall on Panhandle Road. Music will be provided and all are welcome; just bring a covered dish enough for six along with you.

Colleen Morris, over at the library, reports that the final presentation in the Winter Reading Series will take place on Wednesday. It features Andrew Meredith of Philadelphia and Oklahoma City, and Jacob Shores-Argüello of Costa Rica. The series is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Stephanie Dryer reports that the tack and apparel swap hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council will be held on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall. For further information or registration, please contact swdreyer@yahoo.com or Tarajw@yahoo.com. All proceeds will benefit their scholarship fund.

Please save the date, Saturday, April 2, from 5 to 8 p.m., for the now-famous Celebrity Waiters’ Pasta Dinner at the Edgartown Federated Church, to benefit the PeaceQuilts project in Haiti. Plan to meet our newest celebrities, who will wait on you and your friends. In the past, we have had Lance Armstrong, Julia Child, Batman and Robin, Flo from Mel’s Diner, Sister Mary Major Minor, the Grinch (and his dog), Cher, Nurse Feelgood and Dr. McDreamy. The cost of admission is $7 for adults, $5 for kids, and a special family rate, $25. Bring extra cash to purchase funny money so you may bribe (or tip) your waitperson and improve their service! This is always a good time and a great way to support their mission in Haiti. For more information, call Jeanne Staples, 508-627-8363.

The school plans to reward the students for their hard work on the MCAS tests on the afternoon of Friday, April 1; this is not an April Fool’s joke. They ask that each student bring $5 to their class/homeroom by March 31 for this event. Money has also been generously donated by the PTO to support this and a surprise as well. Please contact Donna Lowell-Bettencourt or Sean Mulvey if you have questions or if money is a concern.

“On March 24, 1945 Mr. and Mrs. Horace Athearn, of Crow Hollow, received word from their youngest son, Cpl. Clifton H. Athearn, telling them of his safe arrival in France. The Athearns have two other sons in the service. Lieut. Elmer W. Athearn of the engineers’ aviation battalion is stationed somewhere in the South Pacific and Sgt. Leonard B. Athearn of the Air Transport Command is stationed in India.”

Happy Birthday to: Trudy Russell, John Nelson and Alexandra Nagi today; Bruce Keep, Darlene Tocik, Wayne Embry, Jessica Oliver, Deon Thomas and Bruce Keep tomorrow; Kevin Peters, Jackie Flynn-Morgan, Lynne Silva and Laura Murphy on Sunday; Warren Mead, Holly Wayman, Michael Michalski and Ken Hurd on Monday; Charles Deary, Arthur Marx and Larry Greenburg on Tuesday; Andrew Nelson, Pat Fitzpatrick, Kelly Thayer and Donna Paulock on Wednesday; Linda Gandel, Nancy Cole, Mary Keenan, Lori Ionnitiu, Steve Durkee and Robert Berosh on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Liz Kent.

Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. Please call or e-mail me with news you wish to share. Have a great week