JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Well, spring has arrived and it sure felt like it last Monday and Tuesday. The flowers and many birds are back and the grass is looking greener. We all thought Jack Frost had taken an early vacation, but he was back with a vengeance Tuesday morning and the weather suddenly became more seasonable.
The Mill Pond has been stocked with trout and kids and adults are fishing there every day. Last Sunday was the final day of the season for discount gasoline at Up-Island Automotive and the lines were long. The Congregational Church also held its last Wednesday night supper of this week.
As the new season rolls in stores have started to aggressively merchandise Easter baskets. Palm Sunday is this Sunday, as is April Fools’ Day. Be wary of practical jokes.
John Kelleher, senior deacon, reports the news from the Congregational Church as they prepare for Easter. This weekend’s Palm Sunday service is at 10 a.m. On Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., the Board of Deacons will lead a Tenebrae service. Easter services will include a sunrise (6 a.m.) service at the home of Ann Nelson and a 10 a.m. service at the Agricultural Hall, including Sunday school and an egg hunt for the children after services. The Rev. Cathlin Baker will lead the congregation.
Tomorrow night at 6 p.m. over at the Agricultural Hall on Panhandle Road the Agricultural Society will hold its annual potluck dinner. Kathy Lobb reports that there is always good food and music. Everyone is welcome, just bring a dish along with you. It will be a great way to start a new month. Give her a call for more information.
Tara Whiting, town clerk, 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 April 11. She expects that the town report will be available soon.
There are no contested races this year, but there are four important ballot questions, about funding library renovations, allowing beer and wine sales at restaurants and fundraisers, gauging approval for the proposed roundabout, and funding to repave many town roads.
The annual town meeting warrant contains 41 articles. Two of them were submitted by petition. The future of dogs on Lambert’s Cove Beach is back before you, and judging by the close vote last November it appears to be controversial. There’s also a question about exploring dredge options for Mill Pond, and another question about beer and wine. This one asks whether voters should approve the sale of beer and wine at “one-day events” but not restaurants. If this is voted affirmatively, then the ballot question must be defeated in order for the town meeting vote to be valid.
Carol Carrick and Jack Burton will be retuning to the Vineyard in two weeks after biking, hiking and ballroom dancing in Florida since the middle of November. On the way home they will stop at the Marks’ Mills Civil War battle site, where Jack’s great-grandfather, Anton Kraft, Union MO. 2nd Light Artillery, fought and was captured. After that they plan to head toward Ponca, Ark. and kayak down the Buffalo River. Then they will visit Jack’s sister overnight in Cincinnati and head for home, where they hope to see all their friends.
Jennifer Tseng, over at the library, reports that on Thursday at 5 p.m. local herbalist Holly Bellebuono will talk about her new book at the library. She guides the reader through identifying, harvesting and making natural remedies for everyday health issues. Charmingly illustrated by Geninne Zlatkis, the book features more than 200 original formulas, protocols and recipes.
Ludwig Baron von Ochs telephoned me from his winter quarters in Vienna, Austria; he is afraid the roundabout will not be passed by the voters at the annual town election. He firmly believes the roundabout is really necessary. He is adamant that the four-way stop doesn’t work because too many people, like him, have difficulty counting above three!
Noah and Susan Block, of Music street, took me and Anna out on the town last Saturday night. It was a belated celebration of my birthday. We dined at the Grill and enjoyed a wonderful meal. Afterward we congratulated Chef Antonio on the food. He informed us that he is planning a special Easter Sunday brunch and hopes we will stop by.
On Tuesday at 7 p.m. the Vineyard Haven Public Library will welcome Mary Jane Sorrentino, from the Gore Climate Reality Project (founded by Nobel Laureate and former vice president Al Gore), at 7 p.m. She will present a talk, entitled The Climate Crisis Is Real and We Know How to Solve It.
Stephanie Dreyer, librarian over at the school, reports that the school library is delighted to partner with Bunch of Grapes for an in-store book fair starting on Thursday and running until the April 15. There will be a kick-off event Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in the store.
Liz over at Vineyard Gardens reports that they will begin holding a series of free events starting tomorrow. At 11 a.m. the store will offer a lecture on starting plants from seed. Learn how to start your own vegetables, herbs and flowers, and what it takes to be successful getting started with your garden. Vineyard Gardens is also busy planning its Palm Sunday floral display and Easter egg hunt. For more information, call her at 508-693-8511.
On Easter Sunday of 1946 the Congregational Church held a special service, the first part of which included all the Sunday school children. Those participating were Rita and Winnie Alley, Sylvia and Carol Spencer, Virginia Bardwell, Jane Austin, Judith Barker, Crichton Magee and Robert Vincent. The girls were dressed in crepe paper costumes representing spring flowers. The Easter song was sung by all the children, accompanied by Pricilla Fischer at the piano. Pansy plants were given to each child by the church and were presented by James Alley. After a short sermon by the pastor, William Thompson, Inez Cahoon and George Magnuson sang a duet of Easter hymns. The church was attractively decorated with lilies, jonquils and forsythia.
Happy Birthday to: Andrew Nelson, Donna Paulnock, Pat Fitzpatrick and Donna Paulock today; Linda Gandel, Carl VanRooyen, Emily Cohen, Nancy Cole, Mary Keenan, Lori Ionnitiu and Robert Berosh tomorrow; Joe Cataloni, Alison Barrett, Mickey Stone, Abigail Entner and Bob Woodruff on Sunday; Joan Huston, Randi Sylvia and John Stanwood on Monday; Deborah Mayhew, Stacey Gouldrup and Wyatt Jenkinson on Tuesday; Marlene DiStefano, John Hoff and Andrew Worlock on Wednesday; Lauri Gayle McAuliffe, Phil Spaulding, Chuck Hodgkinson and Richard Glassberg on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Alcone Oliveria and June Manning.
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.
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