JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

People are beginning the task of cleaning up the yard after the long winter, throwing away the Christmas tree that is beginning to turn rust color out in the back yard, and raking the lawn and flower beds. Some folks have already begun planting peas and other hearty vegetables in their garden. Businesses are re-opening for the season ­— Middletown Nursery and 7a Foods, to name just two. Last Sunday was the last of the discount gas until after Christmas. We want to thank Pat and Joan Jenkinson for making it available to all of us.

Tara Whiting, town clerk, wants to remind you that if you will not be available to vote in person at the annual election on April 11, you can vote via an absentee ballot at the town hall until noon on Wednesday. She also reports that the annual town reports are available at the town hall. The town meeting warrant this year contains 36 articles. Items that might generate controversy are construction of a new police station and related funding, affordable housing and a study of the Mill Pond watershed. There are no contests or vacancies on this year’s election ballot, only a debt override question.

Leslei Monast of Waldron’s Bottom Road returned from Nashville, Tenn. just in time to host a small gathering of family on Monday night to celebrate her husband’s 66th birthday. Congratulations, Will, you now are eligible to lunch every Thursday with other seniors your age!

Emily Hall of Pond Road has returned from a winter in the sun sporting a big smile and an engagement ring. She is going to marry Whitney Brush in the fall. She reports that her mom, Judy, is in Mexico at a Carmen Miranda art festival and is busy painting. She also reports that Judy has opened a store in Oklahoma City where she sells her paintings.

Sal Laterra of Providence, R.I. was Phyllis Meras’s guest for the holiday weekend at her Music street home. Sal continued cleaning up her back forty, planted a bush and finished a laundry list of chores before returning home on Monday.

Deborah Mayhew of Panhandle Road reports that there will be a celebration of life memorial at the agricultural hall tomorrow for her life partner, Todd Follansbee, who died in September. A memorial service will start at 5 p.m., followed by a potluck dinner. There will be live music by local bands the Stragglers and the Bodes. This celebration will be similar to the 60th birthday bash Todd and Deborah hosted two years ago — she knows it is what Todd would have wanted. All are welcome to come celebrate Todd’s life with the Mayhew and Follansbee families. Email Deborah at drdeb@vineyard.net if you have any questions.

Paul Karasik had a cartoon in last week’s edition of the New Yorker magazine. In addition to appearing in print, the cartoon was tweeted by movie director Ron Howard to over 500,000 of his followers.

The charter school play will be performed this weekend. You Can’t Stamp Out Love, or . . . Oh My Darlin’ Val Ann Tyne, is an action-packed ruckus, complete with villains, heroes, lovers and a crooked lawyer. It debuts tonight at 7 p.m. at the Grange Hall with additional shows on Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for families, $8 for adults and $4 for kids.

Tomorrow from 4:30 until 6 p.m. ACE MV and the Bunch of Grapes will hold the second of two ACE authors’ readings in Vineyard Haven. Respected Vineyard writer and ACE MV instructor John Hough Jr. will showcase upcoming authors from his classes and workshops. Other featured readers are Michael Ditchfield, Rob Hauck, Sue Hruby, Elisa Lash, Paul Levine, Lara O’Brien Robinson and Sian Williams.

Lindsay Miner reports that the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Spring Electronics Disposal Day will be held tomorrow from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at their campus on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs.

Colleen Morris reminds us that Tuesday is National Passport Day. If you need to renew your passport or have other questions, go over to the library and they will have answers and forms at hand.

Heidi Schultz reports that the Vineyard Sinfonietta concert is Sunday at the Howes House from 4 until 5 p.m.

Naomi Plakins arrives today to survey the effect the winter has had on their estate on Middle Road.

Martina Thornton, county manager, reports that as of April 1 no dogs or other pets will be allowed on state beach. This is to protect the endangered native bird species during their nesting season. Any violation could result in a $50 fine.

Tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. on Bailey Park Road, Habitat for Humanity celebrates and welcomes the future homeowners to their new homes. These homes are created in partnership with the town, Island Housing Trust, Dukes County Regional Housing Authority and generous volunteers.

Beth Kramer, library director, reports that Monday hours are now 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The library will remain open on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. through this summer. Extended hours on Monday evenings begin once we return to the new library.

Happy birthday to Chuck Hodgkinson and Phil Spaulding today; to Pat Gregory, JoeVan Nes, Hannah Webster and Susan Britt tomorrow; to Craig Saunders, Emily Walker, Don Oligvie, Bill Correllus and Neil Withers on Sunday; to Sally Anderson, Joe Amaral, Ken Bailey and Rosalee McCullough on Monday; to David Berlow, Jennifer Fragosa, Reid Silva, Curtis Berry and Robin Fitzpatrick on Tuesday; to John “My Way” Alaimo, Will Monast, Heidi Pachico and Caroline Mayhew on Wednesday; and to Lindsey Lee, Sally Sherwood, Kristin Buck, Hallie Britt and Donna Michalski on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Emily Gadd, Janice Goldiklang, Doris Clark, Deborah Mayhew and Kailyn Hart.

Well, that is all of the social news for this edition. If you have any news please call or email me. Have a great week.