We have been enjoying a slight heat wave with temperatures in the 50s this week. We had a few flurries on Monday morning that melted by noon. Crocuses are in full bloom, as is the witch hazel. Six deer climbed up the cliffs on Sunday afternoon — a very rare sight. The frost heaves are diminishing and the daffodils are starting to bud. Chilmark Chocolates will re-open next week.

Speaking of daffodils, this will be the first time that the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group will be the sole sponsors and thus the recipients of the sales. So, on March 17, please purchase your daffodil bouquets at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the Edgartown Stop & Shop and at Cronig’s for only $10 a bunch.

To add a little tidbit to fellow Vineyard Gazette columnist Skip Finley’s article regarding Dr. Adelaide Cromwell and her first cousin Senator Edward W. Brooke as classmates at Paul Dunbar High School in Washington, D.C., they were classmates of Helen (Vanderhoop) Manning as well. All are celebrating their birthdays within a matter of weeks of each other. We have a few beautiful photographs from their 50th high school reunion.

Condolences to the family and friends of Rita (Bettencourt) Goulart Diniz who passed away on March 11. Rita and her family resided in what was once Gay Head as her father Arthur Bettencourt was once a Gay Head Lighthouse keeper. Rita and her siblings attended the one-room Gay Head School. In later years, Rita and I worked at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital at the same time. She was always very cheerful and melodic while keeping the long-term care patients, and then the Windemere patients, happy and entertained. She was a devoted volunteer for elders.

Welcome to Peter Graczykowski, the new Aquinnah town treasurer who has taken over where Judy Jardin left off upon her retirement after a nine-year stint.

Thank you to Dr. Bryan Graham, chiropractor at VCM who offered to assist me with my sciatica. We have known each other for a long time and almost worked together. When I had no idea what to do next, he stepped forward and offered his services. I am almost completely healed. Thank you.

Welcome home to Betty Joslow and her faithful canine companion Molly as they return to their Lighthouse Road home after spending the past three months residing in Tisbury.

Condolences to the family and friends of Stanley Marshall who passed away this week at his Tisbury home. Stanley was always the life of the party while attending many staff gatherings at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital where his wife Mary (Bernard) Marshall worked for nearly half a century.

All the best to Andrea McGee who retired as the social services coordinator for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), a position she had held for the past seven years. She will be moving from her residence in Chilmark to a new home on Cape Cod. We plan on visiting often.

Condolences to the family and friends of Harold Ramis who passed away recently in New York. For many years he and his family were a vital part of the social scene up-Island where they owned a home in Chilmark. He could often be found relaxing on the porch of the Chilmark Store. Thank you, Mr. Ramis, for your many creative contributions over the years.

All the best to Marjorie Spitz who has retired as the Aquinnah town accountant after nearly 30 years. For now, Margie and her sister Barbara are spending the month together before spring arrives and they plant their gardens.

Prescott Walsh has some of his art work gracing the walls at Mocha Motts in Oak Bluffs. If you are in town, stop in to see his works. I am sure he acquired his artistic talents from his mother, Jennie Greene.

I would also like to thank Mike Z. of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Radiology Department, who performed the CAT scan on me two weeks ago. He was very efficient and professional.

Happy 26th anniversary wishes to Albert and Linda Fischer as they celebrate their special day on March 20. All the best to them as they move into their new home. They will be seriously missed in Aquinnah, where they have been prominent members of our community for the past 30 years. A place where they have raised their children and assisted many in innumerable ways. It is a major loss for Aquinnah.

Happy birthday wishes to David Lambert as he celebrates his special day on March 15. Also celebrating on Saturday will be Tamara Conroy, Seth Boynton, D.J. Kaeka and Jib Ellis. Rodeo Langer will be seven years old on Sunday and shares the day with Natalie Francis, Jada Lee Randolph, Michael Stutz, Frank Gonsalves, Taylor Ives and John Floros. Gabriel Olsen will be three years old on March 17. Robert MacDiarmid parties on March 18. Marshall Carroll celebrates his special day on March 19 and shares the day with Amera Ignacio. March 20 is a day of celebration for Kristie Mayhew, Rita Meyer and for Joe Corbo, who celebrates a major milestone.