Well, last Friday morning it was bitter cold, 5 above zero with howling wind, but the sun was bright and we were able to thaw out a bit.

Anna Alley of State Road went up to Taunton to visit our daughter Nicole, son in law Arsen and the grandchildren Robert and Henry. They had a busy time and she returned home Saturday night.

Richard Paradise reports that New Yorker cartoonist Paul Karasik will introduce three great examples of film noir on the big screen at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in March. Paul, as guest programmer, has selected three films as prime examples of must-see film noir. Paul is an Eisner Award-winning cartoonist whose work has appeared in the New Yorker and whose graphic novels have been translated worldwide. He is also the development director of the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School.

Sarah Monast reports that ACE MV spring classes start on Tuesday. Walk-in registration at the regional high school lobby will be between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Classes include fertilizer safety certificate, pesticide licensure, understanding tick and mosquito control, ServSafe food handling, women’s history, history of cooking and more. You can sign up at acemv.org or call 508-693-9222. Catalogs are available at the libraries.

Rev. Cathlin Baker reports that on Sunday at 11 a.m. the annual meeting of the First Congregational Church will be held after the worship service. The purpose of the meeting is to elect officers, boards and committees, and to consider and approve the 2015 budget. All members are requested to attend and nonmembers are welcome to attend and observe. The annual report of the church is now available.

The park and recreation committee invites all of you to participate in a family skate on Sunday from noon to 1:20 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Arena. Please bring a snack or dessert to share, drinks and hot chocolate will be provided. Admission is free. If you have any questions, call 508-696-0104.

Amy Hoff over at the library reports that during the month of March, Max Skjoldebrand’s show Lines, Light, Shadows and Reflections will be on display in the community room of the West Tisbury library. The exhibit features a selection of black-and-white photos taken over a period of 10 years. The library will host a reception in his honor on Sunday, March 15, at 3 p.m. Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public. The reception will feature live piano music and refreshments. Also, local crafter (and librarian) Martha Flanders will teach a rubber stamp art workshop for adults on Sunday, March 8, from 2 to 4 p.m. Participants will learn a variety of ways to enhance cards, note paper, envelopes and more. Learn to use dye inks, pigment inks, heat sensitive embossing powders as well as other methods that work with texture, color, image and technique. This workshop is open to the public and there is a materials fee of $12. Class size limited so please preregister and pay at the front desk.

Old friend Noah Block of Music street passed away Sunday evening at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. I got to know him after his parents had purchased the former Ade Week’s house on Music street. He summered on the Vineyard for many years, working at many seasonal businesses. He moved back here to the Frank Adams house and had it extensively renovated and felt good about returning to the Vineyard as a full-time resident. Our condolences to his wife Susan.

Old friend Will Monast died last Wednesday at his home. He was a superb carpenter, a guy that could do most anything at your home. He lived on Cuttyhunk when I first met him and he was serving as a Gosnold selectman, then building inspector and harbor master for several years. He always had a project that kept him busy and was a real knowledgeable guy. He also wrote a series of humorous stories about life on Cuttyhunk Island, which were published in this paper. Our condolences to his wife Leslei and their family.

Past and present West Tisbury Library Foundation members recently gave a small but festive surprise party for departing chairman Hunter Moorman. After handing over the leadership position to Max Skjoldebrand, Hunter was feted with a poem written and read by Dan Waters. He and his wife Leslie were given a framed Stan Murphy print in appreciation as well. Hunter was instrumental in helping make the library renovation project happen and the town of West Tisbury owes him a huge thanks for his diligence and leadership he provided. He and his vice chairman Lynne Whiting will remain on the board, but not as officers.

Happy birthday to Sarah Culkin, Gene Bergeron and Paul Carter on Friday; Kevin McFarland, Sam Alley, Patrick Ruel, Susan Goldstein, George Brush, Tom Thatcher and Robyn Athearn on Saturday; Susan Phelps, Henry Geller and Greg Drake on Sunday; Robert Pacl, Joshua Emin and Julia Reeve on Monday; Roger T. Sylva, Tom Church, Francine Fisher, Celeste Bailey and Owen Maloney on Tuesday; Vicki Broscheit, Diana DeBlase and Valentine Estabrook on Wednesday; and to Kenneth Vincent, Glenn Andrews and Sofia Tanhauser on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Joanne Peterson and Dennis Jason.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week. I don’t want to miss the news about your vacation, so please call or email me with details. Have a great week.

Send your West Tisbury news to: alleys@vineyard.net.