Well it certainly seems like spring is in the air. I talked to Jan Norton who said she had red-winged blackbirds at her feeder. People are saying the pinkletinks are tinkling up-Island, and the grackles are back. I love the light in the morning but the birds come with that and there is no sleeping once the sun rises. This is not a bad thing, but I am always afraid Mother Nature is going to go in reverse. I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer, but remember last spring we were so happy then the cold came back and stayed until the middle of June. I don’t want that to happen again. We will see. We have no control so live in the moment and enjoy the warmer weather.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Lucy Engler and Floyd Hershey on Feb. 25; Benjamin Belisle on Feb. 26; Laura Gomes on Feb. 27; Kaua Alves, Dylan Burke, and Sarah Lively on Feb. 28 and to Callie Oteri, who celebrates her day March 3.

Last Friday there was a mass exit of families off the Island. I can honestly say that I think three quarters of them were headed to Disney. I see on social media all the families posting their pictures with dolphins and Mickey at Epcot, etc. They all have big smiles on their faces and shorts.

Others headed north for some skiing, and some visiting family. But there are also those who stayed home for a staycation. The men from the highway department are working at the school cleaning up the lots and taking advantage of no cars there in the way.

The Martha’s Vineyard Partnership for Health is offering two free six-session series on My Life My Health for people 60 or older, or a family caregiver for someone who is 60 or older with a chronic health condition. This program is designed to give participants the knowledge and skills needed to take a more active role in their own health or that of the people they’re caring for. Join in at the American Legion Hall in Vineyard Haven on Wednesdays from March 1 through April 5, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or at the Howes House in West Tisbury on Mondays from March 13 through April 17, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Preregistration is required for either series. Call 508-939-9358 ext. 114 or email ksamways@ihimv.org to register or for more information.

The Chilmark School is holding an event to introduce STEAM to adults on the Island. As more and more people are hearing about STEAM, (activities that incorporate science, technology, engineering, art and math) the school is giving adults the opportunity to participate in some of these activities to better understand all the skills built by the program. The STEAM night will be held Wednesday, March 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chilmark school.

I will be a year older this week and I talked to my friend Erika Bettencourt about my dismay of being another year older. She said she did not mind getting older because some people do not have that privilege. She is so right. We should count our blessings every day we can get up and put our feet on the floor and say it is a new day. Thanks, Erika, sometimes we just need a little wake up call. Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.

Send Edgartown news to kathleencase@comcast.net.

The Gazette wishes Edgartown columnist Kathie Noble Case a very happy birthday on March 3.