Everyone has become contentious. Issues on Island, issues off-Island, is it true a house divided against itself cannot stand? I shall concentrate on the changes going on here on the Rock; someone else will have to straighten out the mess off-Island.

First, the count and the amount. Our town voted, 769 to 485, to allow hard liquor, along with the already accepted beer and wine, to be served at the restaurants in Vineyard Haven. The letters written in favor of or against were all well-thought out. I appreciate the time some people took to make their views known. Now, before some of you begin to think Tisbury will become a Town of Iniquity, let’s be clear: there will be no bars or liquor stores. Alcoholic beverages will be served at a restaurant, only with a meal, drinks shut down at 11 p.m.

I know some of you wanted to preserve the “character” of our safe town. Others saw the reality of Vineyard Haven losing a lot of business to restaurants in Oak Bluffs and Edgartown where liquor was served. While many of us were used to the rules, and in former days were allowed to BYOB to restaurants in the Island dry towns, I think one of the main losses of business was always the tourists and vacationers who would ask me on Main street where they could order a burger and a brew. Too much trouble for them to go to a wet town, buy the beverages, and return to use one of our fine restaurants. Sometimes they don’t have cars. No one was taking a cab to a liquor store in one of our wet towns and returning with the hootch to drink here. Our Main street is becoming forlorn. I wish everyone the best. We shall see how this plays out.

In other big changes, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission voted to approve the Martha’s Vineyard Museum plan to renovate and expand the old Marine Hospital. That was built in 1895. I knew it for years as the wonderful St. Pierre School of Sports. My son and many Island kids went to that summer camp. I must stop here and thank the lovely St. Pierre family for their dedication and great service for so many years. Oh, I do so miss Barbara St. Pierre! Her daughters are a shining testament to their Mom and Grandma who made this camp the place to be on Vineyard summers. I am fairly certain Barbara is smiling now. When the renovations are done, our Martha’s Vineyard Museum will relocate from downtown Edgartown to this beautiful facility on the hill. Museum executive director, Phil Wallis, says it was a unanimous vote by the commission on Thursday night.

Another big change is sad but well-deserved. After 14 years of incredible energy and service, Ron Tolin will retire in June from our Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. The dedication, the enthusiasm, the follow-up from this great man have been an inspiration to watch. So many of us have benefitted from his care and service. There will be a potluck dinner in his honor after the Shabbat Service on Friday, June 16. Please RSVP at 508-693-0745. I’ll see you there.

Congratulations to young Rayne Bick who has graduated from University of Vermont. Rayne is a real Renaissance man, unusual in one so young. Rayne performed at his graduation recital. We shall be hearing big things from him.

In all the madness going on our media now, I had the great pleasure to catch Willy Mason, son of our Island musician Jemima James, on a YouTube performance of his latest songs. In South Africa, of all places. Yet another of our young musicians who is going places.

Here is another big change in our lineup. On Tuesday, May 16 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, Kristin Henriksen will give a talk called the Canna Conversations. Some subjects covered will be: what is the difference between hemp and medical marijuana? What are CBDs and THC? Kristin is a medical marijuana advocate and practitioner. Again, this has been a divisive topic in many communities. It is now the law. So let’s get the answers. The program is free and open to the public. I’ll see you there.

This will be my first Mother’s Day without Nonna. She passed a year ago on May 10, seven days shy of her 99th birthday. I was fortunate to have her for such a good, long run. In her honor, I think on May 18 we should all eat a cannoli for Iole, her favorite dessert.

Get well wishes go out to Ria Cimeno who is recovering from knee surgery. Selfish as always, it is in my best interests for Ria to recover rapidly. She is making me a lasagna dinner on my triumphant return.

My cousin, Carol Petrone, is recovering from surgery at Mass General Hospital. Carol is a beautiful beacon for all who need encouragement. Please keep her in your prayers.

Our condolences go out to David Whitmon, Christine and their two adult daughters, Gaia and Grace. Their faithful companion of many years, Bonnie Dog, passed on May 9. Pope Francis promises that heaven is open to all God’s creatures. I count on that.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Jyl Manning and PJ Fleming on May 12; May 13 shines on Terri Hayes and James Cooley; May 14 is a party for Becky Wilson Esposito, Emily Tarbegh, Jesse Elsasser and Dan D. Koch; May 15 is for is for Jeffrey Sylvia; May 16 is shared by James Seccombe and Silvio Spiconardi; and on May 17 Martin Simoni, Wesley Coehlo Souza, and Jenna Bagnall take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard Haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.