The long holiday weekend begins Friday and many people will be coming to town to spend the weekend and/or open their summer homes. It also signals the start of the summer season. Last weekend’s weather was ideal. Monday is the Memorial Day holiday; there will be a parade and traditional observances down in Vineyard Haven. Town buildings and the post office will be closed. If the swans return to the Mill Pond it will surely make it feel like summer is arriving shortly.

At the beginning of this holiday weekend let’s not forget what Memorial Day is really all about and take some time out from all our busy activities to remember those who have gone on before us. The cemetery superintendent and his assistant, Jesse Oliver, have been working for the past week, sometimes in inclement weather, mowing and trimming the cemeteries. Brian Athearn, veterans’ graves officer, has placed new American flags on the graves of all the veterans. A special effort is made for this particular holiday each year to keep up our cemeteries in first class condition so they can properly receive visitors who have come to pay their respects.

Anna Alley, of State Road, returned home Monday evening after spending the weekend with her sister Nina and brother in law Dieter. Then the ladies drove down to NYC to attend the 98th mandolin concert and see their brother Donnie, who was the featured performer. They stayed at his house in Warwick, N.Y. Then Anna went on to Taunton to visit with our grandchildren before returning.

Brad Segel graduated with a bachelor of science degree from New England Technical Software Engineering in Providence recently. His family attended the ceremony and Dad was mighty proud.

Sig Van Raan and Susan Dickler, of Music street, returned to their home on Monday for the summer.

Charlie Kernick, of Post Office Corner, returned home on Sunday after spending the winter months in North Carolina. His wife will join him the middle of next month. He is looking forward to planting his garden this weekend.

Andrea Rogers reports that the 19th annual Artisans Spring Festival will take place tomorrow and Sunday at the Grange Hall. They have added a few new features for this year’s show. They will be open rain or shine with free parking for all and plenty of good food. For more information about the artisans festival call her at 508-693-8989.

The park and recreation committee reports that beach stickers will be available starting on Saturday, June 17 every day at their shed at the school, near the tennis courts on Old County Road. The hours on weekdays are 9 a.m. to noon and weekends from 4 to 7 p.m. The beach opens for the season on June 27. Swimming lessons begin on July 10. Please register at the same place you buy your beach sticker. For further information call the park department at the town hall, 508-696-0147.

Monday is the Tisbury town picnic and Debbie Magnuson reports that this town is planning a picnic on June 10 at the Agricultural Hall.

On May 30, 1945 The Texas Oil Co., through its agent Capt. Ralph M. Packer of Vineyard Haven, hosted about 50 Island farmers and Texaco dealers at the Agricultural Hall. The Grange served a turkey supper to the guests. After the supper everyone went across the street to Donaldson’s Garage where a demonstration was held on the proper method of inflating a tractor tire. The Texaco representatives used a tractor loaned by Charles G. Norton of Vineyard Downs farm. Everyone returned to the hall to hear a talk on the tremendous demand for petroleum products because of the war. Farmers and dealers were thanked for being patient in the face of an acute shortage. A film entitled Old MacDonald Had a Farm clearly illustrated the many uses of a tractor on the farm. The evening concluded with a Texaco raffle won by John Palmeria and Everett D. Whiting.

Happy birthday to: Wendy Turnell, David Stein and Larry Yorke Friday; Leon Braithwaite, Brenda Hayden, Kaila Binney, Dan Leventritt, Shannon McAuliffe, and Seth Copperrider Satuday; Wenonah Madison, Martha Tohlen and Robin Carberry on Sunday; Alan Cottle, Allison Horowitz and Liza Lynch on Monday; Peter Hoffman, Barbara Portman, Colin Whyte and April Thanhauser on Tuesday; Amy Kurth and Valarie Redanz on Wednesday; and Eric Magnuson, Randolph Dodge, Daphne Hickman and Devon Webster on Thursday. Anniversary greetings to Matt and Donna Annese on Monday.

Well that is all of the social news for this edition. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. Have a safe weekend and a great week.

Send West Tisbury news to alleys@vineyard.net.