Well the weekend weather was not that bad, a stray shower or two on Sunday but below average temperature. The orioles (birds that is) will return to town by Thursday. The late Emma Whiting had records to prove that they always return by the 12th and bird watchers will be keeping a sharp eye out for them. Saturday is Cinco de Mayo and it is seen as a day to celebrate the culture, achievements and experiences of people with a Mexican background, who live in the United States. Sharkey’s will have specials and the 32nd Big Chili contest takes place at the P.A. club in Oak Bluffs.

Sig Van Raan reports that he just returned from a second trip to Cuba where his play, de Talmude de Babilonia, has had a one month run in Havana. It actually has been extended through the first-weekend in May due to demand. The highlight of his weekend trip was hosting a cast dinner party at a neighborhood restaurant in Havana. His daughter, Zoe, and spouse, Maxine, joined him in Havana for the weekend.

Sig spent 10 days in Israel in early April where he visited his son, Jackson, who has been working on a Kibbutz. They traveled throughout the country and had an amazing time seeing the sights and immersing in the culture. This past week Sig and Susan traveled down to Baltimore in anticipation of the birth of a grandchild.

Marjorie Pierce reports that this year’s community suppers extended until the end of April were enormously successful. Despite the cold weather they served nearly 1,000 meals. She wants to thank all of the volunteers and everyone involved in making the Wednesday night dinners such a success.

Old friend Flip Harrington passed away in Florida recently. Our condolences to his wife and all of the Whiting family. Soo reports that there will be a memorial get-together to celebrate Flip’s life at the Quenames Farm House at 11 a.m. on June 16. Please bring a dish to share and stories to recount.

Jack Ryan, the singing clerk over at the post office and an established artist, will exhibit his work at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse in Vineyard Haven till the end of May. There will be an opening Saturday from 5 till 6:30 p.m. He will be showing recent work, some older work and some pieces that he has never shown.

Tanya Larsen, MSW assistant director of the up-Island Council on Aging would like to inform you that on Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Howes House join Saskia Vanderhoop of Sassafras Earth Education as she shares about birds and what we can learn from their language.

Olivia Larsen, over at the library, reports that Saturday from 3:30 to 5 p.m., the library will host a reception to honor our May artist, Genevieve Jacobs. Genevieve’s exhibit, titled Spring is for the Birds, features collages and paintings.

The annual MV Mini Maker Faire is coming up on May 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A history note from May 10, 1975: Tom Thatcher, of State Road, owns a proper bird feeder, visited by proper birds but the feathered friend that consumes the most food never goes near it! It is a seagull that has been buzzing his house looking for handouts for the past five years. It always sits on the chimney because, Tom believes, it likes to keep its tail warm. He prefers table scraps and is totally uninterested in bird food. If the scraps are not forthcoming it squawks loudly from a nearby roof until fed. Tom has named the bird Charles Henry 3rd. He feels that the numeral adds a certain dignity to the name.

Happy birthday to: Matt Taylor, and Greer Rivera Friday; Tucker Hubbell and Karen Ogden Saturday; Sean Rooney, Jane Konicki, Jeanne Smith, Leslie Hurd, Jonathan Rich and Hilary Whyte on Sunday; Judy Counsell, Betsey Gately and Peter Vann on Monday; Ken O’Connor, Madeline Tramontano, Jessica Estrella, Sky MacDuff and Garry Metters on Tuesday; Shanti Blum, Lynne Whipple and Rebecca Williams on Wednesday; Phyllis Meras, Megan Smith, Katherine Ruppel, Chris Decker, Dave Kish, Marques Rivers, Betsey Van Landingham, and Dan Hull on Thursday. A very happy 35th wedding anniversary to David and Eleanor Stanwood next Friday.

Well that is all of the social news for this week’s column. A trivia tid bit: Arthur Godfrey began a lengthy stint as a morning disc jockey with his program on WCBS radio 74 years ago Monday that was listened to by many Vineyarders religiously every week day. If you have any news please call or e-mail me.

Send West Tisbury news to alleys@vineyard.net.