It was so cold over Memorial Day weekend I was certainly glad I had not put my winter coat and snow shovel away. Perhaps a disappointment for many weekenders, but New England weather, there you have it. It is nice to see our seasonal friends returning, houses being opened, gardens being planted, and hammocks hung in the yard. Soon it is on to grilling and swimming.

A Tellurian tip from Teri (please note this, Lori Robinson Fisher) is to put peppermint oil in a mister and spray it around garage door frames, basements foundations, decks. Spiders and mice are repelled. Your chances of having pleasant outdoor experiences this summer will greatly increase.

I neglected to mention that the fanciful pottery creations in downtown windows is at the Louisa Gould Gallery. This is the work of the incredibly talented Jennifer McCurdy.

Speaking of artists, talented photographer Michael Blanchard has opened his Crossroads Gallery in Oak Bluffs. The opening was last weekend. I did not mean to miss it. Stop to see what Michael has on display.

That also brings us to a Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library event on Tuesday, June 5. There is an opening reception for the annual group show of our Martha’s Vineyard Photography Club. The club meets at the library on the first Thursday of every month. All are invited and all skill levels are welcome. The annual show runs from June 4 to June 15. I’ll see you there.

So many have fallen ill to Lyme disease. The library will also host MVRHS students on June 19. They are watching a developing program from MIT to diminish the tick population. As the companion to two dogs I can say this tick season has come on fast and furious. Check your kids and pets.

The ever-on-the-go Nancy Aronie is offering a one-day writing workshop at the Open Center in New York on June 9 from 9 a.m to 4 p.m This is an opportunity for my writing friends in New York to learn from one of the best. To get a complete list of Nancy’s workshop programs visit: chilmarkwritingworkshop@gmail.com.

I am hoping we are all off to a great season. But already I detect a hint of fall in the air. I am looking forward to Patriots football and Phil Weinstein’s next installment of Islanders Read the Classics The next class is on Marcel Proust Swann’s Way. Get ready, get reading.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Bob Dylan on May 24. So wonderful to have grown up with this guy. Lizzie Jacobs got the surprise of her life on May 27, her special day. More about that in my next column. Jackie Belleville celebrates on June 6, and on June 8 Wendy Fitting, Miles Gross and David Alan Friedman take the cake. Many happy returns.

Send Vineyard haven news to iklean@yahoo.com.