Well it sure will be like a ghost town all next week because of the school’s winter vacation that begins this afternoon. Many people and families have left Dodge for a warmer climate while others have gone up north to ski. As we head into March next Friday we celebrate National Pig Day, daylight saving time is just over two weeks away and spring begins on March 20. Although this week’s unpleasant weather, old timers will tell you that the back of winter has been broken. So far we have had less than three inches of snow it has been downright balmy compared to last winter.

Frank Polagruto, formerly of Great Plains Road now of Havenside, is celebrating his birthday on Sunday with his wife Celeste and family. Frank, who enjoys all kinds of music, reportedly is featuring a Julie Andrews favorite of his on his website on Sunday. Happy Birthday Frank.

Joel Kirshbaum and his wife Felicity Russell returned home last week after a week visiting family and friends in Philadelphia. Joel reports it was a nice winter break and he looking forward to spring.

Paul Karasik, nationally known cartoonist, reports that his Graphic Report on Alley’s General Store that ran in the Gazette last August has won 1st Prize for Illustration from the New England Newspaper and Publishers Association’s Better Newspapers Competition. Congratulations.

Henry Carreiro and Antoniya Sabeva were married on Valentine’s Day. The groom’s dad was a resident and builder in Oak Bluffs for years and later a talk show host on Fall River radio. Our congratulations to the happy couple.

The Agricultural Society will hold the fifth annual Meatball Dinner & Dancing tomorrow night at 5:30 p.m at the Agricultural Hall. For details check the calendar section or call 508-693-9549.

When I was empting my kindling box recently out fell a yellowed envelope postmarked Dec. 1, 1933 to a Mrs. Edith Thompson, address TOWN. That was an old way of addressing a letter to someone who lived in the same town. At that time every letter was hand cancelled and it wasn’t a problem for the postmaster to place it in the correct postal box. It was a bill from Owens Nursery in Vineyard Haven for two bouquets of flowers for a total of $2. It was marked paid by Granville Shattuck, proprietor, on Jan. 15, 1934.

Olivia Larsen, over at the library, reports on some of the upcoming activities next week. On Sunday at 3 p.m., join them for a screening of the documentary One Big Home, followed by a discussion facilitated by Paul Rashba. During the school break, stop by the library for a free soup and bread lunch every day between 11:45 and 12:45 p.m. A different soup will be served each day, and all ages are welcome.

The uneasiness felt by citizens in town about the ownership of the town clock surfaced at the 1926 annual town meeting. William J. Rotch, Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, was asked to conduct an investigation into the ownership of the clock and on March 7 he issued this report:

In 1895 the Church acquired a clock. It was inspired by Hannah Look, who in her will dated December 1, 1875, left to the Congregational Church Society the sum of $200 to be used in placing a suitable clock in the steeple with face and hands outside. The bequest was in memory of her husband David Look. By 1893 the money had doubled and there also had grown a real community interest in acquiring a clock. Suppers were held to raise money and one Gentleman reported he lost interest as he had had “too much chowder too many times.” Chain letters were sent out with sums received from 10 cents to $5. and a special issue of the The Sea Gull, a newspaper published by the Church ladies. The success of these efforts was great enough not only to make the clock possible but a new bell which corresponded with the clock machinery. The cost of winding weekly has been about $20 a year. Half was paid by the church the other half by public subscription. For nearly 30 years the town has paid $10.

If it is determined that the town cannot continue to do so, Mr. Rotch said he will undertake it to see that the public share of the upkeep will be provided rather than loose the clock. Many others are of the same opinion.

Happy Birthday to Justin Dodge and David Bowman today; Paul Buckley, Julie Flanders, Joanne Peterson, Stuart Gardner and Ellen Wolfe tomorrow; Frank Polagruto, Tara Lewis, Dennis Jason and Diane Wall on Sunday; Kelly Arruda, Stephanie Wade, Susan Bowman and Steve Gallagher on Monday; Katherine Athearn, Mason Fischer and Natasha Taylor on Tuesday; Kevin McFarland, Kathryn Sullivan, Gene Bergeron and Shawn Emin on Wednesday; Robyn Athearn, Tom Thatcher, Susan Goldstein and George Brush on Thursday. Belated Birthday wishes to Lenny Jason, Jackie Baer, Doug Fortes, David Schuster and Meg Higgins.

Well that is all of the social news for this week. I don’t want to miss the news about your vacation so please call or email me with details. Have a great week.