It sure has been like a ghost town all week, largely because it is school winter vacation and many families are on the move. People have left Dodge for a warmer climate while others have gone up north to ski and some to visit family.

Thoughts of spring give us hope. Soon Eleanor Stanwood will be reporting on the birth of lambs at their farm.

Anna and I left town last Friday to attend grandsons Mark and Eddie’s third birthday party. We stayed in Providence with her sister Nina and her husband Dr. Dieter Pohl. The party was a success; many people attended. We returned home Sunday just ahead of the storm.

Susan Block reports that Frank Adams’s flower garden on Music street is getting close to blooming. Anna Alley has spotted robins at her backyard feeder. Daylight Saving Time begins on March 10.

The Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank held bank appreciation day for customers last week. It was a treat to have a sandwich and chowder after being waited on by the efficient tellers.

Harriet Bernstein reports that there will be a showing of the film One Big Home on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the library, with discussion to follow.

David McCullough has finished writing a new book, The Pioneers. It is scheduled for release on May 7.

Olivia Larsen over at the library reports on some of next weeks activities: Tomorrow at 11 a.m. Hugh Phear will facilitate a Chain Reaction Build Session for kids ages eight and up. Come try your hand at building an inspiring device that performs a simple task in a creative way. From 3:30 to 5 p.m. all are invited to an opening reception featuring the work of Island photographer Albert O. Fischer. Refreshments will be served. His exhibit, titled Up-Island, will be on display in the community room throughout the month of March.

Happy birthday to: Sam Alley, Sydney Jasny and Susan Phelps today; David Fielder, Josh Emin, Robert Pacl, Charles Sebastian, Greg Drake and Suzanne Nagi tomorrow; Tom Church, Francine Fischer and Roger Sylva on Sunday; Vicki Broscheit, Lonni Phillips, and Valentine Estabrook on Monday; Catlin Cassiani, Kenneth Vincent, Glenn Andrews and Sofia Tanhauser on Tuesday; Leslei Monast, Doug Seward, Jessica Miller, Victoria Segel, Carol Eno, Hans Adcock and Patricia Kirwin on Wednesday; Jeanne Barron, Mike Eldridge, Simon Athearn, Polly Bassett, Kathy Wixon and Bryan Nagle on Thursday.

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