Well some folks have already started planting peas in their gardens and cleaning up the garage to locate the lawn mower that will be delivered to Jim’s Power Equipment in Vineyard Haven for a spring tune up. The grill also needs to be cleaned for cookouts.

People are also cleaning up the yard after the long winter, throwing away the Christmas tree that is beginning to turn a rust color in the yard. But then Sunday afternoon the wind picked up and the SSA was forced to cancel a few trips. Later it rained and Monday felt like February. My wife reports that crocuses and daffodils are in bloom in the backyard.

Tara Whiting-Wells, town clerk, would like to remind voters that town meeting is Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the school gym and to be prepared to vote on a 62-article warrant. A brief summary of the expected highlights are the proposed plastic bottle ban bylaw, our share of the cost of the communication center, establishment of a housing bank, and petition articles that would permit the recreational sale of marijuana and one that will change the date of the annual town meeting from the traditional Tuesday to Saturday at 10 a.m.

The town election is Thursday; the polling hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. There is just one contest this year: a three way race between Joe Gervais, Clark Rattet and incumbent Douglas Ruskin, for two seats on the finance committee. Absentee ballots are available until noontime on Monday for those who are away on election day and/or cannot make it to the polls. If you have any questions call her at 508-696-0148.

Colleen Morris reminds us that Monday is National Passport Day. If you need to renew your passport or have other questions she has the answers.

A rabies clinic will be held tomorrow at the fire station on State Road, across from Conroy’s, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $25 per animal. All dogs must be leashed and all cats and ferrets must be in a cage. Call 508-684- 8201 for more information.

Tomorrow night from 5:30 to 10 p.m. there will be a potluck dinner and fundraiser for Flat Point Farm held at the Agricultural Hall.

Jean O’Reilly and her daughter Molly, from Dublin, Ohio arrived last weekend to visit her brother Arnie and sister Eleanor. Her husband Tim arrived on Wednesday.

Rev. Cathlin Baker minister of the Congregational Church has released the Easter schedule: Palm Sunday service, April 14 at 10 a.m.; Tenebrae Service,April 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Two Easter services, April 21, 9 a.m. at the church and 11 a.m. at the Agricultural Hall, with an Easter egg hunt after the service.

Old friend Meg Wilkinson passed away last week. She had not lived in town for years but graduated from the Tisbury High School, class of 1958. Meg was an excellent athlete. She taught me how to throw a curve ball. My condolences to her family.

On April 12, 1945 President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away at his retreat in Warm Springs, Ga. in the early afternoon. That night the Grange held a special meeting in the Agricultural Hall and immediately after it opened held a short but impressive memorial service for the President who had been a Granger for 31 years. He was a seventh-degree member and possessor of a Silver Star certificate denoting 25 years of continuous membership. The service was conducted by Miss Elizabeth Manter assisted by the two assistant stewards, Lillian Magnuson and Mrs. Warren Armitage. A picture of the late President was draped with the Grange memorial ribbon. An original poem written by Emma Mayhew Whiting for this occasion was read by the Master Maud Call. George Magnuson sang Lead, Kindly Light and the service concluded with the Lord’s Prayer.

Happy birthday to Phil Spaulding, Gary Maynard and Peter Sorrentino today; Susan Britt, Joan Thomas, Hans Van Ness, Alyssa Asler and Suzanne St Andre tomorrow; Craig Saunders, Kathleen Kiley, Don Ogilvie and Neil Withers on Sunday; Sally Anderson, Robin Brown, Rosalee McCullough and Joyce Farmer on Monday; Marilyn Fish, Julie Hitchings and Robin Fitzpatrick on Tuesday; John (My Way) Alaimo, Kaitlyn Kurth and Heidi Pachico on Wednesday; Linsey Lee, Sally Sherwood, Donna Michalski, Scott Dibiaso, Hallie Britt and Kristen Buck on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Pat Fitzpatrick and Naomi Plakins.

Well that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or email me. See you at town meeting and again at the polls. Have a great week.