What was that? Quick snowstorm, plows out all night, then rain wiped all traces away by the next morning. But it’s still cold here and by next winter I hope to be a snowbird.

There is a new star on the planet. Ashley Byrd married to Sam Byrd of San Marcos, Tex., gave birth last Wednesday at San Marcos hospital to Arya Louise Byrd on Jan. 15 at 10:44 a.m. Arya was 9 lbs, 3 oz, and 20 inches long. Ashley is the daughter of our born and bred islanders, Tamma Cimeno and David Willoughby. Arya joins older brother Jude and a passel of Texan relatives. Tamma has been there to help out and is loving her new status. Tamma is also anxiously awaiting the birth of another grandchild here in Oak Bluffs next month. Busy family! Everyone is fine. Welcome to the world, Arya Louise.

Our Martha’s Vineyard Museum continues to highlight our Islanders. Steve Maxner, who served as a medic in Vietnam, has an exhibit at the museum that opened Tuesday night. Steve’s work includes his stories, music he personally wrote, and sculptures made of beach finds he has discovered over the years while walking his dog, Ollie. Cronig’s and Cape Cod Five have banded together to present free admission to the museum on Tuesday nights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Don’t miss this one!

Also free and stunning is the work of one of my favorite photographers, Paul F. Doherty. Paul’s exhibit, Sunrise, Sunset, and the Moon is at our library in Art in the Stacks in January and February.

Media Voices for Children has their photo exhibit of children from around the world at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse. This group has done so much to spotlight the challenges our children deal with globally. And the Wicked Good Musical Revue is back at the playhouse this weekend. Shows are Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. There is a discounted matinée at 2 p.m. on Sunday. I’ll see you there.

A big weekend is shaping up. The annual Robbie Burns birthday dinner, presented by the Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard, will be held on Saturday at the P.A. Club. Men in kilts! I hope it’s not another cold evening. I don’t suppose anyone makes vegan haggis?

Speaking of vegan, our M V. Vegan Society offers a fun, free hot soup and vegan food giveaway on Sunday, Jan. 26 at our library at 2 p.m. I cannot say enough kind things about Samuel Armstrong who is the chief mover and shaker behind this movement. Sam suggests you bring bags to take away your free food and containers to bring home hot soup. I can guarantee there won’t be haggis at this fun event.

The museum, the playhouse, and the library are so much a part of our cultural lives here. The library offers a free movie on Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 4 p.m. This documentary tells you all you need to know about the North Atlantic Right Whale. It was conceived, directed and produced by Islanders. And you will finally get the answer to why it is called the “right” whale.

The birthday bandwagon pulled along Jeremy Dunham on Jan. 15. Emmalee Rose Ward celebrated on Jan. 17. And on Jan. 22, Angel Naphtalie Aiguier took the cake. Many happy returns.