JOHN S. ALLEY
508-693-2950
Well, the weekend weather seemed springlike if you could avoid the wind. Gardens were planted, and some folks started cleaning up the garage to locate the lawn mower that will be delivered to Jim’s Power Equipment in Vineyard Haven for a spring tuneup. People are beginning the task of cleaning up the yard after the long winter, throwing away the Christmas tree that is beginning to turn rust color, raking the lawn and flower beds. The wind blew hard early Tuesday morning forcing the cancellation of the SSA early boats. Some folks already have begun planting peas in their gardens. My wife reports that crocuses are in bloom in the backyard.
Bea Whiting reports that this year’s lambing season began in mid-March and is just about over for this year. Her parents, Allen and Lynne, returned recently from Bequia in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where they enjoyed the warmth of sea and sand while combining vacation with a little work. Lynne also hosted a tea party on Sunday at her home for the benefit of the proposed library expansion.
Next week will be busy with the annual town meeting and election. The town meeting warrant contains 45 articles this year. The fun will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday night in the school gym. Items expected to generate considerable controversy are the budget of the Up-Island Regional School District, library expansion and acceptance of a state grant, a number of community preservation articles including the purchase of the Field Gallery, and a petition to the legislature to allow for the sale of beer and wine to be consumed on the premises. If voted yes, it will take another year and another yes vote before it could begin.
Muriel Bye, election warden, reports that all will be ready at the polls in the Public Safety Building on Thursday. The election will be held from noon to 8 p.m. She expects a moderate turnout with but two contests. Three candidates, incumbent Linda Hearn, Alix deSeife Small and Gina Solon, seek the two open library trustees seats, and for finance committee, Joe Gervais, Gary Montrowl and Katherine Triantafillou are vying for two openings.
Wenonah Madison, of Aquinnah, has started work on the former Back Alley’s deli building that sat idle last summer; she plans to have it operational before Memorial Day.
Colleen Morris, over at the library, reminds us that tomorrow is National Passport Day. If you need to renew your passport or have other questions she has the answers and forms at hand. You are invited to stop by any time during the day and visit. There will be turtle crafts to make from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow. The library’s annual community poetry reading will be held on April 17 at 5 p.m. You are invited to read your own poem or one by another poet. And the Monday night movie mystery series continues weekly at 7 p.m.; Colleen will make the popcorn. Also, on Wednesday our library will join libraries across the commonwealth and the nation to provide a “snapshot” of what happens in a day in the life of libraries. Contact the library at 508-693-3366 for more information.
Michelene Sonia reports these school activities: April 7, 11 and 13 will be half-days, with noon dismissal for the students, in order to accommodate parent-teacher conferences. Tonight at 7 p.m. there will be a coffeehouse with Eric Johnston in the school cafeteria where all are welcome, so please join them either to perform or support your friends. And April school vacation is from April 16 through 24.
Old friend Mike Ovios, of Old County Road, passed away last week. He was a schoolteacher for many years and served as this town’s building inspector for several years. A visitation will be held at Chapman Cole and Gleason funeral home in Oak Bluffs from 4 to 7 p.m. today. Our condolences to his wife, Janice, and son, Adam.
Karen Flynn, of Indian Hill Road, reports that the Celebrity Waiters Dinner to benefit PeaceQuilts’ work in Haiti was held last Saturday night in the parish house of the Edgartown Federated Church; Joe Capobianco made his special spaghetti and meatballs. The waiters dressed as their favorite “celebrity,” and one waiter served his table in top hat and tails. It was a really a good time.
Ginger Duarte reports that the Vineyard Center for Living is holding its fourth cultural luncheon tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m. at the Grill on Main in Edgartown. It will honor the Jewish community and offer a closer look at the influence of the Jewish people and culture on the Vineyard, with Vineyard-born residents Ruth Cronig Stiller and her daughter, Gayle, speaking. Interludes of klezmer music will be performed, under the direction of Mark Hahn. For tickets, call 508-939-9440 or e-mail mvcenter4living@gmail.com.
Tomorrow at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, in Oak Bluffs, across the street from the regional high school, there will be an electronics disposal day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A great opportunity to get rid of old, broken electronics in an environmentally friendly way.
The Martha’s Vineyard Democratic Council will meet tomorrow morning from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Howes House.
Lynn Ditchfield reports that tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. at the regional high school, the Adult and Community Education Program (ACE MV), is honored to host Dr. Eric Brodheim, who will provide a fascinating seminar titled An Introduction to General Relativity. Beginning in early May are professional development courses, including Introduction to Children’s Literature through Cape Cod Community College, ServSafe Food Sanitation Training and Recertification, and a food safety mini-course. Online preregistration is required, spots fill quickly. For more information, call 508-693-1033, extension 240, or 774-310-1131.
“On April 12, 1945 President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away at his retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia, 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; a certificate denoting 25 years of continuous membership hung in the White House. The service was conducted by Miss Elizabeth Manter, assisted by 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: Sally Anderson, Joe Amaral and Rosalee McCullough today; Julie Hitchings and Robin Fitzpatrick tomorrow; John “My Way” Alaimo and Heidi Pachico on Sunday; Linsey Lee, Sally Sherwood, Donna Michalski and Kristen Buck on Monday; Carmen Wilson, M.E. Horowitz and Antone Rezendes on Tuesday; Deborah Eggers, Prudy Whiting, Sarah Neubert and Tony Higgins on Wednesday; and Robin Elerick on Thursday.
Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. See you at town meeting and the polls. Have a great week.
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