Spring is slowly showing signs around the Vineyard. The ospreys are returning as are the raccoons that must have been hibernating all winter. Lawns are greener from what has felt like a week of rain, fog and drizzle. Trees are being trimmed. Robins are in more abundance, although they tend to stay around now during the winter and are not part of the great migration. It’s nice to take fresh breaths of spring air.

Aquinnah Public Library is filled with seedlings. The seed swap continues through the end of April. Thank you to Heather Gardens for their very generous donation of seeds. And thank you to the Friends of Aquinnah Public Library for the purchase of new chairs. Tomorrow, Barbara Lampson will show you how to turn plastic grocery bags into fabric.

Electronics Disposal Day will be held on Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services campus next door to the YMCA. The fees for disposal range from $2 to $30, with a discount for a carload. Clean out your basements and garages of those unwanted air conditioners, laptops, televisions, refrigerators and more. Strong volunteers are needed to assist, even if only for an hour. We anticipate the Martha’s Vineyard hockey team to be on hand as always, as will Brian Kennedy’s team of hard workers, and a small contingent of Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal Youth to fulfill their community service. See you there.

Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living will present the film Away From Her as a fundraiser to benefit the supportive day program on Sunday, April 13, at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center on Beach Road in Tisbury. The film will raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. Hors d’oeuvres will be catered by Quitsa Cuisine when the doors open at 4 p.m., and beverages will be available. The film will be followed by a question and answer session, moderated by MVC4L president Karen Achille. Questions will be answered by Leslie Clapp, director of Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living,; Eileen Murphy, supportive day program director; and by Mary Holmes of the Windemere Alzheimer unit. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for film society members. For reservations, please call Leslie Clapp at 508-939-9440.

Albert Lana and his wife Anna visited recently, securing a house for their family vacation, having truly missed their half a century at the family home at Lobsterville. They were enjoying the springtime weather and look forward to their return.

Condolences to the family and friends of Anna Marden Monteiro who passed away on March 27 in New Bedford. Anna, the daughter of the late Willard Marden and Agnes Jeffers, was born in Gay Head on March 24, 1920, moving to Tisbury as a child and to New Bedford in her adult years. She was the widow of Felix Monteiro. Our family trips to New Bedford usually included a stop at the Star Store, where Anna was an assistant buyer for many years. She is survived by her children Roque “Billy” Monteiro of Dartmouth and Marie Monteiro of New Bedford, by 9 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, and by 6 great-great grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers Leroy Marden and Lloyd Marden and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by nine brothers: Marshall, Richard, Willard Jr., William, Robert, Herbert, Donald, Wallace and Stanley. Anna was an active member of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), a descendant of the Jeffers and Manning families, and she participated in meetings and elder activities as recently as a month ago. Services were held in New Bedford on Monday, attended by Aquinnah elders and many tribal members.

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) will quietly observe the 27th anniversary of federal acknowledgement on April 10.

Get well wishes to Captain Buddy Vanderhoop, Diamond (Ellie) Vanderhoop and to Carl Widdiss. Healing thoughts and prayers for all.

Happy birthday wishes today to Rose Styron, Bonnie Chalifoux, Deborah Mayhew, Shelby Ives, Christopher Murphy, Amira Madison, Gary Paraboschi and Isolette Fernandes. Karen Murphy will party on Sunday. Taza Vercruysse will celebrate on April 7, as will Jennie Greene and Dona Mazza Perry. Megan Alley will observe her special day on April 8 and shares the day with Douglas Vanderhoop and Cynthia Low. Beth Kaeka parties on April 9. Caroline Mayhew celebrates on April 10. Celebrating on April 11 will be Judith Manning Milavsky, Robert Rose and Theodore Leslie.