The weather is improving, with a heat wave on Monday when the temperature reached 46 degrees. On March 5, it literally snowed the entire day not stopping for one minute. It was a light snowfall and the accumulation was not as significant as in February, but enough of the snow for this season. Of course, you often achieve what you wish for — a spring thaw thus over the weekend, most areas were mud-filled. After spending a week at home, I finally ventured out. The frost heaves made it feel as though you were driving over a railroad track. Spring — aha — just one week away.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restoration work on the west jetty at West Basin in Lobsterville will begin shortly. On Sunday afternoon, equipment was unloaded from the barge to ready the site for the work to be accomplished.

Utility poles along Lighthouse Road are being replaced for the first time in decades. The lights flickered on Tuesday afternoon while they were at work on the poles.

Chilmark Chocolates is open. Stock up on your favorite Easter candy.

The Martha’s Vineyard Democratic Council will meet March 14 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Howes House across the street from Alley’s General Store.

Please join in Slow Food Martha’s Vineyard’s Annual Farmers’ Brunch on Sunday, March 15, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Chilmark Community Center. Four speakers, as well as exhibits and displays, will explore Negotiating the Complexity of GMO’s — Sourcing Seeds, Feeds, Foods.” Learn the difference between GMO-free and organic, grass vs. grain-fed beef and poultry, the real cost of eggs, and the latest on GMO labeling efforts. Plus, there’s a raffle of GMO-free products available locally. Tickets are available at slowfoodmarthasvineyard.org and at the door at $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers.

Dr. Geoffrey Dana Hicks — pianist, composer, performer, lecturer, recording artist, arranger and conductor — will be performing on Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at the Aquinnah town hall for the benefit of Community Baptist Church of Gay Head. Dr. Hicks will perform gospel and jazz and invites local artists to join in the second half of the evening performance for a jam session. Tickets are $15 and includes beverages and dessert. For further information, please call Rev. Ellen Tatreau at 508-693-1539.

All the best to Dr. Michael Goldfein as he retires from his pediatric practice at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital after 38 years, and how sad that the hospital could not have been more accommodating for him to consult at least on a part-time basis. The Vineyard community will now lose another valuable member of our medical community who still has so much to offer.

Sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal elder Vivian May James who passed away peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 23 in Brewster. Vivian was the daughter of the late Francis James and Arabella (Cook) of Gay Head, and a descendant of the Cook, James, Johnson, Manning, Peters, Talknot and Weeks families. She was born May 1, 1922, the sixth child of their family of eight. Her career spanned 32 years as a teacher of physical education in Greenfield. A fellow teacher still telephoned her weekly. Most of Vivian’s siblings were also educators and many were musically inclined. Vivian and her sister June James MacDonald were delighted by a visit from their Aquinnah cousins Barbara Gentry and her sister Joan Gentry Patadal in December. Vivian is survived by her sisters June James MacDonald and Shirley James Freethy, both of Chatham. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families. Private services will be held at a later date.

Shaun MacPhail and his wife Alexandra Taylor and their daughters Olive and Violet returned this past week after spending two weeks with her parents and the twins' grandparents Capt. Hugh Taylor and Jeanne in Exuma.

Nonie Madison, her husband Dan Sauer and their sons Waylon and Amos returned from their vacation in warmth and sunshine in Tulum, Mexico, only to have the flu; 7a will be opening soon.

Condolences to the family and friends of Bill Searle who passed away this week in Cape Coral, Fla., where he and his wife Linda had retired to 10 years ago from their home in Oak Bluffs. Bill was the retired Massachusetts environmental police officer for the Vineyard. One of his last duties just before retirement was the Minke whale that had washed ashore at Lobsterville. It was uncertain where it would be moved and how it would be moved, and added to that all the required documentation to accompany his report, but never fear, with Bill’s knowledge it was handled professionally and proficiently.

Belated happy birthday wishes this week to Margaret Freydberg who observed her 107th birthday among her many friends. Peggy, as she is fondly known, received more than 450 Facebook messages for her special day.

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