Wow! Nothing like a good, old-fashioned northeaster to shake things up. Did anyone bring a canoe down to Five Corners? Thanks to all who sent me photos of the event. I hope the rest of you stayed warm and dry. Just a few more weeks of this very changeable weather and, yup, spring is on the way.

Mary Korba at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services has a most important announcement for us. A free public forum will be held at the high school PAC center on Feb. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. The forum will discuss destigmatizing substance abuse disorder and addressing the opioid epidemic through a public health lens. Monica Bharel MD, the state Commissioner of Public Health, will be there to talk with us. Members of the Martha’s Vineyard Substance Use Disorder Coalition, many of our good friends and neighbors, will also be in attendance. Clinicians and recovery coaches will be available during and after the forum for anyone in need. The fantasy that Martha’s Vineyard is too idyllic a place for substance abuse is, sadly, just that, a fantasy. Please attend and urge anyone in need of information to be there.

The Neighborhood Convention invites you to their next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at the West Tisbury Congregational Church. Rev. Cathlin Baker will speak about Reflections on Faith and her Sabbatical Journey. All are welcome. Bring a sack lunch. I remember the beautiful blue eyes of Alice Burt twinkling as she would tell me how delighted she was to attend these meetings.

Monday night movies at the Vineyard Playhouse at 7 p.m. hold to $5 cash at the door. Fittingly enough the Patricia Neal stage is presenting this month of Patricia Neal movies. Last one is next Monday. Be sure to check out the art space while you are there.

Our library does not slack in its film series. On Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the program room all are welcome to enjoy Love and Friendship, based on a Jane Austen novella. One of my favorite Jane Austen quotes: “If a book is well written I find it is always too short.” Art in the Stacks at the library is Freeze Frames by photographer Peter Dreyer. Don’t miss his innovative exhibit.

Difficult and sad but I must accept it, my Teri’s birthday on Jan. 26th would have been only her 58th. Nearly a year has gone by since her death. She of the infectious smile, twinkling eyes, and beautiful soul. I constantly remind myself that at least I was able to know her and privileged to be her friend for almost five years. God bless her family and friends, I think of you every day.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along Jesse Steere, Caroline Davey, Gail Burke, and Fatima Silva on Jan. 27. Jan. 28 shines on Courtney Daly, Sonia Balbino, and Alyssa Rose Miller. Jan. 29 is claimed by Suzanne Kennedy. Jan. 30 is shared by Lisa Nichols and Sasha Robinson-White. Jan. 31 honors Jarrett Campbell and Kelly McElhinney. Feb. 1 belongs to Lynne Kuehne and Beau Eric Linderson. And on Feb. 2 Alena Shisko, Rex Henry Grant, and Lucia Ponte take the cake. Many happy returns.

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