It’s been a mild winter with above-average temperatures. We had two snow events of about 20 inches, a few bitterly cold days and that has been it so far. The ground is not frozen so if we make it through this month it will be all downhill from there. It looks like February could be a bit colder. Daylight saving time begins on March 12.

Anna Alley is home after a weekend visiting the grandchildren and their parents in East Taunton.

Tim O’Reilly and their children, Ted, Stephanie, Molly, Nancy and Andrew want to take this opportunity to wish their mom Jean (Fischer) a very happy 65th birthday on Monday. Tim reports that she is the best wife/mom in the world. Jean worked for Alley’s General Store for several years many moons ago, and met Tim who was a rookie candy salesman mentored by the late Jack Watson. And the rest is history. Happy birthday, Jean from all your old friends.

Jennie and John Gadowski’s daughter Victoria died on Monday. A celebration of her life will be held at fire station number two Saturday at 11a.m.

Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the library, the League of Women Voters and the library will present What Makes West Tisbury Tick?, a 90-minute discussion drawing on the experience of volunteers from the community. It will cover such basic questions as how to run for office, how to work with or join a town committee, and how to put an article before town meeting. Free admission, refreshments and child care provided. For information, call 508-693-3366.

Olivia Larsen over at the library reports that Saturday at 1 p.m., the Martha’s Vineyard Community Seed Library will host a seed swap and germination testing workshop. All are welcome to bring an open-pollinated/heirloom seed packets or saved seed to swap and share, or to donate to the seed cabinet. Learn how to do germination testing for seed viability, and help test the seed in their growing collection. This event is co-sponsored by Island Grown Schools, the Farm Institute, and the library. Also at 4 p.m. they will have an art reception for the Monoprint Art Exhibition in the Community Room. This exhibition is a collaborative effort, which includes work of several different community artists. Refreshments will be served.

History note: On Feb. 10, 1948 at the annual town meeting voters by a wide margin accepted gift from Donald R. Campbell of Old County Road of the Mill Pond and the land under it. Ancient records show that because of its central location and water power it not only attracted the farmer’s with their grain to grind, but it became the site of the only textile mill on the Island. Here the celebrated satinet cloth was woven. It has also been a favorite spot for skaters for several generations, who cut figure eights near the light of bonfires kindled on danger spots where the big brook empties into the pond. The acceptance contained a condition; the town must remove the weeds, repair the damn and raise the water level in the pond. After considerable debate a letter from Rev. Thompson, Master of the Grange, was read urging acceptance and pledging their full cooperation and assistance in the clean up.

Happy birthday to: Janet Belain, Jeanne Ogden and Brianna Holt Friday; Rita Reynolds, Fran Paciello, Tom Dresser, Sarah Reekie and Jose Chaves Saturday; Emily Rodegast and Joe Hegarty on Sunday; Maggie Bresnahan, Spencer Booker, Ken Campbell, Jean Morton Fisher, Dianne McDonough and Ross Adams on Monday, Richard Olsen, Linda Marshall and Louise Sweet on Tuesday, Beth Carr, Elaine Barnett, Kate Warner and Ruth Parmett on Wednesday, Harold Lawry, Alley Estrella and Paul Thurlow on Thursday. Belated birthday wishes to Barbara Day.

Well, that is all of the social news for this week’s edition. If you have any news please call or e-mail me. The Super Bowl is Sunday, go Pats! Have a great week.

Send West Tisbury news to alleys@vineyard.net.