In these early days of spring an Islander is as likely to see morning frost as blooming daffodils, and one day's heat is the next day's chill. We need no banging of drums for the season to come; our yearning for the warmth is palpable. But signs and portents do abound, all around us.

As much as ancient sayings are to be revered, there’s a lot to be said for March both coming in and going out like a lamb.

Winter residents are plentiful and northbound migrants start to arrive during March in the birding world. Migrant species including red-winged blackbirds, tree swallows, killdeer and American robins arrive along with spring.

First responders of the Vineyard battled for bragging rights at the ice arena on Saturday for the annual police department versus fire department hockey game. The Finest (police) won in the end 8-5 over the Bravest (firefighters).

March. It’s a quixotic month. Some days it smiles in the way of spring and makes the pussy willows and the snowdrops bloom and the forsythia edge toward budding. Sometimes it growls in a forbidding way, letting everyone know that winter hasn’t quite gone by.

Paul Beeson and Kirsten Anderson opened the iconic Upper Main street business for their second season at the helm.

Art lovers flocked to Featherstone Sunday, where the walls of the Francine Kelly Gallery were decorated with works of art by 98 artists of different ages, skill levels and genres celebrating their muse.

Today is Daylight Saving time. On the Island are first arrivals: the emerging crocuses and snowdrops, the sounds of songbirds absent through the winter, and the distinctive choral cry of spring peepers known in these parts as pinkletinks.