The Up Island Regional School District budget for fiscal 2009 is slated to increase 1.9 per cent.

Still, enrollment swings and a new allocation system for building costs will have a large financial impact on two of the three Up-Island district towns if the budget is approved at town meetings.

The average cost per pupil under the proposed budget is $24,137, up from $21,143 last year, a 14 per cent increase. Enrollment dropped to 325 students from 357 a year ago, a decline of nine per cent.

Sundance Appearance

Author and water researcher William E. Marks of Edgartown has returned from the Sundance Film Festival, where he was featured in the documentary film, FLOW: For Love of Water.

While water is the very essence of life, sustaining every being on the planet, the film confronts the disturbing reality that the crucial resource is dwindling and greed may be the cause.

Requesting Proposals

The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation of Getzville, N.Y., has released two requests for proposals. The first inititiative would provide support for data-driven instruction. The second initiative would promote the use of technology-based remediation for students performing below grade level in one or more areas. Schools and school districts on the Vineyard may be eligible for funds. More information is available by visiting the Web site at thetowerfoundation.org.

Daffodil Days

Each year in March, the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days provides an opportunity for Island residents to lend a helping hand in the fight against cancer.

Contributions received through the sale of daffodils help to keep the society’s vital resources in place for those who are or have been affected by cancer. The American Cancer Society also needs drivers to deliver daffodils in the community during the week of March 17. To volunteer or to place an order, please call 1-800-227-2345.

Driving around the Island recently, one is likely to encounter flocks of American robins. They seem a little more conspicuous at this time of year since, other than starlings, there are few flocks of anything around.

At this time of year the robins are eating fruit and seeds, so places with crab apples, bittersweet berries, juniper berries, etc., are good places to find them. Often they will concentrate in an area until nearly all the food is gone and then move on after a day or two.

By LYNNE IRONS

This marks my first anniversary as the writer of the garden column. I’m following in the footsteps of Jean Wexler, who wrote the column for many years. Great job, Jean, how did you do it? For me, the column has been challenging at best. Hopefully, one can forgive me my shortcomings, especially repeating subjects and waxing political.

Sometimes you just have to face the facts, even if they seem rather unpleasant.

Most people use the term habitat without realizing that they are one. Yes, you read right: whether you know it or not, you are a habitat and a home base for ectoparasites.

MARGARET KNIGHT

508-627-8894

(margaret02539@yahoo.com)

The island finally looked like winter on Monday morning — and sounded like it at my house, with the wind whistling through the windows where I hadn’t finished winterizing. The snow blew up some good-sized drifts on open sections of the roads, but there probably was not much more than about six inches. Bob Fynbo finally got a chance to use his plow in his official capacity clearing the town roads, which were ready well before the time school opened two hours late. 

HOLLY NADLER

508-693-3880

(sunporch@vineyard.net)

Did you know that Leo The Great was the patron saint of musicians and singers? Or that St. Joseph is the protector of attorneys (as if they needed any outside help), or that St. John Nepomucene keeps a lookout over sailors?

KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kcase1@verizon.net)

What can I say? It is winter and we have had everything we can have in one week. On Monday we woke up to a beautiful blanket of white and the plows running to keep the streets open. Then Tuesday night we started with the rain and it went into Wednesday, dissolving the snow. The only reminder is the piles the plows made. Now the wind is howling and tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and warm. Welcome to New England.