“Snowfall will be above normal in most of the Northeast, although below normal in much of New England.” So said the Old Farmer’s Almanac for the start of 2015. It sounds like a cheap fortune cookie message. Also, it sounds quite off the mark.

This snowy, cold winter has been a trial for most of us. Some of us, who don’t dare walk on icy, slippery terrain, have been housebound for weeks.

An atmosphere of great celebration prevailed here at the Island Wide Youth Collaborative and Martha’s Vineyard Community Services this week.

Like the rest of our Island community, the Island Community Chorus, with over 100 members, was getting restless and frustrated. Weekly snowstorms forced the cancellation of our Monday night rehearsals.

The extraordinary beauty of this Island has always enchanted me. I call it one big Japanese garden. The Island is alive with a myriad of landscapes.

Now that the winter holiday decorations have come down, but while there’s still plenty of snow on the ground, it’s time to take stock and offer some somewhat tardy thank you’s.

Two Island men were arraigned last week on drug charges after police said they arrived at an Oak Bluffs parking lot to allegedly sell heroin.

Parties are different on the Island in February. There’s an almost imperceptible clouding of the atmosphere; a tincture of desperation underlies the natural sociability of man during this monstrous month.

Over the next year, the Sustainable Book Club will read and discuss books about diverse environmental topics. The entire Island is invited to participate. The book club is sponsored by Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and all six Island libraries, and will meet every over month for the next year at locations around the Island.

Today marks the beginning of the school vacation week for Vineyard students and many families will also take a vacation from the winter boredom.