The following letter was sent to NStar, the state Department of Agriculture, the Martha’s Vineyard Commission and Tisbury town boards:

Democracy doesn’t work without competitive elections in which different points of view can be heard.

On Saturday evening, the Minnesinger parent group hosted its first annual mid-winter ball and gala at the Harbor View Hotel. The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Minnesingers and their director Janis Wightman wish to thank the parents and all the volunteers for their many hours of time and tireless efforts.

Martha’s Vineyard listener supported public radio station WCAI has increased its flagship signal on 90.1 FM from 1,200 watts to 12,500 making it more accessible to more people on the Cape and Islands.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank reported revenues of $158,299.20 for the business week ending on Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. The land bank receives its funds from a two per cent fee charged on many Vineyard real estate transactions.

Well, I don’t even know what to say about the weather. Even the south is now getting this unpredictable weather. All I can say is “Welcome to New England,” and we will see what tomorrow brings.

So far Sue and Jerry Wacks have been winning the staring contest they are engaged in with Mother Nature. Their house remains intact at the moment in its ringside seat overlooking the Wasque opening.

Sally Dagnall’s book Circle of Faith anointed Rev. Hebron Vincent (1805 – 1890) the man who kept the records. Born in Edgartown, Mr. Vincent had no formal education other than less than a year of study at Maine Wesleyan Seminary. He was apprenticed to shoemaker Jeremiah Pease at age 13, converted to Methodism at age 17 and received lessons from “a good educated brother,” which led to his becoming the camp meeting secretary for 35 years. Hebron Vincent was one of the folks who went to Eastville’s forest to identify what would become our Camp Ground in 1835.

Elizabeth Zeller and Jamie Wallace of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Alexander James Wallace, born on Jan. 17 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.

The forecast is gloomy for lobstermen south of Cape Cod. Warming water temperatures, not overfishing are the cause, biologists say.