From the Vineyard Gazette editions of March 1971: To most reasonable minds it appears that in the long run the interests of all-year residents and seasonal residents of the Vineyard are nearly identical.

Well, last weekend the weather was bright but on the cold side. It rained a lot on Monday, though that still was better than the seven inches of snow that fell in Boston. Winter is having a hard time leaving us this year. The flowers are budding out most everywhere and spring began on Wednesday, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature as it is projected to be on the cold side for the remainder of the month.

Chilmark is snow-less under bright sunshine as I write. We know it is still winter in spite of the date . . . beginning of spring. It is still cold! The hearty spring flowers are encouraging us all to think of spring as they continue to come into bud.

The cold weather has made us all put off our outdoor chores for another week, so please note that many indoor activities still offer us diversions.

Spring has arrived. The forsythia are starting to bloom, there are pinkletinks practicing their chorus at night, skunk cabbage is in full attire, the crocus and daffodils are sprouting, and DQ has opened. I was beginning to believe that we would never seen the warmth and sunshine again.

Despite all the cold, rainy, windy weather, we’ve crossed the line, first, into Daylight Saving Time and now, with the vernal equinox on Wednesday, into spring. Neither has made us feel particularly spring-like. Sometimes I feel as if the only harbinger of spring is the fact that I’m looking for one, as in the way that I’ve started tipping my head to look up at the still-empty osprey nest along my road.

Longer daylight hours allow more of our favorite town to be seen and lovely as it remains; winter has been harsh. The highway department is on its’ game, efficiently patching and filling many mini-potholes caused by plowed snowfall, water runoff and mostly commercial traffic, since our seasonal guests have not yet arrived.

What wacky weather! I always find the switch between winter and spring trying. The added light in evenings is a big plus, however. As far as cheerful spring flowers go, I hope you all picked up your daffodil bouquets to benefit cancer research and have them displayed on your desks and tables.

Skip Finley, director of sales and marketing for the Vineyard Gazette, has been named one of six recipients of the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s 2013 Ward L. Quaal Leadership Awards. Mr. Finley, a veteran radio executive, served as managing partner in Noepe Communications prior to joining the Gazette staff earlier this year.

The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard reports that their cages are almost empty, but they will begin to fill up as soon as the spring kittens arrive.

Up for adoption is a six-month-old orange tiger kitten named Lucy. Lucy is shy and needs a lot of compassion. She would make a wonderful barn cat, after she adjusts to her new surroundings.

Jerry, the small brown Chihuahua, is still looking for a home without young children. He is a friendly lap dog and would be a good match for an older family.