Super Tuesday

More than once it has been called the purest form of democracy. And while some may quibble with the adjective, there is no doubt that annual town meetings — in all their messy, colorful, argumentative and sometimes droning-on-at-length glory — remain at heart one of the finest examples of democracy at work.

Tuesday marks the launch of the full political season on the Vineyard with three annual town meetings set to take place on the same night in Edgartown, West Tisbury and Oak Bluffs.

Mill Pond

Spring didn’t fool around on Tuesday, April Fool’s Day. Instead, quite properly, the month of golden daffodils and forsythia and of plump, furry pussy willows arrived with a warm rain. The month’s arrival could have been heralded by sun, but that has come since — to show off the greenery and the buds and the first flowers that the rain has nurtured.

FREEDOM FOR THE THOUGHT THAT WE HATE. By Anthony Lewis. Basic Books, New York, N.Y. 2008. 221 pages. $25 hard cover.

The Vineyard’s political season is in full swing, with town meetings and local elections happening this month. It is in a season such as this that Anthony Lewis’s most recent book, Freedom For The Thought That We Hate, is particularly compelling.

CAPABLE CAPTAIN

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

As homeowners on Chappy, we want to express our complete and unrestricted support for Brad Fligor as a captain of the Chappy ferry.

We have known Brad since he started captaining the ferry. Of course he may not be the prettiest of the captains, but he sure is one of the most capable.

We have always found him to be respectful, courteous and most especially diligent about safety.

Pig on the Loose

From the Vineyard Gazette editions of April, 1983:

Think Again

Editors, Vineyard Gazette:

On April 15, the voters of Tisbury will go to the polls to vote on a proposal to allow the selectmen to license the sale of beer and wine in establishments around our town. If you think that this proposal concerns what beverage you may drink with your meals, think again. This is about real estate and community.

Hello again to our readers. We have some interesting articles for you this week from our sophomores, but we have had to hustle due to MCAS. We just took the test that basically determines whether or not we graduate, so last week we were more worried about that than about our other school tasks. But as they say, the show must go on and we hope you enjoy reading our thoughts. We enjoy sharing them with you.

— Troy (85) Small, Editor

Spring Sports Begin

By Abbey Etner>

For Lani Carney, paintbrushes were not made for painting. Paintbrushes were made for dancing.

“I taught them how to dance with the brush,” she said, and by them, she meant her students. “Last week I said to them, ‘Today, the light blue of the sky really says spring is here! Will you dance with me and your brush and paint what spring says in your heart?’

“That fizz and the actual manner in which the color takes to that wet paper,” she continued, “It’s a delight you and I have never known!”

Christmas lights illuminate the yellow upstairs room filled with squashy armchairs, each of which contains at least one sprawling teenager. Up front, two boys fool around with a microphone, testing their amplified voices, revelling in the leisurely atmosphere — that is, until the real show begins.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with readings by three published Chilmark poets: Margaret (Peggy) Howe Freydberg, John Maloney and Donald Nitchie. The authors will read some of their favorite poems on Wednesday, April 9, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chilmark Public Library.

Ms. Freydberg recently celebrated her 100th birthday at the library surrounded by family, friends and poetry written by her and especially for her. Ms. Freydberg is the author of several novels, a memoir, a book of short stories and two poetry books, Evening on the Pond and Wanting.