JOHN S. ALLEY

508-693-2950

(alleys@vineyard.net)

Today is the beginning of a long holiday weekend and skating on Parsonage Pond is in full gear. Ice also covered most of the Mill Pond, Ice House and Uncle Seth’s as well but skating is recommended only on Parsonage Pond.

The large elm tree about 150 years old in front of Judge Davis’s house on State Road has been removed because it succumbed to Dutch elm disease. Last fall Allen had an older elm removed near the farm barn for the same reason.

JANE N. SLATER

508-645-3378

(slaterjn@comcast.net)

Chilmark is enduring yet another winter storm as I write. Whiteout conditions midday Wednesday and then sunshine with dry skies. It was a mixed bag of weather but nothing to match what our off-Island friends across New England had to deal with.

Regrets to Zee Gamson whose name I consistently spelled wrong last week. Just a misguided typo! Sad to say that even with all the hi-tech appliances, we still have to rely on our typing skills.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Jan. 7 34 18 .00

Jan. 8 38 30 Trace*

Jan. 9 40 28 .24

Jan. 10 34 25 .00

Jan. 11 34 25 .00

Jan. 12 42 27 .76

Jan. 13 39 29 .04*

*Melted precipitation

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 39º F.

Hello Isabelly

Leisle B. Belo and Wagner Amaral Belo of Edgartown announce the birth of a daughter, Isabelly Amaral Belo, born on Jan. 6, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Isabelly weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces at birth.

Ophelia Arrives

Ramona Black Larsen and Simon Day Larsen of Vineyard Haven announce the birth of a daughter, Ophelia Black Larsen, born on Jan. 6, 2011, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Ophelia weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.

Tomorrow night’s gibbous moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Taurus. The moon is right beside Hyades, one of the most visible and largest star clusters in the night sky. The star cluster appears to most in the shape of a large V.

Helena Film on Saturday

The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society screens Helena from the Wedding at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan 15.

The film will be shown at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on 54 Spring street in Vineyard Haven. Admissions is $8 or $5 for film society members. Doors open 30 minutes prior to screening.

For more information visit mvfilmsociety.com or call 774-392-2972.

Why Can’t Grownups Have Story Time?

It is cold outside. Snow dots the landscape. Smoke billows from chimneys. Stars light the way on Island roads as early as five o’clock. What better time, really, than to curl up with a good story.

Sugar Rush for Kids

IMP presents theatre by kids, for kids at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven Jan. 21 through 23.

The performances will include 40 young actors ages 8 to 13 creating spontaneous theatre based on audience suggestions.

The actors will also present Sugar Rush, about the short but sweet life of a gingerbread boy. This musical play was written by Ross Mihalko, Donna Swift and Brian Weiland.

Take the Microphone

WVVY 93.7 LPFM is community radio at its best. Broadcast from Martha’s Vineyard, this grassroots organization hosts an eclectic lineup of knowledgeable and freewheeling deejays to delight the most jaded listener. Jazz, blues, world music, special deejay mixes, Willy Mason and friends, Democracy Now; the question is not whether you will find something you like, but how they do it all?